New: Let the learning begin

[4cRanch]

Starting my research on which trike will suit my needs best. Retiring 2012 and will be ready to move from my 2 wheels to a trike and start riding every opportunity.

[tfdeputydawg]

Test the rest
Then buy the best
Wing/Hannigan
Just kidding. The Hannigan was our choice. Yours may be different. Look/Read/Research. Test ride your potential choices. Pick the one best for you.
Research installers also, pick a good one!
IMO, IRS gives the smoothest ride. Those that extend the wheel base improves the passenger comfort. A rake kit on the forks is a must.
At this time only the Harley factory trikes and the Can-Ams have factory warranties.
Any other bike that is converted, most likely, loses it's warranty on major items such as the drive train.

Welcome to the funny farm! I took 4 years to research my trike purchase!

[bumlbe]

The experience I had was the salesperson would tell me that their trike conversion was the best because blah blah blah. I would explain to them that this is what I hear at every dealership that I go to, it would eventually come down to me making the decision based on service after the sale, number of options offered for the price and several other things. Its my own opion that dealers have a lot of profit built into the conversion that they are selling, so it doesn't hurt to haggle price with them.

One option that I wanted was independent suspension. Lehman didn't offer that option because they used the term "no lean" with their solid axle. I have to say that I haven't experienced a lean on my Motor Trike. I was told when I bought my conversion that a driver should enter a curve slow enough so that you can accelerate through remainder of the turn. I tried that the other day and it sure helps to stabilize the trike, I was impressed.

One thing I experienced when riding a well known conversion with solid axle was head shake. It was the first time I had this experience and it scared the hell out of me. I was told that the unit had the front rake installed. I thought that was spose to eliminate the head shake. Can someone explain how this could happen?

[wingking51]

utergreet:Welcome to the forum. This is the place to get your questions answered. Take the opportunity to test ride as many of the different trikes out there you can and make sure you have your co-rider along. A lot of the ride comfort will have more impact on the co-rider than the driver. After the ride quality all the extra dodads are pretty much the same on most all trikes. Good luck in your quest to find whats right for you. Keep us posted and once you find your dream ride, post pics!:yes:

[tfdeputydawg]

One thing I experienced when riding a well known conversion with solid axle was head shake. It was the first time I had this experience and it scared the hell out of me. I was told that the unit had the front rake installed. I thought that was spose to eliminate the head shake. Can someone explain how this could happen?

1. There was no rake kit
2. Still had ball bearings
3. Bearing races not properly seated
4. Bearings not properly torqued
5. Rear end not set "square"
6. Tire(s) not properly balanced
7. Front wheel not properly mounted to bike
8. Tire(s) out of round
9. Wheel(s) not "true".
Having listed all those-when I was test riding(some time ago) every straight axle I rode, raked or not, had "shake" of varying degrees up to about 40MPH.
That was long enough ago, you would think that would be eliminated by now!
I believe that shake has a lot to do with the trail of the front end, especially on Wings

[Greydog]

I have the solid axel on my Champion/Ultra kit and have never experienced "head shake". I have the easy steer and the dealer/builder snugged the bearings to adjust the fall away as recommended. I have ridden the trike with my hands off the bars for short distances and it tracks like an arrow. I don't think either solid axel or Independent suspension contributes to head shake unless improperly installed and not properly aligned with the frame and perpindicular to the front wheel.

[Boscoporp]

I have a GW trike with a Motor Trike conversion. I have a solid axle and have had other trikes and never have I had a "headshake" problem. I always have noticed that people that have had headshake problems are people that don't maintain the unit as well as they should. I have riden fixed axles and independant axles and I think the difference is hardly measureable. Just my opinion!

If you are going to ride long distance the longer wheel based trikes have a better ride and more comfort space for the two people riding, but if you are going to spend your time in the twisties riding agressively the shorter wheel bases have the advantage. Again, just my opinion!

[tfdeputydawg]

I could definitely tell a difference in certain solid axle model that did not extend the wheel base and my final choice for a Wing. Rode a Harley w/that same solid axle model and wife told me to turn around and take it back within a half mile. I agreed w/her and told the demo fleet rep that bike had a severe steering problem. Told me it was his personal bike and rode fine!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So, that took care of that model conversion for us!
When we took our loooooooooong demo ride, at the factory, on the Wing/Hannigan(extends the wheel base), we had gone about 5 miles when the wife leaned up and said, "This is the one, isn't it?" The answer was, "Yep!"

[Gorilla]

Starting my research on which trike will suit my needs best. Retiring 2012 and will be ready to move from my 2 wheels to a trike and start riding every opportunity.

give us at least a hint of the make you like welcome aboard

[John Luciano]

I have a 1997 DFT. I can ride hands off from 15 MPH to 80. it is independent suspension Handles the twisties, like a dream Rides smooth as silk and has nor rake front end . I can drive it all day with one hand .

[Lucky]

I ride a 90 wing/motor trike/raked never had any head shake problems.Good Luck

[Usadisvet]

Hi, I am a four tour medically retired combat veteran of Iraq. Due to medical reasons I can no longer ride two wheelers but my dock said trike are ok. Does anyone know of anywhere I might be able to find a good reasonably priced trik that even then some my trade for my other baby which is a 1986 ford mistang convertible with a 302 under the hood?? Thanks for the time

[4cRanch]

give us at least a hint of the make you like welcome aboard

Yea, that would be helpful. It'll be a Goldwing, but definitely not a 2012. I wish I were in a position to buy it this year so I could trike a new 2010. I doubt there will be any new 2010's when I'm ready April 2012. I'll just have to see what my options are at that time.

[skuuter]

WELCOME to TRIKE TALK, and I hope Your Trike search proves very fruitful for You....:wtg:......in case You didn't notice, Your Thread became an opinion/information Thread quickly.......

[White Knight 04]

Look around my self I just bought a Motor trike Gladiator last fall and was very surprised how well it rode and handled... There are many good trike kits out there ride them and compare you will be surprised I'm sure... Welcome !!!!

[Badon3]

Hi welcome aboard --when i was lookin to trike my 2002 wing in 2003 i test road alot of trikes --i bought a champion --nice trike kit --my brother in law wanted a trike in 2004 found him a 2003 wing with a hanaginn--it was alot better than my champion road better -handled better longer --wider --ride alot of diffrent ones and pick the one you like --make sure you buy from someone that you trust --

[Frozenshrimp]

4cRanch welcome from Oklahoma!! Good hunting for your trike keep us posted on how it's going!!!