Spyder vs Gold Wing Reverse Trike - anyone have experience?

[Blueslover1]

I have been looking for a used Spyder that I can afford, and came across a Honda Gold Wing Reverse Trike. I've never seen one before, but I like the look and the fact that is a Honda. Anyone have experience with one of these? After doing some research, it seems that the one big drawback is that it doesn't have any power assist for the steering. Any thoughts?

 

[Bangorbob]

Following with interest

 

[hogmemberisold]

We have the Hannigan Reverse Trike kit on our 2005 Goldwing and it takes more effort to steer, but is not really an issue. Like anything else, it's what you get used to.

 

[KX5062]

As far as I know Honda never made a reverse trike of any variety, so what you're looking at is a kit installed onto a Gold Wing. So, you have the variability of who made the kit and who did the installation. The devil is always in the details. Then after and assuming it's done well and correctly, it will never have any of the advanced safety feature the Spyders have, ie: the "nanny".

The Honda kit does have certain advantages, but it will also come with significant drawbacks.

 

[troop]

Honda blew it when they didn't follow thru on this

 

[BajaRon]

Honda blew it when they didn't follow thru on this View attachment 255093

Frankly, I don't think so. They were going to be quite expensive and the demand for them just wasn't there. I think Honda would have lost money on them and they saw the handwriting on the wall.

The Honda reverse trike conversions have some great and obvious advantages. But it's still a conversion and not a ground up engineered product. The main complaint I hear is that Honda will no longer stand behind the product once converted.

 

[racoon]

The main coomplaint I hear is that Honda will no longer stand behind the product once converted.

That was my first thought, considering the amount of modifications that would be required.

 

[mecsw500]

You might try to Google all the brands of conversion that you can find. I think most of the conversion businesses when out of business leaving owners with a lack of maintenance opportunities and a significant lack of spare parts.

I'm sure few of them had the integrated software safety systems the Can Am Spyder and Ryker has, which may not bother you too much, until one day you really need it.

 

[troop]

Frankly, I don't think so. They were going to be quite expensive and the demand for them just wasn't there. I think Honda would have lostt money on them and they saw the handwriting on the wall.

The Honda reverse trike conversions have some great and obvious advantages. But it's still a conversion and not a ground up engineered product. The main coomplaint I hear is that Honda will no longer stand behind the product once converted.

I guess we'll never know

 

[blacklightning]

Honda blew it when they didn't follow thru on this View attachment 255093

Yamaha did make one, but they are hard to find now. I am not sure, but I am thinking that they probably have a forum for them somewhere. I wonder what type of following do they have and how is the quality? They had one at a local dealership, but I never got a chance to give it a test ride.

 

[canamjhb]

There WAS one on the market made in Holland called the Sturgis R18 trike kit for the Honda GL1800. I seriously looked at and considered it several years ago. One independent dealer in my area had completed two conversions, Turns out that kit had some serious overheating issues, in spite of adding an additional radiator. Just about the time I was getting serious, the company quit sending the kits to the US. I was told that the steering was a little heavy but not too bad. And, the turning radius was extremely big. Bottom line...... It was sure pretty, but the beauty was only skin deep.........

 

[troop]

Yamaha did make one, but they are hard to find now. I am not sure, but I am thinking that they probably have a forum for them somewhere. I wonder what type of following do they have and how is the quality? They had one at a local dealership, but I never got a chance to give it a test ride.

Yamaha made the Nikken. It wasn't a stand up three wheeler/trike.

 

[Peter Aawen]

I have been looking for a used Spyder that I can afford, and came across a Honda Gold Wing Reverse Trike. I've never seen one before, but I like the look and the fact that is a Honda. Anyone have experience with one of these? After doing some research, it seems that the one big drawback is that it doesn't have any power assist for the steering. Any thoughts?

'The one big one...'?! Yeah, right!!

There's more than just the one, as you might be just beginning to see from the other replies. And while you might think it's a Honda 'with Honda reliability', that doesn't necessarily apply to the conversion. And you might also want to look into what they have/do for Reverse as well...

Not that all Spyders are fantastic pieces of super reliable kit with superbly executed and innovative engineering features across the board, or that BRP is a wonderful manufacturer intent upon delivering a great customer experience with their product (or anything more than 'barely tolerable!); a customer focused, competent dealer network; and a great ride... but as others have said, the devil is in the details - and there's also varying degrees of what each person is prepared to put up with in order to get the ride experience they want &/or enjoy!

Just Sayin'

 

[BajaRon]

'The one big one...'?! Yeah, right!!

There's more than just the one, as you might be just beginning to see from the other replies. And while you might think it's a Honda 'with Honda reliability', that doesn't necessarily apply to the conversion. And you might also want to look into what they have/do for Reverse as well...

Not that all Spyders are fantastic pieces of super reliable kit with superbly executed and innovative engineering features across the board, or that BRP is a wonderful manufacturer intent upon delivering a great customer experience with their product (or anything more than 'barely tolerable!); a customer focused, competent dealer network; and a great ride... but as others have said, the devil is in the details - and there's also varying degrees of what each person is prepared to put up with in order to get the ride experience they want &/or enjoy!

Just Sayin'

You're exactly right! It's the entire package together that makes up the experience, which you don't really know all the details until you're in pretty deep. Dealer quality has a lot to do with it.

I agree with the 'Put up with' factor you mention. I don't think there is a machine made that does not present this component. I'd say how much of this exists varies by the mix of product and the individual. And in the end, it may be the overriding make-or-break ingredient.