Post by Wheels on Sept 18, 2014 13:35:38 GMT
While having my new to me '04' Flair Red GL1800 converted with a new Hannigan Trike Kit, I decided that I would also add the new "front end" that Hannigan had recently come out with. This "add-on" can be added to any GL1800 Trike as it is not "kit" specific. The "package" includes a new 180 (rear) Wheel, new hand laid fiberglass front and rear fender that is painted to match the bike's color, steel braided brake lines, a new custom made aluminum triple tree, a custom fork brace and a few other features. Given that by installing it, my Trike would now have a rake on it as well had me really looking forward to how this was all going to work out.
I thought I might chronicle how things were working for me, and how this new front 180 tire was handling and what it's wear might be like. The following are my findings through the first 10,000 miles:
Well, OK, it's actually got over 11,000 miles on it now in this report, and I had a hard time finding the time to sit long enough and work out the uploading, downloading and all that other stuff needed to get the pictures right. I also need to say that this is NOT a scientific study as my good friend The Astute Reader can attest to my skills in this department, lol, yet non-the-less here goes.
During the first 10,000 miles I had ridden this set up in all sorts of conditions. Twisties, highway, at the 105 MPH mark (it involved two Harley's and is a another story, LOL), straight as an arrow hot Florida roads, did I mention a little rain, and riding two up and solo. From Maryland to Texas and points all over since getting this new to me 2004 with the new Hannigan kit and front end assembly in October.
I continue to be extremely impressed with the handling of the front end and how well it reacts to the road conditions. Cornering is extremely impressive as I can "feel" the front tire grab and "bite into" the turn and hold it's lines. I have grown accustomed to this, thus I am not ready to fall off the bike like I was when I first got it. LOL.
Handling road grades and various other "tracks" in the road remains impressive. The large front tire simply "walks" over these conditions and ignores them, as compared to my '01' with the stock front end which would want to "follow" the grades, and other depressions we often find in the roads. No more "follow the lines of the grader, or when crossing a metal bridge."
The rear fender has been molded to "include" a fender extender that is all in one and is really impressive. I have little to no wear on my timing cover and I have very little "throw back" that might strike the bike, or come up through the tunnel. I really enjoy this feature.
Rain, did I mention riding in the rain, LOL!!!!!!
While coming out of Texas, we really did a good job of dodging that late April system that dumped a great deal of rain all along our track to Florida. Our luck did finally ran out in Mobile. We needed to stop for a potty break and of course I was hungry. So, while sitting in the restaurant, we got caught up in what was the heart of the system as one strong cell after another kept rolling in from the Gulf and right over us. We finally pulled out and went 60 miles in cells that looked much like this one and while riding at 50ish, never had a problem, unless you consider water balloons for rain pants legs a problem. Both of mine had a bucket of water in them. Not once did I feel the front end want to hydro plain or want to get away from me. Now this is NOT how I like to ride, but I now have confidence that I can if need be.
This is the measurement (using state-of-the-art equipment) of a new front tire: (Please no comments about how dirty the guys fingernails are as I already gave grief to the guy who took these.
According to Abe (who we know never tells a lie) and the ruler, a new 180 tire that is part of this Hannigan assembly nears approximately 8.5MM for tire depth. As we know, this 180 that is being used is a rear tire and is very beefy.
Here are a few shots of the tire after 10,0000 miles (Please note my nails look better, LOL).
As you can see Abe looks about the same, but what is extremely impressive is that the tire gauge that I used shows that I am right at 8MM. Of course this means that after 10,000 plus miles, the tire is only down .5MM for wear. This, to me at this point, is really good news. If the math works out, and time will tell, this new Hannigan front assembly is set to give me a great many miles of wear.
In this picture you can see, the tire still appears to look new with regards to shape and no cupping or "flat spots," (a.k.a. Chicken Strip).
To date, I am extremely pleased that I went with this set up. The tire wear has turned out to be great news for me, which coupled with the handling during dry and wet conditions has been very impressive.
I thought I might chronicle how things were working for me, and how this new front 180 tire was handling and what it's wear might be like. The following are my findings through the first 10,000 miles:
Well, OK, it's actually got over 11,000 miles on it now in this report, and I had a hard time finding the time to sit long enough and work out the uploading, downloading and all that other stuff needed to get the pictures right. I also need to say that this is NOT a scientific study as my good friend The Astute Reader can attest to my skills in this department, lol, yet non-the-less here goes.
During the first 10,000 miles I had ridden this set up in all sorts of conditions. Twisties, highway, at the 105 MPH mark (it involved two Harley's and is a another story, LOL), straight as an arrow hot Florida roads, did I mention a little rain, and riding two up and solo. From Maryland to Texas and points all over since getting this new to me 2004 with the new Hannigan kit and front end assembly in October.
I continue to be extremely impressed with the handling of the front end and how well it reacts to the road conditions. Cornering is extremely impressive as I can "feel" the front tire grab and "bite into" the turn and hold it's lines. I have grown accustomed to this, thus I am not ready to fall off the bike like I was when I first got it. LOL.
Handling road grades and various other "tracks" in the road remains impressive. The large front tire simply "walks" over these conditions and ignores them, as compared to my '01' with the stock front end which would want to "follow" the grades, and other depressions we often find in the roads. No more "follow the lines of the grader, or when crossing a metal bridge."
The rear fender has been molded to "include" a fender extender that is all in one and is really impressive. I have little to no wear on my timing cover and I have very little "throw back" that might strike the bike, or come up through the tunnel. I really enjoy this feature.
Rain, did I mention riding in the rain, LOL!!!!!!
While coming out of Texas, we really did a good job of dodging that late April system that dumped a great deal of rain all along our track to Florida. Our luck did finally ran out in Mobile. We needed to stop for a potty break and of course I was hungry. So, while sitting in the restaurant, we got caught up in what was the heart of the system as one strong cell after another kept rolling in from the Gulf and right over us. We finally pulled out and went 60 miles in cells that looked much like this one and while riding at 50ish, never had a problem, unless you consider water balloons for rain pants legs a problem. Both of mine had a bucket of water in them. Not once did I feel the front end want to hydro plain or want to get away from me. Now this is NOT how I like to ride, but I now have confidence that I can if need be.
This is the measurement (using state-of-the-art equipment) of a new front tire: (Please no comments about how dirty the guys fingernails are as I already gave grief to the guy who took these.
According to Abe (who we know never tells a lie) and the ruler, a new 180 tire that is part of this Hannigan assembly nears approximately 8.5MM for tire depth. As we know, this 180 that is being used is a rear tire and is very beefy.
Here are a few shots of the tire after 10,0000 miles (Please note my nails look better, LOL).
As you can see Abe looks about the same, but what is extremely impressive is that the tire gauge that I used shows that I am right at 8MM. Of course this means that after 10,000 plus miles, the tire is only down .5MM for wear. This, to me at this point, is really good news. If the math works out, and time will tell, this new Hannigan front assembly is set to give me a great many miles of wear.
In this picture you can see, the tire still appears to look new with regards to shape and no cupping or "flat spots," (a.k.a. Chicken Strip).
To date, I am extremely pleased that I went with this set up. The tire wear has turned out to be great news for me, which coupled with the handling during dry and wet conditions has been very impressive.