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love the whole sidecar idea I'm really wanting to build one. I have an 04 KLR 650 where can I find plans or who do I need to talk to. please email me with the details, thanks freedomfight@live.com it would be greatly appreciated thanks
I am amazed by your videos in the snow! I could not believe you went thrugh that snow! I am having a Hannigan Astro Sport sidecar mounted to my ST1100 the end of Feb. Beginning June 5th an Aussie friend & I will be taking the rig (pulling a Lil Bunkhouse camper trailer) to the west coast, up to D2D (Dawson City, YT) on into Alaska, back all the way across Canada and down the east coast. I expect to get back to Murfreesboro, Tn on or about August 20th. Unfortunately for me the closest sidecar training is in Va., not enough time to get over there before the ride. We think we will cover around 13,000 miles. Gene McCall geneboro@bellsouth.net
I am impressed,I had no idea that there were so many people that were into side cars, until I got on the web. We are going to the 105th harley get together this year hopefully with a side car for our dog. Are there any places in the Seattle area that give instructions on riding with a side car?
Hi Regina! Do you have photos of your XL70 project? I'd love to see them. I may have already directed you to these resources for information and parts. If not , I encourage you to check out: The USCA club website. It has sidecar manuals available free online http://www.sidecar.com/ The YAHOO chat Sidecar Talk http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SCT/?yguid=7229071 Claude Stanley, the SCT site owner, also has a sidecar fabrication company and can be a great resource. Dauntless Motors they have prefabricated mounts and parts, which are top notch http://www.dauntlessmotors.com/ Adventure Sidecar classes will run May through October 2008, but I haven't set the dates yet. Check our Training page for updates as they become available
I am looking to find where you might be going on a trip or someone who has build a side car.... I got such good ideas last year my high school class helped me build a little side car to carry my 2 little chihuahua dogs, for my old 1974 honda XL70.... I now have an old 1978 XL125... and as soon as I can finish getting it running, I want to build another bigger car to carry an adult and my dogs. Possibly to find a group so we can go riding off road and have family fun... I live west of Portland... and love to get ideas off this site... and hopefully can get into the classes soon too.. Thanks, Regina reginasue@aol.com
This site has made me think more seriously about an offroad hack setup. The pictures and videos make the whole thing seem like such a fun way to enjoy a bike.
I was over at advrider.com on a thread about hacks and someone shared this site .... cool stuff you got going on here ..... I thought I was a nut case wanting an offroad hack, now I see I'm not alone! ..... just the new guy ........ , but now to find someone that has plans/designs/or kit for a hack for my wr250f ...... dennis dennisatsandslavedotcommmmm
Aloha Vernon, Back in Hawaii after attending your last S/TEP course Oct. 12, 13, & 14. Thorougly enjoyed the class, Your instruction, Monica's humor and instruction and your wife's good eats. I would have liked to have had 1 more day to practice "flying the car" What a gas! Mahalo nui loa! Larry Walter, Hilo HI, elcamino@hawaii.rr.com
Great stuff here Vernon. I would be remiss not to stop in an sign your guest book. Keep the good stuff coming and hope to get out for a ride with again soon. Jack (aka Camas)
You can find details about constructing the KLR hacks on the articles page of this website http://adventuresidecar.com/articles.htm The KLR has about 30hp and behaves a lot like a 650 Ural. It is easier to regear, there are scads of accessories available and it is lighter weight, so a little easier to manhandle in the rough. Like the 650 Ural it is a little weak out on the highway but is great fun on secondary roads and up in the hills. The suspension on both ends would be better with some upgrades, but I haven't bothered yet, and the bikes seem to handle fine...
hey Vernon, tell me a little about the KLR/hack. did you build the hacks yourself? and how have the front forks been holding up? Did you change the springs. It looks like the KLR is a good reliable alternative to the Ural for dirt road blasting. thx for the info and the great site Dion/Alabama
Hi Just got a 07 Ural Patrol. Long time biker but new to sidecars. Great site here........makes me wish I lived in NW instead of NE. Cheers Phil in Maine
My internet connection has not been working the last couple of weeks-if you need information about the classes cal Hood River Community Ed (541)386-2055 If you need to contact Adventure Sidecar call Vernon at (541)354-1688. If you get my machine wait for the beep(it takes a moment) and leave your name and number. Thanks! VW
That's great news, Lana! I am not surprised you did so well-you were an excellent student! Have fun-see you out on the road. VW
Vern, Thought I would let you know that I recently got my TRIKE endorsement. Thanks to your class in July, I passed with a score of 100. Keep up the good work. Lana Kidner
Vernon....Great site. Thanks for all your hard work and great instruction during the July 07 class. Special thanks to Amy for her efforts in food area. Scott & Bev.
