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#1 · February 1, 2015, 4:39 pm

I am a new sidecar operator. I have a Honda Goldwing and a Champion Daytona 2+2 sidecar rig. I have had the rig about 4 months and have put close to 7,000 miles on the rig. For several years prior to getting this sidecar rig, I rode Harleys. In the past, I have taken the Basic Riders Course, the Advanced Rider Course, First Aid/CPR/AED courses, Accidenat Scene Management courses, Ride Like A Pro and other motorcycle riding courses.

When I got my sidecar rig, I joined the GWRRA (Goldwing Road Riders Association) and entered their Rider Education Program. On the GWRRA website ( http://gwrra.org/regional/ridered/levelsprogram.html ), mention is made of a "United Sidecar Association course". Unfortunately, I have not seen any mention of it on http://www.sidecar.com . Has this course been discontinued? Or if it is still being offered, where and when can I enroll?

Here is what GWRRA has to say:
GWRRA has chosen several educational training programs for the Riders and Co-Riders such as the MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) programs, the United Sidecar Association course, the CSC (Canadian Safety Council) programs, and the GWRRA's Advanced Riding courses and Parking Lot Practice programs. (See note in the Rider Education Manual on PLP.)

#2 · February 1, 2015, 5:24 pm

There re quite a few locations offering sidecar/trike classes. I don't know where you are. Here in Texas,the course is offered every month in Lufkin. Check at top of this page for information.
J.R.
Sec.
Tex. rep

#3 · February 1, 2015, 5:31 pm

Alan, I suspect the reference should be to the S/TEP sidecar/trike training program by the Evergreen Safety Council: http://evergreenmotorcycletraining.org/sidecar-training/ Jena & I have completed the course a couple of times with Marcus as instructor at the Pineywoods Riders Academy in East Texas - valuable indeed.

Lee / Summer Grove, Louisiana: Ural cT, CJ750, Burgman/Texas Ranger, Zuma 50F, MB5, TW200, CRF250L, GTV300

#4 · February 1, 2015, 5:31 pm

Trike classes there are plenty of in all states. Sidecar classes seem to rare.

Googling "United Sidecar Association course" yields meager results with none referencing USCA. That is why I asked if this course was discontinued. The Evergreen Safety Council in Washington has some sidecar classes, but I would prefer not to have to do an "Iron Butt run" from here in Denver to get to Seattle just to take that class.

Other ideas?

#5 · February 1, 2015, 7:52 pm

Officially, there is no USCA Sidecar Driving Course.

Many years ago the USCA course was given over to the Evergreen Safety Council. Unfortunately, until recently the ESC published a calendar to courses given around the country by instructors accredited by the ESC. In looking at their website this appears to be gone. Hopefully, we can set up a new forum area for accredited instructors to list their classes, rates and dates.

#6 · February 1, 2015, 8:52 pm

Hi Al,

Thanks for your reply.

I suspected that was the case.

Alan

#7 · February 1, 2015, 9:45 pm

There is an inexact list of various locations here: http://evergreenmotorcycletraining.org/sidecar-training/step-national-schedule-training-locations/

Lee / Summer Grove, Louisiana: Ural cT, CJ750, Burgman/Texas Ranger, Zuma 50F, MB5, TW200, CRF250L, GTV300

#8 · February 1, 2015, 9:58 pm

HI SwampFox,

Thanks for the update.

Only there is a problem.

The ABATE organization in Colorado has been having financial and legal problems and the link to abateofcolo.org webpage goes nowhere.

#9 · February 2, 2015, 2:24 pm

If you keep an eye out here they will post up as the weather gets better. There are no classes in the Winter.
http://abate.si2.com/abate/trs.nsf/home?openform

#10 · February 3, 2015, 9:22 pm

I was able to take the GWRRA sidecar course a few years ago at Wing Ding, if you get on the GWRRA web site, there is a rider education section in the forum, they may have info posted on the sidecar course, if not post a question on the rider ed forum, they don't schedule it very often as demand for it is low, and then when they do offer it the classes fill up fast. Good luck with it.

#11 · February 3, 2015, 10:06 pm

Hi Lloyd,

GWRRA is offering a sidecar course at Wing Ding this year but I will be traveling then and can't make it. I had contacted GWRRA about two weeks ago and there are not any other sidecar courses being offered by GWRRA in 2015. Of course, that may change and I am keeping in touch so I can make the course if it happens.

#12 · February 3, 2015, 11:12 pm

SwampFox - 2/1/2015 8:45 PM

There is an inexact list of various locations here: http://evergreenmotorcycletraining.org/sidecar-training/step-national-schedule-training-locations/

Lee,

Thanks, I couldn't find it when I tried. "Glad to see that it's still there.