2012 Goldwing CSC Viper Trike comments

[Grandpa1]

We bought a new 2012 Goldwing with a dealer installed CSC Viper kit on it in April 2013.

I drove it home to Houston from Shawnee, Oklahoma the day we picked it up. 485 miles. My butt was sore.

I really like it. It's my first trike but my third Goldwing.

Getting older and having some issues I decided on a trike and I'm glad I did.

Having the trike six months now I have some experience and can comment on some of the issues with the trike. These are my issues and I'm probably the only one that have them.

My main issue is the intercom on the Goldwing. It just sucks. Way too much static and noise. It's not my headsets it's the intercom. When sitting in my garage I can turn off the intercom and the audio system including the CB is perfect.

Turn on the intercom and the sound gets horrible with static.

I installed the Mic Mutes and that ended all the mic problems on the road but the static remains. Honda ought to be ashamed to put something like that on their Goldwings!

I also found the audio controls at first were mind boggling to my poor excuse of a brain. It took me a long time with the manual to figure out all the controls. I finally did it but to me it sure was confusing.

I love the power of the 1800. My other two Wings were a 1989 1500 and a 1995 Goldwing SE. The audio system on those were so simple and I never had a problem with static over the intercom.

My issue with the CSC Trike kit is lack of an owners manual. I guess they just figure you will not need one. The trunk light wouldn't work and I had no idea where the fuse was for it. After downloading the installation manual and the wiring schematic I still didn't know.

I had to pull the seat and trace the wires and finally found a 15 amp inline fuse and got the light working.

All in all I believe I have a good machine. After putting it on some ramps and really going over everything it looks well built and safe.

I was disappointed in the flimsy trailer hitch on the CSC so I've already built a much heavier duty one. I don't plan on a trailer right now but sure didn't like the hitch that CSC put on their Viper trike kit.

My wife loves the trike. That matters a lot. Kind of opens the old pocket book a little.

I've started adding some accessories for comfort. I've got a custom seat on order and after I get it on I will report on it.

Very happy with my new trike!

[rmrc51]

Welcome to Trike Talk from Central VA. You'll find a wealth of information here along with a great and supportive membership!

[1800 06 Champion Trike]

Welcome to the Trike World.
Enjoy your new ride !!

[Calgary]

Grandpa1<br />
It looks like we got the same trikes and that our stories are pretty much the same - my third Goldwing and my first trike. <br />
<br />
I took delivery of my trike at the end of June and have driven it 11,000 miles; the first couple thousand were spent just learning how to ride a trike and getting completely comfortable with it's handling. I made a point of seeking out highways with plenty of twisties and seriously practised what I had read about trikes and the fine information shared on this forum. <br />
<br />
Now I would say that I can pretty much run with all my two wheel riding buddies and keep well ahead of many of them. It's a comfortable ride and handles well.<br />
<br />
An added blessing is that my wife prefers riding on it compared to our two wheel Gl1800!<br />
<br />
I'm just getting ready to change out the front tire (virtually no tread left) with a BT 45. Hopefully, I'll get better mileage than with the OEM tire.<br />
<br />
You mention changing seats! I put on a colour matched (blue &amp; black) Ultimate seat and am quite happy with it! I've had at least five 800 mile days and feel that I could likely have ridden another couple hundred miles after hitting the 800 mark. But, I've not ridden a thousand mile day so I can't be too certain if I could actually hang in there. Time will tell.<br />
<br />
Best Wishes with the enjoyment of your Gl1800 CSC Viper - personally I think you made a fine choice!

[Rick Kay]

If you check the CSC website, you should be able to download and/or print the owner's manual. You can also do the same with the installation manual.

[FRR]

Don't be afraid to call CSC and ask questions. They have a couple of guys there who are most helpful with providing info on any questions about their kits. I went with CSC after researching the various options and am happy with the choice.

[msocko3]

Welcome aboard Gandpa1, I too just had my 2012 Gl1800 triked except I have the Hannigan. I know what you mean by the seat, it is one of the worst stock seats I've come across. I sent mine to Russel and couldn't be happier now. The intercom sure is weak spot also, Harley Davidson has by far the best intercom, I would have expected Honda to do as good or better.

