Aqua Shields -- Yes or No

[Angelbymyside]

Hello Trikers! It's finally time for me to have a new Trike--2012 Goldwing with the MotorTrike Adventure conversion. My question for the forum is this:<br />
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Why or Why not would I want to put Aqua Shields on my Trike? <br />
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I am an experienced Trike rider with over 100,000+ miles behind me. I have owned three Trikes and none of the three had the shields. I live in Texas, so it seems to me that the shields would hold the heat and make my feet and legs hotter. I do a lot of riding in Canada and Alaska. How well do the shields hold up in the road construction that is unavoidable there during their summer months? I do realize that each of you will have your own opinion...I will read and consider each one very carefully.

[Lucky]

I have them because I like the looks of them.1990SE Wing/motortrike.RIDE SAFE

[katfish16]

This is kinda like asking the oil question!!! I am with Lucky, I like the look and they seem to just finish the trike out (to Me)... I think that Motortrike is one of the ones that is load bearing, U can step on them.. which I like that fact.. I know someone will correct me if I am wrong...<br />
Congrats on the 2012 they are a very nice looking bike..<br />
Ride safe and good luck with your decision...

[Memnoch451]

I like the looks of them... I'm not really sure they do anything But the really add to the lines and make the trike look more KOOL!

[Angelbymyside]

Lol, I know they look cool, but I really need to hear some pros and cons!!

[msrvpeig]

Alone with the lower Baker Wings, they help keep your feet dryer if caught in a rain storm and a little warmer in cold weather riding. And I agree with the others, it "finishes off" the looks of the trike.

[katfish16]

Lol, I know they look cool, but I really need to hear some pros and cons!!

Have not seen any cons yet,,,,,, looks like u answered ur own question....

[cscsonny]

Okay.
I opted not to get them on our just converted CSC/1500 because #1 I would give up the center stand.Much easier to work on front or rear while on center stand and I try to do all my own service work.#2 (my opinion) it still looks more like a motorcycle only with two back wheels,#3 too much more surface area top and bottom for my wife to clean bugs,tar and road grim off of.#4 Have seen a few with damage,scratches,scuffs and cracks that got there for some reason and owners have not repaired.
I do like the looks of them on some trikes however they were not for me.
There, some negative for you.
Sonny
"you are never too old to have a happy childhood"

[jtilmon]

I also opted not to install them. 1. Cost 2. It is easier to change the oil and maintain anything under the trike without them. 3. I'm like the clean look of the trike w/o them, because it looks more like a motorcycle. 4. Believe it is cooler in the summer w/o them.<br />
5. Wanted to keep the trike as light and not add any more weight than necessary. <br />
I have a Roadsmith and installed fender bras on rear fenders and like the looks.

[Gold Rush]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>Angelbymyside</strong>
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<div class="message">Lol, I know they look cool, but I really need to hear some pros and cons!!</div>

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</div>I have them and sure don't regret spending the $$$. My knees and hips are shot so using the OEM foot pegs just killed me. About 100 miles of riding and I was hurting BAD. I modified my foot pegs so I can just flip them up and put my feet down on the Aqua-Shields. Since they are weight bearing mounted I ride like that almost all the time. Only put the foot pegs down to mount and dismount. Check out my photos to see what they look like... Here's the link. <a href="http://www.triketalk.com/forum/members/gold-rush-albums-golden-photos.html" target="_blank">http://www.triketalk.com/forum/membe...en-photos.html</a><br />
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On the negative side... My feet get warmer then they use to.

I also have highway pegs so when the feet get hot I just put them out in the wind... <img src="images/smilies/cool.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Cool" class="inlineimg" /> <img src="images/smilies/cool.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Cool" class="inlineimg" /> <img src="images/smilies/cool.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Cool" class="inlineimg" />

[kerr88]

Owned two trikes...First one no shields, current one, has shields.
I like them a lot and would not build a bike without them.

PROS -- Keep you drier if wet road, keep stones off your rear fenders better than without. Great on cool days, too.
CONS -- Perhaps a bit warmer on hot days, but, the side wind wings/vents can blow air on you (if you have 'em) to offset...
Nuetral -- I like the looks...But, do you?

Definitely want weight-bearing, if you go for it.

I say, Go for it! -- imho.

[Memnoch451]

Lol, I know they look cool, but I really need to hear some pros and cons!!

You lose clearance is about the only thing I can think of for the rider. You gain in my opinion a little more road safety as it will prevent some things from hitting your feet. You will get a little more wind and rain protection too.

[jim peacock]

I have them on my 96se with a 2006 lehman kit,yes they are a little warm in the summer but I love mine.
As for as foot pegs I took my off and sold them.

[glmarker]

I like the looks, beleive it finishes off the trike, and that's how I did my 2012. However, I can sure agree with some of the cons that have been posted. One thing I CAN'T do is get under the darn thing.

Guess it probably comes down to what YOU like and need.

[Konrad]

What is boils down to is a matter of taste. CHOICE is GOOD - something to please everyone. I have a Roadsmith without the aquashields. I don't have those uncomfortable pegs, either. I took them off and put on floorboards with heel-toe shifter. Nothing hits my feet and changing oil is EASY. For me, the aquashields look cumbersome, a clunky after-market addon that detracts from the streamlined looks of a Goldwing. And the extra weight doesn't help your gas mileage one bit. But then - beauty is in the eye of the beholder, isn't it?

[Angelbymyside]

Thank you, everyone.. Your answers were very helpful. I think I knew what I wanted when I started this thread, but still thought I would ask the opinion of the TT forum, just in case there was something new about the shields.

[kdunn1]

Recently purchased a 2012 Red Goldwing with the Motor Trike Adventure convesion. Love the trike and the looks. Have only driven about 1000 miles. They are low to the ground and make it more difficult to load on to a trailer. Today went for a ride and only made it about a block. The clutch on the trike would not completely disengage the engine. Not able to shift.

[cmore]

I like mine. They help to keep road trash off my legs. Look good. The heat issue is not a problem, but do have foot pegs to keep them cool. The biggest issue, aside from the cost, I have with them is that the paint gets chipped from the same road trash that is kept from the legs.

[wingriderse2000]

i considered this my self. my champion has none. i thought of cost for just looks. on a ride at stop you just want to put the feet down. a cramp or just a change of position at stop. of course if your legs are long no problem.

[1800 06 Champion Trike]

They finish off the bottom of the trike.
We really like ours!!