Tow Pac Minitrike Kit

[pittguy]

I want to buy a used Tow Pac kit but Tow Pac no longer sells retrofit brackets or a conversion kit. Does this mean Tow Pac kits have no resale market value? Are Tow Pac kits useless unless adapting from one specific model to another specific model?

I believe Tow Pac makes a quality product but without a secondary market it's difficult to make the initial purshase. My plan is/was to buy a kit and if I enjoy triking, sell it and go to either a larger kit or a conversion. Now I'm confuse because I'm not ready to spend $3 or $4 Grand on a starter kit and not be able to sell it later.

Thoughts?

[rhino 2]

Welcome to Trike-Talk......Jimmy....I can't answer your questions , But i'm sure someone will chime in soon with some answers...

[tfdeputydawg]

Words of advice from one whom has ridden both the outriggers and true trike conversions.

There is no comparison in the ride of an outrigger vs a true IRS trike with the proper rake kit installed.

IMHO, you should at least test ride a true trike to make your decision.

An outrigger is difficult to steer in corners and is a much rougher ride than the IRS trike w/a rake kit.

Further, an extended wheel base trike conversion, such as the Hannigan, gives a much smoother ride than the short wheel base trikes that are solid axle or IRS.

I tested all the major conversions, studied their construction and maintenance schedules for nearly 4yrs prior to making my decision.

I could go on and on but suffice it to say, you need to satisfy yourself on which one is for you!

Good luck

[dadztoy]

Tow Pac's decision to not sell different mounting brackets and other parts is strictly a marketing decision on their part... Whether it hurts or benefits their business bottom line remains to be seen in the future...

That being said, I would agree with TFdeputydawg's remarks that there is a difference in handling between the outriggers and a true trike conversion as I have also ridden both styles...

However - - - - there is also a huge price difference in the two different conversions... I paid 3K for my Tow Pac Instatrike, then 400 bucks to paint it and a about 50 bucks for additional LED lights on it... The last quote I received from a local trike converter for a full blown Roadsmith conversion was just north of 17K!!! If you decide to go with Hannigan, considered by most (myself included) to be top of the line, expect to pay even more than that...

So, for somewhat less performance, there is a huge price differential in the two different styles of conversions... I have been riding my TowPac for the better part of 5 years now and it is still doing everything I want it to... Aside from a set of wheel bearings I have not done anything in the way of maintenance to the Tow Pac aside from tires and adding a 4.5 degree rake kit to my bike for easier steering... 4.5 degree still permits me to ride on 2 wheels if I so desire... My Traxxion rake kit was 600 dollars and I installed it myself, so now we're up to $4000, but still very far "south" of the quoted 17K...

Now to be totally honest, the full conversion price included floor boards, aux gas tank and other bells and whistles of the like, but still, that is a huge price differential...

I will, I suppose, at some point in the future either buy a used trike or convert my existing bike to a full conversion if I can find a more economical way to do it, but for now, the Tow Pac serves me well...

Is it as good as a full quality conversion??? Of course not!! But it did not cost me 17K + either... So the choice is yours along with the pluses and minuses of both conversions... At my age (72) I look at how many more years I will be able to ride as opposed to dollars spent... I can pretty much justify any decision I choose to make as most of us can, but being retired, there is a limited amount of cash available so my decisions are made carefully...

Again, I may do a full conversion in the future "if all the stars align" but for now, the TP is quite satisfactory...

Les

[GRR]

Tow Pac's decision to not sell different mounting brackets and other parts is strictly a marketing decision on their part... Whether it hurts or benefits their business bottom line remains to be seen in the future...

That being said, I would agree with TFdeputydawg's remarks that there is a difference in handling between the outriggers and a true trike conversion as I have also ridden both styles...

However - - - - there is also a huge price difference in the two different conversions... I paid 3K for my Tow Pac Instatrike, then 400 bucks to paint it and a about 50 bucks for additional LED lights on it... The last quote I received from a local trike converter for a full blown Roadsmith conversion was just north of 17K!!! If you decide to go with Hannigan, considered by most (myself included) to be top of the line, expect to pay even more than that...

So, for somewhat less performance, there is a huge price differential in the two different styles of conversions... I have been riding my TowPac for the better part of 7 years now and it is still doing everything I want it to... Aside from a set of wheel bearings I have not done anything in the way of maintenance to the Tow Pac aside from tires and adding a 4.5 degree rake kit to my bike for easier steering... 4.5 degree still permits me to ride on 2 wheels if I so desire... My Traxxion rake kit was 600 dollars and I installed it myself, so now we're up to $4000, but still very far "south" of the quoted 17K...

