Razor Motor Trike Kit Questions?

netminder · Mar 1, 2014

Hey all,
I have been a member here for a few months, and most of my posts have been in the Spyder section as I have a 2012 Spyder RT limited. Today I was at the Montreal Bike show, and was looking at two trikes: the goldwing with the Razor Motor Trike kit ( this one interests me the most as the salesman says it does not void the warranty as they do not modify the wing) and the HD trig glide (which has the HD warranty). I am looking at selling my Spyder, which has been a great problem free ride, but I like the lower RPM's and reliability that the wing offers. I was just wondering if anyone has the razor kit on their 2013-14 wing and if they could give me their opinions on it? Some of my questions:
What kind of reverse do they use?
What degree of rake is good for this kit?
What kind of gas mileage does it get?
How is the maintenance cost? (I do a lot of the general maintenance myself)
Comfort for long rides?

Any other info would be appreciated as well! It is just that these trikes are very expensive (about 10k more then I paid for the Spyder) so I want to be well informed before putting down that kind of money again. As for the tri glide I will ask on that section. Thanks in advance for ant responses

Gold Rush · Mar 1, 2014

netminder said:
Hey all,
I have been a member here for a few months, and most of my posts have been in the Spyder section as I have a 2012 Spyder RT limited. Today I was at the Montreal Bike show, and was looking at two trikes: the goldwing with the Razor Motor Trike kit ( this one interests me the most as the salesman says it does not void the warranty as they do not modify the wing) and the HD trig glide (which has the HD warranty). I am looking at selling my Spyder, which has been a great problem free ride, but I like the lower RPM's and reliability that the wing offers. I was just wondering if anyone has the razor kit on their 2013-14 wing and if they could give me their opinions on it? Some of my questions:
What kind of reverse do they use?
What degree of rake is good for this kit?
What kind of gas mileage does it get?
How is the maintenance cost? (I do a lot of the general maintenance myself)
Comfort for long rides?

Any other info would be appreciated as well! It is just that these trikes are very expensive (about 10k more then I paid for the Spyder) so I want to be well informed before putting down that kind of money again. As for the tri glide I will ask on that section. Thanks in advance for ant responses

I hate to be the barer of bad news but the Razor Kit will void a HONDA warranty as fast and any other kit. The only real difference between the Motor Trike Razor and the Adventure kits is the fiberglass body. The independent suspension is exactly the same....

Now for the other questions. The reverse you would have it the OEM Honda reverse. The Motor Trike kit is pretty short so 4.5 degrees is best. A few have gone to 6 degree but general consensus is 4.5 degree. Gas mileage varies so much with all the variables it's hard to pin down. Some get as low as 25 mpg and others get as high as upper 30s. Maintenance is probably a bit more then a two wheel GL1800 but it won't break the bank. Especially since you do some of that yourself. One of the chief complaints on the GL1800 is lack of leg room for taller riders. I'm real short so it's never been an issue. There are work around tricks to make it better though.

If you have questions don't be afraid to ask. There is always someone willing to reply.

Welcome to the Wing world. I believe the GL1800 to be the best trike platform so you are on the right track. :xszpv: :xszpv:

netminder · Mar 1, 2014

That is odd as the dealer who was selling the wing with the razor kit, sent me over to the Honda booth and they verified that it would not, as it is bolt on, without welding or modifying the original bike? Is someone lying here? I am surprised the honda rep would say this.I am thinking that the rep might have been wrong and the dealer with the trike, is a honda dealer who would make sure it was covered as a 2 wheel bike??. Possible??I will have to look into this further!! Thanks much for the reply and answers!

Gold Rush · Mar 1, 2014

netminder said:
That is odd as the dealer who was selling the wing with the razor kit, sent me over to the Honda booth and they verified that it would not, as it is bolt on, without welding or modifying the original bike? Is someone lying here? I am surprised the honda rep would say this.I am thinking that the rep might have been wrong and the dealer with the trike, is a honda dealer who would make sure it was covered as a 2 wheel bike??. Possible??I will have to look into this further!! Thanks much for the reply and answers!

Your guess just may be closer then you think. Some Honda dealers that are also trike dealers will cover repairs but if that problem is attributed to the trike conversion and Honda does find out the repair will not be warranty. It gets a little sticky and one dealer might try to help you out while the next won't even loo later a trike.

Oh.... Most conversions are bolt on after some minor cutting and alterations.

