Champion trike kit and EZ steer on 2005 Goldwing

[dpete]

Hi,

I am looking at a 2005 GW trike with a champion kit w/ 30K miles. appears to be in great shape, but I wont have a chance to see in person before purchase.

question. any experience w/ champion straight axle and EZ steer.

I would be a first time trike owner. Does this sound like a good decision?

any help is appreciated. thanks,

danny

[rhino 2]

Hi,

I am looking at a 2005 GW trike with a champion kit w/ 30K miles. appears to be in great shape, but I wont have a chance to see in person before purchase.

question. any experience w/ champion straight axle and EZ steer.

I would be a first time trike owner. Does this sound like a good decision?

any help is appreciated. thanks,

danny

Just a little more background.....Are you going to see in person just before you purchase it......Or purchase [Send the seller money] then see it...?..

[cScjhb]

I prefer independent rear suspension but I know a lot of people who are happy with solid. One of the issues of the 2005 and older Goldwings is overheating at slower speeds. The GW 1800 radiator fans blow from rear to front. (it's true) When you are going 15 - 25 MPH that has the effect of not having ANY air flow through the radiators. Honda increased the radiator size on the 2006 and newer models to help with this. Having said that, I have had 6 different Goldwings and never experienced any big problems. Look at the valve covers for discoloration in the clear coating. Overheating will cause them to turn a yellowish. Good luck..... Jim

[dpete]

Just a little more background.....Are you going to see in person just before you purchase it......Or purchase [Send the seller money] then see it...?..

potentially buy, ship, then see.

it's in Florida. I am in Dallas. no way to see before sale.

[dpete]

potentially buy, ship, then see.

it's in Florida. I am in Dallas. no way to see before sale.

https://trikesbikesfortmyers.com/Tri...8-aa01011413ec

[paws]

Just my opinion,,,,I would not buy something I could not look at and drive FIRST or have an experienced triker do that for me... unless it was brand-spanking new. I would think there would be plenty of trikes for sale closer.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

I had a 2008 Gold Wing with a Champion Straight Axle. It was a nice ride. The solid axle was not an issue for me. Is the ride a little rougher with the straight axle? Yes. But, I like a firmer ride and understand that 3 wheels is not a great platform to get a silky ride.

My only complaint was the brakes where not as good as I would of liked. They were functional and would stop the trike, just not a solid as I would of liked. I flushed and replaced the brake fluid and that helped quite a bit, but, just never got as strong as my Tri Glides brakes. I suspect if I would of ever got around to changing the brake lines to steel or braided, that would of solved the issue.

[dpete]

I do see a 2008 motortrike that is in the DFW area, but it has 67K miles as opposed to the 2005 with 30k miles in FL.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

I do see a 2008 motortrike that is in the DFW area, but it has 67K miles as opposed to the 2005 with 30k miles in FL.

Not much difference between the 08 and 05 ... 67K isn't many miles for a Gold Wing. I wouldn't let that scare me. Typically they go a looooong time ... ... The 05 is a tiny bit easier to get the air cleaner changed ... just because of a few changes in the plastic. But, both are relatively easy, to change, just time consuming. Personally I like the dash area on the 05's better than the 08, just a cleaner look. Some people like the look of the 08's ... it's a matter of choice, basically no function difference. Unless I'm mistaken, the 08 has heated grips and seat ... that was a nice feature.

[dpete]

I took the advice here and decided to buy a trike locally. I found a 2006 GW w/ 40K miles and a champion kit and trailer. It is in Fort Worth, 1hr from me. I drove over and looked at it. They are having the oil changed and detailed now. I will test drive it when i go to pick it up next week, and if anything is wrong, I will step back; however, it looks good so far.

[trikeman]

[dpete]

supposed to pick it up Monday. I am pretty excited.

It's all detailed and looks nice.

[rhino 2]

supposed to pick it up Monday. I am pretty excited.

It's all detailed and looks nice.

............

[cScjhb]

Congrats...... Nice looking trike and trailer. Anxious to hear your thoughts after you have a few miles on it. Looks like you made a good choice. Ride safe...... Jim

[BrokenBackJack]

Congrats on finding a very nice looking Trike. Hope it rides as good as it looks as you will be set for a very long time.

Perfect time of the year to go riding now too with the weather finally cooling off a little!

[dpete]

I picked it up Saturday from ft worth (1hr away).

drove it home and drove it each day since. It is very different from a bike, which i expected and learned from this forum.

i find that the largest issue is shifting while turning. that is tricky. i am riding every day and smoothing out as I go.

My wife rode on the back and really likes it, compared to the 2-wheeler i had for years. She only rode a couple of times and didnt feel comfortable. on the trike, we rode around town, and she really felt comfortable. That is a win that makes it all worth while for me.

so far, I am really loving the GW trike.

this weekend, my son (18) and I are taking the 3-wheel safety course, which uses can ams. The goal is to get his 3-wheel license so he can drive the GW and maybe get a ryker later.

[dpete]

I find that the hardest thing to get used to is turning and shifting, which seems to be most turns that happen from a stop.

[triwinggirl]

i have a DFT rear end the lightest on the market at 258 lbs, i not a big fan of solid axle rear ends the are very heavy and will slow you down. remember you trike has to pull that extra weight. i also am not a fan of EZ steer raked front ends, they wear out forks in a couple years and new ones are required. you can not rebuild barreled forks. i spent a lot on my eurowing car tire shock absorber front end. rides and steers so much better and the tire will crack before it wears out

[dpete]

I took the advice here and decided to buy a trike locally. I found a 2006 GW w/ 40K miles and a champion kit and trailer. It is in Fort Worth, 1hr from me. I drove over and looked at it. They are having the oil changed and detailed now. I will test drive it when i go to pick it up next week, and if anything is wrong, I will step back; however, it looks good so far.

I have been riding around North Dallas a bit every day, since I purchased it. Running errands, picking up chick-fil-a, etc.

Both HWY and urban riding.

I am really enjoying it and getting used to it. I find the trickiest part was turning and shifting at the same time. Locked handlebars makes shifting a bit tough, but I am getting used to it and smoother.

I left the trailer behind, since I had a 1 hr drive home, and it was the first time driving a trike. I need to schedule time to go back and pick it up. Any tips or cautions about pulling a trailer beyond the obvious? I have never pulled a trailer on a bike or trike before.

[Gorilla]

Danny most people say they don't even notice the trailer back there. Just remember it when parking etc. because it can be a little tricky backing up.