Originally written by owl9704a on 5/13/2007 9:51 AM
Maybe I should change screen names with you. She wants the motorcycle thing still. Done the convertable route, not what she wants. Since she has to drive, you know how that goes.
Bob & Cherlyn
Pretty cool. I think most of the members on this forum can identify with her feeings.
I have a GW 1800 with a Hannigan GTL sidecar. I did post a vew pics here. The sidecar is VERY roomy, and is made for either a GW on a K1200LT. I think the GW has a lower seat heit than the Beamer, although it might not make as much difference with a sc attached.
http://www.hannigantrikes.com/content/hpsidecars.html
good luck
greg
Thanks Greg, I had thought about the seat ht. But figured with the car she wouldn't have to reach the ground too much. ANd I had been to the hannigan site. They look great, but with out any previous knowledge, there are a lot of things that look great. That was the main reason I started posting on this site. To find out what the people that actually had cars were riding and what they thought of them. @ my age, I only want to buy one, so I want to make sure I do it right the first time. Make Sense?
Thanks again;
Bob & Cherlyn
I suggest you really look at the differences between the 1500 and 1800 Goldwings. The newer 1800 is not just a bigger engine, but a whole new bike for the most part. I have put about 20,000 miles on my GL-1800/Haggigan GT in the last 2 years and really LOVE this set-up. I think this combination would be a good one to put on your list. My wife (Supreme Allied Commander) and I really make use of the large trunk and the removable hard-top of the Hannigan. Took a 5,000 mile trip from Houston to Massachusetts last fall and the room for stuff and the hard-top made the trip a lot better than doing without and being cold/wet from a loose fitting rag-top. Had MANY old British cars, so I know all there is to know about rag-tops and weather =) I think taking your time will pay off... though it took me over 20 years and that was WAY TOO LONG!!! Having a BLAST with our rig!!! sure you will too.
Rocket Man
Thank you for your reply. The main reason I was looking at the 1500 was the long production run and the bullet proof history compaired to the new 1800. Not to mention that there are a lot more 15's running around used than 18's. But I will take your advice into consideration. As I have said, we are very new to this and need all of the help and advice we can get. No decision can, or should be made with out all of the information you can get.
Thanks
Bob & Cherlyn
Rocket man
Wife brought up an interesting question, if the hard top is removable, where do you put it when you take it off?
Thanks
Bob & Cherlyn
Hi Bob & Cherlyn,
I believe that besides me, Joyce is the only woman who has replied on this thread, so I thought that I would tell you a couple of things from a woman's viewpoint. I'm not small like Cherlyn, but like most women, I'm not as strong as a man of equal size. Even if Cherlyn is strong for her size, the setup that you choose will make a difference. I don't have a large, fancy sidecar, but I do ride a 1500 GW with an older CaliforniaII sidecar. Before I got the 1500 GW, I had my sidecar attached to a 1200 GW. I really enjoyed that 1200 (after I learned how to drive it), but my 1500 is so much easier to handled that it is amazing. Other than setting it up for attaching the sidecar, my bike has not been modified in any way. I don't have a steering damper, modified front end, electric lean or any of that other stuff that is supposed to make driving a rig easier. I've had my 1500 for seven years and I've driven it over 50,000 miles. The last couple of years I haven't driven it too much. Since gas has been so expensive, I usually just hop on the back of my husband's 1800 GW (which I love)when we travel. I don't have a lot of advice to give as far as the sidecar itself. I like my California sidecar, but I've seen others that I like, too. However, I don't think that you could beat a big bike like a GW. I don't know much about BMWs, I like the looks of their big dresser, but I didn't like setting on it because of the cramped space for the driver's feet. I don't think it would be comfortable to ride long distances for that reason. Since I'm partial to Goldwings, I would suggest you go that route, but certainly, I think that you should choose a large bike that should make driving easier for Cherlyn.
Connie
The Wing/Hannigan is my 3rd hack in 18 months. Everyone has different opinions and plans for their rig, but here are the reasons I finally got the WIng (I still have my Suzuki V Strom and plan to keep it; I sold the Ural and want another one).
1. We want to do some longer distance riding, plus, in Socal, going anywhere makes freeway riding somewhat necessary.
2. I like to run in the high spped lanes, 80+ on the freeways.
3. Connie's comfort is significant, although she is pretty tough.
Wing plusses
1. Enormous torque. I suspect nothing comes real close (other then a R3 of course)
2. Car tire will mount with no modification. A real + for me.
3. Reverse gear standard
4. Tremendous aftermarket source for all kinds of gizmos, including auxilliary fuel tank, which I got.
5. Honda (low) maintenance and reliability e.g. recommended oil chnge 8k miles.
6. Drive shaft versus chain (this is only an advantage if the bike has enough power to pull the sidecar the way you want it to. On my Suzuki, I changed the gearing twice, but have to deal with chain maintenance.
7. Hannigan, and others such as Dauntless, install lots of sidecars on this model. In my case, Hannigan has done over 150 GTL installs on Wings, Takes much of the "setting up" out of the equation.
8. Rider to passenger intercom and stereo systems are standard (wired to the sc).
9. Roof and side curtains for really bad weather.
10. The Honda has a 1300 watt generator, so adding the extra lights, heated seats (bike and SC), etc etc is not an issue. This is an issue on my V Strom.
