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Darlene owns Triwing Industries, a company which offers trike conversions on a number of bikes: contact her at darlene@triwing.com for more help! Trike Riders International Org Mystery
Designs A resource article on trikes and disabled riders from Kevin in Australia for Bikernet.com |
2001Dear VTwin Mama There are lots of companies that do trike conversions. One of them is Lehman Trikes and the reason I mention their website is because they have this cool before and after picture thing that helps you envision a bike to trike conversion, but it looks like they handle Harleys, Hondas and Suzukis. This might be a place to at least start. So, let's see if any of the sisters have some words of wisdom for you, or articles, or anything else useful. And just to nip a really important one in the bud -- NO, YOU ARE NOT TOO OLD TOO START ! ! ! ! ! ! Mama Friday, October 26 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear VTwin Mama, Tuesday, November 6 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Lois, Monday, March 11 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Betty, Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Sharon, Ok, not really. Actually, the first listing was for the Brothers of the Third Wheel (BTW) organization and if you hop on there, you'll find oodles of information and a email address, plus a chat room about trikes. Also, here is the link for Triker Don's Trike Outlet page. And then I hit the mother lode with Harley Trike.com (!) which led me to Trike Kits.com! Try these resources -- you should find someone to assist you further. Mama Tuesday, June 4 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear HH2002, Thursday, June 6 Dear VTwin Mama, Wednesday, August 21 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Karen, Or call them toll free in Canada at (1-888-394-3357). If anyone knows whether this is possible, my guess is that they do. Or try TriWing Industries in BC, Canada at http://www.triwing.com/index.htm . You can reach them at info@triwing.com. There is also Mid-States Trike in NY which you can see some of their work at http://www.midstatetrikes.com/ourwork.html. For any inquiries, you'll need the exact model designation of your bike/size. You could also call the Honda dealer in the nearest big city and ask their advice -- if anyone knows about trike converter shops in your area, they most likely will. Mama Tuesday, May 20 Dear VTwin Mama, Anyway, the bike was pretty -- purple -- and I could flat foot it so I bought it. Well, I wasn't really ready to be on my own. I dropped it three times and became afraid to ride. Sooooo, with all of 185 miles on it, I sold it. But, I really wanted to ride. Sooooo, I bought a Honda GL1500 trike. NOW, I'm flyin! I go everywhere, in all kinds of traffic, to all kinds of events. And although a lot of people have made snide remarks about my training wheels, I am just as happy as a pig in poop! I just want everybody to know not to give up!! There are a lot of alternatives and you CAN RIDE TOO! Thanks for addressing all kinds of mama's out there. P.S. YOU GO GIRLS!! Gloria Dear Gloria, Top Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Barry, Monday, March 22 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
No Name, Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Marie, Tuesday, April 6 For Marie who is looking for input on the Voyager conversion kit: I just found your site and was enjoying the questions. I saw a question from Marie about the Voyager Kit -- I have had mine on my Yamaha VStar 650 for two years and love it. I have just bought a Romani trike and am selling my bike and kit, but had no complaints, loved it just was time for me to move up. Anything else she would like to know I will be happy to tell her. Check out mtcvoyager.com for all the details and list of vendors. Maryland Mary (note from Mama: thanks for sending in your vote of confidence on the Voyager kit and including the website address, which I believe I forgot to add!) Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Belle, Thursday, April 22 Dear
VTwin Mama, I think that your site is down right great. I'm really glad to see that there are a lot of women out there that feel independent enough to enjoy riding. This really isn't a question, it's more of an invite. I started a group in yahoo called Trike Builders and if anyone would like to join please feel free to do so. Thanks for this great site. I'll come back in the future that's for sure! Curtis Dear
