Hi all,
Well after several years of wanting to, I am finally joining the world of sidecars. That's not why I'm questioning my sanity though. The rig I've found is a Yamaha Roadstar with a California sidecar, a 2 seater, and that seems ideal for me. I currently ride a Vstar, so I'm familiar with the star line of bikes, and my wife and I really wanted a wide car because we have 2 kids. The thing is the rig is in Iowa and I'm in Virginia. My plan is to fly out and drive the rig back. Let me say I have taken (and passed!) the S/TEP training classes so I'm not completely unfamiliar with driving a rig, just not this particular one. So, am I nuts or is this realistic?
Also what are your thoughts on interstate vs. state routes as this is not a scenic leisure trip persay. I plan on taking 2 to 3 days to make the trip and would like to stay off the interstate across the midwest, but I think it might be better through the mountains in West Virginia, as the superslap would be less challenging to my skill level.
Thanks for any and all thoughts,
Turtle
Did I mention I was new to this? After poking around the ISOK site, it looks like the car on my rig is actually a Champion 2+2. I thought the seller said CSC, but I've been wrong before. Anyway, the pics of the Champion match the pics the seller sent me.
when my wife's BMW/EZS rig is complete, i am going to fly to WA and drive it home to NY... so who am i to say if you are of a sound mind.
sc
If the step class was recent I'd think you will probably be ok. After all you won't have to be able to corner until you hit Ohio. Take it easy and don't get in a position where you have to cover a certain distance each day. In the beginning you will cover less ground then you would of on your vstar. If you have deadlines to meet a deadline you may push harder then you should and that's when bad stuff happens.
I'm picking up the rig on a Wednesday and going as far as Bloomington Il. to stop at my brother's house for the night. From there I was hoping to make the trip in 2 days but will have the weekend as a cushion if I need more time. And yeah, from Milo Ia all the way to the Ohio line it's basically a straight shot, even going through Bloomington.
Turtle
It depends on if the rig is set-up well or not and if you can adjust it if you need to. If a rig isn't adjusted well it can be a real mightmare to drive (and tiring as well).
Don't be surprised if you need to stop for some tools or bags of sand to make the rig more stable.
Good luck and be safe,
m
Turtle, I think you will love touring on the rig. Connie and I are just fimishing a 5 week trip around both islands in New Zealand on a Yamaha rig. Have just had a blast. When we finish (this Monday) we'll have driven something over 5500 miles, we have taken it a bit slow, enjoying the wonderful scenery. We drove our Goldwing Wing/Hannigan rig to Alaska (from LA) last August. Sidecars are made for trips.greg and Connie
Make sure you have spare gas in the rig. The Roadstar isn't famous for mileage even as a solo. That CSC FSIII is going to catch a bunch of wind at road speed.
Lonnie
Northwest Sidecars
Of course your crazy, you bought a sidecar. At least thats what my friends tell me.
I'd go for it in a heart beat. I think I'd take a tool kit in case the rig needs tweeking on the way.
The freeway might be less demanding on your maneuvering skills, better visibility and fewer suprises.
Thats excellent advice. Extra fuel will also provide a little extra weight. I plan on finding a hardware store and getting some bags of sand. When I get home it can go in the kids sandbox!
That shoudl be a stable rig and if you take it easy at first to get used to it you shoudl be fine. I am guessing that after a few miles you will reach a comfort levell and your concerns will lessen greatly. You will find that this rig is quite different than the ones you may have taken the class on. Let the rig talk to you as you ride and pretty soon you will be abel to understand what it is saying. If you have a tilt adjutor on it play with it some early on to see how it affects things. As long as th einitial setup is in the ballpark the initial stress of th eride should turn into a great time for you.
BE SAFE and have fun.
Yes you are. We all are.
Hello Turtle,
all the advices were good.
May I add, I'd take the first day just for to test everything and get familiarized with the rig, and why not go back to the seller and discuss every little detail you stepped over. Most persons will love that attitude because it shows them that "You" care for "their" beloved rig.
I would put for the first day just a short aim and that mainly through minor field gravel roads and with as much bends as possible.
Its funny, But haveing to monkey will train your senses (muskles and bud) way more and very much safer than asfalted roads, (as more trafic as more dangerous.)
When you drive just straight you will feel way too early too safe and the first little hassle is easy to turn into a fatality.
Definetely keep stronglly in your mind that the most dangerous moment is when you feel confortable and safe.
Then you will react as a solo driver => just the oposite of what you have to do... This moment often comes after 1 month => Be aware.
My first ride back on 13.12.1986 was (as you head for) bringing the brand new rig home over a 140km distance => allthough I knew every meter on the track (back home from University) I went straight in 3 bends right into the pasture! (plus electric problems)
Anyway You surely will love the ride so much that you will use the weekend too. So why not use the first day just for fun and familiarizing...without a "must to reach goal" and haveing a spot (the former owner) to fall back to. On the second day the life will look allready way different.
Don't laugh: I daydream frequently about somewhen getting a Ural Patrol in WA-state and get it down here (Costa Rica) But the first days will be close to the vendor not because of not knowing how to drive, but because I do know about the thing people call quality!
You ever saw Easteuropean quality?
So best luck and have a safe drive home! You'l love it.
Sven Peter
<<< note to self===== we with sidecars are observed as a strange and different breed,..sit still and pretend you are a riding lawn tractor until they pass, then escape to the safety of your garage quickly as to not be noticed==== hehe crawf.
You not nuts. Your family will love it. My does, I am here in Newport News VA. I bought my side car from a guy in Cleveland Ohio. It took two day there on the road king, One day to get it installed, and three days coming back. Just give yourself time. I brought sand bags with me and then filled them off the side of the road with a e-tool shovel. So just take a week off and you'll have a blast.
We may be crazy, but not insane, just living life to the fullest!
Welcome to the asylum err, the world of sidecarists!
Take your time it's all about the ride. And what a ride!
Many more carefree fun loving safe rides, with the shiney side up!
L
