Hi there

Seeking peoples views please.

Locally there is a K100RT with a sidechair and leading link.  Cosmetically showing its age, but, certainly serviceable.  The motor is a little "rattly" but not disturbingly so although does show 230k on the clock.  Chair is 1 1/2 seat with boot, running lights etc but no brake.  So going to need work to get it up to scratch and "pretty".  Price is probably around the $7k.

However, there is a 1970 CJ750 done 2200km since importation following restoration.  It is impeccable.  But, limited on power and speed with a top of 100km/hr.  No leading link and the cchair is only a single seater.  Does have reverse gear which I'm sure would be handy.  Price is around $9k.

The K is a K and a roomy chair but needs work. But, it is a K!

The CJ750 is a pretty good reproduction of a R71, but, its not a Beamer and probably not welcome is ones company, but, did I mention it is impeccable?  It is a 1970 so still a vintage even if it is a Chinese vintage and of my birth year.

Although it would be good to go far afield e.g. Bundy or "out west" chances are it will be smaller jaunts of a couple hundred k out from Brisbane.  Trouble is to get out of Brissy means highway riding for a bit and with the CJ's power and speed could be a drag.

Any peoples views and thoughts would be appreciated.  If any one has a chair, brackets leading link etc I do have a K100RS that could take a chair once the output shaft is done on it.  The low km K100RS I have will stay a solo!

Look forward to hearing back from people.

Cheers, Chris.

I'd take the K.  It's easy enough to fix noises or even replace the engine etc with stuff that's done less work.

I've had a K100 sidecar since '94; on my 3rd one now('87 K100RS with an 1100 motor in it and many other mods).  Leading Link is good to have, it makes long days in the saddle a lot less tiring.  Brakes on the sidecar and reverse gear are far from necessary.  As afr as reverse goes you learn to park appropriately pretty quickly so you dont have to back out of spots and you learn that your right leg usually gives you enough reverse power anyway.

100kmh wouldn't do it for me, sometimes you just have to cover miles and I dont want to be out on the road forever.  Mine is happy up to 140kmh(will go higher, but handling gets a bit edgy) and will happily sit on that all day in the right place.

Al

Everything that Al says. Leading links are a godsend on sidecars and usually extremely expensive. If someone has already spent the money, it would be a pity if you didn't take advantage

I also have a K100rt with a chair. It took me years to find it and I never regretted ma purchase.
The bike was heavily modified by the sidecar manufacturer (EML).
Among the major modifications are a dual swing arm, a leading fork, a very sturdy sub-frame, and 15" car wheels. The sidecar came with the brake kit for the chair, but I never installed it.

From what I was previously reading from the Aussies, the cost associated to buy a leading fork and have the rig engineer approved would cost you a lot of money. The leading fork is a must. Regular forks are not designed to absorb the side load generated with the sidecar.

About performances, yes, the K100 could ride 140km + with my heavy sidecar, but as soon as you get a bit of side wind, it become dangerous. For me, highway speed is 120 max.
However the K100 has an unbelievable torque which is really what you want to pull a sidecar.

K100 are very easy to service and you can find a lot of Used parts for cheap. They don't have any major mechanical problems.

To sum it up, go with the K100.

There is no comparison between a CJ750 and a K100 with a sidecar. Is the CJ a sidevalve or the OHV model?
The sidevalve R71 outfit copy is quite slow. A 100kmh cruising speed would be wildly optimistic. 70kph would be more realistic. Have a look on You tube for some vids of the CJ the Ural and the Dnepr. The new Urals have a slightly more effective cruising speed of about 85-90kmh. People will tell you they can sit on the motorways and sit on 70mph ( 120 kph) but I doubt they'd do it for long with their antiquated drive train.
Don't get me wrong, I like all those outfits and would like to have one, but they are for back road, dirt road and occasional use with a lot of maintenance and short life span of top end etc. The K bike outfit will serve you well with some regular, simple maintenance such as oil changes and final drive greasing etc. The K outfit will cruise comfortably at 100-120 with no dramas and have miles better braking etc.
I put over 300,00km on my last K outfit and am in the process of making another outfit with an 84 K100 RT and DJP.
If I had a lot of money I would buy a Ural or even a CJ, but use would still be limited.

Another aspect worth mentioning is that the CJ750 has a significantly shorter wheelbase, making them less stable at highway speeds. ( 100kph and higher)

Thanks for everyones views.  Reinforced what I felt as well.

The CJ750 is the OHV model and I'd read top speed of 100km/hr so had assumed cruising of about 70km/hr.

Shame it looks so damn good, but, more of a shame that it would only be a show pony.

With a CJ750 a speed limit is not a restriction but a challenge.

I really don't believe what I'm reading.

The choice for me would be the CJ.

Why? Well I've owned a Ural 650 years ago (solo outfit, no sidecar). Best damned fun I have EVER had on a motorcycle. So I would think that it is similar to the CJ.

Describing the Ural as "agricultural" is probably doing tractors a disservice.

You had to keep your wits about you and try an plan your braking ahead of time...oh, and remember to park on a slope just in case you couldn't kick start it. Rain? A whole new adventure.

Cruised on 90 kph...anything more and you would have to be a certified nut case! BUT THE FUN!

Dare I say it...the BMW is dead boring in comparison.

My 2 cents worth.

CJ 750 is the worst crap that exists. The sidecar purpose is only for carrying spares and tools. Don't.

Blakey,
I went to the Ural Open Day near home here a few weeks ago and took a short test ride on one. I really enjoyed it...loved the riding position, loved the rattles and vibes and that good feeling of a " real" bike. I understand that... the kinesthetic thrills. Very reminiscent of my many old bikes... Triumphs and Nortons and my one 860 Ducati over the years.
Somewhere in the shed though, you have to have a bike that will start, run reliably, take you long trips at a decent speed and get you home again.
That's all I'm saying

A link to my usual cheap and nasty video of the Ural event... 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3B9L1eNeZ4

Sean

jbt wrote:CJ 750 is the worst crap that exists. The sidecar purpose is only for carrying spares and tools. Don't.