Motor Trike near San Antonio?

[wiredgeorge]

Anyone have a Motor Trike with one of the solid axles near San Antonio I could take a ride on? I have an opportunity to buy a 2005 GL1800 with a solid axle kit with a rake kit & floor boards... real nice looking trike and low miles for a great price but am concerned the ride would not be up to snuff. I currently have a 97 GL1500 with Roadsmith conversion with IRS & rake kit and floorboards and aux tank, etc. Would LOVE to check a Motor Trike if anyone local would be kind enough to spare the time to allow me to do so. Send me a PM.... I live outside San Antonio in Medina County.

[jackpoet]

I live in Alvin Tx, but that is just outside Houston. However, if you get up here or are coming up here let me know. 713-818-1192. Won't the present owner let you ride it or at least ride co-rider with him? That at least would let you know how they ride.<br />
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good luck

[wiredgeorge]

The prospective trike is about 150 miles away. Not a question of not allowing me to ride it. I could probably make the trip but then I still have to sell my current trike, etc. It would be a lot easier to evaluate whether I even wanted to go with a straight axle trike regardless of how good a deal if I could evaluate it first and closer would be better.

[Gold Rush]

I know personal experience is what you are looking for George but IMHO you will loose some comfort going to the 1800 Motor Trike. That trike you have was just built for comfort. Being an IRS and having the wheels set back as far as they are on a GL1500 frame you have the softest ride possible.<br />
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I will have to say that if you really want to hammer the curves and twisties down there where you live the GL1800 Motor Trike is probably the best one to do it on. The solid axle is a bit rougher then a IRS but not a deal breaker if the price is right. Wish you lived a bit closer to San Angelo. I have a couple friends that I know would let you ride their's.. <br />
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Good Luck with your decision... <img src="images/smilies/coffee1.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Coffee" class="inlineimg" /> <img src="images/smilies/coffee1.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Coffee" class="inlineimg" />

[wiredgeorge]

I ride two-up and don't ride hard. Comfort is far higher on the priority list than hammering curves. Motor Trike still sells so many of the solid axle kits that I was hoping I could get luck before riding several hundred miles to find out the missus wouldn't be happy bouncing on the back of a solid axle machine. The main consideration is the newer vehicle and lower mileage and the price is right.

[rmrc51]

For what it's worth,, I'd think real hard about not keeping your present ride. Although I cannot personally attest to this comment, I've heard many owners swear that they're 1500's are more comfortable then the 1800's and that they also have a more comfortable seating position. Couple that fact with the Roadsmith unit you have on your 1500, that combination should make for one heck of a comfortable ride. My brother-in-law has a 1500 and he wouldn't part with it under any condition, lol. Just food for thought.

[wiredgeorge]

Rich, I also have heard all the 2nd hand fixed axle bashing and have heard about the relative merits of the long wheel base RS and Hannigan conversions in terms of comfort BUT my bike is a 1997; great shape and runs perfect but a 1997. The bike I am looking at is a 2005 with half the miles and quite frankly solid axles were a bona fide argument due to less maintenance and better handling until the past few years when IRS became more common. When an owner owns something, he tends to think it is the best thing since sliced bread since it reflects his buying decision and status in the universe. I can get the GL1800 MT conversion for about the same as I pad for my 1997 GL1500A RS conversion a few months before so I need to consider carefully and do some actual seat time with the missus rather than rely on opinions... heck I bought the RS based on opinion because I couldn't ride a DFT or Hannigan and both are supposed to be top notch and on a par with the RS. I also got a great trade in for the RS conversion on my old bike, a 2006 GL1800. The only trike I didn't really consider hard was because of driveshaft issues that seemed to be taken poorly addressed by the manufacturer.

[rmrc51]

George,

You're correct in not basing your purchase on opinion alone and if possible definitely ride an 1800 with a solid axle conversion.

That being said, my previous trike was a 97 Valkyrie with an early MotorTrike solid axle unit and as you can see, my current ride is an 05 1800 with the Roadsmith IRS. As per this comparison, I can clearly say that my current ride is "much" more comfortable!

[wiredgeorge]

An actual opion based on 1st hand experience is invaluable and I thank you for that.

[Rsw]

For a purchas as big and important as this, I would take the short 150 mile trip and see it and ride it in person. 5 hours of driving time might just save you years of regret. You might also just see why it's such a great deal.

[ectrike]

For a purchas as big and important as this, I would take the short 150 mile trip and see it and ride it in person. 5 hours of driving time might just save you years of regret. You might also just see why it's such a great deal.

I agree 150 is not that far. You get to ride the real trike you are wanting to buy then you will know for sure if you want it or not

[Rowdy]

I owned a 1500 MT and rode it for four or five yrs. I then bought the 1800 DFT that I now own. The difference in the ride between the two is light night and day, especially for the passenger. I was perfectly happy with the solid axle MT because it was my first trike and I had never even ridden another one. Now, after having the DFT for another four yrs., I would really hate to go back to the solid axle. I am sure my wife would not even want to consider it.