Curtis, I'll post this info on my Trikes page and noted to Curtis that my Disabilities and Medical page contains links that might prove useful in forging ahead with the dream to ride some day. Mama Tuesday, May 4 Dear
VTwin Mama, My hubby rides one too, but I put the Voyager on mine before my first mile out. It is an awesome ride! My first time on a Freeway doing 70mph was the day I had the kit put on. I flew down the road without that scary feeling in my stomach that I might tip over. Cornering is definitely different, especially at slow speeds. Since there is only a 12% max. lean, I have to muscle the handlebars around a corner. Some (ignorant) people call them "training wheels,"-- I call them stabilizer wheels. Since I am 5'2" and 115 lbs, there is no way I would ever ride this big bike without my kit. Now I go everywhere my hubby does and love riding!!! Most riders give me a great deal of respect when they see my BIG bike and me on it!!! They definitely make my ride a comfortable and safe one. There isn't anywhere that I go where I don't get asked about this kit. They are really great. Dr. Jeri Logsdon Dear
Jeri, Friday, May 14 Dear
VTwin Mama: Dear
Lois, "We are Jim & Marci Jacobson of Mid-State Trikes. We are pleased to find a link on your web site and are the New York State authorized Motor Trike Dealer for conversions and repairs, specializing in Honda's and Harley's." Now, I hopped onto Mid-State Trikes site (again) and found examples of Honda 1200cc conversions that I think will interest you, and in reading their introduction to themselves, I think you'll really like them! They are located in Interlaken, NY, and their site has pictures, a map of where they are located and a contact page so you can send them an email, or call them at 607-532-8930. Give them a holler and see what's up! Mama Monday, May 24 Dear
VTwin Mama, Now, I got my first bike, Yamaha VStar 650 in December of last year. I have enjoyed it, but always felt uptight and unsure. I felt like I slowed my husband down and made him uneasy as well. I got to where when it was time to ride I got all jittery and nervous. I began to think it wasn't worth riding. Then last weekend at Myrtle Beach Bike Week I demo'd a '04 Motor Trike 750 Scooter. My life has changed. I just got it in 2 days ago and have already put 150 miles on it ( almost the same amount I put on my VStar in 6 months). I rode with the big boys yesterday and matched them the whole ride. This trike was the answer for me. I feel much more comfortable and can finally enjoy the art of riding. If anyone is interested in the 750 Scooter they can visit www.motortrike.com. Again thank you. Traday Dear
Traday, Saturday, June 12 For everyone considering a trike conversion: I just got one for my wife. The website is www.mtcvoyager.com. She likes it except that it takes more physical effort to steer. Dennis (note from Mama: each make/model/type of bike has it's challenges that must be mastered, but it's 95% the correct solution, than I think you've got the right fit!) Thursday, July 22 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
MD, Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Sue, The Goldwing Trike sounds juicy! Old dogs (harrumph) can learn new tricks best by finding a private instructor. Check with local dealers or locate the nearest riding/safety course and ask if anyone offers personal instruction. Or, visit my Cool Links page to locate womens riding organizations. Contact a local chapter for support, guidance and sistership. Sounds like it might be just the ticket at this point in life. Youll be able to share your new riding experience with others who also share and care. Mama For Sue whose husband died but she wants to ride the Goldwing Trike by herself: Really sorry about your husband. Have you checked out the Goldwing Club in your area? Go to www.gwrra.org. You will find lots of helpful people there. You can ride that Wing! Liz in Phoenix (note from Mama: thanks for the helpful site tip -- support from experienced Goldwing riders would be very useful.) Wednesday, July 28 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Jacque, Wednesday, August 4 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Garry, Tuesday, August 10 Dear
