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Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 9:07 am
by Gummiente
Gunslinger wrote:Never ridden a bike with a sidecar but don't you have to be going pretty fast to flip one of those over? I mean really fast? Maybe they are not as stable as I thought they were.
They can be very stable if you know what you are doing and make the proper modifications for handling and safety.
If you know how to properly drive a sidecar rig (and if you know why you "drive" one and not "ride" one, that's half the battle) it can be very stable in all weather conditions.
If you know how to do it, you can "fly the chair" with complete control at less than 10kmh while driving in a straight line.
If you don't know what you are doing, you can kill yourself in the blink of an eye.
Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 9:20 am
by SCgurl
Sorry to hear about your spill, and I'm glad you two weren't seriously hurt.
In SC, sidecars and trikes require a separate endorsement from the motorcycle endorsement and entirely separate training. I was kind of wondering whether that was the case in your state.
And just as I was going to post the link for the manual, I see this:
Three-Wheel Motorcycle Endorsement
On Tuesday, June 2, 2009, Governor Sanford signed a new law concerning three-wheel motorcycles. Because of this law change, a three-wheel motorcycle endorsement is no longer required to operate a three-wheel motorcycle. Citizens can now operate a three-wheel motorcycle with any class of license except a moped class G license. This law change excludes a motorcycle with a detachable side car. To operate a motorcycle with a detachable side car, the customer must hold a class M motorcycle license. SCDMV will no longer administer three-wheel motorcycle tests.
Anyway,
http://www.scdmvonline.com/DMVNew/forms/3w.pdf
It has some commentary on the differences in handling between 3 wheels and two that you might find helpful.
Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 10:59 am
by Skier
The rig flipped because the motorcycle climbed a rock embankment and rolled over towards the sidecar, not from excessive speed in a corner.
Gummiente is right, they are plenty stable if you know what you're doing. I did the typical newbie mistake of being overconfident with my two wheel training and experience and three wheel training.
SCgurl: Washington does have a separate three wheel endorsement which I have. I've the type 7 endorsement, two and three wheelers.
More information to come later, I'm still dealing with insurance.
Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 3:55 pm
by koji52
Damn dude...sorry to hear that you wrecked. I've always wanted a sidecar, been thinking if I don't sell the sporty, i'd find some way to rig it with a sidecar. This almost makes me think twice about it now.
Glad to hear you and wifey are all good. The important thing is your alive and well.
Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2009 3:09 am
by king robb
Dude, please edit the title of this thread. The irony of it is killing me and I am trying really hard not to be a bung hole so please change it.
Thanks.
Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2009 4:22 am
by Skier
I sported the following on Google Chat for a while: "It may not fall over, but it can roll over."
