As a sidecarist, have you ever considered a trike?
Seems like as a group we'd be more inclined to consider one than regular old two-wheelers.
As I am now on the far side of 45 I can't help but notice my seniors driving these things all over the place - and wonder how long it'll be before I have to give one a try. It'll have to be while I'm still young enough to pop wheelies (although wise enough not to need wheelie bars).
Please feel free to add your own options to the poll and post your comments.
Consider a what? I am 57 and getting younger everyday.
Whats a trike?
that one of those tippy 3 wheeler conversions like the 3 wheel ATV's that were banned, because they tip over too easy?
Today I'm 67, and going strong on my SC rig! out for a ride today also! warm and sunny here in Sussex, WI!
Originally written by Bob in Wis on 11/22/2006 11:30 AM
Whats a trike?
that one of those tippy 3 wheeler conversions like the 3 wheel ATV's that were banned, because they tip over too easy?
!
Yes, just like those!
IMHO we ought to ban all unstable three-wheelers don't you agree?
Once the streets are made safer, we can go after those infernal two-wheelers.
😉
Originally written by ural3wheels on 11/22/2006 11:14 AM
Originally written by Bob in Wis on 11/22/2006 11:30 AM
Whats a trike?
that one of those tippy 3 wheeler conversions like the 3 wheel ATV's that were banned, because they tip over too easy?
!Yes, just like those!
IMHO we ought to ban all unstable three-wheelers don't you agree?
Once the streets are made safer, we can go after those infernal two-wheelers.
😉
I know you Jest, Matt, but Remember, SC rigs are only 1/2 as tippy as trikes...and then only in right turns, if the rig isnt balanced properly...well... a little also in lefts also with an improperly loaded rig. I'll go thru ANY turn faster and safer with my SC rig than a trike.
Its a whole different animal..and safe! with practice, of course.
Originally written by ural3wheels on 11/22/2006 11:14 AM
Originally written by Bob in Wis on 11/22/2006 11:30 AM
Whats a trike?
that one of those tippy 3 wheeler conversions like the 3 wheel ATV's that were banned, because they tip over too easy?
!Yes, just like those!
IMHO we ought to ban all unstable three-wheelers don't you agree?
Once the streets are made safer, we can go after those infernal two-wheelers.
😉
I know you Jest, Matt, but Remember, SC rigs are only 1/2 as tippy as trikes...and then only in right turns, if the rig isnt balanced properly...well... a little also in lefts also with an improperly loaded rig. I'll go thru ANY turn faster and safer with my SC rig than a trike.
Its a whole different animal..and safe! with practice, of course.
"The difference between sidecars and trikes is similar to the differences between Democratic Republics and Fascist Dictatorships. While both are forms of government, one is good and one is very wrong." -- Rev. V Wanchena
After I but my next new Corvair and Voyager, I may consider a Trike. NOT!
Lonnie
As compared to trikes I feel that the sidecar world in general has done a very poor job in promoting our product. What do people see in a trike over a sidecar rig is way beyond comprehension. Trikes have less storage, many times less than the solo bike that was butchered to make one. The passengers is still out in the open and has no more and probably less comfort than on a solo bike. To build a trike you basically trash a solo bike. Trikes actualkly cost more than sidecars. So you get less for your money in a trike conversion and a whole lot less room and passenger comforts.
We're having a lot of the pot calling the kettle black here!
The sidecarist says the trike is wierd.
The sidecarist says the trike is unsafe.
The two wheel motorcyclist says the trike is unsafe and the SC is wierd.
The two wheel motorcyclist says (and this is a real quote): "Anything with 3 wheels is not a motorcycle"
The SUV owner says motorcycles are unsafe and minivans are wierd things that only people with kiddies drive.
The Volvo owner says SUVs are unsafe rollover hazards.
I think we should all just drive Volvos.
They're safe and in no way can be considered wierd.
Plus, as a Volvo owner, no one can dis you on the forum.
Yes, we should sell these wierd and unsafe sidecar rigs (remember, they aren't motorcycles) and all buy Volvos.
It takes all different kinds to fill the highways
Uh...we're all in this together.
Remember, the cagers don't want *any* of us on the road.
Maybe it would be best for us to stick together.
Originally written by Bob in Wis on 11/22/2006 1:42 PM
Originally written by ural3wheels on 11/22/2006 11:14 AM
Originally written by Bob in Wis on 11/22/2006 11:30 AM
Whats a trike?
that one of those tippy 3 wheeler conversions like the 3 wheel ATV's that were banned, because they tip over too easy?
!Yes, just like those!
IMHO we ought to ban all unstable three-wheelers don't you agree?
Once the streets are made safer, we can go after those infernal two-wheelers.
😉I know you Jest, Matt, but Remember, SC rigs are only 1/2 as tippy as trikes...and then only in right turns, if the rig isnt balanced properly...well... a little also in lefts also with an improperly loaded rig. I'll go thru ANY turn faster and safer with my SC rig than a trike.
Its a whole different animal..and safe! with practice, of course.
