question of ballast?

I've always figured it as it would go down the road. (Bike+rider+gear+luggage)=3X(sidecar+passenger+ballast).
In answer to your second question, my daughter carries three 40 pound bags of rock salt. Three bags because 40 pounds is about all she can lift and she has a couple of kids that probably go about that.

If your bike weighs 1000 pounds with you driving, the tug weight should be at least 330 ounds, for safe handling, with care, of course. thats with or without the passenger, according to the '1/3 weight of the bike' rule.

Let's get simple...If the sidecar feels light add som eweight. If later on you feel you don't really need it take it out' If you feel better with it in leave it in and have fun. Some folks like a heavier sidecar than other folks. There is absolutely no shame in having some ballast if it makes you feel better and lets you ride with confidence. I like aheavy sidecar myself as it allows me to ride a little harder in the twisites. Sometimes ligth is fun but day in and day out a little towaqrds th eheavy side ain't going to hurt anyhing.
All of the above is said with some limits of course. If anyone is trying to put a Spirit Eagle or a Cozy on a Boss Hoss you will probably end up on that 'sports disasters' show anyhow.

seem like the general feeling is that the "velorex" is to small of a rig for a cruiser bike. According to the literature I have The model #565 has a curb weight of 175# and heavy duty suspension. Guess I don,t see the problem can someone explain. thanks

Please read ome of th eother threads here. Lonnie had just posted info on th enewer velorex sidecars like you are speaking of. Most folks here are typically commenting on the 154 puound 562 or th elittle heavioer early 700 as they are so comon. The 565 sounds like good move for velorex and possible could do a decent job but will still need ballast. I do apologise for not being more specific.