I have been debating attaching a side car to my present suzuki savage 650 (most sidecarists on the savage BBS chooze a Cozy) and not owning a solo rig which would get me sidecarring sooner than saving up for a second rig.
But I am concened that I will miss leaning around curves. My question is "How Fun is Piloting a Sidecar" ? Will I miss leaning around turns or is it just plain fun to work on mastering the many interesting facets of sidecar operation that I have read about in the downloads on this site.
Do most of you own solo bikes too? How often do you take the sidecar rig?
I have three bikes, but only two are running. A 98 FLHT w/ 2004 TLE That I take out on weekends. A 2006 FXDBI which I use for commuting to work. And a 71 Aermacchi Sprint that I'm trying to put together when ever I find parts.
They're all fun in their own ways. I'm still pritty new to riding with a sidecar, so I'm still learning the fine art of riding with three wheels. The sidecar rig handles different. As you know you can't lean in turns anymore, so I take corners alot slower. I can't split lanes on it, but I also don't have to put my feet down when I stop, or look for the side stand when I park. But I can give my dog a ride in it ( which he loves ), and it draws alot of attention. People come up to me and ask questions, and tell me how much they like the rig every time I take it out.
My solo rig has quite a few commuting miles on it, but I still take it out for other short rides. It's not as comfortable as the bagger, but it's perfect for local rides as long as I don't need to carry anything. It's foot pegs are grounded off at the ends from aggresive cornering.
Then there's the project bike that I'll wrench on when ever I can't go out riding. Which expains why it's still not running.
Originally written by horseshoe_george on 8/22/2007 8:26 AM
I have been debating attaching a side car to my present suzuki savage 650 (most sidecarists on the savage BBS chooze a Cozy) and not owning a solo rig which would get me sidecarring sooner than saving up for a second rig.
But I am concened that I will miss leaning around curves. My question is "How Fun is Piloting a Sidecar" ? Will I miss leaning around turns or is it just plain fun to work on mastering the many interesting facets of sidecar operation that I have read about in the downloads on this site.
Do most of you own solo bikes too? How often do you take the sidecar rig?
My sidecar experience has gone in streaks. In the late 60's I bought a Harley with a car on it, got teased a little about the "old man bike", and it got pulled off. Once in a while we'd dig it out to haul a keg. In 1980, as an expectant parent, I bought one that I would hang on the bike whenever I wanted to take the family and pull it off on Sunday night for commuting. Shortly after that I decided it was easier to have a second bike. It didn't take long to notice that I was taking the sidecar rig to work to bring home a toolbox, or to pick up a case of beer on the way home, or to buy groceries. Every time I rode the two wheeler I would find myself saying, "If I had the sidecar here...", The last non-sidecar bike was a Honda TransAlp, which I dearly loved. One day I discovered I had put less than 300 miles on it in the last two riding seasons combined. My income is not such that I can justify owning something I don't use. I sometimes miss it, but if it was here it would be setting unused in the corner. Now I'm looking at purchasing my first Guzzi, but I'm already researching what sidecar I will mount.
For the last 20yr's I have only used a sidecar . I have more miles on a rig than I have on two wheels and I started rideing in 1943 with my dad on a Henderson rig
50/50 some days I ride the sidecar, some days the DR650. Best to have a sidecar AND a motorcycle, rather than one or the other.
I do ride my rigs solo some, but I would miss the fun of riding solo. I have several solo bikes, and they are what I normally ride when solo.
I love sidecaring, but I got into them because of Connie's medical issues.
If you really enjoy riding solo,and if there is no extraneous reason for getting adding the car, I think you might be disappointed.
i don't miss the the 2 wheeler.....
not one bit.....
i think i'll go for a ride!!!
I have recently gone to a sidecar on my Valk as my knees were complaining too much about holding up the weight.
T miss the banking and the "rhythm of the road" but it's a funny thing. My son's Valkyrie sits in the garage next to mine. I can ride his anytime but I haven't rode on two wheels since I went to three. I don't quite understand it but I like the rig.
wayne
I've attached quite a few Velorex 562's to the Savage 650's. Standards and Euro models. They are easy to install needing only one U-clamp strap fabricated for the large single down tube. They are a good fit with the Savage and I think a more esthetically pleasing rig than the Cozy's.
Lonnie
Northwest Sidecars
1- Harley/563T rig,
1- Honda GL/700C rig, (for sale)
0- Solo bikes.
i have a nice midnight warrior in my garage that only has a few hundred miles on it while in the same time i have put about six thousand on my v-star rig.being able to stop at the store and get things,plus i've grown accustomed to not worrying about wet grass or gravel on the road make a rig a much more satisfying ride for me anymore.can't wait to to get the car on the warrior.
I have two solo bikes, '75 Honda CB750K5 and '78 Yamaha XS750E.
(I have another one '79 Yamaha XT500F but it's currently PNO'ed.)
I got into sidecaring because I want to take my 3-year old son with me.
I have less than a year experience in sidecaring.
I enjoy both!
They are completely different things.
But I am sure if I don't own solo bikes I will miss leaning.
Slow right hand turns are the biggest complaint with my sidecar rig ('71 BSA A65T + '90 Velorex 562C). I think you will feel the same as a beginner.
Hopefully you will have good setup so you can drive with the traffic after getting used to it.
I am currently building free-leaner rig.
Best of both worlds?
I can tell you within a few months (hopefully).
I have put about 5000 miles on my rig in the last year, and I like it better than the two wheelers I've had in the past. It doesn't let you lean over or split lanes, but I like to "monkey" around on it while turning and I like the stability. My wife won't ride two up, but like the sidecar a lot. That's a big decider for me. My dog's not interested, but when we get a young one I'm going to train him/her to it from the start.
Besides, you can hot rod a two wheeler all you want and no one really looks, but when you come around a good right hander and fly the car past them they sprain their necks looking. Pete
Hello
I use a two wheeler for commuting a 50 mile round trip in London traffic, sidecar outfit for weekends and rallies.
Regards
Barry
i bought a suzuki hayabusa in may for my solo bike.
i have a harley electraglide & sidecar also. i ride
both for different experiences. both are wonderful
machines. one captures the essence of pure motorcycling
and the other is a SIDECAR RIG. you will find everyone
loves sidecars and you'll put a lot of smiles on peoples faces
and have the joy of doing it.
