2019 tri Glide and buyers remorse

[Yabadab]

Hello everyone,

I am looking to get a trike now that I am up in years and health. Owned motorcycles all my life including the F3 Spyder. I think for my final bike, I want a trike that I can put some miles on and tour the country now that I am retired. I will be mostly riding 1 up and probably doing hotels versus much camping. I plan on the U.S. and Canada riding and I am looking for a reliable trike that I can ride for hours and not have to worry about frequent repair stops. I know that Harleys are more reliable than back in the day, but are they alot better now? So, I am deciding between the 2019 Goldwing and the 2019 Harley. The Harley, well it's a Harley. I test rode one and the ride was good. The engine heat was not too bad, but i hear it can be an issue. Though that doesn't tell me the long term story. I am having trouble finding a goldwing that I can try for at least a few hours, so that is making it hard to decide. Honda has the reliability and shaft drive, but not the Harley "mystique" if you will. This is a big chunk of money for me, so I am looking for input as well as if anyone has had any remorse or not on a recent trigide purchase.

Thanks! Living to ride and riding to live!

[Jack Klarich]

Have a look here

https://www.triketalk.com/forum/thre...ri-Glide-Ultra

[Capt.Bob]

Hello everyone,

I am looking to get a trike now that I am up in years and health. Owned motorcycles all my life including the F3 Spyder. I think for my final bike, I want a trike that I can put some miles on and tour the country now that I am retired. I will be mostly riding 1 up and probably doing hotels versus much camping. I plan on the U.S. and Canada riding and I am looking for a reliable trike that I can ride for hours and not have to worry about frequent repair stops. I know that Harleys are more reliable than back in the day, but are they alot better now? So, I am deciding between the 2019 Goldwing and the 2019 Harley. The Harley, well it's a Harley. I test rode one and the ride was good. The engine heat was not too bad, but i hear it can be an issue. Though that doesn't tell me the long term story. I am having trouble finding a goldwing that I can try for at least a few hours, so that is making it hard to decide. Honda has the reliability and shaft drive, but not the Harley "mystique" if you will. This is a big chunk of money for me, so I am looking for input as well as if anyone has had any remorse or not on a recent trigide purchase.

Thanks! Living to ride and riding to live!

Yabadab, You ask some very challenging questions and I just sold my 2015 F3S Spyder which has been a complimentary bike to my three Tri Glides starting in 2016 with the 103 c.i. Twin Cam, followed by a 2017 TGU with the 107 c.i. M8 and now the 2019 with the 114 c.i. M8. The thread that Jack directed you to was some of my early and 10 day later impressions of my 2019 TGU.

I have become a huge fan of the 2018 Gold Wings along with CSC's new Encore body design. For me, like youself, the same questions you are asking were the ones that kept me awake at night. I really, really like what CSC had done with the likely uber mechanically nice Gold Wing. However, there are always several things that swayed me to purchasing the new TGU over the Honda:

1. There is a VERY limited number of installing dealers for CSC and thus getting warranty work done for the body vs the motorcycle would seem a bit tricky.

2. OTOH, Harley has servicing dealers for the entire trike all across the country.

3. Many insurers do not insure "composite trikes" where you have two companies providing major components.

4. Spares moving forward are generally much easier to get from Harley rather than a small body/suspension manufacturer.

So, for my 100th motorcycle/trike, I chose the TGU which has had its share of mechanical problems. Only time will tell me if I made the best choice? I did get a 3-year extended factory warranty so I would not have to worry about major breakdowns for 5 years. BTW, I do my own factory mandated service intervals to insure that everything is done as well as it should be.

[Freewheeling Ron]

Get a Slingshot. 2.4 liter Ecotech gm engine. Solid reliable power train and comfortable. 170 hp for 1,800 lbs. Just traded my Freewheeler for one. Did lots of due diligence. But I'm 68 and it works for me. Just got delivery today and took it out, put Robert "H-Bomb" Ferguson on stereo. Had to wear helmet to hide my grin. It's different but just as fun and doesn't wear you out like a typical trike.

