Can any motorcycle have a sidecar?

Key Takeaways

Sidecars can be attached to most types of motorcycles, but it's important to consider factors such as weight and size to ensure that the motorcycle is well-suited for use with a sidecar.
Legally, UK sidecars must be mounted to the left of motorcycles registered within the UK on or after August 1st, 1981, and riders must pass the relevant motorcycle test and wear a helmet while riding with a sidecar.
Motorcycles suitable for sidecar use must have a higher engine capacity and power, and a strong enough chassis to support the additional weight. It's recommended to consult with a professional rather than creating your own mounting points to ensure safety.

A sidecar is a motorcycle accessory that gives you additional benefits, such as more space for luggage and more passenger space. They are a one-wheeled carrier that can be attached to the frame of a motorcycle.

Sidecars can be attached to most types of motorcycles, including: cruisers, touring, and sports bikes. However, not all motorcycles are well-suited for use with a sidecar, and it may be more difficult or even impossible to attach a sidecar to some types of motorcycles, depending on the design and construction of the motorcycle.

The rules relating to sidecar use

Legally, all UK sidecars must be mounted to the left of motorcycles registered within the UK on or after August 1st, 1981. Motorcycles registered prior to this date can mount a sidecar to the right. Additionally, motorcycles from abroad that are temporarily using Great Britain's roads can attach a sidecar to the right of their motorcycle. [1]

As for your licence and entitlement to use a sidecar attached to a motorcycle, you cannot use a tricycle or car licence, as the DSA classifies a sidecar and motorcycle as a single motorcycle, thus meaning you must pass the relevant motorcycle test for your age to be able to use a sidecar.

This ruling also applies to helmets. As you may know, riders of quad bikes and tricycles are not legally required to wear a helmet on UK roads. However, because a motorcycle and sidecar are legally classified as a motorcycle, the rider in control of the vehicle is required, by law, to wear a helmet. The passenger is not required to wear a helmet, but it is recommended.

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Types of bikes that can't have a sidecar

Some motorcycles may not have the necessary mounting points or a frame that is strong enough to support the weight of a sidecar. Additionally, the weight and size of the sidecar may affect the handling and stability of the motorcycle, so it is important to consider these factors when deciding whether or not to attach a sidecar to a particular motorcycle.

It is theoretically conceivable to mount a sidecar to any motorcycle in the present era of technical developments, with manufacturers like KTM offering 3D-printed parts and unlimited options for customisation, and as the saying goes, where there is a will, there's a way!

It may take more time and effort to weld mounting points onto a motorcycle frame or reinforce the frame so that it is sturdy enough to handle a sidecar, but it is perfectly feasible; it simply needs to pass the necessary safety inspections.

To legally ride a motorcycle with a sidecar on the road, it must have a new MOT, even if it has recently passed an MOT without the sidecar attached. An MOT inspection involving a sidecar involves checking the suspension, wheel bearings, wheel alignment, lights, and reflectors to ensure it is in legal working order and safe to be ridden on public highways.

A word on safety

Generally, it is not advised to create your own mounting points, and if you are unsure about whether your motorcycle is strong enough or has the relevant mounting points, it is recommended that you consult with a motorcycle mechanic or a sidecar manufacturer to determine whether a particular motorcycle is suitable for use with a sidecar or makes sense to use. For example, a 125cc motorcycle would struggle to pull a sidecar, even if it will fit the motorcycle.

Sidecar manufacturers have the ability to create customised sidecars to fit your motorcycle and what it needs to support one, including mounting brackets and more.

What makes a motorbike suitable for sidecar use?

A sidecar is an additional attachment to a motorcycle that is heavy and affects the motorcycle's acceleration and stopping. Manoeuvrability also adds more wear and tear to the motorcycle's components and requires significant modifications to the motorcycle to function safely and manage effectively.

These factors alone make a lot of motorcycles unsuitable for sidecar use; just because the motorcycle can support a sidecar doesn't mean it should.

Because a sidecar can be mounted to many types of motorcycle, it can be tricky to identify what does not make a motorcycle suitable for sidecar use, but there are some good basic rules to follow for those looking to use one.

A motorcycle suitable for sidecar use must be able to handle the additional weight with a higher engine capacity and power, and it must also have a strong enough chassis to support this additional weight without adding unnecessary stress and strain to the motorcycle. These two points are critical to the handling and safety of a sidecar and its passenger.

[1] -- http://simplysidecars.co.uk/sidecarlaw.html