I am considering a motorcycle w/sidecar purchase. Haven't ridden a two wheeler in couple of years (last had Yamaha VStar 1100) and had an accident in which I was lucky to survive without serious injuries. Want to get into riding again and my wife says she wants to ride with me if I get a trike. However, we have a medium size dog that goes everywhere with us and we are thinking side car (a place for the dog and maybe even the wife and the dog). I plan to take the 3 wheeler riding safety course offered by a local community college in March.
Other info: I'm 57 years old and in good health. Wife is 57 and has rheumatoid arthritis and does have some mobility problems. She can get on-off a motorcycle and could get into/out of a sidecar with some help. We would not use this for long trips but primarily for day rides, pull behind our motorhome on a trailer.
My questions:
1. Other than Gold Wings and Harleys, are there other good bike-sidecar set ups.
2. I don't plan to buy new....would think I'd get a nice, used bike since there are plenty available, then find a suitable sidecar.
Any suggestions, advice, recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks in advance for any help.
First, welcome to the tribe. You will find a lot of friendly folks around here and a lot of smarts about sidecars. Now as to your questions:
Yes there is a lot of bike/sidecar rigs out there. People that have sidecars tend to be a little ... ah... different then normal folks as to what they ride. You will see the "wow" (high performance rigs). The"classic" rigs (BMW, Harley, Goldwing and so on). The "who would have thought" rigs. And my personnel favorite "Yup, it works, just don't ask me how" type of rigs. We as a rule don't seem to care so much as to the brand of bike and sidecar we ride as we are just having too much fun riding it. After all how many times have you seen people wave at a motorcyclist that goes by, but you will find that thay will not only wave, but grin at you when you are on a hack.
I would suggest looking around these pages like the want ads to get an idea what is out there that might fit your needs and pocketbook. Another good place to go is http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/SCT/ another fun place with lots of photos. Still another is http://www.pashnit.com/bikes/sidecar.htm
This is just the ones I can think of off the top of my head.
Your plan to take the 3 wheeler riding safety course is a good one. Don't forget to think about taking a refresher course every few years too. Bad habits are easy to pick up and hard to break.
And in closing, I have yet to meet a dog that does not think that riding in a sidecar is more fun then a Milkbone or a cat that needs chasing.
Good luck on your quest and hope to meet you on the road some day.
Welcome
As Bob said if it started life with two wheels some one has put a 3rd one on it. Lol. I am also going to give you some sites to look at also. The 1st two are right here.
http://www.sidecar.com/stuff1.asp
This is a list of Sidecar Manufacturers
http://www.sidecar.com/links3.asp
This will tell you a lot about sidecars.
http://www.hackd.com/classifieds.html
This is the “Hack’d Magazine” but list sidecars and rigs for sale.
Your State Rep:
Daniel D. Hough
1006 General Puller Highway
Saluda, VA 23149
804-758-1904
danhough @erols.com
Now
for your intended use,another 1100 v-star would make a good tug,i have put 25000 miles on mine with good results.
Gary,
don't overlook the Motorvation FII sidecar. it is great for wives and dogs!!
I have all three!!
Bob zinda
that last pic turned out weird!
try this?
If you haven't looked at Urals, they're worth a peek.
Here's the Website and user forum (BTW, the user forum is a huge plus for us Ural owners - and I can't say enough good things about the people that make it up; and that the manufacturer allows all voices to be heard - even when extremely negative):
http://imzwa.secureforum.com/login
Here's the Russian Iron forum:
http://www.russianiron.com/ironforums.htm
I just need to throw one "no-no" into the mix. If you are considering riding a sidecar rig with Mom on the back and Fido in the car, think again. As you will learn as you read more about the subject, the heaviest passenger needs to be in the sidecar and the lighter passenger, if necessary, on the cycle. As the lighter passenger in this case is a dog, he/she is best in the sidecar with Mom. Keep this in mind as you look at potential rigs.
Sarge
Sarge:
Thanks for the feedback. In fact, I wondered about that very issue. Without ever having driven/ridden a cycle with side car, my impression is that weight distribution is important. In fact, my wife + dog would equal my weight. If I do this, I will make sure to get a sidecar that can accomodate both wife and dog.
Originally written by smlranger on 1/18/2007 10:06 AM
Sarge:
Thanks for the feedback. In fact, I wondered about that very issue. Without ever having driven/ridden a cycle with side car, my impression is that weight distribution is important. In fact, my wife + dog would equal my weight. If I do this, I will make sure to get a sidecar that can accomodate both wife and dog.
yeah, thats the way to go..in the SC where passengers belong.
much safer on the road for all.
I am sure I [we] will get flak from other riders who ride with passengers on the pillion FOR YEARS!! , but that is their own thinking of safety.
SMLranger,
For your Wife and dog, you will likely need a bigger sidecar than a Ural, or Velorex. Unless the dog is a small lap dog. I recently built a larger rig with a Motorvation Formula 11 (same a Bob in WI's) and my wife and dog LOVE it. Much roomier and lots more comfortable than the R75/5/dnepr rig we started with.
Huddleston VA, near Smith Mtn. Lake? I'm in Copper Hill, Floyd County not too far from SML.
Check out my rig project here:
http://pfestus1.smugmug.com/gallery/412601
Originally written by Pfestus1 on 1/18/2007 10:28 PM
SMLranger,
For your Wife and dog, you will likely need a bigger sidecar than a Ural, or Velorex. Unless the dog is a small lap dog. I recently built a larger rig with a Motorvation Formula 11 (same a Bob in WI's) and my wife and dog LOVE it. Much roomier and lots more comfortable than the R75/5/dnepr rig we started with.
Huddleston VA, near Smith Mtn. Lake? I'm in Copper Hill, Floyd County not too far from SML.
Check out my rig project here:
http://pfestus1.smugmug.com/gallery/412601
When I suggested the Ural, I just assumed that the passenger would be in the sidecar and the dog would be tethered to the rear of the bike. The dog shouldn't have any trouble keeping up - after all it *is* a Ural! 😉
Another option is a small kennel trailer behind the sidecar. I have a friend that tours on 2 wheels with his wife and dog this way.
Originally written by Pfestus1 on 1/18/2007 9:28 PM
SMLranger,
For your Wife and dog, you will likely need a bigger sidecar than a Ural, or Velorex. Unless the dog is a small lap dog. I recently built a larger rig with a Motorvation Formula 11 (same a Bob in WI's) and my wife and dog LOVE it. Much roomier and lots more comfortable than the R75/5/dnepr rig we started with.
Huddleston VA, near Smith Mtn. Lake? I'm in Copper Hill, Floyd County not too far from SML.
Check out my rig project here:
http://pfestus1.smugmug.com/gallery/412601
Pfestus: Yes we live in Bedford County on Smith Mountain Lake. I clicked on your link but I got a message saying the gallery was not available.
