Trike Conversion OR New From the Motor Company?

[Bigfoot21075]

Hi Everyone,

I was looking for advice on my first trike. I am looking at the New 2016 Tri Glide and noticed that for around the same price I can buy a new 2016 Ultra and a Motor Trike conversion with independent rear suspension and was wondering which one is better. Here is the kit I was looking at;

http://www.motortrike.com/trikeHarleyGladiator.aspx

I like the idea of the Harley Trike being built ground up by Harley and fully factory warranted - but the Motor Trike also has an associated warranty.

I welcome your thoughts!

Rob

[Gorilla]

Hi Everyone,

I was looking for advice on my first trike. I am looking at the New 2016 Tri Glide and noticed that for around the same price I can buy a new 2016 Ultra and a Motor Trike conversion with independent rear suspension and was wondering which one is better. Here is the kit I was looking at;

http://www.motortrike.com/trikeHarleyGladiator.aspx

I like the idea of the Harley Trike being built ground up by Harley and fully factory warranted - but the Motor Trike also has an associated warranty.

I welcome your thoughts!

Rob

Rob, Are you planning on doing the conversion yourself? I'm not sure if MT sells direct, someone else can answer that. Your comparison doesn't include labor if you are not doing the build. Several things to consider the MT if you build it will be well known to you. If you do go that route make sure you add the rake kit. I believe MT doesn't include one. The IRS will give you somewhat of a smoother ride. Enough to say no to the factory IMO no. On the curvey roads the factory will handle a LITTLE better.

If you are not a wrencher then the factory with the factory dealers is better for you because they are all around. If you have an issue with the MT part if you convert you would have to find a MT dealer.

Both will be a great trike for you. The choice will be what is more appealing to you and for what reason. The MT bottom line maybe 3 to 4 k higher in price after you add labor and trees.

Good Luck

[Bigfoot21075]

Rob, Are you planning on doing the conversion yourself? I'm not sure if MT sells direct, someone else can answer that. Your comparison doesn't include labor if you are not doing the build. Several things to consider the MT if you build it will be well known to you. If you do go that route make sure you add the rake kit. I believe MT doesn't include one. The IRS will give you somewhat of a smoother ride. Enough to say no to the factory IMO no. On the curvey roads the factory will handle a LITTLE better.

If you are not a wrencher then the factory with the factory dealers is better for you because they are all around. If you have an issue with the MT part if you convert you would have to find a MT dealer.

Both will be a great trike for you. The choice will be what is more appealing to you and for what reason. The MT bottom line maybe 3 to 4 k higher in price after you add labor and trees.

Good Luck

Ahh I missed that it did not include labor. I also see they do not sell to non-dealers. I sort of had the feeling that Harley would be pretty damn sound by now they have been making trikes for 84 years now. I am a good wrench, but I do not have the stamina for a long drawn out week of hard work without paying the price in back misery.

My plan is to get a new trike all said and done and buy a 30's or 40;s servicar basket case and let that satisfy my need to turn wrenches.

THANKS for the tips!

[Texan]

Hi Everyone,

I was looking for advice on my first trike. I am looking at the New 2016 Tri Glide and noticed that for around the same price I can buy a new 2016 Ultra and a Motor Trike conversion with independent rear suspension and was wondering which one is better. Here is the kit I was looking at;

http://www.motortrike.com/trikeHarleyGladiator.aspx

I like the idea of the Harley Trike being built ground up by Harley and fully factory warranted - but the Motor Trike also has an associated warranty.

I welcome your thoughts!Rob

Been down this road. By the time you add a reverser, triple tree to you Ultra you got just a little more in the Ultra. BUT go figure deprecation on a Harley Trike vs a conversion. Get the figures from KBB, and NADA then do the math. When I was figuring my '12 being converted and buying a '13 Tri-Glide I was loosing 4-6% on the Harey vs 24-28% on the conversion. Was a no brainer...bought the Tri-Glide.

Rode 3-4 conversions with the independent suspension, was NOT that impressed with IRS. But ya know, it kinda like wine, women and song...we all like different things.

