Let's Talk Gold Wing 1800 Trike riding.....

[skuuter]

After taking up "Trike Riding Gold Wing 1800s" a little over a year ago, and many thousands of miles later, I think it's time to post some "opinions"..."opinions" are solely mine, and not intended to reflect opinions by Anyone else. If You have differing opinions, feel VERY free to post Them in this Thread. I always enjoy reading, thinking about, and trying Other's opinions.....now, on to my comments.....<br />
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*** Gold Wing 1800 Trikes, depending on Brands (I've ridden several), come in two "flavors" of gearing: Geared higher than stock, or lower than stock. A good GPS is great for determining Your actual MPH...my Trike is running 2 MPH slower by the speedo than the GPS, my 2-wheel versions showed 2 to 3 MPH faster...hence, at 60, I'm actually doing 62, etc. on the Trike.<br />
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*** Gold Wing 1800 Trikes WILL NOT corner as fast as a Gold Wing 1800 2-wheeler, "close under some conditions, but no cigar." This does not mean that "You" can't go faster on "Your" 3-wheel version than a 2-wheel version. I've seen Trikers that can since joining this community, but, "They" were never considered really, really fast on 2-wheelers either. While on "Fast", because I get asked all the time by Trikers "How can I get to be a faster rider." My answer: Learn to be a smoother rider...faster will automatically come if You attain "smooth"...NEVER shoot for "FAST"...!!!<br />
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*** Fork Braces do make Gold Wing 1800 Trikes turn quicker, slightly easier, and track better.<br />
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*** Fork Braces on Gold Wing 1800 Trikes do give a "slightly harsher" ride over small bumps in corners while having the Fork cut.<br />
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*** Progressive Springs do make a Gold Wing 1800 Trike steer quicker, easier, and have quicker rebound after hitting a large bump, at the "slight expense" of a "slightly" stiffer over-all ride quality.<br />
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*** On a Gold Wing 1800 Trike that has all of it's other issues fixed/adjusted such as head bearings, etc., and it has a lot of Handlebar shake when dropping onto/off of curbing, etc. needs more air in the rear air shocks/bags if applicable, or a stiffer coil-over setting.<br />
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*** Raked Trees help Gold Wing 1800 Trikes steer much quicker, accurately, and with much, much less effort than Stock Trees.

4.5 Degrees seems to be optimum for the wanted gains, and not acquire the dreaded high speed drifting on long straights....I have ridden and own 4.5s, and ridden 5, 6, and 6.5 versions. If you think You don't need Raked Trees (Stockers are fine), come by, and I'll take you to some local Roads that will change Your mind in approximately 4 curves, and leave You wondering where the raked 'Wings went.<br />
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*** Handlebar Risers on Gold Wing 1800 Trikes that get Your forearms into a straighter, "pushing" form will help You steer with less effort. I have always been totally comfy with the stock rise of the 'Wings, but noticed one day, that with the slightly downward reach to the Bars, I was "semi-twisting" them while turning the Trike. I used Risers to get my forearms more straight inline with the Bars....Steering Effort is probably another 20% easier.<br />
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*** On Gold Wing 1800 Trikes, use as little air pressure in the rear tires as feels comfortable to You...17 to 22 seems optimum. This aids in Bump absorption, Side bite during quick cornering, and better rain, gravel, slick road traction.<br />
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*** Front Tire pressure is the opposite, use as much as You are comfortable with without exceeding the Tire Manufacurer's recommended max by over 4 lbs. I used to run 39-40, but now run 42.<br />
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*** On Gold Wing 1800 Trikes use as much air in the rear shocks as You're comfortable with, without reaching the point of "vague feel" or loss of side bite in corners. Too much side roll in corners is Your enemy when on very twisty roads.<br />
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*** On Gold Wing 1800 Trikes, 3000 to 4500 RPM is where Your engine makes nice, even torque, has good engine braking, and good throttle response. Below this is called "Lugging"...above this is called "Rowdy Fun". 5th Gear is totally useless until You are cruising for distances at 65 MPH or more...use 4th. 4th and 5th are TOTALLY useless in tight twisties, short sweepers, or on twisty mountain grades.<br />
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*** Some "RIDING TIPS".....Look as far through each curve as possible...the Trike will track where You are looking, and you will get less of the "feels like I'm leaning the wrong way" effect.

