from my view point theres only one way to see it, you can either ride and easy chair(honda) or a motorcycle(harley) it's as simple as that.
fender
Well,
We've got Jim's "Recommendations for bike size" pretty well covered.
(See beginning of thread if you got in late). Why don't we move on to politics and religion so he can really be sure which way to go on bike size.lol
(Damn, had to edit, I left an "L" out of really).
Well, Skin,
I'm sorry that you got so bent, but if you had actually read what I wrote, you would know that I said that I love all motorcycles (with the exception of crotch rockets - - and I won't apologize for that). I wasn't trying to piss you or anyone else off, but, like they say, it's better to be pissed off than pissed on! I also said that I've spent lots of time on the back of a Harley. The first bike I was ever on was a Harley and the only time that I ever hitchhiked in my life was because a Harley left my husband and me sitting on the side of the road! The only thing about Harleys that I don't like is the smart ass attitude of the riders and all of that stupid noise that is somehow supposed to make them better machines! If you don't have that smart ass attitude and you didn't doctor your Harley to make it destroy everyone else's ears, I don't have a single gripe with you or your bike. Like I said, it's all just great fun, sorry you couldn't see that!!!!
And by the way, that's exactly how I feel when some smart ass Harley rider is yelling at me or one of my friends to get a real motorcycle. It's my bike, they didn't buy it for me. However, if you or any other Harley rider wants to buy me a Harley, I'll ride it.
Connie
can't we all just get along, ok maybe not
just kidding, it really doesn't matter what you riding
as long as your enjoying yourself.
fender
Amen! (Basically, I thought that was what I said!) I did qualify what I said is being just my opinion, not Gospel or anything else. Gee, you have to be a little bit tough if you're going to ride a bike!
Connie
It sounds like somebody was having a bad day or year or life. Connie's post didn't seem offensive to me, but then I'm not feeling defensive about my choice of scoot, either. As far as bike size goes (wasn't that the original topic?), it sounds like the original question was what bikes fit a large rider that don't cost as much as a big Harley. I saw some suggestions for a few bikes and a few sidecars, so question answered?
Jay from Dauntless gave some great advice above. Ride the bike you have passion for then make sure you can get a mount set for it to work for your sidecar. I went to the USCA rally at Bean Blossom for 2 days this summer to learn about sidecars and I met Jay there. After I decided on a Ural hack for my Harley a few weeks later, I called Jay and asked if he had what I needed. He said "I have everything you need to hook up your Harley to a Ural sidecar." I then bought a used Ural hack. I order what I was told I needed. After receiving my shipment several weeks later, four of the supplied bolts, washers, nylock nuts and a reducer sleeve were not included in my $550.00 kit. No biggie, the reducer was sent and I went to the hardware and got what else was missing. But my biggest disappointment was that the subframe did not fit my bike. After a few phone calls to Jay, I was told that he could not make a subframe for my bike. He did know of another supplier but it would cost me another $400.00 (and he would not give me credit for the wrong one he sent me). Man was I between a rock and a hard place. My restoration project was about complete, with over $2500 invested and untold hours of my time. My frame had been striped to the metal and painted with the body at the painters for a professional color match paint job. Now I had to find someone to alter this Harley subframe to fit my bike. I did, and I spent more money to get the subframe altered to fit my application.
On the plus side, I have met some great sidecar enthusiasts, another supplier, a wonderful body/paint man, and a great welder, who have been very helpful and have provided fantastic advice, services and parts.
So if I may add to Jay's advice, Deal only with people with solid business ethics who can deliver what they promise.
Good Luck on your project!!
Lets not forget the sidecar in this topic of what tug to buy for this big fella!!
How tall is your wife how much does she way etc etc etc.
If you plan to build a rig and do it once make sure she is happy with the sidecar she is going to be sitting in!!!!!!!!
Every company has a bike that will work, but you have to get a sidecar that will work well with it and look good too!!!
Other things you have to consider are, what roads will you be riding on, # miles per year you plan to ride?
Your options are endless go slow do it once do it right.
One thing for sure you can get all the great advice from this website, but the final choice is up to you!!!!!!
Jim,
When I was figuring out my first rig I was torn between something lite weight for the old R75/6 or almost anything for my FLT. Being new to sidecars I did decide on the less expensive option involving the BMW but I was told that the steering geometry etc. on the FLT make them excellent tugs. I imagine a lot depends on the riding you are going to be doing. The Beemer, even with a lite chair, is not what you would call overpowered but we live in a rural area and she handles the various, heavily cambered roads great. We don't usually do more than 20-30 miles on the highway at one time but she manages to keep up with the flow, she's just not that happy doing it. There are a lot of Urals out here and they really aren't much more than a 50 year old BMW. Never drove one but the riders I see are all smiling.
The other question is "how much money do you want to throw at this project?". I haven't seen any suggestions for the K1200 and I know they make a decent ride.
Personally, I would suggest finding someone who knows more on the subject then you do (in my case it was easy 'cause almost anyone qualified)and work with their ideas. I had no idea of the right questions to ask never mind the correct answers but I got lucky and hooked up with Bob Wark at The Warkshop who walked me through the entire process and hung around after the sale to make sure the rig was safe.
