Dear All,
I just purchased my first rig (used, no brake on car) and have no prior experience with sidecars. The rig is in Michigan and I live in NJ. I am thinking about flyng to Michigan, picking the rig up and riding back home on the highway. I am a careful person, but I am not aware of how much of a challenge the first ride really is. What would make sense?
1/ Ride carefully home after having practiced a bit locally. Is this realistic?
2/ Place the rig on a trailer, bring it back home and then practice first in a parking lot?
thanks much.
Paul
Picked up my bike once the Hannigan Side Car was mounted and rode 80 miles for first ride on major Highway. Read the various articles on this web site, take it easy and you should not have any problems 🙂
If it's well sorted out and you are willing to take as much time as needed you will be fine.
I sold my Valkyrie rig to a novice rider. He flew to Minneapolis in the dead of winter, thinking he would be home in Tucson the next evening. Once we convinced him to go slow and take his time, he spent 5 days on the road, but arrived in one piece, and happy with his adventure and his purchase.
Double your plan. If you are thinking two days, plan for four. If you make it home in two, you are ahead. If it takes four, you aren't trying to meet a deadline and doing something stupid.
Before I got my rig I read all the recommendations about learning to ride a hack. I was a little hesitant due to all the warnings.
When I got the rig I rode around the block a couple times then stuck to surface streets. I had no problems but was then a little worried about getting on the freeway (in L.A. traffic!). On about my third ride I figured I'd give it a try for at least one exit. I ended up putting on about 100 miles on the first trip with no problems. It was actually smoother riding on the freeway.
That being said, I would ride back and like it was mentioned, give yourself double (at least) the time for the trip for two reasons: first, no pressure to get home and be concerned with going faster than you want and second, take the opportunity to explore back roads and see some sites you may not ever get the chance to see again.
for some inspiration see here:
and here:
http://www.pashnit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26493
The second one is a two wheeler, not a hack but if it doesn't want to make you hit the road (and oh, to be 25 again!), nothing will!
Thanks All,
I'll go slowly and enjoy the ride. Will let you know how it went. Kindly. Paul
I'd toss a 100# sack of sand in the sidecar for a passenger with a strange rig and a long drive to keep three wheels on the road. You'll be needing to forgo some old muscle memory and learn new habits.
L.
Lonnie's is the best advice you have been given so far. Not knowing anything about your personality or experience, I would be hesitant to advise taking on a long trip like that for your first sidecar ride. If you decide to take the challange make it (3) 50 # bags of sand.
If you have access to a suitablely sized trailer I recommend trailering it home and get your initial practice in a parking lot
Paul.......I bought our rig a year ago and I did not do any research on riding and did not know about the wealth of information on here. I jumped on the bike and with my son in the hack and my wife following, I rode 150 miles home with no experience. Looking back it may not have been the best thing to do but I really learned from the experience. The advice of the previous posts is very valid. Allocate double the time you think you need and take it easy. The rest will come with time and experience.
Enjoy your new ride.
Larry
13.dec. 1986, got the rig from agency in Kiel after perhaps 150000km on solo bikes.
on the 140km home I went 3 times straight into the pasture. Next day I whacked off a road side post with my knee (savely protected by motocross protector)
25. december I went to Norway.
15. January went camping in Harz mountains...
I was a stupid fool but for sure I enjoyed it and breathe deeper each time I recall that memory.
Take the sand bag advice serious and get a free lesson for a day from the owner preferablly first on gravel roads or a sand pit later on a paved parking lot that will teach your muskles the fast way.
And for sure the owner will agree.
If not he is not a rig pusher at all and anyway you should be aware of his resale.
Most of all be conscious of that the MOST dangerous moment is when you feel confortable, then you will reakt again as solo driver.
(just like riding in England. after 3 days each time I found myself back on the right side of the road.... Outch) bad moment.
Sven
