another question from the newbie

Hello Katie,
If you are down to your final two motorcycle selections, and know the dealer/salesmen you would like use. Ride the bikes you've chosen as many times as you need to make your final decision, if a dealer won't let you ride as much as you need to, try a different dealer. (2-3 times is acceptable)

Now its time to shop the web, that will tell you everything you need to know; about the dealer, bike, model, availability, price, original equipment, colors, finance rate, options, warranty, and so-on.
Before you buy, MAKE YOUR LIST OF NEEDS.
Choose the bike that fits you, height, price, color, options, method of payment, interest rate, (If financing get pre qualified) and insurance(Often you can get motorcycles added to your home owners insurance). Print what helps you make the right buying decisions for you, including the price you can get the bike for else where, This needs to be with-in a 100 or so miles.
If you are ready to pull the trigger.
Make sure you are comfortable with the dealer you selected, the nicest they are ever going to be to you is before they get your money. Never let someone push you or rush you into a decision you're not ready to make, if you are not super pleased at any time just leave or see the sales manager, that will totally change the way your treated. Until you are comfortable and trust your dealer completely keep shopping.
Never make your decision while at the dealership, at least don't let them know you have. Go home revue and compare, once you are sure, and have selected the right bike, met the salesman at the dealer that you think will provide you with what you want, at the price you are willing to pay, then your not ready to make a buying decision. List what's important to you again because these things will change once you see and ride what's out there. Crash bars, dual disc brakes, dual-sport capability, electric start, front fairing, this list could have 100 items on it. This is a very important purchase and should be carefully considered.
Now you are ready, you have done your homework, you know exactly what you want and what's out there, you can talk the talk your ready. Take your printed price sheet showing what you can get the bike for else where for, as well as the list of needs/want's, take a friend with you unless you feel confident enough to close the deal, go back to the dealer you felt most comfortable with that had the bike you wanted where you have the most trust and. BUY YOUR MOTORCYCLE AT THE PRICE YOU ARE WILLING TO PAY!
Don't forget if your not getting what you want walk away, your the boss and they really, really need your money. If possible shop at the end of the day, or on a rainy day or better yet the last day of the month, thats when your money means the most to the salesmen and the dealer. If you can go buying late in the end of a rainy day on the last day of the month you will leave pleased if you do as I have outlined.

Always know the law and ride safe.
This is my 50th year riding motorcycles, I get just as excited with every ride!!!

Best Wishes,

Thank you for the response!
I'm not so worried about the bike itself as I've riden both quite a bit, I was wondering mostly about how they handle with the sidecar attached. I've been riding for about 30 years but never owned a rig. Have riden in them (grinning like a crazy person the entire time) but never had one of my own, I've examined what I would realistically use it for and have settled on choosing between these two bikes, I was wondering if there are strong pro's or cons to using either either bike. What peoples experiences have been with them that sort of thing.
The next step is figuring out the best car to use.... 😮 so I'm sure you all will be tired of my endless questions! 🙂
I so appreciate the input from this group!
Thank you
Katie

I am not going to be much help in deciding which one to buy. I am partial to BMW's but have ridden with my brother to Alaska. He left his BMWK100 at home and bought a 1000 V-Strom for the trip. Horsepower and torque wise I think the BMW would pull a light sidecar easier than the Strom would. Neither bike should be asked to pull a large heavy sidecar. A car weighing under 150# would be a good match. You will have to have a subframe for either bike. There are many people who build them. I have no names right now except Motorvation in Sibley Iowa. Go on their website and see the mounting hardware available from them. Give Mary a call and see if they have done subframes for either bike. Be prepared to visit for a while. Mary is a talker.

Will

katie - 7/13/2014 3:52 PM

Working on narrowing down what I want in a rig, I think I'm down to two. If anyone with experience with either the 1000 V-Strom or the BMW R1200 GS can speak up as to their opinion of power, ride, general satisfactioin I sure would appreciate hearing from you. I do spend a lot of time on the highway with some dirt (very gentle dirt) as the goal....

