Sidecar VS Trike ???

[sandrooney]

Does a sidecar steer easier than a trike ? Even with the rake kit my trike causes me shoulder and neck pain after a day of riding with a lot of curves. Would a sidecar be any better ? I can ride my two wheeler all day without the pain but I really like the three wheels.

Thanks,

SR

 

[Nana]

I have not driven a side car, but when I was initially considering a conversion some years ago, I was advised by Champion to opt for a trike rather than the side car. They explained that the steering is affected by the rig off to the side, so turning one way is easy enough, but quite difficult the other way, as the rig is "pulling" against you. Because the steering is centered with a trike, that pull is eliminated.

 

[Bikerbozo]

I asked people who had ridden both. They all told me to go with trike. For easier steering and greater highway speed.

 

[trikermutha]

Does a sidecar steer easier than a trike ? Even with the rake kit my trike causes me shoulder and neck pain after a day of riding with a lot of curves. Would a sidecar be any better ? I can ride my two wheeler all day without the pain but I really like the three wheels.

Thanks,

SR

How are you sitting in the seat and when you do turns do you move your body forward?

 

[stacebg]

my guess is you dont have enough rake in the trees.... as for comparing the two.. i have ridden both... trikes since 1979, back when i didnt care how hard it handled, to present... 4oo or 5oo mile are not uncommon,,, 150 - 250 more common and about 15k total last summer.... had a sidecar for about 15 yrs, same with that lot of camping trips and general travel..... i had both set up with about 2 inches of trail some would say to touchy... i say comfortable after a long day.... does take some getting used to....

the sidecar would pull a little one way or the other depending on braking or accelerating.... but with the steering as light it as it was, it was hardly noticable....

even pulling a trailer with the hitch between the bike and car....

the other thing i do have on my rig and my trike is an electric "trim" which leans the bike a little to help compensate for the crown in the road...

this stop most of that constant slight pull depending on how much crown ther is in the road.....

i can pretty much steer with the switch when i am on the highway..

 

[Ozarkryder]

I have had both, and the trike is much easier to ride. A sidecar rig pulls to the right when you take off, pushes to the left when you stop, and the brake, if you have one on the chair, can usually be set for only one weight. If the weight is wrong the hack wheel will either not brake or lock up. Around right corners, sidecar wheel wants to come up, and on left corners it sort of skids around the as it pushes through the turn. Trikes are symmetrical, turning a braking forces are equal on both sides.
You might try moving the bars, or bars with a different rise or width. A back rest can take pressure off by giving you something to push against instead of only using your back muscles. Seating position has been mentioned, a new seat, a seat pad or just changing the way you sit can make a big difference.

 

[sandrooney]

Thanks for all the help. My wife says I sit crooked on the seat and I do lean forward when turning. Maybe I will try a back rest and different bars. I do have neck and shoulder problems to begin with.

Thanks again,
SR

 

[trikermutha]

Thanks for all the help. My wife says I sit crooked on the seat and I do lean forward when turning. Maybe I will try a back rest and different bars. I do have neck and shoulder problems to begin with.

Thanks again,
SR

yea new bars back and up will let you sit and steer more comfortable

 

[Foodog2]

Does a sidecar steer easier than a trike ? Even with the rake kit my trike causes me shoulder and neck pain after a day of riding with a lot of curves. Would a sidecar be any better ? I can ride my two wheeler all day without the pain but I really like the three wheels.

Thanks,

SR

I have an Ultra with Ultra sidecar and it is a lot of work to steer. I have ridden both and the sidecar is much more work in my opinion and takes a lot more concentration because the handling is dependent on the road camber and crown. Im about to trike my other bike for something easier to ride around town and solo and only ride the sidecar rig when touring with the wife.