FOR many years I thought sidecars were the twisted handiwork of Satan.
Why have three wheels, when four wheels – and a roof – makes a nice car, or two wheels plus a potent engine makes a damn fine motorbike?
But I have seen the light. Sidecars are actually sex on wheels and those who can do tricks on them are the Love Gods of the Queen’s Highway. No, stop laughing there at the back, it’s true I tell ya.
I spent a day learning the art of riding a Ural 750 with Mick Cross, who runs basic beginner courses for £180 at MPC Motorcycles in Leicestershire.
Mick explains the physics of sidecars, the way two-wheel drive engages, and the importance of not braking whilst on two wheels with the ‘chair’ in the air.
At first you think he’s joking, but a ride around the car park, where Mick balances the Ural with ease, and then actually parks the outfit on its side, proves he knows what he’s talking about.
Soon, I was gingerly piloting the twin cylinder Russian Army style sidecar around myself, gradually lifting the wheel with a simple twist of the handlebars, and a tiny dab of throttle.
It feels safe too, really controllable and as the outfit was in first gear for most of the day, speeds were low.
Trying to ride a figure of eight in reverse gear – yes, it goes backwards too – was the hardest part. You had to re-configure your biking brain completely to accomplish it.
In fact, forget everything you’ve ever learned about motorcycles, because except for the position of the throttle, brakes and clutch on the handlebars, a sidecar is utterly unique and behaves nothing like any bike you will ride.
The whole day was totally addictive fun and I’ve never laughed so much at 20mph in my life.
For more visit uralmotorbikes.info and insidebikes.com
