Hi all,
My name is Jim I'm a 47 year old Harley rider. My wife and I have had some bad luck in the past years and she is handicaped. I've owned Harleys for 27 years and we will not stop riding, people have car accidents everyday and don't stop driving. I guess one could label us sure enough Biker Trash. Our recent acident occured October 2006, which Shannon broke her pelvic bone and her left leg was nearly damaged beyond repair, sounds ordinary for a bike crash? Well the one before in November 1999 cause the loss of her left leg (above the knee) and a closed head injury. This recent one cause us both to have internal body parts removed and the road to recovery for Shannon has been long and continuous, it's been over eight months now and she still has to use a walker to get around and now is having knee issues. I own three Harleys and am very seriously concidering a sidecar. I have leaning towards the California Friendship 2. I've been riding bikes for for 33 years, but have never rode one with a sidecar. I don't even know if I'd like it, but am looking into the futcher and my wifes mobility issues, currently she is unable to ride due to the walker, but if we had that sidecar I could pile her in and away we could go. I'm hear to learn and hopefully meet some good people that can steer us in the right direction.
Hi Jim,
Start here: http://www.sidecar.com/Maps/texas.htm
There are two manufacturers in Texas, check them out and also a couple of Sidecar training classes. The best way to try out a rig is to take a class and see if it's something you might like. You will also find some books to read with some good advice. Click on the Books and Links info on the Home Page.
Welcome!
Hi Jim
I'm no expert, but I can say that my wife loves riding in a sidecar. Maybe your wife will like it too. I have a Liberty sidecar and it's a very nice unit, be sure to look at their stuff while you're deciding. Good luck to you. Pete
http://www.pashnit.com/bikes/sidecar.htm
Check out this link and scroll through the home page to find the section near the bottom for Handicapped sidecar rigs. It may be helpful to you. There are some Ural riders who have rigs set up for their particular handicapped needs. One fellow modified the front nose of his Ural so that the nose itself was able to be completely removed, thus allowing his handicapped wife to exit much easier. I am thinking you may want to look at trikes as well, and not rule them out either until you look them over to see if they could possibly meet your needs.
I have pics somewhere of the Ural that was modified. I have had some emails with a fellow who was going to modify his Ural as well. There are some options in making any mods, but it is really something that you almost have to view the actual rig and give it a test ride in order to make a good, informed choice for you and your wife's personal needs.
Good luck to you,
Huey
Jim,
A sidecar rig is a good alternative for your intended usage if you have good upper body strength. With a sidecar you will have to steer the bike manually like a car for your turns instead of just using a light push on the bars that you are used to with a solo bike. Weak shoulders and arms will tire pretty quickly.
Modifying the front end will help a lot. Installing raked triple trees on the bike will act like power steering with a sidecar but the bike will no longer be OK to ride as a solo because the steering will be too quick and won't want to self center. Some leading link front ends are adjustable for solo riding and some Pre Evolution era Harleys had adjustable triple trees for sidecar usage.
The FSII has an easy entry but not the most comfortable seat in the industry. Especially for someone who has had a pelvic or back injury. The seat can be changed however and there are other choices of sidecars with easy entry that may have more comfortable seating. Perhaps you should try the car for your wife's seating comfort before you buy. If you can find a sidecar rally or some owners in your area, most hackers I know of would let you and your wife try a sitdown test.
We have put many folks back into the wind that are paraplegic, have had strokes, amputations, partial paralysis, combat injuries and other medical problems through the years by setting up a sidecar rig for them. It's some of the best recovery therapy there is.
Lonnie Cook
Northwest Sidecars
Thanks for the valuable information. I have received several very helpful tidbits in just one day! I will be looking into some of these options as well. Not to be braggin but the beauty of having 3 bikes will allow me to keep the sidecar set up together and ready to go, I can always pull out one of the others sould I want to ride without the car.
Thanks Pete,
I'm sure my wife would enjoy the ride very much, she has always loved riding and the open road, depending on the sidecar we choose,this should be more convienant and easy for her to get in and out of.
Jim
Joyce,
Thank you for the information, I look forward to becoming a sidedar PRO! I don't think a trike is something we want to concider but sidecars definately are. Thanks again.
Jim
All of the above is good info. I'd like to add that youi make sure you get a SC that has easy entrance and exit.
