Hi, all.
I'm looking for my first sidecar and stumbled on this. Reduced feom $9k to $5k. Seems like a pretty good deal? But doesn't have much info listed and I'm new to this. The way yall can look at a few pictures and rattle off so much info blows my mind.
I see the sidecar seat looks rough, but i would consider that minor in the grand scheme of things. Not sure what to ask or look out for. Any thoughts from the experts?
removed link
You have all provided me with a wealth of info already just from perusing the site. I appreciate you!
Link is removed because I'm too new, I assume. Will email if you tell me where, or repost when I hit the required post count (3?).
one more post. I went looking on FB marketplace and craigslist in Springfield for sidecars and came up empty with anything that matched what you're describing.
Looking at the price, if it started at $9000 and is now $4500, that's a pretty steep drop. At the new price it's probably worth a look but condition of the bike is going to be important. I can say that there are a couple of good rigs on this site that won't require any major maintenance that are in the $8K range.
Illegitemi non carborundum est!
Closer to chicago area. Western burbs. This post should hit my quota to get the link up.
Link is removed because I'm too new, I assume. Will email if you tell me where, or repost when I hit the required post count (3?).
PDB @nobodyspecial , send the link to me midliferider@aol.com , as I can post it immediately, and I happen to be the know-it-all regarding Honda Goldwings.
As mentioned above by Thane, there are very good Sidecar rigs for sale right on our forums, and....for YOU only (so don't tell anyone else) the very best Sidecar rig in your price range, 100 percent road ready, is the 1995 Goldwing w/Champion Escort ll that is currently at $ 8,000.00.....but.....I will throw ANOTHER $ 500.00 to the seller....in addition to the $ 500.00 I have already offered to him, so that YOUR price for this 1995 Honda Goldwing 1500 SE w/Champion Escort ll Sidecar will only cost YOU....$ 7,500.00
This sidecar rig being sold by Steve Ives is absolutely ready for the road....newer correct tires all around.....trail reducing triple trees to make steering easier....brand new OEM alternator, Firecreek double windshield, etc, etc, etc.
You buy another Sidecar rig for $ 4,500.00 or $ 5,000.00, and you will HAVE TO spend another $ 4,000.00 just to bring it up to the condition that this 1995 Goldwing w/ Champion Escort ll Sidecar rig is already in.
Don't wait.... this offer to YOU is only good through the end of this month....ends at midnight, February 28th, 2026.
Now, send me that link to this '89 Wing, so I can check it out.
Two Million Mile Rider
Exploring the World in Comfort
That rig absolutely looks to be a solid step up from my link. What mileage is expected for the life of a Goldwing? That would be the only ding against the other one that i can see. But it looks better maintained which i expect to make a huge difference. I am also about 10 hours away from Buffalo, KS, however.
I greatly appreciate you all!
I don't think I'll be ready to buy by Saturday (no offense to your generous offer!). I promised my wife not to rush any decisions and I'm taking that seriously.
Okay, here we go... https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1950360432447653/?rdid=DcpnWcOCW4KbcD7N&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F1C4CJ97apF%2F
This 1989 Honda Goldwing 1500 w/Champion Daytona 2+2 sidecar as listed 30 weeks ago, which is a long time in the Facebook ads world, and has dropped down from an asking price of $ 9k down to a current $ 5k.
Things I can state with knowledge....a 1989 is the 2nd year of the Goldwing 1500's, and still had inherent problems from the 1988 model years. Nothing that couldn't be remedied, and not a bad year, overall, but not as good as the 1993 and later Goldwing 1500's.
The "seat" or cushion inside the Champion Daytona 2+2 sidecar is simply that, a "cushion" that someone has laid onto the OEM seat bottom, so as to raise the height of the seat bottom, because the OEM seat in these Daytona 2+2 sidecar is relatively LOW, so I can see raising that seat height, from children, or dogs, or smaller people, so they can see out through the windshield of the sidecar.