VTwin Mama, Well, I did it on my 51st birthday (guess you can teach an old dog new tricks after all) -- I went and got my motorcycle license. Today I drove High Life from our home in TN to my new place in AL., only 60 miles, but I felt like I had truly accomplished a great deal. I have to admit I'm still a little intimidated by her size, she is a 1500 Goldwing and I am only 5"2" and about 105. I know some adjustments have to be made but I have a lot fellow Goldwingers and Trikers that are helping me out. One thing I have learned from this is do not be afraid to ask for help. Thanks again VTwin Mama. P.S. My daughter is now learning to ride a dirt bike (think she's got a little of her momma in her?). Sue Dear
Sue, Saturday, September 4 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Michelle, Sunday, September 5 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
No Name, Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Richard, Wednesday, September 8 For Richard who was searching for a trike kit for his wife's Suzuki: For Richard who was after a 'Venture' trike kit. Maybe you really mean a 'Voyager' bolt-on trike conversion kit?? Try http://mtcvoyager.com. Good luck. Trixy (note from Mama: yes, Richard wrote back and noted he meant Voyager, so your website address is spot on! And if Richard goes to my Trike Page, he'll find a number of people who have written in about this conversion kit. As for actual road test info, if you type in "trike conversion road test," you'll come up with a few reviews, not on Suzuki, but they chronicle some important points to ponder.) Monday, October 4 Dear
VTwin Mama, After years of riding a very small Honda that couldn't keep up with the bigger bikes or sitting on the back of my husband's Goldwing having nothing but the back of a big helmet for a view; this is like a miracle. I can go anywhere without the worry of dropping the bike at a stop sign or on gravel. It's easier to drive than a 4 wheeler and a lot more faster. It has a 6 to 12 degree freedom so it is not stiff like a true trike. The price of this conversion is much much less than a typical trike conversion. I am 55 years old, 5 foot 4, and now planning all future vacations around the bikes. For those of you that are a little vertically challenged like me, you'll feel 6 feet 4 inches when blasting down the road under your own control. Gotta go ride, Sherry Peaster in Texas Dear
Sherry, Monday, October 25 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
David, Saturday, October 30 Dear
VTwin Mama, [I queried Shirley on why this conversion was more stable and here is her reply:] The conversion I have is made with square iron rod, allowing the rider to stand on the conversion when climbing on and off. It also is wider in the front making it almost impossible to turn over. The rear of the conversion is the same width as other conversions. There is no website for this company as it is a small family owned enterprise. I am extremely happy with this unit as I had given up riding after a Harley dealership had messed up my clutch and I lost control three times, with the last time being pretty bad. After 30 years of riding, I thought I would never ride again until I met Mr. Griffin and he put the kit on my bike. I rode 600 miles the week after it went on the bike. Now I am converting to a Lehman and the conversion kit is headed north to Atlanta to another lady rider who hasn't been on a bike since an accident. Shirley in Thomasville, GA Dear
Shirley, Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Vicki, Thursday, November 4 You go girl! You look super on your trike!! Seems to me this is a great option for women, all shapes and sizes! Too cool. Sparkle (note from Mama: this site is hearing more from the "triker" set out there and I am soooo glad as the letters include succinct reasons for considering the conversion.! For those who are considering this change over, my Trike page is a good place to start. Did you catch Shirley on her trike as well?! They are on the home page right now, but the Photo Gallery is always a good place to visit as well!) Monday, November 15 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Bill, Then, in my search, I found evidence that suggested Lehman Trikes can convert a Ridley, but the page wouldn't load, so I'm linking you to Lehman's Dealer fnder page . . . find a dealer someone close, then call and discuss in more detail with them (as the site doesn't specifically mention Ridley's). While I'm not discounting the Hondamatic conversion, keep in mind that the bike is no longer made, so you'll need to contend with finding parts, etc. down the line. Just a thought to keep in mind. Just
on another whim: you might want to contact Jack himself! He specializes in
Honda Rebels and converting them, but then again, he converted the
Hondamatic. His number in FL is (407)
321-5242. You just never know who he might know . . . and he might be able
