picking a trike kit

I am looking for some advice in what trike kit to install on my bike.
I am comparing trike kits to trike my 2009 Honda Goldwing.
I am looking at the Roadsmith, California Side Car and Motortrike.
I do like some features on the Roadsmith.
I do like the feature that you can go to a regular auto parts store to get parts for the Roadsmith.
They use VW brake parts.
I figure if the brakes stops a VW car it will surely stop a trike and last a long time.
So when you buy brake pads for a Roadsmith you are getting some thickness in your pads.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Several of the GW members here in Central Texas have chosen California SideCar, and we're all, everybody, delighted with our conversions. The people at CSC are so very nice and helpful, and the design of the kit is great.

But what you need to do is ride each of the ones you've chosen if you can, and pick the one YOU like best. Don't rely on other folks - YOU are the one paying for and riding the trike, so YOU are the one it needs to please.

Best wishes for many pleasant rides in the future. Hubby is from Pittsburgh; hope to get up there from Central Texas one of these days.

Blondie Gal and Scalp Hunter

Trucker you will get alot of personal opinions on their conversion being the best. all the major companies make a good conversion. The real difference is to get a good installer for the conversion you decide on. Due your homework in that department.

I ride with some people who have 1800s with the hannagan trike kits,and they love them,they say they ride better then any trike kit they have had.

trucker said:

I am looking for some advice in what trike kit to install on my bike.
I am comparing trike kits to trike my 2009 Honda Goldwing.
I am looking at the Roadsmith, California Side Car and Motortrike.
I do like some features on the Roadsmith.
I do like the feature that you can go to a regular auto parts store to get parts for the Roadsmith.
They use VW brake parts.
I figure if the brakes stops a VW car it will surely stop a trike and last a long time.
So when you buy brake pads for a Roadsmith you are getting some thickness in your pads.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Click to expand...

you're lucky in that the GW is probably the most often triked, and therefore you have alot of experience out there, to draw upon

best bet is to use private messaging -- this way you'll get all the good & bad, from owner experiences...

JG122 said:

best bet is to use private messaging -- this way you'll get all the good & bad, from owner experiences...

Click to expand...

Actually, we encourage open discussion of both pros and cons regarding all the trikes structurally, mechanically, and safety-wise here on TrikeTalk. Such open discussion benefits all of our members, but also the big companies. All of the major manufacturers monitor our forum regularly, as information gleaned from you all benefits them in recognizing and enhancing their strengths and also in making improvements where they have weaknesses.

What we do not permit is bashing or flaming here; particularly of any member whether an individual or business sponsor. Also any business dispute with one of the business sponsors must be handled between you privately and completely apart from the forum.

93TrikeWinger said:

Anything but CSC.

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What are your reasons for "ANYTHING BUT CSC"???

I am very happy with mine and I am sure a lot of other people
feel the same way.

What Gorilla Said.

As said every one has an opinion.
I hate Fords. I love Fords
I like Strawberry ice cream I like Chocolate.
Someone has a bad experience with a brand U will hear it is terrible
Sometimes it is just the installer as stated . The installer is just as important as the brand . ( with cars, a dealer can do the same thing to your opinion of a brand, )

Of the major brands I have ridden 3 extensively (100;s of miles ) Motor Trike , Champion and my DFT) "all Goldwings". I would have to say there was not a bad apple in that bunch.
Everyone loves what they bought Obviously . Or they would not have spent the money.
The passenger has the worse ride on every trike . Be sure you take a co-rider with you if u have one.

I have a friend that use to be one of the best installers in the country until the economy forced him to close up shop. His advise to me was to do my research. After I narrowed the field he then asked me which had the installer I'd trust the most and have best access to.

The top three of four manufactures are so close in quality the installer brakes the tie... :yes: :yes: :yes:

93TrikeWinger said:

Can't say here on the Forum.... I'll get slapped.:innocent:

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You already did in another thread. You're memory is slipping. No one has moderated you in any way...period and I don't appreciate the suggestion that anyone has...but keep up the innuendo and you will be...permanently.