I have a Motorvation FII SC, with a flip nose. very easy in and out, just like a car.it would look great on your HD.
http://tinyurl.com/2hueud
http://tinyurl.com/25jppu
http://tinyurl.com/yoyndc
Hi,
Absolutely ! The sidecar we choose will most definately have to have the flip nose feature, it is a challenge for my wife to get in and out of a car as well. prostetic legs don't always want to do what you need them to. Getting on a bike is different as well, she stands on the right side and I swing her left (prostetic) leg over the bike then she just kinda scoots on the seat, now with her having knee issues and required to use a walker that is impossibe, for now at least, we hope her knee with improve or we'll get it repaired if necessary, but I still think it would be a good idea to have a sidecar, we ain't getting any younger and the way we keep having accidents it won't hurt to have another wheel on the ground.
Originally written by jimbo9918 on 6/30/2007 7:47 AM
Hi,
Absolutely ! The sidecar we choose will most definately have to have the flip nose feature, it is a challenge for my wife to get in and out of a car as well. prostetic legs don't always want to do what you need them to. Getting on a bike is different as well, she stands on the right side and I swing her left (prostetic) leg over the bike then she just kinda scoots on the seat, now with her having knee issues and required to use a walker that is impossibe, for now at least, we hope her knee with improve or we'll get it repaired if necessary, but I still think it would be a good idea to have a sidecar, we ain't getting any younger and the way we keep having accidents it won't hurt to have another wheel on the ground.
Hello,
I'm sorry to hear about your accident issues. As a long-term Harley sidecar rider, you would think I would receommend a Harley sidecar. Not so. In your case, I would definitely lookk for a flip up top design. It will be excellent for your wife to enter and exit. I think it would be a lot of fun for both of you.
Good luck in your search.
Originally written by jimbo9918 on 6/30/2007 10:47 AM
Hi,
Absolutely ! The sidecar we choose will most definately have to have the flip nose feature, it is a challenge for my wife to get in and out of a car as well. prostetic legs don't always want to do what you need them to. Getting on a bike is different as well, she stands on the right side and I swing her left (prostetic) leg over the bike then she just kinda scoots on the seat, now with her having knee issues and required to use a walker that is impossibe, for now at least, we hope her knee with improve or we'll get it repaired if necessary, but I still think it would be a good idea to have a sidecar, we ain't getting any younger and the way we keep having accidents it won't hurt to have another wheel on the ground.
another thing I gotta mention...you are going to LOVE the SC rig!
the more you ride it the less you will take the 2 wheeler out. We use mine every day, for in-town errands, shopping, rummage sales, visiting, or just find an excuse to head out of town for a nice back roads ride. my pickup has sat in the drive for months getting dusty.
Rigs are very addicting!! you will find that out very shortly. but..It has to be set up correctly, in order to enjoy it.
A bad setup will make SC riding a bear, and not very enjoyable.
have fun!!
we just got home with the rig, from the clinic for blood tests, then went to Hardees for lunch, now we're going to ride to West Bend , the BMW MOA site for newxt month's national rally, to check it out. only 23 miles from here. always looking for someplace to ride to.
I would just like to second the Harley sidecar comment. While the rig looks great(in my opinion)my athletic wife has trouble getting in and out.
Beware - sidecar outfits are definitely addictive!
LONNIE WROTE:
>>>The FSII has an easy entry but not the most comfortable seat in the industry. Especially for someone who has had a pelvic or back injury. The seat can be changed however and there are other choices of sidecars with easy entry that may have more comfortable seating. Perhaps you should try the car for your wife's seating comfort before you buy. If you can find a sidecar rally or some owners in your area, most hackers I know of would let you and your wife try a sitdown test.<<
Seats in many sidecars can be changed to something diferent. We ran an automotive seat out of a Didge in our Motorvation. Not expeensive at a junk yard.
It also is possible to utilize a heated seat in some cases.
Another thing worth considering is a lift seat. Hannigan offers thsi as an option. If you are handy you may be able to rig one yourself too. The lift chair we had for my late mother had the electrics running through a transformer to convert things to 12 volts.
Sidecars can be a tinkerers paradise.
Hi Jim,
My wife hasn't been able to sit on my bike for a few years. I have felt bad about leaving her at home when I go for a ride. This winter we bought a 69 Harley Electra Glide with a vintage harley sidecar with door an all. She is just lovin this rig. New sidecars don't seem to have a door but some have a lowered side to make entrance easier.
We never rode a combo before and self taught on the way to ride the thing. It's ben great to have her with me. I put a bike rack on the sidecar and attach her wheelchair. It comes in handy for pitstops!
Best wishes,
Doug and Donna
