Side cars are one wheeled contraptions with a seat that is attached rigidly to the motorcycle. You can have one attached to a scooter as well and it is not uncommon to see it attached to a scooter like the Vespa in Europe and the Bajaj in India. But basically this equipment is relevant for motorcycles.

Attaching a side car changes the aerodynamics of the bike. It no longer rides like a two wheeled vehicle. The forces that run a motorcycle like the centripetal and centrifugal do not come to play. The drag coefficient also increases. The maneuverability of the bike as a two wheeled vehicle is lost. The bike then rides more like a car, but then it’s not a car. Its feel is different. So in case you have been riding motorcycles without a side car you will have to learn how to ride a bike with one attached to it. This is because the bike now has 3 wheels and cutting corners and moving through traffic will require some expertise.

Side cars for motorcycles have been in existence since the turn of the last century. WJ Graham of England was the first man to get the patent in 1903.The twenties and thirties was the hay day period and a lot many were manufactured.This continued in full force during the war years (39-45) and were popular with the Armed forces. The Germans particularly used the side car with telling effect and mounted a machine gun on it. The motorcyclist rode the bike and the machine gunner looked all around with the machine gun ready to fire. This type of motorcycle with its attachment with a machine gun was one of the main stays of the German army in occupied Europe.It really did terrorize the populace. The Germans attached these innovations to their BMW, Zundapp and other machines. However the war’s end saw the relative demise of this invention. And after the fifties its usage became restricted. Presently a side car is a rarity and only a few enthusiasts buy it.

Though the attached car is getting out of fashion it must be remembered that during the war years the it had a life of its own. German and soviet bikes(The Ural) used a differential gear to improve the ability of the bike to negotiate all types of terrain. Differential gear permits power from the engine to be transmitted to the wheel of the attached car thereby helping the machine move along easily on an uneven road.

The car attached to a bike is usually made of steel and is fixed to the body of the motorcycle. Most cars can be decoupled from the bike or attached in a reasonable short time. The side car provides a seat for one passenger and can come with an optional wind shield.One of the adoptions also allows a side car to be used to carry cargo. Some of them may have also have a soft removable top. But all these contraptions take away the thrill of a motorcycle and that’s the reason this contraption is almost out of fashion these days. Remember once a side car is attached to a bike the dynamics of the bike change and it drives more like a car. Attaching it to the bike also affects the speed which is greatly reduced. Thus the bike becomes unsuitable for cross country rides or intercity drives. Even in cities the usage of the bike becomes restricted in case the streets are crowded or narrow. Of course the stability is greater and chance of the bike falling on the side is almost zero. It could be a good help for older people and persons who cannot afford a car.

In the world of motorcycles, it is generally agreed upon that motorcycles retain a much higher value than even cars. Japanese motors have been great. And do have been Harley Davidson from the USA and Italian brands. But BMW has continued the legacy of quality and class that started with its brand name cars down to its newer offerings-the motorcycles.

Prestige and class as we have mentioned, marks the reason why people go for BMW motorcycles. First of all, the brand has made a name for itself. This means that the class and prestige and is associated with BMW is beyond reproach. Quality is also another element that buyers have come to expect from the BMW models. This is the same with the motorcycle. Because the German car maker has distinguished itself as a top player in the auto world, the same is trusted in the world of motorcycles.

Motorcyclists are very particular about their bikes. That is why when embarking on its production of top-of-the line motorcycles, BMW had this in mind. Technically, there are two types of used BMW motorcycles, the R- series and the K-series. The differences include two cylinders which are horizontally-positioned for the R series and three to four cylinders usually lying side-by-side for the K-series. Innovation on the part of BMW has also produced the F -series which has only only one cylinder and chain. There are further divisions within the R series. One is the fact that it is modern and has a fuel injection system. This is preferred because it translates into ease of repair and cheaper costs.

As we mentioned, the best way to get a used BMW motorcycle is to visit your local dealer or certified used car lot. This is important because you get to choose and feel what you want and even do a test drive. This is advantageous in that people who shop on eBay do not have this luxury.

eBay motors is also another place which has become popular for shopping for used BMW motorcycles. This is because eBay works mostly as an auction and people who are bargain-hunting find that they can choose motorcycles easily and conveniently. One can also bid on the make and model that they want based on their budget. This essentially means that one can get a motorcycle at a price that is much cheaper than at the dealerships.