TRIKE my SERK or Trade/Sell for Tri-Glide?

Strohkr · Jan 30, 2013

Howdy all!!
I have a 2007 SERK that I am seriously considering triking with the Motor Trike Gladiator kit (IRS). My SERK has many factory mods as well as a few that I've added including some mild engine work (110 horse/130 torque). Only has 20k miles. The out-of-pocket cost would be about the same give or take a little (unless I just keep the TRi-Glide completely stock which is something that I'm sure I won't do) and I just can't decide what the heck to do!! My SERK Trike would be kinda rare and would have plenty of power (although the paint job is gonna be spendy). Also, I'd probably have to rake the SERK and add reverse.
So - any suggestions on what may be the best route to take??
I'm picking your brains cuz I really need some help!!!!!!!!
Thanks to all in advance!
Greg in North Dakota

trikermutha · Jan 30, 2013

Yep you can go with a new triglide or convert yours..If you convert I would rake the trees to make it easier to steer..Sounds like the motor have enough power..
so maybe converting is the way to go..I am sure you have research all the trike dealers out there DFT,Champion etc..

good Luck

Papa Zook · Jan 30, 2013

I would highly reccomend you keeping your '07 SE Road King and converting it with the trike conversion of your choice. You have eliminated all the very costly "TO DOs" needed to make the TriGlide an equally serious fun machine and you know and obviously love your current bike. Plus, you'll be getting a well proven IRS setup from a company that will support you after the sale as proven here time and time again via their active involvement on this forum. This is true with any of the top 5 kit builders. To me this route is a no brainer!

P.S.- when you get ready for a rake kit, give me a holler!

americanbadass · Jan 30, 2013

Bazooka said:
I would highly reccomend you keeping your '07 SE Road King and converting it with the trike conversion of your choice. You have eliminated all the very costly "TO DOs" needed to make the TriGlide an equally serious fun machine and you know and obviously love your current bike. Plus, you'll be getting a well proven IRS setup from a company that will support you after the sale as proven here time and time again via their active involvement on this forum. This is true with any of the top 5 kit builders. To me this route is a no brainer!

P.S.- when you get ready for a rake kit, give me a holler!

Have to agree with our fearless leader on this. You already have the ultimate power and customization on your bike. If you buy a new TG for 33K plus tax lic etc, then you will have to drop a ton of dough to get it where you want it. Not to mention the beating of trading in, or selling.
If you don't like the color or want the look of the ulta-that is different, you could add a fairing to your RK, and change it up a bit. Cost wise-convert it!ThumbUp

poof

FLTR2008TRIKE · Jan 30, 2013

If you decide to go the route of trike your SERK I would advise you to buy a used take off fender from another 2007 touring Harley model. This way if you decide to try and sell it as a 2 wheel bike you will have your original fender.

Motortrike uses your rear fender for the seat support. But they do cut it off above the tail light. Just thought you might want to know this

eighty80 · Jan 30, 2013

It's too bad you couldn't keep the SERK, and buy the Trike. It would be hard for me to bust up the Road King for two reasons. You got the motor the way you want it, and it is a Screamin Eagle model. Are you ready to give up two wheels?

I don't think the decision is as cut and dried as some on here might think?

I am very lucky, or blessed, that I was able to keep my Heritage and get the Trike. On some days I ride one in the mornin and the other in the afternoon. But the Trike is my long distance cruiser without a doubt.

The wife can't, won't ride on the Heritage. But she can and will ride on the Trike.

Tuff decision for you..........

Later, eighty80.

THEREALTRIKKY · Jan 30, 2013

FLTR2008TRIKE said:
If you decide to go the route of trike your SERK I would advise you to buy a used take off fender from another 2007 touring Harley model. This way if you decide to try and sell it as a 2 wheel bike you will have your original fender.

Motortrike uses your rear fender for the seat support. But they do cut it off above the tail light. Just thought you might want to know this

You're partially correct, on the solid axle versions they did cut the rear fender, but on their irs conversions, they provide a bracket that attaches the seat so you don't have to cut the fenders. Unless a dealer cut your fender instead of using the supplied brackets, any harley irs kit from motor trike is done this way.

FLTR2008TRIKE · Jan 30, 2013

THEREALTRIKKY said:
You're partially correct, on the solid axle versions they did cut the rear fender, but on their irs conversions, they provide a bracket that attaches the seat so you don't have to cut the fenders. Unless a dealer cut your fender instead of using the supplied brackets, any harley irs kit from motor trike is done this way.

I did not know this. Thanks

msocko3 · Jan 31, 2013

Bazooka said:
I would highly reccomend you keeping your '07 SE Road King and converting it with the trike conversion of your choice. You have eliminated all the very costly "TO DOs" needed to make the TriGlide an equally serious fun machine and you know and obviously love your current bike. Plus, you'll be getting a well proven IRS setup from a company that will support you after the sale as proven here time and time again via their active involvement on this forum. This is true with any of the top 5 kit builders. To me this route is a no brainer!

P.S.- when you get ready for a rake kit, give me a holler!

:Agree: The engine work is done and nice power is on tap, I think it would make a great trike.

Rick Kay · Jan 31, 2013

Bazooka said:
I would highly reccomend you keeping your '07 SE Road King and converting it with the trike conversion of your choice. You have eliminated all the very costly "TO DOs" needed to make the TriGlide an equally serious fun machine and you know and obviously love your current bike. Plus, you'll be getting a well proven IRS setup from a company that will support you after the sale as proven here time and time again via their active involvement on this forum. This is true with any of the top 5 kit builders. To me this route is a no brainer!

