UH-OH, my fantasy

Jimm Dandy · 01-30-2013, 02:50 PM

of puttin my gf on the back of my strom and my lil doogie in the hack just got a hole shot in it.. was told its not a good idea to have a passenger on the bike unless the passenger in the hack is heavier.. OUCH .. any input will be appreciated. thanks

MILLENNIUM FALCON · 01-30-2013, 02:59 PM

Get a lighter girlfriend, and a heavier dog and you will be fine ;) or teach your dog to hold onto your waist......that would be a funny sight!

Jimm Dandy · 01-30-2013, 03:16 PM

my gf is about as lite as they come.. will hav to fool around w ballast i guess

hopscotching · 01-30-2013, 06:25 PM

So now the GF can only be on the back of the bike.. It really is not to bad, just remember to lean!!! also having a passenger on the bike that will lean into the cnrs helps a lot.

One work of caution thou, the GF may not like the sensation of being on the back. Apparently the lateral forces of cornering, even small corrections can be very odd on the back.

I would say go for it... Just start off careful, or find an empty parking lot and practice with her on the back. I I did just this when teaching my GF to lean and not freakout when flying the chair... To be on the safe side, leave the dog at home until you are both in the groove ;-)

Boondox · 01-30-2013, 07:34 PM

If the dog is little and the gf is light (light = small?), why not put em both in the hack? Put the kibble and beer behind you.

Pago Cruiser · 01-30-2013, 08:03 PM

IMHO.... Rubbish.
For the past three years we have put about 10,000 miles/year on our hacks in just that configuration, using a GL1200/Motorvation road rig and a XR1200/Ural Dual Sport for off road.
Short trips (with no extra ballast) to longer trips with camping gear surrounding the canine, no problems.
We'll travel 75-80 on the freeway, but generally do not push the envelope on the twisties.
That said, the canine is not real happy when flying the chair.
Do it, enjoy it, but don't be crazy...
YMMV.

DRONE · 01-30-2013, 09:47 PM

On a DL1000, it's not a Goldwing, it's a bike where the center of gravity two up is fairly high and the bike itself weighs in at around 500 lbs.. I'd think you could pull it off OK, especially with some ballast in the car, but only after driving a sidecar rig for a few years and getting really really good at it. Def not something to try if a beginner or novice.

Much better idea to put the dog in the GF's lap and let them both ride in the car.

GearHeadGrrrl · 01-31-2013, 06:33 AM

Take your rig to the local truck scale loaded just like that and see what kind of weights you get on each wheel. I find that unless at least 20% of the rigs total weight is on the sidecar wheel, said sidecar wheel comes up all to easily and the tipover point is just a bit beyond that. My rigs are 450 to 500 pound BMW "airhead' flat twins with a low center of gravity hooked to 200 pound sidecars with at least 50 pounds or so of tools, battery, etc. in the sidecar. With those combos I've just barely got 20% of the total weight on the sidecar wheel with no passenger. Putting a passenger on the pillion without having a heavier passenger in the sidecar would push the sidecar wheel weight below the 20% minimum. If you don't have a scale handy, you can simply follow the old 2/3 to 1/3 bike to sidecar weight rule. Using that rule, a 450 pound bike with a 150 pound passenger needs at least at least a 200 pound sidecar. But if you start with a 900 pound bike then add 300 pounds of rider and passenger on the bike, you'll need 400 pounds of sidecar, dog, and ballast to balance the rig. At 400 pounds you'll probably be pushing the capacity of the sidecar... So my guess is the passenger will have to ride in the sidecar, with the dog in the sidecar too or riding pillion. If you've got a high center of gravity rig you need to be even more concerned with this, and you may not be able to use the pillion to carry anything heavier than the smallest breeds.

claude · 02-01-2013, 06:31 AM

A lot depends on what bike. sidecar combination you have. Suspension comes into play in a big way. Electric tilt could be a plus. A working antiswaybar would be a huige plus.
Load the outfit with passenger and dog and PRACTICE...THEN maybe reload a little differently with adding ballast or whatever and PRACTICE again. Practice easy at first and then work your way up past your comfort zone. Do this in a safe area and don't try to do too much too soon. DO not put ballast in th enose of the sidecar !!
Also as mentioned make sure your passeneger is aware of the lateral loads that are not experienced on a solo bike.

