Honda or Harley?

[traveler287]

Just in the looking stage, but my wife and I are interested in purchasing a trike in next few months. Where we live, most rider's own Harley's, but for looks, we like the Honda the best. It looks like the Honda is longer which we think will make the ride smoother. Which bike do you believe is better? We are retired and will be using the trike to travel around the country. Thanks for any imput.

[Trent]

Ok everyone...commence the bashing!!!! Ha ha!!!!

[Hooker 6]

I ride Harleys (heritage and lowrider), and I bought a Goldwing to trike. The GL1800 is a superior trike - no engine heat, no power issues, and very comfortable. I live my bikes and I love my trike.

[patriot]

Just in the looking stage, but my wife and I are interested in purchasing a trike in next few months. Where we live, most rider's own Harley's, but for looks, we like the Honda the best. It looks like the Honda is longer which we think will make the ride smoother. Which bike do you believe is better? We are retired and will be using the trike to travel around the country. Thanks for any imput.

First, welsome to Trike Talk. Second, do you own a motorcycle?

You need to consider cost; new? used? Honda Goldwing does not come from the factory new, although you can purchase a new Goldwing at some dealers around the country. You can buy a new Goldwing and have it triked by a trike installer. A new Goldwing trike will most likely cost more than a Harley trike. That's because Harley makes trikes.

Goldwings are cooler than Harleys. I've owned both Goldwing and Harleys, I currently own a Harley and love to, however is money was not a factor, I would buy a new Goldqwing and have it triked. When you consider the Goldwing, then you need to consider which manufacture would you use.

I could go on and on, but you need to provide us with more info on what your desire is.

[OlManRivh]

less maintenance on a Honda too.

[saab9k]

No maintenance on a Yamaha.

[mtn rider]

Living in Fla you need to consider the heat issue of the Harley as they do run a lot hotter than the Honda. The Harley is air cooled while the Honda is water cooled making for a more comfortable ride in the heat of the Fla summer. I personally ride a Honda and love it.
Remember 90% of the Harleys are still on the road while the other 10% made it to the house.
pepperpepperpepper

[americanbadass]

They both start with the letter H. I have an HD and a Victory trike, have always ridden HD-it gets in your blood after a few decades. This forum has edumucated me to appreciate all species of trikes. In two years I will be old enough for a wing-maybe I will buy one then!

[ladyff1481]

I like my Harley Roadsmith Trike it keeps me warm when it starts to get cool up here. I probably would not like the heat it gives off if I lived somewhere down south but I think this may be a fixable issue. As for price, my new Harley Trike cost more than a new Goldwing Trike. So if someone says that a Harley Trike costs less that may not be true. Look around, ride a few, then pick what you like, and if you ride with a passenger make sure they like it too.

[lboos]

I think all the motorcycles made today are great, some are smooth and quiet and don't put out a lot of heat, a Harley is loud and puts out a lot of heat, and I have owned most of them over the years, but their is something special about a Harley to me, the vibration, the sound that only a Harley can make, and the history of it having been around for over a 110 years, no other M/C sounds like a Harley [as hard as they try] .

Myself, I don't mind the heat, and I love the sound, and the history of the Harley .
But...what ever turns you on, just buy one . JMO.

[SEABILL]

Jim - You said two things that are going to be key to which trike you'll get. They are "wife" and "travel".<br />
<br />
So if your wife is like mine, color is most important, then comfort followed by trunk space.<br />
<br />
Have Fun!

[FRR]

I have owned both Harleys and Wings concurrently for the last 20 yrs When i decided to go Trike there wasn't even a question in my mind. The Goldwing is a far superior machine. Much less cost to maintain, cooler riding, more trike options, bigger engine, much less normal upkeep, regular fuel, better gas mileage in most cases, bigger trunk options and ISP options that the Harley does not have. I only know one person with a Triglide and he wishes he had purchased a Wing. I realize there is a guy on the Harley site that will jump on this post or any others that dare to criticize the Triglide, accuse us of " making money for the Emperor of Japan" and all that nonsense, but unless you are simply "taken" with the Harley mystic, the Wing may well be your choice. AND, the fenders don't shake when you are idling.

[traveler287]

Appreciate all the input. I owned a dyna several years back, but now think a trike would be a better choice for us now. I haven't got far enough yet to compare the costs of finding a completed trike verses getting a bike and having a kit installed. I know there are several kits available and will have to explore which will be best suited for our needs. Any further suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Planning on using the trike to travel across country. Did it a few years ago in an RV,now ready for some open road adventure.

