What to buy / modify first

[kodiak198]

Hi all, if you had x amount of dollars to spend each year (let’s say $500 or so) what would you buy first? My trike is a 2017 and pretty much stock except for aftermarket mufflers and handlebars.

I will have to do the 10,000 mile service next year and probably replace the front tire. Should I go for ride comfort or mechanical (heat dissipating) improvements?

I know, this is open to a myriad of opinions but just kind of curious as to what you would do looking back on your experiences. Thanks much

[ultrafxr]

DK Custom Products Pro Action 14” shocks with convertible lift kit. That’ll take care of your first two years expenditures. . . and greatly improve your riding comfort.

[ShapeShifter]

Since you didn't really complain about overall ride quality or seat comfort. I suggest the following:

• DK Custom Rider & Passenger Footboard Extensions

• DK Custom Gas Tank Lift & Deluxe Option

• DK Custom Cooling Deflector Wings

• DK Custom Oil Cooler & Oil Filter Relocation Kit

The above mods will reduce felt heat to rider and passenger, reduce buffeting and add more airflow to the engine. The last one on the list will help lower internal engine temperatures, which makes for a longer life and stronger running engine.

After the above a Stage 1 Upgrade, and then move on to the more costly Suspension Upgrades. Suspension changes may move up in priority, if you have an immediate need for comfort improvements via suspension changes.

[Fearless]

Since you didn't really complain about overall ride quality or seat comfort. I suggest the following:

• DK Custom Rider & Passenger Footboard Extensions

• DK Custom Gas Tank Lift & Deluxe Option

• DK Custom Cooling Deflector Wings

• DK Custom Oil Cooler & Oil Filter Relocation Kit

The above mods will reduce felt heat to rider and passenger, reduce buffeting and add more airflow to the engine. The last one on the list will help lower internal engine temperatures, which makes for a longer life and stronger running engine.

After the above a Stage 1 Upgrade, and then move on to the more costly Suspension Upgrades. Suspension changes may move up in priority, if you have an immediate need for comfort improvements via suspension changes.

Fairly well says it I would add Avon grips the memory foam one's large diameter I have large hands. travel safe Fred

[FuzzyWuzHe]

I think my first option would be a Power Vision ... lots of bang for the buck ... cools the beast and improves performance ... gives you lots of info you can't otherwise get ... JMHO

[PosseRider]

Axxion front suspension. https://traxxion.com/product/ak-20-a...cartridge-kit/

[Fearless]

Axxion front suspension. https://traxxion.com/product/ak-20-a...cartridge-kit/

Bill those look good George at Pro Action says he has a revalve kit for trikes that works wonders also. I live approximately 45minutes from his business. Travel safe Fred

[Jack Klarich]

Think about Love Jugs Mighty Mite fans from http://www.cutnshootcustoms.com/ Randy the owner is also owner of this forum

Cooling down your engine is key to a long lived engine

[Sully]

Rick, don't know if you have this, a good start is a rear bumper, Tour Pak luggage rack and a DK Comfort lift, really improves your ride and steering.

[RedOregon]

Good lord. Safety! LED spots, LED headlight, LED taillights and maybe blinkers. Air horn doesn't hurt, and can be had pretty cheap. I've got a WOLO air horn, cost me about forty bucks a few years ago. Pretty sure they're still under $100.

Also got an LED wigwag mounted under the lip of the rear luggage rack (think KITT in Knight Rider). Wasn't expensive, and definitely gets the cagers' attention behind me. Scrolls left and right, and when I touch the brakes, it flashes BRIGHT a few times then goes solid. A left turner "but I didn't even see him, officer" almost killed me a few years back, and I'm kinda touchy about visiblity now!

[MDO]

Upon my Freewheeler purchase, I had them install Ciro highway pegs & a 12v charging port in the trunk, as well as the air wing trunk mounted luggage rack & 20" clear windshield.

I went with some ergonomic items 1st. An Kuryakin extended brake pedal & Avon velvet grips. Then an external breather system & a K&N air filter in the stock box. The beauty of these mods is they can all be had for under $300, along with an extended heel shifter from J&P Cycles.

I then added Custom Dynamics LED turn signal inserts & LED rear lights, both under $140

Later on I added a HD Tallboy Sundowner seat.

This is all highly personal, but I would go with the comfort upgrades 1st.

I later added DK's 1.5" deluxe tank lift, air deflectors & the Thundervolt 50 spark plug wires all 3 under $200

[ISP-FL]

Since you didn't really complain about overall ride quality or seat comfort. I suggest the following:

• DK Custom Rider & Passenger Footboard Extensions

• DK Custom Gas Tank Lift & Deluxe Option

• DK Custom Cooling Deflector Wings

• DK Custom Oil Cooler & Oil Filter Relocation Kit

The above mods will reduce felt heat to rider and passenger, reduce buffeting and add more airflow to the engine. The last one on the list will help lower internal engine temperatures, which makes for a longer life and stronger running engine.

After the above a Stage 1 Upgrade, and then move on to the more costly Suspension Upgrades. Suspension changes may move up in priority, if you have an immediate need for comfort improvements via suspension changes.

