To sidecar or not to sidecar...

[ryandalling]

Anybody have first hand knowledge of sidecar riding, how it differs, what to worry about.... and the big one... actual cool photos?  I am thinking of getting out of the 999 and into something like a URAL sidecar... although I have seen a lot in the past.... wondering what actual riders have to say. Thanks!!

[ducpainter]

paging bobspapa to the DMF courtesy phone...

this thread might give you all the answers you're looking for...

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=53897.msg994601#msg994601

[transplant]

Anybody have first hand knowledge of sidecar riding, how it differs, what to worry about.... and the big one... actual cool photos?  I am thinking of getting out of the 999 and into something like a URAL sidecar... although I have seen a lot in the past.... wondering what actual riders have to say. Thanks!!

Totally different from riding a bike. You drive a sidecar, not ride it.
Download Hal Kendall's side car manual and sidecar operator's manual. They're the hacker's Bible. They're free on a PDF format .

http://www.sidecar.com/links3.asp

Head over to the ADV Hack section and lurk for a while. There's a lot of info there, even professional hack builders, like C. Stanley and Jay from Dauntless post and give advice.
I don't have any experience with Ural's other than what I read, but from what I understand, they're excellent machines once sorted out, although a bit slow.
If you're handy and like doing the work, you can put a rig together for not a lot of money. Tubs can be picked up for less than $1k and you can pretty much use anything for a tug. I put my rig together for less than $5k.

It's a '91 BMW K75S with a DMC sub-frame and a 560 Velorex frame.

[Grampa]

paging bobspapa to the DMF courtesy phone...

this thread might give you all the answers you're looking for...

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=53897.msg994601#msg994601

Yeah...... What he/I said.

[krolik]

Get ahold of Elias (Toolfan), he had a side hack for a while. He even used it to haul his trials bike to a ADV meet once.

[Mulletbiker]

Shoot me a PM with any specific questions you have & I'll be happy to help.
Had my URAL for 5 years now, bought it mostly to be able to ride in the winter.
But love riding it use it alot around town for errands like grocery shopping.

[Slide Panda]

Fly that hack!

Another +1 to ADV. There's a lot of knowledge there.

As you might figure from those photos is a very different skill set. 3 wheels and you steer like a car. Fly the side car and now you're back to counter steering mechanics.

[Grampa]

[justinrhenry]

I'd love to have a sidecar, but it seems like something that sounds much cooler than it is.  I don't think it would make my girlfriend want to ride anymore than she does now (almost never) and that would ruin the fun of it. 

[Moto Motivo]

This is what I am talking about!

[DucNaked]

This is what I am talking about!

You beat me. Just saw that photo.

[elyse]

thats very cool! .... in cali, if you have a sidecar, you don't need a motorcycle license

[NorDog]

Shoot me a PM with any specific questions you have & I'll be happy to help.
Had my URAL for 5 years now, bought it mostly to be able to ride in the winter.
But love riding it use it alot around town for errands like grocery shopping.

I've been interested in one of those for some time.  Would love to hear about your experience with it; problems?  joys?  Don't wanna thread jack.  Can you PM me maybe?

[ryandalling]

Okay... I am totally getting one... now I just need to find a way to buy it... anybody want a 999? 

[NorDog]

Okay... I am totally getting one... now I just need to find a way to buy it... anybody want a 999? 

Hold on now.  You still need a motorcycle with that sidecar!