My late father took a ride from Wisconsin to glacier national park in the mid 70's on a Honda CL350. I have proposed to my mother that we retrace his steps via motorcycle. My mom is old. Mid 70's (shame on me I don't know her exact age). I don't know yet if she would want to do it but likely would be three of her sons and her making the trip.
My mom can walk has a healthy mind and is fairly active. I'm thinking the back of a motorcycle would be difficult for her whereas a sidecar would make it easier. I can find decent rigs for around 5k which is cheaper than converting my bike.
My question is this what is the learning time for sidecar operation to be good. I would need to be able to do highway mountain passes and "going to the sun road". I would have six months to practice before making the trip is that enough?
I wish I had the money right now there a great Yamaha rig posted here and its only two hours away from me. The trip would be planned for next summer with me getting a rig by November/December time frame.
Great idea. Go for it. The worst she can sayis no. If she says yes it will be the trip of a lifetime.
6 mos. practice time should be good. You can download Hal Kendall's books here for free.
Even if mom doesn't go it is agood trip for the sons. Don't forget grandkids.
fly.....who also had a cl350 back in the 70's
How about taking a CB350?
Don't go in winter. It gets nippy up there.
Lee--
This will vary by rig. I'd think a big Goldwing rig with a reverse gear and a Hannigan chair would be easy for a novice to take anywhere as long as they stayed on major roads. On the other hand, a lightweight bike with a light chair is gonna be more of a challenge. Also, six months isn't long enough if you only go out and practice once. On the other hand, three weeks is plenty if you do 400 miles a day. See what I mean?
I took a 3-day class before I bought my first rig, so I had some beginner skills in place before I started. I would say that after 3000 miles I was perfectly competent for riding pavement and twisties at moderate speed on my GS rig (high center of gravity). By moderate speed I mean the speed limit on straights, and on curves somewhere close to the recommended speed shown on those yellow "curve ahead" signs. To go faster, you need more practice and more skill. On dirt roads you sometimes need to learn new skills altogether.
On that Going to the Sun Road, if yer gonna do that in the middle of the summer, you'll probably hit a top speed of 10 mph. That thing is choked with RV's and foreign tourists in the summer who think nothing of stopping right in the middle of the road to take pictures.
Have owned 5 rigs but Rig #2 is my current one!
On On. go for it! That will be a blast for all of you. just go slow and stay conscientious that a rig is a complete different story, but anyway the best travel vehicle of all.
I did a once in a lifetime trip with my son last year and do not regret any moment, Although my wife didn't speak with me for 3 month...Anyhow it was worth it to go from Oregon to Alaska and back in 8 weeks 12.000km.
For sure I will be short on the wallet for 3 years but you never know if tomorrow would not be too late...
Erfahrung kommt von Fahren!
Experience comes from driving,
So it wouldn't even be too bad it you start the journey with little millage, you will get the experience while on the trip...That was how I learned rig pushing...December 1986 up in Norway!!!! 500km riding a MZ-sleigh per day (plus 5 warm meals)
Sven 😉
I would love to take a cl350 but simply not enough power for mountain passes. I'm a big guy 6'3" 280 pounds and my mom a bigger lady. The 93 venture rig for sale here I think would be perfect.
Lee, If you can get a big watercooled engine (over 750ccm) then you are on the safe side for most situations and will not have troubles on mountain roads, deserts or stop and go traffic.
Funny, Your family name is the same as my wife's Christian name.
Sven
Fly - 3/31/2014 7:05 AM
who also had a cl350 back in the 70's
Wife & I bought a new 1972 cl350 with money from our wedding. Wouldn't have put a hack on it, but our 04 gl1800 with Champion Daytona has been in 48 states. Can't wait to retire.
I had a 1970 CB350. Red and White.
What a great idea. Mom might really love it. I am 69 and have been driving sidecars for less than a year but am having a ball. I really think the 350 would not be enough bike. I have a 500 with a lightweight car and it will not hang on the interstate. I am now building my second rig to use on the highways. It is an 1100 with heavier car. Go for it!
I bought my 94 Ural back in about 97. I live in north eastern Ohio where some of the roads can be argued as the best for two wheel cycling. I had a friend drive me to the bike which was located just outside West Virginia. Rather twisty and very hilly. Rode the 80 miles home and figured it all out then and there.
Last august I built my current rig after over 10 years without the Ural. It was all still there.
You'll be fine
My 2 cents, FWIW: Bought wrecked BMW R69 many years ago...slowly rebuilt it. Bought new BMW Hollandia sidecar from same dealer/friend. Took me months to feel proficient in most situations on the road. I WAS hauling wife behind me & 2 children in s/c so it was IMPORTANT to me to do everything right. After selling rig some years later, due to low finances, got back into hack riding 3 more times. NEVER rode solo any more. Current rig is '95 Honda GL1500SE/CSC Friendship III. It is BEST rig of all, hands down! Have owned it over 12 years/ 75,000+ miles, w/sidecar on 24/7. We ride when we can in good weather and sometimes, bad also. Children are all grown, so we occasionally haul our grandchildren around with us or a ton of camping gear in hack, if we're so inclined. Still curdles my blood when some uncaring cager makes SUDDEN LEFT TURN right in front of us or the RIGHT turn I'm entering quickly tightens. There's always some sudden event to keep your nerves sharp! Best advice I can give you: PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE ANY TIME YOU CAN, even riding rig to work, rain or shine, like I did, the entire summer rig went on road. TTFN & GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR PLANS! .....Old Tom aka papasmurf in NH
