Honda,, or Harley?

[rmrc51]

Hey everyone,

As some of you may remember, I had a great Valkyrie Trike that I sold recently. To say that it was a very difficult decision, is definitely an understatement! So much so that I've realized another trike may very well be in the future! I just miss the ride!

With that said, here's me first consideration and research topic in my quest for my next trike. I'm only considering either a Honda Goldwing, or a Harley Tri-Glide. Both have reverse and I also believe they have an emergency brake for parking, I think. Correct me if I'm wrong. One of my main requirements is as comfortable a ride as possible. The only negative aspect regarding the Goldwing is the foot position for the shifter and rear brake. I never liked that 'straight down' location! The Valk Trike I had was the same and was also the only feature of that trike I didn't like. The Tri-Glide has a more 'foot forward' stance which is much more comfortable, for me at least! Unfortunately I do not have the opportunity, or know of anyone in my area who has either a Wing or Tri-Glide that I can test ride.

So, I'm welcoming all comments and suggestions regarding my 'hopefully' future trike selection. Fire away!

[Gold Rush]

Foot position and leg/seat room on the GL1800 has been a sore spot for many riders. I'm lucky that my legs are short so there is more then ample room there. The stock seat fits me well also (another plus)...

Foot position is another story. My joints are loaded with arthritis so having the feet on the rider pegs was very painful. I redesigned the mounts so I could flip the rider foot pegs up and rest my feet on the Aqua Shields (Motor Trike's name for running boards). I also installed a set of Kuryakan highway pegs that adjust back and down just far enough for me to reach and rest my feet in that forward position.

You might question the awkwardness of shifting and rear brake control from the alternate foot positions. NOT A PROBLEM. I'm not the most coordinated person in the world and I've become very use to it.

I don't think there is any comparison in the power you would have with the GL1800 converted. It would be my choice for sure.....

[eighty80]

Call a Harley dealer for a damo ride. It doesn't cost anything for a demo but you must have a helmet and license.

[cscsonny]

Rich,
If you can't get a demo ride just yet on either machine,in the meantime,read all the post on this forum that are very informative relative to either Harley or Honda.There is quite a difference in both as you will read.
You can get a heads up on issues and fixes and related cost.
Once you do a demo on either machine,I think you will be able to make your decision with more knowledge about either.
From what I have read,I would love to have one of each.Too many toys and $$$ would not allow that at this time however.
Sonny

[rhino 2]

I never had a chance to ride a Honda Trike so i can't comment on how it rides.
I do have a Tri Glide and on the lousy local streets out this way it's brutal.
But on the highway the ride is perfect.
I would suggest you test ride a Tri on local streets first. ie Sunken manhole covers, Utility cuts across the street, etc.

[WILDBILLPHIN]

Rich, glad to hear you are considering another trike. I have tried to sit on several GW's and because of poor joints I could not even get my feet to the pegs. TG's have their issues with heat but in my opinion offer a much more comfortable riding position. You sat on my TG once but I have made several changes; Mustang seat, floorboards moved out and forward, highway pegs. If I get up your way soon you are welcome to give it a ride.

[Matches]

Roadsmith has a kit now that moves your feet forward three inches and down one inch. Not cheap but it is extremely well built.

[pigbike]

One of my main requirements is as comfortable a ride as possible. The only negative aspect regarding the Goldwing is the foot position for the shifter and rear brake. I never liked that 'straight down' location! The Valk Trike I had was the same and was also the only feature of that trike I didn't like. The Tri-Glide has a more 'foot forward' stance which is much more comfortable, for me at least!

Here's my story. I have had numerous Harleys over the years, but wanted the supreme comfort ride in a trike. I looked online at several Goldwings and settled on a Goldwing. I looked at all the after market parts I wanted, and had my list.

I went to look at a used Goldwing at a local trike dealer, and took a test ride. I only went around the parking lot a few times and could not wait to get off the Goldwing. The position of the controls are horrible, and the fairing is too wide. I have problems with my knees and was in pain the entire time.

I don't want to bash the GW as they are really nice, but not for me. I bought a Harley trike and am glad I did.

Moral to the story is make sure you test ride what you intend to buy. Don't get one because your buddy tells you it's the best.

