New to Trike World with Concerns

[mgwtrike]

Greetings Honda trike owner's,

Just stopped by to say "Hi" and get some information on owning and riding a Goldwing trike.

I presently own a two wheel 2012 blue/silver Honda GL1800 I bought a new in July 2014 from my Honda dealership.
I traded my two wheel 2003 Goldwing in with 60,000 on the O/D.

I'm seriously considering investing in a Roadsmith trike conversion for my 2012 next spring in 2015.
I'm 73 years old and never had problems with holding up my two wheel 900lb. Goldwings but feel a trike would
enhance my riding enjoyment many for years to come.
I presently ride 90% by myself.

Anything I should know about Roadsmith or riding a Goldwing trike.

Cheers!

 

[tfdeputydawg]

Have it done during winter. Installers get very busy in the spring.

 

[rmrc51]

I'm sure many other Smith-Wing owners will also chime in. I've had my Roadsmith for almost 4 years and haven't had one problem. Of course, the most "important" factor is to find a reputable and experienced installer! That's a top priority!

Next would be the options you'd like to have. Many like the aux gas tank which can definitely come in handy if you like touring out west where gas stations a far and few in-between stops. I didn't get one as my installer said by the time you need gas, you'll also be looking to get off the trike to stretch your legs. He was right, lol. As far as the suspension options, I've never seen a need for them myself. I've ridden solo and with a passenger and never felt I had to change my settings. I always get a comfortable ride.

Now the one option that I did get which also made the difference in my choosing a Wing over a cruiser, was Roadsmith's 'Comfort Controls'. I have these installed on my Trike. They move your shifter and brake pedal 3" forward and 1" down.

They definitely do make a difference in that now I'm sitting in a more natural position. Having these installed, made the difference in my choosing the Wing over a Harley or other cruiser as I never cared for the "foot down and tucked under position" that the Wing has. These comfort controls, while definitely not allowing you to have your feet completely forward, did change my sitting position enough to make me more comfortable. Although a bit expensive, it was clearly worth if for me!

I've also recently removed my heel/toe shifter (as I never really liked it) along with the associated floor boards. Now all I use is the Wing-Boards which has given me even more leg room. The Comfort Controls are now in a perfect position to use with just the Roadsmith Wing Boards!!!

Hope my long winded posting helps. ThumbUp

 

[turboman1354]

You'll never regret it. To me riding a trike is the most fun a man can have with his clothes on. Get it converted and ride baby ride

 

[FRR]

I don't happen to have a Roadsmith, but whatever conversion you choose I can tell you this.............You will love riding your Goldwing Trike. They are virtually worry free maintenance wise, have plenty or power, and are the best touring bike made in the world, IMHO. The accessories that are available are almost unlimited. The engines run forever and the vast majority of folks that ride them are friendly and helpful. I've owned 9 Wings,(two of them Triked) and several other brands including 7 Ultras, but nothing has beat the Wing. Go for it. You will enjoy the experience.

 

[Rick Kay]

Hope you don't mind a "Howdy" from a Harley owner! Welcome to Trike Talk! :wave4:

 

[Ozarkryder]

Folks have given you good info about the trike itself, and after you get it there will be an ongoing period of changes, upgrades and personalization, just like with a new 2 wheeler. As for some tips on riding a trike itself, here is a great link with some good advice from experienced trikers: http://www.triketalk.com/forum/threads/242-Making-The-Switch-Bike-to-Trike-Great-Info!

 

[mhgoldwing]

I think you will love your Roadsmith as I do mine. I've got 35K miles on it now and am happy with my choice. As others have said, the installer is key. Ask me how I know!

 

[jayhawkokie]

I got my 2010 converted to a Roadsmith HTS this August after riding on 2 wheels for 3 years, wish I had done it sooner. I love my Roadsmith, you can't beat the workmanship that is on this conversion and it's a blast to ride, you won't regret getting it done.

