You guys have been very helpful with my tire query; her's another concern, a big one: I've never ridden/driven a motorcycle with a sidecar. I looked into FAQs and other sources, but found little current training available. Sidecars-unlike tattoos-are not in fashion; finding one locally would be a lucky break. Even finding what you want in two wheels can't be counted on. I knew what I wanted in my last ride - you know, model and accessories/mods. Had to fly to Saskatoon up in Canada. No big deal, I enjoyed the ride back. I've traveled by motorcycle on some difficult, even dangerous, situations - Mexico top to bottom into Central America several times, A sidecar rig is something else. On two occasions - one a dealer, another a buddy - I was told to hop on, take it for a ride. This was not in a parking lot but on the street. Also, both were pretty examples that wouldn't benefit from a scrap. I declined. Would I be able to, somehow, make it to an abandoned mall parking lot, spend an hour getting acquainted, and then make it home? What to do? Any thoughts appreciated.
Where are you located Bogdan? I'd guess that there are folks here who'd be happy to spend a day showing you the basics.
I used to live near the DMC manufacturing plant and folks who were flying in to pick up their first sidecar would sometimes contact me for a lesson. I'd meet them at DMC then take them out on their first ride.
There are also professional sidecar classes but that would probably require you to fly somewhere if not close to where you live.
Bogdan, I will ask the same question that DRONE @ned asked...where are you ?
One of the reasons we ask is because some states...like Washington State....require the operator of a sidecar rig or trike to have a special endorsement on their drivers license, showing that they can operate a 3 wheeled vehicle. So, as an example, both DRONE and I live in Washington State, and we both have a drivers license that allows us to drive a car, and we both have endorsements for a 2 wheeled motorcycle, and an endorsement for a 3 wheeled vehicle....such as a sidecar or trike.
Best to check your state, or province, to see if an additional endorsement is needed.
In Washington State we also have MFS (Motorcycle Safety Foundation)classes that include sidecars and trikes as part of that special classes, and they are actually pretty good. I think it is now the Puget Sound Motorcycle Safety group...something like that.
How well you adapt to driving a sidecar rig is a very subjective thing, as not everyone can do it easily, and yet some folks take to it like a duck to water.
Having never driven a sidecar rig myself....I had zero problems adjusting to my very first sidecar drive, and have enjoyed it...a little TOO much.
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@bogdan Bogdan, you should be fine, if you read up a little on the handling characteristics of a rig. There is a lot of stuff on this site in the "Library" section that will tell you all you need to know to get started safely.
I flew up to Washington and rode mine back to Arizona with only a singular ride around the block on a Ural for prior experience.
If you throw a little weight in the tub, it helps. Mine happened to be a pretty heavy chair, so right turns at posted speed limits (yeah, the caution signs on the turns) were zero hassle. It is good to find some place relatively quiet to experiment with cornering and panic stops, so you know what to expect. Church/Mall/Stadium parking lots are useful.
Generally speaking, hard braking pulls you left (on a right side mounted car) and hard acceleration pulls you right.
Depending upon the skill that the rig was set up with, you may experience some constant pull to the right above a certain speed. Setup can eliminate most of this, below say 80 mph, or so. A lot depends upon the rig, the wind resistance of the tub, etc. for this.
Ned @drone, was a great help, as well. Got to drive his, now FM's, rig to see how a sidecar rig should handle. He was pretty brave to let me take it for a spin!
My only real drama was with the wanker that built my rig... that is another story entirely, but no longer a concern.
Go into it with knowledge and fear is unnecessary.
I just checked and found the month with most births is September. That means from now until March will see less new "drivers" on the road, with brand new learner's permits. I would not want to attempt this feat in September, when all those teenagers have freshly minted licenses, with phone cradles that allow them to text, watch Tik-Tok, etc. while behind the wheel.
Just in case probably best to stay off the road on Tuesdays & Thursdays, as that is supposedly the best day to take the driver's test, and get a license. https://driveriteny.com/Blog/Optimal-Times-to-Schedule-Your-DMV-Appointment (if the picture of those teenager's doesn't raise your blood pressure, check for a pulse 😉 )
On a slightly more serious note: There is some pretty good info here on driving a sidecar, in the "Sidecar Library" Section of this website. https://sidecar.com/sidecar-library/ Also has some resources to contact for "driver's training".
Also a great book that shows how to setup a practice course, and lessons is this one: https://www.texassidecars.com/product/driving-a-sidecar-outfit/
Happy Trails Amigo! 😎
Hold my keyboard and watch this! 🙃
Oddity is that in rural areas, driver's exams for motorcycle are often undertaken by the examiner following you around in their car as you perform starts, stops, turns, etc. Pretty wild, actually.
Illegitemi non carborundum est!
What is going on with our own literature page? None of the links I just tried wanted to serve:
https://sidecar.com/sidecar-library/
And I miss the link for the very practical guide "How to ride a Ural rig."
Found it.
I think Jerry is doing some site work. Just tried the links, and the same thing happened to me.
Posted a thread in the Webmaster's Corner, just in case Jerry isn't already aware. https://sidecar.com/forum/webmasters-corner/sidecar-library-links-non-functional/
He's pretty busy, and it might take a while for him to review, and act as needed.
Hold my keyboard and watch this! 🙃
Thanks again for the informative responses. I live in downtown St. Louis Missouri. A short walk to the mighty Mississippi. Also...I'm regularly in my old home town of Chicago. I stay with my brother on the Northwest Side.
A couple of members from St. Louis that immediately come to mind are Quick_Cal and Walter Eschmann
One of them might be willing to let you ride around a parking lot to see how it feels. Maybe even give you a lesson?
