Looking to purchase a trike

[iccco]

Have been looking to go to three wheels and have been looking allot on e-bay and wondering any good or bad experience with purchasing this way.
I see allot of the best deals are from 2 -3 dealers down south, and I assume they sell allot.
Who would do work on them since the closest dealer to me for just about any trike brand is a couple of hundred miles.
Do regular motorcycle dealers work on trikes?

Dave
1500 wing

[trikeleader]

Welcome to Trike Talk, buying on e-Ebay can be a gamble. Do not give any money until you actually see the trike and are able to test ride it. Check out this site in the classified section.

[rmrc51]

As mentioned above, you can check out the classified section here for great deals on well maintained trikes. And yes, there are a few great Trike dealers down south. Two that come to mind are 'KD Cycle' and 'Tony's Trikes', both are in Alabama. As far as getting your trike serviced close to home, check out the dealership service departments that are within a reasonable commute. Some will have no issues working on trike conversions. Others, won't touch them. I was lucky. I have a Honda dealership in Harrisonberg, VA that has no problem servicing my Roadsmith-Wing (which they have) even though they're only a Motor Trike authorized dealer. Excellent service dept!! As I mentioned, check out the dealers close to you as per servicing. See what they say.

And welcome to Trike Talk!!

[tlc4860]

I just purchased a 2010 champion trike so my 95 1500SE with CSC kit is up for sale. Over 3K in add-on, chrome and bling. Only 57K miles. 6 degree rake and auxillary gas tank too... An awesome bike that runs - rides - and handles perfectly. Asking $13,500 located in Goldendale Wa. You can contact me at 509-250-2832 or tlc4860@yahoo.com I'd really like for it to have a new home before winter.
Terry Campbell

[Hummingbird]

Since 1979 I have owned 7 - 2 wheeled GoldWings, 2 - 1500 trikes and 2 - 1800 trikes. In the mix was 3 Yamaha's as well. My memory isn't good enough to remember how dirt bikes before that.
Only one bike was bought from a dealer and that was the first one. The rest were bought from individuals locally and from Florida, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio and Illinois. Probably missed a couple states but the point is, no dealers (except one ) were involved.
I never got a lemon, I never got burned and both the seller and I were satisfied with pricing. I shy away from dealers because they have to increase prices to cover overhead and if you take a few moments and look at the Trikes on Ebay by dealers, you will notice that the same bike form an individual either on here or CL or in your local newspaper will be $2000 to $4000 dollars cheaper.
Not to worry about supporting your local dealer, somebody else will, there are plenty that feel a dealer offers security that an individual doesn't.
The whole point is, with a little savy you can find a good deal and not get taken. I'll take a day or two of driving, some gas money and probably a hotel/motel room to save several thousand dollars.

Good luck with your quest -

[dougv]

Dave, welcome to Trike Talk Two Brothers is in Albany and they had a good selection and I was able to try one out in a large parking lot. We didn't have gear with us, if we did, I would think they would allow us to try it on the street. The area is very congested though right on a main road. The only thing the prices did seem somewhat higher, not a lot but enough to make me look more. If you had time for a day trip I ended up buying mine from Kent Motors in Cornwall, Ct. Just over the Ct line from NY near Millbrook. He is a dealer for CSC, Champion, Lehman and now I think Hannigan. He can also trike your 1500 which is what I ended up with, a 97 SE with just over 34,000 miles. I know he has a newer 1800 completed now as well as an 97 1500 plus a Harley and he will let you take a nice test ride. Good Luck

[captdanwh]

hi Dave, try to go to ( oodle.com motorcycles ) and see if there is anything you like. like everybody else said, watch for those no good scammers. if the deal sounds to good to be true it usually is but there are exceptions. i bought my wife's sportster trike and my daughters suzuki off this site and really got super deals. winter is on most riders now and their bikes are going to sit for 6 months so some are ready to deal and get rid of them. good luck in your searching

[Veritas44]

