Valkyrie Trike Performance?

[Rams]

Been thinking about a Valk Trike but, I've never ridden one.  I've seen quite a few but never asked the question.  How much performance loss is there to a stock trike versus a two wheeler?

I know they've got enough power to motor on down the highway and pull a trailer but can they stay with another stock Valk?  Not that it would be a real concern unless there is a dramatic difference.  Just curious.

blackrams

[Grumpy]

Ask Lady Draco, I have rode with her on devils triangle, and believe me she has no problem keeping up.

[Rams]

Hopefully she'll see this thread.

I guess I need to ride one and see.  I also have questions concerning cornering but I'm pretty sure the only way to settle that question is to actually get on one and find out for myself.

blackrams

[Westernbiker]

My bro-inlaw has a stock 1520 Goldwing trike and it does pretty good but I can leave him anytime, flats, curves, mountains you get the point.

[rmrc51]

Blackrams

I have a 97 Standard (which is now really a Tourer) with a MotorTrike conversion. Believe me, you won't have any problem regarding power loss!! Although I'm not very concerned with what ever the difference might be, if any, between a two wheeler Valk and a trike converted one, I can assure you that when you twist that throttle, the power is definitely there! I just had a complete servicing done on mine and she feels like she's being pulled by a rocket!!! 

[sugarbee]

I LOVE my trike and I don't think I had any problems keeping up with Beekeeper and Magoo, except last year when I had my accident 

Doing 70 in a sweeper is a breeze, just watch out for those sharp turns that sneak up on you, they can bite you in the arse before you know what hit you.  But, I'm no expert by no means.  I haven't been able to ride since the accident, doctor's orders.  Sucks rocks....

I think you would love a trike.

[sugarbee]

forgot to post a pic 

[Westernbiker]

Alright, lets put it this way. A standard trike kit complete for Bad Boys Customs for a Honda Valkyrie is approx. 600 lbs, this is COMPLETE! Tires wheels etc..... add 600 lbs to your Valk and tell me it still goes as fast? NO WAY! So take that for what it's worth, it will not keep up with a two wheeled Valk! Period.

[Lonerbtw]

 I have a 98 standard that I did the conversion myself. Cut a mustang 7.5 rearend down to 36' back plate to back plate. 2.73 gears , 65 mph 2.500 rpm's. turning 295.50.15's.  It was rearended so I had to fab everything from seat back. My wife has a 2000 standard that I built the frame and bought a body from US Trikes. It has a pinto 8' rearend. and runs 65 at about 3000 rpm's. Both of them get 35-40 mpg. Depending on how we ride. Neather have the raked trees yet. But handle really well, a little stif in the turns but not unmanageable. and stable on the hiway. Have had both of them over 100  
I have no idea how to post pictures on the board but my wife posted them in the pictures some place. She says they are there but I cant find them. If you go looking mine is blue and hers is stock red and black.
 Loner

[3W-lonerider]

i beg to differ westernbiker..i have a 99 i/s trike..motor trike conversion which adds 400 pound to the total bike..a friend of mine has a 2003 standard and when we pull out from a stop sign and crack into it..we are dead even. neither of us can pull away from the other. as far as the twisties are concerned. you get somebody riding a trike that knows it capabilities and you'll never keep up with the trike in the twisties. ask the crotch rocket rider that i raced going up a vermont mountain road what a trike can do..only turns i really don't like to come up on is a downhill sharp turn..you get one wheel off the ground and you really lose braking capacity. going up hill and getting a wheel of the ground is no concern..once it lifts you lose momentum.. so the trike will settle back down.

[Pete]

If you are going to add the weight of the trike kit to help determine performance do not forget to subtract the weight of the parts removed.

Just FYI

[Westernbiker]

The bad Boys kit adds approx. 600lbs, I called them. Even if your kit only added 400lbs that is 400lbs heavier than my Valk. Heavier is slower when both bikes are the same.

[Willow]

I've run side by side with Lady Draco (1999 Istate trike) on the open road.  I believe if I really, really wanted to I could walk away from her through the midrange, but overall she keeps up just fine and will run away from me if I let her get the jump.

Rationalize whatever you want.  I speak from experience.  A good running Valkyrie trike will keep up with a good running Valkyrie Standard.

[larryh0841]

I have a 2000 Interstate bike and a 1999 Interstate trike and I can say from personal experience that the bike will out perform the trike in a staight drag.  The engines are set up as near to identical as possible with the exception that I run the trike a little richer because of the extra weight it is pulling.  The trike gearing is a little higher, less rpms at speed, which also has a negative influence on acceleration.  I have a long background in drag racing, formerly licensed NHRA top fuel driver, and can assure you that adding weight will slow acceleration.  That is how the NHRA slows bikes down in the pro motorcycle class to keep everything equal.  I think they added weight to the Harleys at least twice last season to keep things even.  Although this year they allowed the Suzukis more cc's.      However, I really enjoy riding the trike, but am not confident or skilled enough to push it as fast as the bike through tight corners.  I have to take the word of others that it will keep up with the bike.

[Rams]

An interesting discussion.

Just to be clear, I don't plan on drag racing anyone and I also know it's much easier for anyone (regardless of the machine being considered) when there is a group involved like our get togethers.  Let's face it, although we like to play, we also like to stay together as a group and don't want anyone hurt. 

The reason I'm considering a trike is to get my wife more involved in going with me.  There is absolutely no way I'd sell my 02 standard skunk.  That machine not only has a heart and soul, it also owns mine.  What I want to ensure is I (and the wife) would be able to keep up with some of my buddies without looking like it's working hard to do it.  I fully expect a trike to be heavier and therefore slower.  I still don't know about the handling but that is something I'm going to have to figure out on my own.  Thanks for all of the replies.

blackrams   

[JerryB]

Even as a trike it can whoop most other bikes out there  but I don't ride that way though......JB.

[Rams]

Even as a trike it can whoop most other bikes out there  but I don't ride that way though......JB.

Very Nice Trike.   

Ron

[Westernbiker]

I've run side by side with Lady Draco (1999 Istate trike) on the open road.  I believe if I really, really wanted to I could walk away from her through the midrange, but overall she keeps up just fine and will run away from me if I let her get the jump.

Rationalize whatever you want.  I speak from experience.  A good running Valkyrie trike will keep up with a good running Valkyrie Standard.

I'm NOT rationalizing anything! weight = slower period! See Larry's post below yours.

[Super Santa]

I personally think that it is mostly going to depend more upon the drivers expertise than the actual bikes capabilities, at least in the twisties.

[clsimmonsjr]

I have a 99IS triked and a 98 tourer set up as a solo.  The trike has plenty of power, but wont run with the bike.

[Bearinthehouse]

We got a guy here in Portland, Oregon we call Santa Claus,,,, has a trike with Super charger kit on it...SCARY FAST!!!!!!!!

[Rams]

We got a guy here in Portland, Oregon we call Santa Claus,,,, has a trike with Super charger kit on it...SCARY FAST!!!!!!!!

Now, that would be somthing I'd love to see.   

For me, it's not about going fast and stupid, it's all about knowing you could if you wanted to.   

blackrams