Will a XL1200 Sportster Rig Pull a Bunkhouse too?

A modern 1200 sportster has about the same power and less weight than a 1960s/70s HD 74. If one of those was up to it, I'm guessing a sportster would be. You have lots of tuning options if you need more HP. What kind of sidecar are you using on the 1200 now?

Rig is in the "design" phase. Sidecar will most likely be a 200lb Hannigan Classic.

I know the rubber-mount FI 1200 is a smooth powerful bike compared to my rigid-mount carb'ed 883.

If I remember, the old 883s had a claimed 45hp, the old 1200s were 55hp. The rubber mount 1200s are 70hp - partly because of the extra weight of the rubber mount frames. Magazine articles used to have 100 hp builds for 1200 Sportsers - not too hard; just cams, carbs, pipes and headwork. Stock bottom end. The 100hp cams might be too lumpy for a sidecar but an 80-85hp build shouldn't be too bad. Of course there is the 1500cc big bore kit if you need more 😉

punkozuna - 7/2/2011 11:16 PM

... of course there is the 1500cc big bore kit if you need more 😉

Yikes! 😮 Sounds kinda "lumpy" tho. We were primarily wondering if it would pull in geared-down stock form.

Yes it will pull it however, More important, will it stop it? Make sure you have a brake on the sidecar as there could be times where you do not have enough traction on the front wheel to both stop and steer. You can also regear the Sportster down a bit so you do not have to slip the clutch as much starting off. Chances are that you are not using all of the power that the 1200 has now, Remember you can run it a gear down, you do not always need to be in top gear on the freeway. Of course at altitude or with a head wind you will be lacking for power so if you leave at high altitude then you may want to go with more power. My wife use to have a Sputnik sidecar on her Moto Guzzi Eldorado 850cc and she would tow our kwik camp tent trailer. She just went slow. We had freinds who had a very heavy home made sidecar on a Honda CB750A and towed a kwik camp as well. They toured allaska with this set up. They saw a lot more then the people they were with as they traveled much slower but at the end of the day, made just as many miles. All of our sidecars offer brakes, The Kenna is our least expensive at only $3395 which comes with bike specific mounts and a hitch built into the frame. Our M72C or CX are the most popular for the Harley.
Jay G
DMC sidecars
www.dmcsidecars.com
866-638-1793

It will do it but not fast. In my opinion that is asking a lot from the tug.

I was the person Swampfox was asking about regarding pulling the Bunkhouse. Since then, I have purchased a 2003 Goldwing with an Astro Sport sidecar which I will be flying in to Phoenix in Sept to pick up. It was owned originally by a parapalegic and is equipped with electric shift and brakes all connected to the front brake lever. It is also converted to the car tire on the rear which I like. Not sure I like the brake idea as I like using the front brake only on some faster than comfortable right hand sweepers so I may have to change that back. I just got back from the Nat Sidecar Rally in Dayton, Ohio area and pulled the Bunkhouse with my 2007 Ural. About 2500 miles. Made it fine at Ural speed (50 to 55 mph via GPS) except on the hills. I'm sure the Ural was working but there were no complaints. My friend pulled her larger Bunkhouse (king size bed instead of a Queen) with her new 2010 Ural Retro model and she could run away from me. The newer Urals have port and polished heads and larger valves which apparently helps tremendously.

Oldtimer - 8/6/2011 7:14 AM

....My friend pulled her larger Bunkhouse ... with her new 2010 Ural Retro model and she could run away from me....

It takes a real man to admit a girl out-ran him. 🙂 🙂 Welcome back home, oldtimer. 😉

Also, that's a good new re: the 2010+ Ural rigs.