To do a conversion or buy new trike?

[Mike Woley]

Need some input here...have an '08 FLHTCU with 5000 miles...my skinny little legs make me nervous sometimes...I am 66 y/o and want to continue to ride. Should I consider selling the 2 wheeler and going with a new TG or have mine converted? Appreciate any input you can provide...which kit etc.

 

[Greydog]

Hey Mike....a lot goes into that decision. I converted my '08 Ultra because I couldn't get a decent trade-in on a Tri-Glide in 2009. Considering the original cost of the anniversary edition Ultra, the Champion trike kit, big bore kit with true dual exhaust air cleaner and tuner I have well over $40,000 invested. Sixth gear was useless without the big bore kit and cams and you can't do the big bore without adding the true duals etc. The cost keeps adding up. If you can get a good trade-in or sell yours outright for a decent price then a new tri-Glide would probably be the route to go. If you put true duals etc on the Triglide your total investment will probably be more than the cost of the conversion and big bore kit on your '08. I ran all the numbers back in '09 when I converted mine and a trade was just not feasible. For what it's worth, I have no regrets. Do the math based on your budget and decide from there.

 

[WalterM817]

maybe find a Harley rental and check out a Trike for a day or so. you could see if it helps as much as you think.

 

[Mike Woley]

Is the conversion something I could do myself? I am mechanicly inclined...have built several hot rods over the years....working on finishing a T-buckt project rite now. Are all the engine upgrades necessary?
I am like any other HD nut....too much money(chrome) tied up to get it back in a trade situation. So I am either going to have to sell outrite or try to do the conversion.

 

[Gorilla]

Is the conversion something I could do myself? I am mechanically inclined...have built several hot rods over the years....working on finishing a T-bucket project rite now. Are all the engine upgrades necessary?
I am like any other HD nut....too much money(chrome) tied up to get it back in a trade situation. So I am either going to have to sell outrite or try to do the conversion.

Mike if you look at the Champion conversion it is a DIY kit. I converted my 07 and had no problems at all. My big advantage was that my 07 was a Police bike and therefor had the 103 motor all ready. The savings is not that great except you are using what you all ready have and just adding to it cost wise. Like all ready mentioned depends or what you could get for your current bike. I built and do not regret it. You can check my profile for pictures.

 

[1550vt]

Convert!

 

[Nana]

Mike, if you like your current bike, have it adjusted to look and perform to your taste, and are having no mechanical problems with it....... I would say to convert what you have!

 

[Guido Gonzeaux]

I owned two 96 CI Softails and didn't feel either one would convert very well, so I traded the 07 Deluxe for a 2011 TriGlide. I have no regrets with the trade and once I get a handle on the rear jug heat situation I will ride it a lot more. The only thing about the TriGlide that I don't like is cosmetic. I think the tombstone tail lights on the most of the conversions are much better looking than the TriGlide.

 

[KRUZR]

Mike, I'm 62 and having a lot of trouble with my knees (just had one replaced). I loved my 2007 Street Glide and after going to Sturgis, SD last summer where my wife and I rode the Harley Tri Glide and 4 Conversions,, I had the CSC Daytona conversion installed this winter and it turned out Great. Before selling your bike and buying a Tri Glide (because we rode them) make sure you ride one and check out some conversions. It will be worth the effort. And then check out all of the Trike Riding recommendations out there. Ride Safe!

 

[White Knight 04]

I'm a Harley guy and I say convert !!!

 

[DanDolfn]

I haven't got mine yet, but I just went thru the same considerations.

With prices $25K and up on even used trikes, it made more economic sense for me to convert than to buy a trike and then try to sell my bike.

If the dollars don't make that much difference, then just buy what you dream of.

But if your current bike is reliable and the dollars matter, then conversion is probably the way to go.

 

[KRUZR]

There is no doubt a Wing Trike has more power. However, again while we were test riding Trikes in Sturgis I was offered a ride on a Wing/Motor Trike conversion and did not ride it because of the location of the foot pegs. I just don't bend the way you have to sit on a Wing to ride one. So great, the Wing has the Power and they are beautiful. Regarding converting my Street Glide, Yes, I did upgrade to the 103 and also went to the 30T gear before I thought about conversion but now I still have the Harley sound, look, and feel that I like in a motorcycle. I had my motorcycle converted by a Harley Dealership and there just is not an issue with warranty. It's a 2007. The Harley warranty is only 2 years and the dealer will cover anything that was part of the conversion installation. So if a person loves there bike, it's paid for and they want the stability of a Trike, Convert yours. Whatever you decide, Enjoy it! Sorry Nothing!!