to share some pointers. Monday, December 13 Dear
VTwin Mama, I've been thinking about switching to a trike and have looked at the postings on your site on trikes which are very helpful. My question is, how is maneuvering the trike, i.e. backing up into parking spaces. My bike doesn't have a reverse gear and one of my main problems is parking, especially if there is any incline whatsoever. I'm thinking that having the bike converted to a trike will just make it heavier to try to back up. Any experience with this issue? Thanks, Karen S. Dear
Karen, What I might suggest is that you look on my Trike page again, note those websites, and check for their toll free numbers and call . . . my guess is that there are people with all sorts of knowledge who will be more than willing to help you discover the realities. Mama Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Robin, Or, check with the local dealer for your VTX, as they probably know every trike converter shop within 100 miles of where you are. It's a simple enough phone call to mine their knowledge. I would have done a local Internet search, but you didn't mention a city/state, so I would also hop onto Google and do a "1300 VTX Trike Conversion Directory for city/state" and see what you come up with. Sorry to hear that you broke your knee. Ouch. Readers with any more specific hints should chime in now! Mama Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Jo, Friday, February 18 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Meralda, Monday, April 18 Dear
VTwin Mama, However, before I order one of these kits (it is called Insta-Trike) I would like to hear from owners who have actual "real world" experience with this type of removable trike kit. So, if you hear from any of your readers, please give them my e-mail address. Also, I rode a removable Trike kit made by Voyager but was totally turned off by the excessive side sway when making turns. It seemed like you had to hang on tight due to the 12 degree slop in the suspension. Thanks, Boblsbell7@aol.com Dear
Boblsbell7, Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Sherri, Hi
VTM, I just wanted to say that I have a Voyager Conversion Kit on my Yamaha 1600 Road Star and I LOVE IT! There is only one problem I would like other prospects to know about. The only thing I have a problem with is going 80 MPH on "Cement Roads" due to an entire harmonic bounce effect, (which if you aren't aware of it could be) but as long as I keep it under 75 MPH of Cement Freeways I'm fine... I can go as fast as I want on Asphalt!. I'm not sure what (Susie) was talking about as far as stability... I have no quirks whatsoever. As far as cornering... it's "training wheels" of sorts so there's no fear of tipping in any way. It just feels a little strange that one wheel comes off the ground... but it makes for better handling that way I think. (but then I have only "heard" that standard trikes are harder to corner, all tires on the ground). Have you heard anything else about Voyager that I should maybe know? Or is there anything that I can clear up with my 3000 mile experience on mine? DEVO : ) Dear
DEVO, Thanks for your observations on your bike with Voyager kit about how road surface affects the ride . . . I don't believe we've had input on this observation before. I'm afraid that I've forgotten more than I remember because I estimate over 6000 letters have come in over the years. Any previous observations about trikes would be on Trikes page. Readers with Voyager kits . . . time to chime in with your own observations! Mama For DEVO who was looking for observations on the Voyager trike conversion kit: I'm still loving the VTM site -- I read it every day! Thank you for giving us such a great forum. Re: DEVO's observations about the Voyager conversion kit: In February, I got a Sportster 883 with a Voyager kit and have since put about 1000 miles on it. I guess most of our roads are asphalt not cement slabs, 'cause on our stretch of Interstate 5, I can't say I experienced anything (harmonic bounce effect, you say?) that felt different than my trike's usual handling. We're going to ride about 1200 miles over Memorial Day Weekend, so maybe I'll experience some different road conditions then. Initially, riding the trike on really bumpy back-country roads was disconcerting, 'cause the kit bounces around, kind of skittering along. For a brief time, I added some weight in the saddlebags (bags are mounted on the conversion kit, not the Sporty itself) to weigh it down to reduce the bouncing. Now, I've