Boy, this sure is the week for Cozy sidecars.So, here it is. After going to the SIdecar rally at Griffith Park, Connie thinks it would be cool to have a small scooter with a sidecar. Who could argue? Maybe a pink or lime green Vespa type scooter.......matching car....However, Connie is very petite (4'11") and due to some medical issues has less strength than normal (carpal tunnel in both arms, plus Fibromyalgia).My concern is whether she would be strong enough to actually ride the rig, i.e. turn it, etc. I am thinking of a 150cc with a Cozy, am tending tewards a 4 speed since I think the CVTs (with the very small motors) aren't suited for tug use. Even with reduced trail, both of my rigs take a certain amount of effort to steer, certainly more than steering a car (with power steering) or motorcycle for that matter.I am hoping there are some if you who have ridden this type of rig and can comment on the physical ease or difficulty of riding? I presume noone changed the trail on these?I am not so concerned with the type of scooter, (or even the car, although the Cozy seems to be the only one which is small enough). I can figure that out later if the idea is feasibleThx, Greg
I rode a Stella scooter with a Cozy on it. It was a HOOT. Very well constructed. BUt, with the passenger in it the handling was . .awkward. Darned thing had more weight in the sidecar than me and the bike added up to.
I've helped several folks with different degrees of physical limitations get back in the wind on bikes and scooters with hacks.
From little old ladies to paraplegics. Largest rig was a 1100 GL/562E combo with altered controls for a partially paralyzed 53 year old woman who couldn't use her right hand and carried her wheelchair in the hack.
The smallest was a Honda Helix/Cozy setup for paraplegic use. This owner made his own wheelchair rack and further modified his rig. This is his third year with it and he loves the mobility.
Another low budget outfit is this Helix/Yamaha rig, where the partially paralyzed owner had an old 80cc Yamaha which was cut in half and used for the third wheel attachment, attached a cooler and Voila! Sidehacker.
The automatic scooters are ideal for those with limited hand strength such as those with Carpel Tunnel Syndrome.
Lonnie Cook
Northwest Sidecars
Thx for the replies. I was originaly looking at a Stella with a cozy, but the physical location made it impractical.So, a couple weeks ago I found what I think is a Cozy Euro (or similar) sidecar only on Craig's List here in LA. Pretty good shape, seemed cmplete, $300. So i bought it.Then, yesterday, I purchased a couple of 150cc scooters (actually got a pink one for Connie, then realized I needed one if were going to rided with her). After we see how she is on this (she wil take lessons, etc, to get fer motorcycle endorsement), I'll see about adding the SC. I have talked with Doug (Bingham) who is local, and he said he can mount it pretty easy.Should be funthanks againgreg
I had an older Vespa with a Cozy hack that I installed. In my opinion, the Cozy was a garbage can with a wheel attached. Mine was ordered direct from India and the paint was poor, chrome was terrible, and certainly not worth the price I paid for it.
That said, it was a lot of fun to drive since I did not have to sit in the hack but the other half got tired of it quickly.
Bob in Minnesota
Was that one of the ones I see on Ebay all the time?
Hack'n- re "Brad on Helix-Cozy #3"; is that an older Cozy? It looks cool, but I've never seen it before.
Originally written by redflasher on 11/19/2007 12:47 PM
I had an older Vespa with a Cozy hack that I installed. In my opinion, the Cozy was a garbage can with a wheel attached. Mine was ordered direct from India and the paint was poor, chrome was terrible, and certainly not worth the price I paid for it.That said, it was a lot of fun to drive since I did not have to sit in the hack but the other half got tired of it quickly.Bob in Minnesota
I could take it all apart and sell the parts for more than $6000...
Bob, very good observations. Our plan is for our Maltese to ride in the sc (she weighs 6 pounds) plus a few grocieries.
Unc,
Brad's Helix/Cozy chair is a current model Cozy 100. Seat and windshield were not installed at the time pix were taken.
Lonnie
I owned a stella with a cozy sidecar for about 2 years (my son is riding it now) a real blast to ride - more fun tnan my current motorcycle rig. It will pull to the right or whichever side the hack is mounted on under hard acceleration and braking. It will chew through tires quickly regardless of how perfectly set up it is. The weight of the hack is more than 50% the weight of the scooter and that is the reason for the handling and tire issues.
That being said it really is not difficult to drive. Right handers and all turns need to be taken slowly but as far as effort in turns I wouldn't say it requires much effort at all.
I'll just say point blank you won't find a more fun to ride setup.
Hope this helps.
vinnybman