.....Move to the outside of each curve (white line on lefties, yellow line on righties) to take a peek into the up-coming curve, and assure that all is clear before going in...stay as wide as possible through the curve to allow the missing of debris, critters, etc. in case You hafta' change Your line. .....Stay inside Your Lane...practice this. Never cut corners across painted lines...You will NEVER be a really skilled Rider until You can master cornering quickly, efficiently while keeping all of Your 3 wheels in the correct Lane. .....Learn to ride twisties without braking, roll on the throttle, off the throttle smoothly, never use abrupt, choppy movements. Smooth, fast riders can easily negotiate most any corner at double the posted speed without the use of brakes. If You're using drag-braking, you should be approaching triple the posted speed entering a corner. If you're not going that fast, but still braking, work on Your techniques, and/or use a lower gear. .....Rear Brakes are not needed when riding twisties...if You need some "slight braking", learn to use a gentle two-finger quick touch on the Front brake lever. I never use my rear brakes unless coming to a full stop, or an emergency full-panic brake/stop situation such as an animal, or "Mr./Mrs. Automobile Public" coming into my lane.<br />
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I hope these "opinions" are helpful to a lot of You.

Now this Thread is open to good, concise, non-flame "other opinions"....THANKS, and SAFE TRIKING, skuuter.....<img src="images/smilies/thumbup.gif" border="0" alt="" title="" class="inlineimg" /> :Biker:

[vwing]

good job

[Gabby Hayes]

I agree,<br />
I don't have an 1800 as my valk is a 1500 but, the same applies. Great read and application to rider education. Will bring your points up at our Chapter meeting tomorrow night. A lesson from others is good to know.<br />
<br />
Gabby

[tommy loso]

lots of good info..I just learned a lot....thanks,Skuuter

[skuuter]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>Comanche</strong>
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<div class="message">With the rest of what you said, I tend to agree. With cornering, I totally disagree.<br />
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Maybe it depends on the axle system one has on their trike, but I turn corners faster and sharper with my solid axle Champion Trike than any of my fellow riders on two wheels. I know of no two wheeler that can take a 90 degree corner with a 90 degree turn. I can and do. <br />
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Slow, Look, Turn and Roll on the throttle. I look throughout the turn and increase the speed as the trike is 50% through the turn. <br />
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I am talking about sharp 90 degree or tighter corners. Not the wide sweeping curves. I still so love leaning and counter-steering whcih I had to give up going to three wheels.</div>

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</div><b>I'm faster also than "most", not "all" Cruiser Riders here, but I'm still much faster on a 2-wheel Gold Wing or Sport Bike than a Trike, be it a Solid axle or IRS. A 2-wheeler will transition waaaay quicker when You get into really super tight, continuous twisties such as we have in this part of the Country.

The time it takes to get the Trike's Fork actually "steered" from almost full-lock to almost full-lock is more time than it takes for a really competent rider to have the 2-wheeler through one corner, and dragging metal in a full lean into the next one. "Flicking" is a much quicker corner maneuver than "Steering". We have lotsa' roads here that average 30+ curves per mile. Here is a pic of me "flicking" a 2008 Gold Wing I used to own through "The Dragon" while scrubbing foot pegs and mufflers.....</b><br />
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<img src="http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii10/26modelt/winglean1003.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />
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<b>This is at between 60 and 70 MPH in the several curves You see in the Pic....a Trike will push the Front wheel there before achieving those speeds...I've tried it. Gold Wing 1800 Trikes are extremely competent, fast machines when ridden well, and hard, but super tight, multiple corner roads put the "ball" back into the court of the 2-wheeler due to "right-left-right-transition-time"..... </b>

[jfingalls]

Well done Skuuter. I do agree with most of your opinions.

[skuuter]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>Comanche</strong>
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<div class="message">We are talking about two different things here. You said "<b>Cornering</b> in your initial post. To me, that means turning a corner. I can corner much sharper on my trike then 2 wheeled vehicles. In my post, I said trikes could not take the wide sweeping turns as well as motorcycles. But on sharp corners, I will challenge any 2 wheeler to turn as cleanly and as sharply as I do. <br />
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Regardless if you are riding two or three wheels making a wide sweeping turn and taking a sharp corner require different skills. I have a 5.5 degree rake kit plus MBL risers on my trike which allows this old man to easilly handle that trike.</div>

