Sidecar Safety
Sidecars are a great addition to any motorcycle. They are a more stable alternative to riding two-up, making it easier to bring a buddy along. They provide easier and more secure storage than saddlebags. They also boost the aesthetic of your ride since they are not as common on the road.
But before you hit the road, you’ll want to gain a good grasp of sidecar safety. Riding with a sidecar is a completely different experience than riding without. Here at Interstate Cycles, we care about motorcycle safety. We created a beginner’s guide to bike safety with a sidecar below. For all your motorcycle needs, stop by our location in Lake City, Florida near Jacksonville and Tallahassee.
Add Weight
A sidecar is constructed to handle weight, whether it be cargo or passengers. When you ride without weight, the sidecar will brake and handle unpredictably. If you are heading out without any travel buddies or cargo, add in some weight. All you need is a few sandbags or heavy weights. Aim for adding one hundred pounds. This will help the braking and handling perform at its best for ideal motorcycle safety.
How to Brake
Braking works best when it applies to evenly distributed weight using symmetrical force. When you add a sidecar to your motorcycle, you introduce uneven weight distribution. The motorcycle will always weigh more than its sidecar counterpart. When you brake, the sidecar will end up pulling towards the motorcycle. For the best bike safety, aim to brake in a straight line. This results in ideal braking with the sidecar. When you brake on curves, handling becomes more difficult. Do so with caution.
How to Steer
One of the hardest parts of bike safety with a sidecar is safe steering. The issue is the sidecar adds an asymmetrical force to one side while the pivot point of steering stays on the centerline of the motorcycle. This means turning left feels very different than turning right (due to the extra force on one side).
You’ll need to dedicate plenty of time to practicing steering. Find an empty parking lot or a low-traffic residential neighborhood. Drive around at different speeds and take turns at different angles. Don’t head out on the open road until you are confident! One trick is to open the throttle when you want to turn right and lay off when you want to turn left. This approach helps account for force imbalance.
How to Stay in Control
The most important part of sidecar safety is staying in control. The unique driving dynamics lend themselves unfortunately well to a loss of control as sidecars tend to flip towards the driver’s side. If this happens, stay calm. You can compensate by making a hard left turn. This will slam the wheel back onto the ground. This isn’t a perfect approach and you’ll need to be aware of oncoming traffic or road conditions. But this can be the difference between a roll and staying straight.
We hope you found our guide helpful! Sidecar safety is just one aspect of motorcycle safety. You also need to be riding a well-maintained motorcycle. If you need any parts replacement or a service, visit Interstate Cycles. We also offer a wide selection of new and used motorcycles if you are looking to upgrade. Check out our trade in option. Schedule a test ride to see how the different models handle. It is easy to find the right motorcycle for you! We proudly serve those in Lake City, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Gainesville, Alachua, and Sanderson, Florida as well as Valdosta, Georgia. Stop by today!