Newbie-Questions

Of your two choices, I would pick the Enfield for driving with a passenger in the sidecar. The 500cc engine would be less stressed and would be able to keep up moderate speeds as needed on back roads with less strain.
I feel the larger motorcycle wheels afford better control than the smaller scooter wheels as they can have a tendency to oversteer in some cases. The conventional transmission drive system should also last better without needing maintenance.
Both use Cozy sidecars so there wouldn't be any advantage for your passenger other than the motorcycle sidecar uses a larger wheel tire combo which would ride a bit better.
Pricing may be about the same also.

Lonnie

Something else you might consider is the Ural, it's much more a sidecar rig than the Enfield and I think a lot easier to ride, it would allow you to ride much more comfortably on the Hi Way than a Enfield would and price wise there not that far apart. Don't be concerned that it's a motorcycle it what you have learned in your past riding that you will relay on as you learn to STEER your sidecar outfit, which ever way you go your going to have a great experience, like scooters sidecaring is totally different and FUN.

http://www.imz-ural.com/

I would go with the bigger rig. Don't be concerned about a larger motorcycle with a sidecar rig as there is not an issue of maintaining balance of a 800 lb bike as there might be with a 2 wheel ride. To be honest my 1450CC Harley Road King handles easier than my 750CC Ural did. Pushing a sidecar requires horsepower so my suggestion would be go as big as you can afford and you won't out grow it quickly.

Not having much experience with motorcycles makes little difference as sidecars handle and drive much differently. It may even be an advantage in not having to counter previously learned driving practices on a 2 wheel bike .

Safety is always a concern on motorcycles, but of all the rigs I feel that sidecars are perhaps the safest. Being seen by other drivers is one of the biggest hazards to motorcyclist. Sidecar rigs are bigger and more visible. I also increase my visibility by a running light on the sidecar, running lights on the bike and a headlight modulator. If someone doesn''t "see" me they gotta be blind. The other advantage of a sidecar is not going down due to some unexpected road hazard like gravel on a corner, wet cobble stones, leaves on the road.

Insurance through Progressive is relatively inexpensive. I think I pay $250/yr

Good luck in your quest. Any way you go ...it is just outright fun...and addictive.

Thanks for all of your insight. I am going to begin my search-I agree mostly with what you are saying about the motorcycle vs. the scooter-i just can not imagine the scooter with the sidecar being able to do so well on the hills around NE PA. where I live. I'll look at the URAL-may be just the thing!

If you do decide on a Ural and decide to buy used rather than new get the latest model you can, they have made some very important changes to them that effects reliability like carbs, charging ability, spark and stopping so do your homework and ask questions so you know what you are getting if it's a used rig. there new plain Jane set up is the same as a fancy one with the fancy and will allow you, if you wish, to add any stuff you think you need like a machine gun mount 🙂 The Ural is a very good newbie set up and reasonably priced for a bike and a almost bullet proof sidecar that's comfortable and easy to get in and out of. Ask questions, there's 2 or 3 regulars that sell, service and mount sidecars and know what there talking about and will give you the straight stuff.

Joe, have to agree with Scrinch. When I got my rig last year I had no previous experience with 2 wheelers and a lot of people tried to talk me out of getting a side car. Their concern was that it will "handle differently" but when you have no previous experience you don't have to unlearn the old ways. I also took the Motorcycle Safety Foundation class for two wheelers in Binghamton (the closest available to my home), read the manuals available on this web site, did a bunch of homework and then did a lot of practice, practice practice. This year has been a bit on the busy side, but am anticipating taking a sidecar class next year. Hopefully it won't be too far from home. Don't know where you are in NE PA, but I am in the Corning-Elmira area when home. Off to Canada this weekend for the Port Dover Friday the 13th rally. Having too much fun to grow up! Shadow is also correct in that there are a lot of knowledgeable people willing to share their information and experience. If you have not already joined the USCA I would encourage it. The magazine has a lot of information in it. Be smart, practice and enjoy the ride.

schoolhouseink - 11/9/2009 11:37 PM Thanks for all of your insight. I am going to begin my search-I agree mostly with what you are saying about the motorcycle vs. the scooter-i just can not imagine the scooter with the sidecar being able to do so well on the hills around NE PA. where I live. I'll look at the URAL-may be just the thing!

I am roughly 50 miles north of Northeast Pa. or 60 to Erie in the south western portion of New York,like some of the others said starting out fresh you will adapt to a sidecar easier also just my opinion but I would stick to the bigger set up especially in the hills of northeast pa.

Oh if you are a hunter or fish off the beaten path,you may want to consider the 2 wheel drive ural

Hi Joe: If you prefer scooters, many folks have favorably mounted sidecars to the mega-scooters, including my wife. See a pic here: http://www.sidecar.com/mbbs22/photos/photo-thumbnails.asp?albumid=407 . The rig works well -- her first trip was 600 miles over 3-days a few weeks ago. Jena not only prefers the auto no-shift scooter, but also just likes this combo.

There are a lot of options available. Take a look at Lonnie's album for pics numerous variations: http://www.sidecar.com/mbbs22/photos/photo-main.asp?viewmember=69 .

Again, thanks, I know there is a Motorcycle foundations class here in Scranton area-signed up last year and never took the class-too busy but probably should-but they do not teach with a sidecar. I know it will be an entirely different experience than the scooters-and am leaning in the direction of the motorcycle, rather than the scooter simply because of the power and the looks-the classic vespas and genuine stellas are my style-but, engine I believe would be too small, as someone mentioned, I will probably grow out of. The URAL is nice-how does the Royal Enfield stack up to the URAL---I guess too that my price range will be around $3500-5500 and think this should probably suffice---now, how do I manage the test drives...

how does the Royal Enfield stack up to the URAL
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The Enfield is a single and the Ural is a twin/2 cylinder, the more power strokes you have the better it will handle a load and will accelerate better and of course the more cc's you have the better it will handle a load, look for a used Ural IMHO.

I have heard the Enfield is more problematic than the Ural. I had a 2005 Ural and had few issues with it. It was fine at 55mph but stressed going faster. As some one mentioned, buy the latest year you can afford as they have made significant improvements as the years go by. I believe that in 2008 they had a big price increase so the resale value also increased. A Tourist 2003 on would probably serve you well

You have a Ural dealer right in Scranton. I think its murray or McMurray. He sells primarily Kawasakis and then Urals. I have a Ural type (chang jiang) sidecar hooked up to my old Yamaha XS1100 and that has just about enough power. I really don't think I would want the 500 single RE. Good luck with your new adventure and let us know how you make out. Mooseman