Lost my cherry today

[Big_Blue]

For those of you who have been around the block many a time may have forgotten what it was like the first time. The anticipation, the ride itself, and then your disappointment when you realized the ride was over and you had to climb off. Yes, I rode my first trike today.

You can tell by my number of posts on this forum that I'm pretty new at this trike thingy. I only recently realized that I was never going to be able to make the Missus feel comfortable on the back of my two wheeler, and that unless I got a trike I was destined to ride alone. I've been lurking here for a couple of weeks now and decided to take that next step and go for a test drive.

The bike was a 2002 GL1800 with a Hannigan kit. The bike had 60k miles, but was immaculate. First the guy took the missus for a ride on the back. I was impressed by watching the reverse used and I was amazed at how quiet the bike was as he rode away with my better half. When they got back I could see her smile a block away.

Then the guy took me for a ride on the back. Whereas he had been focused on making the Missus feel safe and comfortable, with me he accelerated hard, braked hard, and did a series of sharp swerves back and forth trying to make the rear end break away. He knew exactly what my wife was interested in and what I was interested in. Oh, and yes, the bike stuck to the road like stink on a skunk.

Then the guy turned the bike over to me to ride solo. As surprised as I was up to this point, that surprise was nothing like how I felt riding it myself.

The bike sounded and felt like it was an electric bike--quiet and smooth.

I knew before hand there would be no leaning in turns, but I was still surprised (and disappointed) with how the non-leaning turns pushed my body to the outside of the turn. Knowing it in advance and experiencing it are definitely two different things.

I was surprised at how underpowered the trike felt on acceleration. I normally ride a VTX 1300 and because I knew this trike had a motor half again larger I expected to be pushed back into my seat. The trike was no slouch, but the weight of the trike kit must have absorbed that extra horsepower. I felt the trike was just a bit slower than my own bike.

I was also surprised at the seating position of the rider. I'm not accoustomed to having my shifter and rear brake so close to me and I'm not used to sitting up so straight. It felt like there was a shorter distance between me and the front end. This was probably just a result of the trike having a fairing and my VTX having only a windshield.

The bike rode smoothly on the road, and there was hardly any buffeting like I get on my VTX. BTW, this was the same when riding on the back.

All in all, my wife was impressed with the trike. I was both impressed and not impressed. On the whole, the things I did not like about the trike weren't bad experiences. I suspect the negatives were something which would go away with familiarity.

We have decided to get a trike and will probably go with a Hannigan from this builder (Coach Rice). They spent the time with us and answered all of our questions. The ride experience was spot on in showing both the Missus and myself what was important to each of us. Now I'll start watching his inventory looking for the right combination of age, mileage, options, and of course cost.

[Barnaclebill]

Once bitten, Blue, it's difficult to let go! Rode solo for forty-odd years, "forced" onto a trike through old age and other med problems, then wondered why I hadn't gone over before! Cant get me off it now!

[Nana]

Congratulations, Blue. You are correct that the odd feeling with steering will fade with a few miles under your belt. About the foot positioning, discuss that with your builder/dealer. The GW foot position is quite different from the cruisers, but others can be triked that would likely feel more comfortable. The VTX makes an awesome trike (look at Meredog's pictures of his 1800 to see what that can be like when rigged up for touring, and Juju's 1300 for more of the stripped down, sporty look). You are already comfortable sitting on that, and the foot position would remain exactly the same on the trike. Just an idea

[rmrc51]

Blue,

First and foremost, you're really gonna love the move to a trike. Especially knowing that you'll be able to share the experience with your better half being she feels more secure!

That being said, I recently went with a GoldWing for the quiet and comfortable ride as well. How-ever, I know what your concerns are regarding the seating position in relation to foot placement. My Wing has the Roadsmith conversion along with their Wing Guards and their new Comfort Controls. (see link below). Although these do not bring your feet as far forward as you would find on other cruisers like the Harley, they do move your feet forward and down enough for a more natural position. They work for me.

In any event,, welcome to TrikeTalk and the best people in the triking world!

New Goldwing Product Dramatically Improves Ride Position

[cscsonny]

Once you get your hands on your own 1800 trike and gain some confidance in just what that machine will do,I believe you will think the VTX 1300 was "sluggish" in comparison.
Read some of the stories on this board,too many times,2-wheeler riders have asked trike riders to slow down so they can keep up with them.
It's all in learning your trike of choice and then you won't belive just what it will do.Once you do,my bet would be that you would never go back,and enjoy many miles of smiles with the Misses.

