Hello My Friends,
As I continue to learn more about this "sidecar stuff" while looking for my first "hack" or trike, I had a few more questions:
1) Am I correct that I'll need a sidecar to carry 3 people? So far, I've not seen a trike with a back seat wide enough to accommodate 2 people (plus front seat makes for 3 people total).
2) I plan to put-put around on local country roads. I probably won't ride anywhere more than 1.5 hours each way. The only reason I want a sidecar is to take my wife, 4.5 year-old son and myself. So I probably don't need a big displacement bike like a Goldwing (although I love them and have owned two before). So my question is: will a 600cc scooter like a Honda Silverwing be sufficient for this sidecar application?
3) Since I've never ridden a sidecar, I'm wondering if features such as "EZ-Steer", "Camber Control", etc. are really necessary? Are they different names for the same thing? Will a 47-yr old guy who drives slowly/carefully really need EZ-Steer? Without test driving a hack, it's hard to tell which features are "must have" versus "nice to have".
4) Can anybody suggest a good sidecar for a Honda Silverwing 600cc scooter? I'm pretty much sold on Honda (Goldwing or Silverwing) due to my previous good experiences (I'm sure other models are great also). I'm just comfortable with Honda.
Thanks!
Gary
best thing to do is get a SC big enough to fit both your wife and child in it...much safer that way.
If you really intend to ride with a passenger on the bike, the heavier passenger must be in the SC for best balance and handling. but...your 4.5 yr old is not big enough to ride on the bike , so , put them both in the SC. Child on your wife's lap, if necessary.
A heavier passenger will work on the bike , but additional ballast in the SC will be needed to make up for the lighter SC passenger weight.most likely 100 pounds or so.
Above all, be VERY careful when riding with a passenger on the bike with a SC attached..
It can, and has been done, but not rccomended by most.
Bob,
Thanks for the info! I didn't know it wasn't recommended to ride with passengers both in sidecar and on back of bike. That's good to know since safety is paramount to me when my little boy is on board.
Gary
Originally written by GaryB on 6/22/2008 11:16 AM
Bob,
Thanks for the info! I didn't know it wasn't recommended to ride with passengers both in sidecar and on back of bike. That's good to know since safety is paramount to me when my little boy is on board.
Gary
It's not, it's just Bob's favorite way of scaring young people away from sidecars. In your case, however, I have to agree with him. On a small rig it would be impossible to properly balance it so that you and your wife could ride on the bike, and a 4 year old isn't big enough to ride safely behind you. If you decided to go with a big bike, just make sure the sidecar has enough weight in it to equate 1/3 the weight of you, your wife, and the motorcycle. Ex. if your bike by itself weighs 700 lbs, you weigh 200 and your wife weighs 100, Your sidecar must weigh at least 325 to 350 pounds to properly balance.
Mike,
I am getting tired of your assinine comments about my attempts to steer new ..and seasoned riders towards a more safe way of riding. It saves lives....period.
I am NOT steering them away from sidecars. I welcome all new riders...just educating them, and want them to be aware of the danger involved in passengers on the bike.
Please keep your comments to relate to your own preferences,,and not Diss mine at every opportunity.
seems you lurk until I comment, then you slam my point of view...every time.
If you want to comment on the subject please leave me out of it in your personal comments.
I case you DIDNT read all of my post. I told him it is OK, but to make sure the heavier passenger is in the SC.if not, add weight to compensate for the passenger ON the bike..please read again If you are able to.
Every time I mention this you have to add your 2 cents worth..all it is worth ., actually.
Gary, as to your choice of bikes...they are fine, as long as the bike and SC are balanced correctly.
As i mentioned...add weight in the sc to keep it balanced correctly.
I'm glad you understand that it IS important to have a balanced rig...passenger on the pillion or not.
The EZ steer is great, but not 'necessary. it will depend on the indevidual and the bike. Ride it yourself, and see if you need it. It can be added later.
I have a LL on my last 2 rigs, and love them. Much easier to steer. in town and also on the back roads.
Originally written by Bob in Wis on 6/22/2008 2:02 PM
Mike,
I am getting tired of your assinine comments about my attempts to steer new ..and seasoned riders towards a more safe way of riding. It saves lives....period.
I am NOT steering them away from sidecars. I welcome all new riders...just educating them, and want them to be aware of the danger involved in passengers on the bike.
Please keep your comments to relate to your own preferences,,and not Diss mine at every opportunity.
seems you lurk until I comment, then you slam my point of view...every time.
