Sidecar Aspirations

[pais]

I posted a WTB ad in the Classifieds this morning for a sidecar. Any input on finding one, having one installed and any other useful info? I've been thinking about one for years, really would like to have one.

[scooperhsd]

They aren't cheap....

[Rams]

The most knowledgeable gent I know on side cars is Keith White, calls Lexington, KY his home.   I can't remember his screen name but, I'll give him a shout and tell him about this thread.

Just spoke with Keith, check your PMs.

Rams

[old2soon]

            Whole nuther animal. They are DIFFERENT in a huge way. Lotsa folks manage hacks but you Really don't see many out and about. Honestly I've seen more CanAms out and about. NOT attempting to dissuade you but search for a good used one. You know-in case!   RIDE SAFE.

[Patrick]

I've thought and looked for one for the Indian for about 30 years. That would get me riding again.
A friend had one on his wing and he rode it till he was 90. Last I knew he had over 300K on it and always said he wanted to be buried in it. That didn't happen tho and his sons have it resting in the barn.

[Jess from VA]

Everything I've ever read and been told says they are difficult to ride/maneuver, and that a trike is a much better deal for a third wheel.

I would look at a Ural sidecar with the 2-wheel drive, rather than go to the trouble of bolting one up to my Valk.  https://www.imz-ural.com/blog/2016/07/30/legendary-2wd



YMMV   

[Valker]

I had a "Pearson" sidecar on my 84 Wing for about 60,000 miles. I ride Trikes and Spyders, so I am familiar with all these types. I prefer a sidecar for most instances.

[Jess from VA]

I do defer to experience.  I haven't ridden any of those. 

I did ride a 3 wheeled ATV once (into my cousin's house, as leaning did nothing.  Then I ran over my foot I put out.)

[pais]

I will contact the gent in Kentucky.

I sent Les an email.

Wife will give the sidecar a whirl. Mount and dismount is tough for her. She has never been a fan of distance riding. Hoping a sidecar will help that as well also. I also want to be able to take the dog with me also.

[Patrick]

I will contact the gent in Kentucky.

I sent Les an email.

Wife will give the sidecar a whirl. Mount and dismount is tough for her. She has never been a fan of distance riding. Hoping a sidecar will help that as well also. I also want to be able to take the dog with me also.

I took the lid off a bag for the dog.

[Patrick]

A fella I knew when we were young has a Ural. He and his dog like it.

[carolinarider09]

While I have not purchased a sidecar from Hannigan (have one of their trailers), I have been by the shop a couple of times and looked at their various sidecars.  Its located in Kentucky as well. 

http://www.hannigantrikes.com/product-type/sidecars/

[Dan-bury]

There are many advantages to a sidecar over a trike depending on what your after. If you ride alone a sidecar is awesome.
Sidecars are a two track vehicle vs three track trike. Potholes and dead little animal are easier to avoid.
You can remove a sidecar and ride as a motorcycle if you choose and they are much more fun over a trike. My hack comes off in 20 minutes or so BUT I did not add a rake kit to the forks. Also you now have a very large right side saddlebag now for storage LOL. There is a big difference in learning to drive a sidecar over a motorcycle but there is also with a trike. The trike corners the same right or left but the sidecar corners different left then it does to the right. NOT difficult just different. To me it is much more fun with the sidecar.

IF you ride two up most of the time then a sidecar is not as good as a trike because your passenger can only ride on the back seat with you if you have the hack weighted to counter balance the weight of your passenger. If your passenger is in the hack it is difficult to talk with them without helmet comms.

These are just a few things to think about...