trike kit which is the best?

[mcdanieljim54]

I have a 2000 interstate 28K miles, can't sell it so trike it? Which trike companies still make them for a 2000 model year Valkyrie?
Just need input who is the best to deal with.
Thanks

[JaysGone]

I have found this site more then helpfull.
http://cruiserlinks.com/motorcycle-manufacturer-directory/trike-manufacturers-conversions/
Its alot of reading to see who offers what, but if you want say reverse and to me thats a very important option to have.
It just so happens to be the first offering given on the site.
ATI. This is the company I intend to go with.
http://www.americantrike.com/

[Momz]

Roadsmith
Independent rear suspension, super large rear brakes, matching wheels to your front OEM, fitments for Interstates and standards, all at a vey reasonable price..
You will need to replace your triple trees with "raked trees", and XF6 makes outstanding triple trees.

[Ricky-D]

Making a trike out of the Valkyrie is doing one thing only!

You do not have to do anything to the front of the bike. It is not required. (re: triple trees)

It's all scare talk!

***

[R J]

You do not have to do anything to the front of the bike. It is not required. (re: triple trees)

It's all scare talk!

***

Degreed trees sure as hell make it easier to steer.

[G-Man]

Roadsmith
Independent rear suspension, super large rear brakes, matching wheels to your front OEM, fitments for Interstates and standards, all at a vey reasonable price..
You will need to replace your triple trees with "raked trees", and XF6 makes outstanding triple trees.

When moving to the raked trees, do you need to lengthen the forks?

[BonS]

http://www.xf6-custom.com/ not only makes rake kits but also makes fork extensions.

[G-Man]

http://www.xf6-custom.com/ not only makes rake kits but also makes fork extensions.

I think I heard that those "extenders" weren't so safe.

[Black Dog]

You do not have to do anything to the front of the bike. It is not required. (re: triple trees)

It's all scare talk!

Ricky-D,

I have ridden 3 Trikes in my life, and had the experience of riding one both before, and after the triple tree install (A Harley).  The other two have been - a ’98 Gold Wing (owned by a friend of mine) that was fitted with a raked tree after the owner needed to make it easier to maneuver/steer, and another HD that was fitted with a raked tree after the owner had read about a raked tree improving handling.  

In my experience, and in what I have heard from other Trike owners, there is a very real benefit to fitting the Trike with the properly raked tree.  I have experienced it firsthand…

That being said, what are your reasons/experiences for saying that a raked tree is nothing but ‘scare talk’?

Black Dog

[R J MILES]

I also have a Roadsmith kit that I put on my 99 IS. The Trike Shop will sell you the kit for a self install. Not all manf. will do this. They want your $$$$ for paint and installation!! Paint is a rip-off!! Got 2 colors? they want to charge you for 3. Don't forget that pin stripe! Roadsmith kits come with all the mechanals done. Total bolt on. Paint, hook up wireing, and the brake line. No cutting, No welding. I'm a large dude 6-1, 250 lbs. I needed the trees changed. Ricky must be an animal.  I went 8 degrees, no extensions.  Kit streches wheelbase 10 inches, add 3 for the trees. Long and low!! Handles like a slot car!! IRS rear, 10 bolt Chev diff, disc brakes,and Spicer u-joints. Love it!!   Fuzzy 

[Chiefy]

I've only owned 1 trike, so cannot speak to which is "best."  I had a 1300 VTX with  a Motortrike kit.  It was "okay."  There was nothing wrong with it.  But I personally would shop around before I settled on another Motortrike kit.

I don't know you, or why you're buying a trike.  But if you have diminished upper body strength, then you absolutely will want to rake the front.  My 1300 was of course lighter then a Dragon, and it was not raked.  I'm a decent sized guy, and I had no real problem steering it, but it was heavy to steer.  If I had arthritis or something I think it would have needed to have been raked.  A heavy bike like ours I'll bet you'll be sorry if you don't rake it anyway.

These guys know everything about trikes:  www.triketalk.com

[Black Dog]

I don't understand why you want to call me names!

Ricky-D...  Chill dude     When RJ Miles said you must be an animal, I believe he meant it as a good thing, as in 'Wow, that Ricky must be one big strong dude' 

You seem to be on the defensive alot these days...  Maybe a nice long ride will chase away the Clown Voices 

Black Dog

[Ricky-D]

Personally I couldn't care less about what someone does to the front suspension on his/her bike, specifically on the subject of rake to the front end of a trike.

