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Wife

Wife has recovered from ankle fusion surgery enough she could go for her first ride yesterday. It was a leisurely in town jaunt but she said she enjoyed it much more than being on the rear seat and felt secure and comfortable in the car. So that's a primary concern out of the way. The whole SC involvement was for her to be more comfortable and willing to go on long multi day trips. We will plan a one day round trip of 2 to 300 miles or so to see how her opinion holds up.

The problem with humanity is: we have paleolithic emotions; medieval institutions; and God-like technology.

Well it's a good start. Good luck with the next trip and maybe we will see you guys out there at a rally in the future

USCA # 8913

glad to hear! I have the opposite problem. my girlfriend really prefers being on the back of the bike. I'm hoping the Escort on the Concours will make her more comfortable in the SC. if nothing else, the grandkids will serve as monkeys! 🙂

We refer to this as the Bob Zinda Memorial Issue. Bob's pet peeve was sub-optimal loading on sidecar rigs. At the rally in Ohio we had a set of vehicle scales and let folks know the ratio of sidecar to bike weight. It is less than best practice to put extra weight on the bike when it could go in the sidecar. I don't want to demean your wife as extra weight but well...

Anyway, because the rig weighing session was so successful,we will be repeating it at the Corning rally... providing the scales, which are back ordered, show up in time. There will be a short tech session to go along with the actual weigh in. Bike to sidecar weight isn't an absolute because other factors are in play.

LOL Al. Extra Weight? Married 44 years and I don't ask and she don't tell. If she was as big as her heart or personality she'd weigh a thousand pounds. We did take a trip over the boarder to the wilds of Oklahoma to a town about 30 miles away this evening. Stopped and ate at a small diner and she raved about the sidecar. She's ready to meander with me to visit our daughter in Oregon.

The problem with humanity is: we have paleolithic emotions; medieval institutions; and God-like technology.

Be sure to make the 22-300 mile trip to someplace that SHE wants to go. Can make a difference.

My wife (Boss Monkey) rode behind me for 35 years before I got her in a sidecar. First one I got her in was small and less than a half mile I was threatened and had to return home. Since then I have upgraded several times and now it is the only way she rides. SHE now has two rigs and I am just the jockey. She has been as far north as Ontario, far south as Florida and as far west as Missouri, and loves it! Thank God!, as I just want to ride. I agree with Roanoke Rider, pick a place she has been wanting to go. His wife and mine have conspired many times. Be careful what you wish for! She is very proud of HER rigs.

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RoanokeRider - 3/22/2017 11:56 AM

Be sure to make the 22-300 mile trip to someplace that SHE wants to go. Can make a difference.

She want to go here. Garvin Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs. 270 round trip. Maybe tomorrow (Friday)

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The problem with humanity is: we have paleolithic emotions; medieval institutions; and God-like technology.

Well, did you go and what did she think?

RoanokeRider - 3/28/2017 12:15 PM

Well, did you go and what did she think?

was raining buckets with tornado warnings so no. Did take a 120 mile ramble later in the week though. She is really liking it. Wish I could say the same. It's a trade off to get her to go on an extended trip

The problem with humanity is: we have paleolithic emotions; medieval institutions; and God-like technology.

Please let us know how she likes Garvin Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs. We've also wanted to visit but haven't found the time to work that into a brief visits to Hot Springs.

As for riding the sidecar rig, hang in there -- its certainly a whole new experience. I suspect a Valkyrie sidecar rig without modified steering geometry is a heavy handful to drive. Should she continue to enjoy traveling in the sidecar, please investigate installing modified triple trees for easier driving - we have install modified steering on all our rigs. For example, Motor Trike down in East Texas has a 6-degree modified tree available for the Valkyrie.

Please consider joining us for the East Texas Sidecar Muster May 5-7: http://www.sidecar.com/mbbs22/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=14696&posts=5&start=1

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

RoanokeRider - 3/28/2017 12:15 PM

<> She is really liking it. Wish I could say the same. <>

So what's the issue? Maybe it's something we can help with. If you just miss leaning, well, we're out of luck but if it's a handling issue or steering effort there may be a fix.

Lee, I'll give you a report once we go. I'm going to talk to my wife about going to the sidecar muster. 360 miles from me. Not likely to find any kind of organized activity closer than that and it's a totally super slab free trip.
Al, its a combination of loss of the complete solo biking experience and handling. I'll get over it.
I'm aware of steering mods and will at sometime probably commit. Just not sure I want to use the Valk. I keep thinking a different tug might be a better choice. Something newer, more common and with a high reliability factor.

The problem with humanity is: we have paleolithic emotions; medieval institutions; and God-like technology.