|
|
Post by nat on Jun 23, 2023 19:09:02 GMT 10
Hi all,
I'm Nat and today I picked up my first Ural (Sahara MY22).
I was convinced on the purchase after I caught up with Lee at the Strathalbyn Ural ride. You make a good salesperson Lee! My husband took a little more convincing about the big purchase but I obviously won that battle!
My next challenge is learning how to safely operate this beautiful machine. I live near the Barossa Valley so if there are any riders in and around Adelaide that are willing to take this newbie under their wing and give some riding tips that would be very welcome.
My first question for the group is the weight in the sidecar. I've been told that it's recommended to start off with weight while learning to ride. My question is how much weight should I put in there? I weigh 55kg.
Thanks in advance.
Nat
|
|
|
|
Post by Uralee on Jun 24, 2023 9:20:51 GMT 10
Hi Nat, welcome to our world.
Your weight is irrelevant as you just need to sit up straight grip the tank with your knees and steer. You will find it is a good upper body workout.
I am a non-weighted advocate for a few reasons.
Learning with weight gives you a false sense of security for when it is not there.
When you do remove it, you have to re-learn.
The more weight you have in the SC the heavier the steering will feel depending on your strength.
If you learn without the weight in the SC it reduces the scare factor later on when the wheel lifts up just when you don’t want it too.
Be assured, that day will come. You WILL get a fright some day, but if you have done your homework in learning you will be glad you did.
Take it easy and practice in the open. Most of all, enjoy.
This is my personal opinion only…….others may disagree.
You have my number, feel free to call for a chat any time.
Lee 😇
|
|
|
|
Post by haitch on Jun 24, 2023 9:23:17 GMT 10
Hi Nat and welcome.. I was at Strath as well. It was my bike and possibly Dave (frenchie51) that you would have looked at had you the time on that day (both 2022's) As far as weight goes, I was new to 3 wheels as well, so loaded up with a couple of bags of cow manure from Bunnings. About 22kg. A spare 20lt container of water can be used instead or as well. Find an open area and start doing circles left and right, figure eights to start. Practice braking, reversing and getting accustomed to how it feels. Stay in first gear to begin with. Get those turns tighter and tighter. Remember, turning left ie pointing the front wheel at the sidecar will tend to lift the sidecar wheel. Get used to that and take your time. Every ride is a learning experience. Lots of help on here. Get hubby in the chair as soon as you are comfortable.
|
|
|
|
Post by haitch on Jun 24, 2023 9:26:58 GMT 10
Hi Nat and welcome.. I was at Strath as well. It was my bike and possibly Dave (frenchie51) that you would have looked at had you the time on that day (both 2022's) As far as weight goes, I was new to 3 wheels as well, so loaded up with a couple of bags of cow manure from Bunnings. About 22kg. A spare 20lt container of water can be used instead or as well. Find an open area and start doing circles left and right, figure eights to start. Practice braking, reversing and getting accustomed to how it feels. Stay in first gear to begin with. Get those turns tighter and tighter. Remember, turning left ie pointing the front wheel at the sidecar will tend to lift the sidecar wheel. Get used to that and take your time. Every ride is a learning experience. Lots of help on here. Get hubby in the chair as soon as you are comfortable. I have posted lots of videos on here, some on training with Jon Taylor another guru. |
|
|
|
Post by miker on Jun 26, 2023 12:19:25 GMT 10
Welcome Nat, I'm with Lee on no weight. When I picked up my 22 in June last year, I had to ride it home from near Mittagong, to Sydney Approx 130km. I had only my wet weather gear and a few sweaters in the sidecar, nothing else. The only other sidecar riding I had done was Jon Taylor's training the previous December. To say it was a baptism of fire was an understatement, but I got home with only one outwards drift to the right and a couple of lifts on left handers. As you may have been told before, just try to remove the learned behaviour of leaning that you do on a solo, and try to remember the way the power and deceleration affect the steering. Slow and steady steps, and plenty of short trips to start will build your confidence.
It's also important to re-check the chassis alignment, some dealers are not that good at it. Or it may have been great for the previous rider, but given your light weight it may need a slight adjustment to suit your riding style.
Most of all, welcome to the dark side and have fun with all the comments you're going to get on your travels.
|
|
andyh
2015 Tourist
Posts: 948
|
Post by andyh on Jun 28, 2023 7:16:18 GMT 10
Hi Nat - how is the new bike going?
Photos?
Totally agree with Lee on the 'added weight' especially since you are only 55kg's... the chair is almost heavier than you are.
|
|
|
|
Post by frenchie51 on Jul 4, 2023 11:36:58 GMT 10
Hi all, I'm Nat and today I picked up my first Ural (Sahara MY22). I was convinced on the purchase after I caught up with Lee at the Strathalbyn Ural ride. You make a good salesperson Lee! My husband took a little more convincing about the big purchase but I obviously won that battle! My next challenge is learning how to safely operate this beautiful machine. I live near the Barossa Valley so if there are any riders in and around Adelaide that are willing to take this newbie under their wing and give some riding tips that would be very welcome. My first question for the group is the weight in the sidecar. I've been told that it's recommended to start off with weight while learning to ride. My question is how much weight should I put in there? I weigh 55kg. Thanks in advance. Nat Hi Nat, and welcome to this great group. I live down at Victor Harbor so quite close.  As haitch posted I was at the Strath ride as well and have a '22 GearUp. Bought it new and had never driven a sidecar before but absolutely love it now. I did not use any additional weight when first learning (Lee's advice, and agree) Anything I can help you with, please don't be shy. Cheers, Dave. |
|
|
|
Post by haitch on Jul 5, 2023 12:21:18 GMT 10
Hi Dave. Good to hear from you. Was hoping you would pick up on this. On the weight thing, at only 55kg nat would probably be ok with no weight. I chose to add weight, so now I'm thinking thats the reason for my hesitating in lefts. OR perhaps its self preservation kicking in cos I'm old and inexperienced too. 😄😄🤣👍
|
|
|
|
Post by Uralee on Jul 5, 2023 12:40:53 GMT 10
H, preservation is king. When a SC bites you, it bites big time.
|
|
|
|
Post by nat on Jul 15, 2023 22:33:48 GMT 10
Hi everyone,
Sorry life got busy so only just catching up on the forum.
Thanks for the warm welcome and your feedback and suggestions. I've been getting used to the SC by driving it around our yard (we have a couple of acres) just getting used to the feel of it but I am yet to take it for a proper ride on the road.
I'm tempted to try and learn without the weight initially and see how I go. I do see the benefit of doing it that way.
Cheers
Nat
|
|
