Riding with a dog?

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Lisa · #21 Unread post by **Lisa** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 6:17 pm

Wow, I can't believe that guy with the flat trailer.... that is exactly not what i'm planning on doing. My dog is 80 pounds of excitement, he probably should be tethered in the jeep or the dakota (rides in the cab) but he rides fine and has lots of room.

slimcolo · #22 Unread post by **slimcolo** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 6:29 pm

I saw trailer like in pic but with steel cage, and 2 Grate Danes. Kinda like a huge cat carrier on wheels.

flw · #23 Unread post by **flw** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 3:04 am

How much engine does it take to use a side car and still run at 65 mph?

Per the history channel, in WWII there were two common American bikes that had side cars. One was the Harley and there was another that I can't remember the name of. Since the Harley had almost 50 hp and the other bike 38, the Harley became a instant favorite after the war in surplus hardware.

This makes me wonder if my current bike could pull a side car with about 38 HP. I've ridden with my self over 200 lbs and a passenger short of 200 lbs and it pull both of us at interstate speeds.

Even if it topped out at 65 plus that would be fine.

So is 38 hp enough?

p.s. it's a Kawasaki Vulcan 500 LTD.

slimcolo · #24 Unread post by **slimcolo** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 3:46 am

That little Kawi will probably not do 65 with a hack. Mine will do about 70 maybe 75, and it's a 74 with factory car. (same bike w/o hack will do a ton 15.) Mileage also drops with out I got in mid 40s, with about 28.

jstark47 · #25 Unread post by **jstark47** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 4:29 am

slimcolo wrote:That little Kawi will probably not do 65 with a hack. Mine will do about 70 maybe 75, and it's a 74 with factory car. (same bike w/o hack will do a ton 15.) Mileage also drops with out I got in mid 40s, with about 28.

Probably depends on which hack is used. A Velorex 562 weighs 143 lbs, lots of fiberglass in a Velorex. A Ural hack with that massive steel frame weighs 220 lbs.

Gummiente · Tue Jul 17, 2007 4:41 am

jstark47 wrote:Probably depends on which hack is used. A Velorex 562 weighs 143 lbs, lots of fiberglass in a Velorex. A Ural hack with that massive steel frame weighs 220 lbs.

While weight will definitely have an impact on performance and gas mileage, don't forget about wind resistance. Even the most aerodynamic sidecar will still create a lot of drag.

An Ural chair on a Vulcan 500 is not the best plan. The Velorex is better, but the Cozy sidecar would be the best bet as it is designed for the Royal Enfield 500cc:
http://www.royalenfieldusa.com/cozy-sta ... -6879.html

RavenDee · #27 Unread post by **RavenDee** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 3:56 am

Gummiente wrote: Don't get me started on bi-focals... just got my first pair of them last week and am still having trouble coming to terms with my own mortality.

Yes, but the best antidote to looming mortality is to go biking!

Gummiente wrote: Hector has approx 11,000km of sidecar duty and STILL does his "Happy Paws" dance whenever I ask him if he wants to go for a ride.

I'm not sure whether or not my little dog will like biking. I've gotten her the carrier and safety harness. Just have to get the "doggles." Any suggestions on how to get her started, and liking it? We've just taken her up and down the driveway a few times, and told her she is wonderful.

Gummiente wrote: As for other people's reactions to your intentions, I understand where you're coming from. I had a lot of that when I first started riding and for many years afterwards. Funny, though, how it all seemed to dry up once I gained 100lb, grew a beard, started wearing sunglasses all day and got my hair cut Mullet style.

What great ideas! I don't know that my husband will like me growing the beard, though.

Dee