On doing your own conversion. I talked to MT several times and they will NOT sell to you unless you're one of their certified installers. Has to do with the 3 yr warranty coverage. Kinda funny I talked to the only certified installer in my area and he'd NEVER converted a Harley. He wanted me to give him my Ultra, he'd take it to the factory, and learn how do convert Harleys. DUH!!!

8~\o

[J.T.M.]

As for me I went with the conversion. I looked at a triglide and could have traded for a new triglide cheaper than converting my ultra classic. I had a Hannigan Transformer kit installed and have no regrets. The irs, longer wheel base, wider rear, and larger trunk had a lot to do with my choice. I think it rides smoother and is more stable. Plus when I go through town people don't say there goes another triglide just like the others, my Transformer has a look all it's own. I wouldn't trade my 2010 Ultra Classic with a Hannigan Transformer kit for a new triglide. That is my 2 cents worth.

[Capt.Bob]

Check out which companies will insure your modified trike versus a factory built one from the MOCO. I have heard that the premiums are generally higher for converted trikes. Resale is definitely in the favor of the factory complete trike. Furthermore, I have heard that some Harley dealers will not work on triked two-wheelers because of a lack of comfort in understanding how things interact and which parts get handled by Harley and which by the conversion manufacturer. Seems like too much drama to me. Just my .02

[clint44]

If you absolutely have to have a warranty,then the Tri Glide might be the way to go. I do not believe the difference in resale value is that big a difference but it doesn't matter to me because I tend to keep my stuff for a long time. Sherry and I rode a new TriGlide and Freewheeler,before opting for the Hannigan conversion on our 3K mile Street Glide. A few things stand out to me:
(1) Neither one of us were impressed with the ride quality of a TG or FW, Both were terrible on bumpy roads. Ride quality on the Hannigan IRS is far superior, Handling in the twisties is pretty much a wash between the three,IMO,but the IRS swallows up bumpy corners.
(2) Our trike's Champion mechanical reverse is much better than H-D's problematic electric unit.
(3) The rear disc brakes on our Hannigan are much stronger and more linear than H-D's repair-prone units.
(4) I much prefer the lighter steering feel of our trike's HHI 5deg billet trees,compared to H-D's 3deg trees.
(5) The Hannigan trunk is larger than a TG or FW trunk. Still not big enough,though. We purchased a Bushtec trailer for longer rides.
(6) Hannigan uses Progressive Suspension gas shocks on the rear.

However,if I were starting again from scratch,I would almost certainly buy a used trike. Have seen some tremendous deals in our classifieds here.

[J.T.M.]

Advantages of a kit
1. I pay taxes on the bike, the trike kit is just an accessary
2. A kit is almost always different from any other trike around.
3. The Transformer like some of the others has a larger trunk.
4. An IRS rides smoother and handles curves better than a solid axle.
5. My insurance lists the conversion as an accessary that does not depreciate.
6. I have not seen a trike like mine but parked between two triglides that looked identical
7. The mechanical reverse is trouble free and should last as long as the trike plus is variable
8. With the Transformer I can have the tour pack or a cover that eliminates it.


Look at Clint 44's trike and mine they are the same kit.

[GARYD]

I have had a 2012 and a 2014 TG. Loved them both.

1. I agree an IRS is great on bad roads, but I don't ride on bad roads or very little so the thousands of $$$$ extra for one is not worth it to me.
2. I have never had a problem with the TG's reverse. I once had to back up about 75' - no problem.
3. Riding on the interstates there is no difference between the two.
4. Any Harley dealer will work on it.
5. I like the look of the TG, that's why I bought it. I don't want some other design - especially that one that looks like a pregnant egg.
6. Trunk is plenty big enough for me - 2 up maybe not.
7. I like the solid feel of the steering, I don't want a lighter feeling front end.
8. I think a factory trike will be a lot easier to sell then a fabricated one.
9. If you have a problem with the conversion, where is the closest dealer?
10. Finally, I guess I'd be a little worried if out on the road and I have a problem, will the Harley dealer work on it? That's a big deal for me. That's why I have a 7 year warranty(piece of mind). Can you buy a 7 year warranty on a conversion kit???


