FJR Trike

[dannymax]

Has anyone successfully installed a trike conversion, such as the Voyager or similar, on their FJR?

https://www.mtcvoyager.com/voyager-standard.html

 

[wfooshee]

That's not even a trike, it's just outrigger training wheels.

Pointless, useless, serves no purpose whatsoever, destroys the bike's ability to do what it does. The only possible acceptable use for those is a disabled rider, and there are better bikes for it than the FJR.

If that's what you want, get a cruiser and put those on it.

But folks who install it because they think it makes the bike safer, or because they (or their pillion) is afraid of the bike, just need to get a convertible and forget riding.

 

[dannymax]

That's not even a trike, it's just outrigger training wheels.

Pointless, useless, serves no purpose whatsoever, destroys the bike's ability to do what it does. The only possible acceptable use for those is a disabled rider, and there are better bikes for it than the FJR.

If that's what you want, get a cruiser and put those on it.

But folks who install it because they think it makes the bike safer, or because they (or their pillion) is afraid of the bike, just need to get a convertible and forget riding.

Thanks for the opinionated verbal diahrea Junior but it's not at all related to my question, so kindly shove it!

With a severly dibillitating arthritic condition I'm looking at a couple more years of riding....if I'm lucky! Unfortunately I'm not confident at all in my ability to hold the bike up and feel this Voyager kit, or something similar may give me a little more time on my FJR.

So.....does anyone have any knowledge or information on the use of one of these kits?

 

[BobbyBlue]

As a disabled FJR rider, and a non-wealthy one at that, if my heart worsens i would consider this an option...an ugly option to be sure but in the wind is better than not in the wind. Danny, i would check some of the european fjr and touring sites...those folks will bolt on anything man ! Myself, as a wheelie popper, i would love a chance to stand up a trike...and i've already done lots on an old VW trike but that was too easy...engine in back an all !!! Good luck !

Blessings,

Bobby

 

[dannymax]

Thanks Bobby. To be sure, a horribly ugly option but financially possible if I sell my V Max. I can't do wheelies cause the bike always goes sideways and scares the hell out of me!! But I was curious about how they would work also.

Good call on the UK guys, yeah, they will bolt anything on fer sure! I'll check that out.

 

[HotRodZilla]

Just a thought, but how safe are those things when the bike gets off-camber? I ask, because my second daughter is currently riding her bike with training wheels. Whenever she gets onto an uneven surface, like a driveway entrance, the training wheels either force her to lean over, or they force the rear "drive" wheel from touching the ground.

I know this motorcycle trike kit is more advanced than that, but how often, and how severely may the drive wheel get lifted up and lose traction? The FJR's suspension is pretty busy keeping things kosher, so I wonder what this will do to that. In all reality, would you maybe be better off trading the FJR and getting something like a used Goldwing Trike?

What about a Can-Am Spyder?? New, they are not much more than a FJR, and when my day comes that I can't hold a bike up anymore, I will prolly go this route...or the Wing route, but I'm hoping that's a long way off.

 

[dannymax]

I'm looking at these options also....I supose the final decision will come down to a financial one.....doesn't every decision, sooner or later?

Adding the sale of the V Max and FJR together, plus the cost of the kit (AND the physical agony of installation....if I could even do it) would probly put me in the neighborhood of a decent used Wing or Spyder. The huge advantage with either of those options is they are already set-up and functional as a 3-wheeler, the FJR conversion puts me back to re-inventing the wheel again.....I've tried that a couple times and the damn thing came out square, once!

I really don't want to sell my bikes but it's looking more & more like the way to go.

Thanks for the suggestions, I appreciate it.

 

[pmspaul]

Have you considered products like retract-a-trike or legup? I don't have any experience with either of these specifically. While working for a dealership we did install a similar product on a GL1800 some years back that seemed to work pretty well. That gentleman was unable to hold the bike up with his legs, but refused to give up being able to lean his bike and was happy with it.

