Yep, I am another potential new sidecarist seeking advice from this knowledge pool. This is my first post, so please forgive my trespasses. They are wholey unintentional.
I am a 44-year-old male with about 15 years motorcycle ridng (street) expeience. My current rides are a 2001 W650 and a 2006 F650gs. I am seriously considering turning the W into a hack. It weighs 470 lbs all gassed up. My new bride says its okay and she is interested in learning to drive it (a potential stepping stone to piloting a 2 wheeler someday). We are both average sized people (~160 & ~120 lbs).
This is how I envision my sidecar experience. The car must be consistant with the W's 60's British bike look, it would be used mostly for day trips into the country with an occasional camping excursion, the car should be easily removed so the bike could still be used as a motorcycle when needed (rules out fork modifications, I suppose), we are able bodied, but a comfortable easy in/out chair is desirable and the all up budget is in the $4,000 to $5,000 range for the right paint matched new rig. Less money would be nice, but quality is appreciated. Used cars are a distinct consideration too.
I poked around and liked the looks of the Cozy Rocket and the Motorvation Spyder. I've seen a picture of the W with a Velorex and it looked nice if perhaps a bit to modern for the look of the bike. The thing I can't tell from the pictures is the quality of the cars and they seldom show interior details. Scale is a little difficult to gauge as well. Metal construction has appeal to me for some reason.
I have never seen any of these cars in person (any out there near Raleigh, NC?). I once saw an older Velorex and it did not appear to be of high quality.
Thank you for your time.
Any comments/opinions/recommendations about the use of the W and rigs are hereby eagerly solicited.
Beagleman
Hello Beagleman,the idea of put on / take Off you should forget pretty fast, 1. You don't know yet what time it takes to adjust the sidecar well.2. The frame will get twisted pretty fast and is then very nasty to drive single.3. you need to turn down the sprocket ratio and to drive then single is nasty shifting (As I felt long time ago on my MZ)The take off / put on is in some cases pretty fast. 1 1/2 year ago when I got washed down a river, there was no other change to take off the sidecar and push it over the footpass bridge and reassemble. 25min takeing off, 10 min pushing, 35 min reassemble. After that it was no fun any more to drive.The tracking got completely lost and without proper tools in the middle of nowhere we didn't get it well for days until we got back into the shop. The Kawa W650 must give a fine bike for a side car (its my dream for years) And I just imagine that I woudn't have had smashed my Norton Comando in Death Valley if it would have had a side car. The long stroke engine was a marvelous tractor!As sidecar You should look arround. There are several Steib replicas on sale and the cigar from Royal Enfield might come in bigger versions too. A too small sidecar is a devorce reason. And I know some ladies who prefer the sidecar to a single bike just because of the shopping facilities.... You have your wallet filled enough for her? not the bike...Best regardsSven Peter Pan
Lots of folks around you in NC.
Start here: http://www.sidecar.com/Maps/north_carolina.htm
Training is available in VA - click on the link at the bottom of the page ("See all instructor led training") The training is great because they typically provide a rig so you can try before you buy.
The idea of using the same bike solo and with sidecar is very appealing, but alas, not very practical as noted. A number of vendors can set you up with an easy on/easy off setup but will tell you that cars either end up "on" all the time or sold.
Thanks for the replies.
Peter Pan
I am bummed to hear easy on/off is a bit unrealistic. But the news about the frame bending is a real concern. The W is too sweet to ruin as a solo with a bent frame. Have others had this experience? Perhaps modern bikes would hold up better? Lighter rigs would help?
Stevewoo
I looked up NC and things seem a little sparse. But the training in Va looked like it has potential. One class is in Danville which is about as close to me while still being in Virginia as it gets! Thank you for the tip.
the NC State rep is also a good guy to contact - hey may be able to put you in touch with some folks in your area.
For an average sized passenger who is agile enough to climb into a single seated sidecar, a newer model of the 562C or 562T would be a nice fit for the W650 (or your other bike as well). THe Velorex cars have evolved through the years (unlike many other Marques)with many new features. Axle sizes, frames, suspension, lighting, belly pan, upholstery and finish have been upgraded and new models have been added to the line that still maintain the classic look of the old 562 and 562E models. And they are still affordably priced.
