Confused and don't know which way to go: Harley Triglide, or conversions....

DonC · Jul 22, 2015

Confused and don't know which way to go: Harley Triglide, or conversions....

Group,

Good evening. I'm pulling my hair out! I have ridden a Harley triglide 2015, that I really like. Problem is it does run hot, and my wife does not really like that to much. We are riding it again on Friday. Second, I rode a honda GL11800 today. Like the ride, a bit different. The conversion kit was a CSC Cobra.

Where to go from here? I am trying to find a Roadsmith or a Hannigan so that I can compare for her more then anything. I am looking at a used 2003 GL1800 with a CSC cobra kit for 18,000. The Harley triglide we are looking at 30,000 to start. I also saw a used GL1800 for 12,000 two wheel, were I could buy and take to CSC for conversion....

I'm really confused at this point. I don't want to go overboard on a trike just yet. I would rather buy a good trike, drive it a lot ! then buy the "perfect" one down the line ( if you know what I mean). Any suggestions, ideas, whatever would be greatly appreciated.

Confused in Virginia... Don

DblTrbl · Jul 23, 2015

It's all of what you like and what makes her happy. (I'm lucky, I'm single...takes the drama out)

This is just my opinion. I had a loaner which was a Stratoliner (Yamaha) with a CSC conversion (no rake kit). I hated it. It took all my strength to steer it and was very rough riding. My friend who road as a passenger was scared when I approached curves thinking she would be thrown off. The only hand grips for her were under her legs and the seat was flat and narrow. She really felt uncomfortable.
I had this loaner while my Yamaha Venture was being converted to a Hannigan Trike. Now that is one comfortable ride. Takes about 1/4 the effort to steer, corners like it's on rails (she stays in her seat) and the suspension sucks up the bumps and potholes.

Again, just my opinion....Good luck on choosing.

jaxbobg · Jul 23, 2015

Best experience I've had is being able to ride several different trikes and conversions. First trike was a well used but functional Suzuki with a Lehman back end.

It let me adjust to the 3 wheel experience but was uncomfortable to ride more than 100 miles or so. Sold the Suzuki and bought a BMW Hannigan. Great touring bike, but a pain to work on because taking the tupperware off was a 1/2 hour chore before you could get to the item to be serviced. Dealer service was e$$$$pensive. Rode about 25,000 miles, very nice.

Had a chance to borrow a Harley for a 150 mile trip near home. Trike end is basically a Lehman, rides a lot rougher than the BMW Hannigan on country roads and the constant exhaust drone left my ears ringing at the end of the day.

Finally sold the BMW and bought a GL1800 Goldwing Roadsmith. Have ridden about 20,000 miles so far and really like it. Easy to work on for routine maintenance and comfortable on long road trips.

So far I haven't found the ideal bike for my taste. There are plus and minus features on each one. As for the trike end, I think I like the Hannigan best of all, so far. But then, I haven't tried a CSC, DFT, Champion or other kits. For that matter, there is still the Can-Am and Stallion to be experienced.

I'm 70 now and may have to live to be 100 to fully experience all of the different trike models and variations out there. Makes for one hell of a bucket list!

Keep looking, borrow or rent other models when you can, and put some miles under your butt. Chances are, the perfect combo for you doesn't exist, but the journey is more fun than going directly to the destination.

Gorilla · Jul 23, 2015

DonC you have been at this for all most 2 months. You are doing great in trying a par things down. The Harleys are Hot. Even after doing all the things to make them run cooler you are still sitting on the engine and the exhaust is running down the right side. That is facts that you either have to except to enjoy the Harley. The Goldwing has most of the motor lower in the chassis and has tubberware around it to deflect most of the heat away from the rider. The exhaust also comes out the bottom further away from the rider. Those are just the set physics of the bikes. If the heat from the Harley bothers you then go to a different selection. You can manage the heat but not eliminate it. Us that ride Harleys do so because we Love Harleys.

As far as gong GW with a conversion. Seems like you have only been able to ride a CSC conversion. They are a good company but make the effort to try a Roadsmith and a Hannagan. See if there are any members around you here on the forum that have one of those conversions that is willing to let you ride theirs around the block. The GW is a great bike but you have to like the fit of it. After that you next move is buy a used one or if you are going to do a conversion you will need an installer. That becomes a whole different subject that is VERY important.

DonC · Jul 23, 2015

Gorilla thanks!

