I have been doing alot of research on sidecars and have to admit still don't know much about them. I did read an article that sc are extremly hard on tires, drive belts and most importantly gas. Is this true? I have also been trying to find out about a side car training program and haven't had a lot of luck there either. My closest city to me is Knoxville TN. about 40 miles. I border Ky and Virginia. My home town is New Tazewell Tn can anyone tell me where I can find one of these courses. I just have to try one before I invest my money. I think more of these types of courses need to be added but thats just my opinion. I have narrowed my research on sc's down to two sc cars I think might work. One is by a distributer called motorvation in Iowa. The sc is called the Royale roadster. Its a two seater and has a convertable top and a lean adjuster. The other is the Liberty sc. I think this rig is extremly expensive once you get all the things you need. But I think from the picture it is a beautiful sc. Can anyone give me any opinions on these two sc. I think either would look good on my bike. But like I said in my previous thread that I will be eventually hauling a little one once I feel I have the skills I need. I would like opinions whether it be a dealer or novice. Throw em at me.
I've been driving a rig since July 24th and have 4,500 miles so I'm a novice. My rig is a '92 Virago 750 with a Bingham MK III. It's the "traditional" tub style. My mentally disabled son (6'3" 260 lbs) rides in the rig. It handles just fine(empty or loaded)without the lean adjuster, leading link forks, or any other changes. Other more experienced drivers have also come to the same conclusion concerning my rig. I was lucky to find a used rig at a good installer in Iowa. I just went to my first sidecar rally (Anamosa, IA) and would recommend anyone looking for ideas go to a rally. Everyone is more than happy to talk and you can see a variety of sidecars. It gets to be a bit overwhelming when people start posting their opinion.
As far as I know, both companies make good sidecars. I would get into fairly extensive Q&A sessions either by e-mail or 'phone re specifics on set-up, warranty, etc. One thing that I like to do that drives sales people nuts is ask them to tell me about the DISadvantages or problems with their product. I tend to trust the people who can say,"I don't know, let me find out", "Our product is more expensive than some others, but we have a better warranty (better follow-up, parts availability, fresh ground coffee, better looking sales people)", whatever.
Can't tell exactly where you are, but I'm in Asheville NC. If you ever get down this way, there are plenty of parking lots around here for you to try my rig. Come down during the week and I've got a decent one at work here. Have to caution you though- I let a friend try that recently and he freaked. Couldn't stand the sidecar, but at least he learned something.
I've never taken any formal class. Maybe I shouldn't admit that, but when I started driving a rig, you learned by trial and error, thinking about what just happened, and talking to some old farts. Barely- but I'm still here to talk about it. I think (in my very humble opinion) that if you learn the theory and apply it judiciously in a safe place until you start to "get it", you'll probably do OK. One has to keep a Zen/beginners mind and leave the ego on a shelf at home. I'd imagine it takes longer to get good (?) at a SC rig than it does to get (well, it's all relative- competent?) OK on 2 wheels. Put everything in a truck and bring it down if you want.
Does a rig wear out faster and use more gas? Yes. What's your point? ~:^D
You're adding somewhere between 200-300 pounds.
I agree! There should be more sidecar training classes. It's just really hard to get critical mass. Here is some info about stuff happening in VA. (Courtesy of Claude Stanley):
October 7-9, 2005 Danville CC contact phone 434-797-2222 ext. 8520 or 800-560-4291
TBA Central VA CC - Lynchburg
contact Dennis Phillips at 434-832-7621
TBA Wytheville CC contact Donald Early at 276-223-4746
For all other classes contact The Motorcycle Safety League of Virginia, Inc. at 757-822-5246 or 757-822-5247
Other Classes will be scheduled as demand warrants
Class Schedule: Friday 7:00pm-10:00pm
Saturday 8:00pm-5:00pm
Sunday 8:00pm-4:00pm
Course fee: $65-$190 depending on location.
Sidecar outfits are provided for student use.
My opinions: I like the Motorvation rigs. I think they look good on a variety of bikes. I'm not a Harley guy, but I love the Liberty sidecars. Caveat: I own and EZS rig that was assembled by Liberty Sidecars.
HD
I'm pretty sure that I posted this before, but I checked the map and you're not that far from Asheville, NC. The GWRRA rally that is in Fletcher (across from the Asheville Airport) is relatively close to you. Neither of the sidecar companies that you mentioned have ever had reps there, but there will be sidecar vendors at the rally. The rally is this Thur., Fri., & Sat.
I have talked to Cundiff Simmons before about sidecar training. Of course, he is in VA and I haven't talked to him for a couple of years, but he used to bring a trailer full of rigs to the Salem(Roanoke) GWRRA rally in Oct. to teach sidecar classes. I don't if there is one scheduled for this year, but you can contact him at c.h.simmons@juno.com or (804)435-3813 to check. He lives in White Stone, VA.
Connie
You may want to try and make it to the Hack'd Reunion a rally near Buckhannon in North central W.Va. put on by Chris Dodson of Hack'd Magazine. October 1-2 I think..
There will be quite a few sidecar rigs there to look over. We plan to be there and I would be glad to spend some time with you concerning riding these things. You can even take the thing for a ride if I can get up the nerve to ride in the sidecar..LOL. Hey Fly you want to volunteer?
For details on the event email Chris at hackdmag1@yahoo.com or here is the address and phone number:
Hack'd Magazine
P.O. BOX 58
Buckhannon, WV 26201
ph-304-472-5507
Oh,,,forgot to say...be sure to go to the homepage here and find the place for books and download Hal Kendall's manuals etc. They are free and hold a wealth of great information. Hal is USCA member #2 and co founder of the club way back right after the wheel was invented.
Clicking here should get you to Hal's books.
http://www.sidecar.com/links3.asp
Note that Hal wrote:
“The reason for giving the manuals to the USCA, and making them available at cost via CD-ROM from my home is that safety should NOT be something that needs to be BOUGHT if you can't afford it. If you believe in it, it must be freely shared.”
Check Hal's stuff out and you will have a better handle on what these things are all about. WARNING: Sidecars are very addictive (not a bad thing).
Hope to See you in W.Va.. Look for the most beautiful White XS1100 Yamaha / Motorvation Formula II rig you have ever seen with ammo can saddle bags on it and lots of stickers 🙂
Dan,
You asked in your first post about the effect on drive belts. Depends on the year of your Roadking. Around about '02 or '03 HD started putting the heavy duty drive belts on all their touring bikes as standard equipment, and no longer recommend upgrading the belt if you're going to add a sidecar. If you have an earlier model it would probably be a good idea to upgrade, but considering the cost of those things I think I'd wait until it was at least showing some wear.
Joe
