Is a '98 1500 worth triking?

[air1gun]

I have a '98 1500 Aspencade. Bought this bike new in 2000. Bike is in very good condition with 36,000 miles. Thinking about triking it. The kit I'm looking at is a Roadsmith mainly because of the IRS. Would be getting most options including aux. fuel tank and 3 degree steering kit. The kits for the 1500 and the 1800 are almost identical. Local honda dealer would be doing the work. Is a 3 degree kit enough? It's what Roadsmith offers on the 1500. Is it even worth triking that old of a bike? I know I would be down on power compared to 1800 but would it be that much difference? Also a independent trike dealer has a 2003 1800 with the new IRS Motortrike kit installed. It has 30,00 miles on it and not alot of options. He is willing to take my '98 on trade for the 2003 giving me $6000.00. I'm just looking for pros and cons and any and all opinions will be welcome.

 

[ronchi]

why not ? if you really know the bike and your comfortable with it, why not ? everybody will have an opinion and there,s lots of great advice and knowledge from the members. just be a sponge and soak it in ? you will not be sorry about triking. one of the best things i,ve done !!!! ride safe - be safe - enjoy !!!!

 

[Bob Witte]

I have a '98 1500 Aspencade. Bought this bike new in 2000. Bike is in very good condition with 36,000 miles. Thinking about triking it. The kit I'm looking at is a Roadsmith mainly because of the IRS. Would be getting most options including aux. fuel tank and 3 degree steering kit. The kits for the 1500 and the 1800 are almost identical. Local honda dealer would be doing the work. Is a 3 degree kit enough? It's what Roadsmith offers on the 1500. Is it even worth triking that old of a bike? I know I would be down on power compared to 1800 but would it be that much difference? Also a independent trike dealer has a 2003 1800 with the new IRS Motortrike kit installed. It has 30,00 miles on it and not alot of options. He is willing to take my '98 on trade for the 2003 giving me $6000.00. I'm just looking for pros and cons and any and all opinions will be welcome.

Here's some of what I tell folks facing those decisions. Normally I recommend against and on more than one occasion have actually talked people out of doing an older bike (and at 13 "motorcycle years" yours is almost vintage). Why? Because for eventual resale, it tends to be a rather poor ROI.

And yet, my own next personal ride being triked right now is a 1982 GL500 Silver Wing and we just did a 28 year old Suzuki automatic shaft drive project. Again, why? Because in both cases there are strong emotional ties to the donor that trump ROI every time.

Why the 28 year old, 450cc automatic?? John is the original owner of a super clean, all original bike with only 3,000 miles on it -- and has no intention of selling any time soon! And I'm not doing the GL500 with an eye on resale either (and I'm in the business!). I'm doing it for emotional reasons since the Silver Wing and the Pacific Coast are my two most favorite of the "modern classic" motorcycles. Even if I wasn't in the business, I'd find a way to trike them despite the fact that no one else is doing either! It is very much like the proverb most of us know in our hearts, "It is the ride, not the destination."

So, if you've owned this donor from new, have it set up the way you want it and can afford to do what you want with it, there's no good reason to stop you. You know what you want, so go do it my friend and enjoy it to the fullest!!

Bob Witte
The Trinity Trike

 

[jim peacock]

Your bike is not even broke in yet,go for it.
A new 1800 with any kit time you have it set up like you want you are going to be pushing 40 thousand dollars.
By triking your 98 your cost will be any where between 12 thousand and 18 thousand dollars.
Thats at least 25 thousand dollars diffrence.
Just do not forget to get a rake kit.
My 96 with a 06 lehman,has a four and a half and I am well pleased with it.
:yes::yes::yes::yes:

 

[mhgoldwing]

I had a '97 SE for ten years. In Feb this year I purchased '06 1800 with 6300 miles on it and had it triked with Roadsmith three weeks ago. So, my thoughts on your question:

1. IMHO the 1800 is far superior to the 1500. Engine, frame, geometry, brakes, passenger room, etc.

2. Although your bike is in great shape you're approaching the age where deterioration of hoses, electrical wires, etc., will become problematic requiring constant attention and repair.

