Breaking in a new Gold Wing Trike

[MarciaG]

Hi Gang: In just a matter of weeks, I will be driving down to Southern Tennessee to pick up my brand new 2012 Gold Wing with CSC trike kit!!! I am Soooo excited!!!! Having said that, I am very new to the world of bikes and trikes. I am bringing with me an experienced motorcyclist to help me get my trike home however she is not very experienced on a trike. We will have to ride through some mountains. Thinking of taking US 27 all the way.

ANY advice you can give us would be greatly appreciated aka what to do, what NOT to do, etc. Please be kind!!! We are planning on taking as much time as we have to to get the trike (and us) home safely and in one piece!!

MarciaG PS We will be taking turns driving my van/riding the trike.

 

[Gold Rush]

First let's deal with the new machine.... Even though it has three wheels you still need to let the tires ware in a bit before expecting them to grip at their best. I expect the dealer/installer will have some of those miles already used up.... Next just treat it like any other vehicle -- Don't spend extended periods at one engine RPM and pay close attention to unusual noises or feelings. You'll experience sounds and vibrations on any bike or trike that you will never have with your van. Just use common sense and you should be OK.

Now let's talk about the rider. Hopefully you have at least some short time in the saddle. This link has some very good trike riding tips.. http://www.triketalk.com/forum/honda-trikes-8/handeling-corners-curves-1065/

Again, use common sense mixed with a bit of caution and in no time you will be comfortable and have the permanent grin installed.

BTW -- Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Gorilla]

congrats on the new trike. take some slow parking lot time before starting out ride safe

 

[mhgoldwing]

I would add to follow Honda's recommendation in your manual. Also, avoid hard braking until you've put a couple hundred miles on brakes. I have 1800 Roadsmith and have found the engine likes a minimum of 2500 rpm with the extra weight.

Also agree on the parking lot time to familarize yourself with trike. And remember you are wider; don't want to sideswipe anything. Have fun.

 

[A WINGER]

And remember you are wider; don't want to sideswipe anything. Have fun.

I want to repeat this warning. We came close to side swipping several times. Too close!!!
A

 

[John Luciano]

Wide warning when getting gas, when pulling up to toll booths, and when driving on a 2 lane. Easy to get the inside wheel over the yellow line especially on left hand corners, I hug the shoulder on all corners especially blind corners. Read the thread that was brought to your attention in the first post.

 

[MarciaG]

Wow, great advice everyone both here on the forum and in private messaging. I'm doing what I can to soak it all up and will read and re-read until I absorb it!

You can see (by looking at my avatar), that I DO have a trike, so I am used to width although my new Gold Wing is probably a touch wider. I currently have a Suzuki C-50 Boulevard with a Trigg Trike kit. My motorcycling friend will have more to get used to as far as not countersteering, etc. because she rides a bike. I have only ridden a trike but have limited time doing so. Riding a brand new wing home some 300 miles and partially through mountains is going to be some major learning! As I said, we're going to take our time, let people pass us if need be, pull off and let people pass (also if need be), and make stops when we need to. I will certainly let you know when we're of our progress and when we make it safely home. The trike hasn't been built yet, but soon.......

MarciaG

 

[Gold Rush]

I was wondering about the avatar.. Your public profile says you are about to bring home the Suzuki then you start talking about the Wing. Thought you might have changed your mind...

Yes the two will be different but the basic riding techniques will be the same. As you mentioned your friend will benefit more from this thread.

Be careful and have fun.. You'll really love the new trike!!!!

 

[1800 06 Champion Trike]

All of the above.
Also keep you eye on the gas gauge as the trike will cut down a little on gas mileage.

 

[MarciaG]

All of the above.
Also keep you eye on the gas gauge as the trike will cut down a little on gas mileage.

The CSC kit offers an auxiliary gas tank so with that, I will have a whopping 10 gallons of gas on board. Wonder if the weight of it will negate it's benefit!!!

I think I need to update my profile too!!

MarciaG

 

[Konrad]

The CSC kit offers an auxiliary gas tank so with that, I will have a whopping 10 gallons of gas on board. Wonder if the weight of it will negate it's benefit!!!

I think I need to update my profile too!!