Like some of the folks have said, get out and ride some! Good opportunity is coming up in Sturgis, SD. A lot of the leading brands will be there the week of August 8th. At last year's Rally we spent most of our time test riding various Trike Conversions. Glad we did! Ride Safe!

trucker said:

I am looking for some advice in what trike kit to install on my bike.
I am comparing trike kits to trike my 2009 Honda Goldwing.
I am looking at the Roadsmith, California Side Car and Motortrike.
I do like some features on the Roadsmith.
I do like the feature that you can go to a regular auto parts store to get parts for the Roadsmith.
They use VW brake parts.
I figure if the brakes stops a VW car it will surely stop a trike and last a long time.
So when you buy brake pads for a Roadsmith you are getting some thickness in your pads.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Click to expand...

I have the Roadsmith and love it. I has a great installer he took his time to make sure every thing was don right. I have about 2000 miles on mine and it gets better every mile.epper:

07BlueCSC said:

What are your reasons for "ANYTHING BUT CSC"???

I am very happy with mine and I am sure a lot of other people
feel the same way.

Click to expand...

Yup! We're delighted with ours!! And a good friend just got a new GW1800 with a CSC kit; he had one before and could have had any kit he wanted!! Don't dismiss it out of hand unless you've tried one!

Nana said:

Actually, we encourage open discussion of both pros and cons regarding all the trikes structurally, mechanically, and safety-wise here on TrikeTalk.

Click to expand...

what about the installation ?

doesn't the quality (or lack thereof) of the installation also impact a trike's structurals/mechanicals/safety ?

Nana said:

Such open discussion benefits all of our members, but also the big companies.

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I agree -- I just think it is difficult to determine what is meant as an open discussion, and what may be intended as "bashing or flaming"...

i.e. if I were a mfr. or installer, I'd be inclined to take any hint of criticism (constructive as it may be), as bashing or flaming

You are right JG122, I had an awful installer and I am still paying but now I am doing all of the work and repairs. I now believe that I have taken all of the problems out that the installer caused.

CSC all the way! But I guess you've always gotta have someone with a differing opinion. But hows about a reason for dis-ing CSC, rather than just saying,"Anything but CSC" & leaving it hanging. Ole Indian saying (or something like it..),'You can please someones all the time; you can even please everyones some o'the time, but youse sure cain't please everyones alla the time'....

Ive had a lehman that I thought was great (still do) but recently got a eurowing and the drive ride is totally different. I love it. Not many around, but you might want to check it out.

trucker said:

I am looking for some advice in what trike kit to install on my bike.
I am comparing trike kits to trike my 2009 Honda Goldwing.
I am looking at the Roadsmith, California Side Car and Motortrike.
I do like some features on the Roadsmith.
I do like the feature that you can go to a regular auto parts store to get parts for the Roadsmith.
They use VW brake parts.
I figure if the brakes stops a VW car it will surely stop a trike and last a long time.
So when you buy brake pads for a Roadsmith you are getting some thickness in your pads.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Click to expand...

You'll get a lot of positive opinions on most any conversion manufacturer, most people like what they have. A few complaints from people who have had problems. CSC has revised their drive shaft design. Is that a flaw (because they felt the need to do that), or a benefit, now that the drive shaft design is new? Trying to make a decision based on anecdotes is difficult.

But most everyone will agree the installer quality is all important. Definitely get references, and follow them up. Visit their shop, and talk to them. Do you like what you see and hear?

I'd guess most every trike manufacturer uses some kind of automotive brakes (except DFT, which uses the stock Honda brake). Why would anyone make special brakes?

Perhaps the biggest difference between brands is ride quality. Which is the main reason to try and test ride some, although, if you haven't been riding one, riding a trike is so different your attention is liable to be used up just doing that. The ride is completely unlike a two wheeler.

Generally, IRS trikes ride better than solid axle, and long wheelbase trikes ride better than short, at some cost in turning sharply. Once again DFT is a bit of an exception, their short wheelbase IRS trike was designed with a lot of suspension travel, allowing for a ride that is among the best.

Note that I've got a DFT, and paid significantly more for it than other brands. Personally, I think it's worth it, but that's just another anecdote.