Need advice on new Trike conversion for 1800

[roxxyt]

All conversions are a matter of taste. Make sure to do all your research like everyone has said. The difference between Motortrike and CSC and Hannigan would be width of the rear so they will all handle a little differently.

 

[W3JNP]

You've gotten lots of good advice.

I'll add that you may also wish to check out the new style reverse trikes.

There are distinct advantages in handling in stability.

 

[Railroad Triker]

Hi All,
I'm about to convert my '02 Gold Wing to a Trike (which is why I joined Trike Talk, btw), and I am having trouble find objective comparisons online. Looking at CSC as the top hit so far, but what do you think the best conversion is out there?

Gotta say, your on the right track with CSC Conv. Did my 06 3 years ago now. Went from 6 years avg. of 3k, per year. After, avg. over 10K, per year.

Regrets: It took me 2 years to commit. Wife, I, and Tri Pod Dog love it every ride. Riding almost 50 years was a hard decision to make. Glad I pulled the trigger.

I did the whole works, ground effects, hi perf. brakes, and they painted all in factory. I have had good body men look this over. They cant believe how good 6 year difference with paint.
NOTE: Pre assembly, had my own body man put 3M, Stone Guard sprayed on front of rear wheel wells and ground effects. Only cost $100, and paid off immediately. Did not go with hand brake. Never issue on 2 wheels, not been on 3 either.

Coming your way in a month. Going again, 3rd year, to Medina Hill Country. Each year about 100 days, usually get around 3 K more miles out there alone. Pack up trike in 5th wheel toy hauler and get riding soon.

B Safe Out There

 

[alwrmcusn]

I'll drop in my two cents worth:

I rode a Royal Star Venture that I had a Hannigan trike conversion done on. As a trike I rode it for about three plus years. Great kit, great ride, great reliability and great support from Hannigan if you have questions.

I traded that RSV about two months ago for my current trike, a 2008 GL1800 Motor Trike (2013 Razor kit). The MT trike is slightly smoother, noticeably quieter, slightly more powerful than the RSV.

The Hannigan's wider stance provides very stable cornering and it's slightly longer wheel base adds to the "soak up the bumps" ride. I had the auxiliary gas tank installed and it was well worth it as the mileage dropped from 45-47 to about 30 after I had it "triked".

The Motor Trike Razor conversion has more trunk storeage than the Hannigan by having a little space just behind each wheel. It's kinda hidden but it's there.

Learning to ride a trike, and there is a difference!! took me about two weeks to be comfortable on corners. Where I live the Tail of the Dragon is easily done in less than a day and the Cherohala Skyway is slightly closer. That front wheel wobble can best be assisted with by someone else, but...EZ Steer is probably not the cause. Steering head bearings are a possible cause of course.

I found it is very important to keep the front tire properly inflated as low front tire pressure would cause occasional low speed up to about 10mph front wheel wobble for me. I used a Michelin Commander II rear tire on the front of the Venture mounted to rotate correctly (some mount them to rotate backward). The tire pressures I used and still use are 40psi front and 24-26 rear.

I do not subscribe to the theory that due to road camber one rear tire should be 2psi more than the other. If all roads were perfectly level with no curves that (to me) might make sense. But they ain't and it don't to me (smile).

Now my final comments:

1. These are my opinions, other riders/trikers will most likely have different opinions. Theirs are as valid to them as mine are to me.

2. If you can, do test rides on all the different conversions.

3. I really wanted to like the Can Am Spyder, test rode the full dresser and hated it (just my opinion). It was twitchy and "leany" to the point of scaring me and my wife. I am assured that I would get used to it and that it likely was not properly set up. Could be, but the riding position did not fit me (6-2"). However I do find it is a really nice looking machine!

4. Remember the extra width that is out of sight behind you when you pull up alongside the gas pumps etc!!

 

[wehrme]

You've gotten some good advice.

Get the trike that has the look you like.

You'll have it for a looong time.

ps. most of the trikes all look the same to me...

 

[firefighter4634]

Thanks to all for the wonderful responses! Very helpful. I'd ideally like to test ride all the major Trike manufacturers for the right kit, but being in Colorado, finding Dealers is tough. Any way you can think of where a person could test drive the top 3 or 4 before committing to a single brand? The reason I'm thinking this would be prudent is that I tested a MotorTrike last weekend and found 2 very disconcerting things: the front wheel seemed "squirrely" or jumpy going down the road, (although less at highway speeds). It did have ez steer on it, so maybe that's why. Second, it leaned away from corners to the extreme and made me feel like I was about to tip over. Are these typical on all Trike Kits, or unique to MotorTrike? Thanks for your thoughts... (also, best installers near Colorado if you have an opinion on any of the brands).

I don't know what part of Colorado you are in, but to the East of you in Clarks Ne, is the third largest dealer in the nation for CSC. We just up graded to a trike with them and they are great people to work with. It was a three hour drive for us to get there, but really glad we made the trip. They sell both Roadsmith and CSC, if you contact them or go ask for Joe.