I currently have 2 sidecar rigs, my favorite is a 1972 BMW R75/5 with Dnepr hack. It has had mofifications, and is a good handling and fun to drive rig. My other rig is a 1984 BMW R100RS with a Motorvation Formula 11. This rig has a leading link, and stout subframe. It handles and drives good, but to me is a bit anemic power wise with the wide and heavyish Motorvation. I am considering taking the Motorvation off of the R100 and going to a different tug. I have a R1200GS, but am not ready to hack it. Maybe a R1200C? I know a lot of folks are using the 1200C as a tug and apparently it does well despite its 67hp, which is a little more hp than my Airhead R100.
My question is do you think I'd happy with a R1200C based rig for my Motorvation Formula 11?
We have built many R1200C's and they work out well. We make bike specific mounts and even a new from billet ball joint mount for the telelever front end making for lighter steering with the sidecar. One nice thing about the R1200C while in theory you should not be able to do so, we have found that if you know what you are doing you can get an automotive tire on the stock rear 15 inch wheel (note 15 inch motorcycle wheels are larger diameter then 15 inch automotive wheels so if you do not know what you are doing you can get hurt bad!)
As your airhead has the leading link and is set up to be a good sidecar bike, why not sell the rig and start over rather then using the sidecar that is not on the airhead and color matched to the airhead?
Jay G
DMC sidecars
www.dmcsidecars.com
866-638-1793
I have a 01 Phoenix with a Hannigan on it. It is definately underpowered. My wifes 650 Burgman/Inder has at least 15 mph over it and maybe more. I went from a K1200LT/Hannigan so maybe I was a bit spoiled. Anyway,I think it is underpowered. J.R. Lewis Tex. state rep.
My personal choice would be the Dnepr hack on the R100 airhead. Just a personal choice
backed up by airhead ownership and Ural and Dnepr ownership
I have had two R1200C bikes. One had a sidecar with Jay G's steering mod that works very well. My only complaint about the performance of the R1200C with a sidecar is that 1st gear is extremely tall. All of Jay G's mounts in addition to the steering mod are of the highest quality, IMO. I thought the HP was OK (61hp, not 67 according to BMW).
I also owned /5's, /6's and /7's. My biggest concern with the R1200C's is with reliability. I have friends who had/have them as well. I have found them to be much less reliable than the older bikes. I don't know what happened at BMW. The stories I could tell you about the problems I have had and seen with the C's are more than I care to say. The ABS problems alone are enough reason to stay away from these bikes, IMO. Some of the brake pumps that cannot be rebuilt cost $2400 for the part alone. I have a friend who took his to a dealer to have his ABS flushed but the dealer refused to do it because they were afraid the ABS pump would fail while in their shop and they didn't want the responsibility. Again, these are only my opinions and experiences. I do wish I had never sold my old /6. I have also talked to people who have had no problems. You may buy one and never have a problem.
