Trikers, please enlighten me. Solid rear axles versus independent rear axles...

[Rams]

I have my own opinion but, those of you with experience, please enlighten me.

Rams

[Robert]

Independent rear is better in most circumstances. but more complicated and expensive to make and repair. But like anything there are limitations like an 18 wheeler would be next to impossible to build and independent rear for.

A practical study is the Ford SUV and all the roll overs till they changed to independent rear. Wheel hop, cornering, turning in corners all better with the independent rear.

Just saw the trike, personally I would not ride a trike without an independent rear.

[Warlock]

 I own a solid axle rear end. Never have ridden a independent one. I like my solid axle and have no problems running curves. I guess each has their downfall. But until you own and ride one for a while it is hard to give a opinion on which is better. Would love to ride one for a while and see how it compares to my solid axle one. So maybe someone who has owned both will chime in. I will say that I had to change to a different air bag on my motor trike. The ones they install from the factory aren't good. I installed bigger air bags and improved the ride greatly.
David

[vanavyman]

My wife has had a solid axle 97 Tour with a Motor Trike kit.  When hitting bumps it jarred the bike more.  Handled well in the mountains.  She now has a 2000 Interstate with a Roadsmith Independent suspension.  She like it a lot better with normal driving.  She goes a little slower in the mountains because one side will hop a little if hitting a bump on a corner.  Both can be a great trike.  Lot comes down to personal preference.  Know one guy that bought a newer Goldwing GL1800 and had it triked with a Solid Axle because he wanted to go fast in the mountains chasing 2 wheelers.  He was very happy with the Trike.

[Gregory Scott 16248]

I have 2 trikes, one solid axle and one independent. My solid axle is my 99 Valkyrie Interstate with a Lehman trike kit (my show bike). The independent axle is a 2008 Goldwing level 3, with a Motor trike kit (my travel bike). Both trikes run really good through the curves. The solid axle has more bounce, hop, rocking, side to side over bumps. The independent axle has more slide side to side in curves.

I have road 2 different Can-Am Spyders and I just don't like the way they ride.

Buying a new trike I would get a independent axle, not many solid axle trikes sold anymore. I like both of mine and would not part with either one. If you have more questions just ask.

[3W-lonerider]

since iv'e had both heres my opinion. but keep in mind its as good as what you've paid for it.
had a valk with a motortrike solid axle for many years, as you know.
pro's
it would stick in the turns like it was on rails.
easy to maintain just had to lube the heim joints and keep them in good shape.

cons.
shorter wheelbase, wife felt all the bumps.
the suspension when i got it was, it either rode like a buckboard or it was spongy. no in-between
had to modify to install larger airbags to get a desent ride.
had drum brakes which needed adjusted every so often.
ladder bar heim joints had to be replaced because if one of them got the slightest bit of play the whole backend would shimmy.
a set of heim joints will run $300 dollars if it has heim joints plus a whole day to install and set up properly

now that i have a california sidecar independent suspension i would really have to think about going back to a solid axle. but that would depend on how it was set up.
definatly no more motortrikes for me.
pros
softer ride.
wider wheelbase.
longer wheel base.
disk brakes
very little maintenance on the set up.
bigger lower trunk.
cons.
cannot take the turns as fast as a solid axle.
because of the wider width the more rake you can get the better.

was i sad to see the valk go. yes. but after weighing my options of repairing  mine. then having to put another 2 grand into heim joints and ladder bars i was ready to move on.
my suggestion is go to a trike dealer or go to a couple of friends. ride theirs and make your own informed decision. what is right for one may not be right for another.
if you go to a trike forum you will take notice that trikes are like tires and oil. everybody swears by the choice they made.
 

[ridingron]

    I have road 2 different Can-Am Spyders and I just don't like the way they ride.   

Not a Can-Am but would you give this one a try?

[Jess Tolbirt]

I have my own opinion but, those of you with experience, please enlighten me.

Rams

solid axle multiplies the feedback 10 times more than independent. bought a solid axle trike (brand new Harley Sport model) and thing lasted 1 week before i traded it in on a tri glide. the triglide lasted about a month. went back to a raod king

[RDAbull]

I have had both.  99 Valk with a CSC solid axle.
2010 GW Motortrike with independent.
2003 GW  Lehman with solid.

I always ride alone so am not concerned with passenger comfort.
I have a tendency to ride hard on the corners and big sweepers. 
Like to follow Joe around: 'Nuff Said.

I much prefer the solid axle because of its sticking ability on the curves at speed.
Do not like the counter lean of the independent in the same situation.

I would like to get a newer trike but you can't find one with independent suspension.