I have been doing my home work on this, I feel like I will never be able to really handle my RS in a safe and reliable way, so I was looking into triking it. Now Champion makes a fine looking bolt on rear for my bike, Cost $7145 and I would want the rake out kit $1095 and we haven’t started painting it yet and I am into it for $8240. Now my bike only cost $6500 to buy and it’s a 2001 so now I am up to $14,740 for a bike that I don’t think I could sell for that.
The new HD Trike is the only bike made that I know of that is a factory trike.
I am thinking that in the spring if my shoulders improve enough I believe I would like to have one of those bad boys….
What do you guys think? Anyone ride one?

Howie

Trike kit new I looked at their wheels and have talk with them. Never heard anyone who dealt with them. 1400 seems awful cheap but much better than any price I have heard so far.

G'day Howie, damn good to hear from you again. I don't want to throw a curve ball at you mate, but have you looked at the Can-Am Spyder. A couple of my friends have them and they have a lot of fun riding, they always get positive looks and comments when we're out riding and they tow a trailer well.

Just a thought. BTW...glad you're considering your options to stay on the road. I look forward to hearing more about which direction you take.

Hotel......

I'd rather trike the Roadie. I looked at the Champion trike kit too. The price painted and my bike is still way less than the H-D trike.

( The H-D trike goes for cloes to $30,000! )

I like the looks of the Champion trike kit. Nice lines..... looks almost factory. If my knees doen't get any better, looks like I may go that route.

Just my $1.29 .

BTW.... good to hear from you again!

F.Y.I. - I live just outside of Murphy, NC... just a few months ago R&R Trikes moved into town here... If anyone has heard of them before, know that they are a class act company and deal with all the different manufacturers of the trike kits... as well as, they do make their own from scratch if need be... I have been talking with the quite frequently here lately, because I am building my father in law a trike so he can ride with us... R&R has a black Road Star trike already done with the Champion sidecar kit... and it is absolutely beautiful... very nicely done! You may want to give them a shout and see what they can do for you as well...

Howie
I would convert your R*. You can not do this thinking that your going into it as an investment. Vehicles be it cars,trucks or motorcycles cost a certain amount. The minute you drive off the lot you take a hit.
What you need to think about is that your doing this for you! And if you can get several more years of fun from riding a trike it should be worth what you spent. I know people who take vacation trips that cost in the thousands and they might come home with some pictures and memories. Well your trike can do the same and maybe you won't get back everything you have put into it but you won't lose out completely either. I'm in the process of building a R* trike myself that my wife is going to ride.
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff251/hardone2get/sept2009002.jpg
I know champion makes a nice kit but I can tell you that their raked front end is way too expensive. You can purchase this complete raked front end in chrome for alot less.
http://www.bulldogscustomcycle.com/servlet/the-1/Raked%2C-Trees%2C-Front-End%2C/Detail
Now as for trike kits there are cheaper ways to go. Here is one that sells the same differential as what I have.
http://www.santiagochopper.com/media/Santiago_Chopper_Revised/trikes.htm#
He can make you a swingarm, but you would have to do the mechanical work of the install which is not that hard to do. I didn't care for his fenders so I elected to purchase ones made for a wide tire chopper. I also built my own swingarm which has saved me hundreds. So the point is there are cheaper ways to build a trike and no matter which one you choose just do it and go out there and still be in the wind and get as much use out of what you spent as possible, take pictures and take with you the memories of having fun riding!!And that is priceless
Danny

Howie,
been researching trike kits for about year now,...most bang for the buck, and it being bolt together (no cutting or welding) Iam going for the champion RS kit. ..... time you add paint and other options its over $8000 plus around $400 to $500 shipping..
About the time I was ready to order the kit,last oct: the stock market took a dive!! ...Now its up?? Iam ready to go for it!.. that old saying:: He who hesitates????? applys here I THINK.
obg:

check this site too. http://www.ustrikes.com/

Thank you everyone! Its been a tough road so far to get to this point. I just am not sure what I want to do or if I can even do it.

My wife wants the RS gone, even if I bought another one, she wants the one in the garage gone. Doesn't make sense but I guess it doesn't have to. It and I have been through almost to much together and not all good.

I just can't seem to get riding out of my head and blood. Spring will be the test, if I can't use my shoulders well enough by then I will most likely be done.

Wish me luck but pray that I will have enough sense to listen to my body!

It is so good to hear from you guys again, I have missed you.

Howie

Howie you have to do what is best for you. I stopped riding for a while but never got it out of my mind. Had a couple of scares from the Dr thinking I had a heart problem but I don't. To me I had rather go out riding my bike than die of cancer or something like that. But that is just me. BTW don't tell the wife I said that (mine or yours).