How to Ride a Sidecar Motorcycle

• Table of Contents
• 1. What is a Sidecar Motorcycle
• 2. How to Turn a Sidecar Motorcycle
• 3. Turning a Sidecar Motorcycle Vs. Turning a Motorcycle
• 4. Turning Right
• 4.1 Things to Remember
• 5. Turning Left
• 5.1 Things to Remember
• 6. Reversing a Sidecar Motorcycle
• 6.1 Do Sidecar Motorcycles Have a Reverse Gear?
• 7. Tips to Ride a Sidecar Motorcycle
• 8. Sidecar Motorcycle vs. Motorcycle
• 9. Takeaway

Riding a sidecar motorcycle is difficult, but learning and practicing with one can make it easier to ride. To ride a sidecar motorcycle, the rider needs to become familiar with the vehicle attachment. This article explains how to ride a sidecar motorcycle. But first, let’s discuss what a sidecar motorcycle is.

1. What is a Sidecar Motorcycle

Photo Credit: @engadget

A sidecar motorcycle is a single-wheeled attachment able to seat a passenger and transforms your two-wheeler into a three-wheeler. It became very common in the 1900s, but over time, the introduction of certain safety laws in a few states restricted the use of sidecars. The sidecar motorcycle is usually attached on the right side in most countries, except New Zealand, Japan, and the U.K.

2. How to Turn a Sidecar Motorcycle

It is easier to ride a sidecar motorcycle on a straight road but riders need a lot of practice when it comes to turning. The rider should start by leaning in the opposite way you are turning. This will help evenly distribute weight to maintain balance and keep all three tires connected to the ground.

3. Turning a Sidecar Motorcycle Vs. Turning a Motorcycle

The difference between turning with a sidecar motorcycle and just the motorcycle is that the rider does not have to rotate the handlebars all the way for the latter. The rider only has to lean with the motorcycle towards the side so that weight is adjusted while turning. On the other hand, while turning with a sidecar motorcycle, the rider has to rotate the handlebars all the way because it is not possible to lean fully with the turn.

4. Turning Right

Photo Credit: @motolegends

While turning right, the sidecar’s wheel may rise a good height above the ground.

4.1 Things to Remember

There are four things to remember while making a right turn with a sidecar motorcycle:

1. Ride at a slow speed as much as possible before turning.
2. Lean against the sidecar to transfer and balance your weight.
3. If there is no passenger in the sidecar, put in extra weight like sandbags or stones in the sidecar. Adding 25-50 kg weight to the sidecar will improve handling.
4. Do not panic if the sidecar lifts off the ground while turning right. It is possible to balance the sidecar on two wheels until the road straightens out.

5. Turning Left

Photo Credit: @rideapart

Turning your sidecar motorcycle to the left is easier than turning to the right. A rider can turn left without issue when riding at a reasonable speed. However, to make travel safer, you should not ride at high speed since this can cause the rear motorcycle wheel to rise off the ground.

5.1 Things to Remember

Do not ride too fast while turning with a sidecar motorcycle to the left as it will cause the nose to dive and the rear motorcycle wheel to rise off the ground.

6. Reversing a Sidecar motorcycle

6.1 Do Sidecar Motorcycles Have a Reverse Gear?

A custom-made sidecar motorcycle does not have a built-in reverse gear. The rider has to get behind the sidecar motorcycle and push it to put it in reverse. However, with a few modifications, reverse gear can be fitted onto the sidecar. This allows the rider to reverse with the sidecar motorcycle by just pushing a button.

A few factory-made sidecar motorcycles, like the ones produced by Ural Motorcycles, have built-in reverse gear.

7. Tips to Ride a Sidecar Motorcycle

8. Sidecar Motorcycle Vs. Motorcycle

9. Takeaway

Riding a sidecar motorcycle is easier on a straight road but becomes more difficult while turning and riding without a passenger. With practice, riders can learn to comfortably ride with a sidecar even if it is temporarily no longer in contact with the road. The tips provided in the article can help you become comfortable riding a sidecar motorcycle.

Photo Credit: @cycleworld

To better equip your sidecar motorcycle for light touring, Viking Bags has different LUGGAGE options available, including SADDLEBAGS and SISSY BAR BAGS. Other parts include the HANDLEBARS, SISSY BARS, CRASH BARS, and FAIRINGS.