General trike questions.

[EBtwisties]

I could not find a specific trike location so I thought this would be a good place to start.

As I stated in my introduction thread, I am planning to retire in about 8 years and I would like to give myself a trike for a retirement gift. I currently ride a 750 Honda Shadow, while I love this bike and feel that it is capable of doing anything I would like to do, I think that a larger bike is in order. Currently my bride to be has her own 750 Honda Shadow and we both love to get out and ride, however age and mileage are starting to take their toll. We would like to take cross country rides after I retire and after much discussion we arrived at the decision that a trike pulling a trailer would be our best option.

From the little I have gleamed from different sources I have narrowed down the bike manufacturers to two, the Harley Tri-Glide and the Honda Goldwing. So far they are running close in the "which one" race and that is why I am here. I want a bike that I can get on and go, I like to ride more than wrench now a days. With that said I feel confident that both bikes are well made and both would be a good choice. What I am looking for is information on the types of problems that each bike would need to go to a dealer to be repaired and no BS truth to the longevity of these bikes. I currently do my own preventive maintenance, tire changes, and even adjust the valves on our Shadows.

I know that both bikes have their pro's and con's, as everything does, I would like y'alls input on this. I have seen video's showing how to replace the air filter on the newer GW's, it is a 6-8 hour job and the whole top of the bike has to be pulled apart,,,really?! what genius thought this up. I still hear comments from time to time about the lack of reliability of the Harley bikes, I don't know if this is hold over BS from the '70's or factual current truth.

From a style viewpoint I lean more to the HD bikes, the GW looks more like a crotch rocket every year. I really liked the looks of the GW when it was just considered an "Old Man's Bike".

From the little I have read here on the forum I have seen several times a mention that one needs to pick a trike conversion to match their riding style. What are the differences in the kits and is there a middle of the road kit. I think that my travels on the trike will be long distance with a lot of interstate miles but I thinking that we may like staying off the interstates and mainly riding US and state routes (I use to drive big trucks and say plenty of interstate). since I will be traveling as a retired person the time constraints when traveling will be basically non existent compared to traveling as a working person. I like to ride the twisties, not aggressively, so I may do this some with the trike as well but plan to keep the Shadows for this kind of riding.

What is the towing capacity for the GW and HD trikes? I have not been able to find these specifications for the trikes.

If y'all made it this far, many thanks. A lot of times it is difficult to get my thoughts from my mind to paper, or type as is the case, in an orderly fashion. My hope is that y'all might be able to point me to sources that might help me make my decision.

Thanks

Eric

 

[cScjhb]

Eric,

Welcome to TT.

The first place I would go for good advice is Randy at Cut N Shoot Customs, AKA Papa Zook, the owner of this forum.

As for basic information...... regardless of which bike you choose; I would plan on spending the money for a custom seat that fits you and your passenger. I have never found an OEM seat that gives all day comfort regardless of bike. Towing capacity should be kept to around 400 pounds. Most motorcycle trailers come in at about 250 lbs (or less) empty so you will want to limit your cargo to about 150 pounds. I have an auxiliary fuel tank giving me a range of a little over 300 miles. It is a feature that I'm glad to have. I recommend it. I'm also a fan of independent rear suspension and think having a rake kit, or easy steer, is a must.

Just a few thoughts to get you started. Good luck..... Jim

 

[rhino 2]

I could not find a specific trike location so I thought this would be a good place to start.

What is the towing capacity for the GW and HD trikes? I have not been able to find these specifications for the trikes.

Eric

Eric, If you put just put a tow hitch on a Tri-Glide...Harley will void your warrteny..

Thats why Harley hasn't any specifications on towing ...

 

[Mykneesbehurtin]

Being a Harley guy since !989 I do like my HD's. With that being said you can't go wrong with a Goldwing. My buddy has three trikes, a 2013 Anniversary Tri Glide a 2009 Harly Tri Glide and he just bought a 2018 Goldwing automatic. He says that the Goldwing is just so smooth and rides so much better than either of his hd's, so it will be your decision just chose which one feels the best to you.

 

[EBtwisties]

Eric,

Welcome to TT.

