Pulling up the Hill!

The weird effect when riding a heavy sidecar uphill, or even a lightweight sidecar with a heavy load on board.

The first time you ride a heavy sidecar uphill, especially a steep hill you might get a bit of a surprise. As you approach the bottom of the hill in a world of your own you start thinking I may have to change gear as this hill gets steeper. You start to notice the machine starts pulling to the side where the sidecar is, you counteract this by steering the opposite way. Then it's time to change down, you pull the clutch in and suddenly the outfit veers the other way, you counteract this by steering now the other way just to hold it in line, select the gear and let the clutch in and then the outfit is back pulling to the side of the sidecar again only even harder now as more power is put through the rear wheel of the bike. Now, depending on the sort of person you are, you might absolutely love this quirky effect. Killjoys might say 'that's bloody dangerous!'.

This effect is a result of the sidecar's weight and the way it changes the balance and handling of the motorcycle. As you climb the hill, the weight of the sidecar causes the motorcycle to lean towards it, making it feel like it's pulling to one side. When you pull in the clutch to change gears, the weight distribution changes again, causing the motorcycle to lean in the opposite direction. This can be a bit disorienting at first, but with practice, you can learn to anticipate and control the effect.

It's important to note that this effect can be more pronounced when the sidecar is heavily loaded, as this further changes the weight distribution of the motorcycle. Riders should be aware of this effect and take it into account when riding a motorcycle with a sidecar, especially when navigating hills or other challenging terrain.

Overall, while this effect may be seen as quirky or even dangerous by some, it can also add to the unique experience and enjoyment of riding a motorcycle with a sidecar. As with any new riding experience, it's important to take the time to get comfortable and practice safe riding techniques.

We offer a range of used sidecars for sale and sidecar combinations, please contact us for more details or with any questions which you may have. Call David 07808 572709 or e-mail info@trikeandsidecarexchange.co.uk.

David Evans