Suzuki C-50 Trike

[oldnewby]

I am giving serious consideration to buying a 2005 C-50 with a Lehman kit. it seems like a decent decent price less than 10K$. Anybody have experience with this kind of trike? Please let me know the drawbacks. I am looking at it as a first trike just to see if I want to pursue something bigger. will be doing the work commute on it if I buy.

Old Newby

 

[kj5ix]

Under powered, and the front end shakes between 30 and 55 badly if the so-called damper isn't set just right, and the trunk is a joke, and rides like a 1940 dump truck. A guy here that had one, couldn't get rid of it fast enough. He went straight to a newer Goldwing.

Remember you asked.

 

[Papa Zook]

Go ahead and tell him how you really feel George..

 

[kj5ix]

I get asked all of the time what the difference is in ride and feel of the various Trikes, and bikes that I come in contact with, and most of the time just have to say; If I were blind folded, and had on ear muffs I cant tell which is which except on a Harley the vibration gives it away I rode the Jackal, and Tramp ( the Leahman version of a Suzuki Trike ) The C-90 version was ok in the power area not great but ok. the C-50 a total waist of a good cruiser bike..... Now this is only how I feel about the C-50. I also think that Leahman and other manufactures totally ignored a segment of bikes that would have lined their pockets, which is the C-90/1500 Intruder as a bike market. I get calls all of the time on that bike. Leahmans mistake was making it "Factory Only" Which meant the Intruder 1500 was left out.

OOPS I'm on a box,,, better get off

 

[Susie]

Guess that pretty much answer the questions I had... wanted to put a trike kit on my suzuki C50 mmmmmmmmmmmm no more maybe!

 

[Stephen]

I get asked all of the time what the difference is in ride and feel of the various Trikes, and bikes that I come in contact with, and most of the time just have to say; If I were blind folded, and had on ear muffs I cant tell which is which except on a Harley the vibration gives it away I rode the Jackal, and Tramp ( the Leahman version of a Suzuki Trike ) The C-90 version was ok in the power area not great but ok. the C-50 a total waist of a good cruiser bike..... Now this is only how I feel about the C-50. I also think that Leahman and other manufactures totally ignored a segment of bikes that would have lined their pockets, which is the C-90/1500 Intruder as a bike market. I get calls all of the time on that bike. Leahmans mistake was making it "Factory Only" Which meant the Intruder 1500 was left out.

OOPS I'm on a box,,, better get off

Thought about buying a tramp... when I found out I couldn't get more than a 100 miles on a tank a gas I dumped the idea + not much HP.

 

[ronchi]

try to ride first,maybe 25 miles on mixed roads. SEE HOW IT FEELS TO YOU !! everybody likes different things. weigh pros & cons ! then make a decision.suzuki makes a good bike.

 

[tharris811]

The c50 is a good bike .. But we have traded for a couple of them as a trike they do not have enough power to get out of their on way.. look at a bigger bike

 

[spiritdream]

I have an 07 Suzuki C50/Lehman, bought brand new in 07. It's not a bad "starter" trike, but comfort depends on your size, how/where you ride, etc. I went with the C50 for the same reason as you - to "try" triking before investing a lot of money. I have now spent 3 seasons wishing I'd gone with the C90. I ride highway to work (49 miles each way), and I can feel mine sluggish at times. I can keep up with almost everything I'm around, but it does feel like a struggle at times, almost like it wishes there was a 6th gear. Here in New England - pot hole heaven! - the straight axle is a bit rough too. I'm about 150lbs, 5'5", so it fit & general comfort were fine for me (I did add risers, although I rode them one season without & I was ok)

There is a low speed head wobble, but mine goes away at about 30+. Until about a year ago, only the C90 had a damper, to the best of my knowledge (and I had called various Lehman dealers to ask). And reverse for this trike is not an option from any manufacturer, period.

The trunk? Yes, definitely a joke! Weird V-shaped opening makes it difficult to put much of anything into it, although I HAVE managed small groceries etc, when necessary. I've even managed to put an overnight bag into it. Unless you only wear a beanie, you won't be putting a helmet into it, that's for sure!