Solidbob · Mar 1, 2014

Razor Web Page....: https://www.motortrike.com/trikeHonda1800Razor.aspx

netminder · Mar 1, 2014

Solidbob said:
Razor Web Page....: https://www.motortrike.com/trikeHonda1800Razor.aspx

Thanks, have been to their site many times. Looking more for a real rider experience.ThumbUp

JaysGone · Mar 3, 2014

I don't think you will find much real world info on the Razor kit as its too new.
Now if you want info on MT in general a lot of us have the same kit less the body work.
The IRS Adventuer kit is the same mechanicals as the Razor 100%.
Anything about that we can help you with.

If you do go with the Razor kit.
Im sure you wont regret it.

Razor · Mar 4, 2014

We had two 2012 RT A/C SEM5 Spyders. My son sold his after 850 miles and I traded mine at 4900 miles for a Razor trike kit installed on my 2012 Goldwing. My wife has a herniated disk in her lower back. The Tri-Glide's vibration caused her back to hurt. She loves the Razor kit. With the Sypder she could only ride for about 80 mile and we had to stop for a while. She can ride the Razor for an entire tank of gas with no problems. As for comfort, handling, safety, economy and maintenance cost I'll take a GW trike of any flavor over a Spyder. I was getting 44 mpg before the conversion and am now getting between 33 and 36 on the interstate running 75-80. Ethanol free gas bumps the mileage about 2mpg and I buy it when it's available. As for cost of service the Goldwing/Razor beats the Spyder hands down. There is a you tube video of a five year old changing his grandfathers Goldwing oil. I think the GW maintenance manual says 8K mile oil change intervals. I'm pretty sure the Razor kit only needs the drive shaft greased every 8k as well. The valve adjustment for the 1800 is around 32K or maybe 36k miles. Its pretty simple due to the engine design with the heads sticking right out at you. When it comes to the life of the complete machine you will go through three to four Spyders before wearing out a Goldwing trike. So that's three $30K Spyders or one $40k Goldwing. Check out the Goldwing trike classified where a well cared for 1800 trike with 100K plus miles are selling for $25K or more. My Honda dealer told me they would cover everything Honda made but the transmission under the Honda factory warranty. I have been told and I hope it is true that a GW transmission problem is fairly rare. Don't slip the clutch too much and don't lug the engine and your good to go for several hundred thousand miles. Between the trike trunk 9.2cf and GW trunk with luggage rack I believe we can carry more than the Spyder. Good luck with your decision. I believe I made the right one.

dano309 · Mar 5, 2014

I am having the razor kit put on my 2013 wing right now....should be done very soon now.....just waiting......

netminder · Mar 7, 2014

Thanks for all the replies! Still researching, but unfortunately our GW trikes are highly priced here in Canada. Was at the bike show in Montreal last weekend and a new GW trike with some add ons was 52K looking at used and most are in the mid 30's. Will take my time and drive the Spyder in the mean time. Thanks again all!ThumbUpThumbUp

dano309 · Mar 8, 2014

got my trike from the installer yesterday...all i can say is...IT'S AWESOME

Razor · Mar 11, 2014

Me and my Sweetie went on a six hour ride Sunday afternoon. When we got back my wife removed her helmet, shook out her hair and said "I love it". May we all have hundreds of thousands of safe and smiley miles ahead.

glawrence7 · Mar 17, 2014

netminder said:
Hey all,
I have been a member here for a few months, and most of my posts have been in the Spyder section as I have a 2012 Spyder RT limited. Today I was at the Montreal Bike show, and was looking at two trikes: the goldwing with the Razor Motor Trike kit ( this one interests me the most as the salesman says it does not void the warranty as they do not modify the wing) and the HD trig glide (which has the HD warranty). I am looking at selling my Spyder, which has been a great problem free ride, but I like the lower RPM's and reliability that the wing offers. I was just wondering if anyone has the razor kit on their 2013-14 wing and if they could give me their opinions on it? Some of my questions:
What kind of reverse do they use?
What degree of rake is good for this kit?
What kind of gas mileage does it get?
How is the maintenance cost? (I do a lot of the general maintenance myself)
Comfort for long rides?

Any other info would be appreciated as well! It is just that these trikes are very expensive (about 10k more then I paid for the Spyder) so I want to be well informed before putting down that kind of money again. As for the tri glide I will ask on that section. Thanks in advance for ant responses

I'm having my 2012 Honda Goldwing trike with the razor kit this week with a few accessories.