[Tony T of I V E]

I've owned a few Harley's and I'm on my THIRD Honda Trike.. just "MY" opinion .. If it's a two wheel I'll stick with Harley. If it's a Three wheel , I'll stick with Honda. <img src="images/smilies/smiley confused.gif" border="0" alt="" title="confused" class="inlineimg" /><br />
<br />
Tony T of I V E<img src="images/smilies/coffee1.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Coffee" class="inlineimg" />

[Gorilla]

Harley has more than just the Tri-Glide. All the conversion companies also make conversions for Harleys. Some thing to look at first is get on both and see what you are more comfortable on. I love Honda Goldwings for all the reasons given, but I am not comfortable on them. I have a 2007 Road Glide with a Champion Conversion. I have modified the engine and exhaust and do not have a heat issue. I live in the Florida Keys so it does get hot here. I am VERY comfortable on my Harley which is why I ride it. I put from 10 to 15 thousand miles a year on my trike.<br />
<br />
So look at whats comfortable first then what you like for looks second them compare the rides. Most of the modern trikes ride great.

The longer wheel bases with IRS will give a little better ride especially for the passenger.

[mrplumr1]

Just remember one thing made in the good ole USA. Harley Road Glide with Roadsmith kit. I don't know what all these people are talking about when they say it's cheaper to own a Honda than a Harley. I have a 2002 Road King with a motor trike kit have never had a problem with it. Just change the oil and go. I now have a 2012 Road Glide with a Roadsmith kit. I'll put its comfort up against any Goldwing.

[Ozarkryder]

Hello from SW MO. My wife's sister and her husband live in Sebastian. Been too long since we have been there. <br />
<br />
For a smoother ride, you might check into Roadsmith. They add about 10" to the wheelbase and have IRS for a smoother ride. They have a factory store in Daytona, and they are great folks. I believe that Hannigan also has a longer than stock wheelbase, and it is a wider wheelbase kit. I am not sure, but I think I saw somewhere that CSC is a bit longer than stock also, but not as much as Roadsmith or Hannigan. <br />
<br />
BTW, my 2 wheeler is a 1990 HD FLHS that I have been riding for 20 years. Never thought I would have a Honda again (last one was in 1979) but our last 2 trikes have been Goldwings.

I must say they are very good mile munchers, comfortable and a good canvas for customization, just as much as Harleys are.

[BlueTrinity]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>FRR</strong>
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<div class="message">I have owned both Harleys and Wings concurrently for the last 20 yrs When i decided to go Trike there wasn't even a question in my mind. The Goldwing is a far superior machine. Much less cost to maintain, cooler riding, more trike options, bigger engine, much less normal upkeep, regular fuel, better gas mileage in most cases, bigger trunk options and ISP options that the Harley does not have. I only know one person with a Triglide and he wishes he had purchased a Wing. I realize there is a guy on the Harley site that will jump on this post or any others that dare to criticize the Triglide, accuse us of " making money for the Emperor of Japan" and all that nonsense, but unless you are simply "taken" with the Harley mystic, the Wing may well be your choice. AND, the fenders don't shake when you are idling.</div>

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</div><b><i><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS"><font size="3">I've already been cautioned about responding to comments like yours, so I'm just going to ignore it as an ignorant post. Nice try!</font></span></i></b><br />
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[Lakeman]

The biggest problem with a Honda is it's not A Harley!

[JaysGone]

Ive owned a few HDs and older Hondas over the years.
Currently my V-Twin stable is just an 05 Yamaha RoadStar.
Coming from a V-Twin back ground but also currently owning a 99 Honda Valkyrie and now a 2010 Gold Wing trike.
For 2 wheels a V-twin any day of the week.
But.
For comfort and daily commuting which is what I use a bike and or the trike for.
The Gold Wing hands down.

If you do plan on vacationing or just weekend riding the Honda triked is a better choice.
For riding fun and Ill hear it now.
A HD or any V-twin over a 6 cylinder Honda is a lot more fun for me to ride.
The lack of vibration of a Honda is a big advantage for the longer trips as Im getting older.
The V-twins I find for me are just a lot more fun to ride.
Both types of bikes I find run hot here in Florida.
My R* runs cooler moving then the Valk or GoldWing for me.
I have heat on my feet constantly from the Wing. Might be due to the full length running boards??
I have yet to look into that issue.
The Valk at a stop sign or red light is a cooker.
On the Florida roads I feel the heat at a stop sign or light ALOT more from my Hondas.

As Im different then most here.
I ride daily, all year long.
I chose to use bikes/trikes and my main mode of transportation, commuting to work.
I ride because I prefer to.

But overall the Honda is a much better choice for a trike.
Overall comfort, features, and lack of vibration are both big pluses for me.