Now to be totally honest, the full conversion price included floor boards, aux gas tank and other bells and whistles of the like, but still, that is a huge price differential...

I will, I suppose, at some point in the future either buy a used trike or convert my existing bike to a full conversion if I can find a more economical way to do it, but for now, the Tow Pac serves me well...

Is it as good as a full quality conversion??? Of course not!! But it did not cost me 17K + either... So the choice is yours along with the pluses and minuses of both conversions... At my age (72) I look at how many more years I will be able to ride as opposed to dollars spent... I can pretty much justify any decision I choose to make as most of us can, but being retired, there is a limited amount of cash available so my decisions are made carefully...

Again, I may do a full conversion in the future "if all the stars align" but for now, the TP is quite satisfactory...

Les

You can do a conversion for much less. Frankenstein premium combo kits range in cost from about $6k to $8k. Then add $400-$1000 to have the fenders painted and you are still less than $9k on the high end. Granted, it is different than a Roadsmith. You don't get an auxiliary tank and running boards like some conversions offer and it costs about twice that of a tow-pac, but it is a true conversion with a rake kit that rides well. The installation can be completed in your garage in a weekend.

In the end, it is all about what you like and your budget.

[pittguy]

I appreciate the replies to my initial post and agree with all of them. I now better understand the difference between a trike kit and a full conversion and because of a recent post, it's clear what to consider when making a purchasing choice.

I agree, Tow Pac made a marketing decision to stop selling retro kits and I believe this decision will come back to haunt them but again this is my opinion. I find it difficult to buy a Tow Pac kit, use it for a relatively short time, and discover that there is no secondary market. I'm stuck with a product that I paid several thousand dollars for is now practiclally worthless.

[dadztoy]

There is a pretty strong market for used Tow Pac's assuming that the kit can be used on a bike that is fairly common like the Honda Goldwing or various HD models... If on the other hand if your installing it on an orphan bike or a rare or semi rare bike, your resale market is going to be drastically reduced...

Yes, there are full trike kits out there that are less that the stated 17K but nothing that I would be interested in from an engineering standpoint and if I was going to convert, retaining my ABS braking system and linked brakes is very important to me from a safety aspect which further narrows the field of choices...

In the end, do what makes you happy, what you can afford, and what you feel suits your needs... That's what I did and have never regretted my decision...

Good luck with whatever your choice is...

Les

[GRR]

There is a pretty strong market for used Tow Pac's assuming that the kit can be used on a bike that is fairly common like the Honda Goldwing or various HD models... If on the other hand if your installing it on an orphan bike or a rare or semi rare bike, your resale market is going to be drastically reduced...

Yes, there are full trike kits out there that are less that the stated 17K but nothing that I would be interested in from an engineering standpoint and if I was going to convert, retaining my ABS braking system and linked brakes is very important to me from a safety aspect which further narrows the field of choices...

In the end, do what makes you happy, what you can afford, and what you feel suits your needs... That's what I did and have never regretted my decision...

Good luck with whatever your choice is...

Les

I have not investigated kits for a Goldwing, but my observation is there is nothing about the Frankenstein kits that speak of anything but quality. Granted, I have not done the calculations to verify their design, but I have installed their kit on my bike and put about 3000 miles on it so far. I would be interested in any observations you have made that lead you to believe there are any engineering deficiencies.

[dadztoy]

After looking at their website, I would agree... Looks like a quality kit at a reasonable price... Unfortunately, they do not manufacture anything for a Goldwing or any other manufacturer other than HD and 2 different Yamahas as far as I can see... So the Frankenstein doesn't really enter into my equation... Even so, they are about twice the price of a Tow Pac, although they fall into the true trike conversion area...

Goldwing owners are limited to kits like Motor Trike, Hannigan, Lehman, Roadsmith, California Side Car, Champion, DFT, and perhaps a few others... Most of these kits start in the 8000 dollar area... Then add paint for another 1000, floorboards for another 1200, reverse brake at 400, aux fuel tank at 5-700, special anti sway suspension 1200, independent suspension add another 1000-1200 and then finally add 1200-2000 for labor... So it doesn't take long to get up into the 15,000-20,000 price range...

And finally, most of the above manufacturers do NOT retain the ABS and linked brake feature of the Goldwing, which to me is a complete show stopper... I believe Motor Trike and Hannigan do but I think that's about all who do...