Good luck

[clint44]

I knew GaryD would respond to this thread. Dang,you are a crotchety old goat! Wish I could meet you,someday.

7 year warranty? You need an expensive piece of paper to give you peace of mind? Maybe you bought the wrong bike if you worry about its reliability that much.

Different strokes for different folks,, Just think,there probably wouldn't be a TrikeTalk,if it wasn't for conversions.
Zook might be selling life insurance,instead!

[J.T.M.]

At this time if I had to give up my pride and joy I would buy a GoldWing and take it straight to Hannigan for a conversion. I think the Goldwing is a better bike. Quieter, smoother, more comfortable. I own a Harley but have had goldwings. Now I have opened up another can of worms, is that going to get me banned from the forum? LOL!!

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Now I have opened up another can of worms, is that going to get me banned from the forum? LOL!!

Not a chance ... they keep me around and I don't own a trike anymore ... LOL ... anyway ... the OP was looking for info and he got plenty ... and that is a good thing.

Gotta love this site ... ask and you will receive

[1dn5up]

Tell ya what----- if HD offered IRS , i would be first on the trade in line. There sooooooo aniquated🙈

[GARYD]

I knew GaryD would respond to this thread. Dang,you are a crotchety old goat! Wish I could meet you,someday.

7 year warranty? You need an expensive piece of paper to give you peace of mind? Maybe you bought the wrong bike if you worry about its reliability that much.

Different strokes for different folks,, Just think,there probably wouldn't be a TrikeTalk,if it wasn't for conversions.
Zook might be selling life insurance,instead!

Well, he wanted comparisons so I gave him mine as you did. That's what a forum is suppose to be for, right?

After my 2003, 2010 Limited and my 2012 TG all had extensive problems, you bet I have a 7 year warranty. Thankfully I had the warranty on the Limited and TG. Saved a ton of money.
Yep, I get more and more crotchety every year - I deserve it.

[Gorilla]

This is why they say different strokes for different folks. Some like the HD some like the conversion. Whos right NEITHER its what makes you happy thats whats right for you. Both views survive.

[bikerbillone]

JTM, good post.

[clint44]

At this time if I had to give up my pride and joy I would buy a GoldWing and take it straight to Hannigan for a conversion. I think the Goldwing is a better bike. Quieter, smoother, more comfortable. I own a Harley but have had Goldwings. Now I have opened up another can of worms, is that going to get me banned from the forum? LOL!!

You know,J.T.,sometimes I've thought the same thing about a GW trike. But,I've thought the same thing about a BMW 1600GT.
Heck,what can I say,I like all kinds of trikes,now. Must be getting old.

[roadking2]

Not a big fan of straight axle or the electric reverse which seems to break down about as often as it works. I prefer IRS and the way more dependable mechanical reverse and I'm more than pleased with my Champion conversion. I tested all manner of trikes before I converted and in all honesty, the TriGlide was closer to the bottom of the list than it was to the top. The freewheeler wasn't out when I did mine, but I doubt I'd have an opinion much different from my opinion on the TriGlide. Converting also gave me a longer wheelbase than the Tri and way more trunk space. It's your dime. Spend it how you want. What are you riding now and why do you need to possibly convert a brand new bike? Can't you maybe do the bike you have or maybe a year old bike or something like that?

[Capt.Bob]

I don't understand why the electric reverse on the TGU is getting such a bad rap? Granted, mine is a 2016 TGU and has never given me a moments problem in the 6 months I have owned it and I do not hesitate to use it when I need it. It may be that the MOCO has modified the newer ones such that they are not problematic like some of the older ones? Then again, we don't know how much strain folks are putting on their TGU's treating the electric reverse maybe like it is simply a 7th gear only going in the other direction?

Roadking2, tell us how you really feel about the TGU. Capt.Bob without IRS

[frostbite51]

I'm surprised, with the rising popularity of trikes, that Honda doesn't have a three wheel Goldwing. Give it IRS and Honda reliability and I think you would see a lot of them on the road...