Sidecars

[abcdleines]

Anyone have one. How does your bike handle with it attached. Can you send me pics. Thinking about triking or sidecar. Saw trikes on picture section , but no sidecar pics. Thanks, Brett

[Big Rig]

I have only seen one Valk with a sidecar, the guy lives about 10 miles from me, I have never seen his valk out of his garage/driveway...

[solo1]

I installed a sidecar on my Valk about three years ago. It was a Motorvation Spyder, see pic.

When you add 300 pounds of weight off center, handling is completely different.  The Valk is slower on acceleration. When you accelerate the sidecar tends to pull the rig to the right, when you decelerate, the sidecar tends to push the rig to the left.  you no longer use countersteering, the rig steers like a car, you turn it.  The steering becomes heavy which can be lessened by changing the trail (triple tree modification).  If the triple tree is changed, and you take the sidecar off, the Valk will tend to be unstable (this , by the way, is the opinion of experienced sidecar installers).  There is a lot more to adjusting the rig so that it runs true,etc.  Be ready to accept a new way of driving a rig.  Lots more but that sums it up from my experience.  If you asked me "Would you do it again", the answer is no but that's me.

One last thought. For safety reasons. if there are three persons involved, for instance, a Wife, driver, and a small child, the wife, being heavier, should ride in the 'car.   Of course, you might have others disagree with me but we did install the sidecar ourselves and learned a lot by necessity.

[SideCar]

Installed ours in 2005 and have had a blast with it ever since.  I have a wife and 2 kids I haul around in a 2 seater.  A friend down in Houston has one on her Valk that she uses for dogs and an occasional person.

Solo1 has given you some great basics. Suggest you check out the USCA site http://www.sidecar.com/, including the Books section for more info on driving http://www.sidecar.com/links3.asp.

The Valk is a pretty good choice, having good power and brakes, but your gas mileage will take a dive.  My suggestion is to try it without changing the triple trees and if you don't like the stiffness of the steering, you can always either have yours rebuilt or put in some that adjust the trail to help ease the steering.  I ended up sending mine to SideEffects in Canada for rebuilding.

Darkside back tire becomes a can't lose proposition.  I was running a car tire for a couple of years before the sidecar and with the sidecar, it really helps for the longer wear.

If you have other questions, just shout.

Solo1, did you use a subframe for connecting yours like we did on ours?

Here'a pic from Inzane in Colorado a few years back.

[solo1]

Solo1, did you use a subframe for connecting yours like we did on ours?

Yes, I did.  Motorvation made up one that mounted on the rear shock, passenger footrest mount,  and sidestand mount.  The front was a HD clamp on the frame.  It went together well.

I believe that if I had opted for a double 'car like yours, I would still have it. However, the Spyder, for me, was too light and I ended up not only putting lead in the car but moving it away from the bike to give more leverage in right turns.  This resulted in a much more severe reaction to grooves and bumps in the pavement. It was extremely hard on my right arthritic wrist.  The other thing that I forgot to mention is that a CT is almost an absolute must!  The traction for stopping and the stability was almost unbelieveable since, as you know, the 'car puts more weight on the rear wheels.

The Spyder had a 4 gallon fuel tank with a fuel pump, another absolute must, IMO.  Fuel mileage, like your, was about 24-26 mpg. That extra tank made a difference.

Joinng the Sidecar ass'n is another good move, as you said.

Wayne

[Hoser]

MP has one, here is a couple pics hoser

[Big IV]

Side cars are fun, but they are an odd beast. Much like trikes or traditional two wheel motorcycles they are not for everyone.

My Dad has a beautiful color matched Honda Shadow 1100 side car rig that handles well.

I've been on a few side car rigs over the years and I've about decided it isn't for me. If you're thinking of installing a side car I would recommend riding a side car rig.  I think a lot of them wind up collecting dust in garages because they just aren't the ride folks expect. They're fun but they sure are different. Luckily, a side car rig is usually reversible if you change your mind.

Have fun.

There was a side car rally in WV. Dad went one year before adding a side car to his XS100. He found the folks friendly and knowledgable. I don't know if they still hold it or not. I haven't seen the magazine around in a while.

[SideCar]

Here's one that is a little different in case you want a 2 seat, double leaner set up  http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2010/10/18/wallick-lean-machine-dual-leaning-sidecar-rig/#more-13110.  You may have to go to Thailand to get it, though. 

[Lyn-Del]

A friend down in Houston has one on her Valk that she uses for dogs and an occasional person.

You honor me, sir, by calling me "Friend."  And that would be my I/S in the picture from Colorado.

The dogs love the sidecar.  Wizard has driven it ONCE.  He likes riding in the sidecar, but on that bike, he chooses to leave the driving to me.  It does act as if it has a mind of its own, but it's actually quite controllable.  Like any vehicle, you just have to pay attention to the quirks and adjust to them.

It feels nice and stable at speeds up to an indicated 100.  I've not had it above that but wouldn't expect anything else. 

Warning:  the first time (or three) that you "fly the chair" will be very startling!  (For those who don't know, "fly the chair" is one term for having the sidecar's wheel come off the pavement.  The hardest thing to adjust to is that it flies on RIGHT turns when everyone expects it to happen on left turns instead.)