Handling... Full Conversion vs Outrigger

[Walt M]

Hey ya'll, new member here. I did a search but did'nt see a answer.
Due to a equilibrium problem I have to trike my bike to continue riding. $$ situation will only allow me a outrigger at this time.
How much of a difference is there in handling between the two,(outrigger vs full conversion) especially the twisties.
2004 Electra Glide.

I have done alot of reading up on trikes and handling but have not found a discussion on this.
Thanks orag:

 

[pcombe]

There are so many different answers and concerns defining you question it's hard to know where to start?

The front end rake to allow for easy handling, head shake issues, tire inflation issues, tire wear issues, reaction to bumps and uneven roads etc..

If an outrigger is the way you MUST go, don't compare the two at all?
The best thing would be to search outrigger type trikes and learn the in's and outs of their operation, they are a horse of a different color and can't really be compared to a full conversion.

If you want the best results go the full conversion, I did mine myself and with the help of the forum administrator (Bazooka) and some of the other folks here I did the entire conversion myself front and rear with top quality parts for around $8,000.
You can spend a whole lot more if you wish!

I went with the Champion straight axle kit and 5 degree raked triple tree, If you want some inside info shoot me a private message.

The roadworthiness of your trike depends entirely on the integrity of your mechanic-period.

You can go to pcombe library/photobucket and see pics of my build.

 

[screwball]

Before you buy a Voyager kit for your bike, Google them up and see how many used sets are out there.... that should tell you something. I test drove an Ultra with 'training wheels', then went and bought a Harley Trike.

IF you were talking about a side car, ignore everything I just said, never tried one.

Good Luck.

Oh, a lot of us on the board were avid 2 wheelers. In my wife's case, and mine it was a health issue that got us off 2. Not old enough for a rocking chair.

 

[tfdeputydawg]

Hey ya'll, new member here. I did a search but did'nt see a answer. Due to a equilibrium problem I have to trike my bike to continue riding. $$ situation will only allow me a outrigger at this time. How much of a difference is there in handling between the two,(outrigger vs full conversion) especially the twisties. 2004 Electra Glide. I have done alot of reading up on trikes and handling but have not found a discussion on this. Thanks orag:

Reading that part of your statement leads to these suggestions:
1. Search the net, IE E-bay, Craigs list, etc. for a used unit to lower the cost.
2. Adding a rake kit will make the "steering" much easier. Without a rake kit the steering is "hard", IMO, and will wear you out very quickly in the twisties!!
The "outrigger" units handle/ride considerable different, IMO, than a true trike conversion. Some have the tendency to lift the inside wheel in a corner!
If this type unit is the only way for you to keep riding, then by all means-go for it!
Take a look at the E-trike option from TowPac:
http://www.towpacusa.com/?page_id=1136 $2695!!!

 

[GARYD]

Back in 2011 I was looking for something to get me through my 70's and 80's(just turned 70). Didn't need one and still don't, but I may not have a job and be able to afford one in a few years and I have the money now, so I'm set for just about anything life throws at me in the next 10/15 years.

I was seriously looking at the Voyager set up due to the low cost, but I didn't like the huge wheels(still don't). A couple people in my HOG chapter have the Voyager and simple love it.
Then one day parked in the Harley parking lot, I saw a TowPac set up (way smaller wheels and set up pretty much the same as the Voyager bolt on) and said WOW!!! I like that. Test drove one - wasn't extreamly overjoyed (it had 3 (4)wheels after all)but it was OK. After some thought and SS checks coming in, I bit the bullet and bought a TriGlide and haven't looked back since. I like the idea that I have a full warranty and any dealer can work on it.
Still wished the wheels were a little smaller.
Money is the big factor - what can you afford? Good Luck

 

[John Luciano]

I rode a Voyager for 3 years. Only comment I can make is you won't fall down..
I went to a full DFT trike in 99. Reason was the Voyager scared the heck out of my wife.. She refused to ride on back after the 3 rd ride.
they are not as durable as you might think. Heard a lot of stories about breaking at the most inopportune time. Mine snapped 2 times.
In very sharp turns you WILL raise the inside wheel 8" off the ground. Not sure if that is true with tow PAC, it is a weird feeling to have a 30 lb wheel spinning like a gyro as you try to hold a curve. Compared to a trike rear center tire wear is every 6,000 miles. . Trike uses car tires, good for 40,000. The voyager/ tow PAC work.

 

[Walt M]

Thanks for the replys,
Budget will only allow a outrigger at this time and I compared kits during Bike Week, Voyager, Tow Pac and Trigg and I am going with the Trigg for now.
When the Money is right I'll look into a Tri Glide or a full conversion.

