First sidecar - R1150GSA with M72DX!

[GypsyWriter]

(I had a longer post all ready to go, then Safari crashes. Arg...)

After months of waiting (mainly on my end as I couldn't seem to get the timing right for anything), tomorrow I leave for Enumclaw to pick up my DMC sidecar! I'd slowly developed an appreciation for the three-wheeled vehicles last year reading the "Bug On My Face" adventures as well as MadeOuttaGlass and others' ride reports. They seemed like the perfect fit for what I wanted: a coach for my pooch, and a way for me to get offroad without falling. Much. Hopefully.

Yeah, I'm a wuss.

Urals are fantastic and I want one eventually, but here in California I do too much highway driving so that's out. I considered hacking a '79 CX500 basketcase, then my new R1200GS Rallye, but finally found a gorgeous black/yellow 1150GSA semi-locally that was perfect for my needs. The side and center stands suck (whoever had it before me used the footpegs to step up and bent the side stand; getting it upright is a chore, this bitch is HEAVY!) so it's perfect since they're going bye-bye!

Long story short, the rig is done, the bike is ready (even if the packing isn't ) and tomorrow I'm off to Seattle!











And the pooch who started the whole process:

[mismith356]

Looks like it'll be an awesome rig! Can't wait to see the finished product.

[SwampFox883R]

Originally Posted by GypsyWriter

... And the pooch who started the whole process:

Heh...heh. A little dehydrated rescue puppy** back in 2007 led to our first sidecar rig. Beware, we now have 2 pooch rigs.

Looking fwd to pics of the new rig and tails ... err, tales, from the road.

** Grown up Maddie patiently waiting at last year's Uncertain?Rendezvous:

[rg, sw wa.]

Great looking car can’t wait to see it attached to the bike.
Did you get the wheel adaptor to mount a car wheel on the bike and how about the electric trim ?
Ron,

[AceRph]

I really like that rear rack. Much better design than before.

Safe travels Sarah.

[jaydmc]

The rear rack is our "heavy duty" rear rack, we still offer the light duty rear rack. This rack was ordered to be able to carry a spare. The part that holds the tire on un-bolts from the bottom so that the rack can be converted back to a stock rack.
Jay G
DMC sidecars
www.dmcsidecars.com
866-638-1793

[vetsurginc]

Awesome looking car! GSA rig was one I considered before the Ural.

Are you planning to take one of the Evergreen courses on driving a rig? Lots of good information and practice. There are some situations you need to practice for (off camber uphill right-handers for instance) so you have a safe journey

Don't forget the Doggles

[GypsyWriter]

Originally Posted by rg, sw wa.

Great looking car can’t wait to see it attached to the bike.
Did you get the wheel adaptor to mount a car wheel on the bike and how about the electric trim ?
Ron,

Lol yeah I went whole hog on this one. Brakes, trim, sockets, etc - there weren't too many things I didn't add to this baby. It's going to get the forks raked a bit while keeping the stock suspension, and will be getting a new rear tire to match the sidecar tire (so they'll be interchangeable). I'm super excited to see how it turns out, believe me I'll be posting pics!!

Originally Posted by vetsurginc

Awesome looking car! GSA rig was one I considered before the Ural.

Are you planning to take one of the Evergreen courses on driving a rig? Lots of good information and practice. There are some situations you need to practice for (off camber uphill right-handers for instance) so you have a safe journey

Don't forget the Doggles

I've been emailing and trying to call about courses but nobody at Evergreen or Adventure Sidecars will get back to me. Drone however has graciously offered to help me figure out what's what (since his rig is similar to mine, a DMC on an 1150GSA), now we just have to mesh our schedules. And I'll definitely be getting a set of doggles, although I doubt Dixie will like them much (she doesn't like having her head touched much lol).

Packing begins!! I'm horrible about doing things last minute - good thing most of the necessary stuff is in one place! My Rallye has a set of Micatech aluminum panniers that are HUGE and by comparison the stock 1150 ally bags are teensy. I'm not going across the country this time, although I am debating whether or not to take the camping equipment. Chelan is next week as well and I'll be riding to that - my first real sidecar trip!

[jaydmc]

You can ship us some of your stuff that you are going to want but do not need for the trip up here.
Jay G
DMC sidecars
www.dmcsidecars.com
866-638-1793

[madeouttaglass]

I'm happy to see this day. I can appreciate the pain of waiting to get your rig. Subscribed!

[Wylder]

Keep your kickstand, just incase you ever want to go solo. I dropped the centerstand but keept the sidestands on both my 1150 gs rigs.

[GypsyWriter]

Originally Posted by Wylder

Keep your kickstand, just incase you ever want to go solo. I dropped the centerstand but keept the sidestands on both my 1150 gs rigs.

I'm actually pretty happy to see this side stand go (it's bent so that my bike sits at a bad angle on a flat surface, so is a pain to get upright) but I'll be keeping everything just in case. I still have my Rallye to scratch the two-wheeled itch though.

Originally Posted by madeouttaglass

I'm happy to see this day. I can appreciate the pain of waiting to get your rig. Subscribed!

I'm stoked!! And scared, lol. What if I hate it?! Most people I talk to say there's a definite adjustment period where you have to get used to working harder on the bike. But it'll be worth it to bring my dog along, so I'll tough it out for her.

Originally Posted by jaydmc

You can ship us some of your stuff that you are going to want but do not need for the trip up here.

Thanks Jay! It's not so much me as the Dude who wants me to take everything (and the kitchen sink) since I'm doing this solo. *eyeroll* While it would have been nice to bring some extra cooking supplies, I'll wait this time until I have the hack trunk.

Woohoo, I'm on my way! Stopped to spend the night in Sacramento with my aunt, headed to the Oregon coast tomorrow!!!

[madeouttaglass]

I hope you have a few extra hours budgeted to take in a few sites. I think I said it to you on another thread, but I'll say it again in case I didn't:
Lost Coast Ca. was high on our favorites.
Cape Perpetua Or. was our #1 favorite place to stretch our legs for a bit.
Most of all, enjoy the ride!

[GypsyWriter]

Well the plan is to leave Sacramento headed north on 5, take 20 across to 101, then ride that to Eureka for tonight. I've always loved the Eureka/Arcata area so am excited to see it again. From there, I'll stay on 101 up the coast to Astoria for Sunday, then jog inland on Monday for Enumclaw.

That's the plan anyway.

[JustKip]

Check out the glass beach at Fort Bragg