A lot of people have been asking about John’s (BA.com handle: Freedom) new ride and having finally gotten the chance to ride it, I thought I’d share my thoughts.
After the Kootenay RAT Raid in Nelson, BC, this weekend, I passed through Thompson Falls, MT on the way home and took a few moments to ride the beastie. It all started in January of 2010 when I helped John find the 2007 Triumph Speedmaster to replace his wrecked 2002 Bonneville America. Later I gave him the heads up when the Voyager Trike kit turned up in the classifieds on BonnevilleAmerica.com, and then put the two together this past Spring. Last time I saw it there were no mufflers on it because the trike brackets got in the way of the long, Australian, Thunderbike mufflers. That’s when the pictures below were taken. Since that time John had his original stock mufflers cut down to fit.
In talking with John about riding the trike he complained of a high level of effort in steering. We fully expected it to “feel weird” because it doesn’t lean like a motorcycle but it doesn’t quite drive like a car. I don’t have any experience with “quad” ATVs so I can’t draw any comparisons there. I took it out and down the highway for a few miles. On the highway it rides fine, except that you feel every bump in the road. The machine isn’t technically a trike since it has four wheels. Most trike kits eliminate the rear motorcycle wheel in favor of some kind of axle/differential combo much like a car with car tires. This is more like a motorcycle with training wheels that can be taken off at any time. So not only do you feel the bumps that a car does in the normal tire tracks on the road, you get all the bumps down the center of the lane as well. Still, at 70-80mph, it’s not a bad ride.
In town is where it falls down. Any bump or pothole makes you feel like the thing will buck you off or beats your kidney and bladder up so much you have to pee. Any kind of sharp turn makes you want to hang on for dear life for fear of being flung off to the side. And the steering effort in town is significant. When and if John gets used to riding it he might just have Popeye arms to show for it.
The good news is that other than handling the weight of the trike doesn’t seem to effect the Speedmaster much at all. It still accelerates nicely and stops well with the dual discs up front. I believe the bike is bone stock—the airbox and carbs haven’t been modified at all. Time will tell but I hope John is able to get “up to speed,” if you will. He didn’t feel comfortable riding it to the Raid in BC and I don’t blame him. With all the 40-50mph twisty roads I don’t know that I could’ve made it without a lot of rest stops.
Other Observations
Pegs vs. Footboards: One of the first things I did to John’s Speedmaster last year was install the footboard kit that came new in a box with the bike. I’ve been riding riding my second bike, Reboot, with the stock pegs and having a nice time of it, but after this long ride followed up by riding a bike (trike) with footboards, I think will move the boards from Bollox to Reboot. They’re just better for long trips I think.
Windvest vs. Triumph windscreens: I love the Windvest on my bike. In the past I’d tried the large “roadster” screen, which looks like your typical Harley Road King windshield, but found that it buffeted my helmet too much. Freedom’s bike has the Triumph Summer screen and all the way up to 80mph I had no helmet buffeting at all. Good to know, though I won’t be ditching the Windvest anytime soon.
Speedmaster handlebars and pullback risers: Some time ago I’d picked up a used set of Speedmaster handlebars for Bollox, my first bike, and some Harley style pullback risers, 4″ tall and 1.5″ pullback. Freedom’s trike has this setup and I found the position very comfortable. So that’s good to know as well.
Differences in Corbin Solo Seats: Even though I had my Corbin’s padding reworked a couple years after I bought it, the Corbin that came with Freedom’s Speedmaster is much more comfortable. Comparing the padding there’s just a little bit more on his. I’m basically used to mine after all these years but it would be nice if I had that level of padding.
