Good evening. I have been riding for a few years and my wife has no interest in riding on the back. The other night we saw a sidecar and she said that she would love to ride in one. Hmmm... My only ride is a 1999 Triumph Trophy 1200. What should I be looking for? What's required to set it up and balance it, and am I permanently attached at that point? Thanks for your help! Oh, and location, Washington DC area but willing to travel
it's not permanent, but it's a nuisance to take off and put on. not hard. (assuming you're a decent shade tree mechanic) it depends on the mounts that would have to be put on your bike. many people just go the route of making it a permanent change because there are things to be done that make it easier to drive. for example, doing a leading link front end makes the bike more difficult to ride without the car. but it's a wonderful addition. You are likely better off buying a second bike that already has a sidecar attached. for one it's much cheaper to buy used than do (or pay for it) yourself. you can also buy a rig that will suit the specific needs of you. for example, a smaller rig is easier for around town and works just fine. a bigger rig is great for travelling.
I agree with Dave. Ii installed a used hack on my bike and it was a PITA. Did learn a bit though. If you buy a turnkey rig proceed with caution and preferably with advice from a knowledgable person. Because a bike has a car attached does not mean it was done well, correctly or safely. Also, there is a learning curve in driving a sidecar rig. It's nothing like riding on 2 wheels. Read and learn. Post questions in the General or Technical sub forums. USCA has a Facebook page as well.
If you are adding a sidecar to your bike make sure you use proper bike specific NOT universal mounts. Also stay away from the sidecars price around $2000 new that "Fit" your bike. The company selling these keeps changing the names it does business under. There are posts on this site under Safer Wholesale, RK sidecars and a few other names.
Jay G
DMC sidecars
www.dmcsidecars.com
866-638-1793
If you are adding a sidecar to your bike make sure you use proper bike specific NOT universal mounts. Also stay away from the sidecars price around $2000 new that "Fit" your bike. The company selling these keeps changing the names it does business under. There are posts on this site under Safer Wholesale, RK sidecars and a few other names.
Jay G
DMC sidecars
www.dmcsidecars.com
866-638-1793