become accustomed to the bouncing, so took out the extra weight, as I need that room in the saddlebags! Cornering and steering, of course, are totally different from riding on two wheels, but shifting my weight in the direction of the turn can make a lot of difference. I do use up more of the lane to make my turns than my friends on their two-wheelers. I'm muscling my trike through the twisties, but I'm keeping up and I don't have to fear losing my balance and tipping over. Admittedly, I'm just getting started with this trike, but I think it is working very well for me. In short, this Sporty and the Voyager kit have allowed me to ride again, and that's a Good Thing. All my riding friends have been wonderfully supportive, and I'm developing a bit thicker hide to fend off the snide comments from strangers who ask why I need training wheels. I have been looking for books or videos on trike riding techniques, but so far haven't found anything. I asked if anyone had recommendation on the Brothers of the Third Wheel forum, but didn't get any answers. If anyone reading has suggested study materials, I'd be grateful for your recommendations. I've been reading Hough's book "Proficient Motorcycling" but its applicability to trikes is somewhat limited. Trike Rider (note from Mama: thanks for taking the time to note your own observations thus far. You might want to contact the Evergreen Safety Council located in Seattle for trike-specific material . . . they run a class for trike riders and might know of useful texts. Their email is esc@esc.org. I also found the Trike Riders International organization on the About.com site. They have discussion forums and a magazine! Yup, couldn't find any books specific to the subject.) Tuesday, May 24 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
David, Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Tiny, You might also find info on your question at a relatively new discussion forum for trike riders, which one reader already noted that she found to be a true exchange of information. It's Trike Riders International. Mama Saturday, May 28 For Tiny who was wondering about her gas mileage on a Suzuki C50 trike: I have an '04 Suzuki Volusia 800 (they changed the name to the Boulevard for '05) and I get approximately 45 mpg. Robin (note from Mama: great mileage! Based on this information, even with a 20% reduction because of the trike conversion, Tiny's bike's 20mpg appears to be low. There are any number of factors that affect this, but the main ones are correct tire pressure, clean and properly gapped spark plugs, a clean carb system including the air filter, clean fuel filter(s), and even clean oil and oil filter make a difference. These are routine maintenance tasks that might require a look-see. There are products to enhance gas mileage, but I would be loathe to go this route without first checking the basics.) Sunday, June 5 For Robin who was looking for a trike conversion for her VTX 1300 back in January: I have a 2003 VTX 1800 that was converted to a trike by Wild West Trikes here in Utah. The kit is from Motor Trike and it is a permanent conversion. I can't tell you how great Motor Trike is - their kit is great looking and solid. It was a bit costly by the time I was done, but there's not another trike like mine (at least around here). I added a triple tree (it extends the rake about 6 degrees) - makes for a less heavy front end and easier steering. Check out www.MotorTrike.com and under dealers is Wild West Trikes. I purchased the 750 Scooter first - only had it a couple of months and decided I needed more power and something bigger (I couldn't keep up with our motorcycle club here on long rides and had to keep stopping for gas) - but it was a great learning machine! I'm lovin' my VTX Trike - her name is Flamin Pink. MobyKate (note from Mama: beautiful trike! Thanks for sharing!) Sunday, June 5 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Red Helmet Mama, Dear
VTwin Mama, Also, new question for anyone with Voyager Conversion Kit experience. Are the "Kit Tires" and the "Back Tire" of the motorcycle itself lined up in the back? Mine are not, and I'm wondering if that has something to do with my 75MPH problem? THANX for all you do VTwin Mama and good luck in your move!!! Hugs, Devo : ) Dear
