I have a 2010 BMW F650GS Twin (800cc engine) and I would like to attach a sidecar. I'm learning and looking right now.
I see one for sale at the Sidecars for Sale forum...a red California Sidecar in Louisiana. My question is, can someone tell me if this particular sidecar would work on my bike. I have been learning about not getting one too light or too heavy for my bike. I want to go highway speeds as well as dirt/gravel roads on occasion.
I'm kind of lost on this and would like some guidance from you guys.
Thanks in advance.
Phil
You will need a proper sub frame for the bike, we make the sub frame, we also make a leading link front end for the bike. If this is an early California sidecar that has the torsion bar suspension unless it is really cheap I would stay away from it at there are issues with the suspension on these and it also would not work well off road. No California sidecar really has ground clearance for off road. Of course my first choice would be one of our M72D sidecars.
I have attached photo's of an F800GS with the large touratech tank we built a while back. This is our M72D sidecar with our leading link front end on the bike.
Jay G
DMC sidecars
www.dmcsidecars.com
866-638-1793
Jay, just read the above post, just wondering, is leading link, similar to Earles, and would it be more practica to install on other bikes?
Earls is a specific brand / type of leading link front end.
What bike you install a sidecar on all depends on just what you want to get out of it. The F650/F800 are nice bikes with lots of power that are lighter then the R series GS bikes. I prefer them when off road to the R series GS but prefer the R series on the road as they are heavier and we have an automotive rear wheel set up. My own current bike is the new BMW R1200GSW as I find that I spend more time on the highway then off road.
Jay G
DMC sidecars
www.dmcsidecars.com
866-638-1793
That leading link front suspension looks really gnarly. Will my bike (the f650GS twin) work okay without converting to that leading link front end? I don't expect or desire to go serious off roading. I just want to be able to traverse gravel and dirt roads as well as paved roads.
What kind of cost are you talking to install a sidecar with the subframe, etc.?
I'm not the expert here by any means, but I remember that for years BMW had that on their bikes, and an article I remember reading, mentioned that it was an advantage with a sidecar, as it stopped the front from diving under hard braking with a sidecar on, and was much easier to steer. I also recall seeing the older Urals had them. Those more knowledgible on the board will chime in soon, I'm sure.
Your bike will work ok with out changing the front end. It will just steer hard. You can always change the front end out latter if you want.
Jay G
DMC sidecars
866-638-1793
