Hello from the Right Shore of Maryland

[Granpita]

In my dotage, I'm now considering a trike and am glad to have discovered this forum. I guess my first substantive question is: IRS or Fixed . . . or is that a Ford/Chevy question?

[Keystone]

Welcome to TT!

Yes, that is a Ford/Chevy/Dodge question. I happen to prefer a solid rear vs IRS. Others will tell you that they prefer the IRS.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Welcome to the Gang. Yep ... the axle type, kit, builder are all as subjective as the type of oil you will run (Tell me I didn't say that) ... Best advice is to do as many demo rides as you can, on as many different types of conversions you can get on. Maybe even try a HD Triglide or Freewheeler.

From there, get as much info as you can on the dealer/installer. The installer can make or break your experience with a trike.

Make sure you understand where the nearest warrantee place is. If you go with a dealer that is 200 miles away, it's kinda your problem if you need repair work and your responsibility to get it to the nearest warrantee place. Along with that, make sure you understand who is responsible for what. IE. If you get a Gold Wing trike, who is responsible for the bike part and who is responsible for the trike part. At one point in my journey to three wheels, I looked into a CSC conversion of a 15 GL1800 ... man I was really close to pulling the trigger. In the end I got nervous because my friends told me to be leery of warrantee on conversions. I've since learned from this forum, that it's not nearly the issue my friends thought it was. The trike dealer deals with the trike end and the bike dealer deals with the bike end. Anyway, my lack of experience and knowledge led me to a HD Tri ... no regrets, I love the trike. I'm just pointing out that your lack of experience/knowledge can affect your final decision in ways you don't even realize.

The above advice is all predicated on a bottomless pit of money to spend. Assuming that is true, do the demos, investigate, investigate ... then Investigate some more. After that, go with what your heart leads you to do.

If your like most of us, your budget will play a large part in this process. Just be aware of the fact you get what you pay for, or as my daddy used to say, "you buy a diamond ring for a dime, chances are you got a diamond not worth a nickel." Hope this helps.

[Ed Hobgood]

Welcome to Trike Talk, Glad to have you on board ride safe and have fun. And to answer your question.. like in the post above it's all who you ask.

[Recall]

Welcome to TT from WV. Fuzzy said it best.

[Lucky]

Welcome glad you joined us. Think you answered yo own ? FORDS OR DOGES.RIDE SAFE

[TouringOn2]

WELCOME to Trike Talk from Ohio. Be safe and enjoy the ride. Larry

[Gorilla]

welcome aboard. Please try and read as much as possible on this subject. A lot has been posted. Fuzzy touched on it. Good luck.

[wiredgeorge]

In my dotage, I'm now considering a trike and am glad to have discovered this forum. I guess my first substantive question is: IRS or Fixed . . . or is that a Ford/Chevy question?

Some solid axle conversions are MUCH more comfortable than others. Some ride nicely and others feel like you are riding on a jackhammer. You have to try them to compare. Ride more than one brand, in other words before choosing which suits you best. Most of the IRS suspensions are fine but some DO ride better than others due to longer wheel bases; this puts the pillion passenger back of the rear axle. Does make a difference. All conversions have suspension components and since they don't use the same ones in the same places they ride different; some better than others. TEST RIDE! You will find that a solid axle conversion from one manufacturer can ride and handle better than an IRS from another and vise versa.

[Granpita]

This forum is an excellent resource!

So far (and subject to change), my thinking would be a Tri Glide Ultra for a solid axle or a Roadsmith HDT Street Glide/Road Glide conversion for an IRS, '14 model year or later, because of the Rushmore stiffer forks, etc. Wonder if that really matters on a trike or if I'm overthinking it. In my mid-70's, I don't ride too hard anymore. Spent most of the last 50+ years on BMW's (R-Series) but my knees would no longer take that particular riding position so I switched to Harley after the '09 frame change and my knees have been much happier. I understand the Freewheeler is a different ride from the Tri Glide Ultra but I prefer a fairing to a windshield.

Test riding a Tri Glide Ultra is easy but finding a late model Roadsmith HDT to try is a bit more of a challenge.

Thank you for any observations you may have.

[wiredgeorge]

Might be able to point out a member willing to let you test ride but your signature says "church hill".

Ok there is a church hill in the following states: VA, MD, MS, PA, TN, TX, MT, GA, NC, KY and DE.

Might want to pin down that location some if you are serious about getting some help. hehe

[Granpita]

There may be something to that! My Church Hill is on the Eastern Shore of MD - about 45 minutes east of Annapolis.

[skuuter]

WELCOME to TRIKE TALK...Good Luck on Your Choice.....