punkozuna - 11/23/2009 4:39 PM
Very cool videos guys. How's a leaner rig handle vis-a-vis a conventional sidecar rig? Does it still veer left and right on acceleration/deceleration? Is it any easier to steer? Any special "excitement" when you run out of lean angle?
This is from Bandit Bill on www.gtamotorcycle.com
I've only had experience with rigid/conventional rigs..
Pro's for the leaner, easier on tires in terms of wear and tear - you are using a motorcycle tire's total profile, vs a conventional rigs flat contact patch. You generally don't need to do any front end changes to make it easier steering with a leaner - indeed Garry's setup with a 'steerable sidecar wheel' (his mount method makes the sidecar wheel 'toe-in' or 'toe-out' when he leans in to a corner, aiding in cornering, which makes front end changes totally un-necessary. Less demanding on suspension changes.. basically.. he retains all that is good about a solo motorcycle, and gains the versatility of a sidecar rig - And conversion back to a solo motorcycle is as simple as removing two under-engine mounting bolts and a few wires.
A leaner can be built narrower, vs a conventional rig. A conventional rig needs to be built relatively wider for stability.
Downside as i see it, the heavier the motorcycle/sidecar combo is .. the beefier the design would need to be, since you are reliant on only two mount points with a leaner, vs four with a rigid mount.. limits the rig to about the size of Garry's setup. On the other hand, a leaner tends to keep overall weight down due to less construction materials required.
I'm sure there are other benefits/downsides for both.
This is sort of why i want to try my hand at a leaner, next.
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I just added this:
Very well said. Also I would add that there is no learning really required for a leaner. The only thing you have to remember is that there is a mass on the right side of the bike, this means that you cannot make a short right turn without ,say, running over a curb and keep in the left side of the lane. This is the same for both types of sidecars. On a standard rig you have to learn that you cannot lean the bike, but steer the bike around corners (it feels awkward if you are used to riding a bike, very similar to the Spyder trike).
Garry
Don't forget to put the kickstand down. Many leaners will fall over without it.
Lonnie
punkozuna - 11/23/2009 12:39 PM
Very cool videos guys. How's a leaner rig handle vis-a-vis a conventional sidecar rig? Does it still veer left and right on acceleration/deceleration? Is it any easier to steer? Any special "excitement" when you run out of lean angle?
My rig veered right on accel but you learn to compensate for this quickly. This is the same for rigid rigs.
To me, the biggest benefit of the leaner is faster right turn cornering speed without the fear or awkwardness of flying a chair. But maybe it's unfair to rigid rigs because I believe I have not driven properly setup (enough ballast and track width) rigid rigs or high performance ones for that matter.
But in general stable rigid rigs require tons of ballast which is detriment to gas mileage and brake performance.
Typically you run out of lean angle in tight slow right turns and you only need to slow down more at that moment to avoid wandering into left lane.
The same may be true with rigid rigs but first you must overcome the fear of flying the chair.
I sometimes miss rigid rigs though. It certainly nice not to put your left foot down at stop lights.
