Custom Off-Road BMW R1150GS Adventure Sidecar Built By Boxer Metal GoPro Hero 3+

Raphael Bertolus of Studio City, California shows us his custom sidecar rig built around a BMW R1150GS Adventure. The rig, designed by Raphael and built by Boxer Metal of Chico, California, is a chase vehicle for expeditions of RawHyde Adventures, the official BMW Off-Road Training Center. Riding video shot with the GoPro Hero 3+.
For more motorcycle videos visit: www.themotochannel.com/
Find us on Facebook: themotochannel
Follow us on Twitter: TheMotoChannel
(@TheMotoChannel)
For more information on RawHyde Adventures visit: www.rawhyde-offroad.com
Fore more information on Boxer Metal visit: boxermetal.com

[@johnathansmith3819]

Beautifully designed. Certainly a piece of engineering. What I can not still come to understand are these facts: for a (roughly) $28000 motorcycle, $7.000 sidecar, you still have a bike with a side car that does not tilt, and it is driven only by one wheel. As comparison, Is it a wonderful ashtray installed on a motorcycle?

[@derniederrheiner4518]

I ride an 1150 with an e2000 by EML myself. A tip from me, that seems to be an EML front swingarm. Like also the rest looks like EML Design.With this type of swingarm, it can happen that the shock absorber springs through to the stop when driving through a pothole. The lower cross bar then hits the front wing very hard. To prevent this, I put in two spring travel limiters from Harley Davidson. In the meantime, there are good battery compressors. I have a Makita one with me because I have Makita battery tools anyway. Its battery is easily enough for a holiday in Iceland.

[@G5macintosh]

you have done it and it looks good!

[@raphaelbertolus2464]

+G5macintosh Thank you.

[@cbha1000]

WOW... i am impress.. i have seen Memphis modification, but this one is beyond imagination, i am a proud owner of a BMW R1150GS 2005 , with some modifications, but nothing close to this one this is Awesome.. i wish i can have the founds to do so, enjoy my friend you did an amazing job

[@raphaelbertolus2464]

+Steven Antsdon Thank you. Fun project and used regularly.

[@seangraysonmichael7321]

Love this channel! Awesome bikes, lots of fun.

[@JasonSchoeman]

I wonder what the affect on the chassis is when riding the cart sideways like that. It must have some sort of detrimental effect on the chassis as a whole. But yeah, sterling job in making it sturdy.

[@raphaelbertolus2464]

+Jason S It's actually tough on the tires that are not designed to run on the sidewalls.

[@PepeDeezNutz]

That dog looks thrilled

[@zombiewoof5257]

Great bike!

[@raphaelbertolus2464]

+Zombie Woof Thank you.

[@TheGranolaForce]

Very Cool!

[@raphaelbertolus2464]

+Kenneth Varghese Thanks.

[@trevorzealley729]

Off to Dakar ? As a motorcycle recovery perhaps ?

[@patstaffer1331]

Very interesting sidecar, but far away from the reality to ride it in a desert and offroad. No reverse or 2WD on this heavy beast brings you not far anyways. Electrical suspension, electrical airpump, looks like you have never been in the desert? Temperatures are very low in the night, the first thing what get killed is your battery....less is more, make a "by hand" ajustable suspension and/or a simple airpump. Less weight, less troubles with the electrical parts etc. Really a nice ride!

[@Buck1954]

Is the frame and modifications a one off build? I'm hoping that are some design drawings of this rig. I like many of the features and this is the best design I've seen anywhere.

[@raphaelbertolus2464]

This is a one off. No drawings. Lots of trials and some errors!

[@voltron63]

so cool!!!!!

[@raphaelbertolus2464]

+voltron63 Thanks

[@nomansland4811]

Not a trike Joe. A hack, or sidecar. Very different geometry from a trike. Much more stable off road than a trike.