 

[TwoBye]

Well even though I don't own a Roadsmith conversion I can join the others here and tell you to go for it! I have a GoldWing that has been triked and buying it has turned out to be one of the best decisions I have ever made. My wife used to ride with me on two wheels and enjoyed it a lot but with the trike ...... she's always the one to say "Hurry up, I'm ready to go!" when we stop for anything.

Used to be about 150 miles was all she wanted without stopping for the day, now with the trike we have traveled +/- 400 miles a day and only quit because "I" was tired. But that was shortly after my strokes so maybe that was the reason.

Go for it, don't look back. Best advise anyone can give you is to order WHAT YOU WANT when you have it built.

 

[jake1940]

2007 wing trike- just completed trip northern alberta to palm springs in mid to late oct,on US 101 and Calif.1/ Great trip. I am 74, took wife, had great time. we estimate we had over 80 people talk to us about owning a trike -majority of them were two wheelers wanting to know how we liked the trike -they wanted to travel with their wife/partner but wife not wanting to sit on two wheeler for long trips. also I travel lots by myself. I quit riding years ago because of balance problem- bought first trike now you can not keep me off the road.. There are two trikers nearby- one is mid-eighties and rode from Alberta to palm springs February last year and he rides everyday that the temp is -10 or better. Hope this helps with your decision

Greetings Honda trike owner's,

Just stopped by to say "Hi" and get some information on owning and riding a Goldwing trike.

I presently own a two wheel 2012 blue/silver Honda GL1800 I bought a new in July 2014 from my Honda dealership.
I traded my two wheel 2003 Goldwing in with 60,000 on the O/D.

I'm seriously considering investing in a Roadsmith trike conversion for my 2012 next spring in 2015.
I'm 73 years old and never had problems with holding up my two wheel 900lb. Goldwings but feel a trike would
enhance my riding enjoyment many for years to come.
I presently ride 90% by myself.

Anything I should know about Roadsmith or riding a Goldwing trike.

Cheers!

 

[Lucky]

Welcome glad you joined us. Like everyone else sez GO FOR IT. Don't think you will ever regret it. The installer plays a big part it so use one you like and trust. GOOD LUCK! RIDE SAFE

 

[JaysGone]

I guess Im the odd ball here. I switched from 2 wheels to 3 basically to keep riding safely.
Im diabetic and use my bikes to commute to work daily.
The main difference to me is the comfort factor. As others have said the seating position is more upright and with a Wing certainly less vibration to affect my legs.
As to the reason I said odd ball at the beginning.
I find 2 wheels to ride a lot better then my 3 wheels.
Yes its a different deal altogether.
Any riding you did on 2 wheels you can still do on 3.
Handling is great but in my case.
I find 3 wheels a bit more bouncy on my back due to the difference in how a trike rides compared to a 2 wheeler.
For me. 2 wheelers ride smoother on long highway rides.
Ive gotten used to feeling every dip, bump and pot hole you cant avoid.
Ruts in the rode etc.
To me 2 wheels just take them better then 3.
To me its simple geometry. 2 vs 3 wheels.
But don't let me as the odd ball here stop you or even give you a second thought.
Triking your Wing will keep you riding for many years to come.
I still get my 2 wheel fix when needed as I also kept my RoadStar around.
Ive put 15K on the GW trike in 2 years as compared to maybe 500 miles on 2 wheels.
That in itself should say something.
Trike the bike and don't eve look back.
Just find a good installer with a proven record in your area.
Go out of your area if that's where they may be.
I found it well worth it to make a 140 mile trip each way to get to my dealership. Even though there is another one within 30 miles from me now. They have no record yet to stand on at all.
Get used to folks asking questions and stares. In my part of Florida tons of 2 wheel weekend warriors.
Trikes.................Im about it. Ive seen maybe 2 others once in a blue moon here.
Im sure they are around someplace down here. But as Im not a weekend warrior but a full time rider local clubs etc aren't my cup of tea.

