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TRUE & ACCURATE GL1800 Trike Comparison by Manufacturer
There is a Sack-Load of confusion and purposeful Misinformation being floated around other Internet Sources of various repute & caliber regarding Trike Conversions for the GL1800 and the costs associated. Most of which is inaccurate and misleading which not only sounds outrageous and ridiculous but can lead prospective Trike Owner/Operators to make bad decisions, regrettable choices, or give up on the whole idea all together.
In the interest and quest for actual Truth and "The Rest of the REAL Story", I decided to do the research myself directly from the Manufacturers. After doing just that, I would like to share it here on Trike Talk as it is without a doubt the Premier Trike Information Center, Discussion Arena & Research Source as well as a Great "Community" in general.
GL1800 Trike Conversion Pricing Comparison
Dec 17th 2013
All Totals include Base Price + One-Color Paint to Match + EZ Steer/Steer Lite/Power Track/etc. + Running Boards/Aqua Shields/Foot Fairings/Ground Effects (variously Named) equipped with Standard Allow Wheels & Tires. All Kits quoted are the “I.R.S.” suspension models to obtain Equal, True & Accurate Comparison.
*Other Options not included as they are not available/offered by all Manufacturers equally and/or not desired by all Clients and therefore not included for true and accurate comparison. ^see below for some more popular interests
**Installation Fees vary by necessity, Dealer costs, Prevailing Demographic Labor Rate, etc. and therefore not included for true and accurate comparison.
California Sidecar
Viper: $11,100.00
Cobra XL: $11,010.00
Champion/Lehman
Champion: $11,230.00
Monarch II LLS: $11,872.00
DFT
see P.s. below...
Hannigan
Generation I: $11,830.00
Generation II: $12,185.00
Motor Trike
Razor: $11,445.00
Adventure: $11,445.00 / $11,000.00 if 2001-2010 model year
Roadsmith
HTS1800: $11,443.00 / $11,768 if 2012 & Up
HT1800: $11,243.00 / $11,568.00 if 2012 & Up
^Additional Considerations:
Auxillary Fuel Tank Assemblies: varies from Not Available-$499-$795
Trailer Hitch: varies from standard-$139.99-$225
Crating Fee: varies from $175-$250
Shipping Fee: Varies by Client Location & Needs (residential vs commercial, lift-gate or not, etc.) and Carrier. Set by Trucking Companies.
There ya have the True & Real "skinny" as opposed to the Skewed & Spun "Bully"
Hope this helps those who are considering Triking to make an accurate Informed & Intelligent buying decision which will lead to many miles of unimaginable Enjoyment & Freedom. Of course truthful information, data, and figures although quite important, are only half of the process. Ride them ALL and choose your Installer well. A great Installer can't make a Kit Better or "More" than it truly is but sure can make an absolute Mess of whatever you choose. Most are truly great People, experienced & honest, knowledgeable & capable, and are avid Riders/Trikers themselves with tried & proven Reputations and Character.
However,,,, Cavaet Emptor-even the greatest of Communities have a few Rats in their Sewers....
P.s. I have looked all over and cannot find accurate pricing on the DFT except including Installation and other stuff not "Apples to Apples" with the others as spec'ed above. Won't list that as is not fair to DFT. I won't call and misrepresent myself or my intent to a Dealer or waste their valuable time for this. If anyone has access to the pricing without Install and detailed same as others above, please post it for us so they can be included fairly and accurately.
******************************* 2nd Installment of Original ******************************
A Little More now to consider after setting the Framework level & true,,,
Most of us know you can push any of them up to $18,000 plus IF you want it "Loaded-Up" with all or most of Options/"Wants" that may or may not be offered by another Manufacturer. But, most people don't. Too many prospective Trike Buyers won't know the difference or be able to see through the veiled Charade of the Charlatan to see the deception or misdirection. To falsely infer or lead someone to believe that just because you CAN get a Trike (ANY of them) for $18 G's plus when all is said and done doesn't mean that's "Required" or is the "Standard". It DEFINITELY doesn't tell the Truth nor is it Fair & Equitable Marketing or Advertising when comparing ANYTHING.
That's False Representation. You know,,, Dishonesty, Lies, Fraud, Deceit, etc. The common Tools of the Trade for the same "Rats in the Sewers" mentioned above. They will compare the prices of "Loaded-Up" Unit A thru E to a Base or Mid-line Unit "F" to mislead/Bait & Switch the Victim to falsely think they are getting a Good Deal or Value.
