Recumbent - Junk or not?

Anybody own these or seen these in person? I like the idea of a recumbent for long rides or even touring, but the prices are a bit extreme. I rode the MS150 and the hardest part of the whole ride was enduring the pain in my rear. I can endure exhaustion and microtears in my legs, but some parts of the body were not meant to have blisters.

http://www.bikemania.biz/The_Fun_Cycle_by_Trailmate_p/trailmate_funcycle.htm

You find those things at concession stands at the beach. Great fun in a parking lot or along a boardwalk, but don't dare take one any distance. If price is the primary concern, try to find something used. First-time bent riders always buy based on price, and it's not uncommon for them to upgrade in a year or two, so low-end bents aren't all that hard to find.

+1 those are junk

I rented one of those when I was a teenager at a RV park that was really nice. I had lots of fun, but it wasn't something I'd do my daily commute on.

A couple problems--
First, they are not intended as high-speed bikes, they only got one gear.
Second, they are a lean-steer trike, which is not stable at high speeds.
--------
If you want bent-level riding comfort, there are new CLWB's for around $600 (Sun and Cycle Genius), or you can get a used bike.
~

Yep, definitely meant as slow cruisers. Don't even think about doing the MS150 on one!

This may be more what your looking for. This trike is a little more money but it is a good price for a decent trike. Take a look at the WizWheelz Terra Trike Cruiser model. It is a great trike for the money $1299.00 + shipping nicely equipped and well built with an adjustable seat ( nice feature, can be adjusted to your liking). I got one for the wife to go along with my WizWheels 3.6 Tour model.

Take care and good luck, :)
Bill G

I would suggest a Tour Easy by E Z Racers. They can be had on eBay if you keep your eye on listings there. Try using BidSage sniping software to get a winning bid in. It's free and works well.
Good Luck & happy MS150ing,
Dr.D

Hmm... $1300 isn't exactly cheap. What kind of prices can I expect for a decent, but low end used trike?

Keep checking eBay. There was a Greenspeed GLR (although listed as a GTR) a coupkle of weeks ago. Starting bid was $1,000. I bid and promptly received an email offering a $1,300 buy-it-now offer.
I was looking for the GTR, not a GLR, so I declined. But good quality trikes like Greenspeeds do show up there. So keep checking and have money ready. Also might try using BidSage sniping software.
Just my 2 cents,
Dr.D

Hmm... $1300 isn't exactly cheap. What kind of prices can I expect for a decent, but low end used trike?

Shop wisely, you get what you pay for. Not all used trikes are a good deal, seven out of ten people ride the hell out of things puting no mind into up keep or proper maintenance. Look close at a used trike to make sure you get one that has been taken care of. You may spend more than you think geting a pourly taken care of trike back into shape. A guy has to know what he is looking at in detail or he may get the loosing end of the deal.

Good luck, :)
Bill G

Hmm... $1300 isn't exactly cheap. What kind of prices can I expect for a decent, but low end used trike?
If you want cheap, try to find one at an X-Mart(tm). $1300 is about as low as you're going to see for a bike-shop-quality trike. Expect a 1-year-old used bent to go for around 2/3 retail price. If you can find a trike owner willing to give his up after only a year. Don't expect one to go for less than half MSRP unless the mechanicals are nearly obsolete. Of course, that model of Terratrike isn't yet a year old, so that, at least, won't be an issue.

Expect a 1-year-old used bent to go for around 2/3 retail price. Don't expect one to go for less than half MSRP unless the mechanicals are nearly obsolete. Of course, that model of Terratrike isn't yet a year old, so that, at least, won't be an issue.
AND CHECK ANY AVAILABLE SOURCE!
I found a Greenspeed GTX with every imaginable option on the LBS bulletin board. Asking price...$2,900.
I bought it 4 MONTHS later for $2,000. Price new from GS; $7,800.00! Had 82 miles on the odometer.

The deals ARE out there!