Thinking of buying a Trike or converting my 2014 Harley Ultra Limited (FLHTK)

[aj4159]

New member as of yesterday. Learned a few things right away. I am glad to find this site prior to entering the Trike world as too learn what is good and what is not.
I have a 2014 Harley Ultra Limited that I may convert to a Trike. Reading threads to see if this is wise.

[tfdeputydawg]

Converting will void your warranty as to anything to do with motor, tranny, belt, etc.
I would consider selling the Ultra and buying a Tri-Glide!
Adding the cost of a conversion to the price you've already paid for your Ultra will be considerably higher than the cost of a Tri-Glide!
Having said that, I found riding a conversion w/IRS much, much more comfortable than riding a short wheel base, narrow solid axle trike!
Suggest you test both, then make a decision!
Let us know!!!!!

[Bill Reber]

I would see about a factory HD trike 1st you may come out cheaper , but a better selection can be made if a kit is used.

[skuuter]

New member as of yesterday. Learned a few things right away. I am glad to find this site prior to entering the Trike world as too learn what is good and what is not.
I have a 2014 Harley Ultra Limited that I may convert to a Trike. Reading threads to see if this is wise.

WELCOME to TRIKE TALK........obviously it's done both ways, buy an already built Trike, or Trike the Bike You have.....click on the Trike Companies to the right of the screen also to see what's available in Kits to turn Your 2-Wheel Fun Machine into a 3-Wheel Fun Machine....GOOD LUCK and HAPPY SHOPPING.....

[Gorilla]

New member as of yesterday. Learned a few things right away. I am glad to find this site prior to entering the Trike world as too learn what is good and what is not.
I have a 2014 Harley Ultra Limited that I may convert to a Trike. Reading threads to see if this is wise.

It really depends on what you are looking for. The first decision would be if you want Independent Rear Suspension or Straight Axle suspension. There are lots of threads on that subject. Get out to some dealers and try to ride a trike with IRS. It doesn't have to be a HD because you just want to feel how it rides in the rear. If you are going to ride 2 up alot then make sure you test ride 2 up. Then go to your HD dealer and test ride a TRI-Glide. They are straight axle. Most people say that the straight axle handles the curves better and the IRS handle the highway bumps better. I personally have ridden both and the differences are not that great to me. I have almost 100k miles of riding on trikes with both types of rear suspension. That being said some people swear by one or the other and thats whats important is how you like it.

Once that decision is made then you need to look at the different kits that are available. Also if you want to do the work or have someone else do the conversion. Some companies only allow their dealers to do the conversion.

Now that you have decided what you like compare it to the TRI-Glide. There are benefits to have a factory trike with lots of dealers available to work on it if needed. You might need to consider if you are using your current Ultra that parts if not all of the warrantee maybe voided by using it in a conversion.

I had a 07 Road Glide with a Champion conversion that I built. Put 60k on it without issue. I currently have a 13 TRI-Glide with 8k on it so far and love it just as much. I have had a couple of GW trikes which also were great trikes. I like the HD best because of the rider fit and that I love Harleys.

Hope this helps in getting you started on the trike. Remember they do not lean so you have to steer, but otherwise you have the same freedom feel ride.

[Lucky]

Welcome glad you joined us. Looks you have already got the advice I would give you. Good luck in your search.RIDE SAFE

[Big Juice]

As you will see, you will get plenty of info to help with making your decision. Just remember, make it YOUR decision, do what is best for you and what you like the most. Welcome from Central Texas, ride safe and post often.

[Ed Hobgood]

Welcome to Trike Talk from SE Missouri. Good advice....

[Gold Rush]

Welcome to TT from your west Texas fellow members Ed. Gorilla speaks the truth. I'm sure you have or will do the research so I won't labor on that. If you do choose to convert and let someone else do the work again do some research. There are some very good installers out there. Unfortunately, there are some that just think they are very good but aren't.

There is a gob of experience here and our members are always willing to share. We hope you also pass on your stories and knowledge. TrikeTalk is by far the best trike focused bulletin board and you’ll find the members and admin folks the friendliest there are. When you get settled in, check out Trike Owners International, T.O.I., you may find it a good fit.

Again, WELCOME !!!

[captdanwh]

well, we know already that you have a great ride so that is not a issue. i personally think you will have many more options with a kit than you would with trading it in on a tri glide. do not get me wrong as there is nothing wrong with a new tri glide but some of the kits out there for sale are just beautiful. if there is a trike builder close to your home i would go pay him a visit and see what he can do for you just make sure he has done quite a few of them and knows what he is doing. as far as price is concerned it will be about the same either way, if you trade in or if you get a kit installed. i have a champion kit on my Harley and love it , my wire has a CSC on hers and she really likes it but i think if i was going to get another it would be a Hannigan kit, they are just WOW. the other thing you want to think about is suspension, independent or solid, not a option with the tri glide. all this is just my 2 cents worth so take your time and choose wisely.

[Ohio Eddie]

Welcome to Trike Talk, from Daytona Beach, Fl.

[Rick Kay]

You've got lots of good advice.

My 2 cents- One of the things I like about my conversion vs the TriGlide is the longer wheelbase. It gives a great ride, even over rough surfaces. I'm sure the IRS helps, also. Another selling point, for me, was the ability to personalize the trike as a part of the conversion.

Good luck with your decision. Be sure to let us know how it's going!

[tom w]

welcome from s.e. mo.
I converted my ultra. now I wish I had a 2 wheeler for local use. I guess it depends on your future plans.

I chose the motor trike kit with I.R.S. rides really good.
just not the same as a bike.


welcome anyway what ever you decide.

[RdKnB]

Welcome to Trike talk. I have nothing to add that others have not said. Looking forward to seeing which way you pick.

[whitefatboy]

Heads up.... just seen in general discussion....1000 off new motortrike kits

[tom w]

that's a good deal ! it would help pay for the extras your going to want....
Im liking my motor trike more every ride.
Its really nice to pull up to a stop light with the wife and all the luggage and not have to put your feet down to stabilize the load ! Anyone who has ever ridden in Branson mo. with a fully loaded ultra knows what Im talking about.

[bustedwing]

Hello and welcome to the website from the U.P. of Michigan. As you can see, a lot of nice people have good ideas for you, and you are the one that has to figure out what ones to follow. I wish you luck, post some pictures when you get done. Ride safe.

[clint44]

Converting that 2014 Ultra,though more expensive,would result in one heckuva trike. Just think,you could have a longer wheelbase with independent rear suspension to go along with your 14's much better front end & brakes,then add in its more powerful 103" w/water cooling. Hard to beat a combination like that,IMO. Not only that but one of the best trike dealers in the country is right up the road from you,in Conroe.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Think I'd wait till the warranty is up ... then do the conversion.

[Pic]

A year ago I went through the same thing. I went to a well known trike conversion dealer and spent a great deal of time looking at their operation and trikes converted. Went for a test on an A 2013 Ultra Limited conversion with IRS run by myself then 2 up. I then went to a good HD dealership to test drive a 2014 Triglide. I really was impressed with the fit and handling over the conversion. I actually with my trade in of My 2013 ultra Limited the new 2014 Triglide was cheaper than the conversion. It really comes down to the personal fit.
wish you well in your quest.