Overall, I enjoy my trike but I can tell you in all honesty that as soon as I can find some money, I'm DEFINITELY "movin' on up"!! I should probably mention that this is my first bike/trike - I rode as a passenger a couple of times in my teens, and nothing until 2006 MSF course (I'm 50+ now).

 

[Yogisan]

I started with a 2007 Suzuki C90 Lehman Jackal because I felt the C50 was too small. The Jackal is comfortable, has good power for passenger plus packing, big trunk (5 cu ft), handles well, gas mileage around 34 mpg average (with passenger). Drawbacks - gas tank is 3.7 gal. which got me around 105 miles per fill-up. I added a 2.5 gal aux tank to ride farther between fill-ups. Since buying it I've also added a Speedohealer, tach/riser combo, raked triple tree, GPS and am in the process of adding a J&M CB/audio system and aux fuse panel. My add-ons come up to just about $3200. The new price was around $ 22K so I've got a bit more than $25K invested. Just rolled over 18K miles with no complaints. You can spend much more for a Tri-glide or Goldwing and have just as much fun as you can on the Jackal.

 

[Comanche]

I had a C50T motorcycle and loved it. Lost it when a deer hit me. Bought a Goldwing Trike and love that. Could never understand why the C90 was built with such a small tank capacity. the C50 has a half gallon more storage.

 

[Beeper]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>Comanche</strong>
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<div class="message">I had a C50T motorcycle and loved it. Lost it when a deer hit me. Bought a Goldwing Trike and love that. Could never understand why the C90 was built with such a small tank capacity. the C50 has a half gallon more storage.</div>

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</div>Hi Comanche,<br />
<br />
Did you use a dealership in Texas for your C50?<br />
<br />
Thanks,<br />
Beeper

 

[skuuter]

I have Personal Favorites in Trikes also, I'm ridin' it......."BUT"........don't jump off the "C50 Trike Train" until "YOU" have tried one out. "SOMEONE" has to like Every Trike out there or we would All be ridin' the Only One made. I've ridden several other Trikes that I enjoy ridin' a lot. I take my Wife's Honda Aero 750 out for a spin sometimes, and have a Lota' Fun with it...ThumbUp

That's one of the many Great Things about TRIKE TALK.com...Lotsa' Info and Opinions, but take all of it, and form Your own opinion of a Particular Trike.....GOOD LUCK in Your Quest.....:wtg:

 

[Lee H. Mann]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>spiritdream</strong>
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<div class="message"> I have an 07 Suzuki C50/Lehman, bought brand new in 07. It's not a bad "starter" trike, but comfort depends on your size, how/where you ride, etc. I went with the C50 for the same reason as you - to "try" triking before investing a lot of money. I have now spent 3 seasons wishing I'd gone with the C90. I ride highway to work (49 miles each way), and I can feel mine sluggish at times. I can keep up with almost everything I'm around, but it does feel like a struggle at times, almost like it wishes there was a 6th gear. Here in New England - pot hole heaven! - the straight axle is a bit rough too. I'm about 150lbs, 5'5", so it fit & general comfort were fine for me (I did add risers, although I rode them one season without & I was ok)<br />
<br />
There is a low speed head wobble, but mine goes away at about 30+. Until about a year ago, only the C90 had a damper, to the best of my knowledge (and I had called various Lehman dealers to ask).

And reverse for this trike is not an option from any manufacturer, period. <img src="images/smilies/frown.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Frown" class="inlineimg" /><br />
<br />
The trunk? Yes, definitely a joke! Weird V-shaped opening makes it difficult to put much of anything into it, although I HAVE managed small groceries etc, when necessary. I've even managed to put an overnight bag into it. Unless you only wear a beanie, you won't be putting a helmet into it, that's for sure!<br />
<br />
<font color="Red">Overall, I enjoy my trike but I can tell you in all honesty that as soon as I can find some money, I'm DEFINITELY "movin' on up"!! I should probably mention that this is my first bike/trike - I rode as a passenger a couple of times in my teens, and nothing until 2006 MSF course (I'm 50+ now). <font color="Black">[/</font></font><font color="Black">QUOTE] </font></div>

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</div>The Lehman Tramp was, and still is, the most popular STARTER TRIKE in the industry. Most people cannot put 30K plus together for their first trike, and they may not like a trike after all is said and done. <br />
<br />
It has been a good seller, just like the Sportster for Harley-Davidson.

