by Nick Olson
Countdown: 4-2-3
The Riddle of the Sphinx asked: "What has one voice, and is four-footed, two-footed and three-footed?" The answer, of course, was Man, in his (or her) various stages of life.
Like that riddle – most of us started driving on 4 before coming to 2 wheels in our maturity. And in our prime, our control of our 2-wheel steeds is masterful – well, usually…
Many of us, somewhere between that ominous welcome letter from the AARP and our first social security check, might follow the ancient prophecy onto 3 wheels.
Is there 3-wheeler in your future?
For this article, I am only referring to (a) motorcycle-based trikes with one wheel forward and two in the back; or (b) rigidly-mounted sidecar rigs. [In other words, I am not discussing part-time “landing-gear” or other add-on two wheel accessories. Those 4-wheel vehicles are in their own category.]
Even though modified motorcycles have been around since 1895, among our modern motorcycling friends trikes are a minority, and sidecars a mystery. Does that make us different? unique? oddball? All of the above!
There are many reasons to consider a 3-wheeler – or to add one to your stable if you have the garage space and the wherewithal.
To start off – a 3-wheeled vehicle supports itself when stopped. As the aging Quarterback said, the knees go first. It may simply become too much of an effort to hold our 2-wheeler up at a stop sign. These horses are heavy and the law of gravity is unforgiving.
Because of the inherent stability, individuals with disabilities may be able to drive a trike or sidecar rig when they couldn’t manage a bike.
Even the most well-balanced among us may dread gravel roads – rarely a problem with three wheels.
Some people add safety chrome and paint to make their bikes stand out. Others accessorize with an extra wheel or an extremely large right saddlebag! Contrary to what you may have heard: you don’t have to pay 50% more at a poker run.
Speaking as a sidecar driver – every ride’s a parade. People who cast a wary eye at me riding my bike, break into big smiles and wave at the sidecar outfit. It’s even more fun if I’m carrying my Labrador Retriever in the rig, or if the seat is filled by a 5-foot tall stuffed Frankenstein monster with (chapter-color) green face and hands. Even our Harley cousins consistently wave at sidecar rigs.
On the other hand, 3-wheelers are bigger with all that implies: parking space, weight, wind resistance, reduced gas mileage, and increased tire wear. For the bike to make the transition to either of the 3-wheelers, the steering really needs to be modified for optimum handling.
Whatever your reason, you may be gaining a wheel, but you won’t be losing any of the fun.
Which 3-wheeler for you?
Let’s consider some of the differences between 3-wheelers and the bike you already know and love.
Trike-land
Like bikes, trikes are symmetrical along their central axis. And like bikes, acceleration and braking are symmetrical. Seating positions of the operator and passenger are unchanged. This ends the similarity.
Handling and operation is quite different. First off – you don’t have to balance your trike as you do your bike. However, while trikes don’t simply fall over at a stop sign if you forget to put your foot down, they can be tipped over if an aggressive maneuver exceeds the capability of the operator and/or the machine. Training is essential.
While bikes lean, trikes don’t. Bikes initiate a turn by counter-steering into a lean; trikes steer into the turn. While learning the new skill, experienced riders sometimes try to do both, and wind up doing neither.
Our single-track bikes take bumps along their long-axis. The rear axle on a trike adds a lateral component. It takes a while to get used to being jostled side-to-side. And as the trike driver’s upper body is being pushed sideways he/she may make inadvertent steering inputs which increase the sideways forces.
Touring storage space may be sacrificed on some trike conversion packages. Fuel range is generally decreased, and add-on fuel tanks are often a popular option.
And now for something completely different…
Sidecar rigs/outfits/hacks <pick one> are unique. This is part of their charm.
While they share many of the trike characteristics, they are asymmetrical. This makes a big difference in their handling, from either bikes or trikes. For example, the unpowered sidecar wheel lags behind during acceleration, causing the rig to turn right. On braking, an unbraked sidecar tends to cause the rig to veer left. Both tendencies are easy for the trained operator to correct. These are not the only differences.
