Hi Everybody,
I'm new around here and new to the world of Sidecar's. In fact that's why I'm posting. Any tips for a new guy on how to get up to speed on the world of sidecars?
I've been a motorcyclist for the past 10 years or so, and recently I can't get the idea of having a sidecar rig out of my head. I have two kids (4 and 3) and I'd love pull them around town in a sidecar. My wife has indicated an interest in riding in one as well. (She doesn't like riding on the back of my bike.)
So, I turn to you guys to steer me in the right direction. There're so many questions jumbled up in my head I'll just spit them out: Is it better to look for a used sidecar rig or try to have one built for me? Are there any shops that build sidecar rigs near me in Florida? Are there any dealers out there who specialize in sidecar rigs? Is it OK to put kids in sidecars? (Legal, safe, socially acceptable?) Can any motorcycle be used to pull a sidecar, or only certain models?
I've been looking at a Moto Guzzi California Stone / Ural combination in the rigs for sale section of this site. Any comments on that setup?
Thanks for helping out a new guy. I appreciate any guidance you can give me.
Kent,
A great place to get some good info is by clicking on th elink that says sidecar training in my signature below.
The Guzzi / Ural woudl be a great rig.
Kids ,dogs and everyone loves sidecars.
I am formerly from Tampa by the way...now living in Pa. ..sure do miss florida in th ewinter months 🙂
Howdy, Kent!
I'll chime-in with my (very limited) experience on this.
I got involved with sidecars only after poking around in the yahoo SCT group (also listed in Claude's signature line) for about two years; AND taking a sidecar class here in WA State. It was nice to be able to test drive several different combinations (a cruiser/Sputnik and some type of sportbike/Sputnik) - both 400cc and no-frills. One of the other folks there let us try his Ural w/leading link front end too.
After that we went to a Ural dealer to try their product, as well as a couple rallies where we talked with folks about their rigs.
That said, my advice would be check around for rallies in your area; be aware that the sidecar combination will not handle nor perform the way a motorcycle will, and try to take a S/TEP course if you can. Might want to consider joining the USCA - there'll be an S/TEP course at the national rally this year for dirt cheap... but it's in Minnesota!
http://www.sidecar.com/megabbs/thread-view.asp?threadid=4924&posts=6
Tony
'83 R100RT w/Ural sidecar
Lacey, WA
Thanks for the great links and resources. I see I've got a lot of reading to do. I'd love to take something like the STEP course a little closer to home. I'll see if I can link up with some local sidecarists and see what I can learn about training in my area.
Here is a Florda group set up by Richard McClure USCA Florida State Rep:
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Yllcome/
Here is another Florida Sidecar Group:
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/FLSidecar/
Check the following for Training in Florida:
CM III/Motorcycle Rider Instruction Inc.
Gene Gracey
7837 SW 102 Place
Miami, Florida 33173
305-271-4311
MRIRide@aol.com
Motorcycleinstruction.com
Florida Motorcycle Training of Lake County, Inc.
2911 Ruleme St. #6
Eustis, FL 32726
352-589-7233(SAFE)
www.floridamotorcycletraining.com/main.html
Kent,
I am always happy to see a new person coming into the world of sidecars but someone from Fla just makes it better. We do have a Rally coming up in March that would be a great time to see a number of rigs.
Before then drop me an e-mail and we will try to hook up I am just across the bay in Largo, Fla.
You will find my contact info below: http://www.sidecar.com/Maps/florida.htm
Kent,
I have very limited experience, but I'll share what I know. When searching for a rig, and somebody says that you can disconnect the sidecar so you can ride the two-wheeler, have them do it. When I disconnected my Dauntless Liberator, the bottom bracket that remained on the bike stuck out so far that I couldn't lean to the right. My wife and I still rode it on our 4,000 mile vacation that way, but it wasn't as much fun as it could have been, and it was dangerous. To totally remove the bracket would take more of a mechanic than I am.
Mike
Kent, Connie and I have a Suzuki V Strom with a Ural sidecar. We are in Cocoa Beach as i type this, headed for the Keys. We will be in Clearwater next Saturday night (the 19th) (Best Western Sea Stone) if you might be interested in seeing one in person? (I think this is close to Tampa)regards, greg and connie
I'm north of the OP. I started sidecarring by buying a new '06 URAL Tourist LX from Hollowpaw Corvette over in St. Cloud, May '07. That is the cheapest, quickest way to get into a hack rig possible. There is a large collection of Uralogist on http://sovietsteeds.com/ You will find a large contingent of Ural owners right here in central Florida.
Rgds,
Dan
