Triumph Rocket 3 + EZS Munro

World on Three Wheels

Watsonian Squire sidecars – NEC 2006

The British motorcycle industry may have collapsed in the 1960’s and ‘70’s but Watsonian sidecars have been in continuous production since before the First World War.  Today Watsonian Squire is the oldest surviving sidecar maker in the world and one of only a dozen major manufacturers left, yet it has a full order book for its range of classic styles and modern designs from customers around the world. 

Once a common site on English roads, in times of austerity the sidecar provided families with transport between and after the two World Wars.  Watsonian used to make 400 a month in those heady days, but the market was largely killed off by the availability of cheap cars in the late 1950s and sidecars became a fringe element of the motorcycle business. 

These days customers tend to be owners of American-style custom cruiser motorcycles, as their torquey V-twin engines are well suited to carrying a chair. Watsonian export throughout the world, including Japan where Y’s Gear, part of the Yamaha Motor Group, have recently added the classically styled Monza to the range of sidecars that they already import from Watsonian. 

The most popular model in the range is the GP Jubilee, a single- seat sports sidecar that retains the traditional octagonal nose shape dating from the 1920's and a large spoked wheel.  It has a tubular steel perimeter frame with pre-load adjustable leading link suspension.  Its body is of a hand laid G.R.P. construction with polished gel-coat finish. There is traditional polished aluminium beading on the octagonal nose section,  cast luggage grids on the boot lid and an aluminium framed polycarbonate windscreen.  Four arm system fitting kits are available for most motorcycles over 350cc. Prices start at £3,529 for the GP Jubilee.  

EZS Munro

Watsonian work closely with EZS sidecars of the Netherlands, whose latest design, the Munro, they will show at the NEC paired with a Triumph Rocket III.  The Munro was developed to suit both left and right-hand attachment.

This sidecar offers a comfortable place for two passengers with its seat width of 820mm, which is extendable to 860mm. The boot volume is 380L.  Both its appearance and its size suit mid (e.g. BMW boxers) to larger motorcycles.  A very special feature is the double skinned body, boot lid and mudguard. This gives an extra smooth finish and a great shape. The body is held open by a gas shock and its low access makes it comfortable for the passenger/s to enter the sidecar.