Trying to decide on what bike to buy to trike

[56chevy]

My friends all have Honda trikes, but I like the looks of a Yamaha. Thinking about 2005 maybe to 2007. What model would be the best to buy. Would consider older models. Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[Ezjerry]

trike

I think you would be better off to buy already built trike. You may like the looks of a Yamaha but the ride of Goldwing will be a lot better. IMHO
Every body likes different things good luck on what ever you do.

 

[dbruce56]

The Road Star makes into a good trike. A bit more on the austere side no reverse, built in stereo or bells & whistles the fancier bikes have. I like mine, rides nice and comfortably for me. Carbed till 07, FI after. That said ride a few different trikes and find what you like.

 

[cavie]

Buy a wing or a triglide and you'll have Just another trike. Kinda like buying a black Harley. Just another motorcycle. Put on a black shirt and your just another one of them.

Trike the bike of your liking and you have just that. What you like. Not what everybody else likes.When somebody says nice bike you'll like it more cause they mean it.

 

[Oldmsocko]

Just my opinion. I have an 09 TG and love it. I don't much care whether other folks like it. I do and that is all that matters.

 

[Papa Zook]

The Honda VTX 1800 and VTX 1300 make a good trike and there are lots of them to be had at a good price. Same with the Yamaha Road Stars. If you are budget conscious and still want a super dependable trike with plenty of power Id look hard at these. If you plan on long trips two up, stick with the VTX 1800 or a Road Star. I will make you a fantastic deal on a Champion kit that you can self install or I will install for you. You'll be in the trike at a good price. PM me if you want more details.

 

[schiel1]

CSC conversion on an Indian is my favorite.
http://californiasidecar.com/index.php/trikes/show/arrow

I did own a 2004 1100 Yamaha classic but I will never get a bike that has carbs again. I like simple...

 

[Midnightour]

Venture

My friends all have Honda trikes, but I like the looks of a Yamaha. Thinking about 2005 maybe to 2007. What model would be the best to buy. Would consider older models. Thanks in advance for the help.

I miss my Venture, I have a Goldwing CSC, great power, charging sytem and fuel injected beat the Venture. The seating position ergonomics I miss, controls were easier, more of a motorcycle feel and the wind buffeting on my wife is worse on the GW but she does like the arm rests.

I considered Hannigan trike on the Venture great look at least for me and reliability equal never had one issue with my Venture but with all my riding being 2 up pulling a trailer and already having reverse the Goldwing is a better choice and they are plentiful if your buying used.

 

[Big Juice]

Everyone to his own and that is a decision you must make. I love everything about my Yamaha Stratoliner trike, but that is me and the bike was my custom 2wheeler before converting it to a trike. The Goldwing will make a "nicer" trike with all the bells and whistles, but it didn't work for me and I'm just not one of the crowd.

 

[56chevy]

Thanks for all the replies

Buy a wing or a triglide and you'll have Just another trike. Kinda like buying a black Harley. Just another motorcycle. Put on a black shirt and your just another one of them.

Trike the bike of your liking and you have just that. What you like. Not what everybody else likes.When somebody says nice bike you'll like it more cause they mean it.

I think I like the Honda Valkyrie Interstate. So many possibilities to customize. I agree I do not want just another trike.

 

[schiel1]

But for the Goldwing you'll have a bike that is dependable and will last. As for me that trumps style anyday

 

[werewolf]

I'm gonna go with the big guy on this one, get a vtx1800 and trike it.
They ride a heck of a lot smoother than my Roadstar.

The OLD Valkyrie is better than both, but is harder on gas mileage, eating tires (two wheel version) and the six carbs need synched once in a while.

 

[Hummingbird]

I've had 4 Honda trikes - 2 of them were 1500's and the last 2 were 1800's
(2007 & 2008) both of which were level 4 bikes.
One of the 1800's had a straight axle kit, rode like a truck. The other one had a independant suspension and was on top regarding ride.
When I saw a 2009 Venture with a Hannigan kit for sale I took a 10 minute test ride and gave the po a handful of cash and rode it 4 hours home with my wife in hot persuit.
Granted the Venture do not have injection, does not have the horsepower of the Wing but it does ride (to me) better than any stock seated bike out there. I'm too old to get in a hurry so the lack of hp doesn't mean anything to me but I do like the style of the Venture.
Usually you have to make 2 people happy when purchasing a bike and as long as I don't hear grumbling in the intercom I tickled to death with our Venture w/Hannigan kit.

