A Passion for Two (and Three) Wheels: My Motorcycle Journey

Anyone who knows me knows that my love for cars and bikes runs deep. Motorcycles have been part of my world since I was four years old. Growing up in a rural community on a large piece of land, I was surrounded by cars, trucks, tractors, and bikes—and I loved them all.

Admittedly, my love of speed got me into trouble a few times. Let’s just say the flashing blue lights outside my home weren’t from a Kmart sale!

From Early Rides to Lifelong Passion

Twin Goldwings

When my wife and I got married in 1992, I already had a bike—a 650cc Suzuki. Our first ride together was a memorable one (yes, I pulled a wheelie; no, I never did it again with her on board!). Through the years, we always had motorcycles. Tourers, cruisers, sport bikes, and even super sports—though my wife drew the line at riding the crotch rockets!

In 2001, I stopped by a dealership to check out a new bike, and the owner casually handed me the keys to his 2002 Honda Goldwing. “Take it for a spin,” he said. That ride—15 or 20 minutes long—changed everything. Speed, comfort, and even more speed. I was hooked. Soon after, a brand-new orange Goldwing was parked in my driveway.

Endless Road Trips and a New Dream

Over the years, we’ve had our fair share of bikes. Dirt bikes, trial bikes, street bikes, road racers—you name it. But our Goldwing quickly became a daily “vacation.” My wife and I have spent up to 13 hours a day on the road, touring the Northeast.

A few years ago, I started thinking about adding another bike to the mix, possibly even a trike. I explored options but couldn’t quite get my head around the two-wheels-in-the-front design of Can-Am models.

That’s when I turned to my trusted local dealer, Full Throttle Power Sports in Swanzey, NH. Over the years, they’ve handled maintenance and annual storage for me, and we’ve built a great relationship. I asked them about trike conversions, and one of their experts gave me the rundown on the best kits available—Roadsmith and Hannigan.

The Search Begins

After researching the pricing, I realized a conversion would cost north of $20K. Instead, I asked my friend Andy at Full Throttle to keep an eye out for a pre-built trike. As winter dragged on, my motorcycle fever intensified, so I took my own search online.

Eventually, I found two promising bikes—one near Boston and another in California. Years ago, I got comfortable buying and selling vehicles online, so I didn’t shy away from long-distance purchases. The California trike stood out: the same year and color as my current bike (Pearl Sunburst Orange) with only 10K miles on it.

Making the Purchase

I reached out to Superbike Showroom in Rancho Cordova, CA, and first thing the next morning, I received a call from Shawn. One thing I appreciated about them was their excellent communication—something I truly value. Over the next few days, Shawn ensured I had all the necessary paperwork and information. Meanwhile, I worked with Service Credit Union in Keene, NH, handling most of the transaction via email and electronic signatures.

Everything came together smoothly, and soon, we were waiting for the shipper to pick up the trike. Shawn kept me updated every step of the way, letting me know exactly when it was picked up and when I could expect its arrival.

The Big Reveal

Once the trike arrived, I coordinated with Full Throttle Power Sports to have it delivered to their dealership for inspection. Since I was buying it “as is,” I knew there would be some unknowns. Fortunately, the transport driver made sure it arrived in perfect condition.

I visited the shop on the day of delivery, and after a quick assessment, we found a few minor issues—but mechanically, it was in great shape. Full Throttle is making the necessary repairs to ensure it passes inspection. (And Shawn agreed to speak to his partner about some financial help.)

The Road Ahead