Looking to get back into sidecars it's been a LONG time since the Harley 250 with the dirt bike sidecar (really more of a wheel on a platform). I have n R1150RTP waiting for something to do and was wondering if it is enough bike for a double side car like the Kenna or Friendship? Seems I only ever see them on big touring bikes with 6 cylinders. I drove an older BMW R1100 that a friend had with a heavy steel Polish or Russian side car and it seemed up to the task even on the highway. Was told this is the place to go for answers to questions and questions I have plenty of... the bike size to sidecar is probably only the first of many I feel .... Need another project anyway, almost slowed down enough to relax a few days ago!
Thanks in advance for any advice!
I bought a '99 BMW R1100RT w/EZS sidecar. The car seats two and weighs in at 235 lbs. Even with the stock rear drive gearing it did reasonably well though I was always avoiding stopping on hills as some clutch slip was necessary to get rolling. On the open highway 5th gear was way too tall and it wouldn't pull the rig comfortably unless I really revved it up (about 6000 rpm - approximately 75 mph). Developed a leak in the rear drive and used it as an excuse to have lower gear put in. Now I could ride in downtown San Francisco with no problem and it easily pulls 5th gear at 50 mph. Comfortable cruising speed is 60 t0 65 mph. That's more for me than the tug. Engine is turning about 4400 rpm at 65 mph. At almost 70 years old, 65 is fast enough for me!
We have mounted many sidecars to bike similar to your, plenty of power and works well. We offer bike specific mounts that come with our sidecars. For your bike the mounting system is very clean with very little trimming of plastic. We would need to know that the bike is an RTP not a RT as the mounts are slightly different due to the police crash bars. For your bike we also offer steering modification for lighter steering. Your bike is one of the least expensive bikes to modify the steering at only $350 for the parts. If you are going to put a lot of miles on the bike we also offer an automotive rear wheel for the bike $1295. While I have never owned an RT I have owned several R1100GS's and have found that they work out very well as a sidecar bike, power is not an issue, we even set one up with a sidecar to also tow a tent trailer on a long trip, for that bike we changed the final drive out to one from an R850R. Nice to do but unless you are pulling a trailer I would not change the final drive out unless yours fails.
The last photo is of a Kenna double frame being installed. For some reason I could not find photo's of it finished with the body on it.
Jay G
DMC sidecars
866-638-1793
I crrently have a R1100R with a Hannigan Astro Sport. Before I changed the final drive (original 3.0 to a 3.36) to one from a R850R first and fifth gear were almost useless. With the lower final drive everything is great, but it was a necessary change. I personally do not know what options the 1150 has, but I understand the RTP is lower than the R or RT but not as low as the 850. I always thought an RTP would make a great looking sidecar mule, GOOD LUCK!