YOUNZ · 02-01-2013, 06:49 AM

It's those "emergency" situations that you can't really practice for. Someone suddenly changing a lane next to you and of course the pull out of the drive way, etc, etc. Forget the image, the chic can hang all over you off the bike. Stick her in the sidecar with the mutt. No regrets!

SilkMoneyLove · 02-01-2013, 10:57 AM

Well, since we are talking fantasy, get rid of the dog and get another GF. One can sit behind you and one in the hack, or both in the hack...just get creative

claude · 02-01-2013, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YOUNZ

It's those "emergency" situations that you can't really practice for. Someone suddenly changing a lane next to you and of course the pull out of the drive way, etc, etc. Forget the image, the chic can hang all over you off the bike. Stick her in the sidecar with the mutt. No regrets!

Good points....this is why one should practice just above their comfort zone. Yes, one can practice for emergencies maybe only to a point but it is important to try to do so. The only way to expand a personal skill level is to ramp up your practice above your present skill level.

kailuasurfer · 02-01-2013, 12:11 PM

I don't think it is a good idea to have a GF on the bike - it is the unexpected that I would worry about. I would go for the GF/dog in the sidecar option. I do think that a two GF configuration sounds interesting

.

claude · 02-01-2013, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kailuasurfer

I don't think it is a good idea to have a GF on the bike - it is the unexpected that I would worry about. I would go for the GF/dog in the sidecar option. I do think that a two GF configuration sounds interesting

.

I had a lot of creative comments thought up for that one Kailua but ...but... well ...uh...good point lol.

kailuasurfer · 02-01-2013, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by claude

I had a lot of creative comments thought up for that one Kailua but ...but... well ...uh...good point lol.

Perhaps one of your famous hand-drawn diagrams to illustrate the options?

01-30-2013, 02:50 PM	#1
Jimm Dandy ^OP Adventurer Joined: Nov 2011 Location: bellevue IDAHO Oddometer: 97	UH-OH, my fantasy of puttin my gf on the back of my strom and my lil doogie in the hack just got a hole shot in it.. was told its not a good idea to have a passenger on the bike unless the passenger in the hack is heavier.. OUCH .. any input will be appreciated. thanks

01-30-2013, 03:16 PM	#3
Jimm Dandy ^OP Adventurer Joined: Nov 2011 Location: bellevue IDAHO Oddometer: 97	actually my gf is about as lite as they come.. will hav to fool around w ballast i guess

01-30-2013, 06:25 PM	#4
hopscotching Gettin ready to go.. Joined: Mar 2011 Location: San Francisco Oddometer: 52	Just put a hard cover on my Ural sidecar So now the GF can only be on the back of the bike.. It really is not to bad, just remember to lean!!! also having a passenger on the bike that will lean into the cnrs helps a lot. One work of caution thou, the GF may not like the sensation of being on the back. Apparently the lateral forces of cornering, even small corrections can be very odd on the back. I would say go for it... Just start off careful, or find an empty parking lot and practice with her on the back. I I did just this when teaching my GF to lean and not freakout when flying the chair... To be on the safe side, leave the dog at home until you are both in the groove ;-) __________________ In Dog Beers I've Only Had One!

01-30-2013, 07:34 PM	#5
Boondox Travels With Barley Joined: Aug 2007 Location: North Central Vermont Oddometer: 2,441	If the dog is little and the gf is light (light = small?), why not put em both in the hack? Put the kibble and beer behind you. __________________ I got a sidecar to travel with my dog. He never complains, is delighted to be with me, approves of my dietary choices, is a social butterfly who helps me meet folks, appreciates a good beer, snuggles better than my wife, and hangs on my every word as if it's the most profound thing he's ever heard. TravelsWithBarley.com

01-30-2013, 08:03 PM	#6
Pago Cruiser Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2008 Oddometer: 264	IMHO.... Rubbish. For the past three years we have put about 10,000 miles/year on our hacks in just that configuration, using a GL1200/Motorvation road rig and a XR1200/Ural Dual Sport for off road. Short trips (with no extra ballast) to longer trips with camping gear surrounding the canine, no problems. We'll travel 75-80 on the freeway, but generally do not push the envelope on the twisties. That said, the canine is not real happy when flying the chair. Do it, enjoy it, but don't be crazy... YMMV. __________________ Just because you're not paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you...

