Hello and welcome to the forum.
A number of conversions companies have folded: Triwing is gone, Lehman is gone, Champion is folded but revised by a new owner no offerings for the GL1500 Goldwing. Motortrike, Roadsmith, Hannigan, CSC are still in business. CSC retired their GL1500 conversions. https://californiasidecar.com/retired-csc-trikes
You have 2 choices solid axle or independent suspension. Long wheel base or standard wheel base. You want a rake kit or EZ steer.
The motorcycle itself still requires regular maintenance, the rear axle requires a change of the fluid at a specific mileage, brake pads you need 2 sets.

 

Longer wheelbase will equal a smoother ride as will independant rear suspension vs a solid rear axle. You'll see something called a raked front end or EZ steer. It makes it easier to steer at speed. DO NOT buy a trike without a raked front end. You get less gas mileage than a two wheel goldwing. When new, a conversion averages $15,000 to $18,000 or more. I'm on my 2nd Goldwing/Roadsmith conversion. Roadsmith is one of the longer wheelbase trikes The installer has a lot to do with a successful trike conversion. Two quality installers come to mind, Neihaus Cycle in Litchfield, Illinois and KD Cycle in Altoona, Alabama. I had my 2006 Goldwing converted by Neihaus in 2013 and bought a new leftover 2019 already converted at KD Cycle in 2020. Make sure you insurance company understands it's been converted to a trike with a higher value than a two wheel Goldwing of the same year. A couple of the options that are must haves for me are an AUX fuel tank and running boards.
Hope this helps.

 

Wow. Thank You Trike Lady and Captain 78. Awesome info. I've been reading and absorbing as much as I can. Hannigan sure looks nice. I was considering buying a GW and having the Trike kit installed. I priced Hannigan and wow. Easy to put 22 to 25k in a top of the line kit. Shocked me.

Hate to hear that so many Trike kit manufacturers have closed down shop. Sad.
A very nice 08 GW with a Champion Trike kit is priced at 19k ...and it's near me. But it has 72k miles. I know that is not that many but I'm hoping to find one with 25k or less and a quality kit.
Independent rear suspension is a must for me along with the longer wheel base.

I admit, I have no clue what a rake kit is. EZ steer sounds nice. I have that (power steering) on my Honda pioneer 1000, again that's a must. But how does EZ steer help on a one wheel front end bike?

Good point for insuring. I had not thought of that.

THANKS again!!!!!!

 

Wow. Thank You Trike Lady and Captain 78. Awesome info. I've been reading and absorbing as much as I can. Hannigan sure looks nice. I was considering buying a GW and having the Trike kit installed. I priced Hannigan and wow. Easy to put 22 to 25k in a top of the line kit. Shocked me.

Hate to hear that so many Trike kit manufacturers have closed down shop. Sad.
A very nice 08 GW with a Champion Trike kit is priced at 19k ...and it's near me. But it has 72k miles. I know that is not that many but I'm hoping to find one with 25k or less and a quality kit.
Independent rear suspension is a must for me along with the longer wheel base.

I admit, I have no clue what a rake kit is. EZ steer sounds nice. I have that (power steering) on my Honda pioneer 1000, again that's a must. But how does EZ steer help on a one wheel front end bike?

Good point for insuring. I had not thought of that.

THANKS again!!!!!!

I have a CSC kit on my 2008 GW. The reason I bought CSC is because it had the widest rear wheel width, outside to outside, that is. I wanted the widest that i could find. Definitely get the easy steer.

 

Just going to throw something out here. Although the raked front ends were developed for e-z turning, I for one will tell you that when someone tells you that you need it......that is subjective. Don't get me wrong they are good and many folks have them but....here's the but. I don't have one on my trike, nor do I need one, and as many folks here on the GWOF will attest it doesn't slow me down.

They are nice, but not necessary. Ride both types, and if you find a trike that doesn't have one that you absolutely love, don't let it deter you from the purchase. Rake kits can always be added.

 

Good info,,,

Are the rear brake pads/shoes a proprietary item or standard automotive parts?

Eric


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Along with the rear wheel trike conversions there is also a member on the forum that offers a front wheel conversion. I don't know if you can find one used but you can always buy a two wheeler and have it converted. It's just another option to consider..

 

A friend on my other forum posted about the front end two wheelers that lean with the turns. Looks like fun but probably to new of a technology and to expensive for me. It's here if anyone is interested: Toying with the idea of a Goldwing trike.

Back to the raked front end / EZ steer. Is this two different items? What does it consist of and how does it work?

 

A friend on my other forum posted about the front end two wheelers that lean with the turns. Looks like fun but probably to new of a technology and to expensive for me. It's here if anyone is interested: Toying with the idea of a Goldwing trike.

Back to the raked front end / EZ steer. Is this two different items? What does it consist of and how does it work?

From what I have found they are both a raked steering head. EZ Steer may be a proprietary brand name.

Just in case,,,A raked steering is one that has a different fork angle from stock. Imagine a vertices line through the steering stem, now look at the angle of the forks. The angle between the lines is the rake. I believe the GW rake kits increase this angle, moves the front tire away from the bike frame. This requires new parts to be installed on the bike, replacing parts not adding to what is already there.

