Trike selection advise/suggestions for newbie please.

[NiteOwl]

My Girl friend has a gorgeous 883L sportster with a tuner, exhaust and heavy breather air cleaner. Bike performs extremely well. She was in an automobile accident 2 years ago which left here with some balance/back issues. The bike only has 2k miles on it. As a result of accident she will need to trike this bike or get something different. She is 125lbs and 5'4".

Any advise on the way forward for us is absolutely appreciated!

I would like to trike this bike if the resulting machine will perform fine on the hwy for road trips.

We have a local installer who has recommended things like roadsmith, BUT says its very heavy and no guarantee on hwy performance. Frankenstein should cool, I could do the conversion, its solid axle... we just don't know and I though I would really appreciate input from you all.

Bob & Anne

[KindaOldTriker]

Your wifes case sounds just like my wifes! 2 back surgeries after an accident at work and no confidence in 2 wheels after that. The trike solved her fears and now she wishes she'd done it 5 years ago.

http://www.triketalk.com/forum/harley-trikes/14987.htm

[screwball]

Wife is on a trike after Chemo left her numb from the calves down. We went the Tri-Glide route. That 883 will be a bit slower and more sluggish than the bike was, more weight and a bit different gearing. With only 2000 miles on it, I doubt it saw many freeway miles. You are talking an expense of 10 to 15 grand to convert, 20 to 30 grand for a Tri. What is it worth to you??? Wife and I are old, drag racing 2 wheelers or power wheel chairs just isn't fun anymore. We just got back from a 3300 mile ride where your girlfriend and her Sport would have had a great time. Remember, you don't have to hurry, you don't have to be first around the curves, and if your friends are too impatient to slow down a bit they aren't your friends anyway.

[bustedwing]

I agree with Screwball, the 883 is not a powerful bike and when you add the drag of a trike it will be very under powered.If that is no problem then look at the options you want on a trike. You can start anywhere from$4k on up depending on what you want. With only 2k on the bike you have its a perfect candidate for the transplant. Good luck.

[KindaOldTriker]

I talked to a lady at a bike night before I did my wifes 1200 Sportster. She had an 883 Frankenstein kit and loved it.
Re: cost, yep the kit is expensive. Our kit, pipes, triple trees and painting was 8K total installed. The kit was 6K for everything so I paid $2k for assembly and paint by experts. I can no longer crawl around on my knees on a cement floor!
Bike was PAID FOR and I figured was worth now at 6yrs old about $7k max retail. So that puts value of her bike at about $15k to insure. Less than HALF of cost of new triglide .
I don't know about the 'drag' ? It seems to me that the extra weight of the trike kit over the standard bike would be about the same as an average person riding two-up, but, never having weighed it before/after I'm only guessing.

[Steel Cowgrrrl]

Thank you for the awesome input everyone. Much appreciated.

[Oldmsocko]

I agree with Screwball. Ride your own ride and don't worry about what other folks think.

[ThreeWheelsRI]

When I was looking for a trike, I saw an 883 w/the Frankenstein kit and it was absolutely beautiful! Same reasons as your wife for this person selling it. I almost couldn't make up my mind, but ended up with the 1200 sportster with the champion kit. But, when trying out the smaller bike I found it was easy to maneuver (ezsteer) and was as powerful would have been without the kit. I'm tiny like your wife so the weight is OK. Good luck!

[KindaOldTriker]

My wifes trike on her 1200 Sportster is 'seemingly' as quick as it was before! I see NO negatives!

[Timbrr]

I'm new here and this is my 1st post. My wife and live in Iowa and we have a Chevelle that we show in addition to our bikes. Here is my question.

I'm looking for some input. My wife had a minor accident on her Sportster. She wasn't hurt and no damage. She has told me that she isn't comfortable riding by herself now but still wants to "ride". We are both in our 60's and we are considering a Trike. I have never ridden one and I'm not sure where to start. We would be trading in her Sportster and my Heritage. I'm 6'2 and just under 3 bills. She is 5' and about 130. Any input you have on what to look for or ask about will be much appreciated

[Sloufoot]

If you are looking for a ride for two people the Trike is a great answer ! In fact your wife being a rider herself would even feel much safer driving the Trike.
But the bottom line is ......... You both need to try one out for a test ride ! No one can really tell you what you feel like on one ! They do take a lot of getting used to. Different world ! But most find it a great transition!
Take the time to read through all you can on this forum, as there are a lot of people just trying the Tri Glide out here also.

[Ozarkryder]

To get some more power an 883 is an easy and a not too expensive project to bump up to a 1200. If she isn't an acceleration junkie, and as petite as she is, the sporty will easily do highway speeds, it just might take it's own sweet time gettin to them.
Another thing to consider but not menioned yet is her back issues. The Sportster is by nature a rougher riding machine than the larger bikes, and will make a harsher riding trike. A larger bike with an adjustable suspension IRS kit will possibly be easier on her back.