[Rsw]

I think Nana's VROD has them both beat!!

[rmrc51]

Thanks for all of the replies so far.

I have sat on a GW trike at the Harrisonburg Honda dealer in VA. Although I really loved the trike itself, those foot positions were not comfortable and it seemed that I had to force my feet to pivot "inboard" (straight ahead) just to reach the shifter and the brake as well. Even doing so, I was just barely catching the shifter with the side of my foot. On my Valkyrie, I had installed a different 'angled' shifter and a wider after market brake pedal to partially extend the reach, but even with that done the straight down foot position was still an issue. I guess I'm kinda ruling out the Wing, but, I still need to try them both.

And Bill, I hope you're on your way to a complete recovery from your surgery. Let me know when you'll be in the area and we'll get a cup of coffee and discuss the additions to your Tri-Glide.

Again, I want to that all those who have replied and those who will after this post.

[Rick Kay]

Rich, since the Goldwing you are considering would be a conversion, why not consider a Harley conversion with IRS? The ride is superior to the straight axle Tri Glide, in my opinion.

[rmrc51]

Rich, since the Goldwing you are considering would be a conversion, why not consider a Harley conversion with IRS? The ride is superior to the straight axle Tri Glide, in my opinion.

That's definitely a possibility!

[Memnoch451]

Rich, since the Goldwing you are considering would be a conversion, why not consider a Harley conversion with IRS? The ride is superior to the straight axle Tri Glide, in my opinion.

Rick is Correct!!!

I Ride a lot of different trikes! Solid Axles trikes are just not as sweet to ride as IRS.

I am lucky enough to have both a harley and a goldwing to me it's like owning a sawed of 12 gauge and a sniper rifle. Both are good guns but, both have a specific purpose.

Just my opinion

[rmrc51]

Maybe I should also start looking at some nice "late model", used Road Kings for a conversion. Although my Valk had a MotorTrike unit, I was always drawn to RoadSmith due to their longer length. Time will tell,,,,.

[don graham]

As for the parking brake, it is an option on some trikes. But not all. Check whichever you decide on. Also check with the dealers as all GWs are add on kits and some dealers refuse to work on them. I have a GW with a CSC kit and am happy with it. I did have one dealer refuse to look at a recall item, so I had to take it back to the dealer that put the kit on. I wish the GW had a dealer network like Harley does.

[John Luciano]

The ride ,the power ,the smoothness,AND-comfort is spelled GOLDWING .Pegs brakes, shifter can be modified. There Was a DJ in Chicago that had no legs and rode a trike. The 1st 4 things mentioned can not be changed added or modified. I personally love the ride position of the 1500 wing and the ride of the DFT .

[tis]

Whatever floats your boat. You'll have to try the ones that interest you. After I did a ton of research, I settled on converting my 2004 Harley Ultra with a Hannigan Kit with Aqua Shields, I positively LOVE the set-up, this past winter I added more goody's to the engine, if you go the Tri-Glide route you'll more then likely be personalizing it before it leaves the showroom, I guess what I'm trying to say is consider all options before decideing.....

[jfingalls]

If it has not already been suggested, I would talk to the trike kit manufacturers who deal with both brands and get their honest opinions about which is best for you. I have spoken to the owner/engineer of one of the top kit manufacturers and he said the Honda is the better bike for Triking. Mostly due to it's super power on the inclines etc. and the shaft drive. It would be good to get several unprejudiced opinions in my book, so if you can talk to them one-on-one. By the way, unfortunately I chose another kit but if I had to do it over again I would choose this guys kit. (by the way, he is an advertiser on this forum God love him!)

[rmrc51]

Thanks for all of the tips and suggestions. I'm in no hurry and will probably be looking into getting something this time next year (retirement time hopefully), unless a real deal just happens to present itself before then.

On paper, the GoldWing really fits my main requirements regarding extreme comfort which also encompasses no heat issues (I HATE the heat). All I need to address is the foot position which I never liked, even on my former Valkyrie trike. Now that ROADSMITH offers their new 'Comfort Controls' for the GW, there's a possibility that they just might move the foot position forward enough to make a positive difference. Time will tell and for sure I'll be investigating all possibilities during the year ahead. Stay tuned, lol.