Need help on what to look for in a goldwing trike.

[ralphz]

Hi, am wanting to buy a honda goldwing trike and need advice on what to look for. Do i look for a fixed axle, reverse, what make of trike kit and everything else you wanted to ask before you guys and gals bought your first trike but forgot to ask or didnt know to ask. I really would appreciate any and all help I can get. Thanks in advance for all your help, Ralph.

[LadyonaMission]

I can't help you, but I can offer you a big Texas welcome. I suggest that you test ride several before you make a final decision.

[rhino 2]

Ralph......Welcome To Trike Talk.......

If it were me i would get independent rear suspension and absolutely a reverse...

[radismukes]

from South Texas

[paws]

You will get LOTS of differing opinions on kits...so get ready.

I would tell you to make sure you give it a good test ride, whatever kit it is, as that will often tell the tale as to whether you made the right decision for YOU. AND... I would take my time and ride several kits. Don’t limit yourself to pre-owned trikes for test riding and consideration. There are still new ones on the showroom floors.

The “hunt” for a new trike is half the fun as you learn about them along the way!

[Jack Klarich]

Welcome to Trike Talk

Test ride as many as it takes, you will know the right one

[MAMPORRERO]

For less problems straight differential, for a little more comfort independent suspension.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Welcome to the Gang from Western Colorado.

Ride all the types you are interested in ... no one can make this decision for you ... then go with your heart.

Also, I don't think you can go wrong with a Gold Wing trike ... I would recommend a rake kit though. Way easier to steer.

[Gorilla]

Ralph welcome aboard. If you get to the point that you are going to have on built for you then try to remember a great installer can make a great kit fabulous but a bad installer will make a great kit trash.

[The Captain]

If you are converting a GL1800, you'll have reverse. Not sure about the 2018's but all the other GL1800's have reverse as a standard item.

Independant rear axle will give a smoother ride but not as good handling in the twisties where the solid axle is a rougher ride but better handling in the twisties.

A longer wheelbase will also give a smoother ride, especially for the co-rider.

Gotta have:

1. Installer with a good reputation

2. Raked tripple tree

Should have:

1. Installer with a good reputation

2. Weight bearing running boards

3. Parking brake

4. Upgraded and adjustable suspension (Traxxion)

Nice to have:

1. Installer with a good reputation

2. LED light in the lower trunk

3. Aux fuel tank

See the pattern here? The most important thing is a good installer no matter what kit you decide on.

[Sharon2665]

Hi Ralph,

looks like we are neighbors just north of you. We have a GW that has a Motor Trike on it and a Victory Cross Country we recently had a California Side Car put on. Before we bought our GW we tried out many many trikes and styles. Road them with independent suspension and without. Highly recommend with! After that I found the size of the trunk is really important also. I can fit way more in the Motor Work one as it does not have a shelf in in it like the CSC. Of course if you plan on pulling a trailer it really doesn’t matter. We definitely got ours raked. Think it was like 6.5 something. Wasn’t the shortest and wasn’t the longest. My husband feels the longer rake worked good on the highway but pulled on country roads. So kind of went with middle of the road on a rake.

There is a place up in Lima that is a huge trike dealer, mostly gold wings, where we went and they let us try out anything and everything and answered all our questions. They were a little pricey but good for checking things out. Once you know what you want you can buy it from anywhere. My husband and I both like driving the Goldwing trike the best. Has the most pickup, comfort, etc etc. I like the looks of our Vic better but for riding comfort and feliability I’ll take by Goldie any day! My hubby can have his Vic. If you have any other questions feel free to let us know and we’d be happy to help you out.

[Lee H. Mann]

Welcome to Trike talk Forum from West Virginia.

Well Ralph, many suggestions have been made. What do you think ?

[ralphz]

Hi Ralph,

looks like we are neighbors just north of you. We have a GW that has a Motor Trike on it and a Victory Cross Country we recently had a California Side Car put on. Before we bought our GW we tried out many many trikes and styles. Road them with independent suspension and without. Highly recommend with! After that I found the size of the trunk is really important also. I can fit way more in the Motor Work one as it does not have a shelf in in it like the CSC. Of course if you plan on pulling a trailer it really doesn’t matter. We definitely got ours raked. Think it was like 6.5 something. Wasn’t the shortest and wasn’t the longest. My husband feels the longer rake worked good on the highway but pulled on country roads. So kind of went with middle of the road on a rake.

There is a place up in Lima that is a huge trike dealer, mostly gold wings, where we went and they let us try out anything and everything and answered all our questions. They were a little pricey but good for checking things out. Once you know what you want you can buy it from anywhere. My husband and I both like driving the Goldwing trike the best. Has the most pickup, comfort, etc etc. I like the looks of our Vic better but for riding comfort and feliability I’ll take by Goldie any day! My hubby can have his Vic. If you have any other questions feel free to let us know and we’d be happy to help you out.

Thank you so much for the information you supplied, Ralph

[ralphz]

Welcome to Trike talk Forum from West Virginia.

Well Ralph, many suggestions have been made. What do you think ?

Everybody has been great.

[FRR]

Independent suspension, ( for the sake of your co rider) Installer Installer Installer

[Hocky]

Besides the kit decision, check recalls on the vin # of the GW. That's the most expensive part of the Trike!

http://powersports.honda.com/recall-information.aspx

[ralphz]

Besides the kit decision, check recalls on the vin # of the GW. That's the most expensive part of th

http://powersports.honda.com/recall-information.aspx

Thanks, I appreciate the info.

[rode_hard]

Sharon - who is the dealer in or near Lima that carries a lot of Trikes? I'm up in Detroit, and not too far... Thanks.

Hi Ralph,

looks like we are neighbors just north of you. We have a GW that has a Motor Trike on it and a Victory Cross Country we recently had a California Side Car put on. Before we bought our GW we tried out many many trikes and styles. Road them with independent suspension and without. Highly recommend with! After that I found the size of the trunk is really important also. I can fit way more in the Motor Work one as it does not have a shelf in in it like the CSC. Of course if you plan on pulling a trailer it really doesn’t matter. We definitely got ours raked. Think it was like 6.5 something. Wasn’t the shortest and wasn’t the longest. My husband feels the longer rake worked good on the highway but pulled on country roads. So kind of went with middle of the road on a rake.

There is a place up in Lima that is a huge trike dealer, mostly gold wings, where we went and they let us try out anything and everything and answered all our questions. They were a little pricey but good for checking things out. Once you know what you want you can buy it from anywhere. My husband and I both like driving the Goldwing trike the best. Has the most pickup, comfort, etc etc. I like the looks of our Vic better but for riding comfort and feliability I’ll take by Goldie any day! My hubby can have his Vic. If you have any other questions feel free to let us know and we’d be happy to help you out.

[RTwing]

Do some research and consider all options. There are standard wheels back trikes which do not address steering and handling as standard MC steering is fairly non-adjustable except for trail kits (not rake)

Wheels forward conversions address all aspects of steering and handling much as is done in the automotive industry. Worthy of consideration.

[rufus15]

The most important thing is to test several and don’t be in a hurry. Here in Georgia I’ve had a hard time finding a Trike dealership with a brand name installer that’s as excited about the process of making you happy to buy there product as you are. I’m speaking from experience this past weekend I went to a dealer that makes the Razor and the sales person had little or no clue, and the manager couldn’t provide me with a cost sheet so I could make decision one way or the other.

Test ride several, believe me it makes a difference. Each handles differently. Good luck, I’m getting this out late, but hope it helps.