Is this fun or what??????????? Marv
Fascinating tour. Watching with interest Coral and Jim
Lots of great pics, Vernon. Nice shots of my farm too, even the bulldozer and loader! Wait till you see what I just bought. Only two wheels though. I still have to go pick it up, so wait and suffer in anticipation! Jack
Hi Len & Laura! You can rent motorcycles to do that sort of tour here pretty easily, but I don't know of anyone renting sidecars in the states. Insurance issues are the big stumbling block. I do plan to offer guided tours of the Columbia Gorge area in the Pacific Northwest, sidecars provided. I think I have the insurance figured out for that and hope to be able to offer some tours in 2008. Keeping checking this site for information as it becomes available!
Vernon
Hi All, We are Len Marita & Laura Tempest, sidecar enthusiasts from the UK. I came across your website today by accident and found it really good. We own two outfits here in England 1. A EZS/Honda GL1800 with EZS Munro sidecar and 2. A EZS/Honda ST1100 with EZS Sovereign sidecar. We travel many miles each year in Europe with our sidecars attending lots of rallies. We would love to do the same in the USA/Canada. Does any sidecarist know if we could hire an outfit for such a vacation over there? It would be really great to spend some time with sidecar enthusiasts across the water. Keep up the good work & safe riding. LEN TEMPEST
Yes, you do need a motorcycle endorsement to ride any trike or sidecar combination in Oregon. I am sorry, but at this time I have no plans to offer courses outside of the Hood River Community Education program. The regulations for driving schools in Oregon and the logistics of setting up a temporary driving range make it complicated and difficult to do... However, Hood River is easy to get to and an extremely pleasant place to visit. I am still working on my trike project. It is not quite ready to use in the classes yet, but you would be welcome to bring your own trike to take the class. http://adventuresidecar.com/Piglet/piglet.htm
VW
Do you need a motorcycle endorsement to ride a Lehman trike in Oregon? Also, please consider a S/TEP class in the Willamette Valley area...Salem, Corvallis, Albany, Lebanon, Eugene, Springhill etc. Great site with lots of pics. Thanks for spreading the three-wheel love. Kellie/Corvallis
Joe is planning on riding from Simi Valley to Hood River, Or for the Adventure Sidecar training course June 1,2 & 3. He will be leaving on May 30 and plans to take 2 days to get there and leave to return on June 4. He is looking for anyone from the So. Cal area that is either planning on attending or thinking about it who would like to ride with him. If you are interested in joining Joe for the ride to Hood River and back, email me (info@adventuresidecar.com) and I will put you in touch with him. Vernon
You do need a motorcycle endorsement to ride a trike in most states. I believe California may be an exception and Washington requires a special 3 wheeled endorsement in addition to the motorcycle license. Leg room varies with different makes of sidecars. 6'3" is tall! she might be able to fit into a Ural, but I would look at Hannigan, Champion or maybe a Terraplane. Email me at :info@adventuresidecar.com if I can help with any questions. Vernon
I met you father in San Jose Del Cabo las week while we were on vacation. I told him that I would contact you. I have a couple of questions do you need a motorcycle cycle endorsement if you ride a trike and the other one how big of space is in the sidecar. My wife is 6'3" needs a lot of leg room.