I have never had a complaint of a "twisted" frame from normal sidecar usage in over two decades of sidecar rigging. Naturally the frame or swingarm can be tweaked from extreme off road work or a crash. I have seen instances where the frame tubes have been deformed from overzealous tightening of U-clamp type frame mounts, especially on some Japanese bikes with very thin frame tubes. There have been 2 instances of axle bending from hitting a curb at speed with the early 15mm axles, but one was straightened (GL1100/562E combo) and one replaced. In neither instance was any harm done to the bike or riders.
Here are two examples of W650/562 combo's. Both have full size windshields but I prefer the chopped one as in my avatar picture.
Lonnie
Northwest sidecars
Hi Lonnie:
Is there any reason why you did not recommend the Velorex 565? I love my 562, but if there was an easy way to make it a flip front opener like the 565, I'd do it in a second. Passenger access, and digging out that loaf of bread that always seems escape into the toe has got to be easier with the flip front.
Just curious - thanks
GP
GP,
In my opinion the Classic styling of the 563 Tour matches the naked bikes better. It's an esthetic thing.
As long as the monkey is of average size and agility (as I mentioned in my post) the need for an easier entry decreases. Both models have behind the seatback trunk entry so that is moot. Both models also have quite a bit of nose space to lose stuff in and yes the flip top is easier to access.
I like the 565 on larger bikes and bodied bikes with a more modern look.
If you want easy access into your 565T, disconnect the charged strut so it will really open up. With the strut intact access is somewhat limited.
For ease of entry the 700C or 700T wins hands down. There again however, esthetics keeps them off many bikes. Some don't care for the high back, some love it.
Lonnie
Northwest Sidecars
Thank you Lonnie.
Makes sense... I prefer the low profile myself. I have over 37,000 miles on mine.
safe driving,
GP
Ural, maybe???
Sounds like a closer look at the Velorex may be in order.
I got the idea the Ural might be too heavy. Is this not true? The W goes 470 lbs wet.
Anybody care to share opinions on the quality and functionality of these Rocket, Spyder, Ural or Velorex 562
I was thinking about the entire rig, not just he hack...
Since 2005 when Motorcycle Consumer News had an article about the Ural Patrol, I have considered it. As a matter of fact, that dog-eared issue is on my nightstand right now. The magazine gave it a qualified endorsement - reservations mostly about the transmission. That said, a 'rig from the start' certainly has its appeal.
On the other hand, I currently have this 'extra' bike of which I am fond (actually bought new, sold to a friend and then bought back) and a budget. Well, that's how I ended up looking for a car to match the W.
I have a Ural mounted to a much heavier bike, but it was originally on a 650cc Ural and then 40 something horsepower BMW R60 and toured the country two up for many years. I would not hesitate putting one on a W.
I must also say that the troubles with on/off mounting are greatly exaggerated. If the sidecar is on the bike most of the time and only removed occasionally, the tires will wear flat, which can make the initial 5 minutes of your two wheeled ride awkward. You get used to it fast. If, on the other hand, the sidecar is only used once in a while, there would be no ill effects at all. And anyone who has to readjust anything after removing and reinstalling a sidecar, needs to have someone watch him do it. He's definitely doing something wrong. Mine is a simple 4 bolts and one plug in removal which takes less than ten minutes. If someone is there to help put it on, it can be mounted in the same time frame. If I'm alone, maybe 15 to 20 minutes back on. If it's properly mounted you will not twist a frame or need to align or change any settings.
Most of us don't do it often because we prefer riding with it, not because it's some great or magical feat to remove or install.
Originally written by Beagleman on 6/28/2007 3:53 PM
Sounds like a closer look at the Velorex may be in order.
I got the idea the Ural might be too heavy. Is this not true? The W goes 470 lbs wet.
Anybody care to share opinions on the quality and functionality of these Rocket, Spyder, Ural or Velorex 562
My son and I recently installed a Motorvation Spyder on my Valkyrie.
I personally like the looks of the Spyder and have gotten a lot of compliments about the combo.
Being new to sidecaring, I don't have the experience to even begin to comment on other cars. The W650 is one nice bike and the lighter cars mentioned would go well with it. I, fo one, had to change the trail, couldn't live with the hard steering but, then again, I have two other Valks I can ride. In any case, you won't go wrong by listening to others here. Lots of experience which helped me to get into sidecaring.
