For grins and giggles only and not to be taken all too seriously:
What is your speculation for, say, the next 10 years for the sidecar industry? For example: There are a ton of HD's out there right now that are presently owned and driven/ridden by people who are in their late 50's or so and typically bought as investments or as a way of reliving their youth. Seems more are driven by lawyers, doctors, engineers and such than by the wild and wooly crowd of gangs and bikers. Arguably, this means a glut in the marketplace of hogs in 10-15 years as these owners loose interest, old age sets in with physical disabilities such as poor reaction time or poor vision, atrthritis and such, licensing laws change and gets more restrictive for older drivers or any number of reasons. Could this all add to a shortfall in the popularity of Harleys?
Now, to change this back to sidecars in particular. The sport of sidecar ownership really is a small market share of the motorcycle industry as a whole. However, like any sport, it is only as stable as the community who loves it. Like antique cars, antique motorcycles or any unique group, the sport is dependant upon a certain amount of youth to take the reins once the older generation starts to leave the sport. I really don't see the youth so all involved presently with sidecars, so I was wondering what the projection is for sidecars? Not just Urals, Dneprs or such, but the industry itself. Seems the average age of a hack owner is probably mid-50's. At some point will these owners be replaced by the youth of today? How is the sidecar industry competing to produce something that youth will take a liking and interest in? What I mean by that is that many of the antique cars that had traditionally been a large hobby is finding a bit of a decline. Many present owners often have never even crawled under the car and the owners bought it as an investment or inherited it. With no real amount of youth participating or showing interest in the antique car hobby, it will not be all that many years before those owners who really do have the knowledge of the car will be gone. The youth of today seems much more interested in rice rockets and anything with loud speakers than they do an antique car that putters about at 45-55 MPH. I was wondering if it is similar with sidecars, Will the youth take an interest and what is the sidecar industry doing to pull them in? I think the youth of today is pretty fired up with dirt bikes and sport bikes, but will that translate into sidecar outfits in the future?
Just an interesting question to ponder and chat about. Maybe my speculations are incorrect, but just wondering a bit about what is projected for the future with sidecars. Your ideas on the subject are?
Huey
At this time the market for Harleys and for sidecars is increasing in scope. Harley is constantly modifying their products to appeal to the younger set (who also have the buying power). That's why they are increasing their manufacturing capacity. Even if these newer young buyers don't have the desire to modify or wrench on their rides, they have the money and ideas to hire those who can. As the supply of antiques grows, so does the population, ergo the buyers market.
The sidecar industry is lagging on the production side at this time. Products are hard to keep in stock and there are significant backorders on the most popular brands. Some are as long as 8 months behind in filling orders. There again the more popular brands keep upgrading their products to better appeal to the buying public.
Our personal clients range from the early 20s to the late 80s. Some are fit and some are needing balance by virtue of size or other physical reasons. Also some have small children, animals, or cargo to carry, some like the fuel and toll savings, some like to get on the ferry first, and some like to hang off or just smell the roses.
I don't see this changing in the next ten years or so.
Lonnie Cook
Northwest Sidecar
Being on the leading edge of the Baby Boom generation, I suspect we are just beinning to see an increase in interest in sidecars. I never would have considered it until I stumbled on to one attached to the bike I wanted. I thought I would ride it 30 miles home and take it off to free up the bike. The exhilarating (read scary) ride home piqued my interest. I figured I ought to learn how to ride it before I sold it. By the time I was comfortable with it, I was hooked.
It is obvious that sidecaring is cool - even if many of us may not otherwise be recognized as such without our bikes.... I see a great future for the sport. It just makes sense. It still sets you apart. Look how many Harleys are sold to set their owners apart, or increase the cool factor. Don't be put off by all the low mileage HD's for sale. Maybe they'll attach sidecars so they don't have to worry about dropping that kind of money at the donut shop (the bike - not on donuts). That's when the sport will really get going.
I was afraid my cycling days were numbered just because of the resistance I get at home. However, since I bought a better looking sidecar, my non-riding spouse of 36 years finally decided to give it a whirl. She still won't ride pillion (even with the sidecar attached), but hanging out inches from the ground and the guard rail seems to suit her just fine. Go figure. Now I can ride twice as much, so I don't question her reasoning.
All the reasons we have for sidecaring will filter out to the general population over time, and we will be joined by increasing numbers of cool people. How can they resist the glamor and status accorded us by those we pass on the street - and even at rallies. You know they're all jealous.
I'd like to respond as a 35 year old sidecar owner. I got into the sport for 2 reasons:
ONE: I broke my leg (falling off a ladder!) and I had been looking for a bike prior to the accident. I owned a bike when I was younger and my wife has never ridden. Her preference after changing my underware for 2 months after my accident was to have NO BIKE! But the sidecar eliminated some of her concerns about the stupid things that happen: Low siding on gravel/oil, etc....falling over...etc, and she knew it was important to me! She suggested a trike and I informed her NO WAY! LOL
SECOND: I try not to do anything structured without my wife with me. She liked the idea of the sidecar. She goes with me about 70% of the time on my rides. She was not going to ride on the back of a Solo.
We bought our first rig sight unseen and without any idea if we'd even like it. Now that we've had ours for a season we have a second one on the way we enjoy it so much. We have a 1992 Harley Softail with a Champion legend and a Goldwing with the new Hannigan being built now. Unlike the original post, we went with a full blown TOURING RIG for a second rig for comfort and long distance rides! I'd love to have a new BANDITO sport rig for myself, but I believe I might get killed in my sleep if I ordered one! We looked at them at the bike show with the goldwing. It was a beaut, but it was not practicle for what we wanted to use the bike for. We also went with a Wing over an Ultra Classic for two reasons: ONE: The new Hannigan looks almost like a factory option! TWO: Price and warranty, we just couldn't get past an extra 10K and 1 year warrenty vs. saving 10K and a 3 year warranty!
