I am a 69 year old Harley rider. I have owned and driven a Hog for 50 years. But it's getting harder each year to keep me and the wife up on 2 wheels. I drive an "Ultra" and need to make up my minde to leave the ball & chain at home (FAT CHANCE) or get a sidecar, or training wheels. My 2005 Ultra Hog is paid for so I'm not in the market for a trike. The sidecar looks like it will be the way to go. Can anyone help me with info on a good brand, and a good setup on the bike,such as brakes on the car, steering help etc. We do a lot of long distance touring, freeway, and back "twisty" roads, but no dirt. I live in southern Oregon and have the Rocky Mt. to pull wher ever we go, so will weight, or turning radius be a factor? How about universal mount, vs. bike specific mount? Thanks for any help you can give me. I'll BE looking forward to your answers.
With that kind of a bike, I think there are two clear choices: You can get a Harley sidecar or you can get a Liberty sidecar ( http://www.libertysidecars.com/) I'm not a Harley guy, but I think these sidecars look great next to a Harley. Liberty also has a modified triple tree setup that will reduce your steering effort. (Full disclosure - I have a BMW/EZS sidecar rig that was put together by the folks at Liberty) I'm sure you'll get lots of suggestion, so sit back and take it all in.
Good luck!
I think the Liberty is the way to go. I have had the Harley. Liberty is in Seattle.The Owner of Downtown Harley Davidson, Russ Tom, rides Liberty as does his Father,Carmen Tom, the Previous Owner and avid sidecarist.I have seen a Fatboy Russ had Pete put a Liberty on (Evo) and an Ultra 95 Inch Twincam with Liberty. Nice. I relate about problem holding the bike up due to injured ankle. Best of Luck.Should be able to do a search for Liberty or EZS (another brand they sell)to get to their Great Website. Bob Novarino
Click on this link and it will take you right to the Liberty Site:
http://www.libertysidecars.com/
Another sidecar you may wish to consider is the Champion Legend.
Click here:'
http://www.championsidecars.com/sidecars/accessories.aspx
The Motorvation Spyder also has a nice classic look but it is smaller.
http://www.motorvation.com/
The Ural sidecars are also a noce match for a Harley.
http://www.wagnerscycle.us/owners/
LAK makes some nice looking sidecar for Harley too but they are overseas. I only know of one in thsi country but there are probably more.
Take a look here:
http://www.laksidecars.nl/EN/EN.htm
Watsonian? Different look but a real nice matchup:
http://sidestrider.com/wats.htm
L & W Body
Merle Wolfe
1711 State Road
Duncannon, PA 17020
Phone: 717 – 957-3345
Fax: 717 – 957-4898
Email: lwsidecar@desupernet.net
Sidecar Name: L & W Body
Sidecar Models: Replicas of 1913-1967 Harley-Davidson Sidecars
Yes, there are other choices too. Just try and get something that is heavy enough for good stability and you will be happy. Be warned that sidecar are very addictive. Many folks have wondered why they waited so long to get one.
Oh..Stacy Goff who fequesnts this board has anice Champion Legend for sale at a good price . Email is: HOSERSBG@aol.com
I've got a Liberty on my '96 FLHTCU and am extrememly happy with it. Pete is a very good guy to deal with throughout the process. Be sure to do the raked triple tree also, you'll be glad you did me thinks...
The biggest decison is how well your wife can get in and out of the SC. At your ages that might make a big difference.
top entry cars are not 'too' hard to get into, but a bear to get out of.
she will have to crawl up and into the car, and have good arm strength and low weight to get out easily.
If you have problems, its better to get a flip open type. just flip up the front end and sit down like in an auto.
Oh man! Thanks Claude for juming in. I love the way the Motorvation Spyder looks and have seen some nice matings with Harley's - there was a nice looking rig at Griffith Park this year and I also ran into a good looking Champion rig with an Indian at The Rock Store the day before the rally.
Clearly, there are many great choices - it comes down to what works best for you. I have to admit I get carried away with the Liberty rigs - I see a lot of them around here!
This is a cool part of the process - researching and deciding what works for your situation. Good luck!
I have the same concern about your wife getting in and (especially) out of the sidecar. (I have the same issue with son Luke even with a "flip nose" California. You need decent arm strength to exit a flip nose.
You might want to look at the Motorvation Formula II.
Ol' Sidecar Ron
If all else fails, I guess you could help her!
Scott,
Since you are in Phoenix, I would suggest talking to the gang at D&S Harley about a Motor Company chair.
My bride is 66+ of average stature and in good health and fitness.
As a Partner in a sidecar shop, she has been the passenger in many Marques of sidecars. Here are some of her observations.
Most all of the "Top loaders" are somewhat difficult to get in and out of.
Motorvation: She has a tough time getting out of the Spyder, seat not that comfortable.
MV Formula II: OK for entry and exit but too wide for her comfort.
CSC or Champion without a flip front: Uncomfortable, fagaddaboutit.
With Flip front: She doesn't the looks anyway.
URAL: Comfortable, she likes the ease of entry and egress but lacks wind protection and the trunks leak badly.
Liberty: Likes the looks and quality but tough to exit.
Texas Ranger: Sides too low for comfort, no arm rests.
Harley: She likes our latest Harley "Banana" just fine.
You can tell them I sent you,
Lonnie Cook
Northwest Sidecar
We have had a non flip front Motorvation Formula II for quite a few years now. Wife likes it but, yes, she woudl sure like to have a flip front. As faqr as th ewidth goes it is a wide seat, as Lonnie, mentioned. My wife carries a pillow with her to keep her from sliding from side to side. We also take out the Motorvation seat for long trips and install a seat our of a Dodge car in it. Lots more comfy and can lay it down too.
When researching sidecars the fact if there is a top avaiable as an option may also be a factor. Some have them and some do not. Most any sidecar can have a top of some sort rigged to it though if one uses some imagination.
We also have a Watsonian Palma. She likes it too but the issue with it is that it has high sides and not much elbow room when the flip front is down. Many of these in Europe have been widened due to this. That is now on my 'list' of things to do. Should get to it before 2010 if lucky.
Claude
Hey Claude, we gonna compete if a MV Flip Formula II shows up for sale? Actually, Kurt doesn't think I'd like the width/handling, but I know my back would sure welcome not having to lift Luke up from the seat. We even tried one of those chair assist seats, but it raises him up pretty high in the hack.
Ron
No competition here Ron. If one comes up grab it. In fact my Formula II is for sale...2000 bucks. It could be converted to a flip front. You could convert what you have too.
If getting in and out is an issue, then consider one of the specialty sidecar makers/installers that will rig up a seat that will rise up to help getting out easier, maybe in combination with a flip front of some description. My flip front entry sidecar (EZS Summit) is easy to get in, because you walk in and sit down, but getting out is another story as it is like you are are sitting on the ground with your legs straight out in front of you.
I believe Dauntless can do something like this and it seems there are others, but I dont' remember who they are. Anyone?
Claude, my ol' Calif. has a flip nose, but it's still tough to get Luke out. as you may recall, I even put a little higher seat in it (Jeep aftermarket) to raise him up a tad. The issue is that he won't/doesn't use his hands to lift his butt off the seat so I need to lift him to get him started. The Form II would let him swing his legs out to the side and (I think) be a lot easier for both of us.
Ron
