How much difference is a "SOLID AXLE then a IRS trike

[Burnerboy]

What difference does it make when riding/comfort/smoothness??
Going Roadsmith conversion on my 2010 Goldwing...
The selling point was the IRS...So I went that route: Is the difference worth the money??????
Thanks all
Ronnie
Spfld. Mass.

[Jack Klarich]

What difference does it make when riding/comfort/smoothness??
Going Roadsmith conversion on my 2010 Goldwing...
The selling point was the IRS...So I went that route: Is the difference worth the money??????
Thanks all
Ronnie
Spfld. Mass.

Think this way solid u will feel every bump equal, IRS you will not the wheels will float like your cage does, only problem I see is checking A arms for torque

[Texan]

What difference does it make when riding/comfort/smoothness??
Going Roadsmith conversion on my 2010 Goldwing...
The selling point was the IRS...So I went that route: Is the difference worth the money??????
Thanks all
Ronnie
Spfld. Mass.

Guess I'm not understanding your question . You're asking if it's worth the extra $$$$ but then you indicate you've already gone the IRS route. Are you really asking did you waste your money on the IRS. The first thing I heard was you feel every bump...don't find that to be true at all. While at the Eureka Springs rally a year ago I heard a fellow tellling others that on a Harley TG you could run over a nickel in the road and tell if it was heads or tails. Then I found out he was a salesman for Hannigan. Think he might have been a little to bias in his remarks.

When I was looking to go with a trike I rode just about every flavor of conversion and solid axle trike there is. Me, I couldn't see that much difference in either one. Then I looked at the BIG factor....deprecation.

According to NADA and KBB.....conversion 24-28% a year.

Harley 4-8% a year.

No brainer, bought the TG.

8~\o

[mhgoldwing]

Think this way solid u will feel every bump equal, IRS you will not the wheels will float like your cage does, only problem I see is checking A arms for torque

I've put 50,000 miles on my Roadsmith and have yet to find the A arms. The only torque I've checked is the lug nuts.

I have found the trailing arm suspension and there is nothing to check.

It rides better than most with the 8" longer wheelbase and IRS.

Guess I'm not understanding your question . You're asking if it's worth the extra $$$$ but then you indicate you've already gone the IRS route. Are you really asking did you waste your money on the IRS. The first thing I heard was you feel every bump...don't find that to be true at all. While at the Eureka Springs rally a year ago I heard a fellow tellling others that on a Harley TG you could run over a nickel in the road and tell if it was heads or tails. Then I found out he was a salesman for Hannigan. Think he might have been a little to bias in his remarks.

When I was looking to go with a trike I rode just about every flavor of conversion and solid axle trike there is. Me, I couldn't see that much difference in either one. Then I looked at the BIG factor....deprecation.

According to NADA and KBB.....conversion 24-28% a year.

Harley 4-8% a year.

No brainer, bought the TG.

8~\o

Shows you what NADA and KBB know about Gold Wing trikes.

If you check the marketplace I think you will be hard pressed to show they lose that much value that quick.

[RoadKingTrike]

While working at the local HD dealer, I had many occasions to ride TriGlides. Had never been on a trike before, so I just thought "Jeez, this is like riding a rigid". But a couple of years back, I discovered that (for medical reasons) that it was go to a trike or quit riding. For a number of reasons, chief of which was ride quality, I chose to trike my RoadKing with a IRS MotorTrike conversion rather than buy a TG. I'm here to tell ya: There's a big difference in smoothness on bumpy roads ( the norm here in Ohio ).

[Papa Zook]

Guess I'm not understanding your question . You're asking if it's worth the extra $$$$ but then you indicate you've already gone the IRS route. Are you really asking did you waste your money on the IRS. The first thing I heard was you feel every bump...don't find that to be true at all. While at the Eureka Springs rally a year ago I heard a fellow tellling others that on a Harley TG you could run over a nickel in the road and tell if it was heads or tails. Then I found out he was a salesman for Hannigan. Think he might have been a little to bias in his remarks.

When I was looking to go with a trike I rode just about every flavor of conversion and solid axle trike there is. Me, I couldn't see that much difference in either one. Then I looked at the BIG factor....deprecation.

According to NADA and KBB.....conversion 24-28% a year.

Harley 4-8% a year.

No brainer, bought the TG.

8~\o

Not to be a smartass my friend, I respect your opinion, but I'm not sure I understand how a conversion loses 24-28% of value per year, in 4 years its worth zero? Anyhow, JMHO, but most of us don't invest our money in a trike expecting it to maintain its value, no more so than any vehicle, boat, car, truck, camper, etc.

We buy it as an investment in our happiness, health and sanity. We buy it because we want it, we like the way it looks, rides and makes us feel when we are on it and mostly because it is good therapy, it makes us and our wives feel safe while doing what we love to do. Thats the value in owning a trike.



As for the ride quality, passengers get the worst of it.

Like all solid axle trikes, the TriGlides with their no flex swing arm do have a harsher ride and throw the passenger around a lot more in bumps than independents do.

I've been building trikes for 10 years now, both solid and IRS and I talk to a lot of trike owners and this is the feedback I get.