Katie, I've seen and read much about both DL1000 V-Strom's & R1200GS's as tugs. There are pro's & con's for both, but either can work well for you. If you study the various forum discussions you will find that some, but not all, bikes of both models have some mechanical difficulties. It may simply come down to a matter of personal preference.

The majority of rigs built in the USA around DL1000's or R1200GS's are constructed by either Claude at CSM: http://www.freedomsidecars.com/ or Jay at DMC: http://www.dmcsidecars.com/ . Unless you have a local outfitter you prefer, I suggest discussing your proposed rig with both Claude & Jay to help determine which is the better tug for you.

Also, I am a proponent of sidecar appropriate steering modifications - just makes driving the rig less tiring and more enjoyable. And either the DL1000 or R1200GS will drive much better with "stiffer" springs to carry the extra weight of the sidecar. Good luck with your decision, and I'll certainly be glad to discuss further - just PM me.

Katie' I lean toward BMW's but lack of dealers can be a problem. Picking a dealer can mean a lot. Like Lee says,check with Claude. He can custom build a rig to suit your needs. The last time I checked with Hannigan,they weren't doing the off road rigs. J.R. Sec. Tex rep.

Depending on where you live. If its hot or you have steep hills or pass lot of time in stop and go, then I would always go with a water cooled engine!
Jawa and Ural suffer(d) A LOT here in tropical mountain range with a lot of down town traffic.
The KLR (solo) doesn't even notice it.
If necessary to put a second water - or an oil cooler is easier to fit then to mount a fan on an air cooled engine. (helps only a little as air does not transport as much heat)
Sven

Both bikes work well with sidecars and for both bikes we make steering modifications as well as mounts, For the GS we also have an automotive rear wheel. For me, I would go with the BMW as it is a bit more refined bike, either bike however will serve you well. We can either install the sidecar here if you order one from us or we can ship it to you for you to install or have installed local to you.
Jay G
DMC sidecars
www.dmcsidecars.com
866-638-1793

katie - 7/13/2014 3:52 PMWorking on narrowing down what I want in a rig, I think I'm down to two. If anyone with experience with either the 1000 V-Strom or the BMW R1200 GS can speak up as to their opinion of power, ride, general satisfactioin I sure would appreciate hearing from you. I do spend a lot of time on the highway with some dirt (very gentle dirt) as the goal. We are leaving on a 4 week ride and when I get back serious shopping will begin. Thanks Katie

Katie,You may want to be sure to have internet access to Ebay while traveling. Take a look at this. http://tinyurl.com/ooc7le4

Hi I'm new to sidecars ..I ride a 2008 stratoliner now but have a 83 Goldwing that has a 562 velorex on it the gold wing is in need of repair now but was wondering if the 562 would fit on the stratoliner.. would anyone have knowledge on what to do to fit this together or is it not possible? thanks for any help...

Your Velorex is way to light duty for safety even for the Goldwing. It should have never been mounted on a Goldwing let alone the Stratoliner. They are great little sidecars for LITTLE bikes, they were designed for a 350cc Jawa. You would be much better off getting a stronger heavier sidecar for the Stratoliner. We have not made mounts for the Stratoliner so for us to do this we would need to have your bike in our shop.
I will not be able to answer forum questions for about 2 weeks starting Monday as I will be at the BMW national rally.
Jay G
DMC sidecars
www.dmcsidecars.com
866-638-1793
jay@dmcsidecars.com

thank you for your answer, I was just wondering what the possibilities were.... its good to know before something bad might happen... 🙂

Look in the classifieds. There is a Texas sldecar for sale that just might suit your needs. J.R. Sec. Tex rep.

Another. Thought. What size yamaha cycle would be a good fit to a 562 velorex

08strat - 7/21/2014 3:37 AM Another. Thought. What size yamaha cycle would be a good fit to a 562 velorex

An old style 650 vertical twin Yamaha if you can get one in dependable condition.

They have a strong frame and near bullet proof engine. Years ago, I had one carry a Bingham very well.