This newbie has a VTX1300c black and chrome and one sweetheart who likes to ride with me all the time, but sort of peters out after 2 hours. Hence I thought a sidecar would be nice for those long trips and the local Blossom day parade 🙂 . I'm really looking forward to attending some of the rallies and learning all I can about this fun accessory.
So I look forward to the comments and especially the pictures. - MechE
Hoo boy... do I smell trouble, or do the leftovers need to be put away?
Seems there ought to be a newbie test to pass to get this far. Let me say first and foremost- a sidecar is in no way, shape, form, or fantasy to be even remotely considered an accessory. When you attach a sidecar you have the potential to be miserable because this contraption is no longer a motorcycle at all. It may easily take longer to get any good at piloting a SC rig than it does to navigate on 2 wheels. On the other hand, you may have trouble relating to the world as it is because of the increased fun factor and resultant elation that is all out of proportion to reality as recorded in the daily news of most countries. Especially the USA. If your sweetheart is a dog, it'll love you for being a bit nuts, as nuts you must be (exception noted, Bob). If it's a person, they may need to re-think this wild and wacky person they adore. Unless that was one of the original attractions.
Claude will be right along to recommend Hal's book any minute now...
If you really enjoy the VTX as a solo bike, consider an older bike for converting to a sidehack rig. Many of the '80s cruisers make good tugs for reasonable prices. Or better yet find a sidecar rally or someone with a rig who will let you take a trial run to see how it fits in with your style of riding before making the plunge. Although the sidecar is considered an accessory (in all 50 states, DC and Canada), it isn't all that easy to take off to ride solo and reinstall for taking the girlfriend for a ride.
Well, Mr Smartypants learned something today. My aplogies to all who happened upon my misinformed missive. Personally, however, I can't imagine considering a sidecar an accessory.
Thanks for your response Uncle Ernie and Hack'n. As someone new to this subject I need to do allot of research before I make the jump. Hack'n, you read my mind as I was considering the ease of putting it on and off as needed. Your suggestion is a good one in particular mating the looks of a hack with the bike as the VTX is a new design. Though on the VTX Owners website, a fella named Papa attached a Ural to his Retro and it looks pretty good:
http://www.vtxoa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=92665&sid=ee51141bcd27bffd0f1cec25754d33f6
Your points about test driving a rig is also very good and I will do likewise. Though in my 51 years I driven an odd assortment of things with wheels and also wings, so I just figure that I'm an open air junky and odds are that I'll take to it.
Well they say its the journey and not the destination, but I'll probably enjoy both as I become more familiar with what you guys call a hack. Thanks again for your thoughts.
MechE
I have a couple of pix of a VTX 1800/Bavarian Classic rig I put up for a trip to Prudoe Bay in the Albums here.
PJ,
You would be wise to download USCA#2,Hal Kendall's sidecar books that are free at this site.
Click here:
http://www.sidecar.com/links3.asp
Good Morning!!
Hack'n, I found your album and was impressed as to how many different kinds of bikes, including what might have been considered 'crotch-rockets' in their day are rigged. I particularly liked the Indian. Unfortunately for me, I couldn't find the VTX1800 & Bararian rig. Probably my older eyes at 4:30 am and no coffee yet. "Judi get me some coffee so I can find this VTX rig". It helps to have an understanding spouse. 🙂
Claude - thanks for the lead. I downloaded the book at it's a doozy (doozy - derived from the name of the Duesenberg auto for how snappy it was, just a little morning trivia). Even with the bikes being so high tech today, it goes to show how much was really figured out in 1920. Our predecessors were a smart bunch imho.
Thanks for the responses. Hope to run into the bunch of you at some rally.
Best regards,
MechE
MechE,
You'll find the VTX/Bavarian Classic rig at Albums/Hack'ns Hacks. Dennis K's rig, photos #23, #24 & #25.
Lonnie
We have done many of the VTX bikes and have bike specific mounting hardware for the VTX (note the 1300 and the 1800 are not the same) that we can supply for you. We have Ural sidecars, (most popular that we have done on these bikes) Kenna sidecars as well as handle the Champion product line. Examples of VTX'x can be seen on our web site www.dauntlessmotors.com
You can also phone toll free if you have any questions at all 866-638-1793
Let me know if we can be of help.
Jay Giese
Dauntless Motors Corporation
Wow! That's a good looking rig. I've been thinking of finding a commuter bike, a bit more fuel efficient than the Valkyrie, but that might have to wait. :0)
Hack'n thanks! Its nice to see a rig with a bike I'm driving, or something close. Gives me a feel for what might work. - MechE