If you want to comment on the subject please leave me out of it in your personal comments.
I case you DIDNT read all of my post. I told him it is OK, but to make sure the heavier passenger is in the SC.if not, add weight to compensate for the passenger ON the bike..please read again If you are able to.
Every time I mention this you have to add your 2 cents worth..all it is worth ., actually.Gary, as to your choice of bikes...they are fine, as long as the bike and SC are balanced correctly.
As i mentioned...add weight in the sc to keep it balanced correctly.
I'm glad you understand that it IS important to have a balanced rig...passenger on the pillion or not.
The EZ steer is great, but not 'necessary. it will depend on the indevidual and the bike. Ride it yourself, and see if you need it. It can be added later.
I have a LL on my last 2 rigs, and love them. Much easier to steer. in town and also on the back roads.
Bob, I said I agreed with you in this case. :0) I don't lurk waiting for you, in fact, if you search all the past posts on this topic you'll see that I usually post before you respond.
Don't overlook the rules/laws for your state regarding helmets, licenses and such. In Texas, a helmet is a must for children in sidedcars, although I have not found anything related to a requirement on a hack of having safety belts or even a child car seat or booster seat. These are differences in automobile requirements, but the helmet is on the books for children in a hack in our state. Go to your local DMV website and see what is specific to sidecars, if anything.
Proper weight placement is crutial for a safe experience with more than just two occupants. I can tell you from personal experience, and many folks who have hacks can't, that someone on a pillon seat can sure make your piloting skills challenging to say the least. My Troyka handles much differently with someone behind me and someone in the hack as well. Especially if that person behind me isn't familiar in how to ride back there. Many motorcycle owners have pillion seats, but far less have actually ever used them. Me, I have done so and I really try hard to not make it a habit, if I can.
Forgive me if your wrong, but it sounds as if you are only testing the water on getting a sidecar rig. That is ok, but some of the questions you ask sort of make me think you are getting the cart ahead of the horse just a bit. Learn to drive a rig before you start thinking of adding passengers, redistributing weight and believing everything will be fine in the process. You have skills to develop that don't just arrive the moment the sidecar rig leaves the show room floor. It isn't that you can't develop them, but don't think with your heart and get too far in advance of what a sidecar rig will be for you. It is good to check things out, but study a bit on what your expectations are. A bigger bike actually may be too big. There is more than a single difference between trykes and sidecar rigs. Study up some more and then make any decision to get involved with sidecars. Safety is a real issue, as is having fun and learning the art of piloting a rig. Take it slow and see how it goes. Give some consideration to a Ural or other make. I know several guys here are installers and would love your business as well, but a used Ural or even a new one is ready made and specifically made for the hack. There are pros and cons to any sidecar rig and set up, so check them all out before you decide. Everyone wants you to make a safe choice when you get into the sidecar world.
Good luck to you and what you decide upon. Me, I's say to study a bit more and think it all out, check out some actual sidecar rigs and then see what fits your needs.
Originally written by SidecarMike on 6/22/2008 5:12 PM
Originally written by Bob in Wis on 6/22/2008 2:02 PM
Mike,
I am getting tired of your assinine comments about my attempts to steer new ..and seasoned riders towards a more safe way of riding. It saves lives....period.
I am NOT steering them away from sidecars. I welcome all new riders...just educating them, and want them to be aware of the danger involved in passengers on the bike.
Please keep your comments to relate to your own preferences,,and not Diss mine at every opportunity.
seems you lurk until I comment, then you slam my point of view...every time.
If you want to comment on the subject please leave me out of it in your personal comments.
I case you DIDNT read all of my post. I told him it is OK, but to make sure the heavier passenger is in the SC.if not, add weight to compensate for the passenger ON the bike..please read again If you are able to.
Every time I mention this you have to add your 2 cents worth..all it is worth ., actually.Gary, as to your choice of bikes...they are fine, as long as the bike and SC are balanced correctly.
As i mentioned...add weight in the sc to keep it balanced correctly.
I'm glad you understand that it IS important to have a balanced rig...passenger on the pillion or not.
The EZ steer is great, but not 'necessary. it will depend on the indevidual and the bike. Ride it yourself, and see if you need it. It can be added later.
I have a LL on my last 2 rigs, and love them. Much easier to steer. in town and also on the back roads.Bob, I said I agreed with you in this case. :0) I don't lurk waiting for you, in fact, if you search all the past posts on this topic you'll see that I usually post before you respond.
OK, Mike,
I saw that.
lets drop it.
ride safe..thats the main thing.
