I get lots of comments about my sidecar rigs both from motorcyclists and non motorcyclists alike, they often ask to take a picture, to which I rely of " course you can ", then I offer to take a picture of them sitting on the bike or in the sidecar which usually makes them very happy. They say " that's really cool", to which I reply there is noting to stop you getting one, then all of a sudden they go quiet. Usually they just walk away, or sometimes say they would miss being able to lean the bike going around the bends ( I live in Saskatchewan : )
I understand both solo bikes and sidecar combinations, and like others here I also have motorcycles that don't have sidecars , but the bikes I have the most fun with are the sidecar outfits , they are also much more useful .
To me it's a no brainer that every motorcyclist should have a sidecar rig, but not for everyone else.
WTF am I missing ?
Great question. Frankly, I got nothing and truly believe that if MC enthusiasts were to give (good ones) one a try, they'd be hooked.
Illegitemi non carborundum est!
Motorcycles are a very small percentage of the motoring population.
And sidecars are a very small percentage of the motorcycle population.
I never recommend motorcycles because the desire has to be from within.
The risks are real and born by the riders personally.
It's similar with sidecars.
How can I recommend that a sane person completely stuff up a perfectly functional motorcycle?
I say this as someone who loves quirky wheels as all sorts.
I was very annoyed when dad sold his Lanz bulldog tractor after letting it sit for 45 yrs.
10.3 liter single cylinder 2 stroke diesel you started by hand.
I would have loved driving that about town.
What are you talking about ?
I get lots of comments about my sidecar rigs both from motorcyclists and non motorcyclists alike, they often ask to take a picture, to which I rely of " course you can ", then I offer to take a picture of them sitting on the bike or in the sidecar which usually makes them very happy. They say " that's really cool", to which I reply there is noting to stop you getting one, then all of a sudden they go quiet. Usually they just walk away, or sometimes say they would miss being able to lean the bike going around the bends ( I live in Saskatchewan : )
I understand both solo bikes and sidecar combinations, and like others here I also have motorcycles that don't have sidecars , but the bikes I have the most fun with are the sidecar outfits , they are also much more useful .
To me it's a no brainer that every motorcyclist should have a sidecar rig, but not for everyone else.
WTF am I missing ?
Well if I may respond to the initial post.. at 74 I have been trying to get back on 2 wheels. Recently took a MSF rider course for a refresher. Glad I did because it not only did refresh a lot of 2 wheels skills that have long gone .. but it also made me aware that my 2 wheel window had closed. I have hip arthritis, so mounting the bike and, more important, lifting my feet off the pegs when stopping turned out to be a real struggle. So I very much look forward to this summer on 3 wheels, as I have recently adopted a Ural Tourist. For someone with physical issues a motorcycle with a side car is really a no brainer. Just my 2cents here.
Many of the local motorcycle enthusiasts that I've known for years simply view a sidecar as an option for a rider that can't "handle a motorcycle" for some reason --- unlike me, who simply enjoys sidecars. The comment is usually something akin to: I'll consider a sidecar when I can't handle two wheels any longer. One particular rider considered a sidecar as a "crutch" that would be embarrassing if he "had to ride one."
Lee
MB5+TW200+CRF250L+GTV300+INT650
XL883R w/Texas Ranger Sidecar
Zuma 50F + Burgman w/Texas Sidecar<Mrs. SwampFox
@swampfox yeah, I sort of get that from my crowd, but then I show up on two wheels and it confuses them.. I tell every one that if they wait til they can't ride two wheels then they probably won't be able to ride three. That also confuses them. Of course it isn't necessarily true, a lot of people transition to a sidecar after they give up two wheels but it's a lot easier if you ride one earlier than later. I was younger when I started so I suppose the idea of a Sidecar appealed to me so I pursued it. Saying that, I suppose one has to really want one instead of actually need one.
Many of the local motorcycle enthusiasts that I've known for years simply view a sidecar as an option for a rider that can't "handle a motorcycle" for some reason --- unlike me, who simply enjoys sidecars. The comment is usually something akin to: I'll consider a sidecar when I can't handle two wheels any longer. One particular rider considered a sidecar as a "crutch" that would be embarrassing if he "had to ride one."
That one particular rider must have a very small dick 🤣
Many of the local motorcycle enthusiasts that I've known for years simply view a sidecar as an option for a rider that can't "handle a motorcycle" for some reason --- unlike me, who simply enjoys sidecars. The comment is usually something akin to: I'll consider a sidecar when I can't handle two wheels any longer. One particular rider considered a sidecar as a "crutch" that would be embarrassing if he "had to ride one."
That one particular rider must have a very small dick 🤣
As I like to say when hitting on college girls "but baby, size is just a number"
I'm glad I don't have to impress anyone... when I hit fifty I thought I'm never going to be a great man...whew! well THAT takes the pressure off
I remember catching a bit of flack from some of the 2 wheeled riders about being a sidecar pilot when I started out. Surviving a traumatic motorcycling accident and loosing a limb didn't seem to matter to those hard core rider groups( accident was in June of 1997). I can ride a motorcycle with out a sidecar, but I found the sidecar rig way more fun, safe and useful for all types of activities.
The funny thing about those hard core riders is most were scared to death to ride a sidecar rig. I use to offer my rig up all the time for folks to try. Most didn't even make it out of the parking lot on it......
I remember Stan Hall, Owner of Halls HD in Springfield, Illinois giving me a talk about how to ride a sidecar rig well. His dealership fixed an issue on my 1st rig in 1998 , that my local dealer refused to fix, and it was under warranty. Stan gave me the low down on the physics of how a sidecar reacts and his hints made all the difference between an enjoyable ride or wrestling the rig all day.
I enjoy the physics involved in piloting a sidecar rig well thru a twisty terrain.........and if folks follow ya to close all you have to do is fly that chair and they will be gone.......hahahaha!
Ride Safe and Be Well,
Chuy 
In addition to the extra stability of 3 wheels, which is a huge factor for me .. most folks don't realize the utility of a sidecar...
Beyond stability, I’m impressed that the mechanical pieces don’t have to be compromised turning it into a trike.
Primarily we moved into sidecar life for purely practical reasons. Karen has diabetes. If she has a low blood sugar incident, if we were on a trike or Spyder, I would have to kick her in the head while attempting to dismount. This way, the rig stops and doesn’t fall over, I pick up the cover and administer assistance. Not to mention that it is genuinely a hoot to operate them!
Illegitemi non carborundum est!
The funny thing about those hard core riders is most were scared to death to ride a sidecar rig. I use to offer my rig up all the time for folks to try. Most didn't even make it out of the parking lot on it......
I have noticed the same thing ! I tell them most women have bigger balls than them.