Triking a Sportster 1200 a bad idea?

[WindyOne]

I am tossing around some ideas on what to do with my '09 sportster 1200. I had thought about putting a kit on it. I found a dealer nearby and asked him about the idea. He said it was a bad choice as the 1200 would be underpowered with a kit on it. He said it lacked the right amount of torque for a trike.

I don't know what to think. I know he doesn't take trade ins on new trikes. I know he would rather sell a new unit that to mess with a add on kit. I am trying to keep some money in my pocket if I can but don't want to short change myself if this is really a bad idea. So I turn to the forum and ask what your thoughts are? Would I be unhappy if I triked out my sporty?

 

[pin-hi]

I've got a 2006 Harley Davidson Sportster 1200 cc XL custom which I had triked using the Trinity Trike kit. I love it, torque and power are awesome and I installed a Mustang 2-up touring seat today and rode for 2 hours. I'd say get the kit and save some bucks!

 

[Nana]

I don't know if the sportster would satisfy for long you if you are regularly carrying a passenger, but the 1200 should be spunky enough for tons of 1-up fun!

 

[ben721364]

I had a BMW K 1200 LT trike [1200 cc)]/B] and it had more than enough torque and HP for 2 up travel.

 

[Lucky]

I haven't ridden one myself,but I met a lady last summer that is riding one and she loves it.Sorry I don't know what kind of kit it is.I think that if you really like the Sporster to star with you would probably like it triked also.RIDE SAFE

 

[Nana]

I had a BMW K 1200 LT trike [1200 cc)]/B] and it had more than enough torque and HP for 2 up travel.

Ben, I was thinking more about the comfort for lots of 2-up riding. The sportster trikes I've been on (only two, I'll grant you) had seating that wasn't nearly as comfy for the passenger as the larger models have.

 

[Gorilla]

The Sportster 1200 is more than sufficent to trike. Depending on you and your riders size 2 up is possible for a smaller couple. One up you can go anywhere. With a Sportsster Custom gas tamk range should be very good. That dealer just wants you to buy their trike. If the Sportster fits you it will trke out well.

 

[BlueTrinity]

Windy, those that tell you won't like the Sporty as a trike at are the same ones that told you that it wouldn't keep you satisfied a bike.

I rode a '91 1200 (solid mount) for ten years and never regretted a minute of it. The only reason I finally moved up was the vibration, You have the rubber mount and that will make logging the long miles far more enjoyable.

I would have no reservations about the power. You will certainly need it modified to suck more air and get rid of the exhaust, but other than that you'll be fine. (Unless of course you want to drag race or run at 120 all day)

Good luck on whatever you decide. :Flag:

 

[Nauga Mok]

A LOT of people don't really know what Sporties are capable of. They'll tell you that the 883 is a smaller bike than the 1200 -- they're the same size. I ran an '06 883 for 3 years (20,000+ mi) & really liked it. I think the 883 as a trike would work best if punched out to 1200, but not a "have to" case. Most people don't realize that 1200cc is 73" -- the "Big Twins" for YEARS were only 74"! What was the old saying? "Sportster -- kicking Big Twin butt for 50 years!" I know my 883 whupped more than one 88! A good seat is a must on a Sporty -- I'm partial to Saddlemen, but Mustang & Corbin also make good seats. Even the Harley Sundowner seat works good -- for a couple of years.

One of the reasons I upgraded from the Sporty to the Ultra was passenger comfort, AND the Ultra I lucked into just flat ran GOOD! We have a trike shop here in Las Vegas that will tell you nobody makes a trike kit for Sportsters & that's pure BS! There are several manufacturers that make kits for Sportsters, like Roadsmith, DFT, Mystery Design, Frankenstein Trike & the one you mentioned. Frankenstein even makes kits for the old Iron Heads! If you like your 1200 & run solo most of the time, by all means trike it! Your "XL 1200 C" with it's 4.5 gal tank will work best of all the Sportster models.

NM

 

[Smoken'JOE]

Check this 1200 out.
Trikes: HDSS : Roadsmith Trikes

Go for it. They just want to sell you big money stuff. Order the kit directly from Roadsmith and save some bucks and do the work yourself. Not really hard to do.

 

[WindyOne]

This forum is great for help look at everyone that offered advice.

Nana I only plan on 1 up riding, my wife has flatly stated she will not ride with me. Nothing against me personally she just isn't into bikes/trikes which is ok with me. Everyone to their own taste. And at this point in my life I like married life so I won't be giving any rides.

Tmigala I am 5'11" 165 lbs The sporty handles me just fine now sometimes it can almost push me off the back of the bike if I really get on it. I thought when the guy told me that the spporty wouldn't work as a trike it was the saleman part of him talking. The thing is I know nothing about these conversions so I couldn't say one way or the other if he was right or not.

