I have a 2007 Yamaha Royal Star Venture. New in 2007. It's got > 40K miles on it. So I decided it's now time to play.
February 19th, I picked up a California Sidecar Friendship II. Needs some minor cosmetic touch-ups, possibly some other minor things, but mostly it's in pretty good shape (no mounts though).
So the 2-wheeler will now merge with the 1-wheeler (ie sidecar) and the two will become one.
I've never ridden in, been around, read about, or otherwise have much knowledge about Sidecars. Just got the itch and though it would be a good break from the "norm".
I'll try to post pictures if I can figure out how.
Jim Nisley
Charlotte NC USA
Cool, good look'n bike. I'm in the same boat. I've never used a sidecar or had one, but I think its time. I retired last May and these bike's are getting heavy. I wanta go sidecar instead of trike. I think this summer I'll find what I'm looking for. Have Fun and post who does your work....I might need'm...Thanks, Tom
Looks great and not only that, the paint already matches. COOL!
Buddies,
do your health a big favour. Reed these books. http://www.sidecar.com/links.asp
My favourite is the top right, the translation of the german guideline.
Just because I learned with it in its original version "after" my first day I went 3 times straight into the pasture and the second when I whacked off a road side plock...That was back 13.12.1986.
As solo driver You have right the opposite reactions as a rig driver needs to have.
*Ballast 50kg or a little more behind the seat.
*BREAK far before the bend!!! You can pull out AFTER its turn point.
*Stay cautious The worst adrenalin pushung moments come when You start to feel confident after a month or so.
*Beginers have respect to right hand bends. Lefthanders with load are MUCH more dangerous.
*A good start is to ride in the beginning on gravel roads, that trains your muskle reactions. After that when going on paved road You will notice fast that You will have to learn much more because every rig behaves individually different on different pavements, with different loads, wind, snow etc.
***Try to participate in a sidecar riding class here are several advertized.
A rig is a hole different story to whatever You rode before. You ned to learn new again just as a youngster.
The third dimention will open new options...enjoy your soar muskles.
Each day You wake up soar will tell You You are alife.
Best wishes with that beautiful flag ship.
Sven
We can help with mounts for the bike as well as triple tree's to lower the steering effort with the sidecar.
Jay G
DMC sidecars
www.dmcsidecars.com
866-638-1793
Looking good. Make a search on the net for Sidecar 2003 by Hal Kendall. You can down load it for free. I do recommend being careful but I had many including the book I have listed all most scared me so bad I waited 2 years to put my hack on. After the past 5 months and at least 4,000 I really mean REALLY like mine. I am to the point when the chair rises a little it does not bother me.
I am not a session rig rider like many others here yet but working on it. Do beleive my 02 Ultra with 92K on it will stay a rig bike. I am considering raked tress but would like to ride one with them on before I spend that much money. Talked to some that did not like them because at crushing speed it takes very little in put to make a big change.
Welcome to the forum.
You're going to really enjoy that combination!
I have a 99 RSV and 02 California sidecar.
Go for the triple tree modification and you will go from enjoying to loving the sidecar rig. (at least that's how it worked for me) 🙂
Peter Pan - 2/21/2013 8:44 AM
Buddies,
do your health a big favour. Reed these books. http://www.sidecar.com/links.asp
My favourite is the top right, the translation of the german guideline.
Just because I learned with it in its original version "after" my first day I went 3 times straight into the pasture and the second when I whacked off a road side plock...That was back 13.12.1986.
As solo driver You have right the opposite reactions as a rig driver needs to have.
*Ballast 50kg or a little more behind the seat.
*BREAK far before the bend!!! You can pull out AFTER its turn point.
*Stay cautious The worst adrenalin pushung moments come when You start to feel confident after a month or so.
*Beginers have respect to right hand bends. Lefthanders with load are MUCH more dangerous.
*A good start is to ride in the beginning on gravel roads, that trains your muskle reactions. After that when going on paved road You will notice fast that You will have to learn much more because every rig behaves individually different on different pavements, with different loads, wind, snow etc.***Try to participate in a sidecar riding class here are several advertized.
A rig is a hole different story to whatever You rode before. You ned to learn new again just as a youngster.
The third dimention will open new options...enjoy your soar muskles.
Each day You wake up soar will tell You You are alife.
Best wishes with that beautiful flag ship.
Sven
Thanks for all those tips, Sven! I just purchased a 1990 Gold Wing 1500 with a California Sidecar (Companion II I think is the model name, I need to research it more). The previous owner was broken up to part with it, but he got one last ride in driving it to my house. Now I need to do like you suggest and start slowly getting used to it.
I'm a knee dragger on sport bikes, but this is my plan for a "family bike" to throw my son behind me pillion and two daughters in the sidecar. But not until I'm safe!
Regards,
Phil
By the way;
I got trapped in the rig riding mode,
although my rig is out of order since Oktober! I have to use the solo KLR650 since then.
Monday I had to swave arround a few very nasty pit holes and I had to notice that I reacted as a rig pusher pulling the handle bar away from the direction of the holes.
It took heavy weight leaning for to avoid these drain tops just because my reflects were the ones for rig riding.
With the solo that is not dangerous, but with thr rig it can cost someones life.
Keep that in mind when You start to feel confortable, that will become the most dangerous part of the learning curve.
Sven
Started on the books - some great practice ideas in there -
I have a Hannigan mounted to my 2007 RSV, great combo 🙂
Delivered the Bike & Sidecar to Doug McCracken today at A Wing and a Chair ( http://www.awingandachair.com/). Spent some time there. I am thoroughly impressed with Doug. And so the transformation begins ...
Mine is done. Took delivery Friday May 31st, 2013. Rode about 40-miles before I picked up my two boys and we went for a ride. The dynamics of the 3-points of surface contact is way different than the M/C 2-points of surface contact.
The first 20 miles or so was very hard for me. But before making the commitment, I researched, read, read, and read some more. So I was mentally prepared for the change.
I had Doug McCracken of Monroe NC do the install. He is on the web at "A Wing and a Chair". He did a great job as the sidecar tracks straight and true. On the freeway I can run with the bike's cruise control on and maintain the vehicle one handed.
