Looking at Used One; Need Advice

[ulflyer]

Am going monday, 20 June, to look at an '08 with 10K on it. I've read thru many of the threads on the forum but haven't seen anything about recalls, factory fixes, or any particular problem areas. I did note some comments suggesting a reluctance to post anything negative, although the Mod says to have at it if its based on personal experience, or something like that.

Any advice from you good folks about issues with the '08 that I should look into?

Edited: Just now found the Sticky that lists problems and am in process of wading thru them, on page 6 now. If theres any advice not covered in the sticky I would welcome hearing about it.

[Gorilla]

do you know the last 3 of the vin number? This will give you an idea of when it was built. 08 was the first year of production starting in November of 2007. The first production vin was believed to be about 126. Most all the early ones had minor issues that were always taken care of by the factory without issue. I do not there were a couple of early owners that had some issues to the point that they did not want to deal with it any longer. Most are very pleased with their Stallion including us. Good luck

[ulflyer]

Thanks Gorilla; thats good to know. The dealer has a good reputation from what I've been told so perhaps he will know how its been maintained. More than likely he sold it originally. He told me by phone he had it on consignment and the owner was handicapped. Its burgandy or dark red. I looked at your photos and really like the white. Are those strips on the "running board" for looks or can you stand on those to get in and the strips prevent scratching the paint? Looks nice, whatever they are used for.

[Charlie D]

Ulflyer: At this point in time the used market on Stallions is RED HOT! They do not last long once they become known that they are for sale. We have had our 2009 for 2 years and can tell from experience that TBMS stands be hind their product without question. Jeff & Dianne and Nick & the whole factory will assist with any problems in waranty. Our dealer in Great Bend , Kansas also does a great job in taking care of Stallion customers. Jeremy At L & L Motorsports is a full line Motor Trike & Stallion dealer. Good people to do business with and he does stock trikes.:wtg:

[ulflyer]

Charlie, good to hear, but wouldnt expect an '08 to still be under warranty. Nevertheless, from reading all that I could find on the forum about problems it appears the biggest aggravation is/was the switch that affects the gear selector, cruise ct, and brake lights. Other things like hood pins and wheel bearings are, to me, minor. I guess I'd want to ask about the Heim joints also, but it appears that was not widespread.

Initially, my interest in trikes was sparked by the Can Am. I simply love the looks of them and they are smaller than the TB as I do have a space problem, but in reading about them, they are having a lot of growing pains that I don't think I'd want to deal with. I don't have much tolerance for running back and forth to a dealer. Plus I'm a do-it-yourselfer on oil changes and such, with the semi-auto transmission requiring its own oil and filter changes, both of which requiring removal of much tupperware to get to.

The TB sounds like something I could handle easily....I have small hump/hill out by my shed that I put two ramps on for my cars when I change oil and I expect a single rack for the TB would work just as well, getting it off the ground and still being relatively level for oil drain.

Anyway, looking forward to seeing it tomorrow and hopefully driving it.

[Charlie D]

It is possible that the 08 could still be under wty. Take the serial or VIN # and call TBMS ask for "NICK" give him the VIN # and let him check the in service date. It might still be under warranty. Sure is worth the phone call. They will advise if any recall are open on trike.. Good luck and hope you get a stallion. Hope you can come to Ralley at Maggie Valley. the most stallion owners in one spot at one time. plus a grrrrrrrrreat time.:Pepper:

[ulflyer]

Thanks Charlie. When is the Rally? I just came from Mag. Valley yesterday...went out to check out Can Ams and to see what owners had to say about them. Only one person pointed out that some of them have issues! LOL. Still, I have to say I like the looks.

[Charlie D]

The official Ralley is June 23/24/25/26/ we are arriving early on tues. For official info look under Ralleys

[ulflyer]

Charlie, can't find it listed. Sorry to be so dense, but can you copy and paste it here?

[Nana]

Here you go...... there are several informative rally threads in this section:

TrikeTalk.com & Trike Owners International - Rally In The Valley 2011 - Trike Talk Forum

[ulflyer]

Thanks Nana. Are there any TB specific rallies coming up?

[Nana]

I am not personally aware of any. TrikeTalk.com is "all inclusive" and welcomes every possible type/brand of trike, as you know. Our rally will have almost every type of trike represented, including Stallions, home builts, VWs, Harleys (of all kinds), Hondas (of all kinds), Spyders, and others. I do know that there will be quite a few Stallions there, and it will be a great opportunity for you to chat with the owners directly and to probably even get a ride or two .

[Gorilla]

Thanks Gorilla; thats good to know. The dealer has a good reputation from what I've been told so perhaps he will know how its been maintained. More than likely he sold it originally. He told me by phone he had it on consignment and the owner was handicapped. Its burgandy or dark red. I looked at your photos and really like the white. Are those strips on the "running board" for looks or can you stand on those to get in and the strips prevent scratching the paint? Looks nice, whatever they are used for.

My wife has used the running boards o stand on since day one without any issues. She gets in from the left side puts her right foot on the board steps in with her left on the left side kicks the right over the seat ans sits. Reverse to get out. I weigh around 220 and when I use it I get in the same way. No problem with the running boards.

[ulflyer]

Went out to look at it this morn and very dissapointed in its condition. Not been cared for at all, many fine scratches all over and a few scrapes on the rear fenders. It was up on a lift with rear gearing out to repair a whining noise and underneath shows its been in a saltwater climate a lot with fine rust and minor corrosion. Interior has never seen a wipedown, at least not in a long time. Dash glass looked like its been cleaned with rough/dirty rag with lots of fine scratches on it. Owner loved stickers with numerous ones front and back. If it were mine, I'd prob want to have the entire body repainted and I expect that alone would be in 2K range. Supposedly its been serviced by a ford dealer down near the coast and with a bit over 10K it shouldn't be hurt mechanically; however, when I pulled the oil stick out it was down about half quart. Didn't like to see that. Front bearing has been replaced but not the brake switch. The number on this one is around 298 or 299..I forget. Thomas said the rear end repair was covered by warranty. I'm going to call the owner and see if he's willing to negoitiate the price but at 25K or anywhere near that its not my cup of tea.

[katfish16]

I would run,,,, not walk away from it... first impressions go a long way.....

[ulflyer]

Katfish: turns out I don't have to run. Talked to owner and we were so far apart on it, that the conversation was real brief. I would have been tempted if I could have got it for a good price and made it look nearly new again, but this saves me a lot of work.

Thanks to all for the feedback.

[molinoman]

Sorry to hear that it didn't work out...just have to keep looking...there is probably one out there some where waiting for you.

If the new ones ever come out you may benefit from some of the current owners wanting a new one and a decent deal might be had there.

Good luck,

Dennis

05 dtg KAF
07 dtg Dubai
08 dtg Home for good!

[Mattel]

Run Forest Run! That is not a Stallion I would invest in. It sounds like it is not the Stallion for you! Their are plenty out there in better shape for a simular price.

[ulflyer]

After some thought I turned to the Can Am and a few days after I got it from the dealer in Albemarle NC I had stopped by to pick up some oil filters and wouldn't you know a guy pulls up in an '08 Stallion, Maroon, about every accessory you can think of added, like new cond, 20K on odemeter, with a for sale sign in window! ABout what I paid for the Can Am.

Oh well.................