Goldwing IRS choices

[Ragnarok]

So now that CSC,Champion and MotorTrike all offer an independent rear suspension kit for the wing (any others do too?), what are the advantages of each, in your opinion?

[Road Runner]

Better ride and handling on IRS. IMHO. I have had both, prefer the IRS.
09 1800, Champion trike

[Rowdy]

DFT, Hannigan, Roadsmith also come to mind. I have the DFT and am very pleased as most owners of other makes are.

[THWilson]

Roadsmith, love the ride

[Konrad]

So now that CSC,Champion and MotorTrike all offer an independent rear suspension kit for the wing (any others do too?), what are the advantages of each, in your opinion?

I really doubt that any one of us would be able to compare them all! And most of us are going to be very happy with what we own and have experience with. So - my specific bias is to my RoadSmith IRS (the only trike I've ever driven) with the aux. gas tank, parking brake and trailer hitch. Uneven gravel, pockmarked and potholed asphalt, rough ground on pastureland . . . none of these are a chalange for the RoadSmith IRS. I'm a happy rider.

[Tony T of I V E]

Went from straight axle Motor Trike to IRS Motor Trike. Had what I call and INSTALL issue but MotorTrike was johnny on the spot on parts shipped out and covering under warranty. I like the Adventure Kit MotorTrike , it fits ME. :Biker:

[kj5ix]

I have one of each and honestly it is hard for me to tell the difference a lot of the time...

Motor Trike 2+2 and Hannigan

[skuuter]

I really, really like my 2010 Gold Wing Motor Trike IRS....added 4.5 Degree Raked Trees, SUPER BRACE, Progressive Fork Springs, Kuryakyn Adjustable Handlebar Risers.......really "Dialed" now.....

[Cycleguy]

So now that CSC, Champion and MotorTrike all offer an independent rear suspension kit for the wing (any others do too?), what are the advantages of each, in your opinion?

It's very difficult to find useful comparisons. I tried pretty hard. Everyone seems to like their trike, problems often relate to installation.

I'm a suspension nerd. CSC, Champion, Motor Trike, all use some variation of double a-arms, the hot setup for most all race cars these days. Roadsmith and Hannigan use some variation on trailing arms. Stone Age technology, but implementation is key, and both get some excellent reviews. DFT is in between, a lower a-arm with the driveshaft serving as the upper a-arm. It's a setup that was used on XKE Jaguars and early Vettes.

A key spec that, as far as I know, NO ONE publishes is wheel travel. More wheel travel generally means a better ride.

I went DFT. Their workmanship appears to be excellent. In spite of the fact that they don't extend the wheelbase, the ride is reported to be at least as good as any, probably due to long wheel travel, they modify the mufflers to get it. I'd think it would be more difficult to get that with double a-arms, but, as I said, the data is just not available. The clever design uses the stock swingarm, driveshaft, rear gears, and brake. These (especially the driveshaft) are areas that have been problematic on some trikes. I also liked the non-extended wheelbase, and plain body, that doesn't scream "look at me" like most trikes. Finally, I wanted IRS and to self install, which limited me to either Roadsmith or DFT. Maybe Champion, but I didn't want that brand.

DFT has as many fanatical owners as any (actually they sell most of their kits to Harley guys). But you pay close to $2000 more than a Roadsmith. Worth it? Who knows?

Bottom line. You probably could make your decision on the basis of installer quality, and be happy. If you can visit a few dealers and test ride a bunch, that might help. Or maybe not, riding a trike at first is... strange.

[Rowdy]

It's very difficult to find useful comparisons. I tried pretty hard. Everyone seems to like their trike, problems often relate to installation.

I'm a suspension nerd. CSC, Champion, Motor Trike, all use some variation of double a-arms, the hot setup for most all race cars these days. Roadsmith and Hannigan use some variation on trailing arms. Stone Age technology, but implementation is key, and both get some excellent reviews. DFT is in between, a lower a-arm with the driveshaft serving as the upper a-arm. It's a setup that was used on XKE Jaguars and early Vettes.

A key spec that, as far as I know, NO ONE publishes is wheel travel. More wheel travel generally means a better ride.

I went DFT. Their workmanship appears to be excellent. In spite of the fact that they don't extend the wheelbase, the ride is reported to be at least as good as any, probably due to long wheel travel, they modify the mufflers to get it. I'd think it would be more difficult to get that with double a-arms, but, as I said, the data is just not available. The clever design uses the stock swingarm, driveshaft, rear gears, and brake. These (especially the driveshaft) are areas that have been problematic on some trikes. I also liked the non-extended wheelbase, and plain body, that doesn't scream "look at me" like most trikes. Finally, I wanted IRS and to self install, which limited me to either Roadsmith or DFT. Maybe Champion, but I didn't want that brand.

DFT has as many fanatical owners as any (actually they sell most of their kits to Harley guys). But you pay close to $2000 more than a Roadsmith. Worth it? Who knows?

Bottom line. You probably could make your decision on the basis of installer quality, and be happy. If you can visit a few dealers and test ride a bunch, that might help. Or maybe not, riding a trike at first is... strange.

Hey Cycleguy. Glad to see another DFT owner. We are definitely in the minority and I don't know why with the quality kit that DFT is. Maybe the cost.