Sidecar or other balancing options

equipt31 · 04-12-2012, 02:35 PM

I figured I would post in this subforum since I think I'd get the best responses. My dad owns a (1983 BMW R100RT). He has had hip, knee, and shoulder surgery all within the last 5 years or so. Everything works fine but he's a little concerned about safety. He knows how to ride but just wants to have that extra precaution of balance being taken care of so he was wondering what options he has.
So far we think a sidecar would be the best solution but have no clue where to buy 1. I doubt there's a large market for these, would this be a custom job? Where can we start looking? He probably won't have any passengers, it's purely a balance/safety issue.
He had an idea I didn't really like: converting it to a 3-wheeler or tryke. I'm not even sure if this is doable but I'll throw it out there. Anyone have any opinions about this idea? Would have to be custom for sure and probably expensive.
Any other suggestions are appreciated but he likes this particular bike and wouldn't want to outright buy a 3 wheeler. Any feedback is appreciated.

Ryan · 04-12-2012, 04:07 PM

A sidecar would be cool on that bike. Maybe one off of a Ural could be modified to work? The Urals are pretty much Russian BMW clones, right?

elroy121 · 04-12-2012, 04:36 PM

http://www.championsidecars.com/sidecars.asp

i used to work at a machine shop next door to these guys in HB

Xian_13 · 04-12-2012, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryan

A sidecar would be cool on that bike. Maybe one off of a Ural could be modified to work? The Urals are pretty much Russian BMW clones, right?

It is my understanding, the sidecar on a Ural is actually one with the rest of the chassis.

What ever the case, side car before trike!

-X

Ryan · 04-12-2012, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xian_13

It is my understanding, the sidecar on a Ural is actually one with the rest of the chassis.

What ever the case, side car before trike!

-X

That's right, the Urals are 2 wheel drive. And yes, sidecar before trike for sure.

STANIMAL · 04-12-2012, 05:41 PM

There is plenty of sidecar info out there . You can buy a bolt on kit with braces and be ready to go . Keep in mind its best to use an Earls style fork or a triple that has about a 5 degree rake for stability . Its not that hard to setup a hack , look on Ebay or the forums. A Ural or Dneper will work fine , but are heavy . There are few fiberglass ones out there also. Try Motorvation or EML .

STANIMAL · 04-12-2012, 05:59 PM

http://eastidaho.craigslist.org/mcy/2931746780.html

SloRoll · 04-13-2012, 02:29 AM

Go with a sidecar. They're a blast. I have a friend that put one on an old Honda. Everyone either wants to ride it or at least get a ride in it. Pretty easy to attach too. It was all bolt on. His was kind of a universal fit deal. Good luck.

equipt31 · 04-13-2012, 09:28 AM

Sounds like I will def push the sidecar idea. I'll have to do some better searching, the ones I found are around the 5K range in pricing, hopefully something interesting pops up soon

design-engine · 04-28-2012, 03:02 PM

I want a scooter with a side car!

Brandon_oma#692 · 05-04-2012, 09:36 AM

Last wekend at the BMW swapmeet in Pecotonica a sidecar (i think a velorex) was forsale with the correct mounting brackets for his bike. The guy said he would take 750. I think he was from des moines ia.

Pilotx1 · 05-04-2012, 09:42 AM

can-am spyder?

BLARNEY · 05-04-2012, 09:53 AM

Can_Am ...... very cool.

Tom

Jack · 05-04-2012, 10:54 AM

There are a lot of products out there for people with disabilities, amputees, etc. You just have to look around. Do some Google searches.