The only downside for me, was size (its a big rig), and I will always think Harley's are the ultimate in COOL.
Although the Wing rig was expensive, it is sort of a one time expense versus spending the money and time adding the stuff later
The above only matters, of course, if you think you want or need all the extra stuff, which probably involves evaluating how you will use the rig.
Good luck, you will love it whatever you decide on.
Originally written by owl9704a on 5/13/2007 10:52 AM
Thanks Greg, I had thought about the seat ht. But figured with the car she wouldn't have to reach the ground too much. ANd I had been to the hannigan site. They look great, but with out any previous knowledge, there are a lot of things that look great. That was the main reason I started posting on this site. To find out what the people that actually had cars were riding and what they thought of them. @ my age, I only want to buy one, so I want to make sure I do it right the first time. Make Sense?
Thanks again;
Bob & Cherlyn
Well, I have one response to the cool thing. I had a flh and a wing at the same time when I lived in Texas, when ever I wanted to ride more than a day or so I always took the wing. ANd when ever the flh wouldn't start, the wing would. So I do love wings. And I was not aware that there were so many plusses that were standard. Like I said, this side car thing is really new to us, and the average person would never think about all of the little things that all of the people on this site have brought to our attention. One odd thing that I had asked of rocket man, and have not gotten a reply as yet, where do you put the hard top if you take it off? That was one the wife thought of, not me. Do you know?
Thanks for all of the good information. We really do appreciate it. And when we do finally get our thoughts together, we will definatly owe all of you a lot for all of the help and kindness you have shown us.
Thanks again
Bob & Cherelyn
Mr. Owl,
I am the new guy on the block so you know what my wisdom is worth! But, on my BMW K1200LT with the KLT sidecar and the "Open Concept" cockpit sidecar the "HardTop" fits exactly behind the sidecar bucket seat. Hannigan even has the upholstered pockets for the 1/4 windows. It takes just moments to go from fully enclosed to a full roadster and nothing is left behind. My wife and I just got back from the DQ in town and it is so nice to talk back and forth on intercom plus have background music if you want. I don't know how it could be any better than that! By the way my track width is a wide 57" and even with zero ballast that 275 lb car balances beautifully from zero up to 80 mph and the 80 lbs of torque in that engine will handle that car extremely well. I took the training offered by Hannigan and found the balance and asymmetric's of the rig to be benign. I "love" this rig and am enjoying becoming a sidecarist. I had hoped to attend an "Evergreen" training school before getting the car but that freak snow storm a month ago wiped out my getting to Louisville and "Tub Maxson's" excellent class. But, it will come in July next.
Just an added note: Yesterday I was out an had a cross-wind at 90 degrees gusting 10 to 40 at times and the electric trim zeroed that to zero pull on the handle bars. Excellence in engineering and fabrication I would say!
Sorry I haven't gotten back to you until now with a reply, but I don't get to make it to the website as often as I would like... Yes, the Hannigan's hard top stows behind the seat, and with all the other room in the car and it's trunk, use of this small space is not an issue. On our long trip we had 2 rain suits, 2 small suitcases, 3 overnight bags, 6 small oxygen bottles, several light jackets, a spare helmet, and who knows what else just in the trunk! Had 2 + full sets of leathers, a sleeping bag, small soft cooler, assorted towels and pillows, boots, etc. in the cockpit of the sidecar and still had good room for the passenger. With an 1800 GL, pulling the mid-size trailer we have (fully loaded) was no problem either. Absolutely right about all the accessories... intercom, radios, CB etc. only thing I want to add is a set of speakers in the sidecar. The intercom is just not very good for listening to the radio. You can hear it, but sounds like crud. What I plan on doing is mounting an outdoor sub-woofer between the bike and sidecar, then putting some good speakers from professional recording studio monitors in the bike and sidecar. I own a small recording studio, and I'm spoiled =). Oh yea, I wouldn't go without the electric lean control for this particular rig. I use it all the time, but I ride under many different conditions and loads. TALLY HO!
Well, it would seem my desire for a wing was a good choice. And it seems that everyone I talk to, here and elsewhere has nothing but good things to say about the Hannigan cars. They are a bit pricey to a newcomer, but it seems that they are worth it. I figure if I buy a good car I can always add a new bike if I need to. But thank you for your reply. It might just be worth a ride to Hannigan to check out the cars in person. The only cars I have found around here are a couple of HD's and a couple of urals, I know I spelled that wrong. I actually liked those simple bikes, till I found out they were a little shy on power for the highway from what the owners told me. But that they were great around town. I guess it is a price thing with them as well. I don't know. But I am still going with either the Wing or the Beamer. I must admit the new 12's are really nice. And again thanks for all of the info.
Bob & Cherlyn
Before you take off for Kentucky you might give Bob's BMW a call. They are Hannigan Dealers. I don't know if they have sidecar's on display but a phone call might answer your question.
Bob’s BMW
Bob Henig
10720 Guilford Road
Jessup, MD 20794
800-269-2627
Fax: 301-776-2738
bob@bmwbobs.com
www.bmwbobs.com
Joyce;
Thanks for the info. I just sent Bob's an email. We will see what he has or knows whats around. Thanks for the tip.
Bob & Cherlyn