I still have a bunch to learn but hanging around here I have picked up a lot of tips from Lonnie, Jay and others who have been at it a while.
And, contrary to what I just read here, I have had more than acceptable service from Dauntless Motors. My first choice for a subframe was Lowell Neff because he came highly reccommended but after a year of waiting he cancelled the order because he was all backed up and felt bad about holding me up. Ordered from Dauntless and it arrived earlier than I was told. Yes, I had to tweak it a bit but I was putting it on a bike that was 28 years old and had been over 200,000 miles. Was the jig a hair off? Have the severe winters and potholes around here "adjusted" my frame?
All I know is the man never failed to answer a question(intelligent or otherwise)and did it all in a timely fashion.
Life is way too short to sweat the small stuff. Make sure the rig is safe, learn how to drive it and enjoy!
Kurt
Dunno what the issue is here, but skin, i'd suggest you've got an awful thin skin.. pun intended.
I doubt Connie's got a real heavy anti-harley bias like you claim since she's had one in her garage either now or in the past, afaik..
Yes, she's got a bias against 'crotch rockets', as do you.. guess what? I own one, that i've hung a sidecar on, and still ride it as if it is a 'crotch rocket' .. i could take offence to the term 'crotch rocket', but it really don't matter to me one way or another what you or anyone else calls it. In the grand scheme of things, it's got 2 wheels and a motor, and thats all that really matters to me - and in regards to Harleys, i suspect the same applies for Connie (but not for crotch rockets, she still hates them things, lol).
'Two wheels and a motor' is a good thing.
claude 🙂
Hi Bill,
I met you at the RON-DEE-VOO this summer and I really did like your rig. I hope that you didn't take too much offense at my remarks about crotch rockets. I don't know who came up with that term, but I suspect it has something to do with their speed and the way that the rider sits. I "do" admit that I have a prejudice where they are concerned, but it mostly has to do with they way that they are ridden. I understand love for speed (although, I don't possess it), but if you're gonna race I think you need to be on a race track, not on public roadways endangering other people's lives. I don't have a problem with people who have a death wish unless they try to include me or some other innocent person. But I guess it's not the bike's fault how it is ridden!
Anyway, like I said before, I love motorcycles - - and I really liked yours, too!
Connie
cONNIE,
Yes, I remember you. I hope you enjoyed the rally. I do apologise for not being there all the time but I had a 5 way bypass on Friday and was at the rally the next week. Really like hanging out at rallies but just could not do so this time.
As far as crotch rockets go I am sure my rig , being a K100 BMW, falls short in many ways. The rig was not finished when I had my heart attack but we brought it to the rally anyhow as quite a few wanted to see the goofy suspension on it. Actually due to various factors it is very stable even as you saw it with no body on the sidecar frame.It will look a lot different next time you see it though.
Really hope you can make the RON DEE VOO next year. I did see your post about it beinga 'guy thing' and we are planning some activity just for the women next time.
Tentative dates are August 5-7..more later.
Best wishes from Pa.,
This is an interesting post, as I live down a country lane and directly around the corner from a local HD dealership. This has advantages and disadvantages. I get to hear pipes that make me long for a bike and loud pipes that also make me think some bikes should not be allowed on any road in the western hemisphere. I get to see the good, the bad and the ugly as they pass by my home on a routine basis, daily.
The "good" fits most bikes and bikers alike. The "bad" generally fits only a few who seem to have a death wish and little concern for others as they ride. I see the latest trend with these bikers is to hit the front brake and try to intentionally get the rear end to jump up above their head. This is also done at a very high rate of speed. It must feel cool and must take some skill, but I just don't want to be the one who has to come take a pulse and hold their hand as they await an ambulance or a hearse. I have seen some great stupid tricks on the road in front of my home and generally most seem to be done by someone who rides a crotch rocket-style bike for some reason. Maybe doing this trick is just too difficult on a cruiser, but hitting 90 MPH on a busy little country road with winding curves is gonna' eventually result in something the riders are not expecting or wanting. Sooner or later something bad will happen and that always gives bikers a bad name or a bad reputation.
I have seen the "ugly" as well, but generally it is a matter of taste in bikes, so I won't mention brands or type of bike.
I think having a need for speed is not the worst thing in the world if you are willing to ride with the knowledge that you may incure the wrath of many a cop and you will eventually need to carry a set of bags just for the tickets you will eventually collect. 🙂 The need to show off seems to take over when these guys get out on the road in front of my house. Showing off in a stupid manner will impress your buddies, but may well be the last thing you ever did in your life if you end up as road debris or kill someone else by your actions.
Just an opinion though. I can't say I did not do similar stupid human tricks as a youth, so I am not really judging. Just commenting that I see the good, the bad and the ugly. I have a great desire to remain in the first group in the future. 🙂
Huey
If you like naked bikes like the Road King, Honda VTX 1800 is the big shot for the pilot along great. Strong, water-cooled V-twin, are modestly priced at about half the cost of comparable RK.