[John Luciano]

Slugish HUUUM If I take off to fast , I either spin rear tires or I pick the front wheel off the ground I am running the DFT that uses the original rear of the Gold wing. Also a lot lighter

[Doug Nie]

Blue,
Try a 1500, I was not comfortable with the riding position on a 1800. The 1500 is much more comfortable.

[americanbadass]

I thought this post would be something a lot more exciting than a trike ride!!! Wrong forum-I soon realized. I never had a desire to ride or own a goldwing, because of the seating and floorboard configureation. That being stated, after all the positive comments I have read about the wings, I am starting to lean in that direction. The power, lack of extreme heat, as well as a smoother ride, are leaning me in that direction-maybe my next trike will be a wing of one species or another.

[Saltywheels]

Yo Blue! You don't know it yet, but you're hooked! Trikes are insidious. First you think they're mellow....so you keep riding & pushing & riding & then, Holy Didn't know "I" could do that! And it's down hill from there, till you realize I better slow down or I'll be part of the scenery!! Know a lot of middle aged delinquents who made the switch & now..... G'Luck

[Shimpy]

BigBlue, remember you rode a Goldwing, designed for touring, or long distance riding. The seating position makes you set more upright than a cruiser and that keeps your weight off your tailbone which causes fatigue. I used to have a Kowi Nomad and at first missed the relaxed, layed back position, but soon adjusted to the upright position. If long distance is not your thing, then check into more forward controls.

[Gorilla]

yep welcome to the trike world

[meredog]

Just remember Yellow trikes are faster !! LOL Welcome aboard

[hbrogan57]

For those of you who have been around the block many a time may have forgotten what it was like the first time. The anticipation, the ride itself, and then your disappointment when you realized the ride was over and you had to climb off. Yes, I rode my first trike today.

We have decided to get a trike and will probably go with a Hannigan from this builder (Coach Rice). They spent the time with us and answered all of our questions. The ride experience was spot on in showing both the Missus and myself what was important to each of us. Now I'll start watching his inventory looking for the right combination of age, mileage, options, and of course cost.

I had mine delivered on Tuesday of this week. I can't get enough!!!!! I had not been on a bike in 12 LONG years. But it was second nature once I got into the saddle for that first ride. After that, HOOKED!!!!!

Carl is certainly a dealer that goes out of his way to help you. And, as for Hannigan, I talked to John over there and got the scoop on the trike kit before I ever bought it.

Better half finally got to ride yesterday and we found that a taller windshield is most definitely needed. A little too much buffeting for either of us on the interstate. I am guessing that whoever owned this one before me had the shorter one put on. That's an easy fix and I have already ordered a Memphis Shades color matched one that should be here later next week. (((ahhh..FARKLE))

The controls have taken me a bit of getting used to as it seems I am almost sitting on top of them. But that's a small price to pay for such a fantastic ride!!!!!

Enjoy your new ride. You now have the "bug" and it will NOT be going away anytime soon.

[hbrogan57]

We have decided to get a trike and will probably go with a Hannigan from this builder (Coach Rice). They spent the time with us and answered all of our questions. The ride experience was spot on in showing both the Missus and myself what was important to each of us. Now I'll start watching his inventory looking for the right combination of age, mileage, options, and of course cost.

You'll have a smile as big as mine once you own it and put a few miles on.....

[Chumbly]

Or as someone else posted, just trike your VTX1300 or possibly an VTX1800 if you're looking for more power. The main thing is- get out there and ride.... trying out the different configurations is half the fun.

[Big_Blue]

I have a second bike which I bought as a project bike. It's a 2002 VTX 1800R. I'm thinking about triking it out with a Roadsmith kit. I took Nana's suggestion and PMed Meredog. I looked at his album and really liked the look of his trike. When I showed the Missus the pet fairing on his bike she was sold.

Anybody else out there have a VTX 1800 Roadsmith conversion? I'd like to hear what they have to say--good and bad. After this posting I'll search the forum for old posts and see what others have experienced before me.

[Chumbly]

I haven't got the Roadsmith kit, but do like the look of it. You've got mail.

[hbrogan57]

I have a second bike which I bought as a project bike. It's a 2002 VTX 1800R. I'm thinking about triking it out with a Roadsmith kit. I took Nana's suggestion and PMed Meredog. I looked at his album and really liked the look of his trike. When I showed the Missus the pet fairing on his bike she was sold.

Anybody else out there have a VTX 1800 Roadsmith conversion? I'd like to hear what they have to say--good and bad. After this posting I'll search the forum for old posts and see what others have experienced before me.

I seriously considered the Roadsmith. But my better half and myself both liked the lines on the Hannigan a lot better. Really comes down to what YOU prefer.........