3. After you invest in trike conversion, ROI will be low compared to 1800.

If it were me, I would look for an 1800 with trike conversion of your choice, OR, purchase a used 1800 at the right price and then have converted. If money is not the primary issue I think you will be better off in the long run with the 1800 conversion. An '06 or later would be my preference.

Good luck!

 

[1550vt]

Most people are not going to know the model year anyway. I am guilty. I am a Harley guy and I cannot tell you the model year difference on just about any Honda, or Metric touring bike. I am ignorant of the Honda models and nuances and I admit it, just as many owners of other bikes and trikes can't tell the difference between a 20-year old Harley Dresser and a new one. He!!....most Harley owners can't.

I can only offer you one piece of advice.....if you spend the money to kit an older model year bike, it's going to ALWAYS be that model year. No matter how new the kit may be. It will be worth something to you, but if you ever plan to sell it....you may have to eat it.

 

[Papa Zook]

I have a '98 1500 Aspencade. Bought this bike new in 2000. Bike is in very good condition with 36,000 miles. Thinking about triking it. The kit I'm looking at is a Roadsmith mainly because of the IRS. Would be getting most options including aux. fuel tank and 3 degree steering kit. The kits for the 1500 and the 1800 are almost identical. Local honda dealer would be doing the work. Is a 3 degree kit enough? It's what Roadsmith offers on the 1500. Is it even worth triking that old of a bike? I know I would be down on power compared to 1800 but would it be that much difference? Also a independent trike dealer has a 2003 1800 with the new IRS Motortrike kit installed. It has 30,00 miles on it and not alot of options. He is willing to take my '98 on trade for the 2003 giving me $6000.00. I'm just looking for pros and cons and any and all opinions will be welcome.

I would not hesitate to trike a GL1500 especially if I had owned it since new and it was PAID FOR. The 1500s make a great trike. I have a friend who just went through the same process and settled on triking his low mile, like new GL1500 with a Hannigan kit and he loves it!

On the rake Id reccomend a 4-6 degree rake over the 3 degree.

 

[Lunchbox1983]

The 1500 has plenty of power. As to seating size it depends, 1800 bettter for passenger, but the 1500 is better for a tall driver. A 6'3" my knees cannot fit on a standard 1800 work great on the 1500.

I too have a roadsmith with extra tank, I got the 3 degree rake, I should have ordered the Champion 4.5 rake kit instead. That said adding a superbrace has really helped so figure that in your budget. You will love the 1500 Roadsmith ride and looks, the 3 rake is not bad, but I think 4.5 would be a little sweeter, and looking at Bazooka specials cheaper too.

As to ROI, this is a toy so getting a ROI is a not even in the picture of my desicions. If I cannot afford the toy I want then I do not buy.:Monster:

 

[Lucky]

Welcome air1gun! I triked my 1990SE/wing when it had 52000 on it and have not regretted it one bit.Of course you will get all kind of opinions on this ?.I just got back from getting mine serviced by a Honda mechanic that will tell you that the 1500 is by far a better bike than the 1800.I have never had an 1800 so I do not have any first hand experience,but getting a trike kit was one of my better decisions.GOOD LUCK and RIDE SAFE

 

[Teal]

history will say the 1500 is one of the best bikes ever over the long production yrs.

from my experience ;; you take the plastic off you will find the plumbing in very good condition,, ive seen low mileage 20 yr old bikes with absolutely no plumbing problems,, look at the early yrs for the 1800 problem list,,

 

[Gorilla]

<div class="bbcode_container">
<div class="bbcode_quote">
<div class="quote_container">
<div class="bbcode_quote_container"></div>

<div class="bbcode_postedby">
<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>air1gun</strong>
<a href="showthread.php?p=76144#post76144" rel="nofollow"><img class="inlineimg" src="images/buttons/viewpost-right.png" alt="View Post" /></a>
</div>
<div class="message">I have a '98 1500 Aspencade. Bought this bike new in 2000. Bike is in very good condition with 36,000 miles. Thinking about triking it. The kit I'm looking at is a Roadsmith mainly because of the IRS. Would be getting most options including aux. fuel tank and 3 degree steering kit. The kits for the 1500 and the 1800 are almost identical. Local honda dealer would be doing the work. Is a 3 degree kit enough?