Here's a start.
http://www.adaptivemotorcycles.com/ (their home page is pretty weak)
http://www.adaptivemotorcycles.com/pg2.html

OldTimeBiker · 05-04-2012, 11:11 AM

I would recommend going sidecar instead of 3 wheeler. I would also recommend that your Dad take the sidecar training. The MSF has a special sidecar course that will really help him transition from being a 2 wheel rider to a competant Hack rider.
There is a whole group of sidecar guys in the area. There was an oldtimer named Zeke who would give the MSF course one on one. I don't know if he's still doing it but I know the sidecar group is still kicking...First place I'd check for more info would be your favorite BMW dealer and the Chicago Region BMW Owners may be very helpful too. Also, contact the South Suburban A.B.A.T.E Chapter. Alot of the sidecar guys were active in that chapter and they may be able to point you in the right direction. Don't be shy...Sidecar guys are VERY enthusiastic and Love getting newbies involved in sidecars!
Good luck and keep us posted.

04-12-2012, 02:35 PM	#1
equipt31 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 288 Location: Mt Prospect, IL Sportbike: 2004 R6, 2005 SV650 Years Riding: 3 years How you found us: Another forum	Sidecar or other balancing options I figured I would post in this subforum since I think I'd get the best responses. My dad owns a (1983 BMW R100RT). He has had hip, knee, and shoulder surgery all within the last 5 years or so. Everything works fine but he's a little concerned about safety. He knows how to ride but just wants to have that extra precaution of balance being taken care of so he was wondering what options he has. So far we think a sidecar would be the best solution but have no clue where to buy 1. I doubt there's a large market for these, would this be a custom job? Where can we start looking? He probably won't have any passengers, it's purely a balance/safety issue. He had an idea I didn't really like: converting it to a 3-wheeler or tryke. I'm not even sure if this is doable but I'll throw it out there. Anyone have any opinions about this idea? Would have to be custom for sure and probably expensive. Any other suggestions are appreciated but he likes this particular bike and wouldn't want to outright buy a 3 wheeler. Any feedback is appreciated.

04-12-2012, 04:36 PM	#3
elroy121 Obsessed and Deranged Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 4,084 Location: il-west burbs and socal Sportbike: SV1000S Years Riding: too many years How you found us: dumb luck	http://www.championsidecars.com/sidecars.asp i used to work at a machine shop next door to these guys in HB __________________ This week's lesson: Only give the government power you'd be comfortable giving to vindictive, incompetent morons.

04-13-2012, 02:29 AM	#8
SloRoll I'm always learning...... Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 5,761 Location: Southwest Suburbs Sportbike: 2k7 FLHTCU, 1995 FXDL, 1949 HD EL Panhead, Yami PW80 Years Riding: Long, long, long, long, long time. How you found us: GPS	Go with a sidecar. They're a blast. I have a friend that put one on an old Honda. Everyone either wants to ride it or at least get a ride in it. Pretty easy to attach too. It was all bolt on. His was kind of a universal fit deal. Good luck. __________________ Synthetic Lifelike Organism Responsible for Observation and Logical Learning - SLOROLL Remember there's a big difference between kneeling down and bending over. Zappa 1974 And I said....."Look here brother, who you jiving with that cosmik debris? Now is that a real poncho or is that a Sears poncho? Zappa 1974

04-28-2012, 03:02 PM	#10
design-engine #40 expert Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 740 Location: west loop Sportbike: gsxr600 Years Riding: 40+ years started at four (My dad still rides Motocross at 80) How you found us: nesba.com	I want a scooter with a side car! __________________ DESIGN-ENGINE\|EDUCATION Pro/ENGINEER training GSXR600 CCS Expert #40 http://www.youtube.com/user/bbrejcha

05-04-2012, 09:42 AM	#12
Pilotx1 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 15,710 Location: Elk Grove IL Sportbike: '03 Gsxr 1000, '04 Zuma,07 GSXR 600 trackbike Years Riding: june 2007, since new,july '10 How you found us: friend	can-am spyder? __________________ -Jason CCS #114

04-12-2012, 04:07 PM	#2
Ryan . Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 4,985 Location: Chicago Sportbike: 05 DRZ-SM, 80 GS1100E, 99 KTM 125SX, 03 KTM 200MXC Years Riding: Since 2001 How you found us: ?	A sidecar would be cool on that bike. Maybe one off of a Ural could be modified to work? The Urals are pretty much Russian BMW clones, right?

