I am new to the forum, although I have been lurking about for some time. By way of introduction, I have been riding motorcycles off-and-on for close to 30 years. My current bike is a BMW K1200RS, which I use for my 50+ mile commute to the office 2-3 times per week. Anyhow, I have been seriously thinking about a sidecar rig - something that me and my wife (and perhaps our dog) can use for running about on the weekends. She has never been real comfortable on the back of my K1200RS. This will be my first sidecar rig.
After much research, I am leaning towards a dual sport set-up of the type shown on Dauntless's website (Jay has been a great help). Thus, I am in the hunt for a used BMW R1100GS that I can add a new Ural sidecar to. I figure I can get into this set-up for about the same cost as adding a EZS or comparable higher end sidecar (and conversion kit) to my K1200RS. This will also allow me to keep my K1200RS for my daily commuting. This will also allow me to decide how much I like sidecar rigs before sinking a lot of money into adding a sidecar to my K1200RS. Or maybe I will end up liking the dual sport set-up better in the end and I will get rid of the K1200RS.
Any thoughts on my plan of attack? Would I be better off just adding a higher end sidecar to my K1200RS? All opinions welcome. Thanks in advance.
Mike
Jay indeed is a big help... and having an 1100GS I went for the Ural with all the otions of disc brake... TILT... racks... will, should be here, friday... so... like you I have had the same thought even thought I have had the GS for 150K and still purring, barely broken in... Like you however I will be looking for another GS1100... to ride solo... as it is my favorite bike of all times specially the gearing and the ease of maintenance...
Do you ever get on
http://www.advrider.com/forums/
Their Flea Market had a couple for sale...
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=120605
that's one... I have not read the whole thread to see if it has been sold... In my case... it is a little more complicated as I will not ride stock shocks... Ohlins have always been my favorite (can be re-serviced every 20K which I do), so I have to add the price of new shocks to any existing cycle...
The best way is to keep browsing till one appears... not many around for sale as... hum... they have been the best GS model made... (specially the gearing...).
Here is another one... a little high $'s but with that kind of mileage you'll have it for years...
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=124789
Anyhow... hope this helps... Be well...
I had a K1200RS too by the way... 98K in 18 months... Oh! what a midlife crisis that was!!!...
Ara
I bought a sidecar with the idea of taking it off and putting it back on when I want to go solo. Therefore I wanted to do "build" something that would not require to much motorcycle fabrication to my present bike/mule (sportster 883). I have just had the combo since the middle of Feb. 06 so I don't have many miles, but the 100 plus miles that I do have I have been able to get my wife to ride in the car and she said it was fun. I think I have a convert. I said all this to say I do not plan to take the hack off. I bought a new Velorex 562 from the Wark Shop in Ohio and set it up by myself. It is a little lighter in weight and price than the ural metal body. If you do want a off road rig and could swing the $$ I think I like the idea of the metal sidecar and off road bike. there now thats my 2 cents worth.
BMW KRS vs BMW GS ????
1st realize with the design of each bike------that you are at each end of the spectrum as far as sidecars go.
Both will be great tugs and will make you a great rig. Both will be different beast and react to the road differently.
As we become more familiar with the technology being used on these bikes in europe the options and potential to build/fabricate a great rig is only limited by the amount of money you can afford to spend.
I would personally keep the KRS as a solo bike and build a great rig with a GS.
I have done my share of research on the subject and feel you will get the most bang for your buck going this route.
But again this is one mans opinion.
Good Luck Maybe Claude can shed some light on this subject as he has more experience and expertise in the matter......
Thanks Beemerchef. The links to advrider were great - lots of good info. Let me know how the hook-up goes for the Ural rig. You are getting it from Dauntless, correct? This is the route I will probably take.
Mike
Thanks sidecarLenny. The difference between a K1200RS and a R1100GS, and the type of sidecar rig I would add to each of those bikes, is exactly why I am looking for input. Keeping the K1200RS for solo riding (mostly on the expressways around Chicago), and then adding a second dual sport set-up, will definitely give me the most riding options. But I still have this nagging feeling that adding a more street oriented hack (w/ greater capacity) to the K1200RS (something like the EZS RX-5) will give me a much better performing set-up for street/highway/touring, particularly since I don't know how much off-roading I will end up doing. But maybe the differences between the two set-ups are not as great as I think.
Mike
You are right about a K1200 RS/EZS-RX5 being able to rip thru the superslabs in a manner the GS/ural could never dream of....
Look at what you want to achieve and go for it.
Also remember what the EZS cost!! Figure on 18-20 grand to build that rig!!!
Go to liberty sidecars and start adding the cost of that project up!!!
The GS will be able to tour the highways and take you off road and can probably be built for the price of adding the EZS to your KRS.... Add a torsion bar/swaybar and some other goodies & that GS and you'll have areal nice rig...