<br />
Jim

 

[spiritdream]

Hi Jim! Yes, the Tramp most definitely is a great starter trike, and depending on distance/roads it's a great commuter as well (although in all honesty I don't like the trunk opening at all!!). Not knowing that rider's experience level, I just wanted to give him an honest opinion of what to expect - I believe an experienced rider might find it lacking a bit, that's all.

Personally, I thank Lehman for offering the Tramp - it's great to have an option to begin the "trike experience" without laying out 30K+ first!!

 

[bdn56]

I had an 03 Anniversary model Suzuki 800. I think it is the same as the C-50.<br />
I thought it was a great bike. Plenty of power, handled good and very low maintenance.<br />
What is the difference between adding the conversion or riding with a 185 lb passenger?<br />
Is the conversion so much heavier?<br />
<br />
I think I only paid around $5000 for the bike. Had it for a while until my wife sat on an Ultra Classic. <br />
All the models of trikes have some little behaviors which we could do with out.<br />
Once again, we see how important it is to ensure the installer did his job. Some do and some don't.<br />
<br />
Am I writing a book?:blahblah::blahblah:

 

[RCAF]

my friend has a C50 09 Lehman tramp i put a K&N Filter on change a 15/20 oil & she keep up with my 1400 Trike her range is good too the trike is not as good as the Lehman hobo was but she still packs a lot you can get a reverse but it's an import kit that works of the drive unit not the starter..

 

[Hunter1]

Hmmmmm, lots of different opinions here but thats what forums are all about. I`m looking at buying an 03 Lehman Gypsy. I think it`s about the same as the Tramp. Buying it for my wife, we don`t cross country tour, we go down to the hill country and cruise back roads. A 200 mile day would be a long one for us, we have never had a trike and it looks like just to get your feet wet the tramp is a good starter. I know it`s not loaded with storage or horsepower but it`s not going to cost 25 grand either.

 

[Nana]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>Hunter1</strong>
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<div class="message">Hmmmmm, lots of different opinions here but thats what forums are all about. I`m looking at buying an 03 Lehman Gypsy. I think it`s about the same as the Tramp. Buying it for my wife, we don`t cross country tour, we go down to the hill country and cruise back roads. A 200 mile day would be a long one for us, we have never had a trike and it looks like just to get your feet wet the tramp is a good starter. I know it`s not loaded with storage or horsepower but it`s not going to cost 25 grand either.</div>

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</div>Welcome to TrikeTalk, Hunter! For the style of riding you describe, I thing the trike you are considering would work well for your wife, especially if she mainly rides solo. It certainly would be a great way for her to try out triking. If she finds out she loves it and wants something bigger/more powerful, you can always move her up at that point.

 

[John Luciano]

Go for it . Life is too short to ponder,and over think stuff. Jump in and start TriKing. The 750 would be great. The American public is too stuck up on Horse power. I bought a 250 cc Chinese motorcycle. I find it has enough power to do anything I want to do. There for that 750cc will fill your needs. We have a guy and his wife here in town that have just that trike . They are not little people, 500 lb total weight two up.

The trike stays with us with no problem. One thing , thinking that because it is a 750 it will be so much cheaper than anything else might be misleading. The kit is the same $ . The bike may be less expensive..<br />
Looking for a good used Trike may be more rewarding. We just sold a beautiful low mileage (11,000 miles ) 2002 Goldwing $23,000 and that included a trailer that you could sell for $2,000 .Check the FOR SALE section on this forum. My friend 70 years young ,5'1" , 140 lb woman , handled the 2002 wing no problem.