I am looking for some help!
First, some back ground, we ride a Sportster 1200 with an aluminum CSM car! I figure that the car and us, the bike is pulling 600lbs! In just over a year we have put 17,000 miles on the rig! We tend to ride pretty hard, my wife likes to lean into the curves, so we push it a little! I now have a head gasket weaping with only 27,000 on the bike! Sooooo.....
New bike, while the Sportster is still good!
Help me pick a new bike: looking at the Honda vtx 1300-1800 or the Kawasaki vulcan 1500-1700 Any thoughts on either line or specific model!
Main fetures:
Fuel injected
water cooled
larger Hp and torque
Sportster is 55hp & 79ftlb torque
I have a couple of rigs, one o which is a Kaw 1500 Vulcan/Hannigan Classic. I have put about 40,000 on the rig and have been very pleased. I have thought several times about how nice it would be if it were the newer 1700 with a little more power since I live in the mountains of Va and pull a camper some. It has been very reliable though. I did install an auxiliary gas tank and an automotive tire on the rear. I run a rear tire on the front turned backwards. It would be easier if I had installed a steering mod for the twisties, but it has a good frame for mounting the chair. Best of luck with the search.
Bill D.
Pic of rig
Pic of rig
I would be looking for a rig that mounts are made for, triple tree's are made for and an automotive rear tire can fit on the stock rim.
Jay G
DMC sidecars
866-638-1793
www.dmcsidecars.com
Triple trees are available for the Kaw and the automotive tire does mount on the stock rim, however I did make my mounts with some picture help from Hannigan.
Bill D. 🙂
Might also want to consider the Honda Valkyrie. One thing I like about the Valk, besides legendary Honda reliabiltity, and the motor being pulled right out of the Goldwing, is that it's a difficult bike to ride solo. As a result, there are used, low mileage examples out there for sale at pretty darn good prices. The triple trees are available for it. You can darkside it using the OEM rim with a 205/55-16 or 205/65-16 car tire. The basic Valk is naked, but there's also the "Interstate" model, with a big comfy fairing.
Here's a pic of one I grabbed off the net. It's a Dnepr sidecar, but might kinda look like your CSM--
I'd be interested to hear what other members think about using the Valk. Good luck with your quest!
Thanks for the help! Jay I have been keeping an eye on the auto tire thing, 16, 17 and 18 seem to be doable I managed to find and fit a 16 on my sportster! I will mount the car with a subframe to some extent!
Jay, with your experience which line makes a better tug for mounting? Have you done more of one than the other? Do you like one frame more?
draperg, great looking rig and love to hear that mileage! That is what we want! We don't change things, just because or that would be nice! I want a good LONG term rig! If I wear it out that is fine but I don't want it to fall apart on me!
The honda valk would make a great tug in my humble opinion. I know it has more power and torque than my kaw and the hondas usually have enough electric to weld with.
Bill D
smith8833, here are a couple of pics of large Honda bikes with double-wide sidecars:
Unfortunately, this VTX1800 Kenna double rig is no longer in our area, but the former owner seemed quite satisfied with the VTX1800 as a tug. He had an auto tire installed on the stock rim, but did not yet have the steering modified prior to the untimely sale of the rig:
This Valkyrie Texas Twinstar rig belongs to fellow member SideCar. He installed modified trees in the past year or so. You might PM him for his experience.
Lee
MB5+TW200+CRF250L+GTV300+INT650
XL883R w/Texas Ranger Sidecar
Zuma 50F + Burgman w/Texas Sidecar<Mrs. SwampFox
I thought about the valkerie and kind of like the looks but am a little put off by six carbs..... I would love to get my hands on Hondas europe cb1300.
Keep the info coming!!!
