I sold my Harley Road King last year, and want to get back into riding, this time with a sidecar so my wife will feel safer than she does on two wheels. Due to the expense of the big Harley's, I would like to use a different manufacturer. I am considering a single passenger sidecar. I am 6'-4" tall, and weigh almost 300 pounds. I would greatly appreciate any advice on which bikes are suitable for powering around someone of my weight, as well as advice on which sidecars are suitable for someone 6'-4" tall to ride comfortably in as my wife would drive some of the time.
Thanks in advance for any and all help.
Jim Clark
Hi Jim,
Welcome! Just my opinion, but get a Goldwing 1500. I have a Friendship II, California Sidecar, and it has lots of room for a tall person. Mines sorta old, but the newer ones are really nice. Of course, there are lots of other really nice sidecars out there. If you're looking for a used rig, check the GWRRA website "for sale" section. They often have nice rigs for sale. Being an ex-Harley rider:o, you know that Goldwings have plenty of power, and they really do a great job lugging around a sidecar. (I hope that I got everyone snorting, nobody's said anything very interesting around here lately! 😉 😮 he, he !!
Connie
Connie,
Thanks for the prompt response to my inquiry. I went to the GWRRA site. Man, do I have a lot to learn about Honda's. The classified section had a huge number of bikes for sale. I had no idea Honda made so many models. Do sidecarist also fight the great Harley/Honda wars? Should make for some interesting comments if they do. I have talked to several Honda Goldwing riders at various events I have attended around the country. They seem to be universal in their praise of the machines. I am looking forward to hearing from other brand loyalists, and learning why they feel that their ride is the best for sidecar use.
Jim
If you like a naked bike like the Road King, the Honda VTX 1800 is a good tug for a tall large rider. A strong, water cooled V-twin, they are also modestly priced at about 1/2 the cost of a comparable RK. I put one together with a Bavarian Classic for a customer who was 6'6" and it was a good fit for him. He wanted to ride it up to Prudoe Bay from west central Washington. He called me from Alaska and didn't have any complaints. There are pix of it in Albums/Hack'ns Hacks.
Take a Goldwing or a Valkyrie for a ride. You'll understand why their owners are so passionate about them.
Hi Jim,If you aren't busy next weekend you might want to travel down to Council Grove Kansas. There will be a variety of Bikes and sidecars to look at and even get a ride in one. You don't have to be on a motorcycle to be welcome. Check out the flyer for Sidecars in the Flint Hills.
Hi Jim,
I don't ride with any other sidehackers, but I do ride with a lot of other Wingers. I don't know if there is a big Wing/Harley debate within the sidecaring population, but my totally "unbiased" opinion is that a Goldwing beats a Harley hands down in every way except for the noise!!! I never personally piloted a Harley, but I have spent lots of hours riding on one behind my husband. I thought they were wonderful until I rode on the first Goldwing and I've never had any desire to be on a Harley since. But the wars continue, it's all great fun!!! However, there is one thing about most Harley riders that puzzles me. Most of the time when we're riding, everyone is having a great time, smiling and all happy, but when you meet most Harley riders, they look like their 'roids are acting up. Yeh, I know they've gotta look tough, but can't a person look tough and still look like they're enjoying what they're doing? Okay, now I'll be good, I was just checking to see if you were a dyed-in-the-wool Harley rider!!! If you're not, go to a rally close to you and try out some different rigs (of course, I mean Goldwings - I don't go to Harley rallies. Well, except for Daytona Beach Bike Week and Biketoberfest). Anyway, I hope you find the bike and sidecar that "fit" you! Good luck!
Connie
I would go with what ever bike you can feel some passion for. Then I would make sure that you can get a mount set for it to work with the sidear of your choice as this will simplify things greatly.
We make both sidecars and mounts as well as do custom work.
Jay Giese
Dauntless Motors Corporation
www.dauntlessmotors.com
C'mon Connie,
You're waxing Chauvinistic again. Even us Harley affecionados need a little love, we don't have those Teddy bears to hug. lol (I do ride all Marques tho').
Hell, I wave at everyone on two or three wheels when I'm on the road. Most flash back, if not, "No Huu Huu", it ain't no big thing.
Well, the Infernal equinox is almost upon us so bundle up kid.
