Harley Side Car
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3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7
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From:
Harley Side Car
I wondered if the members out there could give me some insight on the pros and cons of a side car. I currently have a 2005 king and was thinking about a used side car. Don't know much about the ride or handling you get or what years would fit mine. Also what a reasonable price range would be to pick one up,realizing it depends on year and condition. Any information would be helpful.
Thanx Shawn You can email if you like ggshwn@zoominternet.net
Thanx Shawn You can email if you like ggshwn@zoominternet.net
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,675
Likes: 95
From: Billings,Mt.
RE: Harley Side Car
My father inlaw mounted a HD sidecar to his '05 Road King Classic.Handling is a whole different world.He changed the tripple trees out for a a different rake which helped with turning.He use to have to muscle the bike in turns.His gas mileage sucks when loaded and also the stock 88 works harder especially on hills.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Harley Side Car
Here are a few websites worth looking at: www.sidecar-industry.comwww.libertysidecars.comwww.sidecar.com
I love mine, I have a liberty sidecar on my RG, classic look. Yes its a different ride and there are a number of factors you should consider before you buy. LEARN to ride it. Virgina motor vehicles has certified sidecar classes every year. They are great and they provide the bike and the sidecar, you bring the boots and helmit. The cost runs about $90 to $200 depending which location you go to. The classes are about three days long as I recall.
More people will approach you when you stop for food or fuel to ask a ton of questions. They can be costly, I mean for practically the same price you could by a new sporty. They take about 45mins to put on and pull off, especially if you use a quick disconnect for your brake line, no bleeding needed. Changing the rake make its easierto drive but its not necessary, plus once you change the rake you can not ride the bike without the sidecar. You will gothrough front tires a little faster. I say, if your close to Virginia, sign up for the class and give it a try and then see if you like the idea of puttin the hack on the bike.
Its a lot of fun, there are sidecar rallies around the country every year but its not everyonescup of tea.Do your homework and decide for yourself.
I love mine, I have a liberty sidecar on my RG, classic look. Yes its a different ride and there are a number of factors you should consider before you buy. LEARN to ride it. Virgina motor vehicles has certified sidecar classes every year. They are great and they provide the bike and the sidecar, you bring the boots and helmit. The cost runs about $90 to $200 depending which location you go to. The classes are about three days long as I recall.
More people will approach you when you stop for food or fuel to ask a ton of questions. They can be costly, I mean for practically the same price you could by a new sporty. They take about 45mins to put on and pull off, especially if you use a quick disconnect for your brake line, no bleeding needed. Changing the rake make its easierto drive but its not necessary, plus once you change the rake you can not ride the bike without the sidecar. You will gothrough front tires a little faster. I say, if your close to Virginia, sign up for the class and give it a try and then see if you like the idea of puttin the hack on the bike.
Its a lot of fun, there are sidecar rallies around the country every year but its not everyonescup of tea.Do your homework and decide for yourself.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 859
Likes: 0
From: Morton IL
RE: Harley Side Car
i had one on my old bike and hated it. it was great when i had my daughter in it...but the rest of the time it sucked. you dont ride it anymore...you drive it. it wasnt for me.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,542
Likes: 2
From: Oahu, Hawaii
RE: Harley Side Car
ORIGINAL: cms1528
Here are a few websites worth looking at: www.sidecar-industry.comwww.libertysidecars.comwww.sidecar.com
I love mine, I have a liberty sidecar on my RG, classic look. Yes its a different ride and there are a number of factors you should consider before you buy. LEARN to ride it. Virgina motor vehicles has certified sidecar classes every year. They are great and they provide the bike and the sidecar, you bring the boots and helmit. The cost runs about $90 to $200 depending which location you go to. The classes are about three days long as I recall.
More people will approach you when you stop for food or fuel to ask a ton of questions. They can be costly, I mean for practically the same price you could by a new sporty. They take about 45mins to put on and pull off, especially if you use a quick disconnect for your brake line, no bleeding needed. Changing the rake make its easierto drive but its not necessary, plus once you change the rake you can not ride the bike without the sidecar. You will gothrough front tires a little faster. I say, if your close to Virginia, sign up for the class and give it a try and then see if you like the idea of puttin the hack on the bike.