I dislike to repeat myself but to those whose reading comprehension is so low as to not have understood my original post, again,
 Raking the front end is not required when triking a motorcycle.

Now, regarding raking:

A) If a trike kit builder/manufacturer recommends raking the front end, I would encourage giving the suggestion some thoughtful consideration.  
Without such suggestion, a good amount of skepticism should be employed.
B) As regards rake to the front end of a motorcycle/trike,,,, a few truths are evident.
      (!) The farther out the front wheel, the less downward force keeping the tire on the ground.
            This can be manifested in less safe operating condition.
                a) The tire will tend to skid when turned.
                b) The tire will have a tendency to bounce losing contact with the pavement.
                c)  The realized front braking force will be diminished.
       (2) The farther out the front wheel, the greater the increase in turning radius.
       (3) As the rake of the front end is increased, likewise the force of front wheel "fall-off" is increased.
           "Fall-off" is a dangerous condition since it works against straight line tracking and is the main
            reason why "trail" in a motorcycle front end assembly is of paramount importance in motorcycle
            design and manufacturing.
C) Riding a trike can nowhere be compared to riding a motorcycle. To think so is folly. The dynamic of
     handling a trike can be compared more appropriately to driving a car. "Fasten your seatbelt"

***

[dago mooserider]

Hey Mcdaniel,
 I was wondering if u have ridden a trike? If not u definitely should before doing this to your valk. I was shocked how much i disliked (hate is a strong word  ) riding my dads triked wing. It didn't feel like i was even riding a motorcycle. I ride an atc 250r trike in the dirt and love it, but on the street it's a whole different story. In my dads case its a physical thing, so if thats the case with u then of course go 4 it. Hope i'v not offended any trike guys......

[JaysGone]

Ive been reading this post with some interest.
With every trike related conversation Ive had in the past.
Raking the neck a minimum of 6 degrees and possibly using leg extentions have usually just been taken for granted and being needed.
As I have bought and restored this Valk with the sole consideration of triking it as my signature says.
Im diabetic and my legs are starting to go.
Now I was planning to rake it for 2 reasons.
1-Taken for granted it should be done..
2- When extending the wheel base which most if not all kits do.
I needed to balance out the design from an aesthetic point of view.

Every trike Ive ever ridden and its been more then a few all were raked.
Most 6 degrees, some more.
I dont know of anyone who ever had a saftey related problem with such a vehicle.
I how ever have never ridden a Honda triked.
Just V-Twins based bikes.
So maybe I need to do some more reading about this or contact ATI about their feelings on this subject.

[keepinon]

Can't help with the which is best question, I have a '98 Standard with a Motortrike kit, and like it for what it is. Only trike I have ever owned. It is a different ride, takes some learning, but handles as well as a bike when you do.

As far as raking? Do it!  This one wasn't raked when I bought it. It was ok, & even Motortrike says no rake is needed. But it was *hard* steering at slower speeds. Forget about clutching or using the front brake when turning 'cause it took both hands to move the bars. Conversing with XF6, I went with a 6* rake kit, no fork extensions needed. Now I can turn with ease, up-shift during a turn with no problems, still handles well on the highway.

Just my experiences. I find as I get older, easier is good.

[~ Ron ~]

I have a 2000 Valkyrie Standard/DFT......the reason for that choice is , the maintenance and cargo pace,  once a year I grease 8 grease fittings , thats it.  The cargo pace is the largest at 9.43 cu.ft.. Pulling my Time-Out trailer gives me 34.43 cu.ft........and a smooth ride......nice   

[R J MILES]

Ricky-d,  Do you have a trike? Have you ever rode one more than a short distance? Like hours on end, covering hundreds of miles. I have!   I can agree with only 2 of your points. 1.  Operation of a trike is nothing like that of a 2 wheeler. 2. The longer the wheelbase, the larger the turning  radius. Your idea of raking on a trike is all wet! I've never had any of the things that you say are dangerous and unsafe.The trike manufacturers offer a rake system for their kits.  Harley-Davidson puts a raked and extended front on their own   Tri  Glide Ultra Classic. After millions of $$$ and hours of R&D , they seem to think its a good idea. As do I! Dynamics of a trike are not the same as a 2 wheeler. Same can be said for side-car rigs.    Fuzzy

[Garland]

If I were going the trike route I think I would just buy a used finished one. It is a very expensive conversion when done right. Everytime I see a nice used trike for sale I can't help but think somebody is losing a lot of money on that deal...

