Greetings. I am 61 years old, have owned bikes since the age of 15, have lurked here for months, have read Hal Kendall's articles, have ordered David Houghs second edition, realize that previous bike training - experience and MSF basic and advanced course - will need to be ignored for the most part and I am ready and excited for the new learning curve. My current bike is an '04 BMW 1150rt. I Will be transitioning to a sidecar arrangement with this bike or another in the very near future. My talks with Hannigan of Murray, KY, which seems to be the closest producer to me, indicates that a Bandito would best compliment (in their line) my current bike.
My questions: Is the 1150rt an acceptable hack bike? I will appreciate your honesty. I've searched and have not found mention specifically of it's use as a tug.
Is the Bandito truly a good choice for an 1150rt? or, would you recommend a better choice of any brand?
The bike currently has ME880 tires on it. The wheels are as follows: front 120/70/17 rear 170/60/17.
I've searched and have not found bike tires for a sidecar rig that would fit a 17 inch rim. Avons and Metzelers seem to be other sizes.
I plan to use the current tires until they wear out, but would appreciate info on alternative mc tires. I am leary as of now, to use car tires/rims, since Hannigan doesn't recommend them.
If you have actual experience with any of the questions, I would appreciate your insight, since all of my knowledge in this area is purely theoretical at this point - bookwork from this site, advrider etc.
Regards
Oh, if I go with the Bandito, I would get the disc brakes, ecc and steerlite package.
Oh, I plan to be a 100% sidecarist, no more solo.
We're glad to welcome another sidecarist to the fold. You might want to answer a few more questions before you make your decision.
1. What do you want to do with the rig? Is it a long distance tourer, an around town ice cream run rig, an off road thrasher? All these [and others] require very different rigs.
2. Who or what do you want to carry in the sidecar? My spouse, TL Maryann, finds the Hannigan hard to get in and out of. If your cargo is human, he or she should have a voice in the decision.
3. Why are you going to a sidecar? Is it just a matter of holding up the bike or do you have another reason?
4. Are you aiming at a high performance rig with a full on conversion? Changing the wheels is a common way to lower your effective gearing and to use relatively inexpensive automotive tires.
5. Have you ever driven a sidecar rig? How do you know you'll like the experience?
6. Is there any budget involved? If there is, a used complete rig will almost always be MUCH less expensive. You might start with that and move over to a fancier, new rig later.
In answer to you question about your BMW being a good sidecar bike, sure it is. There is one hang up in that the BMW uses the motor as a stressed member so it doesn't have a conventional frame. That's easily dealt with by a subframe. A subframe and installation will add a sizable chunk to your cash outlay but it's a one time investment and the safest way to go with the BMW.
Good Luck and welcome to the group.
Hi Al, I surely do appreciate your time to respond and now am stimulated to further evaluate my needs/disires.
1. Mostly day trips going out 150 miles or so. Also, I may trailer it behind my truck bed camper and venture from the camp sites on the rig. I would like to go off pavement to see more sights, but only slowly on improved roads - no thrashing at all.
2. I'm single at the time, but would like to take a lady friend or maybe a buddy. Most of the riding, for now, would be alone or maybe take my dog.
3. I've ridden bikes for 40+years with no incidents, even though I've 'pushed' the envelope too many times. Now that reflexes and thought processes have slowed, I feel the need for another wheel for stability, being aware that a sidecar can still present challenges. I've decided against trikes and can-ams. I also have a bad knee and no longer feel secure at stops.
4. Not really looking for high performance, but would like to easily travel at highway speeds on a trip if I should choose. I'm looking at full conversion - no more solo bike. I would like to use my current bike, if possible...it's paid for, only has 27,000 miles and is set up perfectly for me as far as ergonomics.
5. I don't want to give up the open air feel of a bike...it's in my blood. I like the appeal of a sidecar rig and have the motivation to be psychologically flexible with the new techniques and 'feel'.
6. I can handle the budget, plus, if the 1150rt is suitable, I just need a sidecar and wouldn't need to upgrade later.
Al, your questions allowed me to think more through this, thx.
All insight is welcome! I look forward to the sidecar experience and community.
Oh, #4. your reference to changing tires - lowering gear ratio is interesting. My bmw is geared high, for instance, it would not be good in a parade - one would have to constantly be feathering the clutch to go slow enough. However, I wonder if reducing the gear ratio (effectively) with a smaller tire would adversely affect the transmission long term??