HTH,

-Paul

 

[TomInPA]

Danny, I can't find the discussion, but I do recall one of those conversion kits failing in a dangerous way on a Suzuki C90 cruiser. There are a number of kits that have worked loose or developed steering wobbles based on an internet search of anecdotal complaints. Overall, satisfied customers seem to greatly outnumber complaints, but when things go bad with these, they seem to go very bad. One consideration is that MTC does not list a conversion kit for the FJR and I would be very concerned about trying to adapt one without a proven application.

My 2-cents worth would be to encourage you to keep an eye out for a used Can-Am rather than try to convert a performance motorcycle with this kind of kit. A search in your areas shows units available in the $11K to $14K range. Considering the likely value of your bike used, and the avoided cost of a trike kit and mechanic's time, this could be cost-competitive and a much higher performance solution.

 

[dannymax]

I'm really starting to lean more and more to the Spyder, the weight isn't greatly different from the FJR so my lift would handle it with a minor width mod, and the hi-tech handling makes it a pretty safe machine....as far as I can tell.

I really, really don't want to give up the power, having a hard time with that but like Tom said.....it isn't a good idea at all to consider modifying the FJR or the V Max, that's really asking for trouble! They will both have to go.

Thanks for the reality check Tom, I'm just beginning to work my way thru this issue.....last spring I was running my chainsaw, cutting the winters firewood, now there are times I can hardly make it up the stairs. It has progressed so fast I can't believe it! Hell, I'm still half convinced I'll be fine by spring and able to ride to Thunder in the Valley in PA....the truth, I'll be lucky if I can even walk to the garage! It sux!

 

[TomInPA]

I asked the guy who had a problem with the Voyager kit, what had happened. Here is his reply from another forum.

Voyager kit was installed when I bought the bike. It appeared to be installed correctly.What happened was I went across some r/r tracks that crossed the road at a slight angle. Then the voyager wheels started bouncing alternantly left then right. The back end really was going crazy. Then the front end started doing the tank slap thing. By then the bike was doing the death wobble like you sometimes see the racers do. And it ain't no fun at all!!! Then the bike started sliding side ways then started to tip over. I didn't think I could stop it from going over so I kicked off and watcher my bike bounce down the road while I was trying to keep it in my head that I needed to roll down the road and not slide down the road.
I believe it was correctly installed but no matter I won't ever have another one.

That's good enough for me. Anyway, sounds like you are on the right track to fund a Can Am. Best of luck to you and don't lose your way back here. Tyler has one of those 3-wheelers and has been seen slowing down FJR groups all over California.

 

[FJR Flyer]

Has anyone done a side hack for an FJR? More classic option...?

 

[wfooshee]

That's not even a trike, it's just outrigger training wheels.

Pointless, useless, serves no purpose whatsoever, destroys the bike's ability to do what it does. The only possible acceptable use for those is a disabled rider, and there are better bikes for it than the FJR.

If that's what you want, get a cruiser and put those on it.

But folks who install it because they think it makes the bike safer, or because they (or their pillion) is afraid of the bike, just need to get a convertible and forget riding.

Thanks for the opinionated verbal diahrea Junior but it's not at all related to my question, so kindly shove it!

With a severly dibillitating arthritic condition I'm looking at a couple more years of riding....if I'm lucky! Unfortunately I'm not confident at all in my ability to hold the bike up and feel this Voyager kit, or something similar may give me a little more time on my FJR.

So.....does anyone have any knowledge or information on the use of one of these kits?

Apparently you missed part of my post. And I stand by "there are better bikes for it than the FJR."

The Spyder is a very nice option for what you're looking for. The two wheels in front is infinitely more stable cornering than the rear being wide.

There were a couple of sidecar deals done with FJRs, but I don't know of their availability. They would not be cheap. The replaced the front end with a nearly conventional sprung front wheel, and there was a LOT of bodywork with it.

 

[dannymax]

I asked the guy who had a problem with the Voyager kit, what had happened. Here is his reply from another forum.

Voyager kit was installed when I bought the bike. It appeared to be installed correctly.What happened was I went across some r/r tracks that crossed the road at a slight angle. Then the voyager wheels started bouncing alternantly left then right. The back end really was going crazy. Then the front end started doing the tank slap thing. By then the bike was doing the death wobble like you sometimes see the racers do. And it ain't no fun at all!!! Then the bike started sliding side ways then started to tip over. I didn't think I could stop it from going over so I kicked off and watcher my bike bounce down the road while I was trying to keep it in my head that I needed to roll down the road and not slide down the road.
I believe it was correctly installed but no matter I won't ever have another one.