[56Elwood]

My two cents here. Owner of a Hannigan Gen II with IRS and many time rider of HD Tri Glides. The IRS is absolutely the better setup. Here in Massachusetts we are blessed (cursed?) with some of the worst roads you can imagine so I get a lot of hard miles. The Harley with the solid axle rides about as good as a solid axle trike can ride IMO but it is a lot harsher than the IRS setup. I will say this about the Harley though, it seems like it steers "lighter" than my Hannigan. I'd say if you can afford the IRS setup definitely get it but having a solid axle wouldn't prevent me from buying say, the Harley or a deal that's too good to pass up.

[wobray]

yes, the IRS is so much better than the solid axel....Worth every penny!!!

[roadking2]

Before I converted, I test rode both solid and IRS trikes. Anyone that says a solid handles better or that it's just as smooth has never ridden a IRS trike. The IRS is most definitely smoother for both the rider and for the passenger. If there is a handling difference, you must need to be pushing your trike to the limits to even notice it because I sure didn't see any handling advantage to a solid.

[jaxbobg]

I've owned both solid and IRS axle trikes. I currently have a Roadsmith with IRS but really preferred the Hannigan IRS on my previous trike.

I've noticed the biggest difference on country roads where the back end of the solid axle trike felt like it was jumping into the air whenever one rear wheel hit a rock. Another difference I saw was riding the roads in North Carolina and Tennessee. On the twisties, the IRS trikes seemed to corner much easier than the solid axle.

Just my imagination? I don't know. In my experience, most people have preconceived notions and opinions and will argue their position regardless of fact.

By all means, go with whatever makes you feel good. You may change your mind tomorrow but today's choice is the one that moves you.

[MikeyTX]

What difference does it make when riding/comfort/smoothness??
Going Roadsmith conversion on my 2010 Goldwing...
The selling point was the IRS...So I went that route: Is the difference worth the money??????
Thanks all
Ronnie
Spfld. Mass.

Now you're asking ? In truth, Bazooka can explain it best seeing as how he does the installs.

Guess I'm not understanding your question . You're asking if it's worth the extra $$$$ but then you indicate you've already gone the IRS route. Are you really asking did you waste your money on the IRS. The first thing I heard was you feel every bump...don't find that to be true at all. While at the Eureka Springs rally a year ago I heard a fellow tellling others that on a Harley TG you could run over a nickel in the road and tell if it was heads or tails. Then I found out he was a salesman for Hannigan. Think he might have been a little to bias in his remarks.

When I was looking to go with a trike I rode just about every flavor of conversion and solid axle trike there is. Me, I couldn't see that much difference in either one. Then I looked at the BIG factor....deprecation.

According to NADA and KBB.....conversion 24-28% a year.

Harley 4-8% a year.

No brainer, bought the TG.

8~\o

This ! A factory built trike will give you more return for the dollar when the time comes to trade it. Now is the beam rear axle better than IRS ? Nope.

I keep hoping the mo-co will do it for the '18 MY.

If they don't, my '16 will probably be the last mc I ever buy.

[tfdeputydawg]

Guess I'm not understanding your question . You're asking if it's worth the extra $$$$ but then you indicate you've already gone the IRS route. Are you really asking did you waste your money on the IRS. The first thing I heard was you feel every bump...don't find that to be true at all. While at the Eureka Springs rally a year ago I heard a fellow tellling others that on a Harley TG you could run over a nickel in the road and tell if it was heads or tails. Then I found out he was a salesman for Hannigan. Think he might have been a little to bias in his remarks.

When I was looking to go with a trike I rode just about every flavor of conversion and solid axle trike there is. Me, I couldn't see that much difference in either one. Then I looked at the BIG factor....deprecation.

According to NADA and KBB.....conversion 24-28% a year.

Harley 4-8% a year.

No brainer, bought the TG.

8~\o

So, my 06Wing with a Hannigan conversion is basically worthless according to your figures

I totally disagree with that!
The reality today is a depressed/glutted market. Maybe that will change now that Hussein will be leaving office!!!!
Also, neither NADA nor KBB give much info nor are they accurate on what little info is given.
Both of these sources are not keeping up with what is really going on and are considerably high on the retail values listed.

Now for the OP's question on IRS vs, SA
IRS, especially those that lengthen the wheel base, will give a much smoother ride.
One will feel the road irregularities much more on SA than on a IRS.
Much has to do with the suspension design on each conversion.
Not much difference in the "ride" of IRS vs SA when both maintain the OEM wheelbase or close to it.
The passenger will notice a huge difference if the IRS conversion lengthens the wheel base, such as a Hannigan does.

[CrystalPistol]

I own a solid axle '97 GL1500 Lehman trike with 6 degree fork kit.

I've ridden newer SA Lehmans and Champions as well as IRS Lehman and Champions ..... both on nice smooth roadways and on some back roads with hard turns. I've pushed a couple at the dealer's suggestion.

