Tripteq Heeler

Rather than jack the "Pix of your Rig" thread I thought I'd open this one.

So, what's the consensus? Would you buy one of these as a kit? Or would you be more inclined to buy it as a completed rig? Weight is about 165 pounds. I like the thought of having something to build from... to customize to my own configuration.



<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v730/Lmo1131/?action=view&current=DSC01072.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v730/Lmo1131/DSC01072.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>[/IMG]

that GS rig is awesome...

I have built and set up sidecar rigs for off-road and road track racing. It is not an easy and simple thing to do. and there is more to it than finding the right hardware to bolt the sidecar to the motorcycle. I have never done one for street riding/travel and I would hesitate to do this. Depending on what you want to do with the rig, it may be O.K.
The GS rig looks like being destined for off-road/gravel road trips and trail, toe-in, camber and lean may not be that critical. Howver, if you want to take your rig across the continent and master the sweepers in Colorado, the geometry better be right.

Ideally, the newbie hacker would be better off buying a complete rig. Even if a kit were available, there's a whole lot of knowledge involved in assembling it correctly, and the newbie doesn't know what he doesn't know.

However, it's impractical to do that. A firm who assembles a complete rig sells it put together, and that involves liability. It's not just that the rig might be designed or constructed wrong, but that selling a vehicle involves much more than the sum of the parts. Even Harley-Davidson does not sell assembled sidecar rigs. They sell (two wheeled) motorcycles, and a different division sells sidecars--that not so coincidentally attach to HD motorcycles. But HD has never submitted a completed bike/sidecar combination for DOT or EPA testing.

However, they have had the HD/Lehman trikes certified. So, when HD sells a new trike, they not only cover the warantee, but also attest that it has brakes, lights, etc. meeting equipment standards.

That's the really interesting situation with BRP and the Spyders. When you buy one, you're buying a complete vehicle, certified, licensed, warranteed, etc.

So far, there haven't been any motorcycle companies willing to take on sidecars, other than IMZ-Ural. They have tested and certified the various Ural models as three-wheelers, sold brand new all in one piece.

That's not to say a clever sidecarist can't assemble or have assembled a good outfit. It's just a matter of being independent enough to make it happen--without the blessing of the bike manufacturer. And there are a number of sidecar installers who will do the deed. (some more skilled and honest than others)

pmdave