Trike Question

[TW]

Good morning:  I have a 97 tourer with 56,000 miles on it and I am thinking about a trike kit.  I just turned 70 this year and if I am going to stay on a motorcycle I will need to consider a trike in the near future.  I am thinking about  a Motor Trike , or possibly a Roadsmith kit.  I am interested in opinions on either and what experiences you may have had with the kit.  Thanks in advance for your time.   Elliott

[RainMaker]

I'm not there yet but heading that way in about 15 years if the knees keep their arthritic progression.  But I've thought about what you're considering and decided that I would rather sell the Valk as a 2 wheeler and find a Goldwing trike, mainly due to having the option of a reverse on the Goldwing.  I can't imagine pushing a trike back is going to be all that easy, especially if I'm on the trike due to limited abilities as it is.  And even with the Valk I/S, pushback is not always an easy task and I try really hard to avoid those situations.  But sometimes, I still end up there.

Just something to think about.  There are many guys who have triked their Valks and are very happy with the results, but I'm pretty sure that I'll go to a Goldwing Trike for the reversibility.

RainMaker

[TW]

Thanks Rainmaker:  I am really struggling with this because I like my Valk and having a terrible time trying to decide what to do.  My bike is a 97 and I bought it in 99 and  its really been a good bike.  Thanks again for your response,  Elliott

[Red Diamond]

Since this is an "Old Man's Topic", I'll chime in. I'll turn the 70 knob on the clock in January, but I haven't given any thought to a trike. When and if the time comes, I'll follow RainMakers advice. The Goldwing is comfortable and has a lot of bells and whistles, including reverse, that is a big plus as RainMaker pointed out. If you feel you are going to need a trike to continue riding, you'll want all the help you can get from you bike of choice.

[hemmyvalk]

I saw your discussion so thought I would chime in.  I bought a 98 standard in 2000 which had a California trike kit.  I saw it advertised locally, thought I would check it out and was floored with the trike and bought it.  Never knew anything about Valks when I bought it.  A couple of years later I met up with a valk rider on the road and he wanted to ride my trike, so we traded rides and I fell in lust all over again for an interstate.  So I bought a red/black 2000 interstate.  I still have both.  If anything ever happed to either, I would replace it wth about the same as I have.

Anyways, I was 46 when I got the trike. Just saying you dont have to be 70 ish to enjoy a trike. 

I only had need of reverse once, had some bikes surround me while parked and my plan to roll out did not work. But with a little help from a nice stranger I got out.  I think the trike rolls easier than the interstate. 

[TW]

A very interesting reply.  I had wandered just how much more difficult it would be to push a trike as opposed to a two wheeler.  Actually I have had the valk for about 14 years and only remember once that I had to be pushed.  I was riding with a small group and told one of the guys when we parked that I would not be able to get out and he assured me he would help me when we got ready to leave.    And he did help me.  You only have to park wrong once and you would remember it.  You guys have a good day...I feel a little better.  elliott

[keepinon]

TW, I too have a Valk trike, '98 Standard, Motortrike kit. It's the simple straight axle kit, and I'll echo hemmyvalk's comment on pushing for reverse. The trike does seem to push back easier than my '97 standard did. I've had the trike going on three years and love it, done 4k miles in the last few months.

You don't say where abouts in E. Tx you are, but if you're ever near New Caney, let me know. A test ride could help you decide.