What do you like about your Roadsmith Trike?

[RTwing]

I can't personally comment on any experience related to Roadsmith however I will say they seem to build a quality first rate kit. I have checked out their engineering and construction and it is quite impressive.

And they are a Minnesota company so how could the possibly not be the best

[pudge]

The easy answer for both my wife and I is "everything!". We have owned and ridden our '06Wing with the RS trike kit installed since January of 2011 and have traversed something over 20000 miles in that time. Not a lot by some standards, but quite a bit for us and our available travel schedule. The majority of these miles have been travelled on "trips, most of which involved somewhere around a thousand miles, give or take. We have travelled in most all kinds of weather, perhaps less rain than most and much more really serious wind than most, due to where we live and ride here in the desert southwestern US, mostly in New Mexico and Texas.

We had a GL1500 with a CSC solid rear axle kit installed which we bought used from a neighbor and rode for between 2 and 3 years prior to our present machine. We truly have not had any kind of a serious complaint about our RoadSmith experience. I spent a good deal of time researching trike kits prior to purchasing this one. I come from a background of a dryland farm boy where I had ample opportunity to operate and maintain all kinds of mechanical farm machinery and learned early on to understand the benefits of good design and engineering.

I was positively impressed with the design and engineering of the RoadSmith trike kit. It is pretty simple with parts easily accessed from any well appointed parts store if needed, and it appeared to me to be designed to work and to work well without complicated suspension parts likely to give problems. I liked the driveshaft construction and design as well. We thought we would like the extra wheelbase it provides and we were right. The ride for both of us is very comfortable and predictable and instilled great confidence in both of us after we got acquainted with it. The kit has the RS 5.5 degree rake kit installed, and it has been a pleasure to operate in all conditions. We have ridden for more than 9 hours with a gusting wind from the side of in excess of 40 mph gusting to well over 50 mph. We were whipped at day's end, but we were never worried. It just required constant attention with no time to relax as we might on a less windy day.

We don't have the floorboards on ours because I like to get closer to the trike to mount and also to be able to put my feet down to back up. It's pretty much flat where we ride, and I seldom use the reverse option. We tow an Aluma MCT trailer everywhere, and it creates no problems for us. We have plenty of room when we do ride on occasion without the trailer for some reason. The trunk lid fits well and latches well. I agree that the side panels on the bike portion fit pretty snugly against the rear fenders of the kit and that it takes a bit of caution to remove and replace them, but that doesn't happen very often and has not been a problem for us.

I have strongly recommended the RoadSmith kit to anyone who will hold still for it. I believe the company knows what they are doing based on all the many years they have been in business, and I believe they stand behind their product. I am acquainted with several other owners of these kits, and they have had the same experience that I have had. The only complaints I have heard from anyone, either in person on on the forums I frequent, have to do with personal preferences rather than any mechanical or design problem with the kit.

Sorry this is so long, but I like to let you know what my opinion is based on and where I'm coming from. I know there are other good trike kits, but I know few of them that have not had some serious issues along the way. We, nor those we are personally acquainted with, have had any. I am able to give my qualified highest recommendation for the RoadSmith trike kit. I've not had experience with the later models that have become available since our kit was installed, but ours has been exemplary. It's ready to go when we are ready to go, and we go with the highest confidence that we are not likely to have serious problems away from home with the kit itself, and the Wing is also a trouble free platform on which to install the kit. We are very happy owners!!

[wiredgeorge]

We bought our 97 GL1500 Roadsmith trike from KD Cycles in Alabama. I followed the advice of quite a few and tried several different type trikes from different manufacturers and my wife claims that not having her seat sitting atop the rear axle makes a big difference. Build quality is very good. Our trike came with the EZ Steer installed as well as the Aqua Shields (aka running boards). We later had an auxiliary gas tank installed. Gas mileage on the 1500 hovers in the low 30s and a trip out west of where we live will not have many gas stops available. A couple nit picks... The non-stick stuff applied to the aqua shields doesn't stick as well as it could. I think a sprayed on non-stick would work better.

