[net.cycle] Racing sidecars - Joe W. goofed!

an@hou2h.UUCP (A. Nguyen) (09/24/84)

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I agree with Joe Weinstein for the most part, ie. street going
sidecars are quirky, and possibly dangerous, vehicles that go
against the high performance nature of most motorcycles.  (Note also
that all high performance street three wheelers, ie. Morgan,
Tri-Hawk, etc, have two wheels up front - it's best to have the
most rubber at the end that does the steering.)

Joe must have meant the opposite, however, when he said that racing
sidecars have 'limited movement for the "monkey" or passenger.'  The
driver is the one who kneels in knee-cups attached to the floor of
the car, with foot braces to keep him from sliding back, and hands
practically locked onto the stubby clip-ons that are covered under
car-like bodywork.  The monkey on the other hand can move from one
side of the car to the other with complete freedom.  I've seen
monkeys hang off far enough to drag their buns, elbows, shoulder,
and helmet too if they like, on either side!

Pete Essaf, who was US Sidecar Champion a couple of years back, once
said driving the racing sidecars are more dangerous than people
think, because if the monkey falls off while going around a corner,
the "chair" will "come up RIGHT NOW!"  And the driver can't jump
off, so he'll probably be caught underneath if the vehicle
overturns.  And those things don't have roll-cages!

	Au