I want to thank everyone who contributed to my research on getting a sidecar. After researching and listening to many I find in my particular case a sidecar probably wouldn't be for me. My decision was made mostly by the reference to read the sidecar handling manuals you all highly recommended which I downloaded and read. The information of the handling was very explicit talking about accidents that occured and how easily they can occur because of lifting of the sidecar or misjudgement. Some horrific accidents were revealed. If anyything, the manuals ended up scaring me more away from a sidecar than getting one. Also, it was very clear that sidecars create more tiring of a person. This would just wear me down more and be worse on my arthritic shoulder. Mentioned was the longer you rode a motorcycle the longer it takes you to learn a sidecar because you have intrinsic motorcycle skills that need to be corrected. Most of all it was mentioned in the manuals that a motorcycle with sidecar is no longer a motorcycle in any shape or form so it is not the same riding experience although addictive and fun. I never get tired at all riding my daughters Honda Elite 80CC I bought her so I just bought a used Honda Elite 250. Now I can just enjoy my 800CC for those short trips under 100 miles and use the 250cc when I want to ride around all day. I guess I just believe in having control and not the sidecar controlling me. Too many variables and just too dangerous in a panic situation. But, if it weren't for this board I probably would have made a mistake and not been happy with a sidecar. To ballast, to not ballast, to adjust for solo or rider, proper alignment checks, wobble, who would have known if they didn't read this board.Thanks again.
Dennis
Dennis,
Too bad you got spooked and won't be able to join us in sidecaring. I guess that's one of the hazards of information overload. You don't know who is who and who is correct and who isn't.
This is moot now but I've had folks with absolutely no solo motorcycle experience and those with decades of saddle time come through the shop and the initial training curve for controlled sidecar driving was somewhere between hours and weels at both extremes.
"Horrific Accidents", I don't know where this came from, but all in all I feel the odds of any injury accident are much greater on any two (or 4) wheeler than on a sidecar rig.
I have paraplegic customers, amputees (single and double), stroke victims, and those with arthritis and other disabilities (including myself) who are now back in the wind by having a Sidecar outfit to drive when needed.
Sorry you don't feel you can join us.
Good Luck,
Lonnie
Hey Dennis,
Been thinking a lot about your post. I was going to suggest a smaller 2 wheeled vehicle- looks like you found it. I'm liking smaller bikes all the time, probably for the same reason you appreciate the Helix. Also, on my rig at least, I realize I use my stomach muscles more and I was thinking that might negatively affect you.
Personally, I'm enjoying not having to keep up any macho pretense anymore. Perhaps a Dirty Harry club needs to be started; "A man's got to know his limits".
Uncle Ernie, while grinding a toothpick between his teeth and squinting his eyes.
I think that many sidecar enthusiast are older people that do know their limits and certainly do not show off. Statistically sidecar riders probably have a safer record because of their observance of the sidecar rig and highly respecting it where younger more dangerous riders just are plain crazy sometimes. Sidecars are definitely safer in an accident and this is mentioned in the sidecar manual by Hal Kendal and Edmund's manual they mention these terrible accidents and even their own accidents.
Maybe down the road some but the most fun experience I have always observed about cycle riding is the exhilaration of running through the gears and I still enjoy that a lot. I guess I'm not as old as I thought I was and not ready to settle down into missing this feeling yet. I also came across articles on Trikes and they are much easier to handle than a sidecar but I don't really particularly like the look of Trikes but sidecars are really neat looking.
Dennis,
I am sorry to hear you have formed such an opinion so quickly. Don't know how long you have lurked at this site but see you just registered a few days ago. I still ride solo bikes and a sidecar as well. Sidecars are a lot of fun and overall are much safer than two wheels. Yes, there is a learning cirve like with anything else as they are difffernt. Are they physically harder to ride? In some ways maybe and in some ways maybe not. In over twenty years of riding them I do not feel they are harder to handle than a solo machine. There are some that say you must be a gymnist to ride a sidecar rig at a good clip but this is simply not true.There are techniques that some use and some teach where you hang off th eside of th erig etc but THEY ARE NOT REQUIRED for you to ride safely and quickly on a well balance rig. It is not different than riding a solo machine in that some ride diferently than others. On a well balanced rig you can keep up with the solo bikes and not turn yourself into a basket case from over exertion. On a high performance rig you can wear out the solo riders who are trying to keep up with you too. Rigs vary as do riding styles. It is up toi the opertaor on how he or she wants to ride the thing. Personally I tend to ride at a pretty good clip and like th etwisties and do not generally hang off all over the place..it is simply not required as much as some lead one to believe.
I am sorry you got the impression you did from what little you have read here but then again it is your call.
If you ever reconsider I would suggest you get with an experience sidecar jockey and spend a little time. If you are ever in Pa.feel free to look me up.
