Hello All, total motorcycle 30-yr enthusiast, did my first cross-country trek this summer, what a blast! MA thru Sturgis, to WA via Yellowstone. I have a Roadglide but would like to set up my Road King with a sidecar. (I posted in sidecar wanted) I live in Southeastern MA, near cape Cod. I have checked the site a few times and have learned a lot already! Look forward to more great info. Thanks
Welcome. Hope you find what you're looking for. "Driving" a sidecar rig is like no other experience you've ever had. I absolutely fell in love with it (now own two sidecar rigs and no solo ride) like I did.
Thanks piano man. Though I've never driven one I'm really looking fwd to setting up my own rig. It just takes motorcycling to the N'th degree!
Welcome to the world of sidecaring.
You don't drive a sidecar, you pilot it, and your passenger is a monkey.
You will need to learn the language. Oh, and don't fly the chair on ice, it's bad luck.
Welcome Roadglider, I have only owned a sidecar for 3 years but I wouldnt trade it back for anything. My wife has a solo rig so once in a while I ride it .
everyone on here is really helpful , dont hesitate to ask questions. We will all give our opinion and some of it will be good advice 😉
Thanks Phelonius and Sporty. Flying the chair really intrigues me. I take it that flying the chair is a normal procedure and can be mastered with a little practice, yes? Is there anyone in my area that could demo their rig for me? That would be a real education. probably a good idea too before I go ahead and buy one!!
By demo I meant demonstrate, not demolish!! Need to be careful with the verbage!!
Ah, the debate begins anew. Do we "drive" or "pilot". Makes no difference to me. I just know I don't "ride" it.
Hi Roadglider, welcome to the weird, wonderful world sidecaring!
Flying the chair can be deliberate or accidental. When learning, it is good to learn to fly the chair in control so that if it should happen involuntarily, it won't cause consernation or panic.
Bear in mind that flying the chair puts undue stress on spokes, wheel bearings, steering head and steering bearings. So after learning it, don't make it a regular practice just to show off.
The old style drum brakes on Ural and Dnepr machines had very short thick spokes that could take a lot of this kind of stress without harm, but there is still the steering head to worry about.
A collapsed wheel is probably the biggest risk but other things can happen too.
Any Hack Skinners or Pilo/Drivers want to add anything?
Lonnie
Welcome to the slightly off-center world of sidecars, Glider!
I like "Pilot" because both in aviation and sidecaring, the "operator" needs to learn to anticipate and even use YAW vectors.
Yes, a passenger is often called a Monkey. But should your passenger also be your spouse, the term Monkey should be avoided, but at least it's a better than the other term --- "Ballast"!!
roadglider, welcome to the sidecar world. If you contact the MA state representative, he may be able to put you in contact with another rig owner close to your location.
roadglider, welcome to the sidecar world. If you contact the MA state representative, he may be able to put you in contact with another rig owner close to your location.
