I just wanted to do the intro thing, and say 'hey (a southern thing, lol)
I'm retired from the Army since 88, I had spent 11 years in Colorado, and various and sundry assignments, stateside and overseas, Germany and Korea, and finally retired in Kansas, I was a medic, and have worked in emergency rooms, and hospitals all over the world, thus the handle, Doc.
I just purchased an 08 VTX 1300R with a Champion Escort sidecar Saturday, and thought I'd check in with folks that actually know something about the beasties.
I've been riding 2 wheelers off and on for about 50 or so years, on rare occasions I've ridden a couple of trikes belonging to others. My most recent ride was an 07 GL1800 Goldwing with the comfort and nav package. I've had it for 3 years, and have covered most of the eastern half of the US with it, pulling an older Kwik Kamp that I picked up for a song.
The reason it had to go was that I had dropped it on gravel for the second time with my wife in the passenger seat, she has MS, and I wasn't going to let that happen again. We'd looked at the 08 VTX about a year ago, but thought better about it. This weekend we were able to get the numbers right with the dealer, and, as the old story goes, it followed me home, honey, can I keep it? Pretty please? 😉 😉
I've been impressed with the apparent level of expertise minus the "how come you don't know everything about these things, you dumb novice"
I've taught other medics, and I ALWAYS told my students that the dumbest question is the one unasked!
Doc
Hey Doktor.........welcome to the group. You are right about the dumbest question is the one unasked...........but I sure have heard some dumb answers. I am sure you will enjoy the new hack and your wife will be more comfortable in the sidecar. It was the best thing I did for my wife. She was having considerable discomfort and pain in the hips sitting on the bike. Arthritis. Since we got the sidecar, it is hard to keep her out of it. Even to run errands in town she often says "Lets take the bike".
Welcome to the world of sidecaring and Thank you for your service.
That's sure a purty rig Doc. Welcome to the sidecar world. Take is easy as you develop your new skills. Speaking of wives: My wife, who had never expressed an interest in learning to ride a motorcycle, decided she wanted her own rig last year.
Lee
MB5+TW200+CRF250L+GTV300+INT650
XL883R w/Texas Ranger Sidecar
Zuma 50F + Burgman w/Texas Sidecar<Mrs. SwampFox
Nice lookin' rig! Kansas, eh? 😉 I'm out here in WA State.
You found that combination at a dealers? Good job!
Ride safe, have fun - seeya' around sometime.
Welcome aboard "Doc". I'm a retired Marine and that is the best name in the world when you need him. My wife would not even get on a two wheeler, but the sidecar she loves, its great to have another love in common with your better half. This is the best place I"ve found to ask questions or just read other folks experiences. Best of luck to you and yours.
Ride Safe and Enjoy it all
Roy
Lacey exit,
This dealer is one of the biggest Goldwing trike builders on the east coast, this was their first sidecar venture, and short of a customer request, probably their last as it waited for a year and a half before finding me finally! lol
After reading a lot of the helpful posts about setting up the sidecar, and alignment, I have to believe that they really did it properly, as I have seen none of the difficulties that have been mentioned when it is done "wrong."
It tracks well, handles very easily, there doesn't seem to be any tendencies to pull in either direction. It just seems like it was built to function properly, if that's possible.
Doc
