Ok here goes: I ride a 1997 HD roadking and have been riding for many years. My wife and I have a baby on the way and am considering a sidecar as a way to transport my child. I know nothing about them. How hard is it to ride a bike with a sidecar? what would be the best sidecar for my bike, I like the looks of the velorex 565 from the webpage. Is a sidecar a good idea for my new adventure. My wife rides her own bike. Is a sidecar safe for a young child? can seatbelt be put in them? Would I have to modify my bike for the sidecar? I am hoping not! I like the velorex because of the convertable top but not sure how well it is ventilated. Just how confertable are sidecars to ride in and how safe? Can anyone help!
http://www.sidecar.com/links3.asp
I just went through all this with the members of the board and I don't think you would want to be riding around with a baby. Here is the link to the sidecar guides by Hal Kendall and others for you to read. It takes a while to download SC Manual and SC OP but it will be well worth your reading by the experts who published these guides. I agree, they are so nice and look great, but you have to be prepared for a complete change from a motorcycle ride. Everything is different. Good Luck and a lot of knowledgable people here to help you. I would read the guides by Hal first and then ask questions, I did it the opposite way but I think you can make an informed opinion after reading and then asking.
Dennis
Many people for years have had childern in thier sidecars. Other sidecars to look at that we can help you with include the Kenna $2495, Ural $2695, Champion Legend or Escort. Or we also have two seat sidecars if you want your wife to ride with the child in the sidecar these include the double Kenna, Daytona and Liberator.
Taking a S/tep class and also reading the book "Driving a sidecar outfit" ($24.95) would be a good idea.
Jay Giese
Dauntless Motors Corporation
www.dauntlessmotors.com
"have a baby on the way and am considering a sidecar as a way to transport my child. I know nothing about them."
I don't think anybody REALLY understands them. As far as reading material goes, try Dr Spock and Dr Sueisse (sp?)
HDRoadking
I am leaving this forum and hope you well. But, I will tell you one thing and that is there are people on this board who make their living selling sidecars and installing them. Isn't it funny that for some odd reason they absolutely have nothing negative to say about sidecars. They give you no negatives. Maybe better to take information from an expert who has nothing to profit by what is said. Jay and Hackn sure know their stuff, but they profit by every one they talk into buying a sidecar. They have no idea as to whether it will take you a day or 4 years to learn how to handle one. In the meantime anyone you give a ride to between that learning curve is suseptable to your mistake. Just read Kendall's guide because he covers everything. I used to ride my son around on my tractor in a back seat right behind my tractor seat when I lived in the country and also when cutting the acreage around. People would say why do you ride your baby around in that tractor like that. Then I would tell them off, now I realize how stupid it really was to do that. Kid loved it though as the first word he ever spoke to us was "Tractor".
While I think Dennis may be over reacting to some of Hal's anecdotes, and barring laws to the contrary, everyone has the right to choose thier own level of risk, you may want to rethink transporting a new babe in a sidecar, particularly with your level of experience. A sidecar can be as safe as any motorized conveyance for a young child in proper gear, but it probably is not the best place for an infant or toddler.
Were I in your place, I would get the sidecar, learn how to drive it and spend the next few years getting some experience with it, while the babe is growing and learning to walk. When the child is old enough to fit into kids moto gear, he would be ready for sidecar excursions and by then you would be a seasoned sidecar pilot.
just my opinion and worth what you paid for it 😉
Originally written by HD roadking on 9/10/2005 5:47 PM
Ok here goes: I ride a 1997 HD roadking and have been riding for many years. My wife and I have a baby on the way and am considering a sidecar as a way to transport my child. I know nothing about them. How hard is it to ride a bike with a sidecar? what would be the best sidecar for my bike, I like the looks of the velorex 565 from the webpage. Is a sidecar a good idea for my new adventure. My wife rides her own bike. Is a sidecar safe for a young child? can seatbelt be put in them? Would I have to modify my bike for the sidecar? I am hoping not! I like the velorex because of the convertable top but not sure how well it is ventilated. Just how confertable are sidecars to ride in and how safe? Can anyone help!