01-30-2013, 02:59 PM	#2
MILLENNIUM FALCON Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2011 Oddometer: 189	Get a lighter girlfriend, and a heavier dog and you will be fine ;) or teach your dog to hold onto your waist......that would be a funny sight!

01-30-2013, 09:47 PM	#7
DRONE Dog Chauffeur Joined: Oct 2007 Location: Tacoma, WA Oddometer: 2,663	On a DL1000, it's not a Goldwing, it's a bike where the center of gravity two up is fairly high and the bike itself weighs in at around 500 lbs.. I'd think you could pull it off OK, especially with some ballast in the car, but only after driving a sidecar rig for a few years and getting really really good at it. Def not something to try if a beginner or novice. Much better idea to put the dog in the GF's lap and let them both ride in the car. __________________ ******************* WUMPA! Goot-Z 4XKPN - sold

01-31-2013, 06:33 AM	#8
GearHeadGrrrl Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Feb 2007 Location: SW MN & Flatistan when it snows Oddometer: 239	Try it on a scale... Take your rig to the local truck scale loaded just like that and see what kind of weights you get on each wheel. I find that unless at least 20% of the rigs total weight is on the sidecar wheel, said sidecar wheel comes up all to easily and the tipover point is just a bit beyond that. My rigs are 450 to 500 pound BMW "airhead' flat twins with a low center of gravity hooked to 200 pound sidecars with at least 50 pounds or so of tools, battery, etc. in the sidecar. With those combos I've just barely got 20% of the total weight on the sidecar wheel with no passenger. Putting a passenger on the pillion without having a heavier passenger in the sidecar would push the sidecar wheel weight below the 20% minimum. If you don't have a scale handy, you can simply follow the old 2/3 to 1/3 bike to sidecar weight rule. Using that rule, a 450 pound bike with a 150 pound passenger needs at least at least a 200 pound sidecar. But if you start with a 900 pound bike then add 300 pounds of rider and passenger on the bike, you'll need 400 pounds of sidecar, dog, and ballast to balance the rig. At 400 pounds you'll probably be pushing the capacity of the sidecar... So my guess is the passenger will have to ride in the sidecar, with the dog in the sidecar too or riding pillion. If you've got a high center of gravity rig you need to be even more concerned with this, and you may not be able to use the pillion to carry anything heavier than the smallest breeds. __________________ blogging @ www.gearheadgrrrl.com

02-01-2013, 06:31 AM	#9
claude Sidecar Jockey Joined: Mar 2002 Location: Middleburg, Pa. (Snyder County) Oddometer: 2,728	A lot depends on what bike. sidecar combination you have. Suspension comes into play in a big way. Electric tilt could be a plus. A working antiswaybar would be a huige plus. Load the outfit with passenger and dog and PRACTICE...THEN maybe reload a little differently with adding ballast or whatever and PRACTICE again. Practice easy at first and then work your way up past your comfort zone. Do this in a safe area and don't try to do too much too soon. DO not put ballast in th enose of the sidecar !! Also as mentioned make sure your passeneger is aware of the lateral loads that are not experienced on a solo bike. __________________ Claude Founder: Internet Sidecar Owners Klub at SCT http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/SCT/ President: C Stanley Motorsports Inc. http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/...rsandTrailers/ http://freedomsidecars.com/

02-01-2013, 06:49 AM	#10
YOUNZ Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2011 Location: Around Pittsburgh Oddometer: 284	It's those "emergency" situations that you can't really practice for. Someone suddenly changing a lane next to you and of course the pull out of the drive way, etc, etc. Forget the image, the chic can hang all over you off the bike. Stick her in the sidecar with the mutt. No regrets!

02-01-2013, 10:57 AM	#11
SilkMoneyLove Studly Adventurer Joined: Nov 2007 Location: Minneapolis Oddometer: 855	Well Well, since we are talking fantasy, get rid of the dog and get another GF. One can sit behind you and one in the hack, or both in the hack...just get creative

02-01-2013, 12:11 PM	#13
kailuasurfer Dreamer Joined: Jun 2009 Location: Mid-Atlantic Oddometer: 280	I don't think it is a good idea to have a GF on the bike - it is the unexpected that I would worry about. I would go for the GF/dog in the sidecar option. I do think that a two GF configuration sounds interesting .

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