Hello from new member

welcome from Massachusetts. Take your time learning about the rig .... they are very different than 2 wheels

Stan

Hello Malcolm and welcome! A hearty e-shake of the hand to ya.

Welcome

Malcom, you soon will say too:
"Why didn't I do that long ago?"

That happens to all of us. Even I at the age of 23 did say it to myself.
A rig is much more versatile then the solo.
Only take care. It is a complete different animal and you need to learn fresh from new. The dangerous moment comes when you start to feel comfortable.

"It is never too late for a happy childhood!"
Enjoy with your wife every moment.
Sven

I would suggest if you can find one close by that you take a sidecar training class. I was a "youngster" of 65 years when I went to sidecars and have never looked back. Basically, you'll be unlearning all you know about riding two wheels, and learning new skills for three wheels. I doubt you'll have any trouble but do ride slowly and carefully for a while.

Thanks for the encouragement.

Malcolm

Several years ago, I attempted to ride my son-in-law's Spider with no instructions or warnings about how it handled. My journey consisted driving out of the driveway and leaning into a left turn while the bike continued straight across the street to the opposite curb. At least I've talked to several experienced sidecar riders who will give me a hand and have read a lot about what to expect.

I was supposed to have my Ural delivered today but the dealer who is 190 miles away, called and said his delivery truck blew the transmission so I probably have another week to wait. I'm concerned about buying a vehicle with the support so far away but we have no dealer in San Diego.

In the meantime, I had a prospect look at my '79 BMW today. He wanted to buy it but wanted his dad's opinion so his dad took it out and promptly jumped the curb and dumped it in a neighbor's yard. Sold!

Hope my first ride on the Ural is more successful. Malcolm

Welcome, I'm a new comer here myself just getting started at 70. Found this helpful on what to expect http://motorvation.com/scmanul1.htm . I purchased the so-called yellow book "Driving A Sidecar Rig" it has a series of specific driving instructions for the beginner. Kind of expensive though and has a lot of redundant beginner motorcycle rider stuff.

Thanks. I'll look at those.

Malcolm

Malcolm

Welcome. Not all that hard. Just go slow. I taught myself how to handle a rig about two years ago. I'm now 72 and have three rigs. Have logged about 13,000 miles in that time.
There is a lot of good information on this site. I encourage you to stay involved here.

Mike in MS

That were very good reminders to: "Television spoils person, We are no supermen."
The spider and the yard awakening story were the kind of story that should make you consider.
"first step First!
Nobody was born learned!
Step by step You get very far"

I smiled to both stories as with cars, motorcycles, rigs, Vespas (it ain't a motorcycle at all but it gained my deep respect) AND video games I had a simular experiences,
all scratches and touch downs I did in the first few month.
I am generally a slow reacting person, therefore I am a bummer at video games. I love fishing, so my kids got a "bass fishing video game".

First wiggle in the !rod! as a nice bass bite.....The game command landed behind me against the wall ....
....as I gave it the hook seating hit.

Exactly something like that is the most problable to happen and the most dangerous that !will! happen.
Be aware of it!
The dangerous moment comes when you start to feel comfortable.
Then you will react as solo rider.
(It happened to me too the other way round....I reacted on the enduro as rig pusher between 2 open sewer tops....
still do not know how I passed between them without droping into one!)

Good luck to you Malcom and enjoy every second.
Take your time and learn to ride the new animal in the "right" sequence. It ain't your old bike due to be a rig and on top still a Ural is way different to a beemer.

Sven

I'll admit to having a problem with patience and am self-taught in most everything (except for flying where I had no choice.) I play 8 or so instruments, but, being self-taught shows because I didn't master fundamental techniques which does make some things more difficult. When I got a 5-string banjo, I decreed I would take lessons and do it right but quit after a few. I can get along in a band but do have limitations. So, with plenty of awareness of the need to "do it right" and the potential consequences of not mastering the fundamental skills needed to ride a rig I WILL approach it very cautiously. As far as I know, there are no rig riding lessons available in my area (I don't even know anyone who has one) so I will have to follow the reading material I have (Ural has a good tutorial and I have other good recommendations) and other advice from the forum. I may post my progress so you guys can jump in. One thing that will help is that the Ural requires a slow break-in which will keep me from being tempted to jump the gun.

Malcolm - San Diego

Hello Malcom,
from San Diego to Santa Barbara CA is not very far. There is a recognized Ural shop that should give you an introduction.
The how to ride a Ural manual is pretty good.
When my son entered into licence classes and another Lady showed up, shortly after I wrote a brief manual in Spanish.
If that helps you, here is the link:
http://foro.foroural.es/index.php?topic=121.0
Or try with a translater programm.

My first day on 13. Dec.1986 was the way IT SHOULD NOT BE DONE:

First traffic light first fuse.
second traffic light second fuse.
1 km a flying off wheel cover nearly shot me down.
first 145km 3 times straight into the pasture.
Next day I whacked off a road side plock on the left side of the road with the lower front joint of the rig and my knee. (motocross knee and spline protectors are better then any insurance)
3 weeks later in Norway I did a 3/4 salto mortale in the left ditch of the road in 1m deep powder snow.

The bike got to stand on its number plate and I kept hanging from it from the upper middle strut by my right leg like a pig to slaughter.
Head deep in the fresh snow choking.
Not until a few weeks later I recieved my German manual that is translated here in the link section.
Upper row most right: http://sidecar.com/links3.asp

My best bet is.
first read completely what You can get hand on.
Take the manuals to a parking lot and practice hopefully with somebody from here or the soviet steeds forum
Go and ride with a a hundredweight inside the trunk on gravel roads together with a few strong friends as Plan B backup.
The gravel roads show you the fast way to train the muskle reactions needed for rig pushing.
Best go into light traffic on pavement until after the body recieved and learned well this reaction training.

It is important to get this new "equilibrium reaction shortcut":
inner ear sensor, brain, shoulder push and BU*TT-sensor.

You hear right. the equilibrium sense and the four letter sensor need to become "hotwired".

Do not use primary the arm strengh, that wears you out, but use primary the whole trunk and the shoulders for stearing.
Rig riding is a good body training you will not get in any gymnasium training studio.
The first few weeks you will become sour, after that You will feel well trained after each few miles on the road.

In Yukon I became so "hotwired" that when I stepped off the rig and moved my shoulders several times I nearly stepped over and fell.
In fact I felt pretty tipsy walking on my feet.
As we say home in North Germany. "The sailor who cannot walk on solid ground".

You will see. It is good each morning to wake up and feel the body ...Start to worry you wake up some morning and nothing aches.
A kind of Sarcasm you will soon understand much better. It is not bad at all, just difficult to follow for all those rocker chair buddies who stay home.
You two definitely seem not to belong to that gang.
Well so!.

Best wishes.
Sven