I am new to the group. I want to get a sidecar and have narrowed my search to two different rigs.
1. Ural sidecar
2. Champion Sidecar
Is there any advatage between the two? Also, is there an advantage to the having electric trim and a disc brake? My bike has ABS brakes will these be operational with a sidecar installed?
As far as cost. The Champion is a few hundred less expensive as a result as free shipping by my brother (trucker( to Texas on the Champion.
Any suggestions for this newbie besides getting lost!
Thanks
What kind of a bike? The most important part to remember is the 1/3 rule. Keep the normal traveling weight of the sidecar at least 1/3 the weight of the fully laden bike.
I have a Ural and really like it, but the Champions are nice as well. I've never had electric tilt, but everyone keeps saying if you have it you'll never be happy without it.
Welcome to the circus.
Hi!
The bike is a 2003 BMW R1200CLC. The bikes weight is 750lbs.
Bob
CHECK OUT HANNIGAN THEY MAKE A LOT OF UNITS FOR BEEMEERS
Either sidecar would do well for you. Considering weight is a factor as mike mentioned. Personally I like trim adjutors no matter if electric or manual. Sidecar brakes? Personal choice I suppose. I am not a huge fan of them in most applications. Others will disagree on this.
I always like to have a brake on a sidecar. If you only need it once it was worth every penny of the price. TILT is nice as well. Once you have had it you will always want it. We can add both a disk brake and TILT to the Ural sidecars.
Jay Giese
Dauntless Motors Corporation
www.dauntlessmotors.com
866-638-1793
I have made my decision to go ahead a take the plunge into sidecars.
The features that is important to me.
Disc Brake
Clean Installation
Electric camber control
Thanks for all of the input. This site is an excellent resource for a newbie like me. The choice has been narrowed to a couple of manufactures/installers. Both of them have excellent references.
The next question is going to be classes for sidecar riding. Any suggestions for California? There are classes in Oregon and Washington. Is there any in California?
Thanks
Bob
I, like you did a lot of homework and decided on an Ural from Jay with definitly the disc brake and TILT... better ground clearance (I do go off road quite often) and why not... Will actually be shipped from Seattle area to Georgia this week... will post with pictures the tribulations and mounting and... driving!!!
Just got back from quick 1600 mile jump to Florida in 3 days to get me some Hot Wings in Fort Myers... I imagined it will be a while till the comfort zone is up there with the new rig even though I have been practicing by borrowing a local rig... My dog I know is as excited as I am!!!
Be well...
Ara Gureghian
I decided on getting a sidecar from Hannigan's. The sidecar includes the works..Electric Trim, Disc Brake, ez steer etc... Just need to make the final call and send some $'s. The sidecar business must be booming. The lead-times are long. I was quoted on completion of the bike in June and July?
Welcome to the club and enjoy your brake and trim. Just make sure that whoever attaches the two peices gets your toe-in and lean out correct. It took me a year to find the right guy in South Florida. But is makes a huge difference. Have fun!
I am having Hannigan's do the installation. After talking with them and reading the recommendations from others I have no doubt that they will set it up trick! I think I am going to have them add a steering damper to the bike. There has been much talk regarding the steering dampers and I see no harm in having it added at the time of installation.
Does this make sense?
Steering dampers cause large biceps. The biceps enlarge in direct relation to the amount of dampening the damper itself invokes on the motorcycle forks. If you don't desire the biceps, get a leading link fork setup. I have a damper on my Triumph/Spyder outfit and twisty roads can make you cry.
Get the damper, enjoy the biceps, and if the steering goes gorilla, shave a lot. You'll like it better than without the damper. The two schools of thought have spoken.
Sounds if you two are ready to rumble over a steering damper.
I probably cannot make a bad decision on this one. The bike will decide. If it decides to shimmy and shake- a damper it is. If it behaves properly, no damper.
Originally written by SCT100 on 3/18/2006 3:58 PM
Steering dampers cause large biceps. The biceps enlarge in direct relation to the amount of dampening the damper itself invokes on the motorcycle forks. If you don't desire the biceps, get a leading link fork setup. I have a damper on my Triumph/Spyder outfit and twisty roads can make you cry.
I have a leading link fork, AND a steering damper. I dont have, or need large biceps to ride my rig in the twistys...twistys make me smile! sooo easy!!
If your rig makes you cry in the twistys , time to get it set up right, or replace it with a better one.
