How big does my bike need to be for a sidecar?

For the purpose you describe a 650 CC mid '80s Yamaha XS or XJ, A CB Honda or Shadow would be good candidates. Easy installation, good solid bikes with low maintenance and adequate power. Many are available at affordable prices.
Not freeway tourers but great for the back roads and highways.
A used 562 Velorex or other lighter sidecar would work well with any of these.

Lonnie
Northwest sidecars

so after a sensible answer

Hi dc2005: I stumbled across this ad for a rig which might work well for you, but it is a long way away tho: Austin Texas area: $3450-1996 MZ Scorpion (Yamaha) with professionally installed Velorex Sidecar built by Perry's Sidecars of Fort Worth. 13,000 Miles. Ready to go. Needs Nothing. Very clean and well maintained. Strong single cylinder with Genesis 5 valve head. Gets 40+ MPG. Price is negotiable. You won't find a better or cheaper sidecar on a sporty fun to ride bike. I am located just north of Georgetown, in Florence. Call 972-841-8516.See more info & pics here: http://austin.craigslist.org/mcy/1322712096.html

The MZ is a German motorcycle.
Does this one have a Yamaha engine?

Lonnie

No, before MZ went bankrupt last year (it was reopened something like a month ago by 2 sport drivers) they used the austrian Rotax engine that is basically nearly the same as the BMW 650 single cylinder engine.
Possibly with carburettor as the Jawa 650 that is using the same block too.
It is much better now then in the early 80tees when Rotax had not the best reputation in our area except for Motocross.

In relation to the original question: If your area is flat and cold and you have no big racing ambitions even a small rig can be fun. (as my 250 MZ 86 to 89) but as soon faster driving or mountain range is on a frequent schedule.... do yourself a favour and get something over 650, better 850 or more. Watercooling and 4 stroke is in long steep slopes the optimum.
You need more torque then power with the rig.

Regards
Sven

Hello

Some of the later MZ models used Yamaha engines.

Barry

Hmm, that is new to me.
Though I do know of quite a few people in my times in Germany who put in the Yami SR500 or XS400 engines into their MZ frames for to get rid of the 2 stroker.
Sven

I had an interest in purchasing a MZ Skorpion Traveller with the Yamaha 660 engine/tranny back in 2000, but ended up with a BMW F650, which I promptly crashed. If I recall correctly, MZ sourced the Yamaha engine only for the Skorpion models. Here's some info from the web:The MZ Skorpion (1994-2003) was stylishly designed (by acclaimed Brits Seymour-Powell) single using a Yamaha engine which proved a refreshingly able antidote to Japanese fours in the mid-to-late 90s. Light, lithe, affordable, generally reliable and reassuringly practical. The MZ Skorpion is powered by the acclaimed five-valve unit from Yamaha’s XTZ660 trailie. Manages to at once deliver semi-respctable revs and top end performance (110mph certainly isn’t to be sniffed at from a 600-odd cc single) with traditional thumper virtues of easy torque and characterful flexibility. Generally solid and easy-going, too, at least once the stiff-ish Yamaha gearchange has slackened off.From: http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikereviews/searchresults/Bike-Reviews/MZ/MZ-Skorpion-660-1994-03/

I would consider checking Craigs list and e-bay for a good used set up rig. If you are patient there are good metric deals that are less expensive than Urals. I spoke with a fellow in Thomaston Maine the other day that had a great looking and running Yamaha 650 with a Veloex and was looking to sell for what he had in it so he could move on to Harley Sportster rig. Rigs are out there, although they are a little hard to find sometimes.

If you don't need to go on freeways and keep on city streets, your Rebel would work with a light sidecar, a Velorex or an old Spirit Eagle, California Companion would work. A sprocket change to give a lower gear ratio would help. The Velorex was designed for a 250/350 cc bike. Doug

Doug Hasert - 8/31/2009 6:52 AM

If you don't need to go on freeways and keep on city streets, your Rebel would work with a light sidecar, a Velorex or an old Spirit Eagle, California Companion would work. A sprocket change to give a lower gear ratio would help. The Velorex was designed for a 250/350 cc bike. Doug

My daughter rides a 2002 250cc Rebel. You are correct in that you would need to stay off freeways with a sidecar attached. In fact, it's marginal on freeways as a solo given the fact that absolute top speed is 70 mph and on a typical day in California they are running closer to 75/80 mph.

There's not much of a frame for a sidecar on the smaller bikes, either.

Personally, I would like to see at least a 650/750 cc bike for sidecar work with my personal preference either a Goldwing 1800 or a Harley but that's just me, LOL.

"If you don't need to go on freeways and keep on city streets, your Rebel would work with a light sidecar, a Velorex or an old Spirit Eagle, California Companion would work. A sprocket change to give a lower gear ratio would help. The Velorex was designed for a 250/350 cc bike. Doug"

Doug,
You might do a bit more research before posting your one size fits all 250/350 cc comment on the Velorex sidecars.
The original Jawa/Velorex cars were designed for 350/500cc machines but Velorex is one of the few sidecar manufacturers that have upgraded their product through the years so they now are compatible with most of the modern day cruiser bikes. The early 562E and 562S models with their 15mm axles and light suspension are long discontinued. The 562C Cruisers and the 563T Tour sidecars have many chassis,frame,suspension changes but they still use the classic 562S roadster body.
They are much different animals.

Lonnie
Northwest Sidecars

I was thinking of the earlier ones. I had 2 560's and 2 562 Velorexes over the years and they had the small axle . Mounted on BMW R75 and an R90. I was merely stating that for what they want, a Velorex will work and can be found for arround $1000. Especially they are on budget.