 

[Maria]

I have the Frankenstein conversion on a Dyna LowRider... I love it! It is set up to be a DIY, and we did. The local rep ordered it for us, came & helped, but we did the work. There are photos of the build in one of my albums.
Part of what you pick depends on what "look" you like... the Frankenstein (IMO) is a very no-frills trike. No fiberglass, no trunk, kinda mechanical and "bare bones." The price reflects this, I suspect.... the kit comes with everything you need and no extra. I took off the center rear fender, installed a platform,and mounted a tour pak on the platform so I have storage/cargo space. (Sorry, no photos of the new configuration yet, but soon.) Another thing to keep in mind is that the Frankenstein is a "reversible" conversion - get a new swingarm & you can go back to 2 wheels.
If you want a trike that looks smooth & polished, all-in-one if you will, and finished as soon as the conversion is done, then you have more options and you should look at the other choices - IBS vs. fixed axle, reverse vs. push-power, storage, stereo, etc etc, and then see what conversions offer which options.
If you love your bike, and have a lot invested in it, convert. If you want a new toy, shop!

 

[Boscoporp]

I would bet that you can find a better deal on a "Wing: that has already been triked. Many people have purchased them and find that htey don't ride them enought justify the costs of owning any bike.

The advantages of a Wing or a Harley is No viberation, No noise and you don't have to dress like a pirate. sorry, I just couldn't resist that pun! I use to ride harleys and I loved every moment of it!

 

[Dwight]

Mike,
Lots of good advice here. Most of the power issues for a HD conversion (specifically those models with the 6 speed) can be addressed by changing the transmission sprocket to a 30T. The Motor company has done this with the 11 TriGlides. If you do a CSC conversion you have to change the motor sprocket to get a usefull change. If you could get a reasonable trade in I would go for the TriGlide, if not, pick out a conversion you really like. The Champion and the Roadsmith are both available as a self install. I'm doing the Champion now on an 11 Road Glide CVO. I really liked the Hannigan but their policy now is to not allow a self install. I have installed two of their kits on Goldwings. I also like the CSC (particullary since they have addressed some drivetrain issues) but this is a complicated install and you have to be factory trained to do them (I am). Personally, I think that the CSC is the best handling HD conversion that I've ridden. I haven't had the oppertunity to ride the Champion (still in the paint shop) enough to comment on its handling.

Dwight

 

[mopar]

Everyone has their own idea as to what fits their budget and riding style. After considering all the options, I converted my 2008 streetglide. I first installed 103" kit with 255 cam. I then installed a "DFT smoothie" kit because I wanted Independent suspension and I feel their kit is well designed and had plenty of trunk space. I later installed a "Thundermax with autotune". Trike runs cooler, has plenty of power for what I need. I also installed the 30 tooth transmission pulley which helped in stop and go traffic as well as driving in twisties. Trike will pull up hill without down shifting and still cruise on the highway. I don't constantly need to shift. I did all the work myself and all the mentioned suppliers were very helpful when I had questions. I would not hesitate doing it again.

 

[screwball]

We are very similar! I'm 65, had an 08 E-Glide with a tad more miles on it than yours (21,000). After open heart surgery and a heart to heart (pun intended) talk with my Dr. we decided a trike was the answer. We decided that we would take the beating and sell the E-Glide and get a new Tri-Glide. I don't plan on giving up biking (triking) and figured a machine that was designed as a trike would hold up better than a hybrid. Now I've got a new trike, and an extended warranty.

Good Luck with your decision, I had 50 years of bad riding habits to forget, but once you get used to the trike, YOU WILL LOVE IT!

 

[1550vt]

Read ALL you can across ALL the forums about the TG. They may have worked-out all the issues they had with it, but unless things have changed...if you have a solid 2-wheeler now....convert it and avoid all the known TG issues. I would go a step farther and say...don't even purchase a new Harley 2-wheeler either. If you have a solid ride now....don't dump it....convert it. The TC will easily roll on past 100K. I am not bashing the TG.....most of the other TG owners that grew-up with its issues have done plenty of that already.

Nor am I bashing Harley...I still have one, but I know what I have. You may wind-up with one that you have to take to one of the good tuners and spend a couple of grand to make it comfortable.

 

[eddiebolden]

depands on trike motorcycle or vw trike

 

[msocko3]

Read ALL you can across ALL the forums about the TG. They may have worked-out all the issues they had with it, but unless things have changed...if you have a solid 2-wheeler now....convert it and avoid all the known TG issues. I would go a step farther and say...don't even purchase a new Harley 2-wheeler either. If you have a solid ride now....don't dump it....convert it. The TC will easily roll on past 100K. I am not bashing the TG.....most of the other TG owners that grew-up with its issues have done plenty of that already.

Nor am I bashing Harley...I still have one, but I know what I have. You may wind-up with one that you have to take to one of the good tuners and spend a couple of grand to make it comfortable.

Very good advise, at times I wished I would have went with my 1st plan which was buying a nice low mile Ultra Classic and having a Trike kit installed. Some of the early and on going teething pains with the Triglide are at times trying. Some of the issues would cross over to any new 2 wheel touring bike with a trike kit installed unless addressed early on.