The 69k miles on this bike is really nothing to be concerned about..."IF"...the engine has been maintained, but most importantly if the TIMING BELTS, or CAM BELTS (same thing on this engine) have been replaced, and can show a history of them being replaced....WHEN, and at what mileage, and preferably by whom.
WHY...because this is an interference engine, and if even one of those two timing belts breaks, it ruins the engine, as in...valves strike the pistons, etc.
It is not just a matter of miles on the timing belts, it is also age, as these belts, generally made by Gates, are basically rubber belts with thread belting infused in the rubber belts.
VERY easy for an experienced person to replace these timing belts, but....on a 37 year old engine, there is NO way I would even take this bike for a test drive around the block, without knowing fairly certainly, that both timing belts have been replaced....when and by whom.
One thing that does concern me, if the above paragraphs are not concerning enough, is it "appears" that the front end has not been modified. That is just going by the two pictures shown, and there is a brief video in the Facebook link, but from what I can discern...it does NOT appear to have the trail reducing triple trees on this bike, which means it will be more difficult to steer, and at some point an owner is going to want to make it easier to steer, so they will spend a total of $ 2,000.00 for all parts, and labor, to fabricate, and install these trail reducing triple trees.
The Facts, it is NOT a bad buy at $ 5,000.00.....as many of us know that Champion Daytona 2+2 sidecar is worth at least $ 2,500.00 or more, depending on its' condition, and the bike is worth the difference, if it is in good condition.
However, what is missing in the information is what is important. Once again, people leave out very important information that a buyer needs to know the answers to before buying a rig like this, and it is left out because the seller has no idea that this information is needed.
Tell me about the full servicing and maintenance this bike has received ?
When were those timing belts replaced, and by whom ?
Exactly what tires are on the bike...front and rear...and on the sidecar ?
What are the date codes on those tires ?
WHO installed this sidecar to this bike ? Was it ever touched by the "former" DMC sidecars in Washington State ?
Sadly, I have more questions, than I do answers, and not being a Facebook person, I cannot contact the seller to ask these questions, and....there is a 99% probability that the seller has no answers to these questions.
If a person could get satisfactory answers to all these questions, then a price of $ 5,000.00 is a decent deal, BUT....absolutely plan to spend another $ 4,000.00 in changes to it....maybe not on day # 1, or even in the first 6 months, but next Winter you will want to make improvements to this rig, to make it better, healthier, safer, etc.
Two Million Mile Rider
Exploring the World in Comfort
PDB @nobodyspecial, I will add this, do NOT be concerned about the higher mileage on the 1995 Honda Goldwing SE w/Champion Escort ll that Steve Ives has for sale, because his bike HAS been maintained, and cared for.
These Honda Goldwing 1500's and the 1800's are well know to run in excess of 500,000 miles....not kidding, and there are many examples that have done that. I once made an offer to buy a guys 2002 Goldwing 1800 that had 535,000 miles on it, because the mileage didn't bother me at all, I knew who the owner was, and that he had maintained it.
Right now, the Steve Ives bike "was" listed at $ 8,750.00
For February he dropped it down to $ 8,500.00
I offered to kick in $ 500.00 of my own money, to make it $ 8,000.00
For YOU, PDD @nobodyspecial, I will kick in an additional $ 500.00, to bring it down to $ 7,500.00
That price of $ 7,500.00 is good until midnight, February 28th, 2026.
WHY is Steve Ives selling his Road Ready, Road Proven 1995 Goldwing 1500 SE w/Champion Escort ll.....because he bought one of my sidecar rigs, a 2015 Honda Goldwing w/Hannigan GTL sidecar, and he doesn't need 2 sidecar rigs for him and his dog, Cy.
Located in Buffalo, Kansas...in the middle of nowhere, which should be easy for a guy with the user name of @nobodyspecial to find.
Two Million Mile Rider
Exploring the World in Comfort
Very helpful, thank you!