The first place I would go for good advice is Randy at Cut N Shoot Customs, AKA Papa Zook, the owner of this forum.

As for basic information...... regardless of which bike you choose; I would plan on spending the money for a custom seat that fits you and your passenger. I have never found an OEM seat that gives all day comfort regardless of bike. Towing capacity should be kept to around 400 pounds. Most motorcycle trailers come in at about 250 lbs (or less) empty so you will want to limit your cargo to about 150 pounds. I have an auxiliary fuel tank giving me a range of a little over 300 miles. It is a feature that I'm glad to have. I recommend it. I'm also a fan of independent rear suspension and think having a rake kit, or easy steer, is a must.

Just a few thoughts to get you started. Good luck..... Jim

Thanks for the info Jim.

I know what you are talking about with the seat, I replaced the stock seat on my Phantom with a Mustang wide touring and it makes all the difference.

I will contact Papa Zook when I am more familiar with what I need to ask relating to the trike world.

Again thanks for the information.

Eric

 

[Jack Klarich]

Eric, Unless I missed it have you had a chance to ride a H D or Gold wing trike?

If not u should to compare apples to apples

Another thing to consider, when out and about touring how easy will it be to get service

 

[EBtwisties]

Eric, If you put just put a tow hitch on a Tri-Glide...Harley will void your warrteny..

Thats why Harley hasn't any specifications on towing ...

Thanks for the heads up.

I saw this in a video today, but it seems that some dealers do not always go by corporate guidelines.

Being a Harley guy since !989 I do like my HD's. With that being said you can't go wrong with a Goldwing. My buddy has three trikes, a 2013 Anniversary Tri Glide a 2009 Harly Tri Glide and he just bought a 2018 Goldwing automatic. He says that the Goldwing is just so smooth and rides so much better than either of his hd's, so it will be your decision just chose which one feels the best to you.

After speaking with my bride to be today she made the comment that by the time I get a trike I may not want to be doing much work on anything. This is a good possibility since I don't really like working on 4 wheel vehicles anymore but I do what I can.

From what I have read HD has improved quite a bit on their engines in the last 10 or so years, even to the point of reducing the engine vibration. I don't mind the V-twin vibrations but on a long day of riding even the small amount I get on the Phantom start to get more noticeable.

You have brought up something else that I have not thought about before,,,

Thanks

Eric

 

[PosseRider]

Here are 2 threads for you that will help

https://www.triketalk.com/forum/forums/374-Harley-Tri-Glide

https://www.triketalk.com/forum/forums/8-Honda-Trikes

If you do buy new, HD frowns on hitches. However if you buy used, put a hitch on. Not sure what kind of riding you do, but My wife & I are late 70's & we ride 10k or so every summer on US & State hiways. 300-400 mile days on our 2020 Tri. We have no use for a trailer ,as the Tri's trunk & tourpak hold a lot . We have a luggage rack with a T-bag. also. Just get a motel with laundry every 5 -6 days & we are good. I like the fact HD has a large network of dealers. if needed. I really don't notice the vibration if any on the M8 motor. Been on Harleys only for well over 30 yrs 48 states & 7 country's. Only had to use a dealer on the road 2 times in 30 yrs of touring. Once for a new battery & once for a new tire. Rode British bikes before that & 2 OLD HD with foot clutch & hand shift. Total 65yrs on cycles. Never want to quit.

 

[Phu Cat]

I added a hitch as soon as the warranty was up on our TGlide. Except for having to allow more room when changing lanes I can't tell it's back there. And that a trailer knocks about 5 MPG off our mileage.

The wiring on a Harley is not heavy enough to safely tap into it for the lights on a trailer. It's best to use a "Bypass System" that ties directly into the battery to power the trailers lights. A bypass system can usually be obtained from any company that sells motorcycle hitches.

