Bikes with side-cars.
 

Hey folks.

I recently watched a program found on the CTV travel channel titled "Journeys to the Ends of the Earth" In this particular episode the host, David Adams, takes a Russian built bike (not sure what brand) with a side car from the Black Sea to the Caspian Sea travelling through Georgia and Azerbaijan.

I got to thinking that with the proper bike, this could be a very rugged setup. I think it would allow bikes normally ridden on pavement to be enjoyed on dirt roads and other marginal surfaces of travel. Now I wouldnt expect a set-up like this to be able to handle extreme off road riding or muddy single track, but it would allow me a bit more freedom from a so called normal highway environment.

What is your opinion on the best bike to convert to a side car design that is more rugged and lighter than the average crusier or other street bike, but is not a full blown dual-purpose?

Maybe a Ural. You can get the ones with a driven sidecar wheel. A copy of the WW11 R75 BMW. See-
www.imz-ural.com/
http://www.candcmc.co.uk/ural.php

John

It probably was a Ural. The design was stolen from the Germans during WW II and use until now. My understanding is they are very rugged and do well in the mud. They are all over Russia. Look up Carla King, she rode one all over the US and Canada a few years ago. She had several breakdowns, but the design is supposed to have been improved since then. I haven't had any prsonal experance with one, but they are available in the US.

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John

Personally I would like to avoid the actual Ural itself and make my own hybrid. Perhaps a Honda 750 Nighthawk variant with knobbies http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif

We attended the 'Touratech' travel event in France this year where there were a couple of very intersting combinations. One fitted to an 1150GS looked very lightweight and rugged. The bike was still able to lean with the chair attached and, I think, had drive to the third wheel as well. Another guy whom I'm still in contact with had a sidecar fitted to a 900 Diversion which had drive to the sidecar wheel. Both sidecars were made by the same company. He told me that the manufacturer was German and that they make several models, one which is specifically designed for 'overlanding' and has compartments for ali' boxes and a lightweight rollcage. I will try and find more info and post it here.

Hi re my post above. The manufacturer is 'Sidebike'and is based in Germany. They have a website, but I was unable to access it. The address is http://oden.klippan.se/sidebike

One side benefit to this design is use in winter. A bike with a set of spikes and a sidecar would be pretty versatile in the snow IMHO.