Trike KIt

[bstig60]

Anyone ever use one of these add on trike kits? http://towpacusa.com/

[Viking]

I never did, but I know someone who did. He was very vertically challenged and in order to even take a GL1800 off its side stand, he needed the tow pac. He liked it because it would hold the bike up at stops, where he could not with only tippy toes touching and then only on one side. He did have difficulty at times if he was over a dip and the driving wheel of the bike did not have enough purchase to give traction as he had the two pac tension set pretty tight. In such cases, either his buds had to give him a push or he needed to get off and move the bike a bit to get the drive wheel touching. He rode for a year and then gave it up altogether.

[bstig60]

Do you know what model your friend had? I am not there yet, but am looking into options for the future.

[Viking]

I'm pretty sure it was the 12" wheel Instatrike, as shown on their web pages for a 2001 to whatever GL1800. He had a 2003 GL1800.

[bstig60]

Thanks for the reply. I am looking at the 14" wheel models. I like the idea of being able to remove the trike kit easily and still be able to ride normally. Perhaps in a year or two.

[GoldWingrGreg]

If it is a GoldWing owner, usually they are looking at those because they are not quite financially ready for their Wing to be a real trike. Unfortunanly, most end up disappointed with the ride and the amount of effort that is required to turn them. Those kits drive from the rear center wheel, but around a "training wheel" on the inside of the turn. Some will add an "easy steer" kit, only to find that "easy" still takes a lot of effort. The end result is it's a "half step" into getting a real trike. A real trike has a differential and the outer tire in a turn being the drive tire. Easy steer kits work well on real trikes. For most, the financial half step is costly, and they are left trying to sell something most don't want.

If you're thinking about removing the kit, and riding it as a 2-whl again, if easy steer has been added, 2-whl Wings with easy steer do not turn or handle well.

[2003Cobra]

I agree with Goldwingergreg. I looked at all kinds of alternatives instead of getting a trike but by the time I did all my research I came to the same conclusion that GoldWingerGreg posted. I have a friend who bought one of those dual wheel front ends (that allow you to still lean in turns) and installed it on his Road King. When all was said and done he had around $18-20K into it (started out being only $10K) and it put him and his wife on the ground twice. He now has a Harley freewheeler. The big problem was that he sold his original front end and could not go back so the dealer didn't give his squat for his Road King and if he had spent the money on triking his Road King he would be money ahead now. You can trike a bike around here from $10 - 15K depending on the kit and that includes the easy steer and paint. Sometimes trying to save money ends up costing you more in the end.