Jim, have you checked out Hal's Books here? The operator's manual will shed some light on your questions.
http://www.sidecar.com/links3.asp
About that EZ Steer advice, it tends to become a self-fulfilling prophesy.
The first guy says "I'm not gonna spend the money on the steering mod until I find out if I like driving sidecars." Then he gets the rig, rides it for a while, and says "Glad I didn't spend the money on the steering mod. Sidecar driving really isn't that much fun."
Then there's this other guy who says, "I've got an $18,000 motorcycle and I'm hooking a $9000 sidecar to it. I'm gonna spend an extra $1000 on a steering mod to make sure this rig is as much fun as possible to drive." Then he gets the rig, rides it for a while, and says "Glad I spent the money on the steering mod. Sidecar driving really is fun."
If you follow these forums, you see this story played out over and over again. Remember, this is gonna be 1500 lbs of rolling steel. If all you want to do is ride it around town for an hour or two a few times a year, I think you've already spent too much money. But if you want to TOUR, and I'm talking about 300-mile days and 3000-mile trips, you're gonna LOVE that steering mod.
The other thing to consider is that if you find you don't like driving a sidecar outfit, then yer gonna sell the sidecar here or on eBay. Well, guess what? You can sell the EZ Steer here or on eBay too. You might take a hit, but you will get back a big chunk of your outlay. And speaking of eBay, if Hannigan says that any competent motorcycle shop can install the EZ-Steer, then you can buy a brand new one on eBay for $695 delivered.
Unless you know exactly what you are doing and what you want, do not buy a triple tree out of e bay. Talk to people who make them, install them, etc -- like Hannigan, liberty sidecars, Jay DMC ( I think), Freedom sidecars and others here on this site -- they will give advice on what you need, sell it to you and will give you a phone # to call if your shop does not feel sure of themselves.
I bought my tree from Liberty sidecars and they give me the advice on what was needed and a phone to call if we got stuck and my shop had no problems installing it
I don't have the experience that most of the folks on here have with sidecars or motorcycles.
I read everything I could on this site and noticed that the steering modification was the one mod that folks did not say "I didn't like it, so I changed back to stock."
It is money well spent.
I agree with Txart - get it from the source. I got mine from SideEffects in Canada. They were amazing to deal with. The mechanic was able to call them with questions and they even sent detailed emails to any questions about other sidecar questions that I had.
Hi Jim, glad to hear that it is working out for you. Hannigan will be glad to sell you a cover custom made for your sidecar, the fit will be good. If you have them install the easy steer, you will never regret it, it really helps but still leaves plenty of steering feel, you will still build up shoulder and arm muscles if you ride enough. Driving a rig takes soom effort, much more then on 2 wheels. Good luck with it, hope to see you on the road. Lloyd
Txart/Mary Jo/Lloyd; HI called Hannigan the other day and asked about the Ezsteer. They stated that it was not part of the initial installation. They suggested that I take the wait and see if I really want it approach, instead of just selling me a additional $1400.00 part, installed. So for the meantime I'll adhere to their advice. As I may wish off and on to disconnect the bike from the car. Hannigan stated that if I elected to go with the EZsteer that disconnecting the bike from the car could be dangerous if I elected to operate just the motorcycle. Any idea as too how many tie downs straps I should have along on this trip? I'm using my "Condor-Lift" Chock to help stabilize the Wing. Thanks.
When I trailer a bike by itself --- I run front wheel to the front rail and tie the wheel to the rail. I place a block of wood under the frame, below engine and strap downward. The block will keep you from squeezing the forks too much and messing up the seals. Then 2 straps on the rear of bike.
The only time I trailered the rig -- I ran the front wheel to trailer rail and tied it there. Then used two straps in front and two on rear to tie down - mostly to keep the rig from moving side to side. The front wheel tie down will keep rig from moving forward or backwards.
I used the straps with the rachets because they will not get loose. Even with the C-L Chock I would tie the front wheel down.
Txart; I don't have the luxury of a front rail as I will be using a doublewide "Snowmobile Trailer" I figure that my "Condor-Lift" Chock bolted to the floor should keep the bikew from moving. This trailer has 4 Rings one in each corner to attach tiedowns. I just want to make sure there's no slippage with the sidecar. I figure 2 tiedwon attached to the engine crashbars and 2 tieing down the rear of the wing. How many do you suggest for the Sidecar. The length of the Wing is 7 feet 6 inches, the sidecar is 7 feet 3 inches. combined width is 7 feet.
Lloyd; Did your GTL come with all the options? Do you have the A/C option? Could you post a picture of what your interior looks like. I can't tell from the Photo's what the interior of my soon to be similar HMS-Sp2 should look like inside. Thanks Jim
Arrived home with my near new 2012 HMS-SP2 Sidecar mated to my '08 Goldwing. Trailered it home on a 12X 8 tilt Snowmobile trailer that I rented. Ended up purchasing a new tow vehicle(2012 Honda Ridgeline RTS) in order to pull the trailer safely. Our trip was slightly delayed at Hannigan as they noticed that the original previously mated to a 2012 BMW K1600 GT would not fit my Goldwing. Hannigan ended up cutting the frame and adding 6 inches in length. Then sent the frame out to re-powder coating. Can't say enough for the wonderful treatment my wife and I received at Hannigan. In fact the community of Murrary, Kentucky were very nice and corgil people to deal with. I'll post some photo's as soon as I have them uploaded into my computer.
Hey jimwing08! I'm a newguy too from northcentral Iowa (Gowrie... 21 miles south of Ft Dodge.) I've just been lurking the forum learning about sidecars and the folks who ride them. I've ordered a new Motorvation Formula from their shop in Sibley, IA. I have been promised delivery in May 2013. My bike, an ebony 2006 Kawasaki Nomad 1600, is there now. Can't ride it anyway with all the ice we've had this winter. They are going to install the sidecar to the bike.
I've ridden over in your area four or five times now with the Vulcan Bagger Association. Just love it over there along the Missippi River. Hope to meet you in person one of these days!
Biscuits N Gravy
