Suzuki C50 Lehman Tramp

[Scratch]

Just purchased a 2008 with 1500 miles and we expect it to arrive late this week/early next week. Doc ordered me off two wheels and considering my age (66) & two spinal fusions, I'm taking his advice.

Having a hard time parting with our pristeen Honda Shadow Phantom. The wife and I have enjoyed it immensely, but it is time to give it up and make the transition. Our intended use is for small town commutes and weekend cruising on Texas hill country roads. No intent to put it on the super slab.

My decision was based on budget (under 12K) and size. We may migrate to a TriGlide sometime in the future, but at this point, I like the 100" length, 54" width and wheelbase which, combined, provide a configuration that will fit nicely in the garage. Hoping also that it will be easy to maneuver without a reverse option.

I'm reading lots of online advice that provides negative opinions, but many posts are from people who have never ridden/owned one. If you own one or owned one in the past, please give me some feedback?

Especially interested in how you think it will handle a single rider (140 lbs) and two up with combined weight of 260 lbs.

Thanks in advance...

 

[cavie]

I never owned a C50 Trike. I have owned a C50 2 wheeler. It's my personal opinion that it is not enough bike for two up riding in any hill country. That's why I sold it and bought my 1300. The C50 needs a 6th gear for highway driving. I should be fine for around town and flat country one up. 2 up and hills.....not so much. just one persons opinion.

 

[Lee H. Mann]

I'm reading lots of online advice that provides negative opinions, but many posts are from people who have never ridden/owned one. If you own one or owned one in the past, please give me some feedback? Especially interested in how you think it will handle a single rider (140 lbs) and two up with combined weight of 260 lbs. Thanks in advance...

If it is set up right after you get it, you will enjoy the ease and agility of the C-50 Tramp. I weigh almost as much as the combined weight you speak of and find no problems with the power on secondary roads. You will probably ride it more briskly than a larger trike because of it's sporty handling. You will have to adjust the shock/spring setting, tire pressure in the rear should be 20PSI and the front should be 35PSI. The stock seat is really uncomfortable after 50 miles so you should search for a mustang seat. The only concerns my customers have is the head-shake because it is such a small and lightweight motorcycle. A steering damper should solve that and I have them.

"RING MY OWN BELL" I sold over 50 of these since 2003 and all of them are still on the road.

 

[Scratch]

If it is set up right after you get it, you will enjoy the ease and agility of the C-50 Tramp. I weigh almost as much as the combined weight you speak of and find no problems with the power on secondary roads. You will probably ride it more briskly than a larger trike because of it's sporty handling. You will have to adjust the shock/spring setting, tire pressure in the rear should be 20PSI and the front should be 35PSI. The stock seat is really uncomfortable after 50 miles so you should search for a mustang seat. The only concerns my customers have is the head-shake because it is such a small and lightweight motorcycle. A steering damper should solve that and I have them. "RING MY OWN BELL" I sold over 50 of these since 2003 and all of them are still on the road.

Jim, Thank you for the informative review. I have a nice Mustang rider/passenger touring combo on the Phantom and the wife and I agree this is the setup we'll want on the Tramp.

This is probably the first mod I will make to the Suzuki.

Question: Found a similar Mustang C50 combo on the Motorcycle Superstore web site.

Will it fit the Lehman-configured C50 or has the stock C50 seating been modified? The bike has a sissy bar/luggage rack and passenger handrail set up. Will this affect the Mustang's fit?

I've read about the head shake at low speeds. Fortunately, the bike is equipped with a steering stabilizer.

Also looking for a trunk, but don't see one listed as a Lehman accessory?

Thanks again,

Ken sends

 

[Lee H. Mann]

Question: Found a similar Mustang C50 combo on the Motorcycle Superstore web site. Will it fit the Lehman-configured C50 or has the stock C50 seating been modified? The bike has a sissy bar/luggage rack and passenger handrail set up. Will this affect the Mustang's fit?

I've read about the head shake at low speeds. Fortunately, the bike is equipped with a steering stabilizer.

Also looking for a trunk, but don't see one listed as a Lehman accessory?

Thanks again,

Ken sends

The Mustang Seat for the C-50 should fit without any complications. The larger C-90 has issues. The trunk is of your choosing. You have a luggage rack already and can attach the trunk to it.

The sissybar backrest must be removed so the trunk becomes the backrest. Givi makes an inexpensive trunk.

Lehman did have an optional trunk and it looked like a Givi.

 

[cavie]

www.2cycleguys.com has the best prices on the net. Bought my Mustang for my Volusia (C50) from them.

 

[Scratch]

The Mustang Seat for the C-50 should fit without any complications. The larger C-90 has issues. The trunk is of your choosing. You have a luggage rack already and can attach the trunk to it. The sissybar backrest must be removed so the trunk becomes the backrest. Givi makes an inexpensive trunk. Lehman did have an optional trunk and it looked like a Givi.

Great advice and sincerely appreciated...

 

[John Luciano]

A friend bought that trike last year. Rode with his wife from VA to Conn. Had no problem. Total weight aboard was ( just a guess ) 400 lbs. if yours has wire wheels run your finger around the spokes periodically the get loose. Friend found 15 broken spokes on his.

 

[Scratch]

A friend bought that trike last year. Rode with his wife from VA to Conn. Had no problem. Total weight aboard was ( just a guess ) 400 lbs. if yours has wire wheels run your finger around the spokes periodically the get loose. Friend found 15 broken spokes on his.

Awesome feedback. And thanks for the tip on the spokes; I'll check 'em out when it gets here. Seems the bike is hung up in Austin. I was hoping for it to arrive by tomorrow, but it now looks more like next week. Patience.

Patience.

