Never had a trike, several 2 wheelers.

[nubie]

Looking to spend $12 - $16 K what can I get? From what I hear I think I want a Goldwing. Any thoughts on what trike kits work well? Anything I need to look out for?

[FuzzyWuzHe]

From what I've seen the gl 1500's are getting pretty reasonable and they are pretty sweet trikes.

[knob]

Saw this ad while looking for a dirt bike today. I know absolutely nothing about it other than the pictures looked really nice. Good luck with your search. http://semo.craigslist.org/mcy/5107069503.html

[nubie]

Saw this ad while looking for a dirt bike today. I know absolutely nothing about it other than the pictures looked really nice. Good luck with your search. http://semo.craigslist.org/mcy/5107069503.html

I heard that some of the early 1800 01 & 02 had frame crack issues. It was fixed by 03. Does anyone know if that is true? I'm looking at a 1999 with a factory installed Hannigan.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

I heard that some of the early 1800 01 & 02 had frame crack issues. It was fixed by 03. Does anyone know if that is true? I'm looking at a 1999 with a factory installed Hannigan.

There was an issue with the GL 1800's 01/02, but they were fixed by recall. I know cause I had one of them. Scary how they fixed it ... but very effective. Basically laid the bike on it's side and welded it up. Big bike to be laying down, but I looked at the weld pretty closely and it looked great. Mine never cracked but was one of those "prone" to cracking. The weld was prophylactic.

[Solidbob]

I heard that some of the early 1800 01 & 02 had frame crack issues. It was fixed by 03. Does anyone know if that is true? I'm looking at a 1999 with a factory installed Hannigan.

There are a lot of trikes out there, older than 2000 were generally 1500cc and even earlier and most were solid axle and should have a number of miles on them unless there was something wrong. 2001 and newer are 1800cc and could be solid axle or Independent IRS axle which have mostly current technology. If they are for sale find out why, have them looked at for problems, test ride it and don't be forced into something you don't want.... just keep lookin til you find what you like... if they have been setting up and not maintained it may take some work to get them back in shape... remember its your life and maybe your spouses so check them out very closely and ask questions!! Tires, U-Joints, rearend fluid, brake & clutch fluid change, anti freeze, oil changes, brake pads, electronics, are just a few things that really add up..... take into consideration... newer may actually be cheaper in the long run. FYI

[Shimpy]

I heard that some of the early 1800 01 & 02 had frame crack issues. It was fixed by 03. Does anyone know if that is true?.

Not true, mine was an 03 that was recalled for cracked frame issues. After inspection they took it apart and welded the frame and I got it back a week or 2 later. I traded the bike in with 103,000 miles on it for a 2010 and had no problems after welding. If I remember correctly those that were welded were marked by center punching a mark on the identification plate that has the serial number.

[JaysGone]

Im sure you can find a 1500 trike in your price range with relatively low miles.
A lot of recent conversions out there.
Its a buyers market right now.
80 units on Ebay as of yesterday.
99% with no bids at all.
Owners seem to think its the value of the bike plus the full value of the kit.
They for the most part in my opinion aren't being realistic.
I bought my 2010 in 2012.
According to Ebay listings Id loose nothing if I sold it at todays prices.
The 1500 engine while smaller has comparable power.
Honestly to me not a heck of a lot if a difference in the ride between a 1500 and 1800. Apples to apples kit wise.
Less modern doodads. But then again the 1800 has been lacking in major changes even in the newer bikes.
The GW in my opinion is a great turn the key and go bike.
Regardless of year and miles.
Its a 250K mile engine if taken care of.

[nubie]

Thanks I appreciate the help.

[kybigmac]

If you're a bigger person the 1500 has way more room!

[nubie]

From what I've seen the gl 1500's are getting pretty reasonable and they are pretty sweet trikes.

Well now I have a trike 1999 Goldwing SE with a Hannigan factory installed trike kit. It's like I need to learn to ride all over. I realized you must be careful pulling in for gas. I did not mess up but I came close.

[keepinon]

Well now I have a trike 1999 Goldwing SE with a Hannigan factory installed trike kit. It's like I need to learn to ride all over. I realized you must be careful pulling in for gas. I did not mess up but I came close.

Congrats. That 1500 will serve you well, and Hannigan has a good reputation.

You know we want pictures, right????

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Well now I have a trike 1999 Goldwing SE with a Hannigan factory installed trike kit. It's like I need to learn to ride all over. I realized you must be careful pulling in for gas. I did not mess up but I came close.

Don't forget to keep your feet up ..

[Zammy]

Congrats on finding something you wanted, now the learning has started. And yes, we love pics!

[Gorilla]

congrats good combo

[nubie]

Looking to spend $12 - $16 K what can I get? From what I hear I think I want a Goldwing. Any thoughts on what trike kits work well? Anything I need to look out for?

How do you adjust idle speed on a 1999 Goldwing 1500? The copied booklet I have is not very good. I would also like to get a good owners manual or even a service manual.

[skuuter]

There was an issue with the GL 1800's 01/02, but they were fixed by recall. I know cause I had one of them. Scary how they fixed it ... but very effective. Basically laid the bike on it's side and welded it up. Big bike to be laying down, but I looked at the weld pretty closely and it looked great. Mine never cracked but was one of those "prone" to cracking. The weld was prophylactic.

WOW.....the Local Dealer here completely stripped all of the Wings to the Bare Frame and welded Them (I had an '02 at the time, and it was stripped and fixed)....The Dealers were paid by Honda for many hours per Bike to compensate for this....."Somebody" made some real profit on Yours.......

[tinshield]

Congratulations and ride safe.

[FRR]

Well now I have a trike 1999 Goldwing SE with a Hannigan factory installed trike kit. It's like I need to learn to ride all over. I realized you must be careful pulling in for gas. I did not mess up but I came close.

You will be a happy person. There is no finer touring bike built than a Goldwing. And Hannigan is a top conversion kit. The first 500 miles will really be the learning experience. The most difficult thing to do is to get your mind right when it comes to the issue of leaning.. The first time you turn One Direction and lean the other direction your mind is telling you that "this is going to end badly". That's because with two wheeled motorcycles you lean and countersteer. Riding a trike is all about push and pull. You may want to buy a set of setbacks for the handlebars. They are only about $65-$70 and can be installed easily. The setbacks make it easier with the push and pull function. You will find that cornering with a trike is as easy as a two wheeler once you get used to it.

Best of luck and enjoy the ride.

[Marc H]

How do you adjust idle speed on a 1999 Goldwing 1500? The copied booklet I have is not very good. I would also like to get a good owners manual or even a service manual.

Open up the door to access the gas cap.There is a knob on the right side to adjust the idle speed.