Here it is:
Hi Craig,
Can you tell me some of your reasons for cancelling the Terraplane project.
I wouldn’t think you would start a project as complex as a sidecar without some benefit.
I understand the 2 pros and cons you listed, but was there any other reason?
My ultimate goal is to go camping with my wife comfortably.
I was looking at making a trailer too.
Thanks,
Mike
Craig's Reply:
When I owned the company, I cancelled the Terraplane project. Never sold a one.
What I learned was:
Side cars are the safest thing you can ride with when the roads are slippery
The are the most dangerous thing you can be riding with when the roads are dry and twisty.
Consider this carefully before you buy.
Personally, I never had any incident riding with my Terraplane. I loved it in the winter when the roads were slippery. That is why I made it
There are situations when the road is dry - if you were not very experienced - you could crash. Everybody at my company had some kind of unexpected incident. Nobody got hurt. But I figured that sidecars were so touchy - on dry pavement - that I would not risk the reputation of my company by producing one.
What am I going to say: "Caution, don't ride on dry roads"
But I loved that Terraplane! It allowed me to ride all winter.
I could do tricks in Illinois winters that defied belief.
Now that I live in California, along the Pacific ocean, where - it does not freeze os this year, anyway, rain, - an unexpected situation could send me into the ocean, it does not solve any problem I have. I don't need one.
Knowing what I know, I would not ride roads like Hwy 1 on the Cal coast or 550 in Colorado with a sidecar.
Comments?