New member, thinking of a trike

[USNrider]

Calman suggested this forum to me when I posted on another forum he visits as I am considering getting a trike for my wife. A little about me, then some about her. I'm in the Navy, currently stationed in the Hampton Roads, Va. area and moving about the middle of the year down to Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, MS. I own both a 2004 Honda Shadow Aero and a 2007 Honda Goldwing. Both are great bikes and have their own purpose for me, although the Wing does get more use, especially in the colder winter months. Earlier in the year my wife expressed an interest in riding her own bike and I suggested she take the MSF class. I am actually an MSF ridercoach myself, but knowing that learning to ride is stressful enough I told her I would not be the right person for the job as I didn't want to add any stress to the situation by her having her husband watch over her every move in the class. She took the class and near the end of the first day, had a problem shifting gears during an exercise, the bike never went down, but she got scared enough that she decided to walk away even though the ridercoach's there insisted she should stay and told her she only had one more exercise for the day then she could return with a clear head in the morning. She has now decided that a trike is the way she wants to go.
We have looked at various trikes online primarily and she is a huge fan of the GL1800 trikes (Purple seems to be her color choice) however, I have concerns about her going straight to an 1800 cc engine for her first trike. Being a ridercoach I tell anyone that asks to get the smallest bike their ego will allow until they get some seat time. We went to a Can Am dealership and looked at the new RT Spyder which she immediately fell in love with. However, I also have concerns about the Spyder, primarily around the fact that its a brand new bike and the maintenance is a bit of a mystery to me other than the fact that it has a computer system that must be accessed by the dealer anytime work is done. The salesman even told me I'd have to take it in to have them reset the computer if I did an oil change myself which sounds like more of a hassle than I want to deal with.
Which brings us to the current idea I have and she at the moment is considering. MotorTrike makes an Aero trike for a ton less money than either of the first two options. Calman has the trike I am talking about and we plan to meet up with him in the near future to have her take a look up close as they are not as common as a Goldwing trike so finding a local one is nearly impossible. It just worked out that he is fairly close to us. The only real disadvantage I see to this option is that I would need to get the bike to Troupe, TX to Motortrike for them to do the conversion as they don't offer it as a normal conversion through their dealer reps throughout the US. Other than that, I already know how to dismantle and work on the Aero if needed, more accessories are available for it than the Spyder, and obviously the fact that the price is where I would rather have it sure is nice. Probably a lot longer of an introduction than you expected, but this is me.
:blahblah:

[Nana]

A big welcome to TrikeTalk for both you and your wife! You will get tons of great feedback from many of our experienced members. Just a few comments from me regarding your wife's choices. I am a petite woman. I rode two wheels for many years, but have never once regretted the move to trike my HD Fat Boy in 2006. Because of my very small stature, the comfort and security of the three wheels and never having to depend on my own short legs to hold the bike up on gravel and uneven pavement is a huge bonus. The three wheels have never diminished the joy of riding for me nor made any change in my riding experience except the change from leaning to steering through corners!

I've ridden a GW trike and it is a wonderful machine. For myself, it felt HUGE!!! The touring HD trikes also feel oversized to me although we have a number of female members who love their big touring trikes. I would not recommend your wife begin on something very small, though. She will want to ride with and be comfortable touring with you........ If you prefer Hondas (wonderful bikes) a VTX 1300 would be a great size for her and would be comfortable for many years without having to upgrade. Check out Juju's trike for an example. One thing for sure, riding my own instead of the back is one of my great joys, and has been for years! I think your wife will love it.

PM Bazooka on here for some suggestions and help with finding the right trike for her. He has many contacts and is an incredible trike builder for several different kit brands.

[spiritdream]

Welcome to TrikeTalk!! Not much I can add except that you don't want your wife to start with something too small. I was also concerned with "too much cc" to start, so I went with a Suzuki C50/Lehman conversion - 800cc. Only took 1 1/2 seasons to realize I should have gone with at least a 1300cc - bigger, more comfy, and more "oomph" if I wanted longer trips. Unfortunately, I'm financially stuck for the moment!

I don't know anything about that Aero you're referring to, and all I know about the Spyders is that my brother in law has one that he never rides (his first motorcycle of any kind, and we didn't expect he'd ride - he just had to "best" me). If your wife doesn't like the Aero though, I would definitely consider a VTX. Juju's is gorgeous, and I'm seriously considering one for my next ride, if/when I'm ever able to upgrade!!

Like Nana said, talk to Bazooka - he may have others to recommend that you might not have considered.

Good luck with whatever you decide - I firmly believe that looking is half the fun!

OH! And not sure where you'll be at the end of June, but consider coming to the TrikeTalk rally in Maggie Valley. You'll see all kinds of trikes there!!

[katfish16]

Welcome to the board, If you have not lived in the Biloxi area b4 U will find out how great it is down there. (in my other life we lived down in that area) There is a really good Gwrra chapter there and also in Picayune Ms. U might Pm Bazooka if he does not answer on this thread, he is a installer and might be able to help you some, his shop is in Dothan Al. Best of luck in whatever U decide to do...

"Thank you for your service to our Country"

[Greydog]

Welcome from another old retired Navy guy!! I had a '98 1100 Shadow Aero and it was great on two wheels; however, I really don't think it would have the performance your wife would like as a three wheeler due to the added weight. Probably be OK buzzing around town but you will eventually want to make a few long rides and it will run out of "grunt" pretty quickly in hilly terrain and she will be shifting a lot trying to keep up. Personally, I wouldn't go with anything less than 1300cc regardless of your model choice.

