I have been riding HD motorcycles for 18 years and have been thinking about getting a sidecar since my first son was born 6 1/2 years ago. Him and his 4 1/2 year old brother are starting to ask when they can go on rides with me. I have looked around here and on some of the sidecar mfg sites and think maybe I would like to get a 2 seater so that both boys(and Mom) can go along at the same time.
The Harley dealer tells me that I should buy a HD rig (of course) and sidecar mfgs and or installers seem to be few and far between. Any suggestions?
Here's a genuine two seater. Kenna Doublewide.
Lonnie
www.motorvation.com in Sibley, Iowa makes two different 2 passenger sidecars. Mary and the company got a really nice writeup in the May edition of Walneck's.
and 
Hannigan, in northern Kentucky has at least one, the Astro 2+2. I can't find a decent photo of one on a Harley. <img src=" 
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Vetesniks in Richland Center is a dealer for Californina sidecar, 
I spoke with Vetesnik about their California side cars and they told me that they wouldn't touch a Harley.
Originally written by wovace on 4/13/2009 6:16 PM
I spoke with Vetesnik about their California side cars and they told me that they wouldn't touch a Harley.
I'm sorry to hear that. They are a good dealer. Give Motorvation a try. That blue bike belongs to a friend of mine and is featured on their website. Tell Mary that SidecarMike sent you. ?
I toured the Motorvation factory a couple of years ago. Maybe that is the answer.
If you have any interest in the Motorvation Formula II. I have a two year old unit listed for sale in the sidecars for sale area. Mike is right Mary and the crew are tremendous people to work with and are more than willing to share any information they might have to help you make a decision. Good luck with your search.
Fred
Since I have two boys ages 4 and 6 I think I would be better off with a two seater unless someone can suggest otherwise. Would anyone care to comment on the pros/cons/differences between the California and Motorvation two seaters or does it boil down to personal preferences like Honda vs HD?
Originally written by wovace on 4/13/2009 7:27 PM
Since I have two boys ages 4 and 6 I think I would be better off with a two seater unless someone can suggest otherwise. Would anyone care to comment on the pros/cons/differences between the California and Motorvation two seaters or does it boil down to personal preferences like Honda vs HD?
I've had two used Motorvation Formulas. One bought second hand and one has been through at least three owners. Every time I call the company I am treated like their best customer. If you have installation questions, you'll be passed directly to Gary. Paint questions, "let me get Rich for you." They never seem to be too busy for you. I'm told that if you visit, it's the same.
When I called to order mounting hardware, Gary had me list and measure every piece that I had from the previous owner's Harley and from the Yamaha it was on before that. He then told me which pieces to reuse and sold me the one piece I needed to install the car on my Guzzi. Some companies would have just sold me a Moto Guzzi set.
Call California Sidecar and tell them you have a California One. There's a good chance they will hang up. My experience is that they have no time for you unless you are the original owner. My daughter had a minor argument with her CX500 and a chain link fence. When we called to try to get replacement parts we were told they no longer support that model and they hung up on me.
My F2 was made in the early 90's. The lift struts were missing when I got it. They are different than the ones used today. I ordered a set of the new ones and they were way too short. I returned them and started looking elsewhere. Three days later Mary called me to say she spent three days digging through the "back room" because she was sure there was a pair back there. She found them. Even though that was the last pair, I now have the proper size and weight to use to order another pair someday.
I've never liked the looks of the Formula 2. Too much like a wedge of cheese. I bought it because it was close by and it was cheap. Just the same, the way they all treat me causes me to think I'll have their products for a long time to come.
I've had good luck with Dauntless as well. I'm sure others will chime in with their experience with different brands. If you want to see mine up close, I'm in Menomonie.
Try a web search for "EML Sidecars" and "Watsonian Sidecars". I believe they both have two seater versions. I know Watsonian also has a model called the Oxford that can seat 4 kids!
I have a friend in North Western Iowa, not far at all from the Motorvation factory that is stelling his Motorvation sidecar. Its the Roadster model. Complete with mounting hardware and subframe to fit a '94 to '06 HD E glide for 2000 dollars.
Email me if interested, I'll put you in touch with him. Motopsycho@wat.midco.net Installation available for a few extra dollars, if you dont' want to do it yourself.
Thought of looking at an EZS Munro model? Only early days at this time (6 months) but I have no complaints to date. They need a large tug to haul them, I use a Rocket 3 but I imagine a Harley would do as good a job. Regards Carey