BlueTrinity When I bought the sportster in June '09 I had them install a fuelpak and put on some slash cut pipes, and retune it. I love the sound even though I wonder what the neighbors think when I ride by.

Nauga Mok I think there is a conspiracy going on against Sporty riders. Just kidding, but it does seem like that. I am checking out the sites that you posted.

Pin Hi I bought a Mustang Vintage solo seat for my bike a few months back. I have to say it is a great seat and much better than stock. I just wish my left hip and back enjoyed the ride as much as I do.

Smoken Joe Roadsmith great site and really what I had in my mind when I started thinking about converting my bike. Thanks for the link.

I see a number of options for rear rims and tires. 16" or 17" I have no idea which to go with here. Does it really matter or does that extra inch make the bike look taller over the rear axle?

There is one dealer here in Va. that does the Roadsmith conversions they are Boss Hoss in Richmond. Has anyone dealt with them? I wish I could do the work myself but I am unable to. I will have to rely on a good dealer. I haven't set my mind yet positively for this kit or dealer just throwing out the question for further thought.

This is a great forum and I thank you all for your help so far.

 

[ultraboy]

Windyone, I'll agree that a solo 1200 Sporty Trike will be a great ride for you! You have the right seat, rubber mount motor, and with 4.5 gallons of fuel, you will be fine! I had a chance to ride a 1200 sporty trike with a Lehman kit, and other than the fact that I'm 6-3 and 225 lbs, and was a bit cramped, it did run great! I say go for it!
Roadsmith, lehman, Motor Trike, Champion, take your pick of any of those, if a full-body with trunk is what you are looking for. If you don't want a full body, Frankenstein, Mystery, Santiago, and many others out there are available. I recently completed a 2004 Sporty trike using a $3500 kit (axle, swingarm, fenders, brackets) I got from silverstreettrikes.com and it was a blast!
Good Luck on whatever you decide!

UB

 

[pin-hi]

I had my Trinity Trike kit installed by an independant Harley shop.

The Harley dealership here didn't want the work as they had no experience with trike kit installations in their service department. (and they sell competing trikes, ie. tri-glide)

The kit came with excellent installation instructions and any good motorcycle mechanic or do-it-yourselfer can do the installation.

I had Vance and Hines short shots exhaust installed as the stock sportster exhaust is not a good fitment with the rear differential of the trike kit. Also K&N air cleaner. No need to re-jet the carb as it's running nicely...if it ain't broke....

There's a really nice white Sportster trike that one of our members built himself using the Frankenstein kit. You can see his pictures in the Garage section on this site.

If you have a good independant Harley shop where you are, they may appreciate the project during these slower winter months and may be able to do it at a better price than a dealer.

Just my thoughts.

David in Canada. Oh yeah, there's a few pics of my trike in the Garage section here as well.

 

[pin-hi]

I attached a pic of my Sporty Trike

 

[John Luciano]

Well let me hop on this train... I know of a few that have triked the 800 Suzuki and the 750 Honda Shadow even, TRUE it is at the bottom of the food chain in power but they keep up with us. Also I don't think that if you do think you made a mistake you will have any trouble bailing out of it at a very small loss. Not like you will have to give it away, Nothing to loose As Larry the Cable Guy would say "GET ER Done"

 

[phil_c]

Windy One, we've done a bunch of 1200cc Sportsters with Roadsmith kits, and you will not be missing anything with the power, especially if you will be riding with only you on the trike. And as far as 16" / 17" rims go, its all personal taste. Some people just prefer a lower profile looking tire.
-Phil

 

[WindyOne]

Windy One, we've done a bunch of 1200cc Sportsters with Roadsmith kits, and you will not be missing anything with the power, especially if you will be riding with only you on the trike. And as far as 16" / 17" rims go, its all personal taste. Some people just prefer a lower profile looking tire.
-Phil

Hi Phil Yours is one of the sites I have been looking at for a few weeks now. If i had the cash I would buy that Green trike you have for sale it sure is nice looking.

 

[WindyOne]

I attached a pic of my Sporty Trike

Pin I checked out your garage some good looking pics of your trike. Just makes me feel changing out the sporty is the right thing for me to do. As John said if I end up not liking it I will only be out some bucks not a total loss.

 

[ladyff1481]

I converted my 2007 last yr. Bumped it up to 1200cc 1st then added the Roadsmith Conversion kit. This was all done by my local motorcycle mechanic. This was his 1st one, now he is one of Roadsmith's dealers since he liked it so much and found it easy. My Trike has plenty of power at 1200cc but if you convert it get a bigger gas tank. I only get 90 miles/tankfull with my original tank.

 

[jim peacock]

I would say it depends on what kind of riding you are going to be doing and what kind fo weight you will be carrying.If you are going to be taking long trips two up a big no.if you are going to be doing just every day riding are like a week end ride I see no problem.
Jim