New Trike

[Lone Spyder Ryder]

Beginning in April, Lehman Trikes will release its Storm model based on the Kawasaki Vulcan 900 as a factory conversion sold through select Lehman dealers. The Storm will be available as a 2009, 2010 and 2011 model in a variety of factory colors starting at $15,495 retail.
Lehman Trikes unveiled the trike conversion as a concept model at the Kawasaki dealer meeting last October. The model was on display for dealers to view and share their comments with Kawasaki and Lehman Trikes.
Lehman says it designed the Storm with the entry-level rider in mind. The model features Lehman’s Genuine “No Lean” Suspension, a specially designed front end rake and adjustable steering damper for easy handling, a lockable 2.5 cu. ft. trunk for helmets and other belongings, and adjustable rear air suspension.
Every Storm is factory-painted and assembled at Lehman Trikes in Spearfish, S.D., to meet all requirements for DOT compliance. The trike will also carry complete bumper-to-bumper warranty coverage.
The site says motorcycle included. Just like a stock Spyder I would guess there are 4 or 5 grand of add-ons. I just posted because it is something new for someone to ride. I can enjoy looking at a lot of things but it don't mean I want one.

 

[ARtraveler]

Looks nice. I already have the 2009 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 part--its even blue like the picture--now you gave me something to think about. The first thought $16K more---NOT. I'm not bailing from my RTS --that's here to stay.

 

[COOLMACHINE]

Nice

That sure looks like a nice kit. I really like it.
I do not know much about these things but I am assuming the $15,495 price is just for the conversion kit? (No motorcycle included)

 

[retired1]

New trike

Is a reverse gear included?

 

[Hawk Eye]

I'll keep my spider.

Pete:yes:

 

[MouthPiece]

How's the steering and stability?

 

[BajaRon]

How's the steering and stability?

Comes with a steering dampener... That always worries me. :yikes:

 

[bone crusher]

It's ugly...

 

[BajaRon]

don't be scared, they've been making trikes for 70 or 80 years now......opcorn:

Said I was worried, not scared. But actually, I'm neither because I don't plan on getting one of these.

Last bike I had that came with a steering dampener was a 1970 Kawasaki 500 Mach III, tripple. You can see the little bugger in the picture below. Now that one did scare me a few times.

Came with an adjustable friction dampener. NOT GOOD! Replaced it with a hydraulic dampener. Better but still didn't compensate for the rubber frame! :yikes:

 

[Brunswick]

It's ugly...

:agree:

I don't mean to offend anyone, but I just think traditional trikes look, well... let's just say uncool. All traditional trikes handle like crap.

 

[fordguyupnorth]

:agree:

I don't mean to offend anyone, but I just think traditional trikes look, well... let's just say uncool. All traditional trikes handle like crap.

:agree:

 

[BajaRon]

:agree:

I don't mean to offend anyone, but I just think traditional trikes look, well... let's just say uncool. All traditional trikes handle like crap.

Some conventional trike riders will surprise you. One guy we rode with had a Goldwing trike and he got through the twisties better than many 2 wheeled riders.

No doubt he was pushing the edges, but he did know how to handle that machine.

Each to his own. There is, after all, something for just about everyone.

 

[Brunswick]

Some conventional trike riders will surprise you. One guy we rode with had a Goldwing trike and he got through the twisties better than many 2 wheeled riders.

No doubt he was pushing the edges, but he did know how to handle that machine.

Each to his own. There is, after all, something for just about everyone.

Agreed - didn't mean to imply any disrespect. I'd be happy to ride with or have a drink with any trike rider, just saying if it wasn't for the Spyder I personally would have never considered a 'trike'.

 

[BajaRon]

Agreed - didn't mean to imply any disrespect. I'd be happy to ride with or have a drink with any trike rider, just saying if it wasn't for the Spyder I personally would have never considered a 'trike'.

No offence taken. And I'm not saying that trikes handle well because, for the most part, they don't. Just that there are some out there that can get aroung pretty well on them.

But the Spyder's 2 out front is simply a better design.

 

[boborgera]

But the Spyder's 2 out front is simply a better design.

:agree:That's why i bought a Spyder, And not one of the other 3 wheelers out there.:thumbup:

 

[texasride]

trike

who cares this is a spyder forum not a place for other bikes lets stick to the spyder. that is my 2 cents worth.

 

[mooneych]

who cares this is a spyder forum not a place for other bikes lets stick to the spyder. that is my 2 cents worth.

:agree::agree:

 

[fastfraser]

who cares this is a spyder forum not a place for other bikes lets stick to the spider. that is my 2 cents worth.

:dontknow: If we all thought like that we would all still be living in caves . That's mt 2 cents worth !

 

[Lamonster]

Not something I would own but I think it looks cool. :doorag:

The reason for the steering dampener is that conventional trikes steer hard and the only way to fix that without power steering like we have is to increase the rake and reduce the trail. When you reduce the trail the bike becomes unstable at speed (around 80mph depending on the rake) so they add a steering dampener to help with the front end shake you get from too little trail.

 

[NancysToy]

Not something I would own but I think it looks cool. :doorag:

The reason for the steering dampener is that conventional trikes steer hard and the only way to fix that without power steering like we have is to increase the rake and reduce the trail. When you reduce the trail the bike becomes unstable at speed (around 80mph depending on the rake) so they add a steering dampener to help with the front end shake you get from too little trail.

I think it is cool, too...and less imposing than the Victory version, with the same general styling. I'd ride one.

Thanks for the explanation about the steering damper and trike steering needs (similar for sidecars). I was going to jump in here and explain, but you beat me to it. Technically, a raked triple tree, such as those used by Lehman and others, does not increase or decrease the actual rake (steering head angle), but it does increase the fork rake, thus decreasing the trail, making steering easier. This also decreases the high speed stability somewhat, so a steering damper is added to compensate. There is a good explanation, with diagrams, here.