DennisL,
In the 15 or more e-mails you sent me, I did my best to answer your questions about sidecars general and specific. I don't recall trying to talk you into buying one of my products. I do recall telling you that if you chose to buy a sidecar to be sure that WHOEVER your vendor was, to be sure they install what they sell and offer after sales support. So that in the event you have a problem down the road they will be able to help you overcome it.
I would imagine that Jay offered you the same advice.
Just want to keep the record clear,
Lonnie Cook
Northwest Sidecar
Licensed and Insured Washington Motorcycle and Sidecar dealer.
Member in good standing, AMA, USCA and Sidecar Industry Council.
Dennis is/was pretty nervous on several counts, a lot of it having to do with his ostomy bag. As one does a lot more wrangling with a sidecar and using your stomach muscles so much more- I think rightly so. He's also frustrated that he got a bike for it's looks more than it's handling- especially at his age. He's got a point about dealers, but they are a bit like lawyers and cops- nobody likes them until they need one. On the other hand, if you've never made your living that way, just remember that everytime you point one finger, there are 3 pointing back at you. I happen to know that it's full of hard decisions like; Do I shoot that customer or myself?!
Good luck Dennis. To paraphrase an Irish toast- May the wind always be in your face.
Mr Road King got de-railed;
There are different opinions on your questions. A bit controversial, actually. How old is this kid? If he needs a car seat, I vote no on riding alone. Mom holding him OK. He'll at least need eye protection. Also, depending on age, Mom will need to hold him for reassurance. Or he may want to sop and get a 6-pack and cigarettes. Need more info on all this. If there's notheing to hold on to, then a seat belt might held in-board stability, but otherwise I vote no on seatbelts, too.
I only look at Harleys, but I don't think any permanent mods need take place. There are several people here with HDs, so I imagine we'll hear from them any minute.
I personally think the Velorex is a bit too light for a RoadKing, but we've recently had some controvery about that, too. Carrying ballast and keeping the "track" as wide as possible helps. IMO, esp in the early stages of the learning curve, it's too esy to make "OMG!" style mistakes.
This is exciting news! We have a new service; if you're thinking of putting the kid in the SC and an adult on the rear fender, 3 of us will come out and beat you with a shovel at no cost to you. (Well, if we need to use our own shovel, there is a nominal fee).
Hope this helps some initially. I'm sure others will be along any minute now...
What's it like to ride a sidecar (sorry- forgot that part)?
I consider a SC a semi-permanent modification, some an accessory. In any event, the addition of a SC mysteriously makes your bike disappear. You will then have a hack, rig, boat and tug, whatever, but nothing that resembles a MC except for looks if you look at it from the L side. Everyone will tell you to download the Kendal books here. Personally, I don't know how to do that, but you can order CD's, or DVDs- they look like little silver records (anyone remember what those are?). I think David Houghs book is a decent overview and is OK to get you started. The main thing is trying to get into a beginners mind and be willing to discover cause and effect, then learn about how to prevent/correct/set up (as in curves- not just attachment) In short, you steer a rig, not ride it, and it's a lot more work.
You need to do some google time looking up sidecars. There are really cool ones in Australia and England, too. Here in the States, they don't get in this site I don't think, but Motorvation has some good rigs, one of which would look perfect on a HD.
Liberty Sidecars in Seattle also has some nice Harely specific sidecars. Dauntless is always worth a look; actually you have lots of cool choices for that bike! I have always been attracted to the Motorvation Spyder and I have driven rigs set up with the Champion Legend, which is a beautiful, classic looking sidecar with a big windshield( might be a consideration for a wife and child hauler). Side Stryder has the Watsonian line. Take your time and enjoy shopping!
Another consideration I don't think anyone has mentioned yet. When deciding which sidecar is right for you and your passengers is ease of entry/exit. Do the passengers have to climb in over the fender or step in just forward of it...