Second, I have never completely gotten the rear trunk latch to stay latched 100 percent of the time. Just can't seem to get it perfectly adjusted. Last nit pick is that the fuel filler tube for the aux tank doesn't allow the auto shut off in a gas pump to work based on how it is angled (my theory). Not really a nit pick but when we picked up the trike, the suspension pre-load was on the softest setting and the ride and handling were pretty poor. I figured this out fast and now the pre-load on the rear shocks is on the 4th position and ride and handling are fine. I would be interested in higher quality rear shocks if such were available. We love to travel on the trike and it has a more secure feeling for me compared to the 2006 GL1800 we traded as I am getting a tad older. Rain isn't nearly as scary as the trike tracks really well in the wet and I have been down many county caliche roads that I never dared when on two wheels.

[bikerbillone]

A good and thorough post, a good read. I echo your thoughts and opinion. Don't have a trailer, still with the compression bags for now, if I get one, probably a Unigo, totally surprised at the price of those little one wheel things. Like you, I avoid using the reverse when I can, seems it works so very hard and cannot be good for the starter, in my opinion.

[oolddog]

I had a 2006 Kawasaki VN2000 which I put 60K miles on and traded for a new 2012 GL1800 in April 2013. I had two bad knees and knew when I purchased the Goldwing that I would trike it, however I wanted to ride the Smoky's one more time before I did. I put 4300 miles on the Goldwing and then had it triked at Meadows Bike & Trike Shop in Rutherford, TN. I was fortunate that he had several different brands of Goldwing trikes and let me ride them all. I chose a Roadsmith because, in my opnion, it rode and handled significantly better than the competition. I had him order a 2013 black/silver HTS1800. Meadows did a great job on the installation and the price was right. I love the HTS design, everything fits perfectly, the paint job is magnificant. The handling is super stable and the ride is very comfortable. It will rock along at 100MPH steady as a rock. I don't recommended it, ... but I had to test it, didn't I?

I have since had total knee replacement on both knees and could go back to two wheels (Meadows sent all the parts he took off home with me) but I have come to appreciate the advantages of a trike and I'm stickin' with it. Everywhere I stop the trike draws a crowd with comments like, "that thing is drop-dead gorgeous", "where can I get one", "how much do they cost", and the ladies all say, "I could ride one of those" and the men say, "I bet my wife would ride with me if I had one of those". I've never had a bike that got reactions like that!

[3 4 the road]

Well, let me start by saying that I have very little experience with my Roadsmith trike - so far. In fact, my motorcycle experience had almost a 50 year break, before I got my trike. And to get to that point, it took almost 4 years of working on my wife, before I could wear her down enough, to let me get a bike. Then, as I was shopping for a 2-wheel Goldwing, when she saw some friends of ours on a Spyder she decided she wanted to double up on a three wheeler as well. Go figure. Boy, did that blow my motorcycle budget!

I was very interested in the Spyder, and even drove one a couple of times in the three wheel class I had to take to get my three wheel endorsement, required in Washington. But it just did not appeal to me, even though it had a lot of advanced technology that I wished the GW had. The sex appeal was not there. And I had been wanting to get a Goldwing while I was thinking about getting into biking again. I did a lot of research on the different trikes, even demo'd a Champion trike. But from what I could determine, it looked like either the Roadsmith or the Hannigan was the way to go. There weren't a lot of used Hannigan's to choose from, so I chose to go with Roadsmith.

I bought an '08 GL 1800 with a '13 Roadsmith trike kit on the 2nd of January. The trike had 12k+ miles on it. It was delivered on the 20th of January, the night we got 2" of fresh snow. It was a couple of days before I could get a short ride in the neighborhood. That first ride was very intimidating. It is a HUGE machine. Now, after several hundred miles, and 7 or 8 rides, I am getting comfortable on the trike. I don't even mind going the speed limit!

The trike is everything I hoped it would be, at least so far. It is a beautiful piece of machinery. It is solid. It rides extremely well, at least to this novice. I am very happy with all of the positive posts I have read in this thread from current Roadsmith riders. It reinforces my belief in my choice. I am looking forward to lots of miles and trips as the weather starts to warm up. And hopefully, my wife will be with me!

(One of the things that I find amusing about the trike, is that almost every time I start to go for a ride, the trike feels so big, and so much like a car, I keep thinking I should buckle up my seat belt! How long before that goes away??!?)

[bikerbillone]

Excellent report, and thanks. Glad I subscribed to this thread.

[oldbear]

Love the quality of the build, the extra factory lights (on fender) and the second fuel tank. Great bike, great company to deal with. Highly recommend!!