Then again, the cost has to be considered and no matter what you decide to go with it ain't cheap!! I would suggest looking for a nice used trike with fairly low mileage on it. I think she would be comfortable with a 1300 Wing or one of the Harley Softail models....even a Tri-Glide or Ultra conversion. I rode in Rolling Thunder (Run for the Wall) last May with a 68 year old petite little lady who had a 2010 Tri Glide and she rode like a Pro!!!

[Ironhorsepilot]

Welcome to Trike Talk USNRider! I am over here in Suffolk, Va and I am a petite lady on a Harley TriGlide. I love it! It is my first trike, so I don't know any thing about the smaller ones or the Honda's. I have a girlfriend that has the Spyder Touring Trike and she really has a blast with it. She never did do well on two wheels. We would practice together when I was learning on two wheels and every time I looked back (we were on an old airport runway and parking lots out there at Suffolk Executive) she would be sitting on the ground! She couldn't get the hang of not looking down and not using the front brake in a turn. She finally gave up and didn't ride anymore until the Spyder came out. She has even ridden it to Canada.

[Gorilla]

Hi welcome aboard. I can not add anything that has not all ready been stated. I agree though don't go small. She will out grow it very quickly. Trikes are not complicated machines. She should have not problem being a pro on one even a large one. My wife loves her Stallion, but they are quite expensive, though they are comparable in price to a Gold wing Trike or well equipped Harley touring trike.

[curley03]

LISTEN to NANA motor trike has a couple of starter sized trikes visit their web site. about Keesler I retired there from the 183rd Air Combat com sq. . enjoy all the great sea food. and the great gulf coast hwy 90 drive...curley

[White Knight 04]

Welcome to trike talk.. I'm sure you will like your wife's trike so well you will go the same way in the future...

[Bob Witte]

Welcome to TrikeTalk! Let me toss in another couple of pennies to think over. We at The Trinity Trike do a full spectrum of conversions --from the biggest of the big twins all the way down to 250cc's. We do a number of what are considered as "entry level" donor bike conversions. I would suggest that you don't overlook getting her a Burgman or Honda Silver Wing "supper scooter." These are entry level rides alright, but ones that folks seldom feel the urgency to "trade up" from -- they are, or become keepers!

For far less than the alternatives you've been looking at you can get a good used vehicle and install one of our kits yourself ("trike" skills are not necessary for a conversion). Both are true trike (not outriggers) bolt-on installs with no cutting, welding or hacking up body parts. First time conversions are only a day or so to do, and although it is easier if you have one available, you don't even need a motorcycle lift or other special equipment.

Both rides are fully automatic, and the Burgman also offers a paddle shifting option for even more control. Both are capable of sustained 100+ MPH speeds so there's no problem with keeping up with the "big boys" on rides (around racetracks only at those speeds of course).

These donor bikes have some of the most desired features that first time drivers like: plenty of horsepower, available ABS brakes, fuel injection, lots of storage, good seats, great weather protection, and a super smooth, comfortable ride. Both bikes are big and heavy enough to not be tossed about on the highway and yet in the parking lot, move about more easily than when they were two wheeled! Therefore, even though now available on both, an optional electric reverse is just that -- optional!

Check 'em out at: Trinity Trike Roadster -- and feel free to get in touch for more information.

Bob Witte
The Trinity Trike

[Big Dog]

Glad that you found TT! My thinking is that if your wife was comfortable on a Wing, she should really look into a Stallion. After years with Honda, BMW, and HD my knees became an issue. I didn't feel safe stopped, always worried that one would buckle.
I saw a Stallion on the net, located a dealer with inventory, and the rest is history. I'd dropped my cycle endorsement , had to go to trike school, but now I ride. The automatic tranny is just great.
If the Stallion doesn't work for you, look at a Ridley Trike, it's a automatic also.

[skuuter]

WELCOME to TRIKE TALK.....I have 2010 Gold Wing Motor Trike, and my Wife owns a 2004 Aero 750 Motor Trike. The Aero makes a Great, Smaller,Lighter Weight Trike.........Got ant questions You need answered about the Aero Trike, just fire away. I've ridden Mitzie's several times.....:Popcorn::wtg:

[John Luciano]

My friend Maryann ( 64+ years old 5'3 and about 160lb Spirit dream met her and a few others on here ) never rode even a 2 wheel bike before, she learned how to ride on an 1800 Goldwing left to her by her late husband, Her second ride ever was to the NE TT Rally .It was a 230mile round trip ride .Some highway and most back twisty Conn. roads. She pilots it like it was a 250. she logged 1,000 miles this year and only got her endorsement in early Aug 2010. see her ride on this forum under Trike test. And the trike is not raked
http://www.triketalk.com/forum/show-...rike-test.html

[skuuter]

Most All Trikes regardless of size can be ridden by most any Competent Rider regardless of size....My 5'2" Wife enjoys ridin' the Gold Wing.....

[USNrider]

Thanks for the welcome everyone. We are both excited for her to be on her own ride in the future. From the few people I have talked to that own the Motor Trike Aero they all say that it has the power needed to handle the interstates. The biggest complaint is in the range of a tank. I could easily rectify that with a fuel cell on the bike that could be added for longer trips. Although, as I have said on other forums as well, it really comes down to what she wants to do. She has seen the Stallion and isn't a fan of the looks, she likes the looks of the wing trike, spyder, and valkyrie interstate trike. I personally like any trike she likes for the least amount of impact on my wallet as possible.

[Calman]

Welcome aboard Will.

As you can see everyone has their own opinion about trikes and bikes and what's good for you. Me, I just sit back and watch the show and ride my Shadow up and down the road (16K last year) and enjoy life as it passes by. Definitely not in a hurry to buy an autograph from that guy that stands by the roadway - he's too darn expensive. Will pop you an answer to your e-mail on the other site tonight.