With IRS, ride was smoother but the down side was in a hard left or right high speed sweeper the trike does lean out to the outside just like a car will .... which also leans the front tire out at the top .... and the steering got heavier even with rake kits. Get behind one on a spirited section and you can see it plainly leaning. The exception is when the trike has the aniti roll bar and it's set to firm ..... which reduces the lean .... but then it rides more like a SA as the rear wheels are tied together with a fat anti roll bar.

With SA, ride on some roads is not quite as smooth, but with a rigid swing arm the trike will not lean outwards in a hard corner except for the slight deformation of the outside tire due to weight shift and that's unavoidable other than pumping the tires up tighter which means zero lean, but harsh ride. A SA trike doesn't lean (well, I have seen MTs lean due to sloppy or worn ladder bar setups) out and neither does it's front wheel.



I've also seen more than just a few IRS trikes develop rear suspension wear / CV problems / tire wearing on inside bad issues.



I like our Lehman, it suits our roads. I like flat cornering. If I lived in Kansas I would be all about IRS on a trike .... but I don't. 90% of our group rides are sedate and no leaning is ever noted and these days, most trikes in our group are IRS. 10 years ago, most were SA.

You make your choice.

ps: mine also has 9" Ford drum rear brakes, I like them as well because they are simple, self energize, no dust, stay dry, and they work.

[gerald martin]

i bought my trike so I could feel the wind in my face and feel the road.I Don't mind a few bumps here and there

[MikeyTX]

If and when the factory air shocks on my trike let go,i f I am out of warranty, I will replace them with Progressive air shocks.

[FRR]

Guess I'm not understanding your question . You're asking if it's worth the extra $$$$ but then you indicate you've already gone the IRS route. Are you really asking did you waste your money on the IRS. The first thing I heard was you feel every bump...don't find that to be true at all. While at the Eureka Springs rally a year ago I heard a fellow tellling others that on a Harley TG you could run over a nickel in the road and tell if it was heads or tails. Then I found out he was a salesman for Hannigan. Think he might have been a little to bias in his remarks.

When I was looking to go with a trike I rode just about every flavor of conversion and solid axle trike there is. Me, I couldn't see that much difference in either one. Then I looked at the BIG factor....deprecation.

According to NADA and KBB.....conversion 24-28% a year.

Harley 4-8% a year.

No brainer, bought the TG.

8~\o

I think you are wrong on both figures. I've know several guys that traded their Triglides. One guy got 10 grand for 2010 that was purchased for 30 grand and ,of course, he had to put 10 grand in it to get adequate power. Another guy traded his 2014 for a 16 and lost 10 grand. That doesn't sound like 4 to 8 % a year.

[cjmitch]

What difference does it make when riding/comfort/smoothness??
Going Roadsmith conversion on my 2010 Goldwing...
The selling point was the IRS...So I went that route: Is the difference worth the money??????
Thanks all
Ronnie
Spfld. Mass.

In the trike world there are 2 extremes..
IRS, and solid Axle...
IRS will be a lot smoother in the rough areas and make your co rider a lot happier (assuming you go with a longer wheelbase model), Rs, Hannigan, etc..)
SA (solid axle) units will be harsher on rough roads, but will handle considerably better on the turns....

SA bikes add things like airbags, and progressive spring (softer) to cushion the ride, make it like independents
IRS bikes use torsion bars, and stiffer springs to make the handling like IRS bikes
Its like the two types of bikes are at the ends of a balance and they both want to get to the perfect bike, great handling, with smooth ride. they just go at it from different directions from differing starting points.

do you what you want....
Exceptional handling, with good ride
Exceptional ride with good handling...

this is basically your choice

[Bronson512]

...When I was looking to go with a trike I rode just about every flavor of conversion and solid axle trike there is. Me, I couldn't see that much difference in either one. Then I looked at the BIG factor....deprecation.

According to NADA and KBB.....conversion 24-28% a year.

Harley 4-8% a year.

No brainer, bought the TG.

8~\o

If I'm understanding the Harley market correct a dealer will charge you full MSRP for your bike/trike. A Gold Wing can be purchased under MSRP. If you compute resale from the full MSRP for the Gold Wing it's going to appear to have deprecated more.
I'm just thinking, what if as I have no idea how either NADA or Kelleys derive with their figures.

[Texan]

I think you are wrong on both figures. I've know several guys that traded their Triglides. One guy got 10 grand for 2010 that was purchased for 30 grand and ,of course, he had to put 10 grand in it to get adequate power. Another guy traded his 2014 for a 16 and lost 10 grand. That doesn't sound like 4 to 8 % a year.

I'm not talking one or two specific deals, I'm just referring to figures reflected by NADA and KBB. I can name you a couple real good steals over the past few years that would destroy their numbers. I picked up a '20 conversion back a couple years ago for less than $11,000.

Another thing I found interesting in doing my analysis was if you had an '09 Harley that you installed a 2014 conversion kit, Motortrike and a couple of the others consider this a '14. Go figure. That really screwed up the numbers. Me, I figure a "09 converted in '14 is still a '09.

8~\o

[Gorilla]

It's pretty hard to change the year on the title just because it had a conversion done to it. Those figures are gathered from dealers that report their sales. The title year is what is reported. Sales between individuals are not normally reported to KBB or NADA