It's what Roadsmith offers on the 1500. Is it even worth triking that old of a bike? I know I would be down on power compared to 1800 but would it be that much difference? Also a independent trike dealer has a 2003 1800 with the new IRS Motortrike kit installed. It has 30,00 miles on it and not alot of options. He is willing to take my '98 on trade for the 2003 giving me $6000.00. I'm just looking for pros and cons and any and all opinions will be welcome.</div>

</div>
</div>
</div>welcome aboard, your getting a lot of good advise.

 

[wingking51]

I had lots of people tell me to buy new and trike it before I triked my 06 1800 in February 2010. Their only answer when I asked them why was because my bike was 4 years old and the factory warranty was expired. I had my bike paid for, which would have been more than half the cost of a new bike triked, and it was fixed up the way I wanted it, chrome, dodads, etc.

IMO if you are happy with your 1500, trike it and definately rake the front end at least 4.5degrees.

Your 1500 triked ought to be good for at least another million or so smiles of fantastic riding! :yes:

 

[air1gun]

Thanks to all who responded to my post. A lot of good info here. Was at my local Honda dealer today and he had 2 gl1500 Roadsmith trikes in for service. One was getting the aqua shields and one was getting progressive fork springs installed. Wife and I thought both trikes looked great. Seeing that I would not be the only one riding a 1500 trike sealed the deal. Only thing is my kit won't be in for 3-4 weeks. Guess I'll just have to do lots of riding in Sept. Hopefully when completed I can post some pics and tell you how like it.

 

[Papa Zook]

Good decision! ThumbUp

 

[Rog3419]

air1gun,, I have a friend who is going to Trike a 1988, Kawa 1200 with low miles,, I think your doing Right.. an will love it, 4.5 Rake is the way to go.... ENJOY....:yes:

 

[1550vt]

I think many people get hung-up on model years, engine sizes...etc. If you have a good solid frame and a known good drive train...there really is no reason why you should not kit it as long as you can get parts for it forever. You can put a custom paint job on one and make it look like a million bucks. I have a 99 for sale and I actually think the "99" has more to do with the inability of me to sell the trike than the trike itself. It's darn near mint with very low mileage and I can't seem to give it away for the price of kitting a newer model. People will actually pay $30,000-plus for a 11 or 12 and then have to pay another couple of grand to make it run when they can get a good solid older model year for half-the-price and requires nothing but riding. Most of these buyers can't tell the difference anyway.

Kit your solid 1500 and be happy. It appears to me there is a huge following for that drive-train.

 

[Jimsjinx]

I have a 99 1500 Motortrike, and it was the best thing ever hit my marrage!!! We ride ours all the time, and brother, an 1800 it aint' but a super smooth and strong trike. $40 grand is just outta most peoples grasp, especially right now. You can save enough to get a bitchin trailer, and lotsa goodies!!! You won't be dissappointed, but stay off anyones 1800 trike. You'll be ruined on anything else! I rode one and the difference is = 1800 cc's MO BETTA BRUDDA! I'm still in love with our 1500, and broke, so I'll be thrilled with what I have. Dang, they are nice though! jimsjinx

 

[Gorilla]

New is NOT always better.

 

[TomKat]

I Triked my 96Se 2 years ago with the CSC with 76K miles and do not regret it at all as I knew the bike very well and had all the goodies that I wanted. Most folks think it is new.