Looking to get a trike

USMick78 · Jun 14, 2014

Hello to all!

I have started looking into getting a trike so me and my better half can go riding. I have very little experience with motorcycles, so a trike is about my only consideration. I cannot afford a full conversion, so it will be of the "training wheel" type:blush:. I figure if it gets us on the road, what the heck. My mechanical skills are nit TOO bad. I was looking at a installation video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eowy8H5QzSo&feature=youtu.be . Are they all this complicated to install or is this just a weird kit? Anybody have any insight on other kits? Give me your thoughts and any pros and cons on their ease of installation and use. Anyway, thanks for having this great site where guys like me can come to get their questions answered.

Chris

retread83 · Jun 14, 2014

Where are you located? There are 2 private fabricators near me,Citrus Co. Fl.They fab a real nice kit for about 2k.

USMick78 · Jun 15, 2014

I am in Northeast Ohio.

SEABILL · Jun 15, 2014

Welcome to TrikeTalk! Best of luck in your search!

dadztoy · Jun 15, 2014

Hiya Chris,

Well, I can't speak to the Richland install you posted with the Youtube link, but I can tell you about my Tow Pac... I actually had the Tow Pac guys install it originally, but I have since readjusted it 2 or 3 times now to get it "dialed in"...

I love the extra security it supplies, especially riding 2-up with a trailer, camper, whatever... The steering effort does take a little getting used to, but that is not a problem for me anymore and I have actually been giving some thought to buying a 4.5 degree rake kit for my bike from Bazooka, the forum owner here...

Not wanting to spend the $$$$ was an issue for me too and the Tow Pac provided a usable answer for not a lot of money - I have about $3400 in it now (including paint) and maybe an extra 50 bucks for the additional lighting on it...

Additionally, I have just acquired a spare rim with TPMS ( my bike is an 09 and has TPMS as well as an aftermarket TPMS too) and a nearly used up car tire on it, (it's a Yokohama Avid Envigor - 195/55-16 run flat) so I'm going to be trying that out too in the near future... I'm looking for a bit softer ride with increased mileage for the rear tire which the our rigger trike kits are harder on than a normal 2 wheeled MC...

I am very happy with my Tow Pac and would recommend them to anyone interested in 3 wheels (er, well, really 4) to keep the cost down compared to a full trike conversion...

There are other conversions out there as well such as Voyager, Trigg, and probably a few I don't know about, but anyone of them would probably work well for you...

Les

cscsonny · Jun 16, 2014

If you don't already have a motorcycle to install an out rigger type kit on,you are talking a double purchase,bike and kit.
My suggestion would be to search Craigslist,local dealers for a good used and completed 3-wheel trike.They are out there and you can spend more time learning to ride and enjoying it from the beginning.Instead of working on combination.
Research and do some more research before buying.
I have no problem with the out-rigger type kits,however most who install them have previous biking experience.
Good luck on your search and welcome to Trike Talk.

luckychucky · Aug 4, 2014

USMick78 said:
Hello to all!

I have started looking into getting a trike so me and my better half can go riding. I have very little experience with motorcycles, so a trike is about my only consideration. I cannot afford a full conversion, so it will be of the "training wheel" type:blush:. I figure if it gets us on the road, what the heck. My mechanical skills are nit TOO bad. I was looking at a installation video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eowy8H5QzSo&feature=youtu.be . Are they all this complicated to install or is this just a weird kit? Anybody have any insight on other kits? Give me your thoughts and any pros and cons on their ease of installation and use. Anyway, thanks for having this great site where guys like me can come to get their questions answered.

Chris

Chris I was in the same situation ,just didn't have the money to buy a trike so I already had a Honda aero 750 paid for so decided to buy a Trigg Kit after searching and looking for a year. I just thought Trigg was better made I have heard of several problems with some others and just thought the Trigg was built well after going to see them at their factory. I have had mine for about a year I am still making little tweets of adjustments to get it just right . But no problems yet. very solid Kit. The price depends on the size of the bike Smaller bikes about $4000.00 out the door and the bigger ones about $4400 or 4500 I think. Just remember steering is different you don't lean the bike you steer it . Good luck on what you decide . But you might find a used Trike for around $13000.00 so that is something to think about.

jmk865 · Aug 5, 2014

After 56 years on two wheels and facing having to give it up' I looked and after a year or so found a 1994 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 that already had a Tow-Pac kit on it. The bike only had 19000 miles on it. I sold my Lowrider with 47,000 miles on it and bought the Kaw. The trike now has nearly 25,000 miles on it in a little over a year and I really enjoy triking. Took some getting used to, but patience and perseverance worked well and now am still riding .

seeing · Aug 8, 2014

Welcome to Trike Talk I have owned six bikes this last one is an 01 Gold Wing with a Tow Pac kit. Bike had only 42,000 miles and looks new. Not sure who set the Tow Pac up but they did a great job best ride I have had and I have owned two trikes before this. I think set up is the main factor get someone that knows what they are doing to set it up or make sure you have all the info before. Steering to me is the same as my trikes I have had and they had rake kits and this bike does not. Best of luck I know this set up is going to let me and my wife ride a few more years and enjoy. Ride safe.

Pegasus1300 · Aug 8, 2014

USMick78 said:
Hello to all!

I have started looking into getting a trike so me and my better half can go riding. I have very little experience with motorcycles, so a trike is about my only consideration. I cannot afford a full conversion, so it will be of the "training wheel" type:blush:. I figure if it gets us on the road, what the heck. My mechanical skills are nit TOO bad. I was looking at a installation video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eowy8H5QzSo&feature=youtu.be . Are they all this complicated to install or is this just a weird kit? Anybody have any insight on other kits? Give me your thoughts and any pros and cons on their ease of installation and use. Anyway, thanks for having this great site where guys like me can come to get their questions answered.

Chris

Since you mention that you have little or no experience on two wheels that is a really big plus for you as you learning curve will be much shorter then for those of us coming from years/miles on 2 wheels. You should look on ebay, craigslist,cycletrader and this sight for a used conversion as that will save you some money.Depending on what you are looking for a Motorcycle purchase + outrigger may be as expensive. Don't be afraid of a well maintained older trike conversion. Older Goldwings,Yamaha Ventures,etc are very reliable two wheelers and do well as trikes also. Older Harley's also and there are some inexpensive DIY full Trike conversions for them.

Welcome to the group and I hope you enjoy your experience on 3 wheels

John Luciano · Aug 9, 2014

My 1st attempt at a almost trike was a Voyager on a 1980 Goldwing .. I installed with the help of a friend. I did not watch the video, but it was a 5 hour operation. The rear tire axel had to be removed. This will mean the bike should be on some kind of lift. Did not have one so it was a chore. Next the kickstand had to come off. ( reason I can't see how it can now be removed and ridden as a 2 wheeler..) I could not see how else I could mount the belly pan. Everything had to be shimmed. Rode it he first time almost killed myself on the first corner. Don't know any history of tow PAC. The Voyager had a lot of breakage. Bots brackets etc. Not just mine but read this many times. I am with the above mention comment. Look at the used trike market. A good used 900 Suzuki or an old Well cared for wing can be had for $9,000/12,000 you can easily spend that on a bike and training wheel kit. Don't get fooled by a used one. If it is not the exact one or your bike it will not fit. Maybe you can find a bike already with a toepac or another brand. Someone that stepped up to a trike .
i just watched the video. Looks like he is discouraging any one to do it your self. The voyager kit was less complicated