BMW 800 GS pictures

[ClearwaterBMW]

Originally Posted by KSP

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=2]Yes both Jay and his wife came down to deliver the bike.

Thanks for the advice. It is nice to know there is a pediatrician on the forum I can contact for free medical advice. I'll be able to buy more bike stuff . Don't worry it is going to be a while before we are comfortable even taking it off road.

anything i can do for you... just let me know
keep us informed about that WOBBLE.

the thing is... most folks are doing TRAIL REDUCTION front end modifications (i surely did) to make steering EASIER...
a steering damper ought NOT be necessary, i'd think

[KSP]

I think it is just a lack of familiarity with sidecars. We will work on expanding our skill set.

[ClearwaterBMW]

Originally Posted by KSP

I think it is just a lack of familiarity with sidecars. We will work on expanding our skill set.

i must do the very same thing, as soon as she arrives
good luck

[Sparrowhawkdesign]

Actually there are two issues here. One is the barely noticeable handlebar shake at 15 - 20 mph that to an experienced sidecar rider is hardly noticeable and easily controlled with just the weight of the riders hands on the bars. Actually we rode it a couple of times and almost didn't feel it as we were accelerating through it at a faster pace. Because this is a new experience the rider is trying to get used to the sidecar by driving around slowly at almost the exact speed where the shake is worst wondering what is going on. I hesitate to suggest speeding up to ride through the shake like I would because I don't know if the operator will be okay with the steering method which is the opposite to two wheels.
The second issue that I am constantly concerned with is we have a new operator on the rig with no experience or training learning these things the hard way. While reading a book about riding with a sidecar will help some it is in no way the best learning tool. California actually believes you don't have to have any type of motorcycle license or training to operate a sidecar. In my opinion this is not right. Unfortunately, there is no way legal or otherwise to insist new sidecar operators get the proper training to help them stay safe while learning.
A damper will of course help with the minimal shake but this is still not going to solve the lack of proper training. Does anyone know if there is any training available in California?
Barry

[Sparrowhawkdesign]

Originally Posted by ClearwaterBMW

anything i can do for you... just let me know
keep us informed about that WOBBLE.

the thing is... most folks are doing TRAIL REDUCTION front end modifications (i surely did) to make steering EASIER...
a steering damper ought NOT be necessary, i'd think

Actually while trail reduction can help reduce the steering effort and also greatly assist with reducing shake it is not always possible to totally eliminate it. Many things effect steering shake. Loose bearings in wheels, swingarms and steering heads, loose or flexible mounting systems, worn tires or just poor alignment all have some input. With all these accounted for if there is any more than a very minimal shake at low speed when I test a rig I always install a damper. In this case I did not think it was an issue as I drove it several times (It is a fun bike.) and only barely felt it a couple of times. After a few adjustments it seemed to be mostly gone and not an issue.
The difference here is that even a very small shake on a sidecar can scare the daylights out of you if it had happened on a two wheeler. If all you have is two wheel experience then the first time it happens with a sidecar it can be an unnerving experience. I do not expect it to be an issue on your rigs.
B

[KSP]

I am glad to report the second and third and fourth ride went much better for both of us. By the third ride there was little to no wobble and on the fourth ride with passenger there was no wobble at all. What a difference a day makes. We will keep on practicing and take it easy. I don't think we are going to install the damper. We are considering a trip up to Washington to take a proper sidecar class though. I think our money would be better spent there. Plus I could go visit Evergreen College (1 year).

Barry I haven't seen any training down here but I haven't looked very hard.

She is awesome and I may need to start saving my pennies but I may be catching the sidecar mania.

