Well I suppose I ought to introduce myself to the forum. I've certainly lurked long enough. I live in Missouri. I have no sidecar experience, but I'd like to change that. I've been lurking off and on for a couple of years, and have learned a great deal from this forum, and Hal's books.
Last year I pestered Joyce about going for a rid to get a real world impression, but my schedule never allowed me to get up that way. Maybe this spring.
I've also picked Lonnie's mind a little bit about Velorexes more recently.
I currently ride a New Triumph Bonneville, which I adore. I also own an 81 Suzuki GS850gl which will likely be sold in the spring. The wife likes to ride pillion, but only for a hundred miles or so before she's ready to get off. Therein lies the problem. We would like to do some serious traveling. She doesn't want to go that far on the back of a bike, and the thought of logging a thousand miles in the car while my bike sits in the garage nearly brings me to tears.
Enter my hare-brained scheme to get a sidecar. I could feed my motorcycle addiction, and she could travel in relative comfort. The best part is that she thinks it's a good idea as well.
The more I think about putting a sidecar on the best handling bike I've ever owned, the more I think I might buy a seperate dedicated rig. I'm considering buying a GS1100gk for my tug. I have experience working on the GS series bikes it's shaft driven, large displacement, and comes with bags and fairing. Just the thing for racking up some serious mile in comfort I should think.
Likely I will try to buy a decent used chair locally if I can find one. I could use recomendations on what to look for here as I have no idea.
What's the consensus? Will the GS make a good tug? (We are both festively plump by the way, probably 480 lbs between us.) Any suggestions?
I'm looking forward to it. Let's wait for a little warmer day though. The best way to figure out what will suit your needs is to try one or two on for size. Give me a yell. I can probably get at least four different types together for a test ride.
the Suzuki 850 that you already own would make a fine tug. No need to sell it amnd buy something else. Myf amily, all three of us, traveled all over the US in a sidecar attached to a '79 CB750. A nice Velorex or Ural would work just fine for your needs.
Wher are yo located? Maybe I can help you mount a hack to your tug.
Joyce, thanks I'm looking forward to it as well.
Lunatic, thanks for the advice and offer of help. My GS850 is an L model. It has a King Queen seat that gets really uncomfortable after about an hour, and due to a difference in the frame, I can't just replace it with one of the other profile seats. Also the L has a small tank in Suzuki's early effort to produce a cruiser. These are issuse that could be taken care of with some creative fab work, but the 1100GK's can occasionally be found cheap, and have about 30 more horse to boot. I figured it made sense, though I am not married to the idea. I might even consider another GS850, just not an L.
I live north of Kansas City, MO. I just updated my profile.
The old Suzi GS850 is a good starting point, very reliable and strong enough ...
You know her and she does know you...
Better stay with something you can trust in, then fiddle with something "abused".
2 cent from Costa Rica.
btw to the rest of the gang: My Jolly Roger2 is on strike. she didn't like the 2 month in the repairshop and has no spark right now....
Sven Peter Pan
2 cm of foam made the difference on my Honda CB650 some >20 years ago.
That Lady made 148.000km with me through mayor part of Europe.
Sven
