Buying New Hack, need help

I have a 1978 FLH (has a S&S shovelhead style 93 inch engine) with a 2001 Liberty car on it. I would not want anything else on it. Pete at Liberty knew just what I needed to be able to put the car on after it was shipped here, Boise ID. I sent a saddle bag top up to him so the paint could be matched with that on my bike, the paint matches great. The leaf spring suspension on the tub and the coil over shock for the frame works great. Get all the options you think you will ever want. I did not get the spot light/ turn signal when I ordered it. I got it later from Pete and put it on myself, it really helps make you stand out to on-comming traffic. I also wish I had gotten the luggage rack on the back. I realised this when getting ready for a trips to the rallys at Stevenson, WA and South Lake Tahoe, CA Make sure that when it is put on attention is paid to detail on the lead , toe-in, lean, and all else. Mine has not needed to be "tweeked" at all since it was put on. I took the Evergreen class in Seattle, well worth the time and money. I have been on very twisty roads, driven in snow, and gravel roads. It has handled great on all. I have also had it up to 90 mph, again good handling although I do like to cruise from 55 to 65 mph. I have about 30,000 miles on it now. I do have a stock neck style damper on it, it is tightened very little. It has very little front end shimmy at around25 mph. You will not be sorry with a Liberty car, people think it is a Harley car since Pete used a Harley car as the mold form used to make the tub.

Also have a Liberty on a 2001 Road King Classic. I love the look and the ride is smooth. Lots of leg room, good finish, and matches the bike perfectly.

I can't speak to the Spyder specifically, but my wife and I bought a Motorvation Formula II sidecar in March for the kids. We went up with my Electra Glide and a trailer to have it installed and bring it home. All and all we were pretty pleased with the experience with Motorvation and everything went smoothly. This is my first sidecar, so I don't really have a point of comparison, but I would recommend Motorvation to anyone who was looking.

I have a stripped down '96 FLHTCU-I/Liberty. I love it, Archie loves it. I've got 105,000 on the bike, just under half of that with the Liberty. You won't find better people to deal with anywhere than Pete and Patty at Liberty. I considered others originally but have never regretted going with the Liberty.
Good luck, what ever you decide.

Well i still havent decided which one , thought i would have got more opinions. Just recevied hard copy info from Liberty and am waiting on same from Motorvation. I did order the Champiom reverse gear in preperation for the hack. Any more opinions out there? Thanks to all those that have replied.

Both have full suspension. Both have classic styling.
Spyder isn't all that easy to enter or exit.
Liberty is the larger heavier sidecar.
Spyder has a very narrow seat and cockpit.
Liberty has a wider stance.
Spyder has a rear opening (small) trunk.
Liberty has an independently sprung body.
Spyder has two windshield options.
Liberty includes standard 11.5" disc brake and steering damper.
Spyder HD option includes color matched paint.
Liberty has a standard entry step.

Lonnie

Hack'n - 10/29/2009 3:46 PM

Both have full suspension. Both have classic styling.
Spyder isn't all that easy to enter or exit.
Liberty is the larger heavier sidecar.
Spyder has a very narrow seat and cockpit.
Liberty has a wider stance.
Spyder has a rear opening (small) trunk.
Liberty has an independently sprung body.
Spyder has two windshield options.
Liberty includes standard 11.5" disc brake and steering damper.
Spyder HD option includes color matched paint.
Liberty has a standard entry step.

Lonnie

And both are very well made sidecars produced by two very good companies

One more opinion:
In my opinion the Champion reverse is not at all a good value unless one cannot push the rig backwards otherwise if needed, which is rarely if one uses parking sense.
I installed one on one of my RK rigs and used it twice.
In practice using it wasn't as simple as it was projected.
Not a wise purchase for the expense and labor involved in my case.

Lonnie

Which ever sidecar you decide to go with, make it a dedicated rig. Change the triple trees so it will steer right, without a doubt! JMHO....

my .o2, Liberty is better looking.
but thats just me. ed.

if you really want reverse - get a baker reverse

its a much better plan

the 6 speed reverse has been out for quite awhile, the 5 speed is supposed to be out now.

the control is in the shift drum, so on the regular shifter - push down from 1 to get to reverse - small electric interlock to prevent it from going from 1 to rev accidentally..

now if i could get a reverse and kick start on the same transmission.. *sigh*

to

Unless there are limiting factors that cause you to need a reverse I wouldn't be too concerned about a reverse and would try to avoid the extra expense. My sidecar is about the size of a Smart car and much to my surprise I have never had a problem backing it up.

there physical and age reasons for adding reverse. i would not have considered it in my younger days, im 61 now and started riding in 1964. i chose the champion reverse because it is easy to install and very simple. the jap one that is similar costs almost as much ( besides its ugly and its jap ) , and the baker requires dismanteling the transmision and and pressing new gears on although im sure it is a quality setup. the champion was the best for my usage. thanks again for the suggestionsand opinions, keep them coming , im still waiting for motorvation hard copy. info, should be here in a couple of days. i did get a quote from liberty and talked on the phone to them a bit, real nice people

"( besides its ugly and its jap )"
So is a whole bunch of your Harley!

Lonnie