For the first time this calendar year, I have a picture of a passenger in the sidecar. There were a couple of other times in the last couple of days but there were no pictures so I'm not sure it really happened. Bridget's car was in the shop for routine maintenance and to get the summer tires put back on. This is over two weeks earlier than last year when the government had to change the last day for studded tires due to icy highways. This would've been a better year weather wise for Dom to visit.
Notice that I've put the sidecar windshield back on for the occasion. I could really feel the rig pulling to the right when accelerating. Much more so than "normal". This morning, the temperature was a chilly 32°F but, fortunately, it wasn't that long of a ride in to her school. Of course, instead of the side door, it was necessary to drop her off at the front door of the school.
Richard, the side car looks... "cozy"... and the passenger looks, well... I've seen that look before. Usually on the faces of astronauts climbing into a space capsule, or someone sitting on the lip of a barrel upstream from Niagara Falls. "Brave", yes, that's the look!
ReplyDeleteNo comment on the "brave face". But the sidecar is on the narrow side but has tons of leg room. And in comparison to many others I've seen, the windshield isn't as claustrophobic as some that are right in front of your face.
DeleteGreat way to get to work for Bridget!
ReplyDeleteJust missed an afternoon rainstorm on the way back to the dealer.
DeleteI am sure she has always been the coolest teacher at the school, but I bet arriving in your sidecar confirms it to the students.
ReplyDeleteTo bad there weren't more students milling around. Though I think they notice her helmet on the desk.
DeleteSo what does it feel like to have someone in the car? Does it ever pull so much that you have to struggle at times? Like anything else, I imagine that the more quality the components the better the ride, etc.
ReplyDeleteThe only time I have ever seen someone with a sidecar it was empty and bouncing wildly all over the place as he rode down the street.
You set up the sidecar with the most common configuration. So mine was set up for about 45# in the side car (automotive battery). By set up, you adjust the toe-in of the sidecar and the lean of the motorcycle to compensate for the weight and additional drag so that steering is roughly neutral. When someone is in the sidecar, you can definitely feel the additional pull to the right especially when accelerating. Even the addition of the windshield on the sidecar can be felt.
DeleteI don't know what the problem was with the bouncing wildly but it could have been not set up right or the driver had never driven with a sidecar as it is nothing like a two-wheeler.
Richard:
ReplyDeleteit was a compliment that you did not change the configuration for more than 45 lbs. I guess the torque steer would have been worse with a slippery surface.
Perhaps this will only be the first of many rides to come
bob
A weekend photographer or Riding the Wet Coast
I don't think that there is much of an issue with local rides. Though, there is little interest in long trips. It just wouldn't be very comfortable as a passenger. The sidecar is narrow with relatively low sides. And even with the sidecar windshield, there is a lot of wind maybe from the motorcycle fairing.
DeleteDon't your passengers fall asleep easily in the sidecar? ;)
DeleteI don't have the luxury seating of a 2014 Ural so falling asleep probably isn't going to happen.Unless, perhaps, it's a natural defense mechanism.
DeleteLucky you - an early spring. Well ridden Bridget! (Teachers are cool no matter how they get to school =0D
ReplyDeleteI'm not going to argue that point. I offered to keep her helmet in the sidecar but she said that it needed to go onto her desk!
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