We had some freezing rain turn into snow Monday night, Tuesday morning. I saw the roads were still covered in snow and ice, so I put the GoProHD on the chest mount as I left for work.
The temp was about 20F and traffic pretty light. I took the fun, scenic route to enjoy the wintery conditions more. I also wanted to avoid some of the out-of-control cagers. I found myself laughing multiple times, and I might have uttered a “wheee” or two. It was an enjoyable ride.
Enjoy the video!
Cameras on bikes never seen to capture the real sound of the engine. Sounds like you are driving a UFO.
ReplyDeleteLooks like fun though.
Kevin: maybe it is... most people look at me like I'm riding a UFO. ;)
ReplyDeleteDear Chris:
ReplyDeleteI could barely sit through the video with my eyes open... I was expecting the machine to slide across the road every minute. You obviously know what the machine is capable of, and hoew to ride it in the snow. Very cool.
Jack • reep • Toad
Twisted Roads
Great video! We had freezing rain last week and, at least initially, everyone seems to have forgotten how to drive. Very envious of your third wheel...
ReplyDeleteRichard
Dear Jack: LOL. You make me laugh. It handles about the same as a car on the snow/ice, but with slightly more traction. Thanks! It's my second year riding in the snow; last year was the hard one.
ReplyDeleteRichardM: At least the "forgotten how to drive" disease is common in all the states then! ;) You could get a cheap sidecar and put it on your BMW.
Nice video Chris.....don't you just love the double-takes when people spot you riding by?
ReplyDeletedom
Redleg's Rides
Colorado Motorcycle Travel Examiner
Looking around. It seems that "cheap" and "sidecar" can't be used in the same sentence.
ReplyDeleteRichard
Dom: Thanks. Yes, sometimes they are fun. It is a bit annoying when they stop traffic to do it though.
ReplyDeleteRichardM: I guess cheap is a bit relative. I was thinking you could get a sidecar for about $2-3k and then another $1k for mounting. It'd be cheaper than the $12k for a new Ural. I supposed everything is more expensive in AK though.
The last time I looked into it, the total was around $5K but that included having someone do the installation and setup. I was also told that I "HAVE" to find a leading link front end but wasn't told why. Maybe I should invest in that sidecar book by David Hough...
ReplyDeleteRichardM: You don't HAVE to have a leading link, but you will eventually want one. It improves handling and makes turning easier. A friend of a friend's R1150GS sidecar still has the stock forks, and he's likes it.
ReplyDeleteFor your situation, I might not do the leading link. It'd make taking the sidecar on/off much more difficult as you would also have to change the front forks.
Damn, and I was just complaining about how I gave up before it even snowed. You must be a tough mother.
ReplyDeleteBrady
Behind Bars - Motorcycles and Life
Brady: Thanks for stopping by! Winter riding is almost as much fun as summer. You just have to dress for it.
ReplyDeleteIt's snowing pretty good outside right now, and I just spent an hour riding around. So much fun! A new video of it hopefully soon...
I'm watching quietly, but paying attention. Maybe one of these days. . .
ReplyDeleteRichardM
ReplyDeleteIf I can chime in, the leading link forks...aka earle forks...help in steering your sidecar rig around apparently.
As to reading material, besides David Hough's excellent book on Sidecaring...might I recommend the free books from sidecar.com
United Sidecar Association's Downloadable Books on Sidecaring
dom
Redleg's Rides
Colorado Motorcycle Travel Examiner
From the Ken Hall Sidecar Manual re leading link forks....
ReplyDeleteA set of well designed leading link forks are more
robust than telescopic forks. This rigidity is the
major factor in reducing head-shaking tendencies.
Another advantage of link-type front forks is
their behavior under braking. A conventional
telescopic fork extends while accelerating and
closes during severe braking. The leading link
fork tends to open under braking. This effect is
opposed front weight transference caused by
braking of the machine. The net results is little
vertical movement during braking. Depending
upon the front end geometry, the front may rise
slightly, drop slightly or remain level under braking.
This is better than the dramatic dip of conventional
tele-forks. The link is more popular
today for the serious sidecarist. It will not cure all
problems but does eliminate many.
cheers
dom
Redleg's Rides
Colorado Motorcycle Travel Examiner
Keith: No rush. More vids on the way ;)
ReplyDeleteDom: Thanks for info. :)
Dom:
ReplyDeleteThank you for the link to the books!
Richard