And cagers claim that they can go through any turn faster and safer than we sidecars can.
And trike drivers can also rightfully claim to their 4-wheel detractors:
"Its a whole different animal..and safe! with practice, of course."
We ought not slam them too loudly.
Once the trikes are legislated off the roads, they'll be coming for you.
It takes all different kinds to fill the highways.
Originally written by claude #3563 on 11/22/2006 4:33 PM
As compared to trikes I feel that the sidecar world in general has done a very poor job in promoting our product. What do people see in a trike over a sidecar rig is way beyond comprehension. Trikes have less storage, many times less than the solo bike that was butchered to make one. The passengers is still out in the open and has no more and probably less comfort than on a solo bike. To build a trike you basically trash a solo bike. Trikes actualkly cost more than sidecars. So you get less for your money in a trike conversion and a whole lot less room and passenger comforts.
Whoa! Hold on there big guy!
"What do people see in a trike over a sidecar rig is way beyond comprehension."
That's what the two wheelers say about *you*!
"Trikes have less storage, many times less than the solo bike that was butchered to make one."
Most trike owners would tell you that the conversion not only does not butcher a 2-wheeler, it actually results in a *better* bike.
Most two wheelers will tell you that you just butchered a good motorcycle by bolting on that silly anchor (sidecar) to it!
"The passengers is still out in the open ..."
And perhaps that's the *point*. After all, if we want to sit behind a windshield in a comfy chair, we'd all be in Volvos.
"Trikes actualkly cost more than sidecars."
And I'm sure most trike owners will tell you that's true - because you get so much more for your money.
It's all subjective.
It takes all different kinds to fill the highways.
I think trikes are fine.
SCs are more fine.
I put my feeble responses in the <<>> marks below.........Whoa! Hold on there big guy!...>>>OKAY BUT YOU HOLD ON TOO..lol.. You asked for opinions and you got them. Pretty simple. If you came here trolling for a debate you are probably in the wrong crowd<<>>No point made here, to each his own. I also ride a two wheeler and have riden trikes. To be perfectly honest I do not really care what two wheelers say. We get along quite well and when any negative comments come up a smile is not taken from my face. Again, pretty simple. :-)<<> You missed the point. When attaching a sidecar the bike is not cut in half ( butchered) as when attaching a trike kit. There is a huge difference here. And as far as what trike owners say? What else woudl you expect them to say? They probably never had a sidecar rig and possibly made their final decision to go with a trike from what they heard from others who never had a sidecar rig either. Or whatever. Heck there is big money in doing trike conversions today for a business. Viscious circle<<> Again bad argument. To each his or her own. Not THE issue. It is hard to argue a perception people have about most anything. Yes, you are right soem passenegrs woudl prefer to sit behind the operator and be 'in the wind' as on a solo bike. That is their decision of course.<<>> .......So much more for your money than a sidecar? You may want to study a little more on that statement<<<......It's all subjective.It takes all different kinds to fill the highways.....<<< That is a no brainer my friend. Some like trucks and some like cars, some say tomaytoes and some say tomahtoes....no biggie. I like sidecars and this is a sidecar forum. If we went and found a trike forum then most there woudl like trikes. To each his own I like em all but a trike is not for me, no foul. Of course some small block chevy powered trike with a center hub front end etc may be appealing...hmmm. 🙂
I dug up the following post made by Lonnie Cook (Hack'n) here some time back. It fits this 'discussion'. Thank Lonnie...LOL. Lonnie wrote (to sidecar.com):-Now here is something that can compared. Harley vs Harley.Electra Glide with a sidecar:Factory warranty still intact. Even extended if desired, Big item!Motorcycle is a stock unmodified unit.Sidecar can be removed and Motorcycle can be used as a solo ride.Sidecar can be sold and you still have a motorcycle.All three wheels/tires are the same except for tread design givinga comfortable ride.Both motorcycle and sidecar have many decades of engineeringincorporated.Lots of storage and carrying capacity.Room for three (or more if small children are riding).Comfortable passenger seating in both sidecar and on motorcycle.Ability to carry small children and animals safely.Ability to carry odd shaped loads easily (can you say golf clubs?)S/C passenger can wear shorts and sandals safely if desired.S/C passenger can't fall off if they fall asleep.S/C passenger has own windshield for weather/bug protection.S/C passenger has unobstructed view of road and ahead.Great resale value with a wide market sector.Trike conversion:You buy an expensive motorcycle and throw half of it away andsubsitute an expensive rear half conversion.Loss of factory extended warranty option.Not many years of track record and engineering.Mismatched chassis design with a narrow motorcycle wheel/tire infront and two fat automobile wheels/tires in the rear.Large rear wheels/tires and short wheelbase give a choppy ride.With less air in the rear tires, a mushy ride.Less stability both ways if hard braking in turns.Still a two passenger unit.Passengers at risk of falling off.No passenger windshield.Passenger must/should wear protective clothing.Small kids stay at home with the baby sitter.Limited cargo space.Limited resale market.No contest!
