Noob - like to hear experiences from slab only sidecarist

[2ndchance]

Intending to get a sidecar soon, and would like to hear from those that ride mostly on primary roads. Your experiences navigating, traffic interactions, etc.

 

[Zroy]

Not sure what your question is. Just like a motorcycle or trike, except you have to remember the right side sticks out much further when making turns, pulling up to gas pumps, Etc.

 

[Texan]

Pushed a Spalding sidecar down the road for 3-3 1/2 yrs. Went with the Spalding because my GF had MS and couldn't get in and out of a normal sidecar. I could get her in but took 4-5 of us to get her out and she was 5'8', 125#.. Got the Spalding because it was like a clam shell. If you go to the gallery on their website my Black Ultra is the 8th picture.

http://www.spaldingside.com/

My only issue was on highways/roads with a crown in the middle. Had to hold the left handle bar some times with two hands to keep in on the road. Wanted to pull BAD to the right. There are a couple manufactures that have designed an air ride system that is self leveling which should help with the crown problem.

The setup and installation of a sidecar is VERY critical..

8~\o

 

[2ndchance]

How about some of you guys that rode rig home and it was your first time ever riding one. How far was the distance? Was there any drama during the ride?

 

[peteg59]

If you have never ridden a sidecar equipped m'cycle and you are unsure how it will handle, please don't jump on one & ride out on a public roadway with traffic flowing on it.
Not saying you could not handle it but why take any chances with your physical well being, other motorists & pedestrians well being, and a fairly expensive toy when you could potentially start out slowly in an uncrowded parking lot.
Getting used to the quirks & handling characteristics of a modified motorcycle platform is something I would not recommend doing in a busy urban environment.
Some folks might have no problem in doing so however the majority of everyday riders need to acclimate themselves with a new machine slowly, paying attention to the effort required in safely turning, stopping, etc.
Hopefully this helps in answering your questions. Don't be scared, but take your time in getting used to any new ride.
If you need to get your newly acquired cycle from point A to point B, consider trailering it until you're able to get used to it.

 

[Bubba49]

How about some of you guys that rode rig home and it was your first time ever riding one. How far was the distance? Was there any drama during the ride?

I rode my 09 HD Deluxe from VA Beach VA to Sibley IA to have my sidecar installed at the Motorvation factory. Then I rode the rig back to VA Beach VA (1795 miles one way). Talk about Iron Butt... The ride back was fine once I realized that the rig was going to pull to the right or left depending on the crown of the road. I actually stopped at a HD dealer in Memphis to have the rig adjusted because it was pulling to the right too much. The ride back wasn't bad at all. I did put a 50 pound weight in the floorboard of the sidecar to keep it from flying the wheel when I'd take freeway exits too fast (all of the time..). One thing I also did before starting out on my journey was upgrade the front springs. I had easy duty progressive springs put in the front tubes. I've attached a picture of what my rig looked like (I've sold it since then).

Bubba

 

[irmagoo]

I carry 2 wrenches with me I can change lean angle of bike 1/2 degree or so and take the pull-left or right away this can be caused by road crown or strong side wind like riding across kanas for instance,,, I only mess with it on the rare occasions like I said sometimes it worth the 10 minute's it takes me to do it...
some sidecars have a lean angle actuator on them and you just push a momentary switch on handlebars to accomplish the change in bike lean angle my hd sidecar doesn't offer it ..cal. sidecar did it one time... I have made a device that mounts in upper front connector bar from sidecar to Hayley frame it would accomplish the change by turning I small wheel-easy pesy!! it would lengthen or shorten bar up to 1.5 degree or so in bike lean angle - sold that hack need to build another one for current sidecar!!
magoo

 

[5x40]

will speak only from my own experience from owning/riding for 7 yrs on a GW/Hannigan Astro Sport. we purchased both new. went to Hannigan Factory in Murray, Ky which is 40 miles from our home. ordered, bought, and had it installed at the factory. during those 7 yrs of ownership the combination was problem free.

RIDING EXPERIENCE..yes there was a learning curve coming from two wheels after many many yrs of riding. this learning curve will be a personal one. mine and others may or may not be different than what you may experience. however; it was not a difficult one for me nor would I think to anyone. our Hannigan had the electric camber control that allowed for adjusting to road conditions and sidecar passenger weight by the touch of the button attached to the handle bars. rode the hack from TN, my home state, throughout the southeast and did the Tail of The Dragon, aka Deal's Gap, twice. NEVER ANY traffic issues on interstates, two lanes, or back roads. in fact two lane roads the on coming cars seemed to yield to me even more so than they do on our trike.