If I Hated The Tri Glide, Would I Also Hate A Gold Wing Roadsmith?

[14TriGlider]

Yep, I pretty much hated the Tri Glide all the time. The only exception was cruising down the Interstate. The problem is there are no straight roads around here and even after installing a wider handlebar for more leverage, I hated my favorite stretch of motorcycling road, Gatlinburg to Cherokee through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The steering effort was just too much to be called fun.

My question is would I end up hating a new Roadsmith conversion on a newer or held over wing or does the wing steer so much easier that I would end up enjoying it?

The best I've tried so far was a demo on a a Triumph Rocket III Motor Trike conversion. It really had nice steering ... Just didn't like all the heat that 2300cc motor could throw at you.

I also liked a demo of the Can Am Spyder F3-T but my better half didn't like it at all.

TIA for any ideas on this subject you may have.

[Gorilla]

If the Honda has a rake kit on it with a conversion it will steer nice and easy. You could of also changed to 6 degree rake on the TRI and got a easier ride. Not many do that though. Good luck in your search

[Gold Rush]

Howdy Steve. I can tell you the Roadsmith HTS1800 with HD performance sway bar and adjustable suspension do NOT handle hard cornering as well as the Motor Trike Adventure I had on my 2006 GL1800. Combination of shorter wheel base and different rear suspension dynamics makes a difference. That is the only thing I do wish the Roadsmith did better!! In every other area I'd say is pretty much is perfect to me.

[Marc H]

Like has been said the rake will make it easier.The Roadsmith being one of the longer models I would say a 6 dergree.If you want to try a raked 1500 wing we can take a short ride with you on mine but its a Champion straight axle and will be different from the 1800 Roadsmith your asking about.

[DJFaninTN]

for riding two up instead of the F3 from Can Am go try the RT. two totally different rydes but they are both fun.

if she seems to like the RT then add on some passenger arm rest and she will really like it. my wife enjoys it so much she has been known to nod off from time to time. you can also add a trailer hitch on the RT and pull a trailer and it will not void your warranty. we can easily cover 500 miles in a day without feeling like we've been wresting with a bear.

[tfdeputydawg]

You really should try a Wing with a Hannigan conversion(extended wheel base, IRS, wide stance) with a 6 degree rake kit.
I was in the Deal's Gap area and all over the Smoky's on mine, many times and loved it!!!!!

[ride3]

Test drive everything you can get your hands on. See what fits you

[bikerbillone]

Howdy Steve. I can tell you the Roadsmith HTS1800 with HD performance sway bar and adjustable suspension do NOT handle hard cornering as well as the Motor Trike Adventure I had on my 2006 GL1800. Combination of shorter wheel base and different rear suspension dynamics makes a difference. That is the only thing I do wish the Roadsmith did better!! In every other area I'd say is pretty much is perfect to me.

Agree with Gold, RS is bullet proof, you can ride it like your stole it, but it will work you in the twisties. If you can afford the thing, the Spyder RT will handle better, in my opinion; get the 2015, or 16 model year. Not sure if the 17' are out yet.

[14TriGlider]

... we can easily cover 500 miles in a day without feeling like we've been wrestling with a bear.

That's the best description of how I felt after a day out on the Tri Glide, "Wrestling with a bear"!

I'll have to give the Spyder RT a try. I've sat on them at the dealer and just didn't feel real comfortable. The F3-T made me feel great but maybe my wife will feel more comfortable on the RT. I really like the power steering on the Spyders.

Thanks Gold and Bikerbillone ... I think I'll cross off the Roadsmith and try to demo a Motor Trike. And thanks tfdeputydawg ... I'll be putting the Hannigan on my demo list.

Gorilla ... Any idea why the 6 degree is not popular on the Tri?

Thanks all for your input.

Steve

[Gorilla]

Most people (myself included) are satisfied with the 4.5 degrees the factory uses. I do also have the DK lift kit which also helped slightly.

I have ridden over 100k on HD trikes with that amount of rake and am very comfortable with it. I do a lot of mountain riding besides just the miles to get to a destination. I'm 69 YOA 5'9 and 220 lbs. In good health accept for arthritis in the wrists. I have Heli-Bars and have them adjusted for my hands. I have a HD Zeppelin seat covered with Sheepskin. I can ride all day and I feel fine at the end of the day. It took me a couple of years of thrying out different stuff to find out what worked best for me.

[DJFaninTN]

one of the main differences between the F3 & the RT is .... on the RT you almost feel like you are sitting ON the bike. on the F3 you feel like you are sitting IN the bike. it has a lower center of gravity. you can adjust the foot pegs and grips on the F3. on the RT you can get the tri axis handlebars that can be adjusted. you can always add foot pegs but I do suggest the running boards. check out the RT Limited.

not sure my wife would be up for touring on an F3 because she likes the room on the rear plus all the extra added storage you get on the RT. as stated before both bikes are rated for pulling a trailer and you'll never know it's back there.

as far as being smooth and running through all the curvy roads where you live, i can promise you the Spyder will leave any other trike in the dust. just wait till you get caught in the rain and then you'll really see a difference in the two wheels upfront.

it may take you about 500 miles or so to get used to the reverse idea but once you get real comfortable, i have yet to meet someone in person who decided to go back.

