Looking for a trike.

[ol' grouch]

I've got a failing knee and am looking to get a trike. Anything to watch out for? Something you wished you hadn't done? I'm currently on a 2002 GL11800 and like the bike but the girl friend isn't...um...very petite and I'm afraid of dropping the bike with her on it.

I'd like to stay with the Goldwings because of the reverse. My knee really likes that. I'm looking to either buy one outright and sell my bike whenever or trade my current bike in on a trike. I've been looking at 1997 to 2006 models. I've seen newer ones really cheap but a low mile, super nice one I looked at has no 5th gear. I don't mind doing a little work but don't want to pull the engine.

[rhino 2]

Why don't you just have the bike you have now, You say you like it.....Triked...

This way you have the best of both worlds; ie A trike and on the bike you like ..

[consitter]

Hi Paul!

Welcome to Trike Talk. Can’t really help you in finding a cheap trike from eastern Kentucky, but I can say we glad to have you. Just keep some feelers out. If you can find a cheap one with low miles, if there’s something that can be fixed without breaking the bank, it might just be the way to go.

Good luck in your search. One thing to watch for...make sure whatever you buy is properly raked!

[PosseRider]

Talk to this guy.. http://www.cutnshootcustoms.com/ He is founder of this forum & does several Trike conversions.

[FRR]

Stay with an 1800. 2001 forward. Lots of good reasons why. If you buy a bike and convert, remember that the installer is the key. Check them out carefully. Don't worry too much about mileage on a good 1800 Wing. If it has been taken care of it will run for as long as you probably want. If you are going to have a passenger, don't get a solid axle. Your passenger will hate you for it. There are some good buys out there right now. Purchase carefully and don't go by looks only. This is an excellent site to ask questions. Lots of folks on Triketalk are very knowledgeable about this stuff. They are great sources. Good luck. If you buy one, you will never want to go back to 2 wheels, regardless of health. That's a bet!

[ol' grouch]

Why don't you just have the bike you have now, You say you like it.....Triked...

This way you have the best of both worlds; ie A trike and on the bike you like ..

I thought of that. There is a place not far from me in Jasper Ind. called AJ Cycles. Their price was, depending on options, $17,000 to $20,000. I can get a fairly late model, low mile unit for that. I'm looking to retire in the next couple of years, or less, and am watching my pennies right now. I'd probably be done riding if it wasn't for the GF. I even found a couple of VW trieks really reasonable. She wants to sit behind me with her arms around me, not next to me.

[radismukes]

I thought of that. There is a place not far from me in Jasper Ind. called AJ Cycles. Their price was, depending on options, $17,000 to $20,000. I can get a fairly late model, low mile unit for that. I'm looking to retire in the next couple of years, or less, and am watching my pennies right now. I'd probably be done riding if it wasn't for the GF. I even found a couple of VW trieks really reasonable. She wants to sit behind me with her arms around me, not next to me.

Oh, the things we do to keep the girls happy. I IMO the key is patience to finding a good deal on used bikes / trikes.

Good luck on the hunt!

[trike lady]

You can always turn your present bike into a trike. That will save you $$ and you know that you'll have a good trike when it's done.

[Douglas44]

I'm a bit like the original poster .

In that I'm interested in a trike and my budget is like his ( $15--$17 k )that would be CASH in pocket , just in case someone knows of something available.

I like the idea of the GW , and would even consider an HD ,

but the GW ones I see advertised have a bunch of of miles on them in that price range, I'm concerned about what maintenance has been done .

The HD's don't have as many miles on them but all have some kind of motor work , which always makes me a bit concerned .

Can anyone chime in and give some guidelines on any particular year models of both brands to avoid, and any thoughts on higher mileage ( what mileage is too much and should be avoided ) ???

[Buss]

If you like your bike trike the one you have you an your rider will so happy that what I did an then I brought my wife one she loves hers BUSS

[Douglas44]

If you like your bike trike the one you have you an your rider will so happy that what I did an then I brought my wife one she loves hers BUSS

Don't have a bike right now , sold them all after my stroke. Thought I was done riding, but this whole trike thing has me thinking I may not be done after all .

[ol' grouch]

I'm a bit like the original poster .

In that I'm interested in a trike and my budget is like his ( $15--$17 k )

I like the idea of the GW , and would even consider an HD ,

but the GW ones I see advertised have a bunch of of miles on them in that price range, I'm concerned about what maintenance has been done .

The HD's don't have as many miles on them but all have some kind of motor work , which always makes me a bit concerned .

Can anyone chime in and give some guidelines on any particular year models of both brands to avoid, and any thoughts on higher mileage ( what mileage is too much and should be avoided ) ???

The 1800's have a lot of the earlier bike's problems taken care on. The timing belts are now chains so no expiration date on them. Anything under 100K is still a good bike and more than that, if you can see the maintenance records, wouldn't worry me. My budget is from $6000 to $15,000. I figure I can borrow up to $10K with no trouble and I have my bike to trade and some cash in my ready fund.

