Topic: Goldwing w/ sidecar - good for first timer?

[tsflstb]

http://houston.craigslist.org/mcy/314686954.html

I know some of you guys "drive" these.  Saw the ad this morning.  I'm waiting on more info, but I really like the looks of it.  Seems to have the front end modified for easier steering.  I'm completely new to sidecars, and have thought of hooking one up to my 550 Kawasaki when I get it running or just selling that and buying a rig already set up.  I think this would be an easier way to go.  Should I look for something smaller to start with, or is a bigger rig actually more forgiving to a novice?  I don't want to auger myself into the pavement in the first right turn.

[hahnda]

I think you could be very happy with this setup. The Motorvation is a quality sidecar and makes a good match as far as weight distribution with the Goldwing. Price is good, especially with the front end modification. If you are serious about getting into one this is a good find if everything is in decent shape as far as condition.

[dagersh]

The bike alone is worth the price of admission!  Of course, I am biased!

The leading link suspension will make driving that bike very easy, an relatively white knuckle free.  Just make sure you take the bike into a big parking lot for a lot of slow speed manuvers so that you can get used to the dimensions of the car.  Put some weight into the car so that you can see how it affects the handling as well - before you take a passenger.  The leading link suspension should also keep any lateral pulling at a minimum.

make sure that the seller has all documentation on the car, so that you can make sure that the car is properly aligned to the bike (ask me how i figured that out - HINT:  major white knuckles).  Also, make sure that the timing belts on the Goldwing have been recently serviced - if they get misaligned it will grenade the engine.  As for maintenance check out www.randakks.com and www.nakedgoldwings.com.  On that ltter site keep an eye out for Octane's posts in the How-to section - he's NGW's Lloyd (Twotired).

Hope this is helpful!  Let us know how it turns out!

Gersh

[tsflstb]

I'll talk to the guy tonight.  He emailed a few more details...said it tracks straight and true and just needs some of the usual attention for a 30 year old bike.  I need to ask him about the timing belts, etc.  There's no brake on the sidecar, which I don't think is a big deal. 

I don't know if I'm ready to jump in with both feet.  I'm more just curious about the riding experience with a sidecar.  My kids would probably enjoy it too.  I've been looking around for a cheap chair to attach to a bike I already own.  Problem is, I can't find even a basic used setup for under $1500.  Plus, I'd have to dial it in and probably scare myself away from it in the process. 

I believe this is a great deal.  A fully enclosed sidecar like that goes for over $2K by itself, plus the leading link front end, plus a low mileage 'Wing with a fairing and luggage.  If I don't like it, I could probably get out without losing any money.  I need to get my Kawasaki back together and running (hopefully this weekend) so I'll be ready to sell it off if I want to pull the trigger on this one.  I'm sure this 'Wing setup will sell pretty quick. 

[hahnda]

You are correct. It would be very difficult to put together a similar rig at that price. If you were to find a sidecar there is still the mounting parts that would need to be bought or fabricated. Sometimes a used sidecar will come with the mounts but they are not always universal. It is pretty easy to spend $200-500 or more on just the mounts to be able to hook everything up correctly.

I had a sidecar on a CX500, it was my first rig. It was ok and could keep up with traffic pretty easy but when your pulling around a sidecar any extra hp is a great benefit.

If your serious about getting into it looks like a great deal. Talk him down a bit and grab it.

If you are needing more info check out

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/SCT/

and

http://www.sidecar.com