For the past year I have been looking at sidecar rigs for my (and my wife's) senior years (over 65). We have been riding together for about 40 years and are now ready to try the sidecar route. The Harley Road King/Electra Glide/ Ultra Glide appeals to me more than anything else out there. Searches have come up with very few complete units for sale in the entire US but I did come across a 1999 rig for $22,000 with under 2,000 miles. I would really appreciate some input from you experienced sidehackers. Does this price seem reasonable? Brand new Road King sidecar combos look to be about $27,000 or so.
Thats an great price but you really need to explore all the other units because of handeling...maybe a lighter unit. There is plenty of experts here at this website. Keep looking and good hunting
Ralph,
It's great that you are considering a sidecar now..but a word of advice [warning] make sure your wife rides in the sidecar, not on the back of the bike.if you love her by a;; means insist!!!!
please read the posts labled "ignorant or stupid" much to learn there.
Thanks guys. Right now I am just finishing "Driving a Sidecar Outfit". There are a lot of great tips in this publication (including someone in the sidecar not on the passenger pillion).
You might want to try and find a rally near you and see if you can drive a rig before you spend the money. You might also see if you can drive both a heavier rig (like you are looking for) and a lighter one to see which you prefer to drive.
good luck!
It's nice to know you are reading about proper ways to handle a sidecar. go to this site and sign in...free...you will learn a lot from all the members here.... over 2000 now!!
Post questions and also give your 2 cents worth..we all learn new stuff every day!
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/SCT/
PS I have driven and ridden in sidecars so I'm not a total stranger.
It seems like everybody is getting away from your original question, so I'll give you my impressions.
My wife didn't care for the ride of the Harley Sidecar. She equated it to a boat half full of water. She said it always felt like there was a delay between me cornering and the sidecar following. I always felt that the bike was great when empty, but just never had enough oomph when it was loaded. I should also say that my impressions are dated. The newest combination I rode was a 1996. It was great at 50 mph county roads, but I always found it wanting at Interstate speeds.
It depends greatly on your riding style too. I spend a lot of time on the Interstate with an empty sidecar running around 70 miles a day to and from work. I normally cruise between 70 and 75 mph. Then about once a month a fully loaded 500 mile round trip to see the grandchildren traveling sometimes a bit faster.
Someone else with a different riding style will have an entirely different opinion. If you are already sold on a Harley, I'd say stick to the Ultra and leave it Bone Stock. Seems like I always fixed 'em till they broke.
well- I thought there were more Harley folks here (I've been hanging back, waiting to see what comes up).
I recommend trying other sites also- something Harley spacific, Cycle World forums, SCT (sidecar talk) at Yahoo.
If you are looking for a 'biased' opinion there is a Yahoo site called 'Harleysidecars'. Just kidding abou tthe biased ..I think 🙂
Come on Harley riders what you have to say here? Lonnieeeeee?
Claude, who;s last harley was a '61 pan police bike that he wishes he still had.
I have a 2004 Ultra clasic and Harley sidecar that replaced an 1987 Harley and Motorvation sidecar with all the extras except seatbelt. We have ridden two 3000 mile plus weeks on the rig and find it to be much better than what we had. With the twin cam engine I can ride 75 and 80 all day. The sidecar seems lighter and handles easier than the Motorvation did. There's no tinkering needed. The price was closer to $30,000 but we are more than satisfied.
From the drivers seat:
'98 RK, FI 1340 Stage II Screamin' Eagle with factory chair.
Horsepower is quite adequate. Ride is surprisingly smooth. Empty hack body bobbing on rough roadways is distracting till you get used to it. Stock steering with damper is heavy at best and tiresome with a passenger on board. I recommend raked triple trees for smooth effortless sailing without a damper. Expect 35 to 40 MPG on the road with a normal load.
(Driver used to many rigid mount hacks).
From the monkeys cage: Easy to get in and out of. Ride is similar to sidecars with trailing link suspension. Seating is comfortable. Good elbow room and arm rest area. Good storage. Body suspension gives good isolation from road bumps and jolts. Feels similar to others in turns and the body suspension absorbs hard shocks better than most.
(Passenger, my bride, also used to many rigid mount hacks).
I have a 2005 Ultra Classic w/ Ultra sidecar. It's my first experience with a road going combination. 2500 miles and counting, completely satisfied. The bike is my daily driver. I've never been able to ride this much but now with the space to haul things the automobile gets parked.
I spent some time on both sides of a Triumph 500 enduro hack but it only marginally translates to the Harley. It was kind of neat to do the 3-wheel drift, hang way off the side of the chair thing on wet roads though. A real crowd pleaser.
The Harley doesn't seem to have any particular vices although it did take some time to get used to the road input from the side car wheel. I can see the wisdom of reducing the trail. Tight turns do take some upper body muscle.
Worth the price? For my money it is. I wanted a Harley and I wanted a sidecar. The only real decision was the color.
Bob Heywood
Milwaukee (for now)
I figured I'd posted my story enough here and on other boards that I stay out of this one. Oh well... here's the Readers Digest condensed version. Bought a Ural a couple years ago to see if I'd like riding on three wheels. To see if Archie would take to it. To see if Barb would ride with me again if she could ride in the tub rather than the back seat. Two out of three ain't bad. I loved it. Archie loved it. Barb didn't. The Harley sat gathering dust. Sold the Ural. Ordered a Liberty from Pete in Seattle. Life is good but it's gonna get a whole lot better! Countin' the days...
