A lot of questions.

The best way to start is to find a used sidecar rig. Buy it already put together and see if you like it. If you do, go from there. If you don't, sell it or take it apart. Is it fast enough for the kind of riding you do? Does it have the room you want? Does it get the fuel economy you're looking for?

Everybody wants something different.
The Urals are good bikes if you know their limits. So are Harleys, BMWs, Valkyries, and mopeds. It just depends on what you want.
Look through the rigs for sale here. There are some really good deals out there.

You could take a sidecar class. You get to ride around the cones on bikes provided for the class and get a sense of whether it is something you really want ot do.

Mike is right, look for a used rig when you are ready, preferably something not too large and not too shiny. Use it to figure out what you really want and need before you dump a bunch of money into something fancy.

Check Evergreen Safety Council or Adventure Sidecar to see if there is a class you can get to in your future. I don't think anyone is doing any classes in California, so you will probably have to travel to attend one, but it really is a great way to figure these contraptions out!
http://adventuresidecar.com/training06/training06.htm

I just saw this on the Ural web board classifieds-
2000 Tourist California Model,color black. One owner, less than 5K miles. Deep sump, windshield, leg guards. All tools and manuals plus shop manual. Some spare parts. Maintained by the book. Located in Lake Isabella, CA (near Bakersfield). Asking $4,200

Don Foster 760-379-6399 "reddogdlf@aol.com"

A Ural rig is OK, if all you are planning to do is short rides putting around the back roads..that is great fun!!
But....after you "get the SC bug", and head for the open highways you will be dissapointed. It is NOT a highway cruiser that will maintain 60-70 MPH all day,day after day on a trip.
The newer ones, 2005-6 are much improved, but still need work.
the Ural SC's are great, but the bikes need a lot of maintenence and tender care to keep going.

I'm like you except twice as old. I had never ridden a motorcycle but wanted a sidecar from the minute I saw a rig driving through my neighborhood. I will pass on to you some advice given to me from the guy I bought from. I was in his showroom shortly after buying my sc rig admiring a solo bike which he might have been able to sell to me with a little salesmanship, but instead he told me kindly but convincingly that he kind of thought I had enough learning to do on the sidecar setup without throwing in learning to ride a solo bike at the same time. I would suggest becoming well skilled at one or the other before worrying about swithching back and forth.

Monkey,
I need to set you straight about 'switching back and forth ' between the bike and SC.
IE, removing the SC to ride solo.
It can, and has , been done but not recommended.
To truly get a SC rig set up properly, and enjoy it to its fullest, various mods should be done to it, including steering mods, suspension, tires, bars, ETC.
Once these are done to the bike,[not necessarily all at once...depends on your budget] it will NOT be a good 2 wheeler anymore unless you 'Unmod ' it.
You CAN just bolt on a SC and ride it...remove it for 2 Wheeling, but when the bike is hooked up to the SC, it will not be set up for pure enjoyment. And you WILL see a remarkable difference between a well set up rig and a 'bolt on/take off' rig.
It would be up to you what your personal preference is.
This is not to discourage you! By all means get on the SC wagon!
thats why it is recommended that you purchase a complete rig first and get used to it. 'get the SC bug'
then you can make choices from experience and from advice on this list.
Welcome to SC world!!!

Originally written by Bob in Wis on 6/9/2006 10:02 AM

A Ural rig is OK, if all you are planning to do is short rides putting around the back roads..that is great fun!!
But....after you "get the SC bug", and head for the open highways you will be dissapointed. It is NOT a highway cruiser that will maintain 60-70 MPH all day,day after day on a trip.
The newer ones, 2005-6 are much improved, but still need work.
the Ural SC's are great, but the bikes need a lot of maintenence and tender care to keep going.

I think part of what you say is correct Bob. The part about not cruising all day at 70. But I think there are quite a few people who would disagree about not riding cross country on one. They've done it. The Ural I bought from Hal Thompson had been on one such trip. His story of that trip is posted at www.imz-ural.com under the owner's stories. And the couple years I owned it, I rode the heck out of it with very minimal problems. Granted it ain't a crotch rocket, but it's a great sidecar rig if one can get past the bigger is always better. All depends on how you want to ride and what you can afford...

Glad to here you have one of the few that can do that. I am speaking from a lot of feedback recieved from other Ural owners.
Not saying "it CANT be done"
I dont wnnt to start a flame war here.just what I've heard from others.

I would take a sidecar class www.esc.org and or buy the book driving a sidecar outfit (we sell it as well as others $24.95) Then either buy a rig already put together. (beware of "universal" mounts) or assemble one with a proper kit.
We build sidecars, as well as mounts. We are the Ural sidecar importer and can set these sidecars up as well as others for you. We also have one used bike with a Ural sidecar a 2000 Moto Guzzi Quota for $9500. We can build you a rig starting with a new bike. As you like cruiser type bikes our local Guzzi dealer has some great prices on new Stone's starting at well under $7K
Feel free to ask any questions you may have either via the phone or email.
Jay Giese
Dauntless Motors Corporation
www.dauntlessmotors.com
866-638-1793