One surprise I got with my bike was the air filter. It took me 3.5 hours the first time but I can probably do the next one in 1.5 to 2 hours. You basically disassemble the bike from the top down in the middle.

One caveat on the 1800's, I've heard some of the 2003 models had trouble with the frames cracking.

[Douglas44]

The 1800's have a lot of the earlier bike's problems taken care on. The timing belts are now chains so no expiration date on them. Anything under 100K is still a good bike and more than that, if you can see the maintenance records, wouldn't worry me. My budget is from $6000 to $15,000. I figure I can borrow up to $10K with no trouble and I have my bike to trade and some cash in my ready fund.

One surprise I got with my bike was the air filter. It took me 3.5 hours the first time but I can probably do the next one in 1.5 to 2 hours. You basically disassemble the bike from the top down in the middle.

One caveat on the 1800's, I've heard some of the 2003 models had trouble with the frames cracking.

I remember when that came up , thanks for the reminder.

I had a 2004 HondaST1300 , it also cracked the frame.

I'll be sure to ask any sellers of that year GW if they have the repair receipt. Thank for reminding me.

[ol' grouch]

There's a trike for sale near work but the fellow who told me about it got his information a bit messed up. It was supposed to be $11,500. Well, it turned out to be $19,500. Nice paint and well equipped but three flat tires, a dead battery and even if it ran, the owner lost his license so it didn't have plates or insurance. I'll keep looking and plan to look at a couple this weekend. I'm running into "it's sold" or they won't answer the phone calls or e-mail. The last car I bought, I ran into nearly a dozen that had been sold the the seller didn't cancel the ad. One who won't answer mail is a dealer. Since they are over 100 miles away, I'm not going there without knowing they have what I'm looking for.

I did have someone contact me with what seems like a nice trike but they are 300 miles away and work tends to put a crimp on one that far away.

[paws]

Douglass..

Which state is your Lewisville in... Texas or North Carolina?...or elsewhere?

Just wondered..if its Texas I might know of a couple of trikes for sale. But if you are in another state I doubt you would want to travel to Texas to buy a trike.

Please let us know which state.

[Douglas44]

Douglass..

Which state is your Lewisville in... Texas or North Carolina?...or elsewhere?

Just wondered..if its Texas I might know of a couple of trikes for sale. But if you are in another state I doubt you would want to travel to Texas to buy a trike.

Please let us know which state.

I'm in Lewisville , North Carolina 27023 ( aka N. Cacakalaky) or as I call it Hooterville

[Trail Blazer]

I've got a failing knee and am looking to get a trike. Anything to watch out for? Something you wished you hadn't done? I'm currently on a 2002 GL11800 and like the bike but the girl friend isn't...um...very petite and I'm afraid of dropping the bike with her on it.

I'd like to stay with the Goldwings because of the reverse. My knee really likes that. I'm looking to either buy one outright and sell my bike whenever or trade my current bike in on a trike. I've been looking at 1997 to 2006 models. I've seen newer ones really cheap but a low mile, super nice one I looked at has no 5th gear. I don't mind doing a little work but don't want to pull the engine.

first let me say welcome to trike talk from east Texas, I am with you on the goldwing with my age I like it quite and smoooooth. wings 1997 to 2000 is a 1500 ( witch is what I have 2000 gl1500se. I would not trade my 1500 for a 1800. that being said if I need to buy another trike it would be a 1800. reasons my 1500 is 19 years old I have 100,000 on it and it will last me the rest of my live I think. right now I can get parts for it but there will be a day part will get hard to get. now 1800 If I was looking for one I would want a 2006 and up. I understand the early moldes had problem ( now if they had all the recalls done I might go lower just for the cost. you have a 2002 1800 has all the recalls been done & and does it run good. cost wise putting a kit on it might be the lowest cost you can get a kit anywhere from 9000 and up or you could when I triked mine out. I like the champion kit and payed 11,000 for kit and installed ( get a good installer that is the most important thing) now if I had all the money in the world I would have a 2019 goldwing.

you will be lucky to find a goldwing trike for less than 15000 to 17000 that is in good shape.

got a little long winded sorry have fun looking and when you do get one you are going to love it. Jr. Adams

[ol' grouch]

I've got a line on a few. I'm not rushing. I'll consider a good 1500 but the 1800's addressed issues the earlier bikes had. Timing chains in place of belts. I've had several 1100's over the years and one (and only one) 1200.

By the way, Evansville is in extreme S.W. Indiana where it gives Kentucky and Illinois a wedgie.

[trikeman]

I've got a line on a few. I'm not rushing. I'll consider a good 1500 but the 1800's addressed issues the earlier bikes had. Timing chains in place of belts. I've had several 1100's over the years and one (and only one) 1200.

By the way, Evansville is in extreme S.W. Indiana where it gives Kentucky and Illinois a wedgie.

Give me a call 731-803-9078. I have a 1500 candy red se with California Side Car Conversion

[trikeman]

I’m in Jackson Tn. Bout 200 miles. I can send pics if you’re interested