Well these were very interesting posts about sidecars. Not at all what I wanted to hear but I do appreciate all your input. I was in hopes that a sidecar would be my answer but you all have scared me a little but I am still tossing it around in my mind. I did know that a sidecar on a bike would be differant as far as stearing and I knew it would take time to learn. I was tossing the idea of getting a sidecar and learning to ride it before I ever put a child in it, possible one season and then my son would be one year plus of age. But for the most part everyones reply makes it sounds like its not worth the purcharse. I love motorcycling and I will find a solution. I am wondering why would someone make a sidecar if it wasn't made to haul folks around, I thought that was the whole idea of a sc.Can anyone add any positives to purchasing a sc.Does anyone have a HD and what kinda sc do you have the best luck with. come on guys say something good about sc's.
I think you have misunderstood what we have been saying. Learning to drive a sidecar is not hard, but you do need to learn how. Sidecars are great for hauling folks around, but sidecars, like motorcycles, have certain inherent hazards. I don't ride a motorcycle or a sidecar without a helmet and protective gear, and I wouldn't take a passenger on either vehicle who wasn't
wearing protective gear as well. Good kids gear can be found for youngsters, but not for infants or toddlers. You figure it out.
I wouldn't advise a novice rider to take his child out on his new motorcycle-I think you need to get some experience on a motorcycle before you start taking passengers, especially children. That doesn't change when you put a sidecar on a bike. Years of experience on a solo bike don't translate into the skills you need to drive a sidecar, anymore than years driving a car will make you instantly compentent to ride a motorcycle. It takes some training and some practice to aquire the skills you need. This is even more important when you are assuming the risks not just for yourself but for another person, particularly a small child.
You may have a different standard of acceptable risk than I do, but you asked for opinions and that is mine.
Take a S/TEP class- you will get the training you need and an opportunity to try out a sidecar before you invest a bunch of money. It will give you the perspective you need to answer these questions for yourself, and it is not scary at all 😉
Hello HD Roadking:
I am not a dealer, just a sidecar driver. I am a 5'2" granny with a '03 vtx1300/velorex now due for its 24,000 service. I normally ride all kinds of roads with high mileage goldwings. These guys are no slouches. I tell you this so you will know that I have some experience, and no agenda. First, to admit you are a little scared is the sign of an intelligent person. Learning to ride a motorcycle is scary too. Driving a side is no different. What everyone wants you to know, is that the two handle very differently. The first thing the two-wheel rider tries to do is lean to make the corner. That won't work with a rig. No one wants to see anyone get hurt, and especially if a family is involved - sidecarists often become sidecarists because they have family – hence the warnings to take care.
I would never go back to riding solo, because the sidecar is much more challenging and fun. You still get to feel the temperature changes, and smell the air, just like on two wheels, but when you come around a corner and it is sandy, gravelly, or wet, or the road is under construction – its not a big deal. Your family can ride with you, and even fall asleep in the rig. No one falls out. Auto drivers are nicer to sidecars, people wave, point, want to talk to you and take pictures. I love my rig. Can you tell?
I believe someone may have mentioned ease of access to the sidecar. I would highly recommed you take that advise. My velorex (a beefed up 565) is difficult for people to get in and especially out of. If I hauled passengers a lot, I would definitly think of getting something else, preferably with a flip opening. As for taking your 1 year old son, I would hope that his mom would go in the side too..
I don’t have a HD, but I hope I have answered some of your questions.. gp
HD roadking,
I'm not going to tell you that sidehacking is for you, but don't be too quick to let DennisL scare you off. Handling a rig is physically harder than riding two wheels, but if it takes you four years to learn how, you have a huge learning disability. However, I don't think taking a baby riding in a sidecar would be a very good idea. Handling a baby in an automobile is difficult enough. Maybe just getting some practice with taking care of the baby will change your mind about taking him in a sidecar. But when he is older, he would probably love a sidecar.
I will offer you the same advice that I offered DennisL; go to a rally somewhere that you can test ride a rig. I've had experienced motorcycle riders, who wanted to try out my rig, stop after riding a few yards. They wanted nothing to do with sidehacking, period! Do you go to either of the big rallies in Daytona Beach? There are always dealers there and Biketoberfest is only a little over a month away.
Connie