Gorilla said:
DonC you have been at this for all most 2 months. You are doing great in trying a par things down. The Harleys are Hot. Even after doing all the things to make them run cooler you are still sitting on the engine and the exhaust is running down the right side. That is facts that you either have to except to enjoy the Harley. The Goldwing has most of the motor lower in the chassis and has tubberware around it to deflect most of the heat away from the rider. The exhaust also comes out the bottom further away from the rider. Those are just the set physics of the bikes. If the heat from the Harley bothers you then go to a different selection. You can manage the heat but not eliminate it. Us that ride Harleys do so because we Love Harleys.

As far as gong GW with a conversion. Seems like you have only been able to ride a CSC conversion. They are a good company but make the effort to try a Roadsmith and a Hannagan. See if there are any members around you here on the forum that have one of those conversions that is willing to let you ride theirs around the block. The GW is a great bike but you have to like the fit of it. After that you next move is buy a used one or if you are going to do a conversion you will need an installer. That becomes a whole different subject that is VERY important.

Thanks. I am trying to get as many different rides as I can. I do like the harley, but as you said much hotter for the wife. We will try that one tomorrow again ( 2015) see how she likes it. Then I hope to try a different one on Sunday. I have a guy that knows two or three people with different trikes. So I might be able to try their set ups. I AM BITING AT THE BIT! to get on one and be able to do some riding. Thanks for the encouragement!

epper:

Mrmri · Jul 24, 2015

Good onya trying out different rigs. I didn't know what I was getting into. I had a couple of sidecars in the past so I knew I would like 3 wheels. The wife didn't like them after going down a hill and she started screaming and I got on to much back brake and the rig did a quick 90 degree turn. I can laugh about it now. Anyway I had my Fatboy converted and liked it right away but something didn't feel just right. I started playing with the air pressure in the back tires. The shop that did the conversion put 49 lbs in the back. Today I got down to 22 lbs just like I read on here. What a world of difference it rides so sweet now. So long story short ya still have to live with them awhile to really know. Just enjoy the ride.

DblTrbl · Jul 24, 2015

Guess you need to ask yourself which is better, a hot wife or a cool wife? LOL

I had never been on a trike in my life. I just decided it was going to be safer on 3 wheels then on two. Had a few close calls with sand in the road (in the curves) as well as some small branches and other debris.
I feel I made the right choice. I picked it up and was very comfortable riding it after only about an hour in the saddle.
Now I just wish I didn't have to work so much because I would be on some long trips like Kevin and Mary.......would be nice to not have to rush back to work.

v8capt · Jul 28, 2015

DonC said:
Group,

Good evening. I'm pulling my hair out! I have ridden a Harley triglide 2015, that I really like. Problem is it does run hot, and my wife does not really like that to much. We are riding it again on Friday. Second, I rode a honda GL11800 today. Like the ride, a bit different. The conversion kit was a CSC Cobra.

Where to go from here? I am trying to find a Roadsmith or a Hannigan so that I can compare for her more then anything. I am looking at a used 2003 GL1800 with a CSC cobra kit for 18,000. The Harley triglide we are looking at 30,000 to start. I also saw a used GL1800 for 12,000 two wheel, were I could buy and take to CSC for conversion....

I'm really confused at this point. I don't want to go overboard on a trike just yet. I would rather buy a good trike, drive it a lot ! then buy the "perfect" one down the line ( if you know what I mean). Any suggestions, ideas, whatever would be greatly appreciated.

Confused in Virginia... Don

Okay,hears the solution. Buy a Harley Ultra and have Hannigan convert it to the Transformer kit. It will have independent suspention and anti lock brakes and it is a looker. Believe me, this my second one and you will have the ride of your life. private message me and I'll send you some pictures.
Capt Bob

dirtdobber · Aug 5, 2015

All I can say is take your time and test ride, and test ride, and test ride.
I like both the Honda and the Harley. Good point with a Harley it has a factory warranty for the entire trike.
It takes some changes to get a HD cool enough to enjoy the ride. Like Gorllia said we like our Harley's. Its not to hard to do though. My wife prefers the Harley trike, the rest of us likes our Roadsmith Goldwing trike.

consitter · Aug 5, 2015

Sheesh--

I was getting real confused until I saw the date of the first post, because I thought 'Is he back-tracking??' But, no you've since made your decision, and in my opinion it was a good one.