Factory Trike Verses Converted Trike

[mgwtrike]

With the introduction of more Company's getting into producing trikes of various configurations, do you feel "assembly" line trikes direct from a manufacture are better trikes when compared to two wheel after market converted bikes?

I can see there's advantages and disadvantage to both sides?

Converted trikes from two wheels there's choices in styles, but your taking a gamble picking the right conversion people do the work.

On a ready made trikes straight of the assembly line, warranty's cover the whole trike.

What your idea on this subject?

Can you see complete trikes assembled from the factory put the conversion people out of business?

[Dude]

I would think that a factory trike would be better just for the reasons that you brought up, warranty, design and consistency added with the fact that the goal from the start was to be a trike. I would like to see the options for different styles from the same trike designers that there are now but I don't have any issues with the way it is now other than the trike manufactures should monitor the shops that sell and install there conversion, not sure if they have to be licensed or anything like that to install their equipment but they should be if not and the trike companies should be willing to stand tall by that installer.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Me thinks this is as subjective as "Which Oil Should I use?"

- - - Updated - - -

Sorry ... Can't believe I opened that can of worms ...

[tfdeputydawg]

I'll take my Hannigan conversion over any "factory trike" available today. Tried the 2 factory trikes that were available prior to opting for the Hannigan.
Both rode much more "harsh" and one struggled to get out of it's own way.
Neither was, IMO, designed as good, nor showed the quality of the Wing with a Hannigan conversion!
Reliability of both the Wing and the Hannigan being what they are, meant warranty was of no concern!
IMO, the only way conversion companies will close their doors is if every popular make/model motorcycle becomes available as a "factory trike" and then they need to be IRS!!!!!

[paws]

OK - granted - I sure don't know about ALL the trikes in the world, but...just curious...

What other "factory-made" trikes, by major manufacturers, are out there right now besides the Harley Tri-Glide, the Spyder and the Sling-shot?

Thanks..

[ronc4424]

Harley Freewheeler.......FLRT

[JaysGone]

To me this is a non issue.
From dealer you have very limited factory built bikes.
Aftermarket the choices are many.
Most installers are fully backed by the respective kit maker plus most factory warrantees.

[mgwtrike]

Most installers are fully backed by the respective kit maker plus most factory warrantees.

But doesn't include the bike itself.........

[tfdeputydawg]

But doesn't include the bike itself.........

The bike does still have warranty. However, to temper that statement, coverage would be questionable if the failure mode was determined to be caused by the trike conversion being added.
For example, if there was a drive train component failure, most likely a warranty claim would be rejected by the bike manufacturer.
If a trike conversion manufacturer stepped up and offered a warranty, for a reasonable price, that covered the conversion + the drive train of the donor bike, I believe potential trike owners would beat a path to their door!!! Same goes for an installer business!

[3FOR2]

"What other "factory-made" trikes, by major manufacturers, are out there right now besides the Harley Tri-Glide, the Spyder and the Sling-shot?"

Boss Hoss, Rewaco.
I suppose you could also add Triumph/Motortrike. The Rocket III is sent direct to the Motortrike factory, triked, and then sent to Triumph dealers to sell, with full Triumph factory warranty.

All of them are different as day and night.

[Red Wing One]

The biggest advantage a manucturer of a complete trike may have over the Kit Manufacturers would be in the braking department.
They could engineer the brakes c\w ABS that should certainly be better than what's offered by the Kit Manufacturers.
That said, I wonder what the brakes are like on the Harley trikes?

[mgwtrike]

I feel with the population growing older, there will be more and more manufactures
offering a trike version including Honda.

Maybe not as Goldwing, but a reason for them to reinvent the Silverwing as a trike.

[FRR]

I'll take my Hannigan conversion over any "factory trike" available today. Tried the 2 factory trikes that were available prior to opting for the Hannigan.
Both rode much more "harsh" and one struggled to get out of it's own way.
Neither was, IMO, designed as good, nor showed the quality of the Wing with a Hannigan conversion!
Reliability of both the Wing and the Hannigan being what they are, meant warranty was of no concern!
IMO, the only way conversion companies will close their doors is if every popular make/model motorcycle becomes available as a "factory trike" and then they need to be IRS!!!!!

I'm with you 120%.

[Retired Army]

How bout we add something to the equation? What are the legal ramifications involved in operating a modified product? (This individual modified his motorcycle and hit my client's car, we are asking for $1,000,000.)

[mgwtrike]

How bout we add something to the equation? What are the legal ramifications involved in operating a modified product?

According to most insurance company's, nothing

[Sloride]

For me it came down to HD not making a Roadglide Trike. I prefer the Shark look and ride to the Batwing look and ride. So I bought a MT conversion

I am definitely a Harley Snob...But I do like the look of the MT Triumph trike...HMMMMMMM

[Lee H. Mann]

The biggest advantage a manucturer of a complete trike may have over the Kit Manufacturers would be in the braking department.
They could engineer the brakes c\w ABS that should certainly be better than what's offered by the Kit Manufacturers.
That said, I wonder what the brakes are like on the Harley trikes?

According to many on the forum, the 2009-2013 Tri Glide had poor brake life and poor performance. Harley changed the components.

[wobray]

According to many on the forum, the 2009-2013 Tri Glide had poor brake life and poor performance. Harley changed the components.

Yes, they changed IT after I sold the darn thing. Rode like a buckboard, would not get out it's own way without me spending 2K on it, then only marginally better.
MUCH prefer my goldwing trike !!!

[Retired Army]

How bout we add something to the equation? What are the legal ramifications involved in operating a modified product? (This individual modified his motorcycle and hit my client's car, we are asking for $1,000,000.)

Let me rephrase, Sir when you purchased your motorcycle did it come from the factory with linked brakes to improve stopping distance? Did adding a trike kit unlink the brakes and what did that do for stopping distance?

[ptgb]

A bit from Column A and bit from Column B, as there are no factory built Valkyrie trikes.

But, when we had it triked, took it to California Sidecar headquarters in Virginia and had it built by factory techs. Figured they had much more experience then a trike kit dealer.

Worked out great... never had a problem in the four years we have had it.