We even registered on the same day.
Hi "twin,"
I will be sure to post a report on the sidecar class. It is scheduled for this Sunday, Aug. 24. It's a one-day class.
I am really hoping I enjoy the class since it's been a lifelong dream to own a sidecar -- even before I thought about owning a motorcycle. My only concern is that I'll love driving a sidecar rig so much that I'll do something foolish like plunk down big cash next week when I really should be saving up over the winter. But what the hey, you only live once, right?
Beth
I know the feeling. There are two for sale close to me and I have had to fight the urge to go look at them. If I feel comfortable after taking the course I think i am going to try to purchase something soon as I want to spend the fall and winter practicing off road on my farm and work my way up to street riding by the spring.
Good luck on your course.
Beth wrote:
>My only concern is that I'll love driving a sidecar rig so much that I'll do >something foolish like plunk down big cash next week when I really should be >saving up over the winter. But what the hey, you only live once, right?
I know that ugly feeling too. 1983 or 84 I had the "last" red R100RT in one hand and a full savings book in the other. Thanks God rationality won and broke my heart for quite a few years. Otherwise I would never had been able to finish engineering degree. Since then and even more after riding the first 3 cylinder tipped over toaster, my faith in BMW engineers is broken.
Best regards
Sven Peter
Be Aware that not all rigs will be good for off road work. Mine is very low and more suited for highway travel and well graded roads rather than bucking through the ruts off road. Take this into consideration when you go shopping but if you're just shopping, go take a look at anything near you. The very least that can happen is that you'll learn more about sidecar rigs.
If the question of reverse comes up be aware that very few bikes can have it added or stock. There is a kit to add it to Harley big twins but not the Sportster. It comes stock on Ural and the Goldwings. Everything else is pretty much not available. The reverse on GWs is run off the starter motor.
Originally written by Tomcat101147 on 8/18/2008 11:30 PM
Be Aware that not all rigs will be good for off road work. Mine is very low and more suited for highway travel and well graded roads rather than bucking through the ruts off road. Take this into consideration when you go shopping but if you're just shopping, go take a look at anything near you. The very least that can happen is that you'll learn more about sidecar rigs.
Thanks for the advise about clearance. The area I have in mind to practice is about 2 acres of relatively flat, mowed grass. The secondary road leading to the farm in a dead end so I can practice there too.
I think the most notable part of learning to drive a combo for myself was, as a rider with many years and thousands of miles of two wheeling, that you don't lean into the turns, but steer through them. In my case that came fairly quickly, and then it was just a matter of learning the little eccentricities of handling involved in starting from a stop, braking, and cornering . . . all of these conquered easily enough. Take the course if it's available, then boogie on!
I just passed my written test and got my learners permit. Now I just have to pass the Sidecar class this weekend and I will be a certified sidecarist. Maybe by next year I will be able to attend some events and get to meet some of ya'll.
Oh and I need a rig.
Originally written by sonnyandchair on 8/19/2008 9:48 AM
I think the most notable part of learning to drive a combo for myself was, as a rider with many years and thousands of miles of two wheeling, that you don't lean into the turns, but steer through them. In my case that came fairly quickly, and then it was just a matter of learning the little eccentricities of handling involved in starting from a stop, braking, and cornering . . . all of these conquered easily enough. Take the course if it's available, then boogie on!
Sonnyandchair,
Great advice!
We do quite a bit of one on one training here at the shop.
It seems as though those who have had experience on an ATV or trike pick up the basic idea of steering a rig pretty quickly. Those who have only ridden a solo bike for years sometimes have a harder time of it.
One thing for folks to understand is that a sidecar rig is NOT a motorcycle. Part of the rig looks like a motorcycle and sounds like a motorcycle but the rig, once assembled, is no longer a motorcycle.
Claude is right,i've noticed those with ATV or snowmobile experience pick this up much faster than those with a lot of two wheel miles.
Hey you two newbies:
How did you like your sidecar classes???
Did you have fun?
At first it seems like a lot to absorb. But with practice, driving a rig becomes second nature.
Hope you have rigs soon.
Gail
I had a great time and passed my class. There were only 4 people in the class and two dropped out after the first night because they had brought a Thoroughbred trike ( http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/14/thoroughbred-motorsports-stallion-trike/3) and they would not allow him to use it for the class. They offered to let them both use the trikes that they had for the class but the ole man got ed and left. They wouldn’t let him use it because it had a steering wheel instead of handlebars and was an automatic. So it was just me and an older dude on a new Ural and with two instructors it was like have a private lesson.