[@MrPantube]

I really love the idea of a sidecar motorcycle and would like to see a BMW version of the Ural. One thing I notice is you don't have two wheel drive - but you do have car tires to grip the road better. Do you find that comparable to a two-wheel drive system? I would love to see a transverse axle driven sidecar wheel in a production BMW motorcycle. For off-road cycling you just can't beat a two-wheel drive system. I hesitate to get a Ural because I've heard of so many quality control issues and mechanical breakdowns. I'm hoping someone will compete to build a better off road sidecar motorcycle. You've got a badass machine - I'd just like to get one in two wheel drive if you can get ANY motorcycle company to build one. The market is definitely there.

[@TheAmbonmanise2]

Alexandru Popa s

[@caferacer3539]

Driven sidecar wheel complicate the design but don't get an advantage on the offroad, maybe in a depth mud.

[@deblyons824]

i want it now

[@revanslacey]

Wow. Only thing I'd change would be to have a stove / grill rather than the expresso maker.

[@DARIVSARCHITECTVS]

A stove is definitely a better idea.

[@SSMateuszSS]

DARIVS ARCHITECTVS What about a shower and a plasma tv....idiots.

[@DARIVSARCHITECTVS]

SSMateuszSS What is that supposed to mean?

[@raphaelbertolus2464]

+DARIVS ARCHITECTVS Let's keep it civil here. We can talk about it around a camp fire, roasting mash-mellows.

[@smartassist9700]

I’m planning a very long bike tour. I want to bring extra gas and not be crowded on bike. Is there a good source for a slim light weight pull trailer?

[@raphaelbertolus2464]

Not familiar with those! Sorry.

[@MrJim1029]

I just subscribed to you but i think you are one of the best motor channels on here

[@corvidone]

Hi Raphael...I know it's been a while since this vid came out, but I'm really curious on how you built the front end on your GS. I have A 2002 1150 GSA with a Ural hack hung on it. Still have the original front end on...and it works OK but would like someday to upgrade it to something like yours. Any info that you would be willing to share would be greatly appreciated. Chuck

[@raphaelbertolus2464]

We used an EML front end. Contact Chris @ Boxer Metal for more details. (boxermetal.com)

[@corvidone]

Thanks for the info!

[@wickedleeloopy2115]

👀 addict 🙊 yep.thats huge.its as wide as a car. Would you concider a trailer instead next time to keep it a single track vehicle & try to keep the bike as standard as possible . good build quality 👍

[@GarryThomassaltyreefers]

Stunning, thank you for sharing

[@raphaelbertolus2464]

+Garry Thomas My pleasure

[@cameronsainsbury8332]

I like the Espresso machine on the back, look good in the back of my Heep (Jeep) on the trails

[@woodshippie69]

Glorious bro fuck an rv i pretty much live out of my gs650f for a few months out of the year dragged it a couple times trying to tow it like your mini bmw. Fucking beautiful bro make a 650 sidecar thats where im at in life

[@hawaiisidecar]

The pitbike was a great addition.

[@raphaelbertolus2464]

+Hawaiisidecar All in fun. To Alan B'Stard M P. That's a gymic.

[@mbaroneva76]

Not a scratch on it. Must not be much desert extricating to be done.

[@raphaelbertolus2464]

+Michael Barone Go to: journal.aetherapparel.com/2014/09/19/death-valley-overland-journal-fall-2014/ and watch go UP "Lippincott Trail" in Death Valley.

[@carlosraymundodelcastilloc6324]

W O N D E R 😁

[@Mr4439]

хорошо получилось . жаль нет заднего хода

[@raphaelbertolus2464]

+Mr4439 Wish I could read this!

[@arkansaswookie]

That is one beefy set of tires on that BMW. I'd take a BMW with a sidecar over the Ural any day.

[@raphaelbertolus2464]

+arkansaswookie If you want to go on the highway for any distance and not die, you do. Tires are 165/70-14

[@Koolboy7591]

Cool trick, why not do it without endangering the dog

[@themotochannel]

Koolboy7591 He should put a helmet on the dog? I don't think they make motorcycle helmets that fit dogs.

[@raphaelbertolus2464]

+Koolboy7591 Once you master driving a sidecar, there is no more danger than a solo bike. Granted riding is a dangerous occupation but so is living. It's all about calculated risk.