That's good enough for me. Anyway, sounds like you are on the right track to fund a Can Am. Best of luck to you and don't lose your way back here. Tyler has one of those 3-wheelers and has been seen slowing down FJR groups all over California.

That's real interesting as the "See Voyager Video" is about a 4 min. vid pertaining to crossing R/R tracks with the kit. They say to expect a wobble, "this is normal"! Not in my book it isn't normal! I spent a lot of $'s to eliminate a wobble from my V Max, not likely I'll spend lots more to get one back!

So, no mods to the hi-perf. machinery is an excellent idea....I'm sticking with that.

Tyler is fortunate they will wait for him, I'm afraid my crew will just give me a meeting spot and go blasting off down the road!!

That's OK, at least I'll be out there!!

Flyer: The side hack is an interesting question....love to see some pics of such a set-up if there are any.

 

[dannymax]

That's not even a trike, it's just outrigger training wheels.

Pointless, useless, serves no purpose whatsoever, destroys the bike's ability to do what it does. The only possible acceptable use for those is a disabled rider, and there are better bikes for it than the FJR.

If that's what you want, get a cruiser and put those on it.

But folks who install it because they think it makes the bike safer, or because they (or their pillion) is afraid of the bike, just need to get a convertible and forget riding.

Thanks for the opinionated verbal diahrea Junior but it's not at all related to my question, so kindly shove it!

With a severly dibillitating arthritic condition I'm looking at a couple more years of riding....if I'm lucky! Unfortunately I'm not confident at all in my ability to hold the bike up and feel this Voyager kit, or something similar may give me a little more time on my FJR.

So.....does anyone have any knowledge or information on the use of one of these kits?

Apparently you missed part of my post. And I stand by "there are better bikes for it than the FJR."

The Spyder is a very nice option for what you're looking for. The two wheels in front is infinitely more stable cornering than the rear being wide.

There were a couple of sidecar deals done with FJRs, but I don't know of their availability. They would not be cheap. The replaced the front end with a nearly conventional sprung front wheel, and there was a LOT of bodywork with it.

No, I didn't miss any part of your post at all! Of course there are better bikes for triking than the FJR but that hardly qualifies as meaningful advice....especially sandwiched in with a bunch of opinionated, sarcastic, judgemental and insensitive drivvel.

I've been riding motorcycles for over 50 years and all of a sudden it appears to be coming to an end....I'm sure you can understand my reaction to a comment like "get a convertible and forget riding!"

Yes, I believe the Spyder will make a decent choice, not ideal....but adequate.

 

[wfooshee]

Flyer: The side hack is an interesting question....love to see some pics of such a set-up if there are any.

A thread elsewhere about one.

A collection of pics of a few different models.

Not finding anything about who actually still makes one, though.

 

[TomInPA]

Tyler is fortunate they will wait for him, I'm afraid my crew will just give me a meeting spot and go blasting off down the road!!

That's OK, at least I'll be out there!!

Yes, but...

This is Tyler

And from the look on HER face, you're in a heap o 'trouble boy!

Here is the group waiting...submitted for proof. I think Fairlaner has already finished a second smoke.

 

[dannymax]

Ah Jeez!! I hate it when that happens! But I can certainly see why they wait for her.....it's those big blue eyes!!

Thanks Tom....ya got me good!! :lol:

But it's all good cause I'm going to go look at one of the Spyders you sent me a link to....I'm no where near ready to buy but an '09 with 3600± mi. and some nice options for a, yet to be negotiated, $13K? I gotta have a look at it, see if I can clamber aboard, and go for a little ride.

 

[Falko]

yes, the can-ams are quite stable especially compared to a traditional trike. I don't follow them, but they were equipped with the Rotax v-twin, same engine used by aprilia for a while. I have one in my Falco and it is very reliable and the right mods brings the power up. Good luck with your decisions.