TWISTED thoughts on dualsport bikes

[Hairsmith]

Some of my own TWISTED thoughts on dualsport bikes.

I am an old trials rider so have spent lots of time off road. I also still like to do some back road exploring, but sometimes the GS can become a handful in deep sand or lose rocks. So I am lusting after a more dirt dualsport bike. Years ago I had a XL350 honda and did lots of back road and trail riding on it. but come winter with ice and snow even with studded tires I still found myself on my backside loose from the bike. So I added a hack/sidecar/chair, whatever you want to call it. I rode it every where to work, short trips (it was a 350 after all) back roads, trails, where ever I wanted to go. It was not the best going through tight woods or killer hill climbs. But sure was nice to have extra gass, tools, lunch, a cooler with cold drinks, guns, and a friend to share the experience with.
I am thinking I want to do the same again, but would like a bigger bike this time. With all the KLR fans hear it got me to looking into this bike for a mule to my hack interest. hear is what I am thinking about.

http://www.dauntlessmotors.com/Mountinghdw_files/images/customsidecars/klruralplatformlowrf9.2005.JPG


The thought of just using the GS is also interesting.

http://www.dauntlessmotors.com/Mountinghdw_files/images/customsidecars/bmwr1150gsadvblkuralracksbumperharperrf6.05.JPG



So is there any one out there with any other twisted ideas?
Or bikes they would recommend?

[Tourmeister]

Man, that is a LOT of extra weight!

For the KLR, I would want both rear wheels driven, or at least have the option. I would also want the lightest possible rig. The GS would just be to heavy for anything other than hard packed roads. If things get sandy, it is more likely to just dig in and sink. It's bad enough in that regard even without the hack ;-) Also, because of the extra width, you will lose some of your ability to squeeze through tight places.

I wonder if perhaps an actual trike might work better? Just a thought...

[Hairsmith]

Good valid points. And it is true that a hack will add a lot of weight to a bike. Which will hurt performance, but you will gain stability. With that additional stability comes the confidence and ability to stay on the gas and keep moving. True any thing will bury in the sand and the added weight will not help matters. But you can have someone with you to help get you out, and those slick muddy roads, and algae covered water crossing become no worry. The width does hamper going some places, but they sure are great for busting brush.
I have thought about the URAL with two wheel drive but I just don't think it would hold up to the riding I have in mind, it is not capable of highway speeds.
As to a trike, I have never seen one with any ground clearance, and there is no way to move around on the bike to load or unload a wheel. Plus the idea of going down a dirt road and having to keep the front wheel on the ridge between the tracks does not sound like a good idea to me.
I did know an old fellow that told me years ago he and his brother road a HD serve-car (three wheeler) in enduros in the 50's. That was back when a light bike was a 45ci, and there were sidecar classes in enduros.

I also found this, and got all excited now I am thinking of other bikes.
http://www.dauntlessmotors.com/Mountinghdw_files/images/steib/hondacb600rf1hurricaneplatformfr12.2.2005.JPG

This is said to be a CBR600L ? I have bin away from Jap bikes for to long so know nothing about it, but love the idea of using a sportbike that has bin used up cosmetically.
What is there out there that might have a frame that goes all the way around the engine, and is tuff as nails?

A while back I looked at a Susy Bandit, any thoughts on them? The last Zuki I had was a 1981 GS1000 great bike that handled like crap, but I don't want something that old and the problems that come with it.

[Tourmeister]

That is a very cool looking setup! :thumb:

[JamesC]

Doesn't Dauntless have videos somewhere of their DS rigs? I can't seem to find them...

We've also talked many times about a DS rig for the dog and certain trips but haven't quite committed yet.

Whitney Brothers
http://www.sidecarcross.com/other/whitney/bigjump.jpg

[HiSPL]

The Bandit would probably be the best choice for a modern bike that still has a perimeter frame. They come in 600 and 1200 cc flavors....

Your crazy idea got me to poking around eBay and I came across this (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ural-copy-of-BMW-Sidecar-can-fit-to-any-motorcycle_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ35614QQitemZ 4597309972). It seems to be about a grand cheaper than what Dauntless sells.

Dang it.... Now I want one even more.:moon:

[kocook]

Sidecar-rig motocross used to be quite popular in Europe. Also, lots of hardcore bikers would rig up the hack for stability during the winter snow.

[Hairsmith]

These are the only hack vids I know of.
http://www.imz-ural.com/downloads/movies.htm
Most are of the Ural, but one is a good Motocross/sidecar vid.

If you find others let us know.

I have seen some of the older motorcross sidecar rig's, they were bilt buy a english company called Wasp. some were set up with the Yamaha SX650 for power. they were not a separate bike frame and sidecar, they were all one unit.

Hacks in snow and ice are a HOOT !
That is why I put first one togther, now I miss it. But I traded the sidecar for a Ossa MAR trials bike.

[Chirpy]

Dude...you have me so warped for one of these minimalist rigs it's not even funny!

I'm not sure if you're my new best friend or if I hate you!

[Hairsmith]

I'm not sure if you're my new best friend or if I hate you!


Don't hate me because I am Twisted...

I just had another Twisted thought..... A Motard Hack !
A rip snort motard with sticky tires set up with a dirt/minimalist rig, disk brakes all around. All you wound need to add is a young athletic passenger/monkey that is not afraid of death its self.:rider:
That is enough to scare me, and I am fearless :-) Well I use to be but age has caught up with me.

[Teeds]

Don't hate me because I am Twisted...

I just had another Twisted thought..... A Motard Hack !

Do they still road race hacks? I like th GS hack.

What about a KTM hack? ... Mmmmmm

[fallendown]

Just get a URAL with the sidecar, they run on older BMW patents, and they used to have a 2 wheel drive model. Bullet proof, they come with a DVD repair manual. They still make em in russia, and they are imported to the states by more than one company...You can even get one with a machine gun mount


http://www.use-us.com/Raceway/UralCycles.html

enjoy!



Jason

[perterra]

Somebody over on adventure rider http://www.advrider.com/forums/index.php?
has a Triumph Tiger with an off road hack. looks pretty nice.

[ColGoodnight]

If you think the highway performance of a late model 750cc Ural will not meet your needs, I doubt you'll find a middleweight dual sport or motard with sidecar to be adequate either. A liter class adventure tourer with chair would certainly fill the bill, but by the time you get it assembled and sorted it won't be cheap.

HTH,
Tom

[Hairsmith]

It is not that I don't think the performance of the Ural would not be enough. It is more that I don't think it would hold up to long term running it near its potential long term.

The Ural is an antique in designee, That old splasher oiling system just does not hold up to hard running. But most any of the new jap or even euro stuff will handle having the Poo ran out of it.