Devo, For Devo who is looking for input on Voyager kit tires: First things first: congratulations on both the beautiful new bike and your upcoming move! I hope both are going well for you! (thanks . . . I'm excited about both!) Devo asked a follow-up question about the Voyager kit. I remember her earlier e-mail where she said that at 75 mph or faster on concrete slab freeways she suffers a "bounce effect." Over Memorial Day Weekend, I dragged that Sportster and Voyager kit over a lot of different road conditions, including concrete slab freeway, on which it did pretty well, despite being seriously underpowered. My kit wheels/tires are lined up within an inch of the motorcycle wheel/tire. The previous owner said he had his Harley dealer install the kit. I'd be interested to hear from Devo if hers lines up differently. Voyager markets four different sizes of these kits, which seem to attempt the closest reasonable fit to the width and length of the bikes they say will fit. (See http://mtcvoyager.com/price_list.html ) I've been studying this, 'cause if I had the cash, I would sell that Sportster 883 today and buy something with a reasonable amount of power (even a metric bike)! The Voyager site says their kit is so light that it has little affect on power or gas mileage, so maybe the Sportster 883 is a gutless wonder! All I know is that I spent three days fighting to keep up with 18 other bikes, especially on hills and particularly when we faced a strong headwind. I plan to ride this set up for at least another year (long enough to pay off the loan!), then begin looking to trade to something with more power that will fit my Voyager size "A" kit. Before it sounds like I'm just complaining a lot, let me say that we had an absolutely wonderful three day ride. We had everything from heavy-duty twisties (ah, my aching arms), to beautiful rolling hills and big curves along rivers and fields, clouds of butterflies, and lots of gorgeous scenery. The weather was beautiful (except for one bad windstorm, in which the trike did best of any of the motorcycles), and for the first time, I was able to accompany all my friends on our annual ride. We're already arguing about the Labor Day ride . . . to camp or not to camp, that is the question... Trike Rider (note from Mama: thanks for the input to Devo! Your pluses appear to be outweighing the minuses at this point and in my own experience I found you need to ride a bike for some time to really be able to evaluate what's working and not working and then decide if the current bike can be modified or if a new make/model should be considered for the future. As you plan on riding the Sporty for at least another year, you may want to talk with a Harley dealer about a hypercharger kit to boost the performance.) Saturday, June 11 For Trike Rider who was wondering about her Sporty 883's power: I don't know if the hyper charger mentioned is the same thing as the 1200 conversion kit that can be done to 883 Sportsters. Depending on the model year. They may not have one for brand new Sportsters yet. I would suggest that she have a 1200 kit put on the 883XL. I am not sure what parts are included with the 1200 conversion kit (if it includes more than 1200 jugs) My sister had this done to her 2003 XLH. It may give her the power boost she needs. I have heard the converted 883s are faster than stock 1200s. I am sure any Harley dealer or even a reputable certified shop (be sure they are certified to do work on Harleys!) can advise her on the purchase and the labor required. Petra, congrats on the new house and on the new BMW. . . it's a great looking bike. A Lady Rider in California (note from Mama: I'm sure Trike Rider will find this useful information to continue her discussion with the dealer. And thanks for the congrats on the house and bike . . . 4 days to closing and 13 to moving!) Dear Mama, Dear
Karen, Thursday, June 23 To Karen who was seeking trike conversion options: Try a place called Insta Trike. Got their card at Americade last year. This is their site: WWW.TOW-PACINC.COM. Or: Tow-pac, Inc., 203 South Bridge Street, Aroma Park, IL 60910, 866-694-3500 (toll free). Good Luck with your search. Marie (note from Mama: thanks for sharing (re-sharing?!?!?) this info!) Monday, July 11 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Connie, Dear
VTwin Mama, Is there a place to get this at a reasonable cost? I have seen a few kits for 5-8 grand, but I think is a little over our budget. Richard Dillard Dear
Richard, Monday, July 18 For Richard and his wife, who is looking for a bare bones trike conversion option: Last winter I bought a used 883 Sportster with the Voyager kit already installed by the former owner. Yes, we ride in the rain out here in the Pacific Northwest -- and I look like I weigh a ton in that rain suit! (well, you look dry!)