[Ricky-D]

I can add to that that a lot of kits I've seen do not look reliable enough to ride at high speeds on the slab!

***

[R J]

I can add to that that a lot of kits I've seen do not look reliable enough to ride at high speeds on the slab!

***

Man oh man, ya'll done lost me here.

The only unit I wouldn't have or ride is that one where they have outrigger wheels, they look like training wheels.   I believe it is called a Voyager.   I've ridden several other units also.  One is from Minnesota, (they have  a place in Daytona now) they used to use old VW's and make a Trike.   They were dangerous as hell, any quick throttle from a stand still and the front end would stand straight up.   I put about 30K on the one I had, got it after I broke my arm being a stupid a**hole.    I still carry a steel rod in that arm.

But ya get into the conversions for Wings, HD, Valkyrie's all have more weight and hold the ground pretty good.   I've seen several people with Wing conversions who have tried to raise the front and they might if lucky get a 3" stand up and immediatley drop to the ground.   Even the Boss Hoss units will not stand up very easy, they usually just spin the rear tires.

[shortleg]

 About two years ago I helped Goody build his trike.
We used a California sidecar unit. Not a bad job at all.
  I will say I drove it before and after we racked the front.
 I am here to tell you it makes all the difference in the world
when it comes to handleing.
             Shortleg[Dave]

[Bad On 3]

Hi i have had three trikes in my life a 1999 honda goldwing raked 6 degrees and a 2002 goldwing that i bought new had triked and rode it a year before raking went to deals gap {318 turns in 11 miles } when i came home the trike went in and got raked 6 degrees  i now have a 99 interstate with a Roadsmith conv. that i love and it is raked 8 degrees because the front of the valk is heaver than a wing --you dont need to rake a trike but its not hype if you want a bike that is easy to steer get it raked !! i didnt spend 1000.00 for hype --if you want power steering you need to have it raked and i never heard of the front end falling off or any problems other than fork seals and they go bad on 2 wheelers --Just my 2 cents from a trike rider with alot of  miles on trikes !! Its long and low and handles like a sports car !!!! 

[gabby]

I have a 99 I/S that has a California Sidecar conversion with 4 1/2 degree rake and it is by far the best due to the looks of the rear end is like the top box, rounded and 4 (four) lights. I think that you need to ride several different trikes to see which one you will like.  As the saying goes "MINE IS THE BEST".THEY ARE ALL GOOD-each rides different and feels different riding.  Choose what you like, can afford, and feels good to you.

Gabby

[mcdanieljim54]

Hey Mcdaniel,
 I was wondering if u have ridden a trike? If not u definitely should before doing this to your valk. I was shocked how much i disliked (hate is a strong word   ) riding my dads triked wing. It didn't feel like i was even riding a motorcycle. I ride an atc 250r trike in the dirt and love it, but on the street it's a whole different story. In my dads case its a physical thing, so if thats the case with u then of course go 4 it. Hope i'v not offended any trike guys......

I rode a 250R 3wheeler back in the day myself. No it's a physical thing. But your right, I bet I hate it.

I like the idea of independent rear suspension of the RoadSmith and if it is bolt together now welding I am up for that to.

Thanks for all the input. I will be doing good to afford the kit, it will give me time to know how it feels with out raking the front, cause I have to save more pennies.

[Dougger]

If you are near a Roadsmith dealer, take a demo. i have a 95 GW Roadsmith and find it is a wonderful ride, with a 6 degree rake.
Give Doug a call at the Roadsmith factory, you will find him to be very helpful.

http://www.trikeshop.com/trikes/HSC1500/

[dreamchaser]

Ricky-d:  You never did respond to the queery reguarding your personal experience with trikes.

Enquiring minds want to know.  Perhaps you can awaken the rational side of the foolhardy adventurer in all of us? 

[Poor Ol Harry]

I had my 2000 IS converted $12,500.00 including front rake.2 days after I put it in the shop there was a 99IS ......500 miles from me on ebay for $10,500.At the time( 2 years ago) I could have easyly got 5,6 or 7 K, mabe more for  my 2000 IS / 17 K miles,so u do the math.Kits are avaliable for the Valks & I don't hear much about whats worst or best.Just make sure u know ALL about the installer, BEFORE you $$$$$$ ....that is where I screwed up.... the kit ( Moto Trike) was fine the installer let me down.It handels well (NOW) & I don't regrete the rake if no other reason .IT LOOKS GOOD!!   Harry