04-12-2012, 05:41 PM	#6
STANIMAL PIKUACH NEFESH Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 6,418 Location: G-VIEW Sportbike: Italian,British,Japanese,Czech Years Riding: LONG TIME How you found us: CRR	There is plenty of sidecar info out there . You can buy a bolt on kit with braces and be ready to go . Keep in mind its best to use an Earls style fork or a triple that has about a 5 degree rake for stability . Its not that hard to setup a hack , look on Ebay or the forums. A Ural or Dneper will work fine , but are heavy . There are few fiberglass ones out there also. Try Motorvation or EML .

04-12-2012, 05:59 PM	#7
STANIMAL PIKUACH NEFESH Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 6,418 Location: G-VIEW Sportbike: Italian,British,Japanese,Czech Years Riding: LONG TIME How you found us: CRR	http://eastidaho.craigslist.org/mcy/2931746780.html

04-13-2012, 09:28 AM	#9
equipt31 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 288 Location: Mt Prospect, IL Sportbike: 2004 R6, 2005 SV650 Years Riding: 3 years How you found us: Another forum	Sounds like I will def push the sidecar idea. I'll have to do some better searching, the ones I found are around the 5K range in pricing, hopefully something interesting pops up soon

05-04-2012, 09:36 AM	#11
Brandon_oma#692 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 83 Location: Freeport, IL Sportbike: 1999 zx6r Years Riding: 22 How you found us: not sure	Last wekend at the BMW swapmeet in Pecotonica a sidecar (i think a velorex) was forsale with the correct mounting brackets for his bike. The guy said he would take 750. I think he was from des moines ia.

05-04-2012, 09:53 AM	#13
BLARNEY Chief Apex Inspector Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 10,553 Location: Bartlett Sportbike: An FJR and A Hog ! Years Riding: Lots How you found us: Stuck on the bottom of my race boot.......	Can_Am ...... very cool. Tom __________________ T2 It's ALL between the ears..... NESBA Midwest CR #82 ( Hey - T2! ) Retired ? FJR and a PO-TAY-TOE PO-TAH-TOE PO-TAY-TOE BLARNEY's GARAGE

05-04-2012, 10:54 AM	#14
Jack habitual line stepper Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 3,240 Location: Wisconsin Sportbike: F4,Brutale,Warrior,DRZ Years Riding: X How you found us: .	There are a lot of products out there for people with disabilities, amputees, etc. You just have to look around. Do some Google searches. Here's a start. http://www.adaptivemotorcycles.com/ (their home page is pretty weak) http://www.adaptivemotorcycles.com/pg2.html

05-04-2012, 11:11 AM	#15
OldTimeBiker Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 3,258 Location: Chicago Illinois Sportbike: Triumph Bonneville...the original sportbike! Years Riding: Since about 11 years after my adult teeth came in How you found us: I tripped over ya on my way to the can!	I would recommend going sidecar instead of 3 wheeler. I would also recommend that your Dad take the sidecar training. The MSF has a special sidecar course that will really help him transition from being a 2 wheel rider to a competant Hack rider. There is a whole group of sidecar guys in the area. There was an oldtimer named Zeke who would give the MSF course one on one. I don't know if he's still doing it but I know the sidecar group is still kicking...First place I'd check for more info would be your favorite BMW dealer and the Chicago Region BMW Owners may be very helpful too. Also, contact the South Suburban A.B.A.T.E Chapter. Alot of the sidecar guys were active in that chapter and they may be able to point you in the right direction. Don't be shy...Sidecar guys are VERY enthusiastic and Love getting newbies involved in sidecars! Good luck and keep us posted. __________________ *"Dirt is for racing on...Asphalt is for getting there"* OR *"Flat trackers go in deeper and come out harder...* OR (With apologies to General MaCarthur) *"Old motorcycle racers never die, they just slip off the groove and fade into the dust!* If you want to anger a conservative, tell him a lie. To anger a liberal all one must do is tell the truth!

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