Tips for Riding With a Sidecar

Motorcycle riding is fun on its own, but what if you want to bring along a passenger or even extra baggage? A bike with a sidecar offers passengers a more spacious and stable place to ride. It also provides motorists with a more secure method of storage that’s easier to deal with than typical saddlebags. However, riding with a sidecar can present some major differences you will need to adjust to. 

Here are a few important points to keep in mind when riding with a sidecar! 

Braking Straight  

Brakes work best when they apply symmetrical force to an evenly balanced weight – but a sidecar changes that. Your motorcycle is heaviest, which means your sidecar will pull towards the bike when you hit the brakes. Try to press on the brake as straight as possible, without turning. Be aware that handling curves will become more difficult, and you will have to adjust the motorcycle to stay straight! 

Adding Weight

An empty sidecar can often be unpredictable while on the road. If you don’t have a person riding in your sidecar and you’re not transporting any cargo, you’ll still need to place about 100 pounds of weight in it to create proper weight distribution. This will help to ensure that your bike is functioning safely on the road! 

Steering Correctly

One major difference that will require some practice is steering. Turning left will be significantly different from turning right, because your sidecar will be anchored to the right side of your motorcycle.

In a typical passenger car, the pivot point follows the centerline of the car. On a motorcycle, the pivot point is on the centerline of the bike, however, a sidecar adds an uneven force to one side. Try to open up the throttle when you’re turning right, and go easy on the throttle when turning left. This should help to make up for the asymmetry! 

Staying in Control

When operating a motorcycle with a sidecar, it can sometimes feel like your bike is slipping out of control. Because you can’t lean to steer, sidecars will try to flip towards the rider’s side. If you feel like you’re slipping, try turning harder to the left so you can plant the wheel back onto the road. While this technique isn’t ideal, it can prevent you from rolling in a pinch. Just remember to be aware of surrounding traffic, so as not to endanger yourself or others around you! 

A sidecar might be just what your motorcycle needs! Purchase your sidecar at North County Indian Motorcycle®, located in San Marcos and Corona, California. We also proudly serve San Diego, Oceanside, and surrounding areas.