Texas vs. Hannigan

I have a Ranger on my V-Star 1100. I bought it because it is simple and rugged and recommended by several installers I spoke to.

The folks at Texas are first rate to deal with. The sidecar frame is very well made with good welds and high quality hardware. The tub is also first class.

I had mine set up by Bob Wark of The Warkshop in Marietta OH and it is stable at all speeds.

Hi jfix: I concur with abond35 and posted more thoughts under "New Rig."

We have a V-Star 1100 with a Hannigan Classic sidecar. The rig handles like a dream and is extremely stable. It does have Steerite converted triple
trees on it, which made a hugh difference in the ease of steering and stability. Wew had the sidecar installed at the hannigan factory in Murray Kentucky.
When we were looking at sidecars in 2005 the Texas didn't offer brakes. I don't know if they do now or not. Also the Hannigan seemed eaiser to get in and
out of since the top of the sidecar opens up.

Last summer (2008) I did the research and footwork for a friend that was looking to mount a sidecar on his V-Stall 1100 Classic and met with Bob Varden of Texas Sidecar for a few hours of study and explanation on his products.

I ride a V-Star 1100 Custom with a Hannigan Classic car installed.

Both Texas Sidecar and Hannigan offer good product and the sales and service of both are excellent as well.

That having been said there are several differences that are notable between the two sidecar lines. I'll start with the Texas Ranger.

The Texas Ranger's most and practically only difference from the Texas standard is that the Ranger is 4" wider in the body than the standard car. Texas Sidecar does not offer brakes on the Ranger nor are any other amenities available as options. The storage space is accessible by tilting the seat forward only. You may choose between a higher or lower windshield height and the car can be painted to match your bike.

The frame is 2" square tubing and well constructed to provide a solid platform for the car body. Suspension is trailing link with shock and coil spring. A cycle type flat fender is mounted and a steel wheel is fitted although a mag wheel is available at extra cost.

Tail light (IIRC) is similar to that used on boat and other trailers and no headlight is fitted or available. Seating involves stepping over the side of the one piece car into the passenger compartment. A step is fitted as part of the frame. No top is offered or available. The seat is non-adjustable and comfortable although lightly padded. A tonneau cover is available.

The Texas Ranger is a light weight, basic sidecar. It's well built, modestly attractive and simple. It has room for a average sized adult to sit in reasonable comfort although the lack of adjustable seating and storage space might make it less desirable as a touring sidecar. Because of its light weight you might desire to add ballast when no passenger is present or when the passenger is a child.

The Hannigan Classic car has much to recommend it. Hannigan builds to a high degree of quality and the Classic offers many standard equipment features that make the car a desirable choice. There are a number of options that may be added at a reasonable cost to make tha car all weather and add convenience.

The Hannigan frame is well designed and easily mounted to many different bikes as is the Ranger. Avail as an option on the Classic is the ECC (elecric camber compensator) to adjust for road camber as necesssary. Other options include a mag wheel.

Standard equiptment on the Classic also includes the built in headlight, side sights and large tail light mounted on a full fender fitted to the car body as opposed to the Ranger whose fender is strut mounted. A power point inside the car is available to run 12v accessories as an option.

Standard equipment also includes a fully reclining auto style bucket seat. Rear Storage is available through the rear exterior opening trunk lid revealing a generous capacity carpeted trunk. An option available although not universally purchased is a removable convertible top. Having an d having used this option on my rig I find that it stores easily behind the seat and provides the passenger with adequate protection in even heavy (Texas style) storms.

The Classic is heavier than the Ranger which lends stability without adding ballast. The Classic is stable even at higher speeds and a steerng stabilizer is available if desired.

My rig does not have the triple tree modded although I recently added a set of Baron DT risers which moved the bars back 2" for a more comfortable seating position. This simple mod also made the bike easier to turn by moving the bars behind the triple tree for added leverage. I do have the steering stabilizer mounted which eliminates head shake even on changing road surfaces (construction zones, rough pavement, dirt or gravel).

The Ranger and the Hannigan are close in price but not so close as to be able to flip a coin. The Hannigan has overall better finish (the Ranger is good as well), better features, more room inside and a lift top for ease of entrance and exit (hinged just in front of the windshield). THe Classic offers many desirable standard features (including disk brake) that are not offered, even as options, by the Ranger.

Depending on features such as paint and the options chosen the gap in pricing can increase more than at a basic level. There is probably a thousand dollars difference in the cost of the two but then too the Classic from Hannigan has much to make the extra cost well spent.

For the rider who wasn't planning extensive use of their sidecar for longer trips and for whom the money is a deciding factor there's really no choice between the two as the Ranger is less expensive. For more extensive use with a desire for more comfort the Classic is a first rate choice for it's standard equipment and extra comfort. I've looked at both and made a personal first hand inspection of both. They both have their place. Only you can decide if their place is in your garage.

