Conversion Kit Comparison

[Judge Judy]

Looking for pros and cons for the Roadsmith versus the Champion trike kits (not install related). Looking for a trike that may have either one so looking for input on ride, suspension, trunk, quality, likes, dislikes, etc. (Already have info on Motortrike kit.). Thanks.

[Lucky]

If I were you I wuold call ZOOK he is a dealer for both and would answer your questions I am sure.Besides giving you a good price on the kit you deside on.RIDE SAFE

[slippery1]

Call The Trike Shop of Daytona. 1-888-396-8139. They have been in business for 40 years. Great Product!!! 12 inch longer wheelbase for a smoother ride and a 5 gal. reserve gas tank on the GoldWings. Best service department you will ever find.

[oldbear]

I just completed a Roadsmith conversion w/auxilary tank and rake kit. I've put 700 miles on it in the past three days, and could not be more satisified. My reasons for going to Roadsmith were pretty straightforward. I checked a LOT of websites and looked HARD at all the conversions. The Roadsmith was the ONLY kit I found that I could not find anyone was complaining about! Everybody likes their own brand, BUT I found complaints about everybody's kit Except Roadsmith. I liked the look of the kit, and I like that it uses standard automobile components (easy parts availability if ever needed). Look 'em all over, and choose what looks best to YOU!

[jtilmon]

we choose Roadsmith in Dec. 2010 and have been extremely happy with our decision. No maintence problems, rides great, if you have questions you can call your installer or the manufacture, they are friendly and helpful. I'm sure you will make the choice wisely and enjoy, ride safe.

[retdpd]

I would pick Roadsmith.

I did not have good luck with Champion customer service.

But whats most important is the installer.

I had many issues with my installation from someone I thought was reputable.

CHECK AND RECHECK REVIEWS ON THE INSTALLER \\

[thomocon]

Roadsmith , I have one with split axle and automatic load adjustment

[Memnoch451]

I have two champions.. Ultra 2010 and a GL 1800 2012... Both of mine are independents. Road smith is good but, so is Champion... if you are buying one that is used... chances are that the warranty and or any warranty problems have been fixed. If you are bying a solid axle it's a coin toss if you are buying a IRS.. champion.

Like everyone else on here.. these are mine opinions and they might not be right for you.. but it works for me!

[Nana]

I had Champion's solid suspension kit on my Fat Boy trike and loved every minute of that trike! Handling was superb, the trike was comfortable, and the quality of the kit was excellent. I had absolutely no issues or problems with it. By all accounts, Roadsmith kits also have that stellar reputation. I don't think you can go wrong with either company!

[saab9k]

I just finished a trike conversion, when it is all finished next week, will post my experence doing it.

[1800 06 Champion Trike]

I have a 06 Goldwing with the Champion solid axle conversion(Toyota), which I bought brand new.

I now have 30,000 miles of trouble free riding.

IMHO, the best on the market

[Tugs]

I had my FLTCI converted by Roadsmith in 2008 and have had NO problems with it at all. I have three blown discs in my lower back so a smooth ride was a must for me. I rode every Trike that I could and Roadsmith was by far the smoothest riding of them all.

The folks at The Trike Shop of Daytona are great people to deal with and the guys in back will answer any and all questions.

[pigbike]

This might be of interest for comparison.

http://www.trikecorral.com/info/tksphd.htm

[ladyff1481]

I am on my 2nd Roadsmith Trike. Have never had any problems with either. My 1st trike my local dealer did the conversion & was very happy with Roadsmith's support through the project. I suppose someone doing their own job would expect the same from Roadsmith. I like that Roadsmith has so many features standard such as IRS & a 3 year warranty. A good warranty is invaluable with a trike.

[ben721364]

You will likely receive as many testimonials as you receive responses. We tend to like to justify/endorse what we have. I have owned three trikes built on three different motorcycle drivetrains. All were good but all were different.

Rather than to recommend a brand/model, my suggestion is that you test ride as many as you can from dealer/installers with good reputations to find out what is important to you. You may or may not decide for example that such as an auxiliary fuel tank, IRS, running boards, trunk capacity, etc. are important. Happy hunting!

[Big_Blue]

Lurking...

[Blondie Gal]

Ben is right, but he's from Texas, sooooooo . . . Try any you can ride and choose what fits YOU! Happy trikin!

