How often do you see other sidecars?

[chiba]

Other than specific events, I rarely see other sidecars on the road.

[cordite]

There is one in my area but I haven't tracked down the owner yet to get acquainted. My wife saw another one on the highway the other day and called me on the phone, very excited. She keeps asking me why we don't see more of them if sidecars are so great. I don't have a good explanation.

[RickH]

There's a nice Triumph hack just a block or so away from me, but the owner has Parkinson's and isn't able to ride much any more. Aside from that one, I think I've seen two, maybe three,outside of organized rides/events in the year I've owned the Ural. I regularly see trikes & Can-Ams though.

[MUTZfern]

combinations are nowhere to be seen here on the streets in new england.i ride mine every day and am always shown great respect by other drivers.the very sight of this geezer"me"on this combo, always brings out a smile.but it would be great if one could hook up with others of the same passion.i recently met a gent who claimed to own a chinese combo.turns out he was just a collector of "stuff".he indicated his fear of riding the thing and really thought it a toy.i guess we will see more of them when gas reaches $10-12 bucks a gallon.

[RidingDonkeys]

Originally Posted by RickH

There's a nice Triumph hack just a block or so away from me, but the owner has Parkinson's and isn't able to ride much any more. Aside from that one, I think I've seen two, maybe three,outside of organized rides/events in the year I've owned the Ural. I regularly see trikes & Can-Ams though.

Pictures...please. I love Triumph rigs, and rarely see them. On the flip side, I bought the first one I ever saw for sale.

[RidingDonkeys]

I have two Urals here in town with me, and I have NEVER seen them on the road, except for at CRAP.

I occasionally see one poorly built Sportster/Velorex rig near work, and I've yet to track down the owner of a woodland Gear-Up that I pass on occasion. Those are the only two that I've ever seen on the road at random.

[john82q]

I see none, never ever!

[Marvin and towser]

Around my little town of Penrith in the UK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penrith,_Cumbria
There are 4 other rigs that I see reasonably frequently 2 early gold wings, a honda cx and something cruiserish.
For a small town I was quite surprised both by how many others there were and the fact that they must have been invisible until I bought one!

[Sidecarjohn]

Accepting sidecar outfits are very rare indeed, mobile or otherwise, so seeing them out on the road is extremely unusual.
Other than specific sidecar events, especially our sidecar club activities, seeing them occurs for us almost as often as birthdays.

On the other hand it's then surprising how many times sidecars crop up for sale locally on such as Fleebay. Seems there's quite a few in sheds, garages, back yards, and permanent hibernation. Not great numbers of course, but certainly more than those in action.

[Railbender]

During the summer I see one or two other rigs a month but during the winter it is several times a week. The funeral escort service riders use them during the winter. Those guys are tough, you die they ride! It doesn't matter about the weather they have to escort the funeral processions.

[simmonsk133]

I see one twice a week. On TV. "Two Fat Ladies" Food Channel Cooking show. In real life I saw a Harley rig about a year ago. Earlier this spring there was an openhouse and bike show at a Bike Store in Blairsville, GA. Saw 4 or 5 BMW rigs there. California sidecars had a huge truck there and NO sidecars, only trikes. Some guy has a Chaing in town, Ft. Gordon I believe. Yet to see it on the road.
A bike accessory shop over on Peach Orchard road, Augusta was trying to be a dealer. He had one, a 1999 I think. Drum brakes all round. Anyway, he gave it up and I never saw that bike again. So our Ural is the only one I see in the wild.

Enjoy...

[JustinP]

Funny - after replying to this post, I passed one yesterday evening. Looked to be a Ural. Was a 4 lane divided road, we both looked at each other and shared a long wave. If it wasn't a divided road I would have flipped around and chased him down. Yes, my Airhead can catch up to a Ural! (except in reverse)

[aholecop]

i think the reason you dont see many harley sidecars is , well they stopped making them and when they did. buying 1 was almost as much as a new Ural. the trikes and can ams are around the same money as a ultra or goldwing. a little more but in the same neighborhood. while a new gear-up is the same money as a dyna-glide. With buying a aftermarket side car your painting it and having it installed. It's labor intensive for people who would rather turn a key then turn a wrench.

[leejosepho]

I live just east of Shreveport, Louisiana, and I have only ever seen one other rig while I was out. However, I have been told there are three within about 30 miles of me.

[asrvivor]

I ride mine everyday. Had it 2 months and have 2500km on it. I see maybe 3 per month other than mine here in Portland. I don't drive in town too much though. I do know there are at least 4 daily commuters in the PDX area though. It's interesting that you don't see that many up there. 3 of the largest suppliers are here in the PNW. I think the Can am is advertised like crazy too. Signs all over about taking the endorsement on one with no rider experience required. This appeals to the new rider I think. And if your first riding experience is on a Can am then it's the only experience you've had. We know how that first ride feels don't we? Even if it is on a Can am. I'm sure even I would have been sold had that been my first taste of helmet time.