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Posted by 49Reo
- October 05, 2012, 11:06:05 AMWhen I developed the need to trike a bike, I looked into triking my 1500 Drifter. There doesn't appear to be any manufacturers of trike kits for the Drifter in U.S. or Canada. However, as the Drifter 1500 is (so I've read) built on the Kawasaki Vulcan Classic platform, if you changed out from the swingarm mounts back on your Drifter to that of a Classic, you could probably trike your 1500. I say "probably" as I do not know for sure. As to handling, I had a trike kit installed on my Harley Softail; when triking a bike the steering is different; they rake the front end out to ~5 degrees from stock (depending on bike for number of degrees) it makes the bike handle much better. I quite enjoy my trike, it handles AWSOME! on highway as well as at slower speeds. Much different in curves, although you still need to lean into it a bit, just to cut down on the tendency of the inside rear wheel wanting to lift. A friend of mine up here put a side car on his Yamaha V-Star 1100, doesn't like it; says it steers heavy, but he didn't have the steering mod done. The rake is done by using different triple clamps rather than raking the frame.
Hope all this helps,
Regards and such,
49Reo
Posted by jmbo
- October 05, 2012, 09:31:46 AMI've ridden trikes and have known guys who ride with side hacks. It's a completely different experience than two wheeling. Both take some adjustment especially for long time riders. Trikes are easier to master. In either case the first thing you realize is they don't turn worth a crap. For that reason some say it takes all of the fun out of riding. I suggest you try either one before you commit. Two up may not be your preference now but you may think different after a test ride or two.
Posted by Nunk
- October 05, 2012, 00:55:37 AMHi Folks. 2002 1500 owner here. Love my bike. Recently developed the need to ride with a passenger. DO NOT like what the 2UP seat makes the Drifter look like. I am looking at triking my bike or adding a sidecar. Can I even trike the Drifter? Are there sidecars available for our bike. I would prefer to trike first, sidecar second. Any help you can give me would be appreciated!