No Harley bashing, but what is this electronic "Rollover Protection" you speak of?
It's not the tilt switch that retards the spark or kills the engine is it?
Solo bikes have that and it doesn't seem to "Protect" them from rolling over.
It can be Too little Too late.
Like: "The safety of 4 wheel drive" in car ads, it can lead one to a false sense of security that can bite you in the a**.
Oh, yeah: Add some 5 degree triple trees to those Harleys and you can throw that cumbersome damper away.
My opinion, again,
Lonnie
You took my words out of context. I was not Harley bashing at all. I have a 2003 Road King and wouldn't trade it for anything.
But I'm not about to drop $8,000 on a sidecar that is uncomfortable and based on an outdated design just because it has an HD badge on it.
Like was mentioned earlier, there are other manufacturers out there that look just as good, if not better, perform better, etc.
I'm simply looking for the best value for my money, regardless of who's manufacturer nameplate is on it.
I agree with Lonnie (which makes sense since he's been at this sidecar thing a whole lot longer than me...) Forget the damper and go with the raked triple tree. Also in my opinion, the Liberty is the winner hands down for the best match to a Harley. I wouldn't trade mine for two of any other make out there!
Originally written by Hack'n on 4/10/2007 10:01 AM
No Harley bashing, but what is this electronic "Rollover Protection" you speak of?
It's not the tilt switch that retards the spark or kills the engine is it?
Solo bikes have that and it doesn't seem to "Protect" them from rolling over.
It can be Too little Too late.Like: "The safety of 4 wheel drive" in car ads, it can lead one to a false sense of security that can bite you in the a**.
Oh, yeah: Add some 5 degree triple trees to those Harleys and you can throw that cumbersome damper away.
My opinion, again,
Lonnie
The rollover protection is a change that Harley made a few years back. It's a unit that supplants the existing bank angle sensor which shuts the engine off immediately when the bike is in a crash and falls over beyond a certain angle.
In a sidecar, the risk is greater since it won't just fall over, it will roll over. This unit, once installed and programmed, will cut the ignition off instantly in the event of a rollover.
Not a bad idea if you are underneath the sidecar with fuel running down onto your face.
AFAIK, no unit ever put onto a motorcyle or rig has ever prevented an accident. This unit merely makes you safer in the event of an accident. Harley gives a clear safety warning as to the possibility of engine cutoff without changing to the unit. They also put their money where their mouth is by providing the unit at no extra charge on VIN numbers where it's required.
To my knowledge, other sidecar manufacturers and installers merely leave the bank angle sensor in place and therby you are running a high risk of having the engine shut off in a hard turn. This could cause a rollover in and of itself. I know that the Goldwing 1500's and 1800's and most big Harleys have bank angle sensors and probably BMW and others.
As to 5 degree triple trees, those are fine. However, they take approximately 8 hours to install after you pay for them (How much do they cost....? $1,000?, $1,500?) and thereafter prevent you from riding the machine as a solo. No thanks.
You said something about a "false sense of security". Ha. We're talking about motorcycles and sidecars aren't we? LOL
You guys are a lot of fun.
Originally written by Reardan Tom on 4/10/2007 11:32 AM
I agree with Lonnie (which makes sense since he's been at this sidecar thing a whole lot longer than me...) Forget the damper and go with the raked triple tree. Also in my opinion, the Liberty is the winner hands down for the best match to a Harley. I wouldn't trade mine for two of any other make out there!
Gosh, the deal's off. I was going to trade you my Harley sidecar for a half-interest in your Liberty. No deal, then, eh? LOL
I'm glad you like your liberty. Nice machine.
Originally written by gnm109 on 4/10/2007 12:51 PM
Gosh, the deal's off. I was going to trade you my Harley sidecar for a half-interest in your Liberty. No deal, then, eh? LOL
I'm glad you like your liberty. Nice machine.
Smilin' from ear to ear...
Just something to consider:
We have seen more than one case where a Harley Dealer woudl not work on a Harley sidecar rig if it had a sidecar other than a Harley Sidecar on it.
Not talking about sidecar work here but typical motorcycle work. One guy was on the road away from home and needed a tire. He had a Harley with a California Sidecar on it and they refused to replace the tire due to the sidecar not being a Harley. This was bad enough in them not wanting to help a fellow rider who was in need but they were even relucatant to sell him a tire unless they mounted it. It was the rear tire on the bike.Other similar cases have been reported. Not bashing all harley dealers but in thsi case the facts were the facts.
That sure wasn't my experience at Shumate H-D in Spokane this past winter. I had the top end rebuilt, some tranny work done and a new rear tire mounted. The tire was one of the last Twins I purchased from Jay. The tech who did the work was very impressed with the ease to dismount and remount the Liberty. For a few years prior to mounting the sidecar I'd been using either of a couple small non-dealer shops for anything other than regular maintenance which I was doing myself. After having the sidecar mounted on the bike, it wouldn't fit through the door at either of the shops I'd been using. Shumate can get it in the door and they made me feel very welcome. They are happy to work on it and I'm impressed with the quality of the results. At least when Randee is the tech whose doing the wrenching...
Yes Tom and there are probably many more good dealers out there than bad ones. I probably was wrong in even posting what I did.
Claude, maybe the percentage would be about the same for solo bikes too. Just guessing. I had another positive experience at another dealer last summer. I'd been over at my daughter's place in Tacoma and was headed for Liberty Motors to visit with Pete and Patty for a bit before heading for home. Had just turned off I-5 onto MLK Way and lost the clutch altogether. Had been having problems but thought they were external linkage only. Not. Long story short, I got a roll back wrecker ride to Downtown H-D in Tukwila. They got me right in, Archie and I hung out all day and met some very interesting people during that time. Parted with well over $800 by the time we were back on the road but at least we were back on the road. Spent another night at Monica's house and did Monday's plan on Tuesday. The entire crew at DT H-D was very accommodating.
You mentioned electric lean here one the website. I have an "03" Ultra Classic and had Dauntless Motors in Covington,Wa. and had them mount a Liberty sidecar mounted to the bike. They also added the electric lean device along with easy steer and a reverese gear. You might check with them on the electric lean for you. Doowaa
