Okay how many of you learned to operate your car this way (subject)?
And was wondering do we try these fig.8's and circles at a certain speed
don't mean for anyone to have to write a book just curious how some of you got rid of the fear of flyin' a sidecar...? That's all for now Thanks for reading my post...=)
I was fortunate to find this web site before actually taking possession of our rig, so I was able to gain a lot of information and "book learning" to avoid making some of the more common mistakes. Used a local parking lot to get valuable seat time to become more comfortable with the unit's handling. The manuals provided on this site offer the step by step knowledge to help in your quest for knowledge (without attending the school of hard knocks). As for the speed, that will come with time and experience.
Yes this is the way I started out with the down loaded books by Hal from here. There was no schools close at the time that has changes. I helped two others get started the same way. Now feel school FIRST then the parking lot.
Same here.There were no classes nearby so I read and re read the sidecar book and then went to a closed car dealership several times. Back in 1955 I did the same routine with my first motorcycle.
I got the operating a sidecar with my new Ural when I bought it and took the rig on a trailer to the Local high school parking lot on the weekend when it was totally empty. It is good to get the feel of a rig in a no stress environment I think.
Even after I learned the basics, I would cut through an empty parking lot on my way to work just to fly the chair for practice.
Sidecars have a steep learning curve. It takes a lot of miles to gain confidence.. Take it slow and be cautious. The instant you relax and let your guard down you WILL get in trouble.
I started riding a hack in Dec. 2008. I just bought one out of necessity due to my wife having MS and no longer able to ride on two. I probably should have taken the rig out to a parking lot to ride, but noooo I just climbed aboard and started riding. At first I didn't like it. I stopped by "Perry's Motorcycle" in Fort Worth. He specializes in BMW and side cars. Spent several hours of with Perry himself teaching me some fundamentals of riding a hack. After listening and taking heed of wiser words, I found it to be enjoyable. My only problem will be is when I get my baby, a 82 Goldwing GL1100I back together again. I'll be torn between it and the 86 1200 Aspy hack.
Personally, I prefer empty parking lot PRACTICE and actual training which involves an experienced rider coaching you through the exercises, preferable in the form of an organized class, followed by more practice, practice, practice.
Adventure Sidecar has just 2 more classes this season. THe July class is the 17th~19th, beginning at 5:30pm Friday. It still had 2 openings last I checked.
I believe the August class (7~9th) still has a few openings as well. Call Hood River Community Education (541)386-2055 to get signed up!
You can find more information about Adventure Sidecar at adventuresidecar.com
Information about other S/TEP programs available around the country can be found on the Evergreen Safety Council Website esc.org
I am not just shilling for my classes- organized classes are "training". Driving around on your own is "practice". Both are important.
An experienced coach with a trained eye and a well thought out program is a whole different level of learning than reading a book and doing figure eights in a parking lot on your own. By all means, do that too, but if you can manage it at all go take a class- you will be glad you did!
Confession- I don't know how to download. So, I sent away for a CD, but I never used it because I don't know how.
I started driving a sidecar on a 1952 BMW R67 with factory Spezial a pretty long time ago; I still haven;'t figured out how to get the tub up on purpose. I realize I should find a big parking lot and do this. Better late than never I guess.
Okay Thanks for the replies...I've chosen to go both routes with the help of a book that I ordered from a MC shop that is the bible of all books for operating a rig and a 2 day course through evergreen safety council. I'm hoping that I'll be able to eliminate the slight pucker I have in my seat from my first mishap with the wife and granddaughter. So after this coming weekend hopefully my stats for operating a sidecar will improve at least 50%...lol. Wish me luck and have a great week all...=)
http://www.sidecar.com/Hal.htm the book is here (you may have gotten something different...but free is good yes?)
Have taken the Evergreen class...YES! I've taken a class GWRAA at a WingDing too. All the classes you care to take can't hurt, why reinvent the wheel?
Parking lot: Do slow right handers and speed up until you get the chair off the ground...that will be the safest way to figure out where the "tipping point" is for your rig...have some "weight" or a person there too so you can do it empty, with balast, with a person (add balast to simulate a loaded rig)....this should cover most of the situations. Doing this progression will also show you how the rig reacts at take off (normally SC will pull you right....weight changes how much) and breaking...SC wants to keep going...and will push you left.
Good luck!
If practicing flying the chair in a parking lot, I would suggest driving in a large circle to the right. Maintain the same speed so there are no surprises. Slowly reduce the radius of the circle until the chair feels light , then lifts a bit off the ground. When this feels comfortable keep reducing the circle until the chair goes even farther up. When the balance point is reached you are driving a lopsided solo bike and you can proceed in a straight line with the chair in the air. Or you can drop the car back to the ground by turning left a bit, engaging the clutch or reducing speed.
What is called "steering reversion" will occur to control the rig when flying the chair. You will go from steering a rig to countersteering a lopsided solo bike.
Lonnie
To
Sounds like fun, I've never flown the chair but might try it one of these days.
Hey to all...arrived home Sun. evening after taking the 2 day course this past weekend in KY evergreen safety council S/TEP course, and can honestly say that I learned alot. Tub maxson and Lori Ann Riebesell did a great job training 10 of us on the do's and dont's of controlling sidecars/trikes on what it takes to keep the rubber on the road in case of emergencies. Oh sure it was all open parking lot but it will help I'm sure. Learning to fly my sidecar was an experience but I fully understand now that it's not something you want to do without the knowledge of what to do in case it happens. Even though I'm some what new at hacking I recommend this course to anyone just starting out as it is well worth the $$$ and time. Kudos to Tub and Lori Ann and if they read this Thanks Again!!!