To be honest and completely forthcoming, you must define the "Apples to Apples"' (equally specified/detailed) equipped Trike and the Pricing. That establishes Common Ground and corresponding Price. The equal starting point is all that is "Needed" (the above does include the Boards/Fairings/Ground Effects/Aqua Shields/et al that are not truly "Needs" but the majority of GL1800 Trikers desire). MOST People realize and understand that from that point, to Get More-They will Pay More. Shipping-Costs More. Installation-Costs More. Specialty Items-Cost More. Common Sense. Yet, the Obfuscations of the Merchants of Misinformation drone on and on and on.
After setting an equal base and standing on a level foundation, then comes the particulars such as design, manufacturing processes, materials, etc. Then the Ride, handling, performance, safety, fit & finish, "Desires" (Options)and Aesthetics. Those will differentiate between the Commons and justify/validate the differences. That's what will determine what is "Right" and fitting for the Individual.
THAT was the reason for the Thread. Put out the Truth about the Common Ground of Trike Conversions and let the People build on that to suit their needs and choose accurately.
Let the Facts & the Trikes speak for themselves as opposed to Empty Rhetoric speaking for Nothing.
P.s. I have listed the ACTUAL Trikes/Conversions available and which are also FULLY Disclosed, Described, Detailed, and Confirmed.
As "Others" truly come to exist, they will be added and disclosed in the same equitable manner.
******************************* ADDED December 20th 2013 *****************************
I have received several PM's regarding this Thread to date. I appreciate them all. I especially am thankful as those have given reason to further think this out and to clarify. The following is a synopsis of those explanations and clarifications....
As for the need or worthiness of a "Sticky", I do assure you that my intentions are to honor my Principles by monitoring all Trike Manufacturers at least Quarterly to edit and update as needed in order to retain the Integrity of the Initial Post as long as I personally have the ability to do so. Also, should it or I ever fail,,, Zook can always "Un-Sticky" it and either let it fade away or delete entirely.
But again,,, Sticky-worthy? that's for Zook and Zook alone to decide.
As for the need of or "required" stance regarding the front Heavier/Modified Springs,,,, I will have to defer on the contention. I can tell you that such is actually NOT being enforced nor is it written in stone from what I have heard and seen from Anyone OR Any Company. Personally, I firmly believe and have proven the OEM springs are inadequate on the GL1800 once converted. They ARE. The solution to which, although a moot point, is up to the individual Owner/Operator to determine. That being said,,, ALL do not agree which is their Right which renders the inclusion of them on the "Base" price is not warranted.
On the Hannigan Whale-Tail opinion: I personally 100% agree. However, ALL don't agree with us and ALL Manufacturers do not offer one. So again in the interest of Equity and Fairness; its inclusion can't be considered as "Apples to Apples" and therefore is out. Anyone with an ounce of Common Sense knows to Get "Extra",,, they have to, and WILL gladly, Pay "Extra".
Installations? Well, that's up to the Dealer or Installer. Some (probably Most) value their work differently, less, or even sometimes-at Zero to either gain/stimulate business or Seal the Deal when warranted, required, or just feeling generous. So be it, that's their Right, and let 'er Roll. As this Subjectivity does and will always exist; Installations cannot be included in a Fair, Equitable, Apples to Apples comparison. Again, just Common Sense.
Painting-The Same. Also, every kit has differing styling, paintable Area, schemes, pieces, Material requirements, etc. That inarguable Truth will dictate more or less material, labor, time, effort, which obviously affects both the Cost & the Charge. Once more,,, just plain old Common Sense. NOT Fair or Equitable to include so accordingly-It was not.
Crating-NOT Always applicable and for the same factual reasons above-Not includable. Same goes for Shipping-sometimes not applicable and ALWAYS varies by a plethora of unavoidable and non-negotiable variables. Same also applies to Auxiliary Fuel Tank assemblies and like Options. IF needed and/or wanted-That's above and beyond the "norm", so is "Extra", so Costs "Extra".
I don't recall or see where I ever said or implied that Most/Majority of Trikers want or desire a "Base" conversion... NOT true in my wording OR Reality (although there are a good number that do and That's Cool). What I said was MOST do NOT Desire or purchase a LOADED one. THAT is indeed a True and Valid fact and statement.
That pretty much hits all the questions, contentions, and clarifications. As more may come-more may be added.
Thanks again for the messages and the discussions. THAT's what this Thread and this Open, Honest, & Reputable Forum Is ALL about. Thanks to Zook for the Opportunities.
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Re: TRUE & ACCURATE GL1800 Trike Comparison by Manufacturer