The two are very different and you can't make a vette act like a Hummer and a Hummer will never be a vette......its that simple...
sidecarLenny, you are absolutely correct. I called Pete at Liberty just to get a better idea of what would be involved in adding a EZS to the K1200RS. Probably in the neighborhood of $15k-$18k, depending on the specific EZS model. On the other hand, I can probably set-up a dual sport rig, bike and all, for $10k-$12k. I figure I can pick up a '96 or '97 R1100GS with reasonable miles (40k-50k) for around $5k-$6k, and add a Ural (w/ most of the goodies) for another $6k. If I ever get tired of the R1100GS/Ural, I can sell it and put that towards an EZS for the K1200RS. The choice seems pretty clear. Now if only I can find a decent R1100GS . . . . 🙂
Glad that you like the website... ADVrider... also Horizons Unlimited will definitly open your eyes and give you spring fever as I have myself lived in Europe for 24 years and had the good fortune to tour the Middle East and Northern Africa... the GS is a blast... just got mine in...
The mounting is easy... will see hoe the alignement and all else will happen... I have agreat helper from NY, Didier, we both sure would help you as they are little... tricks...
Here are some yesterday's pictures...
http://beemerchef.smugmug.com/gallery/1204831/2
(2 pages...)
More as the install progresses... work is getting in the way now...
I'll keep my eyes open for a GS for you... as I mentionned I also want a second one... but not quite ready yet...
Imagine riding through the woods and primitive camping... away from the crowds... did 174 nights last year... again this year work is in the way... they just don't understand...
Jay at Dauntless does superb work with the mountings, the quality is amazing and his patience with me has been remarquable... well, you know... thousands of questions!!!
Be well...
Ara
I run an R1100GS w/Ural sidecar. Since I run both on and off road it has proven to be a very good combination for me. Off-road, the car is just heavy enough to keep me upright most of the time. You really have to watch for large bumps affecting the sidecar wheel (rocks, roots, other riders) however. One of the best parts of the Ural car is it is tough. I cought a stump I thought I would clear with the front lower mount. Bike stopped, I didn't. No damage and no adjustments required. Mounts are from Dauntless and they are as tough as the car. I routinely cruse 70-80 mph on paved roads and once I got the toe-in and leanout fine tuned it is steady as a rock. Steering was a bit stiff, especially in soft dirt or sand, so I raked the front end. Steers light and quick now. If you plan to play in the sand/dirt or make tight corners at speed a rake in highly recommended. I run the drum break with separate peddle and find it really help on tight righ turns in the woods. It is nice but I find it is not clearly needed for normal stops.
I don't think you can go wrong on a GS/Ural rig. I don't think you can get any more fun for the money.
Hope to run into you at this summer's ralleys. I'll be at the National and most every thing else within a days run of St. Louis. Post an e-mail address and I'll be glad to send pictures and correspond on sidecar setup....Danny
Hi Danny... nice to read your post... Have to run for work but will write more... Didier in NY has also the same set up and has been great help to me... as you can see... still in the crate!
http://beemerchef.smugmug.com/gallery/1204831/2
(page 2)
A side note... 3 wires for the lights... would you remember which colors go to what? (brake.running light.turn signal?). Don't mean to steal the thread... If not donlt worry about it... SidecarMike has written me a way with jumper cables to figure it out...
You be well...
Ara
Danny & Beemerchef, thanks for the input. Since you both obtained your Urals froma Dauntless, I am curious as to what options you went with - particularly with respect to modifications to the bike. Did either of you opt for the new ball joint for the telelever that Dauntless offers? Any other modifications (other than raking the front end)? Thanks again.
Mike
Raked the steering with a Leverite kit ($595) from Side Effects (www.sidecar.ca). It is an easy 30 min installation and has made steering light and quick. Went with the mechanical drum brake. Also ordered the fluid can--liked the looks and carry water with it to put out my campfires. Other than that I turned the OEM suspension up all the way and hit the road...Danny
Originally written by Danny on 3/25/2006 2:02 PM
Raked the steering with a Leverite kit ($595) from Side Effects (www.sidecar.ca). It is an easy 30 min installation and has made steering light and quick. Went with the mechanical drum brake. Also ordered the fluid can--liked the looks and carry water with it to put out my campfires. Other than that I turned the OEM suspension up all the way and hit the road...Danny
I love 30 mn installations!... I will check into it if I find this beast hard to steer... generally I always get... unwillingly... involved ina 30 day installation at double the initial cost!
I went with the disc brake and TILT...
Maybe tonight it will be all together... but that is about it besides the also fluid container and the two Kenny racks and of course some Doogles for Spirit...
Be well... Ara
One option that was suggested by Dauntless was a modified ball joint for the telelever, which purportedly improves the handling/steering characteristics of the bike/sidecar. Not sure of the specifics, and/or how this impacts, replaces, or enhances modifications to the trail of the front wheel.
Mike