The last day they had an optional training session on how to fly the car. The dude on the Ural wasn’t going to do it but I said I would because I wanted to know how it felt and how to react to it because I know it will happen. After I did it Mr. Ural decided he would too. I guess he didn’t want to be shown up by a girl.
My husband came over to class on Sunday and watched for a little while. He told our friends how I stuck my butt out in the turns and they say they are going to name my rig the “booty buggy” and everyone in town will want to ride behind me. LOL
The DMV in North Carolina will not recognize my completion card to waive my skills test, but since I have my learner’s permit I'll be okay for 18 months. Right now I am stuck because I don’t have anything to take the skills test with. I can take a regular motorcycle class and get a wavier through them if I have to.
I have been searching for a rig, but have not found anything yet. I went last week and looked at a Moto Guzzi Convert with sidecar, but the dude had hacked the bike to pieces. I have talked to a guy in SC about another rig, but it’s more than I really want to spend. I’m trying to find a happy medium.
We were in Chillicothe Ohio this past weekend and met a dude there on a 61 Pan with Suicide Shift and it was still kick only. He had built the side car out of wood and it was cool as could be. I am addicted!! I have some pictures that I will try to post later.
I hope Beth’s class went well too.
Originally written by tequilared on 9/2/2008 11:09 AM
I had a great time and passed my class. There were only 4 people in the class and two dropped out after the first night because they had brought a Thoroughbred trike ( http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/14/thoroughbred-motorsports-stallion-trike/3) and they would not allow him to use it for the class. They offered to let them both use the trikes that they had for the class but the ole man got ed and left. They wouldn’t let him use it because it had a steering wheel instead of handlebars and was an automatic. So it was just me and an older dude on a new Ural and with two instructors it was like have a private lesson.
That's a bummer, but like you said, it worked out good for you! I took the S/TEP here in WA state awhile back and some folks showed up with a Harley that had two extra wheels (kind of like training wheels) so it handled like a trike, but really wasn't... the instructors wouldn't allow them on the range either.
The last day they had an optional training session on how to fly the car. The dude on the Ural wasn’t going to do it but I said I would because I wanted to know how it felt and how to react to it because I know it will happen. After I did it Mr. Ural decided he would too. I guess he didn’t want to be shown up by a girl.
8^D
You go Girl!! Betcha' had a big ole grin too, flyin' the chair!
I have been searching for a rig, but have not found anything yet. I went last week and looked at a Moto Guzzi Convert with sidecar, but the dude had hacked the bike to pieces. I have talked to a guy in SC about another rig, but it’s more than I really want to spend. I’m trying to find a happy medium.
Don't worry - you'll find the right rig for you. I let several pass me by before finding one I was happy with. Patience is like any other muscle... the more you exercise it, the stronger it gets.
An analogy that comes to mind concerning the Thoroughbred is that of being neither bird nor beast. Yes, it has a tricycle foot print (three tracks) but only through flaws in the registration system (not having included odd vehicles such as this) can it be considered a motorcycle. How do people think these things up?
Among other odd vehicles would be the street legal Quads, the Can-Am, items like the Hannigan Tri-Car (in racing circles this configuration is called a "Worm"), the ACE three wheeled car, the Corbin Sparrow, and the Cushman Truckster. These fall under motorcycle because there's no specific category for them. Whatever they may be they're not motorcycles although they share some characteristics. In the case of the Thoroughbred, inline tandem seating seems about the only thing it has in common with motorcycles.
The Throughbred has an auto engine, auto transmission and a steering wheel! It's basically a small car with three wheels. It even boasts air conditioning and a heater! On an open vehicle? I wonder if they included power steering? I'm not surprised that the instructors wouldn't let it on the course although I am surprised that the owner thought they would.
A trike is a motorcycle by virtue of having been converted from one. Things like the helper wheels on a standard bike don't make it a trike.
I'm not against these odd machines but sometimes I wonder why people buy them. Other than the obvious handicap virtue they're mostly just oddities. If you have the money to spend I suppose they might be toys.
The Stallion is probably more expensive than a nice sidecar rig but it's just not the same idea, nor with all the things, like a steering wheel, can it be considered a trike and why would anyone air condition a vehicle with no top? Like the Piaggio scooter with dual front wheels, it's just odd. The man who wanted to take the course on/in the Stallion probably thought the course would lower his insurance which has got to be expensive!
I'm glad you two noobs passed and enjoyed your courses. Once you get your rigs in line you'll enjoy many hours of motorcycling fun!
List price on a Stallion is $33,000.00.
