Sidecar Riding Tips

A motorcycle sidecar is an appealing addition to an already fun vehicle. They have classic appeal and are perfect for hauling a friend or extra cargo for your next trip. They’re more stable than riding two-up, and the storage is easier and more secure than saddlebags. But riding with a sidecar takes a bit of extra knowledge to keep safe. Beyond getting used to the feel of a different-sized vehicle, there are a few other situations unique to sidecars.

At Crossroad Powersports, we understand our customers are focused on having a good time on the road, so we’re here to ensure everything goes smoothly with a quick guide to riding your motorcycle with a sidecar. Read on, and if you want more information or just to take a look at some of the great new and used motorcycles we have for sale, head to our showroom in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania.

Brake Straight

Braking on a sidecar is different than in a car or a normal motorcycle. The wheels, brakes, and weight distribution are totally unique in a sidecar. Braking works best when it can apply symmetrical force to evenly distributed weight. On a sidecar, the motorcycle will always be the heaviest part. This causes the sidecar to pull towards the motorcycle when you’re braking. Sidecars tend to do well when braking in a straight line, but if you’re braking on curves, you may find that the handling decreases, so be extra careful.

Add Weight

Without weight, a sidecar will brake and handle unpredictably. These setups are meant to haul around people and luggage, so even if you aren’t bringing along a friend or a cart full of luggage, throw in a couple sandbags or other hefty weights. You’ll want to have about a hundred pounds in the sidecar at all times to make sure braking and handling function at their best.

Steering

One of the most difficult parts about learning to ride with a sidecar is getting used to steering differently if you’re turning left from if you’re turning right. In a car, the pivot point of the steering follows the centerline of the car. So while the driver sits off to one side, the car faces more or less equal drag when turning either direction. On a sidecar, the pivot point of the steering is on the centerline of the motorcycle, but the sidecar adds an asymmetrical force to one side.

What all of this means is that steering takes practice. You can also help your steering by learning to open the throttle up when you want to turn right, and laying off when you want to turn left. This will help account for the imbalance.

Avoid 2WD

Not all sidecars offer this feature, especially if your sidecar was custom built. But if you own sidecar such as a Ural, you’ll have a two wheel drive function that engages both the motorcycle back wheel and the sidecar outer wheel. Under normal pavement circumstances, this function will make handling extremely difficult and may even cause a crash. This function is really only helpful if you’re in snow, mud, dirt, or other uneven terrain. So if you’re ever stuck, this will help you get free, otherwise, leave it be.

Staying in Control

It should take some time to learn how to ride a sidecar, and because of the unusual driving dynamics, there may come a time when you start to get out of control. There are a few things you can do to get back in control. Because you can’t steer by leaning, sidecars have a tendency to flip towards the driver’s side. If this starts to happen, you can compensate by turning hard to the left in order to slam the wheel back to the ground. This isn’t a perfect technique, and you should be aware of oncoming traffic or road conditions. But in a pinch, this could make the difference between a roll and staying straight.

After getting used to the particulars of riding with a sidecar, you’re sure to have no problem keeping safe on busy roads. Whether you’re bringing along a friend for a long distance ride or just sticking a helmet on your dog for a hilarious picture, a sidecar can add a new dimension to your motorcycle riding. If you’re interested in a sidecar for yourself, head into Crossroad Powersports in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia, and also serving Wilmington, Delaware and Deptford Township, New Jersey. Come in today and discover the true meaning of customer satisfaction!