I have seen many suggestions to ride trikes with and without rake kits to see what you like better. However the rake kit is usually an additional charge above that of the trike kit so it can always be added later.

There is a lot to bike front end geometry, this is a simple explanation.

Eric


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Thanks Eric. That helps me out a lot.

I also saw on the Hannigan site that they offer a 180 front end. Costs around 3k but looks interesting.

 

I would love to ride a few different trike conversions. I've never even sat on one.
Any ideas where to go to check some out? Local dealers do not have any. I have not associated with any clubs but considered trying that. As a total newbie though I don't know if they would be receptive, nor do I know how to get ahold of the clubs.

 

You might try the Gold Wing Riders Association. That or ABATE, those are all I can think of.

I have searched for GW rentals in my area,,,not much luck either.

Eric


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Some conversions companies use off the shelf brake pads and a couple have proprietary pads and there is a good chance the calipers could be made by Wilwood or Brembo.
Long wheel base gives you two choices: Roadsmith and Hannigan.
Check the list for a dealer near you: Dealer Locator

Authorized Dealers – Hannigan Motorsports

Hannigan Motorsports, World Class Motorcycle Products Since 1975.

www.hannigantrikes.com

 

When it comes to the "rake'd out front end (that what I have is a 5.5% rake) my installer mentioned to me was::: I have installed, many raked out front ends, and NOBODY has come back and wanted it changed out back to stock, BUT Many have come back and wanted it raked out because of the steering was hard... my suggestion is too rake out that front end, it will make your steering feel like power steering...........................
Ronnie

 

I'm considering a 2014 Goldwing with a CSC conversion. What can you tell me about CSC?

 

I have the CSC XL on my 2003 Wing and it is the largest conversion made (I believe). 60” wide & the largest trunk space available. With raked front end it measures 9’ 4” front to back of trike.

 

I can only tell you about Roadsmith...(third year riding it now) I had my stock GW converted ...BUT i will never go back to two wheels again.........It does take a few days to actually get used to riding a trike (it's a whole new world riding one/BUT you'd have to ride one too actually see what we mean by that statement) .....I actually believe it's more fun on three also....

Ronnie

 

In the automotive world, I think the rake would be the caster. The more caster, the more stability. On a motorcycle, imagine riding a bicycle that had the front forks straight up and down.
But, I have no experience, yet, with a trike.

 

Hi all,
I'm in the market for a GW trike. Your forum came up in one of my searches on trikes so here I am.
In my intro thread one member stated that trikes are more expensive to own / operate. Please elaborate on that.
And I would like to know the different trike conversions with their pluses and minuses.
I'm hoping to purchase something from an 05 to a 10.

So I'm looking for any tips and info you care to share on this topic. It's all new to me.
Thanks.

I just got back from a several thousand miles ride on my Hannigan trike and I LOVE IT. Smooth riding and easy to steer. Great people as I took my 2019 DCT Tour to Murray KY to have it done. Highly recommend!

 

I would love to try out a Hannigan conversion. The one I see for sale 4 hours from me is at a dealer. It's a 2008 with 50k miles. Appears to be in great shape. Priced at 27,500. This price does include a pull behind matching trailer. Or I can buy a 2014 GW with 10k miles with CSC conversion for the same price. Seems like a no brainer to me.

Here's a pic of each. White is the 2008. Red is the 2014.

 

Thanks All.
I rode a 2008 GW with a roadsmith conversion yesterday. IRS, EZ steer and long wheel base. Very nice ride. Seems so easy to get used to the three vs two wheels, especially since I have not owned a two wheel bike for a long long while. Today I will check out another GW roadsmith and a GW with a CSC conversion. Hoping to pull the trigger on one real soon.

 

The other one I am considering is a 2008 GW roadsmith conversion. 30k miles for 18k.
This is the one I rode yesterday. Very nice.

 

Set up one more to see today just down the road from the 2014 red one.
A 2012 Black GW roadsmith conversion with 20k miles for asking 24k. Decisions decisions.

 

Nice trike. :thumb: Is that front tire way oversized? It looks way kewl.

 

I told Hannigan that they know best about trikes and they extended the front and put a big tire so it would steer easier - they knew I had just broke my collarbone.

 

I am chiming in late, however, I suggest you but a Trike already done....it will save you a TON of money IMHO

 

I agree. I'm only shopping used trikes. Thanks!!!!

 

Thanks all for your input on Trikes.
I bought a 2014 GW with CSC conversion yesterday. Loving it.

 

Thanks all for your input on Trikes.
I bought a 2014 GW with CSC conversion yesterday. Loving it.

View attachment 277798 View attachment 277799 View attachment 277800 View attachment 277801

Congratulations on your trike purchase. You will really enjoy the 3 wheel life style. The women seem to enjoy the comfort and ease of riding without the leaning into corners.

 

Congrats on the new 2 U trike.

 

Nice LQQking bike, I'd say you did good!
Once you get used to riding it, you'll never good back to two wheels......................

Ronnie

 

Congratulations.