I have a hannigan conte that I would like to be able to cruise at 70MPH with on the freeway. What do you think would be the minimum horsepower bike that would acomplish this effectively?
I had a 97 Shadow 1100 cc and after putting on 40000 km the rings are gone. I did load it up with approx 800 lb load ( 2 passengers, one on the bike and one in the car ). My bike only makes about 50hp and it didn't last very long after loading it up. It also didn't want to go much more than 110kph on freeway? I have a second motor to put in it for now but I have to start thinking of a long term solution.
Hmmm..... eavesdropping here: I was wondering just last week how well the Yamaha Royal Star V-4's would handle touring sidecar.
Lee
MB5+TW200+CRF250L+GTV300+INT650
XL883R w/Texas Ranger Sidecar
Zuma 50F + Burgman w/Texas Sidecar<Mrs. SwampFox
Ron,
a motor with 1100ccm should have much more then 50hp. including 50kw = 67hp would be a very low guess.
I come from another approach. My both rigs were/are tiny 2 stroker toys. 250ccm MZ and 350 Jawa. The MZ could go for hours 100-105kmh, max speed 110kmh.
the Jawa max speed something like 120kmh, but on long distance only 80-90kmh if I go faster it will over heat.
As I can remind, a K100 - EML 1 1/2 seater rig with 86hp is good for 110km long term riding but 150-160kmh top speed, (Haenschen's Porsche cheater riding him allone) .
But riding with a wide side sidecar and lots of load on the Autobahn it is a hole other story.
Horse power is only one aspect. Aerodynamics, torque and the right final drive gearing, gas consumption and most of all the riding style are the other aspects to take into account.
What bike to choose there are many others here on the forum with hands on experience.
Good luck
Sven
The truth is the motor was d-tuned by 10 hp by honda to use a single pin crank shaft to emulate the harley sound that year so it actually is approx 50hp. The conte is fairly luxurious and a little wide so it isn't as aerodynamic as some of the other sidecars. I also can't re gear the rig because of the shaft drive so that is also a bit of an issue. I use a smaller circumference tire to try to help out with the torque. I think reducing the load will help somewhat. I can cruise at 80 km all day long with our a problem. Another thing that may have lead to the engine's demise is that I use the compression of the engine to slow the rig down ALOT ! I don't feel the braking system alone is enough to get me stopped. I may change the master cylinder for the rear and sidecar brake to a larger capacity one to give me a little more braking. Mine seams like there is a little too much travel to get effective braking because the peddle maxes out right where I really feel the brakes just starting to work.
I've always used the transmission gears and compression to slow my sidecars. I only use the brake for the final stop or for hill holding. I haven't found this to "wear out" the engines.
Lonnie
If that's the case Lonnie I might just have bought the bike with a tired engine and not known. It was second hand when I bought it then i added the chair afterwards. It did only have 25000 km on it but I have no way of knowing how well the origional owner maintained it
Mostly it is not the maintainance, but the breaking in period and the riding style.....
Some people never will learn to retrieve their gas hand.
Or as an old Nazi, SS-pilot in Northafrica, tought me:"Poor machine, you cannot abuse it, its only human."
That man was somebody of the most wierd persons and best engineers I ever met, but here he seemed to hit the nail on the head in his own way.
My experience tells me meanwhile. Get a solo bike. ride in (break it in) with a lot of patience and a soft gas hand for at least 6000km(4000mi) better some more,
and then make the transformation to a dedicated rig.
Sales persons tell you today you can just hop on an new bike and go....
I prefer not to believe them and go the safe and old fashioned way.
Ah, and remember as bigger the engine as more time it needs to get its working temperature. So for a big block as a 1200ccm better ride soft 10km 7mi before you start to twist the throttle.
Just as a rule for to have fun with your bike for many years.
Sven