[GARYD]

I've had 3 TG's - 2012 and 2 2014's The first one was totaled in May and I picked up the replacement one last month for $17680 with only 786 miles on it. I will be 75 in March. All my bikes are stock except for slip on's. I do not have a heat issue because I think I have a higher heat tolerance then most people. I do have a set of crotch coolers and floorboard extenders just in case I do get tied up in bumper to bumper traffic. I have outgrown the need for chrome and other do dads. I only install comfort and safety items to my bike now. Learned the hard way years ago when I had just about everything on the bike chromed = didn't get a penny back from selling it. I have had the extended warranty on all my Harleys = because they ARE Harleys and I ride the crap out of them = 12K ~ 15K miles a year...would be a lot more if I didn't work 40 hours a week.

I had UJM bikes for the first 20 years and switched to Harley in 1988 because I couldn't get service/parts on my 8 year old Honda/Yamaha/Kaw and resale was absolutely the worst....if any. I think Harley riders are the best and friendliest of all bikers...JMHO.

I wouldn't trade my Harley for another UJM if my life depended on it. I'm having more fun on a Harley then I ever did on any of my UMJ bikes.

Don't get me wrong - UJM bikes are great and pretty much trouble free - but - they just don't have the Harley mystique, period.

Good luck in whatever you decide.

[trikermutha]

Wow still working at 75..and 40 hours a week

[Thomas L]

Wow still working at 75..and 40 hours a week

I have a 2015 - and would Trade / Sell it in a minutge. WHY ? It is a very hard ride (Solid Axel) Its OK for just me, but my wife wont ride onit. We have a Spider as well, she loves that. Test ride one - first, and over some rough roads.

[trikermutha]

I have a 2015 - and would Trade / Sell it in a minutge. WHY ? It is a very hard ride (Solid Axel) Its OK for just me, but my wife wont ride onit. We have a Spider as well, she loves that. Test ride one - first, and over some rough roads.

Well I did have a Tri and got rid of it for a Spyder..Still like to keep up on the Harley topics when I can..

[Casper]

I understand you concerns completely. I’ve owned four GW trikes and four TGU. Can’t really say much bad about the wings except the seating position, feet directly under me kills my knees and hip. Hated it. One was a Champion and three were CSC. Oldest was a 2007. They ran fine, no issues but very few dealers would service it when traveling, not all Honda dealers are trike dealers. And they just didn’t have the “ smile” factor....I like the sound, fit and finishe of the Harley, unlimited accessories and add ons. Every state has HD dealers and all will work on the TG..peace of mind there. And the HD fits me best.

of the four TGU no major issues. Yes things needed attention, front wheel bearing, steering damper needed replacing on my 2017. All under warranty...

but you choice is like which seat is best, which oil is best, which tire is best...all answers are subjective and each driver has a different butt and such....only you can make this choice...test rides will help but really 200 miles at least to make a smart decision...

good,luck on your pick. I’m happy with the TGU and wouldn’t go back to Honda, or Spyder ( test rode one and didn’t care for it, but that’s me)

we have ridden our all across the USA, no problems...as for the Slingshot getting in and out would be difficult for us, plus I’d just as soon have a sports car as a Slingshot, but again that’s me.

[JamesP]

I just bought a 2016 tri-Glide this fall after spending months agonizing over three vs two and Harley vs Honda. I ride an Indian when it is just me but the little Lady has never felt comfortable on two wheels.

l

Did lots of homework, talked to everyone I could pigeonhole. Plus and minus on all sides. What finally decided for us was talking to two seperate individuals in one week time frame; both of whom had trouble on the road with Honda Trikes; both had a hell of a time getting service. They both told me regular Honda dealers don't want to touch them, their staff have not been trained on them, they do not have the technical manuals, etc. Real bottom line they did not want the liability of a non-full-Honda product.

Love the trike; only put several thousand on it so far then the weather turned nasty (13 deg. F this morning and never got out of the 30's).

One guy's story; as they say your mileage may differ!

Good luck

Ride safe

[Yabadab]

Thanks all for the info. Leaning towards the TGU and will see what I can do at the dealer!

[Sunman]

I can add to what JamesP said about hearing from 2 GW riders concerning the lack of service support. I converted my 2006 GW to a trike with a MotorTrike Adventure conversion in 2010. It was a great riding trike and the wife really liked it. However, we broke down in a small town in Arkansas when the CV joint bolts backed out on the right rear wheel. Before I discovered that it was the CV joint bolts I called several Honda Dealers and none of them wanted to touch it. I finally got in touch with MotorTrike who put me in touch with a MotorTrike Dealer about 75 miles away. They finally sent a tow truck and hauled it to their shop. MotorTrike did warranty the repair and it was repaired that afternoon so after spending the night we were on our way home the next morning after a very long and aggravating day getting it repaired. A couple of months later we sold the trike and went back to riding 2 wheels for a couple of years. The wife finally quit riding on the 2 wheeler so I started thinking about trikes again. I bought a Harley Freewheeler and am very happy with it. I do all of my own maintenance and repairs but if I am on the road and have a break down all I have to do is call a Harley dealer for help. There is usually at least one reasonably close. If Honda made a trike I would consider it but no more conversions for me. Just my opinion.

