adding a side-car

[luis_alberto]

Hello everybody,

I've been thinking about adding a side-car to my motorcycle. Not to take my girlfriend with me since she already enjoys riding in the back of my bike, but for taking my dog around town. I'm currently living in Honduras (Central America) and here they don't import motorcycles that already have side-cars... which is really sad...

So, it comes up to two options: a) getting anothers motorcycle side-car adapted to mine or b) have it custom made. Even that I'll evaluate both options in the local market, I really would like to read your opinions and experiences (in case anyone have done something like this).

So, What do you guys recommend? Should I get a side-car addapted to mine or should I have it custom made?
Has any of you added a side-car to your motorcycle and would like to share your experience?
Any random suggestions?

Luis.

[Wrider]

[dr_bar]

You mean this???

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PCTIEVMQfM

[Wrider]

Nope I meant to put the video in the thread... lol

[Gummiente]

Luis, you didn't say what make of motorcycle you ride. Sidecars can be added to most motorcycles, but careful consideration must be given to selecting the proper size as well as the proper setup.

Velorex is usually the sidecar of choice for most applications, as it is fairly lightweight and has a universal mounting system that can be adapted to just about any bike that has four exposed points on the frame to attach the mounting hardware. An Ural or Dnepr sidecar is well suited to larger, heavier bikes but they will require special subframes and hardware to be made, a job that should be done only by a qualified sidecar installer.

However, if your bike is smaller than 500cc the Velorex is not the best choice as it will be too heavy and large for a bike of that size. Bikes under 500cc can usually be mated to a smaller sidecar like the Cozy - this is the same sidecar used on the Indian made Royal Enfield 250cc and 500cc motorcycles.

Custom made sidecars are going to cost a LOT of money, you'd be better off finding something you like and then finding a way to adapt it to your bike. The best solution, though, is to buy a bike that was designed to have a sidecar on it. This is where an Ural or Dner rig might be a good alternative, as their frames are designed to take the stress and weight of a sidecar.

I have had several years experience with sidecars - first on an '86 Sportster/Velorex combo, then an '80 Dnepr MT10 and now an '05 Ural Tourist - and by far the best and safest rigs are the Ural and Dnepr. If you have the money, that is what I suggest you consider. But if cost is a concern, you can get a sidecar for your current bike that will be almost as good.

[Gunslinger]

Sounds like this might be more trouble than it's worth. Depending on the size of your dog you might be better off with some kind of container strapped to your gas tank. Depends on the dog too. You might find that they don't really care for it and keep trying to bail. Something to think about.

Hey Gummy, how much are these Velorex cars typically?

[Gummiente]

Hey Gummy, how much are these Velorex cars typically?

New, they ring in at around the $4,300 mark.

[storysunfolding]

Don't forget, sidecars aren't just easy take it on and take it off. While you can remove them, it takes awhile to get them setup properly.

[luis_alberto]

Hey Gummie,

Thanks for the advice. I´m currently riding a V-star Classic 650 and my dog is a siberian husky. Money would not be the problem if any of the local motorcycle dealers would have Urals or any other motorcycle with side car. Importing a motorcycle here when there is no dealer will represent eventual problems with mantainence, repair and parts.

I´m thinking about having some sort of basket adapted to the back of the motorcycle to get the dog used to the riding experience, while he´s still a puppy. That will buy me some time until I figure out if it´s worth getting a side-car adapted or teaching him to ride as the dog in the video.

Luis.

[luis_alberto]

By the way. Do you have the links to the Cozy side-cars?