Ha you sound so sweatly modern. But I think thry prefer seat on trikes, but sure for such romantic visions, of never being apart.

 

Both our sidecar rigs run car tires on sidecar and rear of the bike. Wear is just one of the reasons..

 

Well sidecar can carry wife and two grandchildren . 11 days and 2800 miles in the Smoky's and NC . marking Dragon ,Moonshiners 28 and other off the list. Not something you will do right out of the gate.
We love sidecars. But from what OP stated A trike would better suit his needs. And be easier to unload should they give up..

 

I have to vote sidecar. Yes, there’s a learning curve and yes, you will experience accelerated tire wear but, they are a hoot to ride. There’s a conversation every time you stop. There is much more room for cargo and a third passenger which cannot be done with a trike.
‘I would recommend something like a Hannigan rig with a tip up nose, as you wife’s disease progresses it will be easier to get into and out of. Climbing onto a trike could become an issue.
‘I’ve had my rig, 1992 FXRT/RLE for 25 years now, we bought it when we had a child, he grew up in it, now my wife loves riding in it on those days she doesn’t want to dress biker. Shorts, sandals she’s good to go and I still, get to ride.

 

I suspect it matters what you plant to do with it. Tire wear would drive me nuts. They are expensive, and I just don't want to take the time to do it. But I could see a trike being great for around town for storage, and some long distanace rides. But I don't want to change a tire on a trip.

 

Sidecar and tug tire wear can be reduced .
Running a rear car tire on the bike and a car tire on the sidecar when properly aligned and you figure out the best air pressure checking it often will increase tire mileage a lot.
I have considered a wide tire conversion for the front. But no proof yet it makes a big difference . Also for the cost of a complete wide tire conversion you can buy a lot of front tires.

 

An old thread but having owned a sidecar rig I might as well add my two cents.

For sure sidecar's are not for everybody and the learning curve to riding them safely does take some time. They need to be set up properly to work with the camber on the road as the bike wheels run in the left portion of the highway and the sidecar tire rides in the right portion. The distance between the bike rear wheel and the sidecar wheel is in the neighbourhood of approx 4 feet ( this will vary a bit from car to car ) so the camber of the road plays a role. I can't stress enough that they need to have the toe in and camber set to accommodate roads in your area. Four lane highways are different than two lane's when it comes to the camber and which lane you are in. If you have an adjustable lean than you can accommodate different road cambers, but if you don't then you set it up for the bulk of your riding and live with the rest.

There is a lot to figure out with a sidecar, how it mounts to your bike, distance sidecar wheel is ahead of the motorcycle rear wheel and so on. So if you are going the sidecar route, make sure you are dealing with a recognized builder. There is lots of junk out there and poorly set up rigs. You do need to modify the rake of the front end. You can go with either modified trees or a purpose built leading link set up. Leading links are the best but they are not cheap.

One thing that there is not many comments on is driving the sidecar in a wind. They can get tricky to handle and tiring as well. Side winds in particular. Another one is engine power. A fully loaded sidecar rig presents a good load and it has a bigger frontal area so the lack of grunt will be noticeable. As to tires, the addition of the sidecar will wear the stock rear motorcycle tire. On a permanent sidecar set up car tires are a worthwhile mod for the rear of the bike.

I've only driven a trike for a very short distance so I can comment much. It is different to ride than a sidecar, but steering is pretty much the same and they will benefit from steering mods. One difference with the trike is that you end up driving right down the centre of the highway and with heavy truck tire groves in the highway it can make life interesting, whereas the sidecar spans the centre portion so they aren't affected as much.

 

I have a trike now after recently tradings in my rig for a new trike. I’ve had 2 sidecar rigs (Indian chieftain/Hannigan heritage sidecar, Harley road king/Hannigan arrow sidecar) and 3 Harley trikes one of which was csc conversion. I still can’t decide which is better. Too bad I couldn’t afford both at the same time. Go for what is best suited for you at present time.

 

Myth leading link is best. Not always depends on the over all rig. If you plan to remove the sidecar forget leading link.
Increasing rake. Not always needed . Again over all rig decides .Some do not mind a little stiffer steering.
Center of sidecar wheel from center of Tugs rear wheel in about 12 inches. That will very a little depending on Tug and sidecar.
In general farther back better low speed handling farther forward better high speed. But the in a narrow window. The racing rigs you see do not work well on the street.

Myth sidecar rigs can not go fast. Done right learn to drive it yes they can.
Once you put a sidecar on you can take it off and on. BS. Again if done right yest you can.

Do your home work. Know what you are getting into.
Second bike this Sidecar has been on it has 75,000 miles on it . Many more to come.

 

Those political dopes on the trike talk forum could really help you!