MarciaG

NO - The trike won't even notice that weight. I have a Roadsmith with the aux. tank and love it! You are in Cincinnati (my former hometown) I think and I am in La Grange, KY. If you want an experienced rider (on his trike) along with you for the trip, let me know - I'm always looking for an excuse to go somewhere - anywhere! (khpoth@gmail.com)

 

[John Luciano]

Handling will be a lot different with 3wheels on the TRIKE compared with the 4on Suzuki. That is an add on kit on the Suzuki right? I ran a Voyager add on on my 1980 Wing and when I went to the TRIKE I had to learn all over again.

 

[MarciaG]

Handling will be a lot different with 3wheels on the TRIKE compared with the 4on Suzuki. That is an add on kit on the Suzuki right? I ran a Voyager add on on my 1980 Wing and when I went to the TRIKE I had to learn all over again.

Yes, it is an add-on kit, similar to a Voyager. You're the first to tell me that it handles differently than a true trike. Could you describe some of the differences?

Konrad, that's a very generous offer. We'll talk about it here at home.....

Marcia

 

[rwbetour]

I'm just breaking mine in as well. Don't worry about speed for quite a while. Focus on smooth. When I first started, I had read all the three wheels can keep up with two but found myself pushing too hard. Just take it easy, learn the handling characteristics and get familiar with the push, pull and looking thru the curves not directly in front of the bike. Give yourself some time. Speed and cornering capability will come with experience.

 

[John Luciano]

Trikes do not lean, your kit actually leans backward. Inside whel can lift on the add on NEVER HAPPEN on a trike. Well never is a long time lets say almost impossible . Steering is heavier on the add on. Very different.

 

[JoeA]

congrats on your new trike. I just bought a 2012 goldwing, with a CSC kit,
5th April. Only have about 450 miles, so far. It has a smell, I don't like. I thought it was the new burning off, now I don't know if that the smell or not.
They don't have the Honda mufflers on this kit. The exhaust system maybe where the smell is coming from. This is my 5th trike, never had this smell. Hope you don't have this smell. JoeA

 

[MarciaG]

Hi Joe! I see you have pretty much, the same color and kit I will have. I'm going to have the ground effects installed as well.

I have no idea about the smell...whatever it is, I hope I don't experience it. But since I won't have anything to compare it with, I might think it's normal. I'll let you know!

MarciaG

 

[Jenkinsrawhide]

Well they all told you the truth but I hope it hasn't started you worrying. I am not familiar with US 27 but just relax and of course be cautious of some nut pulling out in front of you (it happens to all of us sooner or later) with the trike you will probably average about 32-34 miles a gallon, quite a drop from a two wheeler, but your comfort will make up for the difference. We Tennesseans are mostly just country folks at heart and may even say "well bless your heart" a few times and I hope you find some great places to eat. The main thing is enjoy yourself.

 

[MarciaG]

Well they all told you the truth but I hope it hasn't started you worrying. I am not familiar with US 27 but just relax and of course be cautious of some nut pulling out in front of you (it happens to all of us sooner or later) with the trike you will probably average about 32-34 miles a gallon, quite a drop from a two wheeler, but your comfort will make up for the difference. We Tennesseans are mostly just country folks at heart and may even say "well bless your heart" a few times and I hope you find some great places to eat. The main thing is enjoy yourself.

Seems like a long time ago already! We took 27 part of the way south, then 127 and then 111 in TN. That was driving my van to scope it out. After that, decided to take I-75 home! LOL!!! My S/O took to the trike in no time at all. Since then, I've also taken to it well and the following weekend, did a 300 mile ride.

We'll be riding 2up in a couple of weeks to head back to TN. Going to take the MSF course for trikes. Only place I could find that offers the course. Since that time, the *only* major fly in the ointment was the defective auxiliary fuel tank that I had to have replaced. But CSC sent a replacement tank quickly to my local Honda dealer. Had to wait a bit to get it repaired but so far, so good!

MarciaG

 

[don graham]

Congratulations on the new trike, I have an 07 with the CSC kit. I also have the aux. tank. I get about 33 MPG. So the gas light comes on at about 233 miles. There is about 3.3 gallons left, so you can go about another 100 miles. However I start to get antsy after about another 40-50 and look for a place to refill. Also fill it slowly, and let it settle a bit, then fill it again. Seems to tak alittle bit to get it to the top. Good luck and enjoy it.