How to get the wife on board and where to rent

If you can't find a rental perhaps either find a sidecar owner who would show you his/her rig and maybe give your wife a short test ride? Carney Robertson (a forum member) did that for us when we lived in Louisiana and it was instrumental in convincing my wife to go with a sidecar. Carney even let me putt around the parking lot for a few minutes. Even at parking lot speeds you can tell just how different a sidecar rig drives. I had read about "turn right when you accelerate, turn left when you decelerate" but I didn't appreciate that motorcycles don't ever really travel at constant speed. It's a continual speed adjustment and rolling on and off the throttle to maintain speed causes the bike to veer back and forth as you adjust speed - kind of a controlled zig-zag. If you can't find anyone, maybe a trip to a Ural dealer and ask for a demo?

My bride likes the hack over riding B**** on a bike as she has a front seat to the world and can dress as she wishes instead of having to "Butch up" for a solo bike ride. She can wear shorts and sandals if she wishes and take along a big tote (or whatever). No more not moving around at the stop lights and the ability to get confortable withoout affecting the balance or the driver. She can read a book if she wishes and write in her journal about things of interest during the day.
We're heading for the Canadian Rockies (Banff, Jasper and the Columbia ice fields) in 10 days to celebrate our 50th Anniversary.

No sidecar rentals I know of, just solo bikes.

Lonnie

Can't help with any info on rentals, your best bet might be to check with a sidecar dealer or manufacturer in case they might have a used unit you could rent. When my wife and I started discussing getting a rig we were lucky in that I knew a fine gentleman in another club who piloted a rig. At a rally, he agreed to give my wife a test ride so she could see what the experience was like. I knew him to be a safe and responsible driver and someone who wouldn't try to impress (scare) her with any antics on a first ride. He did a great job, Cathy came back smiling and excited about getting a rig. So I'd recommend the "ride with a friend" approach if you can arrange it.

As for the ride itself, make sure your passenger has what's needed to be comfortable on the ride-- warm clothing if the weather might be cold, cool drinking bottle if the weather will be hot, and so forth. We never leave home without Cathy having maps, a book, her GPS, drink bottle and snacks, Gerbing electric jacket liner, and a blanket in the sidecar. Even in cold weather she keeps smiling 'cuz she can just crank up the dial and unfold the blanket if things get too cool. Nothing discourages a passenger more quickly than being physically uncomfortable on the ride.

Good luck, and let us know how it turns out!

Best,

GTRider

If we knew where you lived it might be a bit easier to find someone to volunteer a ride.

Thanks for all the input folks. Primarily thinking of practicing my gear and throttle control until the next S/TEP class I can get to. Once I have the smooth starts and stops, I'll work on the handling characteristics.

Sorry, we are in Pittsburgh, PA. I updated my profile

Hack'n - 7/10/2011 11:13 AM We're heading for the Canadian Rockies (Banff, Jasper and the Columbia ice fields) in 10 days to celebrate our 50th Anniversary. No sidecar rentals I know of, just solo bikes. Lonnie

Congratulations. Are you taking your rig? That should be one incredible ride.

Yep! Big Red with the two of us, my grip and a big pile of Judy's "stuff". Our Canadian riding Bud's were going to meet up with us in northern Idaho but family obligations intervened.

Lonnie

Hack'n - 7/10/2011 11:13 AM
... We're heading for the Canadian Rockies (Banff, Jasper and the Columbia ice fields) in 10 days to celebrate our 50th Anniversary.....
Lonnie

Hey Lonnie: Y'all post up stories and pic if you can. 🙂