[Roadsmith Trikes]

Hey Everyone, just another friendly reminder that we will be opening the doors to the Roadsmith factory on Monday, June 30th here in beautiful White Bear Lake, MN! We've got a lot of things planned for the day and hope that anyone headed to Wing Ding in Madison, WI (or anywhere else for that matter) will stop by to see us.

You'll be able to take a tour of the factory to see how our trikes are made, meet some of the great people "behind the scenes," pick up a cool t-shirt, eat some world-class food and even watch a stunt motorcycle demonstration! In the afternoon, we'll be organizing a caravan of riders to head over to Madison, WI for Wing Ding. It's the perfect start to a fun-filled week! You can register and get more information at www.roadsmithtrikes.com. Hope to see you there

[bikerbillone]

Sure wish I were closer I really like to tour that facility, central FL is just way to far from the RS kit production facility.

[rmrc51]

Sure wish I were closer I really like to tour that facility, central FL is just way to far from the RS kit production facility.

Same here living in Central Virginia. Would really like to tour the plant as well.

Hey,,,, how about opening another plant in Virginia???!!! lol

[Roadsmith Trikes]

rmrc51, now that IS funny! Sorry you won't be able to join us up north, but hopefully we'll see you at a rally or event somewhere else soon!

[bikerbillone]

Great idea, Rich, I could visit with the Virginia plant. After all, I lived in the Dale City area for some time, some fine riding up on the Skyline, and other parts as well. However, I'm thinking that RS ain't gonna build a new plant just to keep us happy....

[jayhawkokie]

I've had my 2010 Goldwing Roadsmith HTS trike for about two months and have put around 700 miles on it, I love it more every time I ride, the ride is unbelievable, it handles like a 3 wheel sports car. I have to give cuddos to Roadsmith's painter, the finish is flawless and Heartland Honda was a great dealer/installer, two very minor issues right after I picked it up and they took care of it immediately. With all the brand choices out there I would recommend a Roadsmith to anyone wanting a trike.

[RTwing]

I met with the owners and they are super nice people, very down to earth and what I would call small town friendly. They also make a point to stand behind their work.

Now if they would just put the wheels where they belong.........

[dmccord]

I have an 08 Goldwing with a 2012 Roadsmith. Have ridden over 25K miles now with ZERO problems. Wife loves the smooth ride. The construction of this trike is very trouble free. Paint job was flawless. Had it done by Horizon Trikes down in Clarksville, Ar. They were great to work with, but don't really talk to them much; which is a good thing, nothing has gone wrong. lol Fantastic trike and willl never use any other brand.

[mgwtrike]

I'm going on 2 1/2 months now on my Roadsmith HTS blue/silver trike converted on my 2012. Looking over (and under) the Roadsmith trikes at the Madison Wi. Wing Ding and comparing other brands, choosing Roadsmith was a no-brainer for quality, ride, and all around function especially when so many trike Co's in one area are trying to convince me their product is better.

Then I found a installer and his wife that made my choice even better with their honesty and experience with their own Goldwing trike, Larry and Mary Daul in Freedom Wisconsin. In fact buying and choosing a Roadsmith and the installer was a better experience for me then buying my Goldwing from the Honda dealership.

In my opinion, there isn't much Roadsmith can improve on...............

[Roadsmith Trikes]

I'm going on 2 1/2 months now on my Roadsmith HTS blue/silver trike converted on my 2012. Looking over (and under) the Roadsmith trikes at the Madison Wi. Wing Ding and comparing other brands, choosing Roadsmith was a no-brainer for quality, ride, and all around function especially when so many trike Co's in one area are trying to convince me their product is better.

Then I found a installer and his wife that made my choice even better with their honesty and experience with their own Goldwing trike, Larry and Mary Daul in Freedom Wisconsin. In fact buying and choosing a Roadsmith and the installer was a better experience for me then buying my Goldwing from the Honda dealership.

In my opinion, there isn't much Roadsmith can improve on...............

Thank YOU sir, we sincerely appreciate you choosing Roadsmith. We got your back down the road ahead

[RTwing]

I just had a guy drop by who had a new GL1800 / Roadsmith trike and I have to say it did look pretty sweet.
They to quality work for sure.

[Rich]

I like the ride and I have a Motor Trike kit,,,I just put over 6 hundred miles on a RoadSmith of a friend ,,I like the Ride and how it handles,,,,would trade my ride for a RoadSmith