I have bought (and sold) several vehicles on ebay and local sourced Venues like that and it is risky and requires a TON of caution, research, and more caution on the part of Buyer and Seller. A Crap-Shoot but that's the trade-off for saving some bucks. Play the Odds and let 'er Roll. Same goes for ANY purchase from an unknown Individual. As Hummingbird can personally and recently attest, doing so and getting bitten can quickly erase the "savings" or end up costing more. When you factor in the value of Time, Effort, Headaches, and Stress,,, it usually costs more than a similar purchase from a Proven Reputable Dealer. Buying from an Individual is AS-IS. Only Warranty you get regardless if solid or P.O.S.---You OWN it All As-Is, It's Yours with NO recourse against anyone (unless Title fraud or mileage discrepancies or another Illegality issue). Again, not "hating" on ebay or buying from Individuals. Heck, I'm selling a Tractor and a Rifle right now on local internet source. Both are truthfully Rep'd with full disclosure. However, when the items and cash change hands-Done Deal and That's all Folks. Just saying it's Not ALWAYS the "savings" one thinks when all is said and done. That's why they call it a Gamble. Win some-Lose some.
On The Other Hand,,,
"Most" Dealers have a History and a Reputation which removes "most" of the risk. They also offer Warranty of some type and length on "most" Units. Even if not, if an issue develops, they are "most" apt to address the issue to prevent that good Reputation from becoming tarnished and cost future sales. Also, "most" Dealers put the unit through an inspection of some sort when it is taken in on trade or purchased from another Individual. They are also more knowledable and capable to know what to look for when inspecting and searching for unknown issues. "Most" fix/correct those issues before listing the Unit for sale. "Most" offer a proper delivery and presentation of the Unit to fully explain the operation of the Unit. "Most" are there after your check clears to answer your questions, address your concerns and needs, as well as service what they sell. These reasons and more are why they "Cost More"-They Provide MORE!. They alleviate or eliminate the "risk". Ain't nothing free except welfare (and Advice/Opinions-like this ). The Axiom "You get what you PAY for" is undeniable. No matter how many times you gamble and roll the dice and come out even or a winner, you WILL lose eventually and usually lucky to break even in the long run. Like Russian Roulette, 5 out of 6 times (or 4 of 5), you play and everything is all Grins and Giggles. The "Odds" are awesome and it looks like a safe Gamble. But,,,, YOU wanna Play?

"Most" times when purchasing larger-ticket items that have the potential to present many unknowns and heartache-I personally prefer to keep the risk factor to a minimum and closest to zero as possible. I go to a Dealer. Not always-Most. Plus Dealers, like any Individual, only make money when they Buy & Sell. "Most" aren't there to rip anybody's head off. Just to pay the bills, make an honest (most) living, and insure a satisfied Customer to spread the word and to repeat purchase and refer more Sales. Simple as that.

Buying from an Individual vs. Dealer? To quote 20th Century Philosopher Eastwood/Callahan: "Do YOU feel Lucky"

All the best to you no matter what you decide.

[87Trike1200]

I recently learned that two of my friends are "retiring" from trikes due the age/health issues. Both are 1800 Wings - one a Motor Trike, the other, a DFT. I THINK both come with a trailer, but you need to check. Both are private sales and are located in central NJ. If you want to PM me your "regular" email address, I will forward it the each of them.. After that, it's up to you folks. I am a "disinterested" 3rd party, have no interest in the sale, and make no claims for either one. (How's that for a disclaimer - ).

[Goldrush]

Well I've purchased a number of larger toys off of E-bay over the years (both Private and Dealers) and have yet to get taken. 2007 Gold Wing Trike (Cleveland), 2000 Fleetwood Motor-home (Detroit), 2004 Skidoo (Milwaukee), 1999 Eclipse (Charleston), 2008 Avalanche LTZ (Chicago) with no problems. The key is talk directly with the seller and asking the right questions before you bid will give you insight as to if its a scam, not 100% but so far been right by me. Also E-Bay does cover costs if something were to happen. I also make sure I have right of refusal with refund if I get there and the unit is not as described or pictured. By the way, pictures in the auction do hide a lot of scratches and dings so be clear when you talk to the seller to as those questions - have them send additional pictures. It's is really a process, more than just hitting the buy button and hoping - there some really good deals if you are careful. If you want 100% peace of mind and minimal risk buy from a local dealer or private seller.

[JaysGone]

My Ebay experience buying my trike was a good one.
The dealer I bought it from was efficient and to the point.
The sale and delivery went well.
BUT
This is the big one in my case.
I had a friend who lived in the area inspect the bike as best he could.
The dealer of course had it all shinned up and from outward apperences he said he would take it if he were to be buying a vehicle.
Long story short.
You can hide a lot of things or miss them not knowing much about mechanicals.
From a visual inspection standpoint.
The underside of the trike looked like it was finished in a black crinkle paint and nothing looked out of place.
Well
The black crinkle was a combination of oil and road dust.
The trike had 2 leaking CV joint seals and unless one had the bike up in the air.
No way to see it.
Now did the dealer know this and just ignore it and not disclose this to me??
I will never know.
Motor Trike did take care of it sort of.
I took a hit but still have the bike.
Moral of the story.
Look as best as you can but you cant see everything.

[scribe5]

I bought a VTX 1800 and A 2005 Goldwing Champion Trike off Craigslist. Both were local and I count these two purchases as two of the best deals I've ever gotten. Both were low mileage, mint condition, with quality upgrades and the owners let me go over both to my satisfaction and take long test drives. Things I looked for were obvious signs of abuse, odd sounds, handling. I also looked at the owners. If they looked like they took care of themselves, their homes and their property, I felt confident they did the same with their motorcycles.

