Friends, after many, many years of riding solo bikes, the latest being a Goldwing, I have just purchased a 1992 Honda ST1100 which has a Hannigan astrosports sidecar professionally attached. Having had a solo ST1100, I am very familiar with that bike, but not with a SC attached. I have read and re-read Mr. Hal Kendall's Sidecar 2003 book. There is no doubt in my mind that I will have to learn how to drive a rig (or whatever they are commonly referred to) and bear in mind always that they handle completely different than a solo bike.
I reside in Ontario, CA near the SR 60 freeway and the Riverside County line. Being new with this rig, I welcome any and all advice that you may be able to offer. For starters, I would like to know what you all may have used as ballast when you do not have a passenger in the sidecar. Another involves how you all may have been able to safely secure your dog or other pets in the sidecar. Thirdly, the nearest location to my home where I can find someone who knows sidecar rigs and could provide any assistance that I may need as I use this newest mode of transportation.
Al Irwin
Welcome, Al. I'm from the other Ontario, ie: Ontario, Canada. 🙂
I use a 50lb bag of sand in the sidecar seat for ballast whenever my 50lb Bulldog isn't in there, which is not very often.
My dog wears a Pet Smart car harness that clips into a lead secured to an eyebolt in the floor; he has enough room to sit up, lie down and stick his head out around the windshield, but he cannot jump out.
By the way, the ST/Hannigan combo is a good platform. This is an 06 ST1300/Hannigan Super Sport in progress at my shop...
Mike, thank you for the information. It was much appreciated. As a side note, I, too am from Ontario, Canada. Was born in Hamilton and resided out in the farmlands in Hannon, Ontario until at the age of 17, our family moved to Southern California. Been here ever since.
🙂 Remember NO lane splitting. Have fun.
Thanks. 🙂
Do not fly the chair on icy roads. It's bad luck to do so.
Trust me, it will not be done 'on purpose.' 🙂