Thank you for the kind words, John. You can reach Dauntless Motors at http://www.dauntlessmotors.com/ Apparently my link was out of date, but I have fixed it. I sent you an email with Jay's contact information, but I bet you can access his site with the above link. Just as an aside: while the MSF class is a very good beginners training course for solo bikes, it is important to note that the S/TEP program is not associated with MSF, nor is the course derived from MSF material. Originally the USCA had worked up a training program, which David Hough further refined. The current S/TEP program is owned and administered by Evergreen Safety Council. Adventure Sidecar and Hood River Community Education purchase our course materials for S/TEP classes from ESC. Vernon
As a member of USCA#6866, I'm on my third rig. I think what you are doing is superb! I'm a firm believer in the MSF training offered. You have also been very helpful providing information to me via USCA website in my research to set up another hack rig; the KLR/Ural rig looks good. I'm surprised no one has put a hack on a Vstrom 650; that is another favorite bike of mine. I'm also surprised no one has made a plastic/fiberglass Ural/Dnepr lookalike or something similar only lighter. Here in northeastern Alabama sidecars are rare, but with more exposure and more people finding locations like yours for training, I think sidecars will experience a surge in sales, particularly for the handicapped, short seamed types, and older riders that can no long safely handle a solo bike. Keep up the good work. As a note of interest, I have tried repeatedly to pull up Jay's site Dauntless sidecars; no soap. I've tried from your site and USCA site. This has happened in the past, about a year ago, and then I was able to pull it up again, but only for a few times. I was able to pull it up about two weeks ago; no luck since. Would it be possible for you to give me his email address? Early thanks, ride safe...John Merrell email mayrel@hughes.net
Very nice,wish you were not so far away.I just bought a sidecar and would take your class if you were here in Az.Your trips look like fun also. Peggy Martin in Queen Creek,Az.
Thanks for your work on putting this site together -- it has a lot of great info!
I just spoke with Mike Schend at Hood River Community Education. They are still busy with winter term, but by March will be ready to take registrations for the sidecar classes.
We will be conducting sidecar and trike driver's education, using the S/TEP training course, through Hood River Community Education again this year. The 2007 class schedule us up on our training page-click the link at the top of this page to go there. Call Hood River Community Education to sign up (541)386-2055
Your 1st ever sounds good. There could be 3-6 bikes/sidecars from Douglas county, Nevada attending your event. What might the weather be like at that time? Thank You. nmonohan@netzero.net
"So where's hood river?", you ask... Hood River, Oregon is located in the Columbia River Gorge, about 60 miles East of Portland off Interstate 84. We are in the Cascade Mountain Range, in the Pacific Northwest corner of the USA. Mt.Hood looms over the Hood River Valley and we can see Mt Adams to the North of us. A number of other snow capped volcanic peaks are a short ride from Hood River. You used to be able to see Mt. St. Helens from my folk's porch, before the big eruption shortened the peak considerably.
So where's hood river?
The schedule for 2007 has not been set yet. I hope we can get that done this next week. Check Our Training page for updates coming soon! http://adventuresidecar.com/training06/training06.htm
Vernon, my name is George Belanger. My wife and I were talking to Dr. Ruggeri today and said and we told her that we were considering a side car rig for our next M.C. she told us about you and your school program. My wife has been riding for 20 years mostly on the street and I have been riding and racing since 1971 including both trials and offroad poker runs on sidecar rigs. We ran a '76 Montesa with a Hacksaw Hartman car and a "79 490 Maico with a car of our own construction. Please send info about your course schedule for '07. We would like to come up see you. Sincerely George Belanger
Nice site, Al and Laurie Dutt took your course in aug/06 and really enjoyed it. They gave me the site. Looks like fun. I'm a GWRRA member with a /93 Honda Goldwing GL1500 SE Russ Kellythorne
Hi Rich! Your little brother took to sidecars...like a duck to water! I had a great time riding with Jim and Graham is a cool kid. http://adventuresidecar.com/KLRrides/killerfall06.htm
Love the pictures! Jim Harris is my brother, and anytime he gets wet and muddy makes me a happy older brother... Rich Harris (Uncle Rich to Graham)
Well, classes are over for the 2006 driving season. the 2007 schedule hasn't been set yet -Check our training page for updates! I have posted photos from past classes here: http://adventuresidecar.com/training06/yearbook.htm
Check out our 2006 fall class schedule: Novice S/TEP class Saturday and Sunday, Sept 23&24; $190(class starts 8am Saturday morning) Novice S/TEP class Friday, Saturday and Sunday October 6,7&8 $200 (class starts5pm Friday evening) Advanced S/TEP class Saturday & Sunday October 7&8 $150 (class starts 1pm Saturday afternoon)
Great site. I own a 2006 KLR650. I'm thinking about adding a sidecar. I'll contact you about the details. Thanks for your efforts creating this site. It is very helpful. Pim Barnett
I just got my new Patrol in February and love it. I would love to ride with other Urals. We are moving to Prescott, Az. soon and will be going to these rallys in Washington. Mary Ann
I just got my new Patrol in February and love it. I would love to ride with other Urals. We are moving to Prescott, Az. soon and will be going to these rallys in Washington. Mary Ann
This is awesome! I bet Dale on the Advrider board would love something like this! Oldrice- www.oldrice.com/KLR650.htm
Hi Phil! Andy gave my the URL for your website too. Nice site, quite a list of bikes you have ridden! Wish I could get to Australia some day. VW
Hi Vernon, I met Andrew at a function in Hong Kong last evening and he gave me your URL. I have been riding sidecars since 1968 and my current ride is a brand new "1962" Chang Jiang M1-M with heavyweight military sidecar which I have just had imported to my home in Brisbane Australia. You can see it on my page at http://www.drdisk.com.hk/motorbikes.htm which carries a brief and as yet unfinished history of the bikes I have ridden. Good site!. Phil Smith <><
Nice site!