PDB, everything FM said above is accurate and reasonable in looking at the rig in Illinois. Yes, he is serious about his offer of monetary assistance with Steve’s rig. I can attest to the maintenance quality of that rig having met its original owner and firsthand testimony about it.
I do acknowledge that saving money by purchasing a less expensive rig feels safer, but from personal experience (twice) and the learning curve or frustration that leads to quitting can become overwhelming. I’m not saying you must go fo Steve’s rig, but have your eyes wide open and armed with as many facts as possible when you do make a decision.
Illegitemi non carborundum est!
That rig absolutely looks to be a solid step up from my link. What mileage is expected for the life of a Goldwing? That would be the only ding against the other one that i can see. But it looks better maintained which i expect to make a huge difference. I am also about 10 hours away from Buffalo, KS, however.
I greatly appreciate you all!
I don't think I'll be ready to buy by Saturday (no offense to your generous offer!). I promised my wife not to rush any decisions and I'm taking that seriously.
PDB @nobodyspecial, two points here:
As iterated above, then reiterated again...have NO concern about the mileage on the Steve Ives 1995 Goldwing 1500 SE, as it truly has been properly maintained. Not only do we, the sidecar people of the World, know the current owner quite well, but several of us also know the previous owner of that rig, Varn Cummings, and he is a long time sidecarist too.
Secondly, because you promised your wife not to rush into any decisions, and we want to respect that promise to your wife (does she know in advance that she will be called the "Boss Monkey" if she rides as a passenger in the sidecar ?????
Respecting your promise to your future Boss Monkey, and your inability to make a decision on the Steve Ives 1995 Goldwing 1500 SE w/Champion Escort ll before the deadline of midnight, February 28, 2026.....here is what I am willing to do.........
Are you familiar with Stroopwaffles ?
Two round waffle-like wafers with a caramel filling in the middle
A stroopwafel is a thin, round biscuit made from two layers of sweet baked dough held together by a syrup filling, often caramel. First made in the city of Gouda in South Holland, stroopwafels are a well-known Dutch treat popular throughout the Netherlands.
Whilst the price of the Steve Ives 1995 Goldwing 1500 SE w/Champion Escort ll sidecar rig WILL indeed go back up as of March 1, 2026...I am personally willing to offset that price increase by supplying you with your choice of one of two options:
Either a box of 4 bags...10 count in each bag, so a total of 40 count of Stroopwaffles in the entire box, of regular sized Stroopwaffles
OR....
One very large life-sized Stroopwaffle that I found in a shop in Europe (I cannot reveal the true location of this shop), but this one large life-sized Stroopwaffle could take a person a year to east, and cause Diabetes as a result of eating such a large caramel filled treat.
And before your future Boss Monkey takes offense to her new name, please tell her that the sidecar passenger has been known as "the monkey" for more than 100 years, so she will not be the first, nor the last, to wear that moniker.
Two Million Mile Rider
Exploring the World in Comfort
Is shipping an option? If so, would you expect about $1k, more? Buffalo, KS to 60185
I'm trying to figure out if it's even possible for me to get this. I am seriously tempted - pending discussion with wife who is in Florida until Saturday - but logistics are difficult if not impossible.
It's a 9-10 hour drive, no way my wife can drive me there to pick it up. It's 2 hours from the nearest airport I think I could fly to, and even if I could it's a full day, possibly 2 all told, to go get it.
Is shipping an option? If so, would you expect about $1k, more? Buffalo, KS to 60185
I'm trying to figure out if it's even possible for me to get this. I am seriously tempted - pending discussion with wife who is in Florida until Saturday - but logistics are difficult if not impossible.
It's a 9-10 hour drive, no way my wife can drive me there to pick it up. It's 2 hours from the nearest airport I think I could fly to, and even if I could it's a full day, possibly 2 all told, to go get it.
