Sidecars on R100RS ??

Those short bars won't give you much leverage. The need for bar leverage can be reduced by installing a leading link front end from Unit, but then it might no longer be suitable as a solo mount.

Jim

Well, I finally figured out why I leave those blank spots- I sign on AFTER I hit reply...
Ted, I'm going from memory here; isn't the RS the one with the space age fairing that made history when it first came out? If so, I'm preetty sure you'll need to take off the lower portion of the fairing (at least) to accomodate mounting the sidecar. Also, I would think you'd want wider bars for leverage. We should get together and write a coutry western song- all together now; "You're not riding a motorcycle anymore!" As such, countersteering with a little body English and a light touch are a thing of the past. Also, I could see having one bike with 2 sets of wheels because you really need two different kinds of tires as you'll get minimal traction on regular tires and they'll wear out so fast you'll think a neighbor is sneaking in and using a grinder on your tires at night. Sidecar tires are made more like car tires/ motorcycle tires...
In short, I thnk you probably don't see sidecars on the RS because of the fairing. Also, Beemer frames are really flexible and I'd recommend installing a subframe.

Ted, I've been thinking about that song while doing the dishes. I started seeing a German beer garten kind of thing- steins waving in the air and all, but I didn't really think a polka was the way to go... Well, I kind of started thinking about the music and more of a lilting kind of thing came along... and it hit me!; Irish pub! A group song we can all sort of sway to with a sqweeze box and a beer. That's OK, I don't drink beer anymore either (too many pills), but I can sneak one sip.
Anyway, another possible problem w going back and forth is you'll probably want to beef up your suspension (with a passenger you'll be adding at least 300 lbs +/-) which can be a bit harsh solo. Or keep it stock and add a ton-o-fun in the right-handers!

We make mounting kits for the R100, On the RS you either have to cut up the lower fairing or leave it off. We have the mounts in stock.
The Velorex is a pretty light sidecar for this bike, There are many sidecars that are better matched such as our Kenna, Ural or most other American manifactures have sidecars that are a good match. We also install a lot of sidecars on oil heads and make new ball joint mounts to reduce steering effort. Most of the oil heads are GS bikes and can be see in the off road section of our web site www.dauntlessmotors.com
If you are located any where near the west coast why not come out the the national rally next week and check out some sidecars and bikes and see what others are doing and running.
Jay Giese
Dauntless Motors Corporation

Jay (and others),

Thanks for the feedback. Apparently, there ARE reasons to re-think the R100RS, as well as the convertible bike approach 😉

The west coast weekend sounds great! Unfortunately, I'm in Boston, MA. Will check the web site.

Thanks,

Quote:"Currently ride an R1100RS, but have been told that the Telelever front suspension is not a good mate for a sidecar...have been advised to think about an "airhead" (R100):Not true. I have owned seven rigs over the last 25 years....all had leading link front forks except one of the two that we presently own: a BMW R1200C with a Telelever front end. It steers as easily as a leading link and does not have the associated extra weight that goes with a leading link. The only disatvantage is the inability to mount a 15" auto tire on the front. Other than that, there are no problems with a BMW telelever front end for sidecar use.

Fo r what it's woprth I concur with Jack on the usage of the tele lever front end for sidecar applications. There are many rigs on the road with thsi setup in stock and variou stages of modification. Some of the Hogh Performance Rigs have also adapted the basic concept even though they are quite a ways from being stock.
As far as the issue of converting from sidecar to solo and back and forth it has been done, and is being done, by some but the result is a sidecar rig that will not perform as well as one that has had some mods done to it.Many new folks to sidecaring mention wanting to go this route but it seems that after a while they begin to push more towardss a dedicated sidecar rig. This is not a bad thing being as sidecars are a lot of fun. Most of us here have been addicted for a while and the solo bikes seem to be parked more and more. (Yes, I DO HAVE A SOLO AND STIL RIDE IT TOO :-))
wELCOME TO THE CRAZY WORLD OF SIDECARING. Post often.

Good Day,
I put a Motorvation sidecar on an R100RS but only after I had suggested to the owner that he should consider putting it on a different bike and he insisted that we go ahead with the RS. He also insisted on retaining his lower fairing but I was able to accomodate that by boring a tidy hole through the lower for the mount to pass through. With the short handlebars on the RS I decided to just go ahead and rake his triple clamps to lighten up the steering effort and add it to his bill but even with that modification those tiny little bars make riding this rig a bit of a chore in some circumstances. I concur with the folks who suggest using some bike other than the RS.
Regards,
Norm