Thanks for the responses, all good infirmation. An extended conversation with Bob Wark was also very helpful. I really like the Texas for the appearance and build but may swing to Hannigan with the easier entry and exit for the benefit of my wife. You know how it is when your travelling companion ain't happy. But In the end I don't think I can make a bad choice, the only problem is I still have to choose. Thanks again.

jfixit - 11/13/2009 4:17 AM

Thanks for the responses, all good infirmation. An extended conversation with Bob Wark was also very helpful. I really like the Texas for the appearance and build but may swing to Hannigan with the easier entry and exit for the benefit of my wife. You know how it is when your travelling companion ain't happy. But In the end I don't think I can make a bad choice, the only problem is I still have to choose. Thanks again.

We are representatives for Hannigan Motorsports sidecars, trikes and trailers and also The Texas Sidecar Company. Both companies are run by great folks and dedicated sidecar enthusiasts who have put a lot of effort into and take a lot of pride in their offerings. The descriptions and comparisons offered here previously are pretty much on the button. I don't think either option would be a poor one. Be sure to take your time in comparing pricing and what is offered as standard equiptment and options.
As far as sidecar brakes go you are correct in that Tesas does not offer them. With that being said we have sold and mounted quite a few of the Hannigan Classic this year and none of them opted to add the brake option to the sidecar. Of course brakes can be added at a later date if desired to the hannigan sidecar. The claiper mounts and brake rotor are already on the sidecar whether the brake option is taken or not.
The ECC that Hannigan offers is a nice option as is the convertible top.
Decisions decision decisions......you will do well either way.

Hi:
From personal experience - you can't go wrong if ease of entry and exit is a primary consideration. Life is easier for the passenger and even for loading/unloading gear. 'course you can always find this out the hard way, and then when you get tired of saying "I should have.." You can fork out the extra dough and get an easy access rig, and it will seem like you are blessed. 🙂 ... I have over 45000 miles on my outfit. The last 5000 with a Hannigan. I feel like I am blessed! LOL... If you don't ride much, then perhaps ease of access will not be an issue for you. Best of luck in your decision making process.
gp

Thanks for all info. I hope i made the right choice.I ordered a Texas yesterday.Thanks again.

Congratulations! Welcome!
The USCA AZ Rep is:

Douglas Hasert
Mesa, AZ. 85213
612-751-1316
dnehasert@juno.com

There is free info on sidecars in the "Links" section on this site.
Have fun, and ride safe
Gail 🙂

I really think you made the right choice. When you got a Texa sidecar. For the long run I think you will less problems. And a lot of fun with any sidecar! Rudyr

Decided on the Texas also. it arrived on 1/12/10 and is patiently waiting for spring so it can be installed.

Thanks: You made me feel good for deciding on the Texas.I can not remember a time i didnt have a bike in my garage.I turned 60 last year{first bike at 15}and have no plans to stop riding,i just stop more often when going cross country these day's.My wife told me she heard this quote from someplace and you know it made a lot of sense.THE WORLD IS WHAT YOU MAKE OF IT, IF IT DOSEN'T FIT ANYMORE YOU JUST MAKE ALTERATIONS AND GO ON WITH THE WORLDS ADVENTURE. So i am going to make some alterations to keep on with my adventure. Sorry if that all sounds corny.I just wnated to say THANKS for the reply to my last post.You did really make me feel like i am doing the right thing.Kinda like that same feeling when i was 15 and got my first bike. Thanks Everyone ;Randy

harleymystique - 1/31/2010 7:58 AM

My wife told me she heard this quote from someplace and you know it made a lot of sense.THE WORLD IS WHAT YOU MAKE OF IT, IF IT DOESN'T FIT ANYMORE YOU JUST MAKE ALTERATIONS AND GO ON WITH THE WORLDS ADVENTURE.

Cheers to that! I understand the difficulties of the decision-making intimately - congrats on your decision. I hope you post pics.
Doesn't it ROCK we now have such great resources at our fingertips, both advice and pictures? Thanks to our founding forefathers and foremothers who made those decisions and experienced so much before the internet - now we get to learn from them... so grateful for folks taking the time to reply and for great forums like this 🙂

Enjoy your new sidecar. I also came to a point in my riding life. After over 30 years of riding I was not about to hang up the helmet and sit back in the recliner. Because of increasing mobility problems for my wife(arthritis), she could not sit astride a bike saddle for any more than about 1/2 hour. In discussion with friends they suggested getting a trike. I said to the wife that would not help as it still uses the same saddle. I said to her that the only thing that might work would be a sidecar.............Well, after her smile, I was committed. Next thing you know, we are the proud owners of a 1500 Goldwing with California Sidecar (Friendship III). We have only had it a few months now, but she loves it. It is good she can now actively ride and enjoy instead of suffer. Now it is her saying "Lets take the bike" when we need to run around doing errands and such. Will be installing a modified triple tree as soon as I can and still need to make the adjustments to the chair. Trying to justify to the boss to keep the old 'Wing for solo riding, but am meeting some resistance on that. LOL Looking forward to spring so we can get out and ride and maybe meet a few other hack riders. Not very many around here. Have only seen one other rig and that was a Chinese rig..........Enjoy that rig.