We bought our 2004 Wing with Hannigan GTL hack about 3 weeks ago. It's our first rig and we went thru a tank of gas almost every day the first week, just riding locally to get used to it.
1 week later, we left Smithfield, NC for a trek that would take us 3,371 miles thru 13 states. We participated in the "Ride for Kids" in Marysville, OH and Hudson Valley, NY. The 'Wing performed perfect. It had 54K on it when we got it 3 weeks ago and without hesitation we left for the trip, taking the previous owners word for it that he just did the oil change, brake pads were new and tires looked great. I am in the process now of ordering a car tire for the rear of the bike and a Battle Axe for the front, along with a new tire for the hack, it's a little dry rotted/cracked looking to me, and as cheap as they are, I'll just buy a new one. I'm having the 3 wheels all powder coated white to match the rig and make for easy clean up.
We took note right away that people will take your pics on the highway at 75 MPH. That's all well and good as long as they are the passenger !!! We had 1 young girl, driving at 70 MPH try to take our pic on her cell phone and she just about hit us. I saw 1 guy go from the left passing lane beside us, to where he slowed down, went behind us and came up on our right side so he could get a better look and a pic of the hack. That was a 4 lane each way highway. It drew attention at almost every single gas station or store or restaurant we stopped at. There were times I was too tired and in a hurry and just didn't feel like being a social butterfly, but I put on a smile and made it an enjoyable conversation for them, answering all they're questions.
Besides the Ride for Kids, the other highlight was taking my 90 year old grandmother on not just 1, but 2 rides. The first was only a couple miles at 25 mph, but the 2nd was about 12 miles at highway speed at times. She loved it. She mowed her own grass and changed her own car oil 'till she was about 60 I think. Tough country gal.
So, all in all we had a great/safe trip. We will be at the Asheville, NC "Ride for Kids' Aug. 29th and another next month in DC. This is the main reason we bought the rig, to put a smile on these kids faces.
I still MUCH prefer my Harley over a Wing, sorry Wing lovers. I do like the power of the Wing tho, but this one rides like crap. I don't know if something is wrong with the suspension/shocks or not, but it rides rough and bumps are KILLER ! It has a rake on the front so maybe that is causing some of it too, I just don't know. It has E3 tires on it. When I get a chance, I'll have someone else take it for a ride and see if it's just me or if something is wrong/broken with the suspension or shocks. But, how easy will it be to find another sidecarist around here with a Wing rig? May have to wait 'till Ashevilles ride.
I bought a Harley TLE a few months ago, as some of you know. The Hannigan is ALOT more car than the Harley tub. Wife stayed completely dry in all the rain we encountered. And the room for storage is unbelievable !!! A couple people said it looks like a UFO, which I guess it kinda does. The electric lean option is terrific, I wouldn't want to be without it now that I've had it. If the Harley car doesn't sell, I may go ahead and put it on my Ultra next spring, I haven't decided. But I don't have the deep pockets some of you guys have and I could really use the $$$ back from it, but who knows .
Peace !
Congratulations! Sounds like you had fun.
Driving a side hack is like being a celebrity, better get used to it. If you really want to attract attention put a dog in it!
I have a CA Friendship III on a GL1500. The Wing is very smooth and no problem with the ride. Not sure what could be wrong in yours. Tire pressure?
I also have a 2010 FLHX and while it is a great 2 wheeler I have been thinking about putting the sidehack on the HD and selling the Wing. Although the only thing I really don't like about the Wing is the feet position compared to the HD. You don't have any type of forward controls so you can't stretch out. That, and it's not a Harley! 🙂
I do like the smoothness, decent power, creature comforts and most of all, it's a 1991 with 45K miles on it and I can park it anywhere without worrying about it. I can drive on dusty dirt roads and carry all kinds of crap with me and not freak out about it getting dirty or scratched or anything. It's me "beater" rig and like they say in the hot rodding world, "beaters are better". 🙂
Did your wing come with an owners manual? I have an 88 wing and it has adjustable air shocks on the rear to adjust the ride harder or softer as the mood dictates. Lots of others much smarter than I am about these things, but figured had to ask anyway.
It's a pre-load setting you can adjust, and yes, I did. I'll get a more experienced Wing owner to ride it as soon as I find 1 with hack experience too.
