Granted… this sidecar from ARMEC called the Sidewinder is NOT available for scooters. They only make it to mount to a BMW or Moto Guzzi, but who’s to say with a little creative engineering?… maybe the Big Ruckus will give it a go?
Perhaps I should take a step back. Let’s look at the title. What do we mean by “have your mate and lean it too”? Well, if you’ve ever ridden a scooter with a sidecar and one without, you’ll notice one critical thing missing from the sidecar ride. Your ability to lean into the turns. The Sidewinder takes care of that with a sidecar that attaches in 10 minutes and gives you the freedom to go lean.
So… what IS the price of freedom? Well, without the optional features on the Sidewinder we’ve nearly reached the $10,000US mark. Hook up quick connect hydraulic brakes, steering damper and tonneau Cover and you’ve got a few more bucks to add to the bill. That in itself pushes it out of scooter range. There’s hardly a scooter that costs $10,000. Looks like you’ll have to just lean your body in the turns to simulate the sensation… or… go out and spend $16k on a Beemer and $10k on a Sidewinder. Whichever works best for you.
5. April 2007 at 5:02 am
The Flxible Company (not a typo) used to make a sidecar that not only let the motorcycle tilt, but leaned the sidecar wheel along with it–back in 1912!
http://www.prewarbuick.com/features/the_flxible_company_and_buick
I’ve hunted down the relevant patent and their system is amazingly simple and elegant. The geometry even has some similarity to Piaggio’s approach on the MP3.
5. April 2007 at 1:52 pm
SaaaaWHEET!
1912… would that make it public domain in a few years? Looks like you got a summer garage project genwaylaid!
6. April 2007 at 2:14 am
I would…if I had a garage.
Restoring a motorcycle in your living room (last summer’s project) is not so fun. Getting it down the stairs afterward is REALLY not fun.