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Independent Suspension?

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Old Apr 6, 2011 | 10:15 PM
  #1  
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Default Independent Suspension?

The wife and I are looking at going to a TriGlide and test rode a 2010 model at Sturgis. It seems fine for our riding and actually the wife would most likely be on it more, while I would take her 09 Street Glide and sell my 08 Goldwing.

Here comes the big question, has anyone rode an aftermarket Trike with the independent rear suspension? Do they ride much better than the solid axle TriGlide? For the record we had no issues with the TriGlide we rode but we have never rode a Trike with independent suspension.

As an option, we could Trike my Wing but the wife and I have have mainly rode HD's and we both like the riding position on the TriGlide over the Wing. We have no health issues requiring a trike so we would not be concerned if the solid axle is a little bumpier.
 
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Old Apr 7, 2011 | 02:26 AM
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I've owned two Goldwing trikes and now a 2010 Tri Gllide..first one was a 02 wing with a Champion, solid axle...second one was a 07 GW with a California Side Car, IRS trike and now the solid TG....I can't tell that much diference in the ride....the CSC was 59" wide and road a little softer, but not that much better than the TG...
The foot position killed me on the GoldWings....knees and hip hurt after riding a few hundred miles..TG way mor comfortable....

Just my opinion
 
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Old Apr 7, 2011 | 04:19 AM
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I test rode a DFT Harley conversion for about 4 hours. There is not enough difference in the ride. Actually my wife likes the ride of the TG better.
 
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Old Apr 7, 2011 | 06:37 AM
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The independent rears give a slightly smoother ride.

Solid rear corners better.
 
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Old Apr 7, 2011 | 07:10 AM
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Originally Posted by Keystone
The independent rears give a slightly smoother ride.

Solid rear corners better.
I rode both and I feel the independent is a little more comfortable. Im 180lbs so the ride I feel in smoothness of the suspension over bumps is more noticeable then what another individual of a heavier body weight would notice. The other factor I found. Is when I need access underneath the chassis. Removal of a rear wheel is easier when compared to the tri-glide. Either side you jack up. The independent suspension allows that wheel to drop for easy removal. Mine has the DFT rear. In MO I feel that in a hairy tight turn the straight axle, the inside wheel of that turn could or can lift. Where as the independent rear set-up maintains or keeps the wheels always in contact with the pavement.
 
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Old Apr 7, 2011 | 03:59 PM
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Thanks for some replies back. The local dealer has offered to let us Demo one of the new TriGlides without having to stick to a usual escorted route. A Wing dealer had a CSC conversion which can also be tested so I think we will try it but since they are two different bikes it won't be a good comparison.

Casper, I do remember you had a Wing Trike and a HD Classic at the same time so when I emailed you about the TriGlide I could have found out more about the Wing Trike but the wife and I are both leaning more towards a TriGlide.
 
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