New to sidecars

I'll bite - you don't mention if you've any experience with sidecars so this may be out of order... but:
Take a sidecar training course and see if it's something you like before you buy one.
Check the Craigslist and other sites (including this one!) for rigs for sale, you may find a gently used rig for less than brand new.
Attend a rally(ies) and check out different types of combinations and get to know some of the folks - there's a rally in Chelan this May.
I'm also in the PNW, near Olympia. Glad to meet-up w/ya' sometime if you're in the area.

Cheers!

Hey Tony, I'm green enough the glaze hasn't cleared off my vision yet, for sidecars, but will take best riding course avaiable.

Took the big bike course thru Pacific Motorcycles Northwest (retired LEO's riders school) few years back for my harley.

Primary reason to purchase is functionality of grocery getter size rig and there're so dam cool, always liked "the look" of sidecar but never good enough reason, except now. Would be able to keep from lighting up a diesel for quick trips. The sidecar rig seems perfect where the Harley just isn't right. 99% Puget Sound riding, tho' I used to work timber out in Forks back in the day..., some of those logging roads on a Ural Gear-Up would be trick.

Did two Seattle colledge winters on a Honda 500 in the 70's and duffle bagged it to about 3 corners.

Have cruised the adds and two local dealer website and distributor's site.

Haven't exactly closely read forum rules so apologies if saying "wanted" should only be in classified section.

Tho' I'm nearly sure a new rig or year-end.

Harley's & Cummins pick-ups had such a high used value that new iron wasn't much more and had been on the retirement "big ticket" list and saved for.

Will join the association.

Chelan ralley goes into the plan, they'll let Harley's in won't they??

JimB.

There will be several there, including those of the WA State Rep and the rally Sponsor.
If you haven't found the CSR2 rally website yet, it's: http://chelanrally.com/ and if you'll be camping you should reserve a site soon, as it will fill up very quickly.

Nuthin' wrong with writing "wanted" or anything about rules intended - I only meant that sometimes folk decide they want a combination without fully realizing what it takes. I took the ESC course in Moses Lake, then took the Adventure Sidecar class in Hood River a year later - two totally different ways of going about the same training, and with completely different rigs. USCA is a good group, and has a very nice magazine (published every other month, I believe) along with providing this forum and sponsoring rallies and such...

Hope to meet you in Chelan.
8^D Just saw your message in my inbox and sent a reply - hope it works, as there was still sumpthin' in the SENT box from a year or two ago... LOL

The USCA and the Chelan Rally are not Brand specific. All Marques are welcome.
If you have loud pipes you may get a few Beemer or Wing owners looking down their noses at you, but that's about it.
That's a good location for an early Rally in Washington.

Lonnie
Northwest Sidecars

Just made my CSR2 Flying Lady B&B reservations, May 20-23rd, thanks Tony for heads-up. Will send off ralley fee's tommorrow.

I'm old geezer all stock, no attitude/no pipes, luv' to chat up the babe's.

Very much looking forward to a fun time and lots of sidecar talk.

See you all there.

Nah - the beemer riders will wonder if you kept cold beer in those leather saddlebags, and the Wing owners will likely stick a kewpie doll on there and snap a picture for blackmail later... LOL hell, for that matter, I may grab a SKUNKshot...

It was a pretty good spot last year - but then, that's the weather 'round here, right?

I'd like to have a Ural just to find out whether the horror tales of repair and brake down are true. That Chinese look-a-like flathead BMr would be entertaining to try as well.
However, I have had some hack experience already. I built my own mounts, subframe and leading link for 77R100/Velorex700 I like to design and tinker as much as ride.
Sidear driving is quite different from 2 wheeling. I rode AMA enduro for 6-8 years, I rode '65Superhawk in college, and BSA V500 in grad school and R75/5 to get to teaching job.
I have had dozens of scooters(bikes) through the years. I work on them.
Read all you can about what to expect driving a sidecar rig. I believe you can't decide a rig until you've experienced what it is like. RoyalEnfield has a small unit which new would be a way to try it. You'll find that those willing for you to try their rig are few and far between . A hog rig first class will end up $20>$30K. USE MUFFLERS.
The old rig offered here in complete rigs for sale at $3500 could be a good start. Building one is more expensive than buying already built with few exceptions. For some reason
it appears that unless youhave a valued classic, you won't get your money back on re-sale. Sidecaring is a unique kinda ride and not for everybody.
ALl the fancy rigs that articulate or electrically change the lean seem to me to be for racing or long distance hiway use. I just ride mine locally instead of using
my truck. I load it with wife or other babes when I can, lumber, fishing gear, groceries, even concrete blocks. It tracksstraight at hiway speed. You will notice a great deal of difference driving with a load as compared to driving empty hack. I started out with "dummy" weight to get used to the right turn flying effect but no longer use him. ..let it fly, ya know. I suppose a 'school' is a good idea. You may decide that even though hacks are 'cool', you can't stand the feel when driving one. That's abot all I got...except...
you don't have to put yor feet down at triffic lights. Good luck.

Guess I said the "no pipes" thing badly. Should have said no loud custom pipes.

Jim,

Just one other item (personal opinion) from another Ural owner. Do you have specific need for 2WD that can only be used offroad because it is direct drive? If not, save your money. That much less to break and the non-2WD Urals are considerably less expensive up front.

Yes, get the class. Wish there had been one around here when I started riding three wheels.

Sarge

Hey Sarge, I've had farm tractors stuck in mud up to their gas tanks, would luv to put a Gear-up or Sahara or Patrol into such a condition just to let it know how life's going to be right off, so yep two wheel drive I'll use out here.

Staying open minded, really looking forward to CSR2 ralley in Chelan.

I never quite got around to HOG riding with my harley. This side car group just has the feeling of something extra fun and I used to fly choppers (long line logging) out on Olympic Peninsula and knew a whole lot of logging roads that would be just so cool on a Gear-Up. Hoping that's what some of this group are into.

Take care, Jim.

Hi Jim,
Sounds like you'd do well to get in touch with the Red Menace. AKA Vernon at www.adventuresidecar.com. Not only is he a sidecar instructor, he's into the extreme riding you're thinking of taking on... Plus the fact he's a heck of a good guy. Good luck with your upcoming adventures. He's down in Hood River, OR. Just next door.

Hey Tom, Yep got linked to his site & will register & browse, was very pleased to recognize his work and certainly will get by there but not 'til much later this year or early next but am very much wanting to learn much of what he does. Very busy summer even before adding CSR2 ralley. Doing my first military reunion in 40 yrs, July 4th San Diego. and late summer early fall is always family in Wisconsin.

Also his first Novice class is weekend before CSR2, just too much too soon.

Being a retired and bachelor is one dam misesrable way for a fella to have to live his life, if it weren't for Red Green, don't think I could get by...,

Take care, Jim.

The duct tape comes in handy!

I thought about getting a 2 wheel drive w/ reverse to pull my Bay fishing boat to the launch. Never happened but I still think on it. I've been tumbling an idea for electric reverse....maybe someday. Also ,a lift seat for my main squeeze who has a bit of a time egressing the hack even with the windshield raised.
I'd do that trail riding in a snap were I out there where y'all do it. The sunny South is HOG country. ...those damn things sure are loud.. I wish their pipes were aimed at their heads so they could get the benefit from them, ya know. They are the ones who like it, so they oughta treat themselves instead of inflicting their noise and needless attention getting on others.