[@elmanitasdeplomo]

Perhaps, but it's not like the dog's asking to get involved in these endeavors.

[@BillyBoblovesthedirt]

Not bad.

[@tonibeitlich9948]

Very nice 😂

[@martychin9496]

Who made your leading link fork?

[@hawaiisidecar]

Unit most likely.

[@paulandmarian]

Those don't look like Unit at all and Unit closed down quite a while before this was built. They look more like Wasp in style and strength, but could be European.

[@raphaelbertolus2464]

+MARTY CHIN A Dutch company named EML. We modified it for our purpose.

[@darrells5691]

perfect for a disabled man like me...great job

[@raphaelbertolus2464]

+Darrell S Thanks. Sidecars rock.

[@caferacer3539]

Are you german? I like you bike (sidecar), but I bet it costs you more than a Jeep Rangler f.e. Your work remind me old WWII BMW and Zundapp 2WD 750cc sidecars

[@ammagato]

Cui prodest?

[@raphaelbertolus2464]

+Elio Viviani cygnus inter anates

[@arnold7953]

EML made in holland?

[@raphaelbertolus2464]

+arnold Base chassis, sub-frame, front end and wheels are EML, heavily modified.

[@MsRandiCook]

No gun rack... :(

[@raphaelbertolus2464]

+Randi Cook Not a bad idea!!!

[@hxsm8090]

"Any BMW fan will recognize that this is not the stock front suspension." No shit sherlock.

[@IchibanMoto]

that's awesome ! I so want to build a sidecar rig... maybe after my famous youtube café racer series is finished

[@raphaelbertolus2464]

+Ichiban Moto Just do it! Long after the cost is forgotten, you will still have fun.

[@Koolboy7591]

That little bike you're pulling is going to fall off please get it on film

[@raphaelbertolus2464]

+The Moto Channel The mini-beemer is no Chinese bike but a real 1977 Honda Mini-Trail that I restored.

[@bienvenuhector7303]

stupid answer

[@JoeGP]

cool trike, i found it ironic that he drove a 2 wheeled machine transformed into a 3 wheeled machine on 2 wheels

[@andytamonan947]

I like to used that in delivery cargo

[@raphaelbertolus2464]

+andy tamonan Perfect for that.

[@wickedleeloopy2115]

I would bolt on a camping tent on top of side cart & sleep in it 😉

[@dalemartin2814]

Only millionaires need apply.

[@raphaelbertolus2464]

+Dale Martin Maybe not millionaires but certainly not cheap. It's amazing what you can do when you exceed an unlimited budget. ;^)

[@brad450]

Classic case of Too much money and not enough brains. he could have easily used Flat top Motorcycle tires like a Ural, even ordering custom molded tires would have been cheaper than modifying a bike to use Car tires.

[@laryangel4082]

O

[@TheSamuele79]

Povero cane

[@dillonmech7206]

DORK PATROL

[@user-tp6zu5kn7i]

こはさこてす

[@joash480]

pls dont do that to your dog where you scare the living hell out of him with ur wheelie stunts.

[@gerry343]

0:43 That poor old dog looks a little wary of your riding style.

[@raphaelbertolus2464]

She's long gone by now. She loved riding but you are correct, she wasn't a fan of being bounced around. My new one does!

[@voxellab4339]

why have a motorcycle if you have a side car. All the hassle with out a car.

[@raymondo162]

Combinations offer the worst points of a motorcycle, along with the worst points of a car. What's not to not like ?

[@raphaelbertolus2464]

@@raymondo162 I agree and if you have to explain it, they won't understand!

[@hankgs]

LOL, I love BMW's and I like Urals and I also like JEEP's...They all serve a purpose. That being said, this gentleman had too much $ to burn on toys...!

[@cliveramsbotty6077]

lose all the benefits of a bike whilst gaining none of the benefits of a car

[@mikejames8625]

Can't stand mini bikes.

[@raphaelbertolus2464]

+Mike James Me neither but they are sooooo cute!

[@hans_jurgendiefenbach8466]

Was sollen diese Zirkusnummern,kauf dir doch gerade ein Zweirad,als mit dem Unsinn da!!!