Sidecars & restricted License...advice plz

[eli_74]

OK, so after yearning for a trike and realising I can't have one (unless I learn to drive a car *shudder*)

my 8yr old son has now decided I am allowed to get a motorbike and sidecar instead, and that yes indeedy, he will then come out with me.

So...i've tried to read the stupid laws about it all, but I wondered if anyone here spoke laymans english and could please let me know where I stand regarding a bike & sidecar on a restricted class A license.

I know with standard bike its 25kw/33bhp but surely with a combo weighing in at alot more I could get a bigger engined bike and stil be under the limits?

I've flogged my bike now and i'm desperate to get a new toy, as i've just come out of hospital..and it's my birthday on saturday...AND I NEED SOME TREATS!!
____________________
Well, I'm sure I'd feel much worse if I weren't under such heavy sedation.
bn125 Eliminator / En400 Vulcan / XV250 Virago

[stinkwheel]

I can't recall having seen any rules concerning the use of sidecars on a restricted , full licence. You are allowed to ride ANY power of bike on L-plates if it has a sidecar attached, it would seem silly to then restrict you to 33bhp once you pass your test.

What sort of sidehack you thinking of then? Most of the 'traditional' sidecar pullers are under 33bhp anyway.

The other thing is I cannot recommend strongly enough that you try riding one BEFORE you commit to buying one. They are nothing whatsoever like a bike to ride and for most people the words "utter terror" describe their first combo riding experience.

Ideally you want the following on your outfit:

Lightest possible chair.
Square section tyres or car tyres.
big steering damper (friction type is fine).
WIDE handlebars.
Leading link/earles forks (huge fork brace at a bare minimum).
Hub centre steering would be nice but is rare.
Bag of sand in the chair.
A little old man who knows what the term 'toe-in' means and how to adjust it.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[veeeffarr]

https://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/415000/images/_416231_ladies_150.jpg

Hardcore to teh max

[stinkwheel]

She has been done for speeding though,
https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/1037298.stm

Hows about this then? Hardcore enough?
https://www.sidecar-cz.com/sajdkary/galerie/foto_v/905_Suzuki_Hayabusa_Merlin_Sidecar_1.jpg
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[eli_74]

Thats more like it stink, lol.

I don't know what type of outfit i'm after, as long as it's safe, I can spend time making it 'mine' after I've purchased it.

I was hoping a few might pop up on ebay over the free listing day today.

I might ring the dvla and ask them what the license issue is.

I'll get back to ya cheers
____________________
Well, I'm sure I'd feel much worse if I weren't under such heavy sedation.
bn125 Eliminator / En400 Vulcan / XV250 Virago

[Minky_monkey]

[stinkwheel]

Merlin outfits are probably the best about, they are NOT cheap though.
https://www.merlinsidecars.freeserve.co.uk/

[G]

[eli_74]

Hiya,

You can only learn to ride on a motorcycle & sidecar if you have disability, such as a balance problem, and if you pass on one, your restricted to riding a combo..forever.

The old rule about being able to ride any size with L plates has gone now too, along with the trike being a Catagory A.

Aftr being hung up on a few timesa and a bit of shouting, it turns out that theres this really helpful guy sat in a cupboard under the stairs at DVLA who loves bikes, he has a laptop and a phone, and we surfed the net together whilst he tried to help with my query, he showed me this site, which may be useful to budding scientists, which works out the BHP for you:

https://www.ajdesigner.com/phphorsepower/horsepower_equation_power_to_weight_ratio.php

It turns out, after a nice half hour chat, that the 0.16kg/kw ruling applies also for motorbike with sidecars, as they are not seen as a different form of transport by the law.

The extra weight of the combo will mean that I can ride a biger bike with one on, but I have to have it weighed first (Hello mr bike seller..yeah i'm interested in your motorbike and sidecar, can you go n weigh it for us plz? )

Obviously as well, you can't park it in solo motorcycle spaces....

The little 'un might have to go in dads car after all....
____________________
Well, I'm sure I'd feel much worse if I weren't under such heavy sedation.
bn125 Eliminator / En400 Vulcan / XV250 Virago

[G]

All the rules that I have seen have said that it must be both under 33hp and under that power to weight ratio. I suspect quite a few of the biggish cruisers would come under that power to weight ratio.

Presuming you're over 21, could you not just retake your test, with DAS.

Personally, I'd just a convertible - the good points of a 3 wheeler and a car combined .

(Unless you're talking proper racing trikes, which look fun ).

[eli_74]

I'm not sure what i'm talking anymore G, i'm on too many meds to think straight, all I can see when I look out the window is a big space where my bike used to be, and I need a bike very soon..or i'll spend the money on chocolate.
____________________
Well, I'm sure I'd feel much worse if I weren't under such heavy sedation.
bn125 Eliminator / En400 Vulcan / XV250 Virago

[GearboxGeezer]

Do me a favour, if your ride a trike or sidecar or whatever, makes sure you AND your son have the correct leathers, ect, people who ride trikes without crash helmets are just idiots, im sorry but as soon as your hit by a car your heads hitting the ground and if your not wearing a crash helmet even the smallest of crashes result in death..

Oh yea and good luck!

[eli_74]

The reason I was looking into a trike/Sidecar was to add to safety for my son, as I don't intend to take him on the back of a bike (I wouldn't be a pillion, so I wouldn't expect him to be one)

As for the correct gear, no worries there, i'm hardly a 17yr old t-shirt wearing ped-boi
____________________
Well, I'm sure I'd feel much worse if I weren't under such heavy sedation.
bn125 Eliminator / En400 Vulcan / XV250 Virago

[nickm]

i passed my test on an outfit years ago and it was the scariest experience of my life--your kid will be happy to go on with u until he gets to the age when he's worried about what his mates think-then you'll be on your own!

[VFR400UK]

https://www.armec.com/sidewinder.html

[eli_74]

Once he gets to that age he can have a bike of his own lol

That sidecar leany thing is cool, but only for the BMW or MG at the mo..
____________________
Well, I'm sure I'd feel much worse if I weren't under such heavy sedation.
bn125 Eliminator / En400 Vulcan / XV250 Virago