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 a 'barely tolerable' experience! ); or that they have a customer focused, competent dealer network; as well as 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 a 'barely tolerable' experience! ); or that they have a customer focused, competent dealer network; as well as 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 about 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.

 

[Lowflyingowl]

I had a Honda trike after my first Spyder. The biggest issue for me was that Honda dealers wouldn't touch it, even for routine maintenance. Also, it was like riding Lazy-boy down the street. Luckily I spent most of my riding time on a Ninja.

 

[RayBJ]

It comes down to whether you feel you can maintain a 'Frankenstein' Honda or an engineered from ground up Spyder.
Both engines will run forever so features are the 2nd check box in deciding.

 

[Snoking1127]

It comes down to whether you feel you can maintain a 'Frankenstein' Honda or an engineered from ground up Spyder.
Both engines will run forever so features are the 2nd check box in deciding.

And if you think changing a Spyder RT battery is a pain, then the Goldwing is 10 times worst.

 

[Ozarkwoods]

Jason Russel on YouTube converted or mated a 2024 RT with a 2024 Goldwing DCT. The bike is called Franky as in Frankenstein. He has put an amazing amount of work into it. The body of a RT with the drivetrain of the Goldwing. Worth the look!

 

[Peter Aawen]

Jason Russel on YouTube converted or mated a 2024 RT with a 2024 Goldwing DCT. The bike is called Franky as in Frankenstein. He has put an amazing amount of work into it. The body of a RT with the drivetrain of the Goldwing. Worth the look!

For any who may be interested, that 'Spyder RT with a Goldwing engine' is discussed here:

https://www.spyderlovers.com/threads/spyder-rt-with-a-goldwing-engine-not-ai.165960/

And there might even be more on the boards from the bloke who did it, who is now a member here - @FrankieSpyderWing

Enjoy!

 

[lvmyspyder]

I don't have experience with the Honda reverse trike. I think you are at the mercy of the kit and how well it was designed and installed. My personal take is once you get your Spyder dialed in, I do not think you can find a safer, more capable "bike" on the road. I ride with gents who are still on two wheels.

One guy who leads us out has an Indian. We went down through some twisty's and the lead guy later told me he was trying to ditch me... all in fun. He said every time he looked in the side mirror, there I was. I could see sparks when he leaned his bike over a little too far, when his pipe hit the ground. I drifted a few corners (fun) but the moral of the story - He never lost me AND the Spyder still had a lot more to give. I could have lost him. It was all in fun... but after we did that, the comments about a three wheeler dried up. They no longer tease me.

They also asked me about shifting, as I have no grab shift lever. No front brake lever, but they know about Brembo brakes. I also have reverse and I can ride on or park in gravel. I do not have to put my feet down or work the clutch in traffic like an exercise drill. I'm not trying to sell you on it and honestly, I HATED my Spyder when I first got it, but after making the mods it needed... now she is a real sweetheart.

The other fun part, and this makes them mad because they have HD's a GW, and an Indian and they ARE very chromed out and look beautiful... but the people walk by them and engage with me and ask me, "What is that?" Usually at gas stops, they have to ping me on the Cardo to get going because I am engaged in conversation about the bike, and how do I like it, etc.

Bottom line: IMHO, you cannot find a safer, more capable road machine than the Spyder. When I ride with my family on the back, I know the Spyder will fill a lot of gaps for me if I make a mistake and remain upright in most any situation. I hope you find what you are looking for and no matter what that is: Enjoy, and ride safe!