Just wondering if those of you with sidecars experience accelerated rear tire wear?

Do HD dealers mind removing the wheel and changing the tire when a hack is involved?

I am considering a sidecar mounted to an FLHTC.

Thanks
jack

 

A rear tire on my Deluxe with a rig lasts about 5K miles if I'm lucky. The dealers I've run into either charge to disconnect the sidecar or ask me to disconnect it at home and bring the solo bike in for a tire change. The one time I had a dealer take the sidecar off they charge me 1 hour labor for the disconnect and reconnect (using my sidecar dolly).

Bubba

 

I have the same wear on mine. About 5,000 on the rear tire. Had to replace one in Illinois, no extra charge with the hack on. Another in New Mexico, and they didn't know how to do it. Said the rig was too big for their lift. So I had to show the tech how to remove and install it. And yes, they charged me for the time.

 

I have always found that nothing in life is free. Someone somewhere is paying for it.

 

I'm getting around 7,000 on my '08 Ultra. Before I decreased the toe-in from 1" (like the MoCo says to set it) down to about 1/4 inch, I was getting 5,000 +/-. Also, when I did the toe-in adjustment I had to lean the bike out further for ease of steering. Newer models don't require removal of the sidecar to change the rear tire. Just remove the left side saddlebag and muffler so the axle will slide out. My dealer just charges for the tire change, but like Oldmsocko said, at a H-D dealer, you will pay more in most cases. I've also noticed in the past that with Dunlop rears, new tread will vary in depth from 8/32" to 10/32". When you buy a Dunlop be sure to tell them you want them to measure the tread and get the deepest one.

 

I got about 9k on our 08 Ultra. Due for a tire but I think we will wait until spring now. Our dealership has a sidecar "expert"

 

I think the physics involved, more weight, more wind resistance, etc. means more wear on the rear tire for sure.
We just put a sidecar on the wife's bike a few months ago. When it's time for a new tire, I have, in the past pulled the wheel myself and took that to the dealer to mount + balance the tire, then reinstalled the wheel myself. Haven't done that yet with the sidecar on, but it looks like it won't be too big a deal to pull the wheel with the sidecar on. At least in my own garage, where I have the right tools, a bike lift and a floor jack. If I'm traveling away from home, it will be a different story.
And, btw, this is a Hannigan sidecar, not HD.

 

08 Ultra with Champion Escort, I get around 5500-6500 on the rear tire, and the dealership in Cartersville, will change without removing the hack.

turtleman

 

I get 9000 out of the rear and 18000 on the front and sidecar. 08 ultra with hd hack

 

Our dealership has a sidecar "expert"[/QUOTE]

Where is this "sidecar expert" located?