I'm am thrilled to death with the new lower gear ratio I just had put in my rear drive for the R1100RT that's the tug for my EZS Summit sidecar. Only rode it home from the shop that did the work. It became obvious pulling away for the first time (up a slight slope) that slipping the clutch was a thing of the past. 32 mph @ 4000 rpm is perfect for riding in the city. Only got up to 50 mph for a short distance and while that's too slow for 5th gear it was obvious that using 5th gear at around 60 mph will definitely be possible. With stock gearing, starting up almost any incline needed the clutch slipped. On the highway, 4th gear was necessary to run 60 to 65 mph with had the engine running at 4500 to almost 5000 rpm. To actually used 5th gear I needed to wind it up to approximately 70 to 75 mph to be able to use 5th without feeling like it was almost lugging the engine (maybe not the correct word). Basically it was just working the engine way too hard for my liking.
Even though temps here are still in the 30's it's supposed to get warmer to the 40's in the next few days. When it does, I'm going riding to find out what the 5th gear really feels like.
This is one of the earliest Christmas presents I've ever given myself.
Absolutely love this rig.
Good deal jk. Seems most all bikes function better as sidecar tugs when geared down, usually somewhere between 4% to 8%. I've geared down 2 rigs -- with similar good results.
Lee
MB5+TW200+CRF250L+GTV300+INT650
XL883R w/Texas Ranger Sidecar
Zuma 50F + Burgman w/Texas Sidecar<Mrs. SwampFox
I changed the final drive on my R1100R/Hannigan Astro Sport to a unit from an R850R (3:36 ratio) and it made a huge difference. At 60 mph I am turning about 4100 rpms and at 70 4500 rpms. At highway speeds I am still getting about 33-35 mpg. Before the change 1st and 5th gear were almost usless. This change made this an awesome rig! 🙂
We often use the final drive from the R850R, for R1200's there is also now a for Europe police only final drive for the R900 that can be used. We make an automotive wheel for both bikes that runs either a 155 or 165 15 tire, There are smaller aspect ratio tires to be had that would also help.
Jay G
DMC sidecars
www.dmcsidecars.com
866-638-1793