Looks are important! When we were shopping, I preferred the minimal additions of the Voyager compared to the bulkier look of the conventional trikes. I've heard all sorts of pros and cons about the Voyager kit, but it has my unreserved endorsement, as it has gotten me back in the wind after I dumped a Kawasaki in the ditch a few years ago. My advice: buy the 1200 Sporty, not the 883, which is terribly underpowered after you add the weight of the Voyager, or upgrade an 883 so it has more power. That's the ONLY bad aspect of my trike. ...and as soon as I have enough $$, I'll solve with that problem! Good luck to the Dillards! And, as always, Mama, thank you so much for this website. I read it every morning! Gila (note from Mama: thanks for sharing your ideas and the pictures!) Dear
VTwin Mama, My husband recently discovered Motor Trike's 750 Scooter and thinks that might be just the ticket for me. The dealer agrees but thinks I first need more time on a motorcycle, mainly to get comfortable with a twist throttle. My husband has suggested we replace the thumb throttle on my ATV with a twist throttle so I could get used to it on a vehicle I know -- and without the horror of trying to stay upright. I guess that's a long way to get at the bottom line question: is it necessary to master the motorcycle before moving to a trike? Patricia Smith in McMinnville, Oregon Dear Patricia, Since I'm ATV ignorant/challenged, I'm not sure if you shift gears on an ATV or not! If not, you're going to have to learn about clutch shifting a bike. This can be learned on a trike. I'm less concerned about you moving from the thumb throttle to a twist throttle than I am about you realizing that trikes have very specific handling characteristics on a road and street/road riding etiquette and safety are very specific. The main point of handling a trike is all about taking curves . . . while, you're used to steering an ATV around a curve, and that's what you need to do on a trike, riders who rode a two-wheel motorcycle, and are use to leaning and countersteering, need to realize that the trike doesn't lean or countersteer. As I've heard of trike-specific riding courses available in the U.S., I did a check in Oregon. The Evergreen Safety Council holds trike classes and I'd check the Oregon listing which shows sidecars, but may offer trike classes as well. This might be an excellent step to take, as your overall confidence will be built right off the bat! The courses usually address issues of street riding as well . . . including visibility issues of bikes on roads, etc. Your safety on the road is very important, and it's good to learn the lessons from an accredited instructor who is going to point out all sorts of things! Mama Tuesday, October 11 For Patricia who is considering a trike as her first street bike: For Patricia, and anyone else who's interested in a trike, I would recommend taking a look at Mystery Designs. They make a conversion kit called the Tiltster, which allows the frame, front end and rider to tilt when going around curves, just like a two-wheel motorcycle, but keeps both rear wheels flat on the ground. It makes the whole vehicle much more stable. Li in Florida (note from Mama: how interesting! I hopped onto the site to take a look and will note it can be used on all HD 1984 - current and 1988 - current Honda Valkyries and Goldwings.) Wednesday, October 12 Dear
VTwin Mama, I got into motorcycling in 1989 at the age of 35, & taught myself how to ride. There were no beginner's riding courses then, & very few women rode their own bikes. I have owned 14 different bikes since then, usually 2 or 3 @ a time. I am 5' 8" tall, so the size of the bike wasn't a big issue. The first time I saw a trike was at Americade in Lake George, NY. I thought, "now THERE'S a crazy idea . . . he ruined a perfectly GOOD motorcycle . . . ," but after a while I was bitten by the trike bug--I absolutely loved the looks!! I rode a Motor Trike conversion as a passenger @ Americade, then drove a Lehman trike to compare. I preferred the Motor Trike's handling. Another reason for choosing that kit was with Lehman you have to have a machine shop cut down the driveshaft, etc., whereas with the Motor Trike it's not necessary. There's wide differences in pricing from one trike conversion maker to another. After exhaustive research to find the right trike kit for my needs, I chose Motor Trike for the looks, engineering, & reasonable price. I found a great dealer in Gorham, Maine--Reynolds Motorsports. They were wonderful to deal with & very supportive during & after the conversion. There's a lot of controversy surrounding independent suspension. I have read that it's better at slower speeds, etc., but those kits seemed to be much higher-priced. Trikes really seem to perform best on the straightaway. In 2000 I bought a used 1995 Gold Wing GL 1500 SE that I converted into a trike. My former husband & I did the conversion in our garage, about a month's time, after work & thru weekends, & saved about a thousand dollars installation fee. A friend did the paintwork for me, too. It took a few weeks to become accustomed to piloting a trike. People considering a trike should be aware there's more upper body effort involved taking a trike thru corners, etc. It's totally different from leaning a "normal" bike into a turn. I spent an additional $1K to "rake out" the front end, which made