[Jonesy]

<font size="4"><font size="4">Got a '12 GW with CSC viper now, what a nice ride. Just got it, so I'm still testing things. </font></font>

[msocko3]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>Jonesy</strong>
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<div class="message"><font size="4"><font size="4">Got a '12 GW with CSC viper now, what a nice ride. Just got it, so I'm still testing things. </font></font></div>

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</div>Nice color<img src="images/smilies/thumbup.gif" border="0" alt="" title="" class="inlineimg" />.

[kwputt]

We also have a 2012 wing with the viper conversion. So far I have not experienced the static in the intercom that you are describing. We the have J&M system and have not added any noise filters. I have noticed the intercom seems to pick up some road noise if the volume is set above twelve. Sounds as though you may have a grounding issue in the intercom.

[Coach 64]

Jonesy; what no big announcement a NEW trike. It looks very nice, ride safe.
Tom

[MarciaG]

Yeah, great color! I guess we're not unique! No matter. I love my CSC trike. The only problems I had with it had to do with the installer. All's well now. Except the weather!!

MarciaG

[danield]

I bought my trike in June of 2012. When I was returning to Arkansas from the 2013 Wing Ding, it rained, rained and rained on the way back home. One problem I encountered was that water was entering the lower trunk from the top center of the trunk. I adjusted the latch so it would close tighter. I even added some extra sealing strips on the inside of the trunk door. Was not much help. Anyone with the Viper Kit experienced the same problem?

[Grandpa1]

I haven't ridden in the rain yet but I have washed my CSC Viper several times and checked for leakage. I haven't found any. I can see where the water just drains around the channels. I can see the soap suds there and it looks like it does a good job.
However, I have ridden in the rain countless times on another Wing (not a trike) and have been amazed at how the water can get into places so I'm not surprised at your experience.
I don't have any advice other than call CSC and complain. Won't hurt.
Good luck and hope you get it fixed.

[kimber45]

I bought my trike in June of 2012. When I was returning to Arkansas from the 2013 Wing Ding, it rained, rained and rained on the way back home. One problem I encountered was that water was entering the lower trunk from the top center of the trunk. I adjusted the latch so it would close tighter. I even added some extra sealing strips on the inside of the trunk door. Was not much help. Anyone with the Viper Kit experienced the same problem?

I have the same problem with mine.

[tfdeputydawg]

I bought my trike in June of 2012. When I was returning to Arkansas from the 2013 Wing Ding, it rained, rained and rained on the way back home. One problem I encountered was that water was entering the lower trunk from the top center of the trunk. I adjusted the latch so it would close tighter. I even added some extra sealing strips on the inside of the trunk door. Was not much help. Anyone with the Viper Kit experienced the same problem?

IMHO, that is a "installer" problem! I'd be returning to that installer, if at all possible, to have the trunk door adjusted properly!

[Grandpa1]

You two please keep us informed of what action is taken with this matter. I do not know if mine leaks but if it does I really want to know how you got it fixed and what they did.
Good luck with it.

[Veritas44]

Before you call CSC, call Aaron and Shannon at Horizon and give them the Op to correct. Good people and from what I hear usually do all they can to keep an Owner happy. Quite possibly may be a slightly malformed or warped Lid. If so will need to be replaced and they will call CSC and file Warranty Claim to get that done for you. CSC will require a Dealer make that determination and send pics anyway so calling them first will just get you redirected to the Dealer anyways. No way to correct (without replacing the whole Lid) and oversized or bundled weather seals will cause other warping/fitment/closure issues in the future. Could be a loose or improperly adjusted latch issue but over-adjusting that inward to draw in a warping/malformed lid will lead to same issues later as described above.

Hope this helps. Give them a chance and definitely lay the Lid being the root cause on the table first thing. Need to eliminate that from the suspects or replace while new conversion.

[danield]

My trunk light will not come on my 2012 CSC Viper Trike. I have replaced the bulb - no luck. I found a separate 15 amp fuse under the left side of the trike and thought that might be the problem. Replaced the fuse but no luck - probable no related to the trunk light. Does anyone know if there is another separate fuse for the trunk light? I downloaded the wiring schematic and looks like the wire is connected to the bike harness and door sensor.

[Grandpa1]

There is a push button on the light itself. You probably already know that but I'm just saying.
I leave the light turned off. I don't trust the door on off switch.
I've said it over and over, CSC sure lacks a lot on owners manuals.