 

[alwrmcusn]

2009 RSV with Hannigan conversion. Smooth, plenty of power for the mountains in my area (east TN/NC/GA). Hannah and I don't need 120 mph top end. It cruises at 70-75 with ease, luggage space for long weekends. With the aux tank we easily do 250+ between fill-ups (we do stop a bit more often than that however). Handles good, tracks great on the curvies such as the Dragon, Snake and DT. The carbs don't bother me...the trike (Big Red) just rolls right along. Letting the trike warm up the carbs while I put on helmet and gloves works just find. The slight extra wheel base on the Hannigan conversion and the extra rear axle width aids in ride comfort and cornering.
But, you decide what you want and what works for you and your passenger and enjoy whatever you decide on. ThumbUp

 

[Dirtydan]

Go with what you like. I went with the Victory because that's what I like. I looked at buying one already completed and just couldn't afford it and didn't want to finance it. So I'm building mine. Have deals popped up since then and I could have bought one cheaper or for at least what I have into my conversion? Yes. But would they be as trick and as nice as what I'm building? No. Plus I will know every nut, bolt, wire and assembly on my trike. And I'll have a sweet ride that's cooler than anything I could have bought.

Just my 2 cents. Follow your heart and use common sense. Don't let yourself be talked into anything by a salesman. Do your research and ask questions. You'll do fine.

 

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Go with what you like. I went with the Victory because that's what I like. I looked at buying one already completed and just couldn't afford it and didn't want to finance it. So I'm building mine. Have deals popped up since then and I could have bought one cheaper or for at least what I have into my conversion? Yes. But would they be as trick and as nice as what I'm building? No. Plus I will know every nut, bolt, wire and assembly on my trike. And I'll have a sweet ride that's cooler than anything I could have bought.

Just my 2 cents. Follow your heart and use common sense. Don't let yourself be talked into anything by a salesman. Do your research and ask questions. You'll do fine.

First off ... go with what sings to your heart.

Secondly ... if you are mechanically able to build your own, I highly recommend that route. Like everything, build it yourself and two things happen. You will know every inch of it and never be "taken" by repair shops again. Next, you will have that sense of pride in building your own.

Having said that, I'm guessing most trike riders out there simply do not posses the confidence in their ability to even consider building their own. I think a lot of people who don't think they could ... actually could ... maybe I'm wrong.

If you fall in that category of not building your own, research, research, research ... builders. A good builder will make or break a trike conversion. And ultimately, your happiness factor after the build.

 

[jjvw]

We choose the champion kit because we already had a roadstar. It shorter and turns sharper than longer ones. I tried a honda and it rode better but I like the feel of our roadstar. Building it ourselves was not only cheaper, it allowed us to know when something goes wrong and how to fix it.

 

[DblTrbl]

"If you fall in that category of not building your own, research, research, research ... builders. A good builder will make or break a trike conversion. And ultimately, your happiness factor after the build. "

Man O Man, can I second that statement!! Yes, choose your builder carefully and stay on top of what they are doing. A good builder will keep you in the loop.

Aside from that, I would also recommend Yamaha Venture with Hannigan conversion.......just my opinion

 

[Ragtop69gs]

We love our '08 RSV Hannigan, it rides great and has plenty power to haul a camper. Granted it will not keep up with a wing pulling a grade with trailer in tow, but it does the job nicely without the tupperware.

 

[DblTrbl]

"If you fall in that category of not building your own, research, research, research ... builders. A good builder will make or break a trike conversion. And ultimately, your happiness factor after the build. "

Man O Man, can I second that statement!! Yes, choose your builder carefully and stay on top of what they are doing. A good builder will keep you in the loop.

Aside from that, I would also recommend Yamaha Venture with Hannigan conversion.......just my opinion

Estimated time of completion (this time) is 10 April 2016.....not holding my breath!!