Hi folks,
I've narrowed the list of tugs to pull a Velorex 562 but I need help deciding which is the best candidate.
Proper mounts will have to be purchased as the sidecar now has the universal mounts.
Here are the choices...
1999 Suzuki Intruder 800
1998 Kawasaki Vulcan 800
1998 Honda Shadow Ace 750
The Honda Shadow and the Kaw Vulcan are chain driven while the Suzuki is shaft.
The Vulcan seems to have the most torque and the Intruder coming in a close 2nd (the Honda is way in the back).
That being said the Vulcan also has a soft mono shock compared to the 2 shock set-up of the others.
I really need some advise from the group on which is the best option for the Velorex.
It will be mostly used for pleasure on city and country backroads.
Sal
the Intruder would be my choice. don,t know how side car mounts would work with a mono shock. looks like the Intruder has more rear tire clearance to fender, room for a dual sport tire im thinking. diverdown. this should start a real cluster you know what.
Sal, wider front tires and wider flat handlebars should be better suited for sidecar duty than the skinny front tire and buckhorn handlebars on the Intruder. If you prefer shaft drive, the Volusia/C50 version of the Suzuki may be an viable alternative. Roland & family have 40,000+ miles on this Volusia/Velorex combo, many of the miles commuting to school & work; this photo is from 2010:
Lee
MB5+TW200+CRF250L+GTV300+INT650
XL883R w/Texas Ranger Sidecar
Zuma 50F + Burgman w/Texas Sidecar<Mrs. SwampFox
My 750 Honda Aero has tugged a Kenna for almost 5 years now without problems. The frame was easy to attach to and the engine has been trouble free.
The Honda you picture is chain drive making it even better since you can run the final drive ratios you want.
I would go Honda without hesitation. It has proven itself to me.
Plusthe Honda is watercooled like it seems to me.
When the original shocks go down the river, just change to good quality aftermarket ones. I loved the Koni with easy adjustable damping, they supposedly lasted until the end of the bike with the following owner means the Koni shocks must have run some 185.000km (When I sold the bike with 148.000km at 113.000km the Konis were still good like recently installed). Air shocks that adjust themselves would be my dream. (Saw them in the 1987 Kawa Z650... different weight rider or passenger added, 3 bumps on the saddle then the bike was at the same height as before and damping perfect for each)
In the Ural 3 of 5 shocks were replaced as waranty, the day the shocks will go again I will head for selfadjusting airshocks.
Sven
The Honda exhaust also vents further back. Looks to me like the lower pipe on the Kaw would dump in your passenger's ear.
Thanks for the replies guys. The pics posted are not of the actual bikes I have but are of the same make and models.
Actually the Honda Shadow was purchased for the sidecar duty while the Kaw Vulcan is used as a daily commute.
Last week we picked up the Suzuki Intruder for my son and that's what got me thinking.
SwampFox... The Vulcan originally came with a 21" front wheel and handlebars similar to the Intruder but not as much pullback. She now sports a 16" front wheel and flatter/wider bars.
Phelonius... Did you use the Velorex universal mounts to attach it to the Honda? Going with a larger rear sprocket would definitely help on the low end.
OldSchool_IsCool... Unfortunately the stock exhaust is long gone and she now has aftermarket pipes.
I made my own mounts and mounted a Kenna
I want to post pictures and you won't let me have that option
I'd probably go with the Shadow but either way, here's what either Marque might look like with a Velorex.
Lonnie