Great work!
Vern, I think we're up and running again and hopefully will be able to keep the spammers at bay. The Rev.
Had a student try to get it to work in Washington after the last class-didn't work for him. Email me, Glenn, and we can discuss your options. infoatadventuresidecardotcom
Vernon: Thanks for the reply. Will be in Goldensnail today and pick up the guide for the written test. Any chance you might conduct a course in WA? Any chance I could get endorsed even if the course is completed out of state? Seattle is a long way to go for a skills test. Would rather write letters that go to Seattle. Buy the way, I like the Triumph you have for sale and would like to see it. My neighbor has a R1150GS in a barn I'm trying to buy. Also have a Dnepr toaster tank to sell. Looking forward to meeting someday. If ever hitting the wineries between Dallesport and Maryhill, ask where I live and stop by. Glenn
Hi Glenn. I am sorry, but even though the class I teach is exactly the same as what Evergreen teaches in Seattle and Evergreen Safety Council actually issues the completion cards that my students receive, Washington does not waive the test requirements for S/TEP classes conducted out of state. If you take my class, you will still need to take the Washington test for a three wheel endorsement. However, if you successfully complete my class you should have no trouble at all passing the Washington test. We thoroughly cover the information and skills you need to pass that test. Vernon
Hello Vernon: A friend told me about your website and others told me about the training class they attended in October. I'm a Washingtonian and just renewed my drivers license only to learn that endorsement 3 is now only valid for "all two wheel motorcycles". I have a Dnepr MT-16 that I want to ride this summer. Will attending your class meet the WA requirements to upgrade my license? Thanks, Glenn
Happy Holidays Everybody(and you too, LazyB)! We will be posting our sidecar class schedule in January and hope to be able to offer a guided tour in 2006. Keep checking the web pages for updated information. Vernon
YOU NOW HAVE A REGULAR READER. A SOON TO BE URAL UP. BOB(LAZYB) LAZYB@EXCITE.COM SALEM OREGON. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL
great site. I just put a deposit on a ural from dauntless. perhaps I can attend some of your trips?
Great site! Nice design!
Cool site. My wife and I have a 2004 Ural Gearup which we have loaded up with our son, camping gear, and gone riding/camping in the Front Range of Colorado. It's not fast, but it is stylin' and fun. Wich we had an organization like yours here in Colorado. -bob d
Hey Vernon my friend saw a ural for sale the other day and wanted more info on them. my dad said to look here. cool site nice pics. I'll twll my friend about it. Brian Droesch Ridgecrest Ca. brian.droesch@navy.mil
Good link. My American Eagle Easy Rider and I are ready to switch to a new Ural Patrol and appreciate the site. jkjmadenis@msn.com
Hi I am Mike Foumal of Eugene Oregon. I bought a 2004 Ural sidecar bike from Jim at Raceway in Salem. I love the bike best purchas ever . I love camping and adventures and back road. I am at Joyfulrwe@msn.com E-mail me lets go for an adventure or camping any time any were.
