To Trike Or Not to Trike By gorj (Read 1,528 times)

[gorj]

For several weeks now I have been cruising the scooter trike forums hoping to get some feeling about scooter trikes. A few years ago I sold my Honda Goldwing Motortrike. Two months ago I purchased a used Linhai 260 scooter because I wanted to let the wind blow through my body again! I have enjoyed the scooter, but I felt like I would enjoy a trike even more. Now I am not to sure about the scooter trikes. It seems like, as a whole, they are more trouble than they are worth. I owned my Goldwing trike for about 10 years and never had any issues with it. Nothing came loose, nothing fell off, gauges always worked, no belts to replace, etc. It rode down the road smoothly and it could do well over 120 MPH if I wanted to do so. Of course we are talking about a ride that cost me about $18,000 as compared to a $5000 scooter trike. But if I were to spend $5000 I would expect it to run correctly the first day and continue to do so for a long time. The idea of having to loctite all the nuts from the git go says something about the quality of the build! I fail to understand why so many scooter trike owners put up with these crappy machines. Thanks to the scooter trike forums for saving me $5000!

[rapidjim]

Big difference between a $38,000 plus Goldwing and a $5000 Ice bear. Besides with the Goldwing all the assembly and inspections are done for you. If you think they don't use locktite think again.

[olddog]

I have a 2016 Zodiac 300, bought through my local dealer here in Raleigh Area. I thoroughly enjoy riding my trike. Having the narrower 12" high profile rear wheels definitely improves the ride as compared to the older 14" rear low profile wider tires. And with less jolts and shaking, the ride is quite comfortable, Even as good as the 2 wheelers I have ridden.
In looking at your other posts, gorj, as you look at trikes vs trike kits, check your insurer for any modification fees before you get a kit installed. I've read that some insurers post a high mod fee, even if the trike kit company installs it.
A big thing that led me to purchase the Zodiac was the reverse gear that I find to be very important to me. I just simply can't push my trike backwards by my feet. There is only one 4 wheel scooter trike kit that I know of that sells an electric reverse, and it's for a lot of money, above the price of the trike kit.
Another thing that I like is the integration of the plastic body on my Zodiac. Even the Tornado and the Magnum look cool in styling. Add a trike kit to a scooter, and it looks like, to me at least, an add-on kit. The fenders don't match. There is no paneling on the rear to hide the shocks and chain, etc. It is an add-on. I see a lot of 3 wheel and 4wheel conversion kits, and they almost stick out like a sore thumb.
Just my thoughts...

[gorj]

May 9, 2017 15:46:19 GMT -6 olddog said:

I have a 2016 Zodiac 300, bought through my local dealer here in Raleigh Area. I thoroughly enjoy riding my trike. Having the narrower 12" high profile rear wheels definitely improves the ride as compared to the older 14" rear low profile wider tires. And with less jolts and shaking, the ride is quite comfortable, Even as good as the 2 wheelers I have ridden.
In looking at your other posts, gorj, as you look at trikes vs trike kits, check your insurer for any modification fees before you get a kit installed. I've read that some insurers post a high mod fee, even if the trike kit company installs it.
A big thing that led me to purchase the Zodiac was the reverse gear that I find to be very important to me. I just simply can't push my trike backwards by my feet. There is only one 4 wheel scooter trike kit that I know of that sells an electric reverse, and it's for a lot of money, above the price of the trike kit.
Another thing that I like is the integration of the plastic body on my Zodiac. Even the Tornado and the Magnum look cool in styling. Add a trike kit to a scooter, and it looks like, to me at least, an add-on kit. The fenders don't match. There is no paneling on the rear to hide the shocks and chain, etc. It is an add-on. I see a lot of 3 wheel and 4wheel conversion kits, and they almost stick out like a sore thumb.
Just my thoughts...

I feel you are correct, the trike kits are now out for me. And I would not have a trike without reverse. I also feel that the competition among manufacturers in the scooter trike market is so small that the present offering is not up to my standards. For me, they are not reliable. I remember when I first had my Honda trike, the big motorcycle companies did not want to have anything to do with them. That has changed and they all offer trikes on their showrooms now. Maybe scooter trikes would be more reliable if some big name companies got into the market. I am satisfied right now with my 260cc scooter.

[richardv]

May 8, 2017 21:21:28 GMT -6 gorj said:

For several weeks now I have been cruising the scooter trike forums hoping to get some feeling about scooter trikes. A few years ago I sold my Honda Goldwing Motortrike. Two months ago I purchased a used Linhai 260 scooter because I wanted to let the wind blow through my body again! I have enjoyed the scooter, but I felt like I would enjoy a trike even more. Now I am not to sure about the scooter trikes. It seems like, as a whole, they are more trouble than they are worth. I owned my Goldwing trike for about 10 years and never had any issues with it. Nothing came loose, nothing fell off, gauges always worked, no belts to replace, etc. It rode down the road smoothly and it could do well over 120 MPH if I wanted to do so. Of course we are talking about a ride that cost me about $18,000 as compared to a $5000 scooter trike. But if I were to spend $5000 I would expect it to run correctly the first day and continue to do so for a long time. The idea of having to loctite all the nuts from the git go says something about the quality of the build! I fail to understand why so many scooter trike owners put up with these crappy machines. Thanks to the scooter trike forums for saving me $5000!

I agree that the add on kits do look like add on's but finances can dictate which way you go. The local shop that sold new and used scooters, trikes and motorcycle trikes that have been repaired recently went out of business. So it's getting harder to get a reasonably priced trike.

You mentioned trike forums, could you give some links to some that you find interesting. I can no longer afford the Motorcycle Trike so the scooter will have to do.

Thanks for starting an interesting topic.
Richard

[gorj]

The only two forums I visit are this one and Scooter Professor. I am fortunate that I have a background as an automotive repair tech and can do my own scooter repairs. This is fortunate for me because I live in a small north central Arkansas town that one motorcycle repair shop, but they cater mostly to the Harley chopper types. My take is after owning a scooter for two months is that scooters, either 2 wheels or three wheels, are basically designed for around town or small trips to the country side, but are not highway vehicles. Scooters are to light and do not hold up well mechanically for continuous high speed rides. Some larger scooters like the Honda Silverwing or Suzuki Burgman 650 , do much better at high speed freeway cruising, but their cost is in the motorcycle range!

[jct842]

The larger jap. scooters are way over priced and when they list touring they make an oxymoron out of touring. and if you are over 6 ft you are squashed riding them. Their shocks are poor compared to a motorcycle in the same price range. A scooter is best around town. A grocery getter. You can also tour on a 50cc if thats your thing but I think comfort.

[davec]

Not sure why you sold the GW trike to go to a scooter. I got my left leg ripped off 4 years ago, (see sig pic, hit by a truck while on my 750 Magna bobber) and got a Zodiac from Jim (Rapid Repair) and still enjoy riding it. However, Last year, I did get a Goldwing with a side car, ($6000) added a Pingel push button shift, a few more upgrades, and now ride like I used to. In fact thinking of going to ROT (Austin Tx), Sturgis and Key West this summer. Ride on.