[Grandpa1]

I shopped and shopped and looked and looked and finally decided to buy a new one. It hurt to pay that much money but at least I knew what I was getting. Even a used one costs a lot of money but with no warranty it could end up costing quite a bit more.
I purchased mine almost 500 miles away from where I live. I drove it home. I learned a lot about it that day too!
If I could have found a used one close to home and could have tested it I may have purchased it but that option wasn't available. The only option was buying a 5 year old Goldwing with a new trike kit on it for almost as much as I paid for my new Goldwing with a CSC Viper kit installed by the Honda dealer I bought it from.
I got all the new bike warranties. All the electronics and things are very expensive.
I've already purchased the extended warranty too so I'm good for seven years and I figure by that time my riding days will be over.
Good luck and I hope you find a good trike to ride. I'm sure there are plenty of well maintained machines out there.

[scribe5]

When I was looking early this year, I was shocked by what people were asking---for trikes that were made from Goldwings from the mid-1990's, with mileage north of 50,000. No doubt this is a crazy expensive hobby/life style/calling. But better than the golf course or Las Vegas.

[SMSgt]

I bought mine from Complete Cycle in Rome, GA. I live in UT. If you are looking in that direction look someplace else. My trike had pages of complaints I sent to Road Smith and the dealer. There are still things that need to be fixed and I bought it last Dec. I'm just waiting for winter to set in so I can start the mod. season.

[jaxbobg]

Dave,

I've bought trikes through CycleTrader and eBay and have never had a bad experience. You have to go ride the trike, take a look at the seller (does he/she look or act like a shady character?) and consider that the asking price is usually 2 to 3 thousand over market value.

Look at every possible flaw in the bike you want to buy, then low-ball the seller. Believe me it works. The owner of the first trike I bought dropped the asking price $2,000 when I pointed out a few defects that were easily corrected when I got the bike home.

Good luck. Keep us up to date on your buying trips.

[tfdeputydawg]

I got all the new bike warranties. All the electronics and things are very expensive.
I've already purchased the extended warranty too so I'm good for seven years.

Unfortunately, if you have a failure w/anything that can be "blamed" on adding the trike conversion, warranty will, most likely be denied!!!!!
A conversation w/Honda customer service will reveal the truth to you!
Any unauthorized modification or unauthorized accessory or even approved mods or accessories not preformed/added by an authorized dealer can cause a warranty to be voided!
Plain explanation, you can kiss any warranty coverage on the bikes drive train good bye, as soon as a trike conversion kit is added, if the dealer that works on this failure reports the bike has been triked or a factory rep shows up to inspect the "broken" parts.
Back when I bought my Hannigan, there was a statement on their home page advising adding their conversion would, in deed, void the warranty on the converted bike.
There are those that will cite the MM law as making the above info incorrect but, that law does not apply in this situation!
That is what makes a Tri-Glide or a Can-Am attractive as they do have full factory warranties!

[Grandpa1]

I heard about those horror stories about the dealer or Mother Honda voiding the warranty. I don't know if it's a fact. I guess in some cases it could happen.
I bought an extended warranty from a local dealer and really questioned him about the warranty. I was told anything related to the trike was not covered by Honda but anything and everything related to the Goldwing would be covered.
Since my trike is new the CSC Viper trike part is covered for three years by CSC. I'm lucky, I guess, because the local dealer I purchased the extended warranty from also sells CSC.
Before I would buy a used trike and if I was worried about warranties I would really do my research.
These toys are expensive and having work done to them is also expensive. They are very denpendable and that's why I love the Goldwing but when they do break it is usually very costly.

[tfdeputydawg]

I heard about those horror stories about the dealer or Mother Honda voiding the warranty. I don't know if it's a fact. I guess in some cases it could happen.
I bought an extended warranty from a local dealer and really questioned him about the warranty. I was told anything related to the trike was not covered by Honda but anything and everything related to the Goldwing would be covered.Since my trike is new the CSC Viper trike part is covered for three years by CSC. I'm lucky, I guess, because the local dealer I purchased the extended warranty from also sells CSC.Before I would buy a used trike and if I was worried about warranties I would really do my research.
These toys are expensive and having work done to them is also expensive. They are very denpendable and that's why I love the Goldwing but when they do break it is usually very costly.

I simply advise you to call Honda Customer Service and pose the question of warranty coverage. Do not tell them you have converted, just that you want to how adding a trike conversion affects the warranty!
Your dealer is correct as far as telling you any problem not "blamed" on the conversion should continue to be covered.
Drive train related problems again depends on the dealer and if the factory rep gets involved.
I find it very strange that Honda would allow authorized dealers to sell/install trike conversions and trailers(which is an item the owners manual states not to tow a trailer!)and yet deny warranty claims for problems "blamed" on the conversion or because one has a trailer hitch!!!!!

[scribe5]

I think one needs to get any warrantee understanding in writing. That's why factory warrantees are in writing. A call to the mothership or a handshake agreement with a dealer won't cut it in court. Any reputable dealer willing to say he will back up a stem to stern warrantee on a trike conversion would be willing to put his name on a document. Otherwise it's your word against his.