 

[Scratch]

The Mustang Seat for the C-50 should fit without any complications. The larger C-90 has issues. The trunk is of your choosing. You have a luggage rack already and can attach the trunk to it. The sissybar backrest must be removed so the trunk becomes the backrest. Givi makes an inexpensive trunk. Lehman did have an optional trunk and it looked like a Givi.

Sure appreciate your insight, Jim.

 

[John Luciano]

Your not going to have the fastest set of wheels in town, but it will get you were you want to go.

 

[Scratch]

Your not going to have the fastest set of wheels in town, but it will get you were you want to go.

Thanks for the feedback, John. There was a time in my life when I had to be firstest and fastest. That was then and this is now. Reliability and dependability are my priorities in this venture. As long as my better half and I can safely stay up with traffic on country roads, I'm good. There's a hot rod Mustang in the garage if I need speed....

 

[Scratch]

The trike arrived today and due to light rain and low temps, I'll most-likely wait a few days to ride. Spent the day waxing/detailing and getting the 'Doghouse' ready so the tramp would have a cozy place to hang out:

Looking forward to the first ride...

 

[Blueline]

Good luck with the first ride. Stay safe and have fun!

 

[Scratch]

If it is set up right after you get it, you will enjoy the ease and agility of the C-50 Tramp. I weigh almost as much as the combined weight you speak of and find no problems with the power on secondary roads. You will probably ride it more briskly than a larger trike because of it's sporty handling. You will have to adjust the shock/spring setting, tire pressure in the rear should be 20PSI and the front should be 35PSI. The stock seat is really uncomfortable after 50 miles so you should search for a mustang seat. The only concerns my customers have is the head-shake because it is such a small and lightweight motorcycle. A steering damper should solve that and I have them. "RING MY OWN BELL" I sold over 50 of these since 2003 and all of them are still on the road.

Just took my first ride around the block a few times. Didn't get above 30mph.

This will take some getting used to!

The steering is a whole 'nuther ballgame and I'll need lots of practice before I get comfortable pushing/pulling through a 55 mph curve...

The steering damper is set all the way to firm (5) and I encountered head shake at low speed. Hopefully it goes away at higher speeds.

Question: Should I set the damper to a softer (lower) setting or is this what I should expect?

Thanks in advance for any advice/experience...

 

[pcombe]

Here's an old post I did a while back!

Everyone knows I am old school Harley to the end and bleed orange and black but I Gotta tell you!



I had the chance to take this Suzuki C-50 boulevard with a Lehman conversion on a 100 mile run today on both the open roads and in canyon twisties, I am impressed.

The power to weight ratio is really fun, It has a lot of snort for an 800 cc engine and it's roll on power was impressive also.

It cornered really well and most times I had it running along with my friends tri-glide.

This is his wife's trike and I see now why she likes it.ThumbUp

As for top end it just (might) outrun my old 80" tourglide?

I am of course spoiled by the creature comforts of my bike but I wouldn't mind putting one of these in the garage beside mine for the wife to ride.

(me too when no ones looking)



- - - Updated - - -

Jim, Thank you for the informative review.

I have a nice Mustang rider/passenger touring combo on the Phantom and the wife and I agree this is the setup we'll want on the Tramp.

This is probably the first mod I will make to the Suzuki.

Question: Found a similar Mustang C50 combo on the Motorcycle Superstore web site. Will it fit the Lehman-configured C50 or has the stock C50 seating been modified? The bike has a sissy bar/luggage rack and passenger handrail set up. Will this affect the Mustang's fit?

I've read about the head shake at low speeds. Fortunately, the bike is equipped with a steering stabilizer.

Also looking for a trunk, but don't see one listed as a Lehman accessory?

Thanks again,

Ken sends

There is a learning curve associated with trikes my friend.

If you have trouble with head shake at lower speeds try running it in a gear where the engine is always pulling, that will hold down on the shake issue.

 

[Scratch]

Sure appreciate your post pcombe. Slow and easy and it will come; similar as the learning curve for two wheels is my guess. That push/pull thing sure is different!! Looking forward to getting it out again when the weather permits.

 

[Lee H. Mann]

Just took my first ride around the block a few times.

Didn't get above 30mph. This will take some getting used to! The steering is a whole 'nuther ballgame and I'll need lots of practice before I get comfortable pushing/pulling through a 55 mph curve...

The steering damper is set all the way to firm (5) and I encountered head shake at low speed. Hopefully it goes away at higher speeds.

Question: Should I set the damper to a softer (lower) setting or is this what I should expect?

Thanks in advance for any advice/experience...

The headshake should go away at speeds above 20mph. The adjustment should be made after you ride it. Soften it ONE position and try it. The steering damper just reduces the headshake.

It is really a happy medium.

I have customers who adjust it on the fly depending on conditions. Did you make adjustments in tire pressure ?

 

[Scratch]

The headshake should go away at speeds above 20mph. The adjustment should be made after you ride it. Soften it ONE position and try it. The steering damper just reduces the headshake. It is really a happy medium. I have customers who adjust it on the fly depending on conditions. Did you make adjustments in tire pressure ?

Yes on the tire pressure per your advice. I'll trying softening the damper also as suggested.

Ordered a trunk yesterday.

Called Mustang to locate a seat that fits and they say none of theirs will work on a trike.

Any suggestions, Jim?

Thanks again.

 

[Scratch]

Completed the first good test ride. Head wobble went away as you said it would and setting the damper to five seems to work the best. The only complaint is that I can't seem to find a comfortable aftermarket seat that fits.

The ride was lots of fun as I gained experience and confidence with each mile. It is every bit as much fun; perhaps more so, than riding on two. Looking forward to some sunny weather so I can extend this new found passion for triking.

Thanks to everyone for sharing advice and experienced wisdom.