Frankenstein products look good but the Wing is shaft drive and offers different challenges to trike builders... I'm glad you are satisfied with the Frankenstein kit but unfortunately it does not apply to the Goldwing... I was out riding on the TP again this morning and for the money spent, it does a really good job, especially with the 4.5 degree rake kit... Setup is all important on outriggers and I have mine dialed in to precisely satisfy my style of riding and that certainly makes a difference as well...

I never have claimed that any outrigger kit is superior to a real trike conversion, but I have consistently said that for the price/performance differential, they are a viable alternative...

Ya pays yer money and ya takes yer choice!!!

Les

[Mavrick]

After looking at their website, I would agree... Looks like a quality kit at a reasonable price... Unfortunately, they do not manufacture anything for a Goldwing or any other manufacturer other than HD and 2 different Yamahas as far as I can see... So the Frankenstein doesn't really enter into my equation... Even so, they are about twice the price of a Tow Pac, although they fall into the true trike conversion area...

Goldwing owners are limited to kits like Motor Trike, Hannigan, Lehman, Roadsmith, California Side Car, Champion, DFT, and perhaps a few others... Most of these kits start in the 8000 dollar area... Then add paint for another 1000, floorboards for another 1200, reverse brake at 400, aux fuel tank at 5-700, special anti sway suspension 1200, independent suspension add another 1000-1200 and then finally add 1200-2000 for labor... So it doesn't take long to get up into the 15,000-20,000 price range...

And finally, most of the above manufacturers do NOT retain the ABS and linked brake feature of the Goldwing, which to me is a complete show stopper... I believe Motor Trike and Hannigan do but I think that's about all who do...

Frankenstein products look good but the Wing is shaft drive and offers different challenges to trike builders... I'm glad you are satisfied with the Frankenstein kit but unfortunately it does not apply to the Goldwing... I was out riding on the TP again this morning and for the money spent, it does a really good job, especially with the 4.5 degree rake kit... Setup is all important on outriggers and I have mine dialed in to precisely satisfy my style of riding and that certainly makes a difference as well...

I never have claimed that any outrigger kit is superior to a real trike conversion, but I have consistently said that for the price/performance differential, they are a viable alternative...

Ya pays yer money and ya takes yer choice!!!

Les

Les, you seem like you have a lot of experience with these kit's, would you mind being interviewed by me for the article I am doing for Road RUNNER Motorcycle Magazine?

[dadztoy]

Les, you seem like you have a lot of experience with these kit's, would you mind being interviewed by me for the article I am doing for Road RUNNER Motorcycle Magazine?

Well, I am far from an expert and only have actual experience with the Tow Pac although I have ridden quite a few trikes on test rides... Don't know what my input would be worth but I would be happy to contribute what I know about them... If you still want to do it, drop me a PM and I'll give you my e-mail and phone number...

Les

[Mavrick]

Well, I am far from an expert and only have actual experience with the Tow Pac although I have ridden quite a few trikes on test rides... Don't know what my input would be worth but I would be happy to contribute what I know about them... If you still want to do it, drop me a PM and I'll give you my e-mail and phone number...

Les

Don't sell yourself short Les. I have found that doer's know more than teller's. As for that "PM," the system here says I am not authorized to PM you. I guess you will have to PM me. No rush, as I am just wrapping up my coverage of HDs 115th Anniversary celebration for the magazine and will need a few days to get it out the door. I will tell you this, so far, only Voyager has contacted me about getting involved in the article.

[Mavrick]

Well, I am far from an expert and only have actual experience with the Tow Pac although I have ridden quite a few trikes on test rides... Don't know what my input would be worth but I would be happy to contribute what I know about them... If you still want to do it, drop me a PM and I'll give you my e-mail and phone number...

Les

Don't sell yourself short Les. I have found that doer's know more than teller's. As for that "PM," the system here says I am not authorized to PM you. I guess you will have to PM me. No rush, as I am just wrapping up my coverage of HDs 115th Anniversary celebration for the magazine and will need a few days to get it out the door. I will tell you this, so far, only Voyager has contacted me about getting involved in the article.

[dadztoy]

Well seems as though the forum won't let me send a PM either - must be something wrong with it... Drop me an e-mail at nomad3150@sbcglobal.net and we'll go from there... Please let me know here when you send it as I don't monitor that account too much these days...

Les

[Mavrick]

Well seems as though the forum won't let me send a PM either - must be something wrong with it... Drop me an e-mail at nomad3150@sbcglobal.net and we'll go from there... Please let me know here when you send it as I don't monitor that account too much these days...

Les

E-Mail on it's way to you Les. And Thank's!