I, too, had been doing quite a bit of research on sidecars, there are a lot of choices out there. Hannigan, Motorvation, Claude Stanly of CSM, Jay at DMC, among others. Nice thing, they are all very friendly and very free with their advice. They pretty much have a backlog of orders on new rigs. All said and done, as I am retired, new was way to pricy for me by the time I figured in the shipping, or in some cases, installation, as some manufacturers only want an authorised dealer doing installations.
I ended up watching Craigslist, and found a used one in very good condition within twenty miles of me. Probably paid a little more than I should have, plus another nine hundred for pieces I needed to mount, but still half of what new would have been. I also mounted it myself, as this not a first for me, but it did remind me of why it costs so much for installation, fairly labor intensive.
As far as the Hannigan Bandito, If you are going to have a frequent passenger, I do think it would be more difficult to get in and out of. I was more interested in their Conte or Classic myself.
Good luck in your research.
thanks New York Bear, I'll check them out. The one thing about Hannigans is that they are within 250 miles of me, which is doable if I go new. All other manufacturers are way too far, which would require shipping cost and self assembly - don't think I'm up to that. So, looks like new or find an intact unit and give up the bmw.
My 2 cents: I have a DMC (Dauntless) M72 sidecar that until recently, was married to an '04 BMW R1200C Montauk. Soon it will be attached to a new Honda CB1100. If you like a traditional BMW style sidecar, the M72 is as great choice. I think the quality is excellent. The frame, suspension and attachment parts are of exceptional quality in my opinion. Jay and his people are professionals and very nice too. I may change bikes from time to time but I plan on holding on to the sidecar.
Get one that is large enough for your needs.
offbalance, our former K100 rig was geared down 6% with a smaller auto tire with no ill effects on the transmission. Also, I heard many opinions that the Hannigan Conte & Classic are quite comfortable -- the Hannigan cars with the the lift hatch are much easier for passenger entry/exit, such as the Classic (Irene w/TxDOT enjoying her first sidecar ride last fall):
There are a couple of examples of oil/hexhead BMW's with sidecars for sale in our classifieds -- with pics. Also, Elmer down in Arkansas has a R1100R with a Conte for sale down in Arkansas, but I can't find a photo. And Gary had his R1150R/Kenna rig at the National:
Lee
MB5+TW200+CRF250L+GTV300+INT650
XL883R w/Texas Ranger Sidecar
Zuma 50F + Burgman w/Texas Sidecar<Mrs. SwampFox
We have done many RT's like yours, we have many sidecars that will work well with this bike, including our least expensive the Kenna as pictured above covered in decals. Of course we also have higher end sidecars as well. For your bike we make a steering modification, it also happens to be the least expensive bike to modify the steering $350. We have an automotive rear wheel conversion for your bike $1295, If you were closer I would say stop by, we have an RT in the shop right now that we are installing a Champion Escort onto. The mounts we have for your bike are very clean looking requiring minimal trimming of plastic and what is trimmed does not show all that much. Many people install the sidecar on their own. If you are going to the National BMW event in Salem I will be there with one of our M72DX sidecars (also would work well on your bike) mounted on a new BMW R1200GSW
Jay G
DMC sidecars
866-638-1793
Thx SwampFox! That Classic sure looks sharp, especially with the option of using the convertible top. It enters my mind that the lid and attachment points may become unstable over time. I wonder if anyone has had issues with that? The Bandito has no seams, hinges etc., but I sure do like the lid concept and the top option.
Hi Jay, from what I've read, you and your sidecars have the highest of marks. thanks for the info...if I were closer, I would be knocking on your door.
When I bought my M72 from Jay at DMC, it came crated better than anything I have seen. The crate wasn't cheap but IIRC, the crating and shipping costs to Oklahoma didn't seem out of line.
Jay S.
Okie from Muskogee
I really do like the looks of the M72 and the build quality appears superb. I'm handy with tools, but linking brakes, attaching ecc, wiring etc. seems quite the daunting task. Did you handle all that?
I have a friend who is an industrial mechanic who can do about anything. I helped! But, except for health problems, I could probably do it. It's not rocket science.
Jay S.
Okie from Muskogee
One other thing: If I did it myself, I would want help with the wiring.
I have attached some installation information.
Jay G
DMC sidecars
www.dmcsidecars.com
866-638-1793
