FWIW, my thoughts on doing a Conversion vs a Tri-Glide

[tukibandit]

I have a 2013 Ultra Classic w/9900 miles and lots of , that is now at Twiggs waiting on its trip to CSC to get a Trike conversion.

Personally I put a lot of thought and research into this.. I looked at new and used Trikes vs my budget vs the end value on the Trike at the end of it all.

2013 is my year, I did not want a 2014-2016 .. my buddy has a 2016 that has had the engine apart twice.. The 2019-2020 Tri-Glides from what I read had ABS issues.. so I really wanted a 2013.. It happens to just be my own preference and my favorite year..

I found several 2013 Tri-Glides, all of them in the 28000 to 29,999 range miles in the 10kto20k range. By the time I get them to the out the door price, with taxes, dealer fees ect.. There is almost 5k more added.. One dealer in Ohio who had a screaming eagle 2013 Tri-Glide with 9800 miles, gave me a price of 28k, but an out the door price of 33000 (which included taxes, dealer prep, fees, ect..).. That made my mind up..

My 2013 I only had to pay the taxes on the Trike-Kit. Trike kit with all dealer fees and taxes was $19,300, the book value on my bike was 10500'ish So it ended up being around 3k cheaper for me to do the CSC kit and I get Independent Rear Suspension and all the other extras that come with it, that I wouldn't have got on the 2013 Tri-Glide.

The CSC Conversion has IRS, powertrack and Anti-Roll Bar which since my GF will be on the bike with me 80& of the time, I felt is important for her comfort..

My credit union (who works with quite a few MC dealers) so they are biker friendly.. would have financed it either way..

By the numbers..

33,000 - 10500 = 22,500

vs

19,300.. Plus the fact I know everything about my bike, what it needs, doesn't need and how it has been maintained over the last 3yrs.. And I am a stickler for maintaining my rides.. Buying someone else's used bike, you roll the dice..

Just food for thought for anyone looking at the same things..

A new Tri-Glide with all the extras I have on my 2013 would have been in the 40k range plus taxes, dealer fees, ect ect ect.. so for me, that was not an option..

This is all my own experience.. I asked a ton of questions and looked around a lot..

In the end, I am 66 with a bad left knee.. There comes a time when you just do not feel 100% planting your feet on those long days.. In June I dropped the bike as I was backing it into a parking space after getting fuel, my left leg gave out and I could not hold the bike up.. then Ocean City Bike week convinced me it was time, the long drive from WV to OC, I knew then when I got home, it was time..

-Cheers..

 

[cScjhb]

Looks to me like you've done your homework and made the decision that's right for you. Good luck with your conversion and don't forget to post pictures..... Before and after! Jim

 

[Old Road Dog]

I was gonna convert my Dyna and I spent all winter playing with the numbers. Factoring in the value of the bike ,adding the conversion ,paint etc etc- I was $5 grand in difference on a new Freewheeler, with the M8 motor. So I paid cash for the trike and still own the Dyna. IM NOT SAYING this is right for anyone else. Everyone is different with different requirements.

 

[PFWiz]

Had a RoadSmith conversion done to our 2018 CVO Limited last spring. I am generally very pleased with the outcome.I could have sold my CVO and purchased either a TriGlide or a CVO TriGlide and had less money in the final trike, but I decided not to. There are 4 main reasons we decided to go with a conversion.

1. My wife loves our bike. We did a lot of work to control the buffeting and she just loves the color.
   
2. Ride quality. Our conversions fully independent rear suspension with performance sway bar beats the heck out of Harleys solid axle / cheap shock design. My wife has Fibro Mialgia which makes long rides tough on her, but she has no problems doing 400 miles days on our trike.
   
3. Reverse. Just admit it, Harleys reverse system just sucks.
   
4. Aux gas tank. We got the 3 gal aux gas tank option on our trike. This was the actual reason why I went with RS instead of CSC. With the aux tank we have done 180 mile mile runs between stops while pulling a trailer with the cruise set at 80 and the bike still indicated 70 plus miles to empty! The aux tank makes all my range anxiety go away!
   

Anyway, my point is that IMO there is no contest between a TriGlide and a good conversion.

 

[tukibandit]

Love your paint on your bike.. your RS conversion trike looks very cool..

For CSC. they did not have the AUX tank on the CSC conversion.. but then I have no intention of pulling a trailer.. and I really at this point do not know how much my gas mileage will go down.. I got the "Performance Gear Sprocket set" on the bike, I know that will lower my gas mileage some, but do not know how much....

Much to your point.. CSC, the rake-powertrak, fully IRS and sway bars were one of those factors in making my decision as well.. The reason I bought the Harley I have, is because my GF, it is her favorite bike, the Ultra Classic with the paint scheme, ect..

Once I get the bike back, I will need to work more on the buffeting to her head.. I have to figure out the correct windshield height that makes her comfortable .. It has been an on again off again struggle..

I am supposed to get the bike back end of February.. I am looking forward to that, I may ride it down to Daytona for Bike Week as it's first trip.. i intend to do a lot of miles with it next year.. It is going to be an exciting year..

-t

Had a RoadSmith conversion done to our 2018 CVO Limited last spring. I am generally very pleased with the outcome.I could have sold my CVO and purchased either a TriGlide or a CVO TriGlide and had less money in the final trike, but I decided not to. There are 4 main reasons we decided to go with a conversion.

1. My wife loves our bike. We did a lot of work to control the buffeting and she just loves the color.
   
2. Ride quality. Our conversions fully independent rear suspension with performance sway bar beats the heck out of Harleys solid axle / cheap shock design. My wife has Fibro Mialgia which makes long rides tough on her, but she has no problems doing 400 miles days on our trike.
   
3. Reverse. Just admit it, Harleys reverse system just sucks.
   
4. Aux gas tank. We got the 3 gal aux gas tank option on our trike. This was the actual reason why I went with RS instead of CSC. With the aux tank we have done 180 mile mile runs between stops while pulling a trailer with the cruise set at 80 and the bike still indicated 70 plus miles to empty! The aux tank makes all my range anxiety go away!
   

Anyway, my point is that IMO there is no contest between a TriGlide and a good conversion.

View attachment 110591

 

[PFWiz]

Love your paint on your bike.. your RS conversion trike looks very cool..

For CSC. they did not have the AUX tank on the CSC conversion.. but then I have no intention of pulling a trailer.. and I really at this point do not know how much my gas mileage will go down.. I got the "Performance Gear Sprocket set" on the bike, I know that will lower my gas mileage some, but do not know how much....

Much to your point.. CSC, the rake-powertrak, fully IRS and sway bars were one of those factors in making my decision as well.. The reason I bought the Harley I have, is because my GF, it is her favorite bike, the Ultra Classic with the paint scheme, ect..

Once I get the bike back, I will need to work more on the buffeting to her head.. I have to figure out the correct windshield height that makes her comfortable .. It has been an on again off again struggle..

I am supposed to get the bike back end of February.. I am looking forward to that, I may ride it down to Daytona for Bike Week as it's first trip.. i intend to do a lot of miles with it next year.. It is going to be an exciting year..

-t

Thanks, pulling the trailer on the highway with the stock sprocket at 80 mph we get about 30 mpg. Take a look at MadStaad windshields. They are expensive, but they really work and have about 4 inches of height adjustability in each size. This is what HD was trying to accomplish when they put in the windshield vent. We ended up with 8,000 plus miles last season after the bike was converted....