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</div>Yeah, I tend to think "cornering" as in "Tennessee Terms", which always puts into play, corner after corner after corner....<img src="images/smilies/wink.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Wink" class="inlineimg" /><img src="images/smilies/grin.gif" border="0" alt="" title="big grin" class="inlineimg" />.....Yep, I was wrong in my choice of wording (...I shoulda' waited until I was Home instead of tryin' to post this at work, between Customers...:rolleyes<img src="images/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Smile" class="inlineimg" />....SORRY about that Comanche...Yeah, I've worked hard at turning my Trike into a Great Handler, which it has definetly turned into, and I'm definetly a "Trike Convert"...My Trike is my All-Time Favorite Motorcycle now.....Hope to meet You some day.....<img src="images/smilies/thumbup.gif" border="0" alt="" title="" class="inlineimg" />

[flyer91]

We have lotsa' roads here that average 30+ curves per mile.

Lombard street in San Francisco has a section that is on Russian hill, and goes for about 1/4 mile with 8 switchbacks, that's called the crookedest road in the world,see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lombard...San_Francisco)
So .... I gotta call you on that 30+ curves per mile ......

[skuuter]

Lombard street in San Francisco has a section that is on Russian hill, and goes for about 1/4 mile with 8 switchbacks, that's called the crookedest road in the world,see:
Lombard Street (San Francisco) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
So .... I gotta call you on that 30+ curves per mile ......

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[skuuter]

I thought TN's and TX's spoke kinda the same.:Pepper:

Me too. I would like to meet you as well.

Real, Real Close......

[Blondie Gal]

I thought TN's and TX's spoke kinda the same.:Pepper:

Me too. I would like to meet you as well.

Comanche's our buddy, skuut - you get yourself & Miss Mitzie out here and we'll have a party! (Food included!!)

[skuuter]

Comanche's our buddy, skuut - you get yourself & Miss Mitzie out here and we'll have a party! (Food included!!)

It's gonna' happen at some point..... :Biker:

[Lucky]

Skuuter
All that sounds reasonable,but no more riding than you do one has to wonder just how valid it is.

[Cycleguy]

Really good stuff. Let me try to add a few minor refinements, from my experience.

*** Progressive Springs do make a Gold Wing 1800 Trike steer quicker, easier, and have quicker rebound after hitting a large bump, at the "slight expense" of a "slightly" stiffer over-all ride quality.

Progressive brand springs, which are actually dual rate, have a weakness common to the OEM springs. Most all of the softer rate is used up in excessive sag. This limits bump travel, and the spring will transition to a very stiff rate over relatively small bumps. Straight rate springs (Racetech, Traxxion) sag less and are actually softer over large bumps. You may need to raise the oil level a touch to avoid bottoming, if your anti-dive valve isn't working correctly. If you don't have much suspension experience, a professional install will probably get the preload more correct.

*** On a Gold Wing 1800 Trike that has all of it's other issues fixed/adjusted such as head bearings, etc., and it has a lot of Handlebar shake when dropping onto/off of curbing, etc. needs more air in the rear air shocks/bags if applicable, or a stiffer coil-over setting.

IMHO, the best way to reduce headshake over bumps is a rake kit. It's not just a matter of reduced steering effort, it significantly reduces the leverage bumps have on the bars. As you pointed out, it also gives you more precise control.

*** On Gold Wing 1800 Trikes, 3000 to 4500 RPM is where Your engine makes nice, even torque, has good engine braking, and good throttle response. Below this is called "Lugging"...above this is called "Rowdy Fun". 5th Gear is totally useless until You are cruising for distances at 65 MPH or more...use 4th. 4th and 5th are TOTALLY useless in tight twisties, short sweepers, or on twisty mountain grades.

If you look in the Honda owners manual, you'll see Honda recommending speeds in gears that amount to 1500 rpm, maybe less. Without regard to load, within Honda's acceptable limits. I don't think they think it's lugging. Among motorcycle engines the GL1800 may be the one that pulls from the lowest rpms. Lower rpms give much better gas mileage. Personally, I spend a lot of time near 2000, especially when not going uphill. Very little over 3000, unless I'm passing on a two lane, or something like that. Got a bit more than 38 mpg my last daytrip.

[steelman0933]

Skuuter, you nailed it my man. Thanks, ride, and be safe

[skuuter]

Skuuter
All that sounds reasonable,but no more riding than you do one has to wonder just how valid it is.

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