I finally made my maiden voyage with my 3 year old son in the chair. (Don't worry, it's only a 5 minute ride around the block.)
Next step would be a day trip and overnight camping.
That brings up the questions.
1) How do you sidecar experts make conversation with the passenger in the chair?
I saw BlueTooth wireless intercom on the web for $180 a piece (you need two). Cheap wired ones ($50~80 for a set of two) seem to be almost useless for motorcycle/sidecar use (exhaust, ignition, wind noise).
2) When you park your rig public, do you care anything about security (theft, vandalism)?
my wife and i just use simple hand signals, no distractions from constant chatter all day.
signals for wayside break, peeee,gas, looky there!!, eat, drink, thumbs up, down, ETC. simple and fool proof.
no special security needed. I never lock the bike at stops. just take key and tank bag along into restaurant.dont leave valuables out in plain sight and easy to remove.
helmets, jackets are stashed in the SC at stops...out of sight.
lots of people will mosey over to look the rig over, but always hands off.
I guess I should teach my son those hand signals.
Sidecar rigs attract lots of interest. But maybe I am worrying too much..
a hard whacking on my leg means...slow down!!!!:o)
other signals can be devised by the 2 of you...eat, drink, pee ETC are obvious hand signs...pointing at road signs are also...turn offs, wayside, points of interest.
some just ose numbers..one finger for a certain thing, 2 fingers for another, ECT..but I think the hand gestures are easier to see and define.
Archie and I communicate by ESP. It must work because he never complains. Barbara won't ride in it. When Arch stays with the bike, he is the security but always seems to attract a friendly crowd. When we both leave the bike, I lock it and the bags and leave everything else to dumb luck.
A sidecar and a dog with goggle!
That must attract crowds everywhere!
Maybe that friendly crowd is the security..
:o) they are called 'Doggles'. a must for dogs in the SC..keeps thier eyes dry and bug, dirt free.
First, congratulations! Did the boy enjoy the ride? Yeah, I thought so.
You need to know that you might be in for some "issues". Some states have minimum ages for kids in sidecars. California has a unique view of sidecars and doesn't even require a motorcycle license to drive one (yet). Check to make sure that you can legally carry your son. Kid sized safety gear is available from the motocross shops.
I don't do anything special about security and so far I've been pretty lucky. If you stow the stuff that's easy to carry off, you'll probably do fine. After saying that, once I came back to the bike only to find three little kids crawling all over it with their father standing right there, taking pictures. He was shocked that I wasn't pleased and said that he hoped all bikers weren't jerks like I was. Perhaps he should try taking kid pictures at a hardcore Harley event.
Previous posters were 100% right, you do draw a crowd.
About communications... There are as many opinions as there are sidecar drivers. Most folks with little kids find that it's necessary to be able to talk with their kids while driving. The kids feel safer and the driver can guage the kid's "tired factor". Wired intercoms are OK and while you'll never get really great commo from any of the cheap ones, the Chatterbox Tandem 50 Pro is pretty decent at a low price. I'd hold off (in fact, I am holding off) on the first generation Bluetooth stuff. The products will get better and the price will drop very soon. Right now the Scala Rider isn't getting very good reviews and there are a lot of players in the wings with products that are almost ready. Look for A2D2 capability so you'll get stereo at the headset.
Have fun!
Try a dog and a sexy looking 62 year old lady and you get the ladys and the men!
Connie and I use Nolan helmets with blue tooth. It's teriffic. At night, what isn't taken in (we stay in hotels/motels) is locked in the trunk of the SC or the bike (on my rigs both will lock).
Originally written by Al Olme on 4/27/2007 3:44 PM
First, congratulations! Did the boy enjoy the ride? Yeah, I thought so.
You need to know that you might be in for some "issues". Some states have minimum ages for kids in sidecars. California has a unique view of sidecars and doesn't even require a motorcycle license to drive one (yet). Check to make sure that you can legally carry your son. Kid sized safety gear is available from the motocross shops.
Thanks.
My son wants to go camping in the sidecar. I have to tell him to wait until I take STEP class.
I installed regular automobile child safey seat with 5 point harness in the sidecar. Also bought JetKid helmet which they claim is lighter than most youth helmets.
My understanding is that California has no age restrictions on motorcycle and sidecar passengers as far as he/she wears a helmet (and foot pegs in case of motorcycles). I will call CHP to make sure.
About communications... There are as many opinions as there are sidecar drivers. Most folks with little kids find that it's necessary to be able to talk with their kids while driving. The kids feel safer and the driver can guage the kid's "tired factor". Wired intercoms are OK and while you'll never get really great commo from any of the cheap ones, the Chatterbox Tandem 50 Pro is pretty decent at a low price. I'd hold off (in fact, I am holding off) on the first generation Bluetooth stuff. The products will get better and the price will drop very soon. Right now the Scala Rider isn't getting very good reviews and there are a lot of players in the wings with products that are almost ready. Look for A2D2 capability so you'll get stereo at the headset.
Great info!
I read user reviews on JCWhitney web site for cheap wired stuff.
They weren't Chatterbox Tandem 50 Pro.
According to webBikeworld.com review, Interphone is much better than Scala Rider. ( http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-intercoms/interphone-bluetooth-intercom.htm)
I agree that I should wait for a while until initial bugs fixed and prices go down. Besides Interphone is still in pre-order stage in the U.S.
Originally written by gregbenner on 4/27/2007 6:44 PM
Connie and I use Nolan helmets with blue tooth. It's teriffic. At night, what isn't taken in (we stay in hotels/motels) is locked in the trunk of the SC or the bike (on my rigs both will lock).
I read about Nolan helmets. Very nice. In my case I need one for my son so unfortunately that may not be an option.
Hi:
Security: I have a cable attached to the seat bracket. You can run the cable through a jacket sleeve and/or full face helmet and then lock it. Keeping the stuff under the cover also helps. Knock on wood, nothing ever stolen from the rig. I have however had a helmet stolen from a 2 wheeler. It was locked. They cut the D ring. Ever since, I lock my helmet with a cable. They make small combination ones that will work well if you have helmet pegs on your handlebars. The casual thief cannot cut through the cable with a knife. My helmet is expensive, and as you know, here in CA you can't ride anywhere without one. 🙂
Where in So. CA are you located?
Ride safe, Gail
Originally written by gpers2 on 4/28/2007 2:24 PM
Hi:
Security: I have a cable attached to the seat bracket. You can run the cable through a jacket sleeve and/or full face helmet and then lock it. Keeping the stuff under the cover also helps. Knock on wood, nothing ever stolen from the rig. I have however had a helmet stolen from a 2 wheeler. It was locked. They cut the D ring. Ever since, I lock my helmet with a cable. They make small combination ones that will work well if you have helmet pegs on your handlebars. The casual thief cannot cut through the cable with a knife. My helmet is expensive, and as you know, here in CA you can't ride anywhere without one. 🙂Where in So. CA are you located?
Ride safe, Gail
Mine is an open face type so can't use the cable. I usually carry it around. It's not that expensive but of course I will be upset if it's stolen. Plus I cannot ride without it as you say.
I am in south bay area (between LA and Long Beach).
I've usually put the helmet in the nose of the car and installed the tonneau when I left it and never had a problem. Now that I'm in Idaho (a no helmet for adults State) it's moot.
If you have a child to carry that needs one, the sidecar trunk has a lock and it is also out of sight. Like with everything else, if someone's intent on ripping you off, they will, regardless of what precautions you may take. But, out of sight is always a good deterrant for the "somewhat honest" majority. For others a nice Rottweiler can be left in the car for a deterrant (with a water bowl, of course).
Lonnie
