Hello. Just looking for a suggestion about how much weight to put in our sidecar when we are riding 2 up with our 18 month old in the sidecar. We figure sandbags would be the safest bet....any suggestions on how much weight would be needed to prevent it from lifting? My husband has been riding for years but this is our first month with our sidecar. He hasn't had it up yet...and isn't even sure if it would lift up. Since we're new at it, any suggestions or opinions are appreciated.
thank you very much for all the help everyone provides. This is a great site for new rig owners.
Although I don't agree with the people who will soon jump in to lecture you about two up with a sidecar, in this case I must say that you need to be in the sidecar with your child. Ideally, you want the sidecar loaded to weigh AT LEAST one third as much as the bike does when it's loaded. Even if the weight ratio is correct, I'd say that at least until the rider is very well experienced and has learned to react to road conditions, you'll be much safer in the car.
Thank you for your help. I didn't realize that it is going to cause a stir though!
thanks again.
I can see how that would cause a stir-- I wouldn't put anyone on my bike who couldn't get up and run away if they had to, and that would apply to a sidecar as well. Even my pooch knows enough to stay put or run when he needs to.
Originally written by AR4CE on 3/19/2008 8:18 PM
I can see how that would cause a stir-- I wouldn't put anyone on my bike who couldn't get up and run away if they had to, and that would apply to a sidecar as well. Even my pooch knows enough to stay put or run when he needs to.
I have no problem carrying a child, in fact, I've put on many miles with three grandchildren in the sidecar and their mother on the pillon. My problem is an inexperienced rider carrying a passenger on the pillon of an unbalanced rig. The GL1800 weighs about 900 pounds plus maybe 300 pounds for rider, passenger, attachments, and luggage in the saddlebags.
The Hannigan will go maybe 300 pounds with the child. I would consider another hundred pounds in the car as a minimum for an experienced rider. Maybe 200 or more for a novice.
thanks sidecar mike. I didn't think we were the only people that would be riding like this! i'm glad to know that you've had no problems. my husband has gone cross country and back twice (once with me)...his 84 goldwing had 115,000 miles on it by the time we sold it to get our 1800....so he's pretty experienced as a rider. We were guessing 100 lbs too...but maybe just to be on the safe side we'll go w/ 150 until he's completely comfortable with the rig. again, thanks for your advice.
If you are going to do this practice a lot maybe with no one in the sidecar and just weight added. If you can practice in a parking lot with no weight in the sidecar that may be good also.
Note that the passenger on the bike needs to be aware that they will tend to slid to the side on the seat in turns.
Can the sidecar come up? Yes indeed it can.
Best policy is really for for you and the young one to be in the sidecar.
While our rig is somewhat different it may give you an idea about load with 2-up on the bike.
We have an '01 GL1800 with an '02 Escort and the wife, all 100 lbs of her, rides on the bike with me. The Sidecar is a bit lighter than most Hannnigans, perhaps 40 or so Lbs, and typicaly has 2 or 3 Heelers in it. The three Cattle Dogs weight from 40-lbs for the Blue to 55-lbs for the Red male with 48 or so for the mixed White.
Yep we have a Red, White and Blue Heeler in what we call our Ol-Yeller Heeler Hauler.
To keep the sidecar down on tight right handers in the mountains we have to have all 3 dogs in the car with 50+ lbs of tools and misc in the trunk. That comes to aprox 200 lbs ballast in what I consider the smallest practical sidecar for the big Wings.
If I leave the extra 50 lbs of tools out to make room for stuff while shopping and the smallest of the Heelers at home that comes to about 100 Lbs ballast and the rig Lifts Easily on most any tight Right-hander, until we get the trunk filled with food that is 😉
Without the wife on the bike and the 3 heelers at 145 lbs in the sidecar it stays down with controlled corners but I can still bring it up at will on square turns. Under the same conditions with the 50 Lbs of tools and all 3 Heelers in it the car is hard to fly without some forcefull effort.
I'm not sure of the actual weights of the Champion Escort or the Hannigans due to the variations that come with Options and how much "Glass" is blown into each body. Some are just thicker than others and weigh more.
Ours Escort has most of the options that were available in '02 including the Electric Lean Camber and all internal lights etc.
Here are the numbers I got at each wheel with the wife on the bike and 2 Heelers in the car back in '03.
Front Wheel 550 lbs
Rear Wheel 960 lbs
Sidecar Wheel 280 lbs
That was before we got the third Heeler that weighs 55 lbs. Without the third dog in the car it was stable at the time due to the 50 lbs of tools in the trunk. Figure the sidecar weight at 310 lbs with the Red Heeler now and the rear wheel on the bike at 985 lbs or so and a few more up front to maybe 560.
It is easy to weigh each wheel at a local garden center scale, normaly for free if you are a customer.
Looking at those weights and the load ratings on your stock tires will make you a user of a Car Tire in the rear with a Rear M/C Tire on the front in 140/70 which is what I switched to early on.
I meant experienced with a sidecar attached. It's all together different from two wheels.
experience! Ihave 40 + years on 2 wheels only about 5 driving a sidehack ITS A NEW WORLD
HARRYHO
what a long strange trip its been
I run my rig with 5 yr old in her car seat in the car and mom and I on the bike,...no balist other then my small tool box, I also run the bike with two up and no-one in the car just fine,...as momma won't get in the car, hehe a good set-up is rideable under all conditions, take your time and do it right, cheers.
On my Harley sidecar, 3yr old, carseat straped in and about 25 lbs of stuff in truck, it rides great.
I used to take my sister on the back with niece and dog in the chair and she used to lean over the chair to help keep it down for faster cornering. She used to ride the outfit too so was expeirienced herself. I guess what I'm saying is it helps if your pillion knows how to use their weight to help the rider if they need to be on the back.
Tim
Originally written by whitsundaytattoo on 3/21/2008 10:54 PM
I used to take my sister on the back with niece and dog in the chair and she used to lean over the chair to help keep it down for faster cornering. She used to ride the outfit too so was expeirienced herself. I guess what I'm saying is Tim
I have tried to be quiet about this touchy subject...but.... you mention
"it helps if your pillion knows how to use their weight to help the rider if they need to be on the back." true...but........
the thing is ....your pillion aint gonna be paying attention all the time.
imagine what can happen if the pillion is in a daydreaming mode, gazing off at the beautiful scenery off to either side. then suddenly, a deer, rabbit, dog, whatever, runs out in front of the rig. you suddenly swerve right[or left] in an evasive manouver, and the passenger, caught unaware ends up hanging off the side for dear life, if he/she is lucky.
If I can save one life by changing thier riding habits , it is worth it.
Sure thing Bob and I hear what your saying. So what happens on a solo in the same situation???????. What if! What if ! What if. Perhaps we should all stay home or drive a car it would be safer. My point was that if the situation dictates that you have a pillion on the back they need to be aware that their shifting weight is important the same as a solo. A pillion could infact cause the chair to fly by shifting their weight in a corner to look at something. Its all about enjoying life I think and if that means the missus is on the back so be it.
Tim