[ClearwaterBMW]

Originally Posted by Sparrowhawkdesign

Actually while trail reduction can help reduce the steering effort and also greatly assist with reducing shake it is not always possible to totally eliminate it. Many things effect steering shake. Loose bearings in wheels, swingarms and steering heads, loose or flexible mounting systems, worn tires or just poor alignment all have some input. With all these accounted for if there is any more than a very minimal shake at low speed when I test a rig I always install a damper. In this case I did not think it was an issue as I drove it several times (It is a fun bike.) and only barely felt it a couple of times. After a few adjustments it seemed to be mostly gone and not an issue.
The difference here is that even a very small shake on a sidecar can scare the daylights out of you if it had happened on a two wheeler. If all you have is two wheel experience then the first time it happens with a sidecar it can be an unnerving experience. I do not expect it to be an issue on your rigs.
B

thanks for the reply, barry.
i really appreciate the continued education
i am eagerly anticipating the learning process and promise to muster up every ounce of restaint i have as i learn this new method of travel.
this is going to be great fun, thanks to you and everyone at DMC

[ClearwaterBMW]

Originally Posted by KSP

I am glad to report the second and third and fourth ride went much better for both of us. By the third ride there was little to no wobble and on the fourth ride with passenger there was no wobble at all. What a difference a day makes. We will keep on practicing and take it easy. I don't think we are going to install the damper. We are considering a trip up to Washington to take a proper sidecar class though. I think our money would be better spent there. Plus I could go visit Evergreen College (1 year).

Barry I haven't seen any training down here but I haven't looked very hard.

She is awesome and I may need to start saving my pennies but I may be catching the sidecar mania.

happy to hear that "time in the saddle" is making everything better
as for SIDECAR MANIA... i'm ALREADY thinking about what Jay and Barry can conjure up for me next
hmmmmm... i really hope that my wife isn't still reading my posts here...

[Sparrowhawkdesign]

Originally Posted by KSP

I am glad to report the second and third and fourth ride went much better for both of us. By the third ride there was little to no wobble and on the fourth ride with passenger there was no wobble at all. What a difference a day makes. We will keep on practicing and take it easy. I don't think we are going to install the damper. We are considering a trip up to Washington to take a proper sidecar class though. I think our money would be better spent there. Plus I could go visit Evergreen College (1 year).

Barry I haven't seen any training down here but I haven't looked very hard.

She is awesome and I may need to start saving my pennies but I may be catching the sidecar mania.

Awesome. You might want to get in touch with Red Menace about training. He is in Hood River Ore. and a very good instructor.
Barry

[KSP]

Thanks for the recommendation. Will do.

[GGB]

Originally Posted by Sparrowhawkdesign

The first two pictures of the 800GS / M72 install. More will be added over the next couple days as the install progresses. Barry

Just read the whole thread and love the work you guys do .

I am in the process of getting a F800GS and am really interested in getting a sidecar set up on it. One issue until now was getting one wide enough to take both of my kids with me but with the M72DX this shouldn't be a problem. Will the DX work with the F8GS ?

Also in the photo I noticed that you are using a leading link set up. Is this necessary with the F8GS as I do not see it on the bigger bikes ? or just an option that the customer wanted.

Looking forward to your reply.

Gord

[jaydmc]

Yes, the DX will work fine with the F800GS. The leading link makes for lighter steering, you may be able to live with heavy steering. On the larger GS type bikes the reason that you do not see a leading link front end is that with BMW's Telelever front end, we can relocate the ball joint mount aft moving the wheel forward which makes for light steering. We are running a package deal special on these right now which can be seen near the bottom of our home page www.dmcsidecars.com
Jay G
DMC sidecars
866-638-1793

[HickOnACrick]

Originally Posted by ClearwaterBMW

i can't keep the pediatrician in me from coming out

I thought I was the only AAP member with a valid MC license. Good to see someone else who should know better than to ride a murder-cycle

BTW, I am drooling over your hack.

[ClearwaterBMW]

Originally Posted by HickOnACrick

I thought I was the only AAP member with a valid MC license. Good to see someone else who should know better than to ride a murder-cycle

BTW, I am drooling over your hack.

we pediatricians have to stick together
thanks for the kind words about my hack
i just returned from 3 days in BOSTON and PROVIDENCE... looking at some universities for my daughter...
it's been raining all day
yes, i know HACKS WERE "MADE" FOR THE RAIN
but... with all the tourists in town for the week before The 4th of July... it just isn't worth it in MY area of the country

i'm still off tomorrow...
maybe the weather will be better

thanks again

oh....
and i LOVE the name of one of your RRs
Circumcising Utah: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=483907

funny stuff

[Romano]

Nice ride, did you upgrade the alternator or batterie of the bike to fit those lights?