Bill Reber · Mar 18, 2014

netminder said:
Thanks for all the replies! Still researching, but unfortunately our GW trikes are highly priced here in Canada. Was at the bike show in Montreal last weekend and a new GW trike with some add ons was 52K looking at used and most are in the mid 30's. Will take my time and drive the Spyder in the mean time. Thanks again all!ThumbUpThumbUp

Buy in the USA if you can

Solidbob · Mar 18, 2014

Canada is a strange bird with regard to trikes. You may buy one cheaper here and find out you can't import it to Canada. Trike mfgrs have to be approved to be in Canada. If you are a Canadian citizen you have to buy what's approved... now if your a US citizen VISITING or VACATIONING in Canada no problem, show a passport and away you go.

So Canadian citizens are put in a different bucket for qualifications.. make sure it's legal in Canada!!

Golden Dakota · Mar 20, 2014

Re: Razor Motor Trike Kit Questions? HERE'S THE LOWDOWN.......

Well here is some real rider experience for you. Had my 2012 Goldwing converted with the new Motor Trike Razor kit last November (I believe this was the first one on the road in Canada). Beginning of March trailed it down to St Augustine in Florida (from St Catharines Ontario), where we are staying for a month. So I finally got to start riding it, round town, short and longer rides and some Interstate riding as well.
THE VERDICT: Took me a little while to get used to riding a trike versus a bike. Tended to wander around the lane I was driving in; ride felt bumpy and I always seemed to be fighting the steering to keep it going straight.
Then a strange thing happened - I realized one day that I was tracking straight and true in my lane without even having to thing about it! The bumpy ride had also disappeared as I was no longer stiff and rigid on the steering, and going around corners was a breeze because I was locking my elbow on the arm pushing the bar to do most of the work, whereas I realize that before, my arms were fighting each other to try and stay on the line I wanted!
Do I like the Razor Kit on my Goldwing? The answer is no, I don't like it, I absolutely love it!!! Told my wife while riding today I couldn't see myself ever going back to a two wheeler. The other thing which I just did which made a big difference, was to get a rear bias ply tire and put it on the front - it tracks better in a straight line, and is smoother on the corners. Don't wait to make this change!
Having just been driving it for a few weeks, I obviously can't give you any experience on reliability. However the dealer who installed it for me in Canada was so impressed with how easy it was to install it that he told me he was going to drop all the other brands that he was selling and just sell the Motor Trike kits!
The wife likes the really comfortable ride, and I also like the manoeuvrability you get in confined spaces with the shorter wheelbase than some of the other trikes. The 4.5 degree rake on the front seems to be spot on for it. Regarding fuel economy, I haven't been riding it very fast, but 2 up I am getting very close to 300km on a tank of gas, where I was getting about 350km before conversion. The only feature that I would have liked to see on it is an auxiliary fuel tank, but given how good everything else is, I can live without it!
How does it look? Absolutely spectacular! Everywhere I go, people give me a thumbs up or come over to comment on it and ask what it is.
My next buy is going to be a trailer to pull behind, and Hannigan makes one that looks like it was designed for the Razor - check it out on their web site and imagine it in the same colours as your trike!
Let us know how you like yours after you have got used to it. I'll be posting some pictures shortly.

dano309 · Mar 21, 2014

yep, finally got my 2013 goldwing w/ razor kit installed a couple weeks ago....THIS THING IS AWESOME..........

netminder · Mar 22, 2014

Solidbob said:
Canada is a strange bird with regard to trikes. You may buy one cheaper here and find out you can't import it to Canada. Trike mfgrs have to be approved to be in Canada. If you are a Canadian citizen you have to buy what's approved... now if your a US citizen VISITING or VACATIONING in Canada no problem, show a passport and away you go.

So Canadian citizens are put in a different bucket for qualifications.. make sure it's legal in Canada!!

This is the problem here. I think the tri-glide is really the only trike we could bring back legally! Even the Spyders that dealers sell in the USA, dealers are told they can't sell to Canadians( which is strange as they are manufactured here in Quebec) my Spyder is 6K cheaper in NY!! The goldwing trikes are 10-15K cheaper in the states, but because they are modified we are not allowed bringing them back to Canada! We are in a tough spot here!