Hi Folks: As I continue to ponder which/whether to get a sidecar/cycle, I wanted to ask you experienced folks two more things:
1) I ran across the following internet article that questions the safety of sidecars while going around turns. As someone who has never rode a sidecar but is considering one, I'm wondering if this article is accurate or is it overblowing the issue? Do I simply need to slow down alot while making turns to avoid the issues described? Will the E-Z Steer rake mod (or any other mod) significantly reduce the risk of such issues?
http://www.clevislauzon.qc.ca/Professeurs/Mecanique/ethierp/3-wheels/class1.htm
2) Does anybody care to comment how good of deals the following two EBay bikes/sidecars are? I was told I could buy the 1996 white one for $11,300 and the 1993 red one for $10,800. The 1993 has an Escort sidecar with EZ Steer. The 1996 owner wasn't sure about the sidecar brand, but thought it was an Arrow sidecar (doesn't have EZ Steer, but has Electronic Camber Control).
Thanks so much for the advice!
Gary
Hi Gary, First off the ezy steer or any other front end mod won't make turns safer just less effort to physically turn the handlebars. The article you have linked to is in reality probably correct (albeit exaggerated) however it’s the same with any vehicle. If you go too fast it may result in an accident. Sidecars are great fun and I think safer than two wheels when it comes down to it (in my area anyway). You will get used to the handling and will have no trouble riding within your limitations. Just as you don’t take corners too fast in a car you won’t on your outfit.
On the bikes you showed I think I liked the white one better. Less ks and cheaper.
Good luck with it all.
Tim
About 20 years ago I was driving through Green Bay, Wisconsin, following a lady in a little Ford Bronco II. She drove part way through an intersection, then at the last moment decided to turn left and cranked the wheel hard. The left tires came up off the ground and the thing flipped over on it's side. At maybe 15 mph! Before I condemn the driver as an idiot, I have to say I once did exactly the same thing on a Lehman trike. I approached the intersection and turned too sharply and too fast. I didn't flip it, but had the left rear tire higher than I've ever had a sidecar tire.
Keep the 1/3 rule in mind, (the sidecar must always weigh at least 1/3 the weight of the bike AND RIDER). Drive responsibly, and learn what to do in an emergency, and you will do just fine.
Beat me to it, Mike. In my case it was a Suzuki Samurai on a freeway onramp. I got a little carried away with the speed, and discovered the cornering limits of my Samurai. Oops.
The thing Mike tells was a frequent thing that even didn't bother me much on my Austin Mini: There was a long S-curve in Breitenfelde, Northgermany were on dry road I lifted the right back wheel frecuently...A hell of a bugger was that Mini Cooper with technical trouble but allways safe flat on the floor even with one tire in the air...
Well now we became serious with grey hair..
Simply start to learn driving new from the beginning and don't even bother if somebody says you would be a road obstruction... Its your bones you need to protect, not his.
Regards
Sven Peter Pan
Originally written by Peter Pan on 6/14/2008 11:54 AM
The thing Mike tells was a frequent thing that even didn't bother me much on my Austin Mini: There was a long S-curve in Breitenfelde, Northgermany were on dry road I lifted the right back wheel frecuently...A hell of a bugger was that Mini Cooper with technical trouble but allways safe flat on the floor even with one tire in the air...
Well now we became serious with grey hair..Simply start to learn driving new from the beginning and don't even bother if somebody says you would be a road obstruction... Its your bones you need to protect, not his.
Regards
Sven Peter Pan
I'm a bit of a Mini fanatic. I've owned seven over the last 25/30 years or so. While I currently have a '69 Midget, here is my last Mini:
But back to the point, it is not the vehicle itself, but how it is used. Practice, practice, practice. I need to do some more, myself~
The moles corner well but the two best cornering (without drifting) vehicles I've ever seen in action are:
The Mini Cooper and I believe the other was called a Dyna-Panhard. Maybe an NSU? A three cylinder two stroke. It was either a two in front trike, or a wide two in front/ narrow two in back, compact. Whatever, it was quick.
This when I was a MG TD Motocrosser in the early 50's. We were indexed about the same but they didn't have to lift, downshift and brake in the corners and switchbacks.
Seems like they would just lift before the turns and stomp on the way out.
Both blew my doors off and all the rest of the field indexed or not.
OK, Enough about me, here's your thread back.
Lonnie Cook
Northwest Sidecars
I have to agree about Mini handling. However, that little 'practice' issue can still rear its ugly head. My old Mini Pickup:
And one of its Minilites, showing a lack of practice on my part:
Dang curb.
Well Billy and Lonie,
My willies braught me to sidecaring when it threw off its right front wheel just 3km before the autobahn to Hamburg
Sven