the steering a bit easier, & I've been lifting weights for years! It's irritating that a lot of people assume I am somehow physically impaired becuz I ride a trike, but it's understandable. A lot of people assume it's an automatic, too, or that Honda makes trikes. Riding my trike is wonderful, a Gold Wing has all the bells & whistles, & the Motor Trike air-ride suspension is SO comfortable. Everywhere I go, people just love the trike, & they're always full of questions about it. I also own an '04 Kawi Vulcan Classic 1500, & just bought an '06 Harley Softail Deluxe. The hardest part of having 2 bikes & a trike is moving them around to access the one I want to ride! If you're thinking about a trike conversion, be sure you take the time to investigate all the manufacturers out there, then you'll be confident you made the right decision. Even if you decide after a conversion that it isn't for you, trikes are making huge gains in popularity all the time, & you will never lose the $ invested. Good luck & keep the shiny side up! Lisa Dear Lisa, Monday, October 17 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear Dennis, Thursday, November 17 Dear
VTwin
Mama, Dear
Sandy, Dear
VTwin
Mama, I have a friend who is very short - under 5' - who was riding hers the other day and when she made a U-turn, the wheel caught the gravel and she went down, with semi-serious injury. We have decided that we would like to add a couple wheels to the back of the scooters (we both are over 60 but love to ride) - I have seen pictures of them - but I have no idea where to try. It appears they all are made for motorcycles. Do you know if they might fit the scooters also? Also, the price on Voyager for one kit is $1 grand MORE than I paid for both scooters. Thanks for your time and I really like your website : ) Jody Dear
Jody, Trike conversions are available for a number of makes/models of standard cruising and touring bikes but I've never heard of a scooter-style bike being converted to a trike and was unable to locate any information on the subject. You might have seen some bikes with smaller stabilizer wheels, which are extra wheels that raise and lower to help disabled and balance-challenged riders handle stops. The wheels raise up for the ride and lower for the stop. This doesn't sound like what you're looking for, but wanted to point it out to you. I would look in the Yellow Pages for an independent bike shop and talk to them about what you're looking to do. Still, this will be a custom job and so could get pricey. The phone call and exploration of the subject however is free, so why not see if someone local can address your thoughts and if they are willing to work on it, what the estimate would be. Keep in mind that the handling characteristics are going to be greatly altered if the conversion is made, so extra practice time will be in your best interest. I'm going to add an alternative suggestion: why not contact the MSF and inquire about their Experienced Rider Course . . . here you bring in your own bike and go through the safety riding course, learning all sorts of handling moves so that you master the skills necessary to become the best rider you can be. The fact is that gravel and such will always be a challenge to a rider, even on a trike. Maybe a brush-up on skills under the watchful eye of a qualified instructor will assist you in gaining more confidence and polishing your handling skills. Mama Monday, November 21 Dear
VTwin
Mama, Dear
M.S., Tuesday, November 22 For Jody who is seeking to add extra wheels to her scooter-style bike: There is InstaTrike. They make wheels that attach without a conversion kit. The prices are about $1600 to start. They fit scooters or motorcycles. The website is www.tow-pacinc.com. Hope this is of help. Regards, Marie, aka scootergal (note from Mama: I can now confirm that my brain has lost its capability to remember every thing ever posted at this site! Thank goodness for readers who respond when I get it wrong! While I remembered the company, I forgot that they do offer scooter conversions, not just standard motorcycle cruiser/touring styles. Yikes! This is still a pretty pricey conversion, but sometimes the cost is negligent compared to the solution it offers!) Monday, November 28 More for Robin who was looking for a trike conversion for her VTX 1300 back in January: The Trike Shop is building a trike kit as we speak. Told it would be released very soon. Dennis at 586-716-0140 (Michigan) or dennis@sweettrikes.com (note from Mama: thanks for chiming in!) Wednesday, November 30 More for Tiny who was wondering about her gas mileage on a Suzuki C50 trike: Is the park brake off? It's common for people to have the p-brake part way on. Is the rear brake adjusted right? Bike should roll very easy out of gear with p-brake off. Also, Lehman doesn't rejet the carb after changing mufflers. Want to know more? Call me, Dennis 586-716-0140 (note from Mama: Dennis contacted me recently offering his experience with a wide variety of trikes as a source of information and advice.) Tuesday, December 6 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Dan, Thursday, December 8 More for Jody who is seeking to add extra wheels to her scooter-style bike: Try goodguyspowersports.com. They have different types of conversions. Sharon (note from Mama: more research is good!) |
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