I have looking and reading for a while here, riding for many years and miles finaly took the plunge on a sidecar unit. It's a 1998 harley ultra with a 1989 harley car now the fun begins. I will check back oftenThanks for letting me apart of your group and your info.
Enjoy the new rigs. Be careful if you haven't ridden a sidecar rig before. Lots of slow practice in parking lots or low travel streets. This is not a motorcycle, not a trike, certainly not a car. It's a sidecar, a totally different "beast". You'll love it.
Welcome Red, where are you from?
Welcome to the slightly off center world of sidecars Red!
Like the Piano Man said, get in some parking lot time to get used to the very unique handling of your rig. Put about 70 pounds of ballast in the car at first, it'll help keep the car on the ground on right turns. Keep in mind that humans and pets are poor choices for ballast while you are working on your skills. And what ever you do, do NOT refer to your spouse or other charished life partner as "Ballast"!!
Wow, that's one cool sidecar! I am also a newbie, still yet to buy myself one. any advice on what should i get?
Do you have a bike already Hopper, or are you looking for a complete rig? What do you expect to haul (one adult? one child? one pet? some combiniation of these? or maybe cargo?)? Long haul or short? Do you camp or do you prefer hotels? On road or off? Add a trailer?
Lots to consider!
Do not fly the chair on ice.
It is however, the best drive by shooting vehicle ever invented.
So, keep a camera onboard.
thanks for all the advice, had it out twice weather not the best here in central Pa.driving it is for sure different. Been riding for over 40 yr;s put a couple 100,000 miles on harley touring bikes this is for sure not the same.If I had to make a quick dicesion might be a side car for sale will give it a few more tries when the weather gets nicer. Any other advice out there?
Don't give up .Sidecars are totally different handling and it takes a while to get used to .they are fun and people will want to look at your sidecar when you stop .so pactice riding and enjoy the 2014 riding season.
A Training Class might get you on the right track:
Dave Keese
Sidekarz L.L.C
8183 Route 522 Suite 20
Middleburg, PA, 17842, USA
training@sidekarz.org
570-765-7147
www.sidekarz.org/
find a dealer or shop that knows sidecars .the adjustments make a big difference in handling .i love sidecars.i had sidecars back in the 80s [ old shovelhead police bikes ] .then i went back to sidecars in 2010 due to health reasons .now i could go back to 2 wheels but i enjoy sidecars so much i doubt i will .
On Sat. weather got nice around here for Dec. put about 60 miles on, Was having fun after 15 or 20 miles. I think the set up is pretty close ,mostly I think I was still in my head driving a motorcycle.I have check'd most measurements and they all seem close. As I have read here small tweaks can make a difference but being new I'll let things go to I get more miles under my belt on it.
redharley - 12/29/2013 6:16 AM
On Sat. weather got nice around here for Dec. put about 60 miles on, Was having fun after 15 or 20 miles. I think the set up is pretty close ,mostly I think I was still in my head driving a motorcycle.I have check'd most measurements and they all seem close. As I have read here small tweaks can make a difference but being new I'll let things go to I get more miles under my belt on it.
Another clue to look for down the road in time is excessive wear on the sidecar tire indicating mis-alignment.
Where in central Pa you located? We will be starting classes in the spring,also Claude Stanley and I are always willing to help a newbie out. My website is at www.sidekarzllc.com,or you can call me at 570-765-7147,please leave a message if you get the machine so I can return your call. DON'T GIVE UP,this is one of the most fun activities there is,it's those first few hundred miles that are the hardest. As stated by the others here,practice at low speeds in a closed parking lot untill you feel confident,before adding traffic to the equation.