I just want to get back on the road, We have been missing out on too many trips. We canceled the Smokies this year due to not being able to ride. If work allows it we may try to go at a later date.

 

[pcombe]

Thanks for the replys,
Budget will only allow a outrigger at this time and I compared kits during Bike Week, Voyager, Tow Pac and Trigg and I am going with the Trigg for now.
When the Money is right I'll look into a Tri Glide or a full conversion.

I just want to get back on the road, We have been missing out on too many trips. We canceled the Smokies this year due to not being able to ride. If work allows it we may try to go at a later date.

:Coffee: Once again I reiterate, search for info on the trigg and read all you can about it's set up and handling so you know what to expect before you hit the road.

One thing I might mention is the concept of keeping the motor pulling whenever possible even if you drop a gear to do so? in other words don't lug it.. You MAY find that when it is pulling it has less of a chance of front end wobble and it MAY not.
You MAY notice that when the front end wobbles a little throttle will bring it out of it.
A steering stabilizer might help head wobble?

Of course a raked front triple tree is the cure, but bucks may be an issue? Zook sells a good triple tree for a reasonable price and it would be good to do that much. I have a set of his trees on my bike.
Did you know there is a discount for being a trike talk member with the forum sponsors?

tire inflation will be a critical factor on how your outrigger ride operates, also the preload make sure you check it out o.k.
Rear bike tire wear will probably piss you off but that's just the price of poker you know.

I have talked to a few people who actually like the outrigger set up.

If you rake the front end and drop your trigg your bike will handle a lot different than it did before. Everything will take some getting used to.


I know that I will probably never own a tri-glide, It's just way beyond my means.


Good luck!

 

[Woolie]

You should read this thread http://www.triketalk.com/forum/threads/6734-Voyager-kit and maybe ask these guys a few questions. I rode a voyager for several years on a Kawasaki Voyager. I did break a bracket that attaches to the rear wheel but MTC Voyager said the reason it broke was because I didn't have it set up properly, after replacing the part and correcting the setup it is still fine after more than 4 years. I gave that trike to my brother when I bought my Goldwing so I know it is still going. I bought my Voyager kit used and MTC Voyager still answered my questions and gave me lots of free advice, all I had to do was ask
politely.

Fastest I ever had it up to was 95 on the interstate in New Mexico. It ran straight and felt safe as anything else I have ridden. I hit high center on a few speed bumps so I installed progressive fork springs and that gave me more clearance. It was a little hard to turn but I was on some pretty twisty roads and I managed to make it fine. Hwy 71 between Brady and Llano Texas has some pretty sharp turns, and there was a car behind me, I was taking those turns pretty fast keeping well ahead of him. I stopped in Llano to gas up and he stopped at the same station, he commented that I was making good time and that on the first curve he thought I was going to roll over because the wheel came off the ground. At first he thought I was going so fast the trike was leaning that much. I explained how it worked and that we didn't feel the wheel come up or touch back down. He said after I didn't lose it on the first curve he figured everything must be ok.

Now, maintaining the MC rear tire is a pain and you ain't gonna like that, but outside of that I had no complaints. Do I like my Motortrike more than the Voyager? Well yes but I paid a lot more for it also. I have installed 2 older type Voyager kits and 3 TowPac kits, I would choose the older Voyager over the older TowPac if I was putting it on my bike. I don't know much about the new Voyager or TowPac Kits. The TowPac is harder to align the outrigger wheels and I have seen some broken crash bars where some TowPac's bolt on. I have not used the TowPac that uses the receiver hitch type connection but that looks better than the older connection. I drove to Hebron Indiana in the dead of winter (in a pickup truck of course) to get my first Voyager and would do it again if I had to. No regrets.

 

[GARYD]

Have you looked into Ghost Wheels???

 

[dougv]

I looked at the outriggers and the cost also but ended up selling the bike I had and bought a used low mileage Goldwing with a CSC conversion. The bike I had could have been triked but big money to do it and for me it was hard to decide because the other bike a VN-900 was paid for and was new but I'm glad I went with the Goldwing for comfort and power.

Keep your eyes open and you may find a good used trike.....

 

[Papa Zook]

Thanks for the replys,
Budget will only allow a outrigger at this time and I compared kits during Bike Week, Voyager, Tow Pac and Trigg and I am going with the Trigg for now.

When the Money is right I'll look into a Tri Glide or a full conversion.

I think the OP has researched this and has made his decision. Thanks for the feedback but he's already made a informed decision.