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Inspired by Sholay to ride with a sidecar? Keep these things in mind

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Published on August 20, 2021. EST READ TIME: 3 minutes

Remember that iconic song and scene from Sholay – “Ye Dosti Hum Nahi Todenge” with Jay and Veeru having fun with a bike sidecar? Though years have passed since the movie was first released, the love for sidecars is something that many Indian bike riders still cherish. A sidecar is certainly a head-turner and lends a unique look to your bike apart from adding to its functionality. However, riding with a sidecar needs you to tweak your skillset a bit. So, be mindful of the following to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. And don’t forget to get a two-wheeler insurance online, so that your finances stay protected in case of an unforeseen event.

1. Riding in a straight line

   With one wheel placed at an odd position, travelling in straight line requires constant vigilance. You will need to keep both hands on the handlebar all the time. Keep your vision on the horizon, fixed in the direction you want to go, so that you understand the slant in your trajectory. Being in a constant state of adjustment may take its toll on your arms and shoulders.

2. Turning mechanism

   Cornering with a sidecar is a completely different mechanism than with a normal bike. Let’s assume that the sidecar is attached to the right side of the bike. To turn left, go easy on the throttle to allow the rear wheel to spin slower than the sidecar’s wheel, resulting in better control. You can achieve surprisingly high cornering speed as you downshift to the corner.

   However, if you’re turning right, it’s advisable to open the throttle as the acceleration lifts the rear and turns the bike to the right along the third wheel. The sidecar may get off the ground if you turn too fast, so it’s advisable to maintain a constant and consistent turning arc, rather than further tightening the approach as you turn. A heavy ballast in the sidecar helps when turning right.

3. Using brakes correctly

   In a motorcycle, the front brakes are operated by the right-side lever, while the rear brakes utilise the right foot lever. With a sidecar, however, you get two rear brakes. You can use this as you would in a motorcycle as it’s the front brakes that provide most of the stopping power. But you do lose steering when the front wheels lock. During icy or snowy conditions when traction is low, the double rear brakes serve as a useful stopping force.

4. Switching off 2WD

   Two-wheel drive would help you the most in getting you unstuck. But it’s unwise to leave them engaged, on pavements or any other firm surface. This is due to the differential forcing both the wheels to turn at the same speed. This can lead to instability in high-traction conditions (which firm surfaces offer).

5. Practice, practice, and practice

Practice makes perfect, and while having a sidecar may not be as challenging as when you learned how to ride, you are going to get better with practice. The subtleties involved in riding a bike with a sidecar on various terrains can only be perfected with practice. Once you’ve practiced to the point of being comfortable with the sidecar, you can add a passenger, ensuring basic safety protocols are followed. 

Inform your passenger of the possibility of the sidecar being lifted off the ground when you turn. Make them comfortable about the eventuality so that they maintain calm when it happens, avoiding adding extra force or weight in an unexpected direction. That way, your passenger and you will be able to truly enjoy the ride.

Apart from keeping the above pointers in mind, make sure you avail a comprehensive two-wheeler insurance online as well. It is a hassle-free process and the policy will protect you as well as any third-party in case of any damage due to an accident, natural calamity, manmade disaster or theft. Without insurance, repairing your bike or sidecar or meeting emergency medical expenses can be difficult. So, better be safe than sorry.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales. 

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