A new direction

[WU7X]

It's always fun to try something new in life. I'm getting too old to continue being thrown off my DS bike and think I can pop back up unharmed. The old body just takes too long to heal. But that doesn't mean it's time to sit back and watch daytime TV or find religion. I'm heading out in a new direction for adventure. And with this setup, I can bring the dog along with!

 

[sandalscout]

Cool setup, looks like a lot of fun. I'd like to try out a sidecar rig one day, I could see moving on to one of those later in life.

Are you going to ditch the green?

 

[Mustard23]

have you looked at these? http://ural.com/

 

[WU7X]

Yes and no

Yes, I've studied Urals a lot. Decided on this setup for a couple of reasons; first, it is a lot cheaper going in than a new Ural. Second, it goes faster on asphalt. :bike_rider:

Nope. I'm keeping the green! It is powder coated and would be a ***** to remove anyway. So am planning on adding a fairing or windscreen of some type and may expand the green look even more. I like conspicuity on the street, and it doesn't hurt in the back country either.

 

[DarinM]

I like it. Not so sure about the green, but hey, it's not my ride.
Sometime in the next few years (hopefully later rather than sooner), I'm going to be petless as my current 2 cats are elderly.
I've been trying to decide if it will ever be possible to get a kitten and train it to ride in one of my saddlebags on my cruiser.
I think a biker cat would be cool. I could make some sort of little flap like thing so it could poke its head up if it wanted to and look around.
Anyway - nice ride! I'm going out with my club for a breakfast ride on Sunday - heading out west and then south from Austin for a ride through the Hill Country.

 

[ruffshod67]

very nice
it looks like it has car tires on the bike.that is so great.
I have a ural(my street legal ATV) and I love it.But sidecar rigs eat bike tires like its choclate cake.the car tires should last alot longer.

 

[CoastalDefender]

I think you're closer to finding religion than you realize...

 

[WU7X]

Just came back from Adventure sidecar training class

and it was a blast. Spent three days bouncing all over a field learning how to do it right. The KLR/hack setup I rode was a real eye-opener.

So now I have my S/TEP endorsement. I will now be focusing on getting my hack ready for adventuring next year!

If you want to see some pics of the class, check out:

adventuresidecar.smugmug.com

 

[sandalscout]

So now I have my S/TEP endorsement. I will now be focusing on getting my hack ready for adventuring next year!

IS the S/TEP a requirement for your state, or just something you wanted to do? I can definitely see the merits of such a course, but around here there is nothing special required, and as I recall only one trike MSF class offered within the state.

 

[WU7X]

STEP required

In WA state it is required that you get both a motorcycle and a sidecar/trike endorsement to your regular auto license. S/TEP is not mandatory, but by doing so, you usually don't have to do the driving exam. Because I took S/TEP, even though endorsed by the Evergreen Safety Council, I may still have to take the driving exam. But I figure the class was well worth it anyway. One really, really learns a lot about driving a hack safely.

 

[Ray Hyland]

Dale, you've been out in the sun too long dude. A sidecar? Really?



OK, you know I am kidding. Other than the fact that they sort of terrify me, I've always thought sidecars are pretty cool.

But couldn't you have found one at least 50 years old, with lots of quirks and obsolete parts?

 

[WU7X]

Har Har!

LOL on that one Ray. It is a bit wacky buying a 29 y.o. Beemer hack, but heck, that's less than half my age. So it is still a young pup, right?

BTW, look who's talking. Not one, but TWO SI Land Rovers??? Ray, what were you thinking? Maybe we should get together over a case of cold beer and commiserate together. WE both have been out in the sun too long!

Dale, you've been out in the sun too long dude. A sidecar? Really?



OK, you know I am kidding. Other than the fact that they sort of terrify me, I've always thought sidecars are pretty cool.

But couldn't you have found one at least 50 years old, with lots of quirks and obsolete parts?