P.S.- when you get ready for a rake kit, give me a holler!

I have to agree 100%

I was in your situation a little over a year ago. I gave great dilligence to my research, and decided to keep my ElectraGlide and trike it with an IRS suspension. For equal money, my trike is completely the way I want it vs the cost of a new Tri Glide that is stock and I'd have to have put money into. When it was all said and done, the conversion was as good as a new bike to me, as most everything had been gone through.

Copasetic · Jan 31, 2013

Bazooka said:
I would highly reccomend you keeping your '07 SE Road King and converting it with the trike conversion of your choice. You have eliminated all the very costly "TO DOs" needed to make the TriGlide an equally serious fun machine and you know and obviously love your current bike. Plus, you'll be getting a well proven IRS setup from a company that will support you after the sale as proven here time and time again via their active involvement on this forum. This is true with any of the top 5 kit builders. To me this route is a no brainer!

P.S.- when you get ready for a rake kit, give me a holler!

I totally agree. I went from a TriGlide to a conversion with IRS and, for me, the difference is huge. I would not go back to a straight axel. Period (but that's me).
Other factors that would be important to me are that the SE has the best of everything HD offers and the TG is stripped down by comparison. Also, to me again, there are so many TG's out there and they all look the same. HD has not changed the wheels or the pinstriping, or hardly anything else for that matter, since they brought out the TG in '09. The SE's are much more unique. That may not matter to many, but it does to me and it may to you since you've ridden an exclusive bike for so many years.

jcolson · Feb 1, 2013

I agree with you guys. You have the best of both worlds. Plus you have the Hydraulic assit clutch. But if you can afford to keep the SE I would go for buying the TG and keeping the 2wheeler. I wish I would have kept mine 2 bikes. I miss riding 2 wheels once in awhile.

Strohkr · Feb 4, 2013

Yeah - that's my dilemma - I hate to "cut up" the SERK and make it into a trike - it's such a pretty bike and I've added hard bags that will more than likely be useless. If I could find a used tri-glide at a decent price I might go that route and keep the SERK as a SERK - I've been looking but nothing up in my area yet. Then I tell myself if I do trike it I'll have the bike that I love in a trike that I (hopefully) will love! And I really do want IRS over the TG's solid axle (each to his own) but I rode a TG last summer and was not overly impressed with the solid axle. I have to make a decision sometime this month as they would like to start on the trike first part of March so it's ready to go by the time riding season arrives (up here it's sometime in April). I also need to decide on what kit to do - it's between the Motor Trike Gladiator and the Champion IRS with the VSC system. Decisions.....decisions.....!
Thanks for the help! Appreciated!!!

BinIdaho · Feb 4, 2013

Strohkr said:
Yeah - that's my dilemma - I hate to "cut up" the SERK and make it into a trike - it's such a pretty bike and I've added hard bags that will more than likely be useless. If I could find a used tri-glide at a decent price I might go that route and keep the SERK as a SERK - I've been looking but nothing up in my area yet. Then I tell myself if I do trike it I'll have the bike that I love in a trike that I (hopefully) will love! And I really do want IRS over the TG's solid axle (each to his own) but I rode a TG last summer and was not overly impressed with the solid axle. I have to make a decision sometime this month as they would like to start on the trike first part of March so it's ready to go by the time riding season arrives (up here it's sometime in April). I also need to decide on what kit to do - it's between the Motor Trike Gladiator and the Champion IRS with the VSC system. Decisions.....decisions.....!
Thanks for the help! Appreciated!!!

Personally from talking to friends around here, Champion is the way to go plus their reverse is superior to other trike kits. Motor Trike doesn't have good reviews....thinking it's almost at the bottom of the list for trike conversion kits. jmo

THEREALTRIKKY · Feb 5, 2013

Forgive me for "overstepping" my bounds, but I've been on this site for a while, and have heard mostly positive reviews about Motor Trike and their conversions/customer service. Also, which reverse type are you comparing to, they have an electric, and a mechanical (that's very similar to champion but uses an electronic safety to prevent accidental engagement).

From what I've read and seen, most trike companies on here are praised far more than talked down upon, which is what makes me wonder why you have the thoughts you do about the other trike companies?

Papa Zook · Feb 5, 2013

I would have to agree. They have all have had some very good and some bad reviews over the years in the past, but I would honestly have to say that they have all definitely made strives to improve their product and customer service. There are quiet a few recent positive reviews for both Motor Trike and Champion and they both read and respond directly to their customers here on a regular basis.

Sloufoot · Feb 5, 2013

THEREALTRIKKY said:
Forgive me for "overstepping" my bounds, but I've been on this site for a while, and have heard mostly positive reviews about Motor Trike and their conversions/customer service. Also, which reverse type are you comparing to, they have an electric, and a mechanical (that's very similar to champion but uses an electronic safety to prevent accidental engagement).

From what I've read and seen, most trike companies on here are praised far more than talked down upon, which is what makes me wonder why you have the thoughts you do about the other trike companies?

I don't know what reverse Motor Trike uses, but if it is the Baker set-up they have a safety that kills the engine if you forget to take the reverse out before you go into forward gears. Looks like a nice set up . More money, but ......

:Trike1:

TRIKE my SERK or Trade/Sell for Tri-Glide?

Strohkr

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trikermutha

Papa Zook

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americanbadass

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