 

[EBtwisties]

Here are 2 threads for you that will help

https://www.triketalk.com/forum/forums/374-Harley-Tri-Glide

https://www.triketalk.com/forum/forums/8-Honda-Trikes

If you do buy new, HD frowns on hitches. However if you buy used, put a hitch on. Not sure what kind of riding you do, but My wife & I are late 70's & we ride 10k or so every summer on US & State hiways. 300-400 mile days on our 2020 Tri. We have no use for a trailer ,as the Tri's trunk & tourpak hold a lot . We have a luggage rack with a T-bag. also. Just get a motel with laundry every 5 -6 days & we are good. I like the fact HD has a large network of dealers. if needed. I really don't notice the vibration if any on the M8 motor. Been on Harleys only for well over 30 yrs 48 states & 7 country's. Only had to use a dealer on the road 2 times in 30 yrs of touring. Once for a new battery & once for a new tire. Rode British bikes before that & 2 OLD HD with foot clutch & hand shift. Total 65yrs on cycles. Never want to quit.

Thanks for the thread links, I will check them out.

Currently my bride to be and I both have 750 Honda’s. I commute with mine a good bit and together we do local pleasure rides, usually 250 miles or less a day. What I plan to do with the trike is to take multi day trips say no more than 500 miles from home. I would also like to do multi week tours of different areas of the U.S. I use to drive over the road trucks and have seen so much of the country but did not get to visit. A couple years ago we took a cage out to the Grand Canyon and did that ever get me wanting to wander around the country.

 

[EBtwisties]

I added a hitch as soon as the warranty was up on our TGlide. Except for having to allow more room when changing lanes I can't tell it's back there. And that a trailer knocks about 5 MPG off our mileage.

The wiring on a Harley is not heavy enough to safely tap into it for the lights on a trailer. It's best to use a "Bypass System" that ties directly into the battery to power the trailers lights. A bypass system can usually be obtained from any company that sells motorcycle hitches.

Thanks for that info,,,that is a big MPG hit.

 

[Notgrownup]

I bought my Tri Glide last year, I test rode a Goldwing DCT with a Daytona trike and I will say it’s smooth and powerful… I don’t doubt the reliability of a Honda but I overall liked my ride on the Tri Glide way better. My wife likes the HD better as well. I will probably buy a newer one by the time I retire. Test ride as many as you can. They all have their plus and minus

 

[EBtwisties]

Eric, Unless I missed it have you had a chance to ride a H D or Gold wing trike?

If not u should to compare apples to apples

Another thing to consider, when out and about touring how easy will it be to get service

I have not test drove any Gold Wing or Harley, 2 or 3 wheel varieties. I did test drive a HD Low Rider back in the '90's in Daytona and was rather impressed with how steady it felt. Back in the late '80's/ early '90's I did get a ride on a trike GW as a passenger, all I remember is that it felt weird both the trike ride and being a passenger.

I have a bit over seven years till retirement so I am not in a real big hurry to test drive anything. To be honest I am afraid that if I do test drive a few I will find one following me home, and the way the economy is right now I don't want any payments.

I am just learning what I can about the bikes and trike kits, and the Tri Glide.

Eric

 

[rhino 2]

I have a bit over seven years till retirement so I am not in a real big hurry to test drive anything. To be honest I am afraid that if I do test drive a few I will find one following me home, and the way the economy is right now I don't want any payments.

I am just learning what I can about the bikes and trike kits, and the Tri Glide.

Eric

Over 7 years from now most of us won’t be here..Of even be interested in Trikes

seven years from now Harley Davidson probably won’t be making gas engine motorcycle Honda probably wouldn’t either…So thinking 7+ years from now…Whatareyouworryedabout…?

 

[Mykneesbehurtin]

Thanks for that info,,,that is a big MPG hit.

My buddy rode his 2018 Goldwing trike from Cape Coral Fla to Dayton Ohio pulling a trailer and was getting 125 miles to a tank at 80 MPH. The wings dont seem to get the gas mileage the HD does.

 

[jjvw]

I like to ride the twisties, not aggressively, so I may do this some with the trike as well but plan to keep the Shadows for this kind of riding.

Eric[/QUOTE]

You won't need the two wheeler to ride the twisties. With a little pratice, Trikes will out corner most of them.



The 2 wheeler peaking around the corner, started out ahead of us:laugh: