Trike vs Sidecar

[TrapperAH1G]

As I inch closer to "old age" (72 now) and the weight of my beauty (and me) seems to be going up, I am looking at options that will allow my wife and I to continue our adventures.  My intention was to install a trike kit and go, but have the opportunity to obtain a very nice sidecar outfit.  Looking at it, the owner has pics of the sidecar on, but also with the tub off and using it like a trailer.  Lots of gear stored there and that has me thinking.

My query is:  does anyone have any experience or knowledge of a Valk being attached to a sidecar?  Seems it would be similar to riding a trike and maybe more convenient/stable than pulling a trailer?

Appreciate your time & comments.

[Jess from VA]

Everything I have ever read tells me sidecars are a lot more difficult to ride than trikes.

No opinion on cost, just rideability.  

You can probably carry more in a sidecar, so if you need to carry more, hook a trailer to your trike.

69 (today) and no trike or sidecars for me.    

[Valker]

I have about 50,000 miles of using a sidecar on my 84 GoldWing, so not exactly what you asked. Sidecar is more stable and IMHO safer than a conventional trike. Conventional trikes are easier to tip than a sidecar if the sidecar operator knows what they are doing. A sidecar rig will haul a lot more. A sidecar rig can be returned to a two wheeler. People of all types will beg for rides in your sidecar. I said "conventional" trike meaning two wheels in back. Of all the three wheelers I've ridden, the ones with two wheels in front are the most stable. There are several companies that can convert a Valk to two front wheels.

[Jess from VA]

Eric, how about a short brief on riding and learning a sidecar?  (I never have)

Turning into the sidecar, flying the car turning the other way.

Braking smooth?

I looked at the dual drive wheel Ural sidecar with interest once.  (but not for city riding)

[WintrSol]

There's at least one company out there, if they're still in business, that makes an UNconventional trike, putting two wheels on the front. Much more stable, if you believe their ads, than either conventional trike or a sidecar. Don't know about price, but probably cheaper than either ready-built trikes in that configuration.

[six2go #152]

There's at least one company out there, if they're still in business, that makes an UNconventional trike, putting two wheels on the front. Much more stable, if you believe their ads, than either conventional trike or a sidecar. Don't know about price, but probably cheaper than either ready-built trikes in that configuration.

Are you referring to this company? www.endeavortrikes.com

The owner and developer of the this reverse trike conversion used to post here during the development phase of his product. His website is informative. I've been considering this conversion for the F6B.

[Tazman11]

I have a 1999 Tourer and I also have a 1999 Interstate MotorTrike Trike. My riding partner, a aa80 year old, long time GoldWing motorcycle rider, rides a CanAm trike. He didn’t want to give up riding so the trike really filled the gap well. My plan was just as your thinking, when I don’t feel safe on the bike start riding the trike. I love riding the bike especially on mountain roads. The trike makes the twistiest a upper body workout. I’m in the process of putting a 6 degree rake kit for the power steering effect. Hopefully the trike keeps me on the road when I don’t feel comfortable on the bike. My wife loves both.

I would suggest you spend some time on a trike before you make a decision. I live in Star Idaho and your welcome to try mine. You will have to fight the chicks off though.

[Valker]

Eric, how about a short brief on riding and learning a sidecar?  (I never have)

Turning into the sidecar, flying the car turning the other way.

Braking smooth?

I looked at the dual drive wheel Ural sidecar with interest once.  (but not for city riding)

A sidecar can be very pleasant IF it is setup well. There are special front fork setups if you really get into it (leading link types). I always preferred having a person or some weight in the sidecar for ease of turning right. Braking is very smooth, but one has to remember that on acceleration the whole thing tries to go slightly right (USA) and braking makes it want to go slightly left. I learned to compensate in about two days. A sidecar rig is also the best "Babe magnet" I've ever owned. Forget my classic GTO, 240Z, both Corvettes, etc. Whenever I showed up on the rig, people lined up begging for rides. There is a similar learning curve for any three wheeled choice. If you have ridden a lot of snowmobiles, a Spyder is a piece of cake. Snow machines and Spyders are very similar.

[Jess from VA]

Thanks.

I'd like to try a sidecar rig in a big parking lot.  Just the once. 

The last thing I need is a babe magnet.   

[h13man]

Thanks.

I'd like to try a sidecar rig in a big parking lot.  Just the once. 

The last thing I need is a babe magnet.   

You and I are the same age and opinion on this subject but going this route momma can ride again with me. Maybe I'll stay with the stock setup. 

[BigBod]

I've had my 98 1500 Wing and sidecar for over 20 years now, toured all over Europe on it. If they are well set up they are a joy to ride. Mine is a full EZS conversion. EZS Sovereign sidecar called the 'Friendship' in the US I think. Both wheels on the bike are 14" EZS with EZS tele forks up front raked for lighter steering.

The frame for the sidecar goes underneath the bike and bolts to the bike both sides to lugs that have been welded to the frame, no flexing.

Sidecar wheel is also braked, makes a big difference.

My wife goes in the sidecar and daughter goes behind me on the bike. She is 15 now and has been travelling in the sidecar since she was 6 months old.

Far more useable than a trike but I do also want one of them one day...

[..]

My thought, and please shoot me down, is that the front wheel of the trike runs in all the oil/crap on the road.

I have followed a trike rider, a member here,  and she was flying!

[George B]

Everything I have ever read tells me sidecars are a lot more difficult to ride than trikes.

No opinion on cost, just rideability.  

You can probably carry more in a sidecar, so if you need to carry more, hook a trailer to your trike.

69 (today) and no trike or sidecars for me.    

I have a 97 Tourer that I bought with a California sidecar. The wife preferred to sit behind me, not liking the tub at all. I converted it to a Roadsmith trike. I had no problem with the hack, as I have had Urals before the Valk. The trike is easy to handle. No right turn component, but the hack was heavy and never had a tendency to lift the car. The big advantage to the Roadsmith is you have a car differential and a 2 inch drive shaft back there. Plus the stopping power of twin disc brakes. Rear ends were always the week point on shaft drive hacks. Heavy sidecars can put stress on them. The trike kit eliminates that. IMHO, a Valkrie trike is a pretty bulletproof hotrod....

[psckam]

I know the Valkyrie can be a beast to backup  in certain situations, I imagine trying to push one backwards with a side car would be an  unpleasant scenario.

[luftkoph]

https://www.advrider.com/f/forums/hacks.56/

Lot of info here, might take you some time to read it all

[dizzy]

I worked for a dealer in the 90's that offered California Sidecar stuff and part of my job was installing conversions.  So i did both trikes and sidecars nearly all on GL1500's.  The trike stuff was bolt on, but the sidecars required more, quite alot really, measuring, alignment, geometry.  If that is done right, they're kinda fun to drive.  If something is not right they suck big time and can be downright scary and dangerous.  The CSC sidehack was pretty good and came with some nice features and I preferred it to the trike kit they had at the time.