YMMV

i was curious as to what your wife did not like about the passenger position on the F3?

That's the best description of how I felt after a day out on the Tri Glide, "Wrestling with a bear"!

I'll have to give the Spyder RT a try. I've sat on them at the dealer and just didn't feel real comfortable. The F3-T made me feel great but maybe my wife will feel more comfortable on the RT. I really like the power steering on the Spyders.

Thanks Gold and Bikerbillone ... I think I'll cross off the Roadsmith and try to demo a Motor Trike. And thanks tfdeputydawg ... I'll be putting the Hannigan on my demo list.

Gorilla ... Any idea why the 6 degree is not popular on the Tri?

Thanks all for your input.

Steve

[14TriGlider]

...

i was curious as to what your wife did not like about the passenger position on the F3?

She actually liked the seating and leg positions on the F3. She just felt like the turns jerked her around a bit more sitting on that single rear tire than the Tri Glide did. We had the lift kit on the Tri also and she was quite happy with her ride on it.

[Skeet7373]

I also owned a 2012 TG for 3.5 years. And yes it was like wrestling a bear all the time. The HD conversions do get a rake kit. If you want to stay with the HD then contact dealers that build the HD in a kit trike. The steering on myHonda MT is so much easier than the HD. I have only owned it less than a year and its still taking me some time to acclimated to the Honda and the rake on the trike. I can go riding all day and not be worn out as I always was riding the HD. Many times I would hurry home on the interstate or the Natchez trace (40-50 mph only) to just get my tired old body home. I also had a love hate relationship with the Tri Glide, the heat was the biggest issue and then the steering and finally the straight axle. My Honda is smooth, easy to handle and I feel good when I get home

Karen

[Strodder]

Like has been said the rake will make it easier.The Roadsmith being one of the longer models I would say a 6 dergree.If you want to try a raked 1500 wing we can take a short ride with you on mine but its a Champion straight axle and will be different from the 1800 Roadsmith your asking about.

Champion does have a independent suspension for GW and HD's.

[Skeet7373]

Any updates? Did you find a GL trike you liked? I am in Dickson, TN, if you are in Nashville, or Franklin, I would be happy to meet you there to ride my Motor Trike.

[14TriGlider]

Any updates? Did you find a GL trike you liked? I am in Dickson, TN, if you are in Nashville, or Franklin, I would be happy to meet you there to ride my Motor Trike.

Sorry for the delayed response. We've been out riding and enjoying this great fall weather! We're not in a big hurry to find a trike. Still doing fine on two wheels so just taking our time looking at trikes. We used to use the trike as an exploration vehicle and I do miss that. When we see a road heading sharply up hill, I used to take them on the trike because it was so easy to stop and turn around if the road quickly narrows and turns to bumpy gravel. Now, I find myself skipping these roads too often.

[Grandpa1]

I didn't see anyone mentioning the California Side Car Kit.
I bought a new 2012 Wing with the Viper Kit on it and it has a 6 degree rake.
Only trike I ever rode and it steers easy and rides very nice.
Wife and I love it.
They have a 5 year warranty now, Might consider one of them.

Good luck!

[3-togo]

Yep, I pretty much hated the Tri Glide all the time. The only exception was cruising down the Interstate. The problem is there are no straight roads around here and even after installing a wider handlebar for more leverage, I hated my favorite stretch of motorcycling road, Gatlinburg to Cherokee through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The steering effort was just too much to be called fun.

My question is would I end up hating a new Roadsmith conversion on a newer or held over wing or does the wing steer so much easier that I would end up enjoying it?

The best I've tried so far was a demo on a a Triumph Rocket III Motor Trike conversion. It really had nice steering ... Just didn't like all the heat that 2300cc motor could throw at you.

I also liked a demo of the Can Am Spyder F3-T but my better half didn't like it at all.

TIA for any ideas on this subject you may have.

Hello,

try the RTL model. Most women I've talked to love the Spyder RTL.

Pete

[Strodder]

I test road my friends CSC Trike and didn't like it. It felt like you were thrown side to side when hitting bumps and ruts. I know the wife wouldn't like that. Besides I didn't like the suspension design. And one big reason I wouldn't buy a SCS Trike Conversion is they won't let you install it yourself. All the conversion kits available won't let you install it. You have to be factory trained, have $1,000,000 liability insurance, and be a selling dealer. Champion and Leman are the only ones that will let you install it. I am a ex M/C mechanic and Auto mechanic for over 50 years. So I'm capable to do the job, but not everybody is.

Here's what the CSC suspension looks like.

[hogcowboy]

Has any of the boycotting hurt the NFL or any team? I have no idea cause I stopped watching the high paid idiots years ago. So don't think my continued not watching really does a thing. But I do not watch that shyt or NASCAR and those high paid turn left dummies.