Trike vs Sidecar
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Novice
Joined: Dec 2005
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Trike vs Sidecar
I have had a medical condition for years and don't want to quit riding!!! I would appreciate any info on what to get. I've heard pros and cons on both. How about some comment from experience!!!!!TRIKE VS SIDECAR...
Road Captain
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 554
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From: Citizen of the Republic of Texas, now in GA
RE: Trike vs Sidecar
I am not real familiar with either. My bro-in-law is though. He has a back problem and wants to keep riding. He tells me about a trike-maker who has perfected a suspension and axle system that will allow the rear wheels to lean with you through corners. This eliminates the wheel off the ground that generally happens when cornering at speed. You may want to do some research into these.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,798
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RE: Trike vs Sidecar
I haven't ridden either, but I know enough about both to be dangerous. Riding a bike with a sidecar is a totally different skill than just riding a bike. It tends to corner more like a car in that the if a corner is taken too hard, the inside wheel tends to come. Among hack riders there is a skill called "flying the chair" which involves purposely getting the inside wheel off the ground. Also, riding a hack without a passenger may require placing weights in the sidecar in order to maintain balance. A trike, on the other hand, performs more like a bike that doesn't lean.
As to which one to get, I'd say it depends on your needs. The trike probably offers more "just get on and go" options. Were it me, I'd probably opt for the trike because of its greater utility. Both can be made to look very cool.
Uncle Peepers
As to which one to get, I'd say it depends on your needs. The trike probably offers more "just get on and go" options. Were it me, I'd probably opt for the trike because of its greater utility. Both can be made to look very cool.
Uncle Peepers
Road Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,167
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From:
RE: Trike vs Sidecar
I've owned a sidecar rig, and it can be a lot of fun. The key to adding a sidecar on your Harley is the installation.....not every shop knows how to get the rig aligned properly. Yes, it takes some time to learn how to ride with a sidecar, but it comes pretty quickly. One has to lean into a right turn and not the left turn. The handlebar becomes a tiller and countersteering goes away. Front tire wear accelerates. Some sidecar manufacturers recommend increasing the angle of the forks by installing new triple trees.....HD used to do this many years ago. This assists the steering capability and makes the rig more stable. Do a search on the computer and you'll find their websites.
As for the trike option, I have no personal experience with owning one of these rigs. I do know that an independent rear suspension would be my choice. Steering damping is highly recommended. There are a lot of conversion companies out there.......I'd ask for a customer list for testamonials before I bought.
Remember that you are adding a lot of weight and drag to the bike and some engine modification (i.e. cam or cams, larger displacement, etc.) is not necessary, but you'll want to increase the performance. It's like having a car full of passengers and their luggage in the trunk.........performance isn't the same and braking distances get longer.
Just my 2 cents......good luck!
As for the trike option, I have no personal experience with owning one of these rigs. I do know that an independent rear suspension would be my choice. Steering damping is highly recommended. There are a lot of conversion companies out there.......I'd ask for a customer list for testamonials before I bought.
Remember that you are adding a lot of weight and drag to the bike and some engine modification (i.e. cam or cams, larger displacement, etc.) is not necessary, but you'll want to increase the performance. It's like having a car full of passengers and their luggage in the trunk.........performance isn't the same and braking distances get longer.
Just my 2 cents......good luck!
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 569
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From:
RE: Trike vs Sidecar
My first Harley was a sidecar rig and IMO, go with the trike... Harley sidecars have the buckets suspended on leaf springs, but no suspension at all on the frame and when that car hits something, you damn well know it.
With a trike, both directions steer the same (left/right), but with the chair, right handers are scary and left handers can be a lot of work. Granted, these conditions improve with a properly set up chair, but there's still that inconsistency. I took the sidecar rider's course through Evergreen, and it was a great course (taught us to "Fly the chair" even), but I never got comfortable riding with 2 wheelers that could take most corners much quicker than I could. You have to lean over the car in the right handers and the faster you're going, the more you have to do that. And if you don't do it, you'll be on 2 wheels before you know it. At which time your steering switches from tiller to countersteer... Can be scary.
I would think with any sort of medical condition, the trike would be a lot easier and safer to ride....
With a trike, both directions steer the same (left/right), but with the chair, right handers are scary and left handers can be a lot of work. Granted, these conditions improve with a properly set up chair, but there's still that inconsistency. I took the sidecar rider's course through Evergreen, and it was a great course (taught us to "Fly the chair" even), but I never got comfortable riding with 2 wheelers that could take most corners much quicker than I could. You have to lean over the car in the right handers and the faster you're going, the more you have to do that. And if you don't do it, you'll be on 2 wheels before you know it. At which time your steering switches from tiller to countersteer... Can be scary.
I would think with any sort of medical condition, the trike would be a lot easier and safer to ride....
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 528
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From: CLEVELAND, OHIO
RE: Trike vs Sidecar
I have a bad leg due to my last wreck, and went with a Lehman Trike conversion on my Roadglide (see my album for pics) it was the best move I made.........it outhandles most twin cams in the corners....actually handles like a sports car........put a 95 kit in it and she rips, even pulls the front end up!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 137
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From:
RE: Trike vs Sidecar
There is another option, there is a device @ http://www.safetyfeatures.com/ that is a hydraulic system. WHen moving over a certain speed, the wheels lift off the ground and allow normal cruising and leaning, but when slowing down and stopping, they come back down to allow safe stopping. Theres a long video showing it off too, its pretty impressive. Dunno about the cost though.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,379
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RE: Trike vs Sidecar
I had a Side car rig a long time ago. Turning blows. It's fun, but only if someone is with you. For solo rides I'd take a kick *** trike any day.
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 113
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From:
RE: Trike vs Sidecar
I have a Honda Valkyrie Interstate converted to a trike also.The trkie is a winner if you have trouble riding on two wheels.Ridden properly,they can keep up with any two wheels in the twisties...........JB.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 791
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From: Arizona
RE: Trike vs Sidecar
I have a friend in my group who converted his Ultra Classic bike to a trike. He loves it now! But, it took him a few months to get used to riding it. If you're looking to saving money, a sidecar rig would be less expensive. A typical trike conversion could cost between $14,000 to $18,000, depending on who does it.
You may also need to upgrade your stock engine to either a 95 or the 103 kit. As you'll need more power to carry more weight up a hill or mountain. A trike is also ridden differently. Instead of "leaning" the bike, you will now be "pushing/pulling" to turn the trike with your shoulders and forearms.
Good luck in whatever you decide.
Kahuna
You may also need to upgrade your stock engine to either a 95 or the 103 kit. As you'll need more power to carry more weight up a hill or mountain. A trike is also ridden differently. Instead of "leaning" the bike, you will now be "pushing/pulling" to turn the trike with your shoulders and forearms.
Good luck in whatever you decide.
Kahuna