What do you like about your Roadsmith Trike?

[Trail boss]

My pride and joy is a 2003' GL1800 w/ 2011 Roadsmith kit. The adventure began in 2009 really as we had been riding 2 up since 1965 off & on. First we started our search like most others do reading Forums, Mfgr. info and whatever is out there back in 2009. After lots of research we had narrowed down our selections by August 2010 to our top two selections, Hannigan & Roadsmith so as we planned our Sturgis trip we included visits to both manufacturers displays while there. I tried calling the Hannigan folks (sales lady) and most were already gone so they said to just show up and I'd be taken care of. I then called Roadsmith and spoke to Doug Lindholm who was very helpful with info to were they would be located, he was leaving the next day so I said we'd see him there.

So the day prior to opening day we left and drove straight to 100 miles short of Sturgis. Next morning we drove into Sturgis electing to try Hannigan first, guess so did everyone else. They were packed and only had (4) working display units with two in their trailer for repairs which seemed strange. We tried to get a time to do a test ride, that wasn't going to happen / booked til the end of the week / tried to get some info from people returning from test rides (seemed to be limited to the area downtown) as not many good reviews from people of our on age range, not many complaints just so so reviews as folks couldn't go to the highway as they were told having only 4 units they needed them to return ASAP!!

We did look very closely at their body off GL1800 unit to see details along with taking a few pictures and we were off to Roadsmith. Once at Roadsmith which was also very busy but had plenty of people we were greeted by Doug Lindholm himself, he asked if we had a few minutes as he wanted to show us around and ask some questions. They had a HT1800 kit Body Off on display and immediately jumped out some differences / Heavier Drive Shaft, Heavier Sway Bar, Coil Over Adjustable Progressive Shocks, Adjustable Suspension using stock rear shock adjuster, and it looked like heavier Plates and mounting areas. Doug walked us through the kit asking also how we rode, how many miles, type of use the kit would get, etc.

Then he took us out to the front line of trikes all lined up out front showing us different options that were available and how and where they mounted. Loaded us up with lots of literature and walked us back to our car behind the trailer where parked next to the car was a GL1800 all loaded up and with a Full Tank... asked if we needed helmets / nope we brought them. Gave us a walk thru of how things worked on the Honda saying take it easy the first few miles / don't lean in corners / and take it for a ride as long as you need to.. WoW!! Wipe the smile off my face!! We rode the demo for nearly 100 miles to Spearfish coming back on the highway at 70 with the other bikers.



We did finally get to ride a Hannigan at a dealer in Central Texas the next week.. but it rode nothing like the Roadsmith... so we had our decision made and we asked for quotes from our top two dealers for both kits with the options we decided on.

Now what did we pick:

HT1800 w/Independent Rear Suspension

Heavy Duty True Track Stabilizer Performance Sway Bar w/ Stock Honda Adjustable Pre-Load

2:93-1 Ford Rear End w/ 2" Shaft Driven Differential

Large VW Disc Brakes & HD CV Axles & CV Joints

Chrome Alloy Wheel Upgrade All 3

Carpeted Trunk included

1 1/4" Reciever Hitch included

5 Gallon Auxiliary Fuel Tank

Roadsmith 5 deg Steering Rake

Roadsmith Wing Guard Floorboards

Chrome Nerf Bar Bumper

Roadsmith Custom Trike Cover

Then we added a set of Mud Flaps and (2) Courtesy Light one for trunk and the other for the tour box along with various Baker Wings.

Next on the list was rebuilding our stock bike seat for Trike Comfort by Tom Simmons in Fayetteville, Ark.

We did pull an Aspen Ambassador Camper for about 6 months but just didn't use it enough so we sold it, now we just pull our little cargo trailer.

If you have questions please PM me and I'll try to answer....

pepper

You did your homework. Thanks for your report.

[Burnerboy]

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!

I was very disappointed, that you were NOT AT AMERICADE last year.................I wanted to shake your hand(s) and thank each and every one of you

2010 Honda Goldwing/converted last season, too a Roadsmith...........Best move ever (cause at 70 yrs old) I can still ride....Thank you! Roadsmith!

Ronnie

[woodysjrny]

New to the trike side of motorcycles. Bought my 2007 GL1800 HPNA already triked from a dealer in Alabama on July 5th 2019.

I did a lot of research before taking that leap of faith. (of course it may have something to do with the boss)

A couple of the big selling points are as follows; Rider satisfaction from other Road Smith owners, readily available replacement parts from Automotive stores.

Fact is everyone I spoke to that have Road Smiths, had no major deal stoppers to bitch about! I got a parts list of everything that is in my trike kit in case of emergency repair or ordering through warranty.

Fact is I can work on it if it does break a component and not have to wait for specific mfg component to be shipped to me or the repair shop.

The first ride. Test drive outside of Altoona Al. was enlightening. Better half on back and the way we went. The roughest paved road in Alabama was just around the corner. Wife was in heaven as the trike took the washboards, cracks and dodging potholes in stride. Rest is history.

Got (Shela) back to the house in North East Pa. and started the long upgrade phase. Started with the blingy things, rotor covers, air intake covers, shark gills, knock off Airhawk seat covers, Dash Cam w/front and rear cameras along with loop recording and security recording. Oh forgot the tail and trunk lights upgrades to full LED. Have some RED LED Tunnel lights to put on her big butt.

I been caught in the rain and trike handling was outstanding. Two up no change detectable. Finishing up trailer wiring conversion and will test pull cargo trailer when the weather breaks.

So enough said. I'm a Happy Triker!

Woodysjrny

[cavie]

Purchased my used Roadsmith because of reputation and customers satisfaction. When I went looking for a use trike it had to be a Roadsmith kit. I traded in a used VTX competitors trike for this one. Roadsmith tells you exactly what parts are in the kit and where to buy them. The competitors sad everything they used was PORIOTERY. You had to order everything from them. I have had 3 phone conversations is as many weeks with Roadsmith and am very satisfied. 2003 Goldwing Triked in 2004. 88th one built that year according the the ID sticker on the kit frame.

[minnesotasnowman]

I bought the conversion and self installed. The conversion was perfect in every way, the documentation was near perfect. We thoroughly enjoyed the ride and handling of the independent suspension. Our first long trip was Key West, gotta make that ride again.

How long did your install take?

[Mac-O]

We have put 100.000 on 1995 Goldwing, then 108.000 on 2001 Harley ultra before buying 1998 Valkyrie Road smith trike. My co-rider says it's the best riding machine that we have owned.

[rhino 2]

We have put 100.000 on 1995 Goldwing, then 108.000 on 2001 Harley ultra before buying 1998 Valkyrie Road smith trike. My co-rider says it's the best riding machine that we have owned.

Mac..Welcome to Trike Talk..👍👍..

[BIG DENNY]

Randy did my VTX HONDA 1800 , and it made my old age come to life. Its like Im 20 years old again and it is a great ride. Takes Randy you are the man that made me 20 years old again. BIG DENNY .

[PFWiz]

Already have 3000 miles this season on our 2018 Harley CVO Limited RS conversion. That's 3000 miles from Cleveland, Ohio not somewhere with nice winters... (sigh) Put 9000 miles last season after the conversion. The single best feature is the Aux Gas Tank. I tell people that my my trike makes gas whenever I want it to! Nothing like pushing a button and adding another 100 miles of range.

On our big trip in early may we made a 226 mile, 80 mph highway run while pulling a FULLY LOADED ( my wife likes her shoes) 22 cubic ft cargo trailer.