One big advantage of the sidecar is increased storage space when solo. I don’t even need to tow a trailer for a camping weekend.
If you’re looking for company, you can take your dog for a ride! This may be easier if the sidecar is a fully enclosed model. You can take one person in the sidecar (or two in a larger model), and another on the back of the bike if the car is filled. Yes – you can ride 4-up!
Inclement weather? To quote my friend Martin, a sidecar means never having to say, “But it’s snowing.”
Some bike riders call themselves “Pilot”. With a hack and practice, you can fly the chair. That’s right, lift the car into the air and keep it there. It’s fun for the driver – I can’t speak for the passenger. I’d recommend discussing it with the occupant before you do it on purpose.
Warning: as with trikes, sidecar outfits can be flipped over either of the tipover lines formed between the front wheel and either rear wheel. Training is crucial.
3-wheel training
We had Driver’s Ed in high school for cars. We have courses developed by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) for our 2-wheelers. Where can we get 3-wheel-specific training?
In many locations, you can register for the MSF-developed Experienced Rider Course (ERC) and ride in with your trike. Unfortunately, while the MSF sets the standard for 2-wheel training, they really don’t provide any information on the idiosyncrasies of 3-wheel vehicles. “Slow-Look-Lean-Roll” is fine for the bike, but we don’t lean our trikes or hacks. Traction management and basic handling of our rigs are simply not addressed by any current MSF course.
For many years, the US Sidecar Association provided sidecar-specific training through the USCA Sidecar Safety Program. The original curriculum used the text Driving A Sidecar Outfit by David Hough*. USCA-certified instructors may still offer this original course for the next couple of years, though it is being phased out.
On February 1, 2000, the USCA Sidecar training program and instructor certification was turned over to the Evergreen Safety Council as national manager. It is now known as the Sidecar/Trike Education Program (S/TEP)*. The program has been broadened to address motorcycle-based trikes, as well as rigidly-mounted sidecar rigs. National program manager is Dave Wendell. He would be point of contact for training opportunities, as well as their web site*.
Growing this program to a national level is a daunting task. There is a vast difference in how states and provinces are implementing 3-wheel training. It may take years before S/TEP classes are as available as 2-wheel classes.
At the moment there are S/TEP-certified instructors in NM, OH, MD, PA, WV, NE, CA, SC, GA, AZ, IA, ND, SD, WA, BC & ON. Courses have been conducted in WA, IL, MO, TX, IN, WI, MI, MA, MN during 2001. Courses have also been offered at national rallies by single-marquee organizations. All known courses are noted on the S/TEP web site*.
States where S/TEP is actually part of the state motorcycle safety program include VA & MN, and is scheduled for implementation in NC in October 2001. States that officially recognize S/TEP training in some way (possibly for a license waiver, or as an alternative to 2-wheeled training): WA, VA, WI, OH, MO, WV & NC.
Summary
While 3-wheeling may not be
inevitable, it need not be feared. It’s a lot of fun. Anything that allows us
to escape the confines of a car is A Good Thing.
--------------------------------------
© 2001 Nils R. (Nick) Olson
Resources: *
Sidecar/Trike Education
Program (S/TEP)
Evergreen Safety Council
Evergreen Motorcycle Safety Training
401 Pontius
Ave. N
Seattle WA 98109
800-521-0778 or 206-382-4090
http://www.esc.org/sidecar.html
David Hough is the award-winning contributing editor of Proficient Motorcycling in Motorcycle Consumer News. This has been compiled in his book Proficient Motorcycling. His latest work, Street Strategies, is now out.
Books mentioned are available
through
Whitehorse Press
PO Box 60
North Conway NH 03760-0060
603-356-6556
http://www.whitehorsepress.com/
This original article will be
posted on my website
http://nickolson.net/articles/
e-mail: Nick@NickOlson.net
*slightly corrected
originally printed in the November 2001 issue of Touring News
Updated:
20 Jan 2006 10:23
L