A helmet, obviously. But I’d assume I don’t need a pair of motorcycle boots, right? But a jacket would be smart?
The boyfriend just bought a Ural sidecar outfit and riding in it is a lot like going to the State Fair and having a two-toothed carnie help you into the Scrambler, only with 100% less safety bar. (In other words, it’s a lot of fun but you figure it will probably rot your teeth and you might die.) And I don’t want to wear his nasty old helmet. I want something cute and possibly pink, right?
I want to be safe but I don’t want to spend a ton of money. What’s the minimum I need? (He’s never driven a sidecar rig before, so I figured I’d ask you guys.)
motorcyclist and ER nurse, I would suggest a full face helmet, motorcycle jacket and gloves. These can be leather or textile so long as they’re designed for bikes, and yeah, you can get some girly setups. I have no idea the injury rates for sidecars compared to regular bikes, but you’re still outside the vehicle, without restraint or airbags, I would stay away form riding on shorts or light slacks.
Okay, where do I get really cute, protective gear on the cheap? (I found the world’s most awesome motorcycle jacket, but I don’t have $400 between the couch cushions.)
Well, be carefull of the false economy of cheap protective gear, but try these guys. Also on review I want to be clear that I was not suggesting that boots and pants were an unnecessary item. I always ride in boots, and have denim with kevlar sewn in the crucial slide areas for when I don’t want to wear full gear, hvae fun
I second NewEnough for your gear, but also you should know that some manufacturers use a lower-weight leather for women’s apparel. I was pretty pissed when I got my jacket and discovered it was low-weight, buttery thin crap. My husband got the same model of jacket and it’s nice and heavy. They both came with armor in the shoulders, elbows, and back, though. I’m also pissed that some women’s stuff comes with the logo on back of the jacket, but that just offends my principles, it has no bearing on safety.
I would advise wearing over the ankle boots whether you’re on the bike or in a sidecar. I also never go out without gloves. I spent a good amount of cash on mine ($80) but they fit perfectly and are armored. And I can tell you from personal experience that hand injuries really suck.
Also, if you have a motorsports store near you (not dealer-affiliated), try there. My local guys do all the work on my bike and almost always will cut a nice deal with me on gear. Pink helmets right now are all the rage and quite common. I suggest getting a Snell approved helmet in addition to whatever safety ratings are required in your state.
I’d second the comments about needing a full-face helmet, motorcycle jacket (heavy leather or textile) and gloves. You may want a chest protector too, since you will be much lower.
But my first recommendation is not to jump in the sidecar the minute it’s bolted on. Sidecars do not handle anything like regular motorcycles, and he’s going to need some time to ride around and experience that for himself. You don’t want to be in the sidecar the first time he tries to lean into a corner and realizes the bike just is not going where he wants it to go.
What Barbarian said about getting used to the sidecar before he takes on a passenger. Also, bf should put some weight in the sidecar to make it more stable, at least while he’s getting used to it. When my hubby got his sidecar, he knew he had to “practice,” but someone told him to put a couple sand bags in it, which he did and it makes a big difference. Even when I don’t go along, he puts the sand bags in.
He’s been practicing a lot, both with occupied and unoccupied sidecar - really, you can’t get him out of the damned thing. (It is, I must admit, super cute.) It does handle differently, he says, but I think he’s got a handle on it. He’s been doing all the exercises in the “Driving the Ural” book that came with the thing, too. I feel pretty confident getting into it with him. (Would you believe, he actually talked my mom into going for a ride? My mom?)
Enjoy your Ural. I’ve been driving a Patrol since 2002. The handling is only slightly worse than a mail jeep, but cars tend to notice you much more than they do solo bikes.
As for gear on the hack monkey, more is better, but there is little air flow on the legs. Even vented gear acts as insulation if the air is not moving, so it can be problematic in hot weather. In cold weather, a blanket for the passenger’s lap/legs can be nice.
In anycase, sidecar rigs don’t “lowside” like a two wheeler, which is the normal way you end up sliding down the pavement. The driver and passenger are either going to be stuck or thrown violently clear. Since the point of gear is mainly abrasion resistance, I feel that protective pants are less vital for the passenger than on a 2 wheel bike. Also, you are not very likely to end up with a hot exhaust laying on your leg. The one time I crashed, my right leg/foot hung up between the bike and the hack, no passenger. Only gear was Helmet and gloves. Injury was a sprained elbow, which gear would not have helped. Yes that’s only anicdotal, AND I wear the gear now…mostly.
Anyway, helmet, Jacket & gloves for sure. I’m pretty adimant that Kevbabe wear armored pants and stout boots on the two wheelers, not so much when she is in the hack. A full face helmet is probably MORE important to a sidecar passenger. A solo bike is unlikely to end up on top of you pushing your head/face into the pavement. There is a possibility of ending up stuck in the car upside down, and the facial protection might be needed.
They don’t just notice you, they all wave at you. It’s a little creepy, honestly.
I figured the helmet was vital for just that reason, and that abrasion injuries were most likely to be arms and shoulders as a result of being thrown or dragged. (Still scares me that there’s no bar or seatbelt or nothing, although I guess I don’t really want to stick around and hang out with the wreckage - still, I’m worried about getting thrown under the other car or something.)