Gl1800 with sidecar

Glen, I have a Wing with EZ steer, have not yet ridden it without the car.

However, I did discuss it with Jay (Dauntless) and David (Hannigan) as well as fellow member here (Miloh). All seemd to indicate that the Wing was generally ok without the car. I.e. some difference, but not great.

I have ridden my Ural Retro sans car, and the steering was kinda heavy. Hard to describe, but it seemed like once you started a turn, it took more effort to straighten out than a "normal" motorcycle. Perhaps the difference was that it took a more conscience effort, whereas normally the bike straightens out by itself (?)

Generally, most experts seem to generally advise against it, but I think the Wing would be one of the few on which I would do it (I do plan to take the car off mine at some point, just haven't had time).

jmho

greg

When the trail has been reduced for sidecar usage the bike will lose some of it's ability to self center after making a turn when ridden as a solo bike. How much depends on the loss of caster effect from stock to the modified condition.
Usually riding solo with a front end modified for sidecar usage is not recommended unless there is a provision for an alternative axle placement that restores the trail. As is the case with many Earles type front ends (LLs) that have two axle positions to choose from.
At best, it won't steer like a stock GL.

I have a GL1500 with Steerite at the dealer's shop right now and it's coming back here tomorrow in a trailer and it won't get road tested until the sidecar is remounted.

Lonnie
Northwest Sidecars

Greg,
Thanks for the reply. I wonder if the negativity I have been receiving is from a liablility standpoint more than the actual handling of the bike. My sidecar was purchased as a unit with the bike and Escapade trlr last year at a GWRRA rally. The previous owner had said that he had it off 'several times' and experienced little or no difference. The sidecar is Escort made by Champion and handles great. I wanted the option of removing it for some solo riding. Rather than taking off the whole mounting bracket from the bike, I may just undo 4 bolts and take it around the block and see how it handles.

Thanks again, Greg

Glenn

Lonnie,
Thanks for your input. My wife seems to err on the side of caution and perhaps she is right. She asked if I was unhappy with the sidecar and I assured her that I was not...at all. It is that 'want your cake and eat to' syndrome. But I don't want problems or be subjected to unnessary dangers either. We bought the unit last year with the intent of carrying our youngster with us....the family out enjoying the traveling/camping together.
Thanks,

Glenn

Glen, I suspect the negative response you get is a little of several factors, one being liability.

Other incluse the fact that nearly every rig is different, so most folks will merely impart the conventional wisdom, which is not based on your specific unit.

When I asked the 2 guys that do this for a living (Hannigan has over 200 GTLs on 1800s), the response was that, although usually not reccomended, the 1800 was one of the least impacted by the change. They also told me to be careful, which I would expect. This does not mean there is no difference, of course. Were it dangerous, I imagine i would have been told not to ride it solo, period.

I am not disagreeing with the experts on this forum, merely relaying my input.

I have quite a bit of 2 wheel experience, although I doubt that impacted their comments.

If you do a search, perhaps you could PM Miloh, as well. I hate to quote someone on this type subject, but when I initially rode his rig (which was the reason I later purchased one) I remember him telling me he rode it a faur amount sans car, and that it handled fine.

It was the sum of the comments from all three that resulted in my decision to get the EZ steer, since my plan was that I would want to ride it solo.

Greg,

Thanks for your reply...as I am new on this forum, some of the jargon is not familiar. 'PM' means postmail? And how do I contact Miloh and yourself. I didn't see your e-mail address on your profile.
Glenn

PM is private message. If you click on user profile there is a link to send user a private message. These messages then are sent to your unbox, sort of like email. From the forum view you can see if there is a new message in your inbox by looking at the top line. Just click on Inbox and you can read and reply. I'll send you one so you can practice!

I had hopes of running my GL1500 solo at times after the E-Z Steer was installed. It is a 6 degree. I only made it to the end of the block and was afraid I would drop it before getting back to the driveway. It is very sluggish and feels like it will fall over any second. The 1800, however may be better and with a 4-1/2 degree would be less noticeable.
Ralph