Jim,
Hannigan's councel on the modified steering is correct, the EZSteer and SteerRite do take away the solo capability of your bike. Swapping tripple trees isn't a 5-minute job, so if you want the ability to ride solo, then sticking with the factory trees is the better way to go. You may need a steering dampener if headshake becomes a problem, Wings sometimes have this issue in the 30-40 MPH range. Learning on a rig that is going to fight you a little due to its favoring counter-steer may actually help as you'll pick up the habit of anticipating the turn more.
Has anyone one on this site transported their Rig via a double Snowmobile trailer before? Since I'm going to experience this form of transportation in the next few weeks I was wondering how others moved their rigs?
Welcome to the sidecar world
I moved my rig - 08 Harley Ultra with CSC Friendship 3 car ( wide car) on a 7 foot wide trailer with very little room to spare.
The shop that installed my car said the rig drove great with just a small amount of head shake at low speed. I got a big scare the first time I drove it - the head shake was bad, steering hard, the road was narrow, the wind was blowing, there was 18 wheeler traffic and I was either sucking or blowing wind - don't know which. They told it would get better! I installed a damper and things got better but steering was still hard. It got much much better when I put in the tree --- most shops can install it.
When you get on the first time, just be aware that it will be a different ride and hold on tight in case you do have head shake. To me, left hand curves were the most scarey -- the tree really helped on that one
Good luck
We've had them come in and helped load rigs on snowmobile trailers.
Sometimes very hard to work with due to deck height.
Lonnie
Lonnie; The double wide snowmobile trailer that I've rented for my journey departing February 2nd is a tilt one. I have transported my wing via a small snowmobile trailer before also a tilt one. I intened to have some friends on hand helping me load the bike. I will use my Condor-Lift chock for this trip as well.
flying to a location and renting a rig? Lee will correct me if i'm wrong, but the gentleman in Lufkin who does the course includes a rig in the cost of the course. i would think this is standard. and while we must be careful, don't let them scare you about all the things that can go wrong (kill you) just go slow, and enjoy.
what helped me most was finding a place (church parking lot,) where i could slowly/gradually/carefully fly the chair intentionally and practice sudden stops. not a replacement for the course!!! but enuf to where you could then drive it to nearest location to take the course.
denim; That statement of yours makes more sense to me than driving through the state just in order to take a novice course. It's my guess that champagin/Urbana, Illinois is at least 350 miles from me. Going slow and learning techniques seems to me to be a better approach. I'm not saying I wouldn't still attend a training school if I could work it into my schedule.
@ Jimwing08 --- A course is not a real must before you start riding ---- the people doing the install will give some advice as to what the rig is doing and what your options are. Just take it easy and gain understanding of what the rig is doing - follow Denim's advice --- and get on here to ask questions.
I have been riding about a year now and have yet to take the class (just have not gotten the right timing for it) If you do not feel good about something, slow down!
Txart/Denim; I wish you two were closer in location as it would perhaps be easier in showing a technique than describing one via the internet. I'm amazed on just how many Texans chime in here to talk. I intend to bring along my helmet and some riding clothes despite the limited time I have in Murrary.
Txart; By the way whom produces Bike and Sidecar covers? My current bike cover is from California Car Covers. Never seen any larger ones offered. Curious!
hey Art;
ditto on the left turn/curve. about halfway thru a long left curve i wonder if i'm going to be able to hold it; it gets heavy because the car is trying to go straight (our friend inertia!)
So Denim; Does one have to then lean hard left when attempting that left hand curve.. A few days back I saw a clip of a rider with a sidecar leaning heavily in one direction then another when negoiating a turn.
Jimwing -- motorcycle covers are all over the place --- sidecar covers - I do not know-- I would start with Hannigan for info....
As for leaning, I personally try to go slow enough to not need leaning but if one must lean, I would think one must lean into the direction you are turning ie left on a left curve, right on right curves --- that moves the center of gravity to the inside of the turn
PS:
maybe someone can come up with a device that will shift the CG to the proper point while making turns and curves -- other than the monkey in the sidecar!!
others can do better explaining the physics of it all (Old School said it best,) you have to turn the handle-bar, when you used to just have to lean. the modifications they spoke of will make it easier. the clip you saw was probably about racing.
btw, keep in mind we have a rally in Arkansas in June. about an hour and a half further for you than for me. if things go well with your rig maybe we'll see you there?
Denim; I always thought that Texas was closer to Arkansas than Iowa LOL. It's doubtful that I would make this trip, especially since normal riding season usually doesn't begin for me until late april. There have been instances that snow is still on the ground around here in april. Weather is really weird this year as yesterday the high reached 53 degrees yet today the high thus far is only 3 degrees. The weather guessers are predicting unseasonably cooler conditions tonight through Tueday noon with wind chills at -20 to -35 degrees, I'm staying put inside until I have to go to work tonight.