The above list is a good direction to start. Depending on your riding frequency and duration it would be a hard call for someone else to make.

D&K tank lift and deflectors would be a good start. His oil relocation and cooler also would be something I would consider sooner than later (wish I would have). If you want an alternative to adding a 12volt charging port I would just purchase one or two small battery packs to recharge phones, I-pads, or whatever.

If you already have pipes have you changed your breather or added a tuner? You may want to consider changing out your air filter to a high flow type even if you keep the same box.

Without going after much "bling" several of these items may keep you under the $500 first year range.

[PosseRider]

Bill those look good George at Pro Action says he has a revalve kit for trikes that works wonders also. I live approximately 45minutes from his business. Travel safe Fred

He seems to be a great guy to do business with. I bought my shocks from him. Took plenty of time explaining everything to me & set my shocks perfect for us. Did not mention the front to me,but that was 3 yrs ago.

[kodiak198]

Thanks for the replies. Now, if each of you will send me $500 then I will incorporate your suggestion . I may opt for the rear suspension since I am a big feller and I ride 2 up about 35 - 40 % of the time. I feel it “bottoming out” on the bumps and humps. I don’t ride much in 85 + degree weather and most of my trips are about an hour before I stop for one reason or another.

[ShapeShifter]

Thanks for the replies. Now, if each of you will send me $500 then I will incorporate your suggestion ....

My $500 check to you came back marked RTS.

[Old Road Dog]

The first thing I did was almost free. Routing that breather hose into a pill bottle to keep all that snot from going back into my motor. Nothing else really matters if your motors performance is compromised. DK has a more professional option available.

[Tomswede]

Good lord. Safety! LED spots, LED headlight, LED taillights and maybe blinkers. Air horn doesn't hurt, and can be had pretty cheap. I've got a WOLO air horn, cost me about forty bucks a few years ago. Pretty sure they're still under $100.Also got an LED wigwag mounted under the lip of the rear luggage rack (think KITT in Knight Rider). Wasn't expensive, and definitely gets the cagers' attention behind me. Scrolls left and right, and when I touch the brakes, it flashes BRIGHT a few times then goes solid. A left turner "but I didn't even see him, officer" almost killed me a few years back, and I'm kinda touchy about visiblity now!

I agree that getting others attention is a high priority, lots of sleepers and distracted drivers out there, where did you buy your wigwag system? Part number ? Thanks

[DK Custom Products]

Hi all, if you had x amount of dollars to spend each year (let’s say $500 or so) what would you buy first? My trike is a 2017 and pretty much stock except for aftermarket mufflers and handlebars.

I will have to do the 10,000 mile service next year and probably replace the front tire. Should I go for ride comfort or mechanical (heat dissipating) improvements?

I know, this is open to a myriad of opinions but just kind of curious as to what you would do looking back on your experiences. Thanks much

It is a quandary...they are all important- Dissipating heat is important for engine longevity and performance, as is comfort, as is SEEING & BEING SEEN, and all of those cannot be addressed with $500.

On your '17 TG you already have LED up front, and some pretty good lighting. So, unless you ride a lot at night or in an area that has a high # of distracted cagers, then I would leave that for later. The best thing you can do to add a layer of being seen up front is a headlight modulator (I used to buy from Kriss, but they are out of business now).

Another option for increased visibility are the Stealth Driving Lights...they add a lot day & night...and are not expensive.

For increased visibility in back, it is hard to beat the Tour-Pak Filler Run-Brake-Turn LED's. Again, they add a lot, day and night.

If you do long rides, or a lot of stop and go, I would do heat dissipation first. This will add to the longevity and performance of your ride.

With a '17, you do not need to spend the limited $ on a tuner. They are Not overly lean from the factory. Save that expenditure until later, when you are looking to really sharpen the knife and get the most out of it. Read REPORT HERE on M8 tuning.

There are a few little (less expensive) things you can do to dissipate heat, and a few that cost more. You can see the list in this REPORT LINK.

If comfort is your overriding concern, start with "The Comfort Triangle" and get that set up correctly. Once that is done, you can move on to suspension. FRONT Suspension REPORT LINK. REAR Suspension REPORT LINK.

On your '17, you will benefit more from the rear suspension improvements.

Part of Comfort is your passenger having enough room. The Tour-Pak Relocation is a game-changer for a lot of Riders. It is not expensive and can yield huge benefits.

Here is a thread on what I am doing to my 2019 (which is not a lot different than your 2017)-

https://www.triketalk.com/forum/thre...d-observations

Kevin

[kodiak198]

Again, thanks for the replies. Some good info here. Rick

[PosseRider]

Thanks for the replies. Now, if each of you will send me $500 then I will incorporate your suggestion . I may opt for the rear suspension since I am a big feller and I ride 2 up about 35 - 40 % of the time. I feel it “bottoming out” on the bumps and humps. I don’t ride much in 85 + degree weather and most of my trips are about an hour before I stop for one reason or another.

At that rate, you only owe each of us $600 for professional testing of products.