New Rig

My wife and I are in the early stages of a traveling hack project, she no longer wants to ride her own on long trips and I don't want to ride two up with all the gear across state lines any longer. Can you tell me what some of our new challenges will be and maybe what to look for in the car, we have the tug. Any advice will be appreciated.

I guess I didn't look closely enough at your profile. What were some of the early challenges you had to overcome when you started traveling by hack? I'm sure todays challenges for you are way different than mine will be. How do you like the Rangers and what can you compare them to in your expierence. Not looking for a book just general impressions. Thanks again.

Hi jfix: The 1st challenge, after setting up the rig, is learning to drive it. I suggest searching out a S/TEP class. Jena & I have both completed the class on our own rigs. It is likely best to take the instruction on your own rig soon after installation. We started out with day rides of less than 160 miles and have slowly worked out way into longer travels. It is tiring until you learn/adapt/accustom to the rig. Also, the passenger will have to adjust to sitting low to the floor with their legs stretched out. Jena adapted to sidecar travel so well she wanted her own rig within the first year.

The Texas Ranger sidecar and it's mounts are good, sturdy products that should last a long while. The classic design compliments many bikes. We have two of 'em in gelcoat and are great without paint. The seat is comfortable, especially when enhanced with a cushion/cover to help comfort and sweating on the vinyl. Access to the trunk of the Ranger, as with most smaller cars, is by tilting the seat fwd. A separate access trunk is occasionally convenient so the passenger doesn't have to exit to get to the camera/drinks/etc. The ride can be a little bumpy do to the limited suspension travel and the fact that passengers can't raise up over bumps as on the bike, but this is common with many sidecars. Reducing unsprung weight with an aluminum wheel helped the ride some, and I speculate a shock with an adjustment for quick rebound damping might help a good bit. .

Examples of travel include: We had several couples ride 800+ miles the recent Caddo Lake rally, one with Ranger and another with a Velorex. Maybe they're reading this and can add more. I have no personal experience with the Hannigan cars, but some I've seen have appear to have a more supportive seat.

Hope this helps a little. Where are you located? Maybe someone in your area could meet up for coffee, conversation and a look-see.

Hello Again Lee,

Nice rig. How does it handle? Do you need ballast when you do not have anyone in the sidecar? Here is a pic of my rig.

SwampFox - 11/10/2009 7:48 AM We recently acquired a new-to-us 1987 BMW K100LT with EML GT2001 sidecar. See a couple photos from our first weekend trip to Hot Springs, Ark this past weekend in the albums: http://www.sidecar.com/mbbs22/photos/photo-thumbnails.asp?albumid=407 . We're still working on sorting out the details as well as adapting to driving and traveling in the new rig.

Congratulation, Lee.

Pretty nice rig. Riding a sidecar equipped with car tires is superfine and much more comfortable. Enjoy and ride safe.
I also have a EML GT 2001 attached to my GL 1800. (see attached pics )

Regards from Germany

S I G I

How does it handle? Do you need ballast when you do not have anyone in the sidecar?

The rig handles very well, but I'm still in the learning stage, trying not to be too heavy handed. My experience has been similar to Joe's in the 2nd paragraph here: http://home.jtan.com/~joe/first_11_years.htm . I'm accustomed to pushing left during acceleration, but the EML rig is so sensitive that it will briefly tract to the left during the momentary deceleration during shifting. But I'm slowly learning the drive "straight."

I've only driven about 100 miles over secondary roads without a passenger, and experienced no situations to indicate the rig requires ballast for safe operation. It did not lift the chair in 3 right hand maneuvers that would have easily lifted the chair on the Sportster rig.

Thanks for all the info last year SwampFox,we just ordered a Ranger yesterday and hope we made the right choice. Thanks again