 

[DWATC]

I ride a Hannigan and not a Roadsmith. I was intending on buying the Roadsmith, however after riding a Roadsmith, CSC, and Motor Trike I decided on Hannngan. The Roadsmith was a very close second and after talking to the owner of the company it sounded like the forks were a bit out of adjustment on the two Roadsmith's I rode. Wife and I both felt the trikes were "pitching" us forward. I have a friend with a Roadsmith and I've sat on it but never ridden it and it doesn't feel that way. After all that above what I recommend and maybe you've already done it ride as many as you can and decide. According to your profile a road trip to Minneapolis to the Roadsmith factory might be in order. I talked to them before buying my trike and they said they could install a kit in 24 hours.

In answer to your other question the only negatives I have to a trike is no lean and also you have to constantly steer a trike in a curve. So the negatives to me really mean nothing. I've put 15K on mine since the end of April and love it. Best of luck on whatever kit you come up with.

 

[mgwtrike]

The main difference to me is the comfort factor.

And a safety factor also for the stability.

I always felt on two wheels you fighting that "tipping" factor,
where three wheels, (even thought it's possible to tip a trike over,)
you still have that one wheel chance on keeping all three wheels on the road.

 

[dirtdobber]

being able to relax and not worry whether my knees will hold up is a blessing.
I find our 2012 roadsmith rides much better than our 2 wheel versions. There are some tilting due to the roads that you do not notice on 2 wheels but as far as comfort it has it. We have hit bumps that our 2 wheel versions bounce us as where the trike is smooth on the same place.
I do suggest to look at a fuel cell/auxiliary tank and the kit to continue to use the preload adjustments and the HD sway bar.
Although most stop around 100 miles or so it is a good feeling to know you have spare fuel when needed. I get around 320+- miles on a fill up, The HD sway bar helps in cornering, helps with body roll, the preload is a great thing to have. I can make adjustments to raise or lower the trike when loaded, solo or 2 up. I have had em both ways. You won't miss em if you have never had them but if you have had them you will want them.
I have had 3 trikes, CSC, Mystery, and now Roadsmith. I prefer the roadsmith myself.

I hope this helps.
with technology advancements of today almost all are good, some maybe a little better than others to some.
I have test road most of them. For me the Goldwing is the best platform to make a great trike. Sorry HD riders. I tried the triglide, just didn't like it. One that is not set up properly will give you doubts. So test rides may not be what you think it really is or capable of.

 

[Blueribbon]

Have RS, but I know for sure there are 2 or 3 others just as good. Looks may be different. Trunk capacity. Running board design. Importantly, parts availability. RS uses mostly car parts in there mechanics, though some (like the disk/hub) are custom made by them.

I love my trike and ride it a lot. Since july I've gone 12K miles, and only gone out-of-state 5 or 6 times. Like today, temperature range 37 to 43, but I put on 80 miles in 4 hours, and had a good time. Last week, I put on 100+ two days and 250+ three days. Bikes are fun, but trikes are very very comfortable! I really wish I would have gone to a trike 5 or 6 years ago. (I'm 70 now.)

 

[JaysGone]

And a safety factor also for the stability.

Inherently yes of course. 3 is better then 2.
But in 35 years of 2 wheeling it. My personal safety other then situational awareness on the road.
Has never come into play. If it did after my last accident on 2 wheels. Which was 7 years ago last week. I was screwed up for 18 months, 3 surgeries and $75k later.
Also being knocked out for 3.5 hours. You would think Id never get back on 2 wheels.
9 months afterwards which was as soon as I could. I was back on the same repaired bike I cracked up with.
I didn't hesitate for a minute.
Life, my life anyway is going to be shorter then I have the time to worry about safety of 2 vs 3 wheels.
Just enjoy the ride while you can on 2 or 3 wheels.ThumbUp