Sunman

[GARYD]

I understand you concerns completely. I’ve owned four GW trikes and four TGU. Can’t really say much bad about the wings except the seating position, feet directly under me kills my knees and hip. Hated it. One was a Champion and three were CSC. Oldest was a 2007. They ran fine, no issues but very few dealers would service it when traveling, not all Honda dealers are trike dealers. And they just didn’t have the “ smile” factor....I like the sound, fit and finishe of the Harley, unlimited accessories and add ons. Every state has HD dealers and all will work on the TG..peace of mind there. And the HD fits me best.

of the four TGU no major issues. Yes things needed attention, front wheel bearing, steering damper needed replacing on my 2017. All under warranty...

but you choice is like which seat is best, which oil is best, which tire is best...all answers are subjective and each driver has a different butt and such....only you can make this choice...test rides will help but really 200 miles at least to make a smart decision...

good,luck on your pick. I’m happy with the TGU and wouldn’t go back to Honda, or Spyder ( test rode one and didn’t care for it, but that’s me)

we have ridden our all across the USA, no problems...as for the Slingshot getting in and out would be difficult for us, plus I’d just as soon have a sports car as a Slingshot, but again that’s me.

I agree. The thing I don't like about the Spyder most is the 2 wheels in front. At least on the Harley you feel like you're on a 2 wheeler not on a ATV like the Spyder.

On long trips I need to stretch out and move my legs a lot - can't do that on the Spyder or Gold Wing.

I'm really baffeled that Honda doesn't make a trike - they make everything else.

Another thing I don't like is the frame mounted fairing - thankfully Harley makes both.

As for the sound, I don't know how Gold Wing riders stay awake. Ultra quiet and ultra smooth ride would put me to sleep immediately.

You're absolutely right about riding a trike - I think even 200 miles is not really enough to make a good decision. I do a couple looong distance trips a year and even a SS1000. It's a whole different style of riding and does take awhile.

Good luck

[LadyonaMission]

I can add to what JamesP said about hearing from 2 GW riders concerning the lack of service support. I converted my 2006 GW to a trike with a MotorTrike Adventure conversion in 2010. It was a great riding trike and the wife really liked it. However, we broke down in a small town in Arkansas when the CV joint bolts backed out on the right rear wheel. Before I discovered that it was the CV joint bolts I called several Honda Dealers and none of them wanted to touch it. I finally got in touch with MotorTrike who put me in touch with a MotorTrike Dealer about 75 miles away. They finally sent a tow truck and hauled it to their shop. MotorTrike did warranty the repair and it was repaired that afternoon so after spending the night we were on our way home the next morning after a very long and aggravating day getting it repaired. A couple of months later we sold the trike and went back to riding 2 wheels for a couple of years. The wife finally quit riding on the 2 wheeler so I started thinking about trikes again. I bought a Harley Freewheeler and am very happy with it. I do all of my own maintenance and repairs but if I am on the road and have a break down all I have to do is call a Harley dealer for help. There is usually at least one reasonably close. If Honda made a trike I would consider it but no more conversions for me. Just my opinion.

Sunman

Exactly why I decided to buy my Freewheeler.

[PosseRider]

Exactly why I decided to buy my Freewheeler.

Same here. Was going to have Motor Trike convert my Ultra,but after finding out no dealers would work on it & no warranty work, I bought the TriGlide. Got ESP on it & after all was "said&done". Came out same $$ it would have cost to convert to Motor Trike plus I had a brand new Trike. 32,000 miles later, we still love it. Has been trouble free since new.

[Gorilla]

Thanks all for the info. Leaning towards the TGU and will see what I can do at the dealer!

I know it's on the other side of the state but call Tony at space coast HD in Palm Bay. Tell him Ted from Key Largo said to contact him. I believe he will hook you up nicely.

Ted AKA Gorilla