As a "younger" sidecar rider I wanted to give some insight into our world. I am the only person I know that has one, so I'm in the minority....no doubt...and I live in Chicago...so I see them around, but have only met 1 or 2 people in the last year, none of them close to me. (IF YOU ARE OUT THERE GIVE ME A SHOUT: pgdvg@yahoo.com).
WHY ARE WE HOOKED?
My wife loves the fact that she doesn't have to be an "active" participant while in the sidecar. If I swerve or move around a obsticle she doesn't have to worry about leaning, etc...! She loves to look at buildings and our surroundings. She basically feels "safer" and "comfortable" in the rig. We also like to have all our crap with us with no real concerns for picking and choosing what to bring and leave, etc. Any extras are just good balast, so we always have jackets, tools, etc. As many here may have experienced you become the "tool box/tack box" for your group when you ride, which isn't all bad. My tools have come in handy more than once when an old chopper has broken down! I do most of the wrenching myself and I have found the internet a great resource for everything related to any problem I've encountered. You meet the nicest people driving sidecars, and if you ask they will give you all the help you need.
We are planning on taking longer and longer trips with the new rig, and using the Softail for what it is built for.....bike shows and cruising! I will also say that there are very few tugs that look good with the Ultra Classic and the whole stable of "baggers" HD has to offer. The Wing package Hannigan has put together is perfect! If they had a "perfect harley" tug, I might have bought it. If I win the LOTTO I will get a Bandito sport rig! (LOL)
Dundertaker
as a brand new rider @ the age of 26, i resent that remark! 😛 just kidding! i know what your saying, though. in our group, i feel like a baby in our mostly 45+ group. i will feel even more so, now that i've got my rig & can finally do something more than take pictures! *grins* if i had more friends (working 3rd shift, going to school & being a single mom sort of inhibits the social life) i would definitely be trying to drag them into the sport. our hog group is definitely trying to find more -30 riders to join in. i guess i don't have an answer any more than a hopeful i hope your wrong about the sport dying out! 🙂 by the way, i also want to say (hoping not to offend anyone!!) *EUW* on the rice rockets! i got this b/c i have a 5 yr old that i did not want take to a sitter to ride ... plus, i want it to be a lifestyle, not a hobby. my contemporaries say how ugly or how big & i say how much better looking, more fun & practical!
Dundertaker, check out a Motorvation Spyder (I think that's the name). I thought that one would fit a Harley to a "T". Very classic and classy. Doesn't Harley still make a SC?
I think most collector vehicles are those that people couldn't get when they were young. My fathers generation went for Model Ts. Folks in their 50s-60s want muscle cars froom the '60s/'70s. If you want to get rich in 25 years, store away a hot CRX or Civic with a JDM engine, illegal window tint, pipes, and major speakers.
As far as younger people getting into sidecars, I worry about classic bikes in general... but you know, you sorta have to be nuts to ride, a little more nuts to have a rig. I suspect there will be granola people until a meteorite the size of the moon hits us. Unless we hurry things along ourselves... another thread for a different site.
The Spider is a great looking sidecar....but is a little "thin", in my humble opinion, from a proportional stand point for a Ultra. The HD sidecar is fine, but my wife got car sick just sitting still....it has a leaf spring suspension (basically a giant "baby buggy"). My Champion would look good with an Ultra, but we wanted our second rig to have a ROOF and WINDOWS....the new GTL from Hannigan does not have the "fighter plane" full wrap around windshield....it is open on the sides with snap in "jeep" style clear plastic windows. This gives you a bit of an open cockpit feel with the ablility to keep rain and wind out when needed. They only make them right now for the BMW and WING....but I'm sure they are working on a GLIDE/CLASSIC version for HD....I pick up the rig Tuesday Morning...so I'll ask! check out their website to see for yourself how well they have matched the Wing with the new hack...it's the yellow one at the bottom!
Just an FYI! There is no wrong answer...just my opinion!
Respectfully,
DUNDERTAKER
PS: Found this today....great quote!
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of
arriving safely in one pretty and well preserved piece, but
to skid across the finish line broadside, thoroughly used
up, worn out, leaking oil and shouting, "GERONIMO!"."
I don't know if you can gauge anything by my 28 year old son (I always say that he was born 40 years old). But he has been riding two wheels ever since he got his driver's permit. He has driven my rig a few times to make his wife happy, but I couldn't image him ever choosing to drive it. He always says that he hates it. However, he doesn't like crotch-rockets, he prefers Goldwings.
Connie
Connie,
Where have you been hiding kid? Haven't heard much from you of late.
Lonnie
Hi Lonnie,
Actually, I haven't been hiding, I just haven't found anything that I could chime in on for a long time. I don't have any answers or opinions when the messages are all about technical stuff. Heck, I give my rig a bath now and then, but I don't do any of the mechanical stuff. If I were mechanically inclined, I would never have gotten married again after the first time 😮 !
I wish that I could say that I'd see you at the rally out your way this summer, but I don't think there's a snowball's chance of that! I haven't even been on my bike yet this year!!! With gas being so high, I'll probably be doing most of my riding as a passenger this year. We do have plans to make it out to Colorado, but not quite as far west as Washington. Anywho, I'm glad everyone seems revved up for the summer and are posting some stuff that I can yak about!
Connie