Lonnie
Jim
I upgraded my 2000 H-D to 95 ci., plenty of power for the Hack. Have you considered one of the Screaming Eagle 103 ci. If I were you I would look at other sidecars.
Connie
You asked about the Hack'd Reunion awhile back.
Here's your chance to show what that Honda can do.
Meet me at the KFC in Orange VA, 8am on the 30th.
We will go across Rt 33 to Buckhannon WV., I'll be waiting for you there.
Are you prepared to navigate the Hitchback's?
For those that aren't familiar with Hitchback's, they are switchback's, S-turns, twisties, curvies, uppies, and downies. Be prepared to hold onto yourself.
Connie (Not, little woman in the hack & my friend on his Wing prefer the Highway)
Hey Lonnie,
Now would I do something like that? I love all motorcycles, well, except for crotch rockets, I hate them! Hate they way they sound and hate the total disregard most of the riders have for the law or other peoples lives.
Maybe that waving thing is just for east coast riders. I have a friend who can get most of those hardcore Harley riders to wave, even if they don't want to. Her husband rides an 1800 and he can't stand for a Harley to pass him - - he races with 'em all the time (of course, he wins) with her on the back. She nearly died from a bain injury in '96 (not related to motorcycling), which left her rather childish. She loves riding and she loves waving, especially to other bikers. At slow speeds, and close quarters I've seen them actually almost crack-up! Well, then we get tickled and crack-up, too. So, it's all just great fun!
If I ever make it back to the west coast, I'll have to ride by and see if ya wave!!! 😮 😉
As to that equinox thing, this is my time of year! I love it, it's my favorite time to ride!!!! Heading to the Smokies come Thursday morning!
Connie
Hi Wiskers,
I have absolute faith that my Wing can outdo a Harley, it just the driver that I'm not too sure about!!!! Some days I'm better than others, but I'm not a racer and I don't have a death wish, so I take the twisties pretty slow. I haven't seen too many rigs in action, so I don't have much of a base for comparing my skills with any other hackers. I know I can't keep up with any of my two wheel friends, but I work my a-- off trying sometimes!
I'm still not sure if I'm going to make it to WV, there are too many things going on that same weekend. We usually go Rt 39 or 250 if we don't do the interstate when we head over into WV. I'd have to do a lot of backtracking if I met you in Orange, but Harrisonburg on Rt 33 is almost due north of here. But aren't you pretty much going to have to take Rt 33 to get there (or a very similar road - - I mean as far as twisties, etc.)? Well, anywho, if I went I'd give it my all trying to keep up with ya!!!
Connie
Connie,
You're gonna have to quit inciting these Hog riders to race. You're becoming a poor role model for all the SUV driving soccer moms out there.
You guys have to remember that those pulling out of sideroads, making left turns and coming the other way sometimes don't realize they are in the middle of a race. (Shucks girl, I know you're jest funnin').
The only time I got laid up for a long time started on a road called "The Mountain Loop". Heading for Barlow pass on my Springer, I met a nice lady turning left (With no insurance or license but she did have a Chrysler), and I spent the next 3 1/2 months having to keep my left leg higher than my heart to keep from losing a good size part of it. We weren't even racing.
Hi Lonnie,
I hope I didn't make it sound like "I" race with Harleys! Not me, I'm a complete coward, besides it's way too hard for even a Goldwing to yank a sidecar up to speed from a dead stop. The only time that I ever raced with anything was south of Gilette, WY. On a 2 lane straightaway (I could see forever) I was passing a string of 3 big rigs pulling something like doublewide trailers who were nose to tail. When a guy pulled out of a ranch road on the right and turned left coming toward me. H---, I didn't have but one choice and that was to finish passing before he got to me! At a time like that you know how important it is to have the power of a Goldwing. "My Baby" saved my bacon that day!
Nope, it's my friend that races, not me! I just sit back and watch!
Connie
I really don't give a rats butt what any of you think about my Harley. It's my Harley, you don't have to ride it, I ride and I like riding it. I won't race any of you no matter what, if you want to race go buy a crotch rocket. Sometimes this really pisses me off, because most of you who bash Harleys don't have a clue about them. You've never riden one, all you know about them is what some jerk on a GoldWing told you about them, so how can you judge them. Screw this, I'm out of here. I'm going to some other site where riders can be riders no matter what they ride. Play your games.