Its a lot of fun, there are sidecar rallies around the country every year but its not everyonescup of tea.Do your homework and decide for yourself.
Here are a few websites worth looking at: www.sidecar-industry.comwww.libertysidecars.comwww.sidecar.com
I love mine, I have a liberty sidecar on my RG, classic look. Yes its a different ride and there are a number of factors you should consider before you buy. LEARN to ride it. Virgina motor vehicles has certified sidecar classes every year. They are great and they provide the bike and the sidecar, you bring the boots and helmit. The cost runs about $90 to $200 depending which location you go to. The classes are about three days long as I recall.
More people will approach you when you stop for food or fuel to ask a ton of questions. They can be costly, I mean for practically the same price you could by a new sporty. They take about 45mins to put on and pull off, especially if you use a quick disconnect for your brake line, no bleeding needed. Changing the rake make its easierto drive but its not necessary, plus once you change the rake you can not ride the bike without the sidecar. You will gothrough front tires a little faster. I say, if your close to Virginia, sign up for the class and give it a try and then see if you like the idea of puttin the hack on the bike.
Its a lot of fun, there are sidecar rallies around the country every year but its not everyonescup of tea.Do your homework and decide for yourself.
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Harley Side Car
I've bought a new Ultra and am having a sidecar attached for stability. I have laid my Sportster down twice and fractured a shoulder that laid me up for more than a month, but I wanted to keep biking in some way and decided to go with three wheels.
Someone mentioned that you don't "ride", but "drive" the bike with sidecar; and that's probably the best description you'll find. The addiiton of a third wheel, whether it be a trike or sidecar, will prevent you from leaning into turns and you have to "steer" into them. That takes more effort and some people rake the front end about 5 degrees, but I'm waiting to see if it's needed in my usage.
On the other hande, the Ultra weighs in at about 800 pounds, and the sidecar adds another 240 pounds. The total weight is over a half ton and that would be near impossible for me topush very faron flat ground, not to mention a slight grade. So, I opted to have a reverse gear installed. The Road King doesn't start out with as much weight, but it's something to consider.
www.sidecar.com [mentioned above] is the Home Page of theUnited Sidecar Association, and they can provide a lot of good information. But one point made by several on that site is that sidecars are rarely removed from the bike after installation, as opposed to the concept of putting it on when you need it and taking it off for normal riding. The alignment is critical at modern highway speeds and the sidecar will become hated very quickly ifyou have to fight it while travelling down the road.
Someone mentioned that you don't "ride", but "drive" the bike with sidecar; and that's probably the best description you'll find. The addiiton of a third wheel, whether it be a trike or sidecar, will prevent you from leaning into turns and you have to "steer" into them. That takes more effort and some people rake the front end about 5 degrees, but I'm waiting to see if it's needed in my usage.
On the other hande, the Ultra weighs in at about 800 pounds, and the sidecar adds another 240 pounds. The total weight is over a half ton and that would be near impossible for me topush very faron flat ground, not to mention a slight grade. So, I opted to have a reverse gear installed. The Road King doesn't start out with as much weight, but it's something to consider.
www.sidecar.com [mentioned above] is the Home Page of theUnited Sidecar Association, and they can provide a lot of good information. But one point made by several on that site is that sidecars are rarely removed from the bike after installation, as opposed to the concept of putting it on when you need it and taking it off for normal riding. The alignment is critical at modern highway speeds and the sidecar will become hated very quickly ifyou have to fight it while travelling down the road.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 10,788
Likes: 2,222
From: Texas
RE: Harley Side Car
They can be really good 
or really bad[:@] . One thing for sure they are really DIFFERENT! Nothingat all like a motorcycle. You need to try one before you go to all the expense and TROUBLE of mounting one.
or really bad[:@] . One thing for sure they are really DIFFERENT! Nothingat all like a motorcycle. You need to try one before you go to all the expense and TROUBLE of mounting one.
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Advanced
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 54
Likes: 1
From: perkasie, pa
RE: Harley Side Car
i just purchase one from my friends father, never rode it yet for which im rebuilding the motor now. i very excited to take my son out with me.
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[IMG]local://upfiles/48538/062876E994CD4A7D8D73476E3615C698.jpg[/IMG]