Motorcycles with sidecars are an endangered species.
You rarely see one in the wild – or on the road.
I think I’ve seen about 3 of them out and about in my whole life.
Back in the day, they were way more common.
They were often a practical form of family transport.
Cars were much more expensive, so motorcycle sidecars were budget friendly.
And of course back then, no-one had to be wrapped in cotton wool to keep them safe from everyday life.
Dad would usually ride, mom would be on the back, and the kids would be in the motorcycle sidecar (holding the groceries, no doubt).
But things are different now.
They’re not quite extinct, but motorcycles with sidecars (often known as ‘outfits’, and the actual sidecar itself is called the ‘chair’) are at least a protected species.
They mostly live in motorcycle museums after being lovingly restored.
Motorcycles with sidecars or ‘chairs’, are hardly ever seen outside of a museum.
That’s why getting up close to these rare beasts was such an adventure.
Chances are there’s no other way to see these vintage motorcycles in the flesh!
Love classic motorcycles?
Then you probably like classic motorcycle t-shirts too.
This one is timeless and will never go out of style.
Now, we already know that vintage motorcycles can make you weep with joy, right?
And there are plenty of them at our favorite motorcycle museum down here at the bottom of the world in New Zealand.
But…I found a whole BUNCH of motorcycles with sidecars in the basement of that museum!
What a treat!
So here are a few of the most interesting specimens, and a little of their back stories.
5 Rare Motorcycles with Sidecars You Can Only See in a Motorcycle Museum
Let’s start with one that’s just draw-droppingly beautiful.
It’s such a work of art, you can’t really imagine this stunning machine was designed just to be practical!
1. Brough Superior SS80, 1936
This is the 1936 Brough Superior SS80.
With its V-twin, side valve, 990cc Matchless Model X engine, this is a rare machine.
Around 1,086 were made, and only 460 of them with this engine.
Apparently this model was once used by the police in the UK!
Just imagine chasing criminals in this thing of beauty.
I bet every time the police would stop someone, there’d be an hour long discussion about this incredible motorcycle.
I wonder if the suspect got to ride back to the station in the sidecar.
It’d almost be worth getting arrested to experience that, wouldn’t it?
2. Moto Guzzi Falcone Sport and Sidecar, 1952
Here’s a Moto Guzzi you likely haven’t seen before!
Yes, it has that distinctive Guzzi fire engine red you expect from this Italian marque.
And plenty of impressive specs, for the 1950s.
With a 499cc engine, it could do 85mph.
Not too shabby.
It has a constant-mesh gearbox, and the flywheel, oil pump, clutch actuator and gearshift mechanism are all externally mounted.
And the sidecar itself is also beautifully engineered.
It has it’s own little step to help you climb aboard, a grab rail right in front of you (just watch your teeth if you stop suddenly).
And the matching red leather seat is plush enough to nap on.
3. Vincent Rapide & Hollandia Sidecar, 1949
It’s amazing to get up close to a Vincent motorcycle.
(Yes, I did stroke it when no-one was looking. Of course I did.)
Vincents are, of course, one of the coolest and most valuable type of vintage motorcycle.
They’re stunning in photos, but, they’re even better in the flesh.
This motorcycle museum happens to have 7 of them, in fact (oooooooohhhh).
But this particular Vincent motorcycle is even rarer than other members of its family.
Because it has a sidecar.
The bike itself has a V-twin engine with 998cc.
It features easily removed wheels, so different sprockets can be attached to change the final drive ratio.
So it’s already unusual.
But will you take a look at the sidecar on this motorcycle!
The same sleek black lines as the bike are mirrored on the sidecar, down to the elegant gold pin stripe to outline the shape.
And it’s finished with a padded sidecar seat in sky blue leather.
Unbelievable, isn’t it?
4. Nimbus Bumble Bee, 1938
You don’t see bumble bees like this very often.
OK, it IS yellow with black stripes.
But I bet it makes more of a clanking roar than a friendly buzz.
This motorcycle that’s named after a hard-working insect is Danish made, with overhead cams, and a 746cc 4 cylinder motor.
I love the huge yellow mudguard protecting the sidecar wheel.
The old school leather sprung seats on the bike itself are also beautiful, and match the brown leather seat in the sidecar itself.
The little screen on the sidecar will keep the bugs off your face – and hopefully protect you from real bees.
But the pale yellow of this motorcycle looks more like a lemon meringue pie than a bumble bee to me.
And definitely even more delicious.
5. Clyno, 1914
This elegant elderly contraption deserves a close look.
There’s a lot going on here.
Making 5-6 horsepower, this British bike had a 750 cc S/V V twin motor.
You probably wouldn’t be getting into any high speed police chases in this thing.
But look at the details.
From the headlight peak, leather top box and chrome features that look more like plumbing fixtures, this was a motorcycle in a state of evolution.
The handlebars look like they could be from a bicycle (just add some streamers to the hand grips).
And there’s an interesting contrast going on with the color scheme.
The motorcycle itself (and the complicated framework fitting the sidecar) are a plain and boring industrial grey.
But this basic foundation is only a base for the incredible details of the finish.
The motorcycle tank and the sidecar are a deep, gleaming royal dark blue.
There’s gold outlining on the tank, and a polished wood edging around the top edge of the sidecar.
The leather chair itself could have come from a king’s private office.
And if you look hard, you’ll notice that its bulky outline works nicely to almost hide the huge spare tire that’s attached behind it.
The enormous sidecar offers more leg room than a family car.
And there’s plenty of space for the picnic basket full of the cucumber sandwiches and thermos of tea you’d probably be resting your feet on.
Tally ho, old chap!
Motorcycles with Sidecars Are Rarely Seen
It’s highly unusual to see a working Vincent motorcycle or a Brough Superior out on the road.
Add a sidecar to either of them, and the chances of a sighting in the wild drop to zero.
So it’s truly inspiring to get up close to these endangered old motorcycles.
And it’s good to know they’re not extinct.
They’re being protected in a state-of-the-art facility that has preserved them for future generations of motorcycle lovers.
These photos were taken at Motorcycle Mecca, New Zealand.