Great training. Vernon and Monica were great at coaching this very inexperienced sidecar driver through the paces. Sami J
Hi, We are Central Valley Ural in Modesto, Ca. Would it be possible for you to send us information on your upcoming classes? We always have customers interested, but have no classes available in California at this time. Please email us at: cvuralca@hotmail.com Thanks, Chuck & Cyndie
Your pix are awsome!!! I'm sitting here at almost 4am, knowin' I've got work in the morning, but I can't stop daydreaming about riding those roads! Joe
Dear Vernon & Amy, Thanks for capturing a record of the fun at Scaredy Cat. Your site has a certain place on my favorites. Always, Tom Krise
Yo Vern, Nice site, Bud! Keep it on three! -Tawm
Just visiting form Mexico City. Great page, regards form my 98 Ural. Best wishes Baldomero Miguel
Hi Vern and Amy! Finally made it out to your site. Great pics! Looks like you're having a great time. I'll promise to come back and check in from time to time to see what's new and to see how you're growing. I think it's great!! Take care, Laurie:) (from Snohomish, WA)
Thanx for the kind words, Dion. I don't find any downside to the chain drive-it is a strong, cheap and simple drive train, easy to maintain and easy to change the gearing on. I went down atooth on the front sprocket-still plenty of top end, but a little more grunt down low. email me if you want more details about my Tiger. Jay at Dauntless Motors has a Tiger rig for sale, I believe(check the links page). - Vernon
Hey Vernon, great site, nothing like what you folks enjoy there here in the peach state. just wonderin, I presum your tiger has plenty of power to mover you hack and co-pilot. any downside to the chain final? and did you have to lower the ratio? I'm considering an upgrade to my Ural Italia/BMW r75 conv for more long distantance touring. It;s a great Ural setup for sure. but I would rather ride than trailer. Urals just don't do well at Interstate speeds. anyhow, again cool site Dion from Ga
Sir Vernon, Hey, just wanted to say thanks for the ride back to camp on sunday at the Black Dog. I've never seen a KLR not finish a ride, yet alone,own one. I've not been in a hack for thirty some odd years. If the next time we meet on the road, keep goin' I probly just want another RIDE !!! ride safe Gordon
Hi Vern, Berkely Insurance...take a look at www.Berkely.com...phone number 516 294-0220 Fax 516 294-1821. I hope this helps...please feel free to call if you have any other questions...don't know if I can answer, but I will try. Let me know if you get anything from these guys. Pat Fowler
Hi Rev! I put a page up with the BlackDog Photos here: http://adventuresidecar.com/blackdog_2005.htm VW
I am Mike Foumal of Eugene Oregon and love the sidecar bike adventures. I want to take my little girl along now. She is 7mo. what are the rules and regulations? Sould she be in a car seat or a helmit? I am at joyfulrwe@msn.com
Hi Vernon, I like your new site. I am glad I stopped by. That new advanced class gives me something to think about for this year. I like the idea of a short tour also! I will keep in touch. Keep up the good work. Tom Wilder, Victorville, Ca.
Hi, Dave Zanella here from Central Mass. Nice site, lots of great pics. I had never seen a dual sport with a sidecar before coming here - I'm interested in the Tiger - I've sent you email Thanks, and nice work... dave
Nice site. Greetings from a norwegian ural owner, we are some friends riding urals in different shape and condition. Visit us at uralmania.com
hey there menace, just testing the guestbook for functionality so you can delete this after you read it. Hopefully more secure from that annoyinng spammers!
Here I am, lusting after a Ural Patrol (not that I'd EVER unload my KLR650). Scott Barber, Bend Oregon.
Hi Vern, Just wanted to say thanks to you, Monica and Amy for making my "adventure" to Adventure Sidecar such a memorable one. Even though I gave up on myself and did not complete the class the experience is one I will never forget. I might even take you up on coming back for a redo. The pictures that you posted on this site are great. The pics of the trips shout, "Wish you were here!" And I was able to prove to my kids I was really in the class with the pictures on Tucker Rd. Thanks again for everything! Cheryl in CA. Almost Class of May 2006!
Dear Vern: I bought my first Sidecar in Northern California in 1977. My Son was 17 1/2 months old at the time. How I would to have a class like yours around then. I made it through. My wife and I have between 250,000 and 300,000 sidecar miles on several rigs since then. My newest rig is a 2000 Kawaski Vulcan 1600 cc with a Champion Escort. Oh, incase you are wondering, that son will be 31 in august. Keep up the great sidecar classes!!! JIM AND SUE KRAUTZ
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