[Bill Reber]

I would pick Roadsmith.

I did not have good luck with Champion customer service.

But whats most important is the installer.

I had many issues with my installation from someone I thought was reputable.

CHECK AND RECHECK REVIEWS ON THE INSTALLER \\

This said it all a big part of trike conversion is the install and the dealer , my Honda dealer does CSC and Champion. Chris the manager was up front with me on both kits ,it came down to the biggest bang for the buck for me and Champion won but very close race . I am happy with the kit and the install but most of all the stand up dealer and staff...they know trikes ! I recomend a trip to Sumter SC to Honda of Sumter ask to speak to Chris .

[Frank Castle]

From a previous post about this topic....

Now, that being an unfortunate and undeniable truth in the "real-World", there is another that goes hand-in-hand with that and is equally if not more of an Undeniable Truth..."You CANNOT make a Silk Purse from a Sow's Ear" PERIOD.

No Human can. The nonsensical notion that the Installer is more important a concern than the merits of the Conversion itself is Assinine.

A Butcher can (and Will) mess up any Conversion regardless of what it is or how it stands up on its own...

BUT,,, Even the most adept and skilled of Technicians or Craftsman CANNOT make a conversion (or anything for that matter) anymore than what it truly is at its core based on its own merits.

Research, Investigate, Vet, Experience, Choose BOTH wisely. It's OK... You CAN (and must) do BOTH.

No need to settle or lazily discount yourself down to only being able to doing well on one or the other. The abject Silliness debated, argued and horse-whipped around the Trike Community for ages on which is more important and deserves the bulk of concentration is such a waste of time and effort is just plain Stupid.

THE Answer Is BOTH Equally. If they don't coexist as equitable partners in your decision making process you WILL be regretting one of the two when it's all said and done.

Left spent, utterly disappointed and pitifully remorseful with an expensive daily reminder of what is and what could have been. You WILL-Fact.

Chpt 2.

Since the the townfolk have yet to arm themselves with pitchforks and torches,,, let's explore the "rabbit-hole" even deeper shall we.

To choose a Dealer/Installer solely or largely due to their circumstancial proximity to you the Buyer: So Sorry-WRONG. Of course that is always nice and convenient and in some cases does happen to be a good choice but NOT because of their comfy location.

To limit yourself to an arbitrary radius of search is to place your substantial bet on a huge probability of failure and future Homeresque "Doh!". Furthermore, should your friendly neighborhood Dealer/Installer only rep one or two choices, what are your chances of really getting the true scoop on your options?

Seriously, THINK about that.

No matter how reputable, honest, altruistic, or just plain "Good Dude" they may be, if his chances to get your business, trust, and subsequently your Cash rely solely on you taking HIS Door #1 or #2, they WILL be biased and steer you accordingly. No judgment or tsk-tsk'in here in the least. Mr. Good-Dude is a Businessman and his primary goal as such is to SELL and get YOUR money. They got billls to pay and mouths to feed and nobody is blaming them for being true to themselves and their mission.

None the less, THAT IS what it ALL truly boils down to. You choose them and what they have to sell or it's Bye-Bye (insert your money figure here)*.

*THIS is 1 of the 2 Creators of the entire "Dealer/Installer is the MOST important aspect of the ENTIRE Trike Purchase" or "All Kits are the same-A Good Dealer/Installer is the MAIN concern" Lies from the beginning.

So, it not only makes sense but it is a fact you are better served in all respects to not limit yourself to Anyone or Anything based on what distance they are from your comfort zone.

Same goes for falsely concluding that you are best off settling on ONLY what "Mr. Good-Dude & Great Installer" has to strap you to: Wrong AGAIN. There are more Fishermen in the Trike sea and more than 2-3 Lures to choose from before making the final bite. Absolutely NO offense to anyone. These are facts and the very nature of the retail business.

Also, absolutely NO deference here to ANY Dealer/Installer or ANY Manufacturer.

None. Facts IS Facts. ALL are equally as applicable by definition.

Limit your Distance-Limit your Brand options-Limit yourself-LOSE**.

**see 1st installment above for Regret/Expensive Reminder/etc...as Sir Paul strums and sings "Yesterday" in the dark tormented recesses of the remorseful mind forevermore.

Now, back to the bunker and await the Villagers.... catch us again next time for another exciting episode