[dogzone]

I have a ST3S with ABS and due to the deteriorating health of my wife I am considering attaching a sidecar to the bike to make it easier for longer distance travelling. Has anyone had any experience with the ST3 with a sidecar attached (good, bad indifferent)? Is there a particular type, style, brand that would be a sensible choice? I am open to ideas.

 

[lifes_an_ocean]

You mean like this?

 

[Underblog]

Sorry to hear about your wife's health. Sidecar rigs handle quite differently than typical motorcycles -- indeed they seem to be a platypus, neither fowl nor mammal.

The setup that works well for sidecar work usually is wasted on a two-wheel ride, and vice-versa. If I were to have one motorcycle, and use it as a sidecar hack, I'd go with a BMW for modern comfort and a Ural for retro-cool. You could probably purchase two of the latter for what you could get for your ST3S.

Putting a sidecar on an ST is like putting a saddle on a greyhound.

 

[tonered]

Not only that, but the lack of a frame mount (cradle) down low would/might/maybe cause some interesting head scratching for attachement and stability locations.

Also, back in the 10mm engine mount days, frames would crack when the bolts started to let go. The additional load of a sidecar might contribute to the same.

Although, a side car on an ST would probably look pretty freaking cool.

Good luck.

 

[st2lemans]

Sidecars are great, I have a sidecar on one of my LeMans since 1992. Rode for a year with stock suspension, then went to an Earls fork an 13" wheels.

The problem with modern Ducatis is where to attach it. No problem on the bevelheads, but for the modern bikes you need a subframe. I'm considering doing it to my 999R (or another Superbike) sometime in the future, when the Guzzi gets too worn out, as I think the the ST is too tall for a sidecar rig.

Tom

 

[Jeff_Tippett]

Dogzone,

Anything is possible. It might not be economical. Some would consider it a sacrilege. You might consider looking into a Ural with factory attached sidecar. It is not a Duc by any means but they have quite a following here in the USA. The two wheel drive models (sidecar wheel driven) are popular with off-road and winter riders.

Do a Google search on motorcycle sidecar for lots of links.

Jeff in Colorado

 

[dinskeep]

From my time in BMW-land, Dauntless is the name I'm used to seeing most when doing sidecar rigs for "modern" bikes:

http://www.dauntlessmotors.com/

Probably worth pinging them and see what they think about putting one on an ST.

The Ural suggestion is a good one, and they are a hoot, but boy I wouldn't want to ride one for long trips. A very heavy, tiring bike, that can't really cruise at 70-80 mph (at least at my altitude). Then again, it's the only sidecar rig I've ridden, so maybe my expectations are too high.

 

[tonered]

Tom,

Can you explain what the issue is with height? I know the phsyics are very different, but that is about the extent of what I know.

Your setup looks really interesting. Nice work.

Thinking about the ST, a cradle that would be oriented across the bike and connects all four engine mounts might be a possiblity. But then, the ST has ground clearance issues to start with. I can imagine this idea would be hell with the sidecar off.

Have a good one.

 

[maloneysforever]

I work for a BMW dealership and we install sidecars all the time. I would contact Hannigan Motorsports (www.hannigansidecars.com) and see if they have anything available. They are good people to deal with and have a great product with a sportbike specific sidecar.

 

[jgalvin]

Hannigan has one for the Honda ST1300 so you never know!

 

[st2lemans]

Can you explain what the issue is with height? I know the phsyics are very different, but that is about the extent of what I know.

The lower the CG, the better handling the sidecar will have.

I regularly humiliate Ninjas in the mountains, but I know when and how (tight left handers, for example). Couldn't do that with the OEM wheels, setup.

I have 13" wheels, with rear-sets and clip-ons on my LeMans/sidecar, but drove a year with OEM. Bad idea. A sidecar rig should be optimized to be just that, and is neither a bike nor a car, it is what it is!

Tom

 

[stelbo]

For the looks of it, Ducati ST4s with side car, try the site, mobile.de. Select English language, then category, then make and you will see it. There is only one.
I tried to import the picture from the site, but I was not successful.
Sorry to hear for your wife's health. I wish all the best.

 

[tonered]

The lower the CG, the better handling the sidecar will have.

I regularly humiliate Ninjas in the mountains, but I know when and how (tight left handers, for example). Couldn't do that with the OEM wheels, setup.

I have 13" wheels, with rear-sets and clip-ons on my LeMans/sidecar, but drove a year with OEM. Bad idea. A sidecar rig should be optimized to be just that, and is neither a bike nor a car, it is what it is!

Tom

Very interesting.

Thanks.

 

[tonered]

For the looks of it, Ducati ST4s with side car, try the site, mobile.de. Select English language, then category, then make and you will see it. There is only one.
I tried to import the picture from the site, but I was not successful.
Sorry to hear for your wife's health. I wish all the best.

Nice find. I saved those pics.

Pretty radical.

 

[maloneysforever]

For a high performance set up you could look into EML rigs.

 

[cb4265]

I have a ST3S with ABS and due to the deteriorating health of my wife I am considering attaching a sidecar to the bike to make it easier for longer distance travelling. Has anyone had any experience with the ST3 with a sidecar attached (good, bad indifferent)? Is there a particular type, style, brand that would be a sensible choice? I am open to ideas.

Try these guys,

http://www.premiersidecars.com.au/

Good luck & sorry about the missus,

Craig

 

[RockingM]

For the looks of it, Ducati ST4s with side car, try the site, mobile.de. Select English language, then category, then make and you will see it. There is only one.
I tried to import the picture from the site, but I was not successful.
Sorry to hear for your wife's health. I wish all the best.

wow, I'm impressed. I thought they wouldn't look so good.

oh, I had to come back and add the only other conversion necessary is
a gun port in the windscreen. A good street sweeper and no need to worry
about deer or kangaroo.

Hope your Missus enjoys the conversion!

 

[lucky13]

ST4 with sidecar

I have a 2001 ST4 with a champion escort sidecar. The guys at Racecity Powersports in Mooresville NC built a mounting system that has been working great. I have put 2500 miles on this rig so far. If you need the contact info for Racecity Powersports they are at 2135 charlotte hwy Mooresville NC 28117. 704-660-0129 The owner Eli was a great help when I came in he spent lots of time talking to me and did a great job. hHope this info helps

 

[ericjansen]

Although on the other side of the world, would like to share this Ducati Classic Sport 1000 with EML side car.
I saw the bike at Startwin in Holland last week, and was impressed by the built quality.
Besides many other modifications, they built an extra sub-frame, connected to the bike's frame/engine on both the left and right side, to prevent torsion.

Not a cheap combination, but a perfect example how good a Duc can look with a sidecar.
All the best with these decisions, hope you can keep riding.

Eric

 

[furylow]

I have a 2001 ST4 with a champion escort sidecar. The guys at Racecity Powersports in Mooresville NC built a mounting system that has been working great. I have put 2500 miles on this rig so far. If you need the contact info for Racecity Powersports they are at 2135 charlotte hwy Mooresville NC 28117. 704-660-0129 The owner Eli was a great help when I came in he spent lots of time talking to me and did a great job. hHope this info helps

Please, post a picture of your bike!