Phil @nobodyspecial, typically what is done in these cases is a Fly 'n Ride, wherein you would fly to Wichita, Kansas, Steve would pick you up at the airport, drive you to his house in Buffalo, Kansas, then you drive the new-to-you sidecar rig home the 640 miles, or 10 hours drive.
However, since YOU are new to sidecars, and basically have no experience driving/piloting a sidecar rig, it would not be wise to take on this adventure.
Yes, you can get it shipped to you, and the best company to do that is HaulBikes....and they are familiar with doing sidecar rigs. And yes, it would cost you around...or less than...$ 1,000.00 to have it shipped to your house.
BUT.....wait....despite my offers and enticements to get you to buy NOW...I have to be frank and forthright given your situation, the future Boss Monkey is in Florida at the moment, you want to run all this past her, and your really don't want to be rushed into making a decision, or purchase that you are unsure of.
Therefore, my personal advice is, do not pull the trigger on this. Take the time to think it out, and make the best decision based on everything going on in your family, and the weather, and getting a sidecar rig from Point A to Point B.
"IF" the Steve Ives 1995 Honda Goldwing SE w/Champion Escort ll sidecar rig is the right rig for you, I have an educated presumption that there is a 83.14159% probability that it will still be available for purchase in late March, or in early April.
At THAT time....you and your future Boss Monkey drive down to Buffalo, Kansas together, look the sidecar rig over from head to toe, front to back, side to side, and if you like what you see and feel, buy it, then YOU drive it back, whilst your wife drives the car back to home, and you both take two days to do that return trip.
Doing it this way ^ does mean you will miss out on the cash discounts, but there is still the offer of the Stroopwaffles on the table.
NOW, Phil @nobodyspecial, there is still the option to buy that 1989 Goldwing w/Champion Daytona 2+2 that you were originally interested in, and for the price of $ 5,000.00, that is a very good price.
That bike is ONLY 36 miles from your house. 36 miles.....is like nothing.
Most Goldwing owners will ride farther than that to visit a Dairy Queen.
You could.....drive over to Northlake, Illinois, check out that 1989 Goldwing sidecar rig, ask if you can take it for a test drive (gulp)....do NOT tell them you have never driven a sidecar rig before.
And if you like that rig, that is ONLY 36 miles from your house, and can buy it for $ 5,000.00.........DO IT !
WE, the sidecar people of the World, will very gladly assist you with info and knowledge of how to get it up to the condition that Steve Ives sidecar rig is already in, we will tell you about tires, tire pressures, etc, etc, etc.
We ARE here to help.
Two Million Mile Rider
Exploring the World in Comfort
Thank you! Your guidance is incredibly valuable.
Phil...But Wait...there's more...
A third option is to make a decision today.....contact Steve Ives (I have all of his contact info)...agree to buy his 1995 Goldwing 1500 SE w/Champion Escort ll sidecar rig for the measly price of only $ 7,500.00.....and send Steve a deposit of 1/3rd of that agreed upon price, so send him a deposit of $ 2,500.00.
Upon receipt of your deposit, I will then send Steve my end of the agreement, so I will send Steve $ 1,000.00
Then, at a later date, let's say late March, late April, etc.....you drive down to Kansas, and pick up this sidecar car, whilst you and your wife enjoy a 2 day drive back to 60185, when the weather is better, and her tan from Florida has faded.
The difference in price between the $ 5,000 sidecar rig that is only 36 miles from you....or the $ 7,500 sidecar rig that is 640 miles from you, is only that deposit of $ 2,500...and all of us can tell you that having a trail reducing triple trees fabricated and installed onto that 1989 Goldwing is going to cost you $ 2,000.....and the 1995 Goldwing already has that done to it.
Okay, okay.....if you head is spinning right now...I am a Doctor, so I prescribe sitting in a quiet room, placing your head between your knees, and breathing slowly.
Two Million Mile Rider
Exploring the World in Comfort
