If you’re riding abroad this year, don’t be surprised to see a British sidecar outfit on your travels. It seems that orders from around the world have grown for Watsonian. The 105-year-old firm exported around a third of their models in 2016. Now more than half of their sales are coming from overseas.
Orders have been sent to private buyers in France and the Netherlands. And distributors in the USA, Indonesia and Austria are also keen to snap up some sidecar outfits at the moment.
“Last year exports accounted for 30% of production; this year we’re exporting around 55%” says Watsonian Sales Director Ben Matthews. “Without a doubt the lower value of the Pound has helped, but we also have the technical expertise to supply fitting kits too, so that they can attach the sidecar to their customers’ motorcycles safely and securely”
Obviously sidecars for UK use need to be on the left hand side of your bike, away from oncoming traffic. But with most countries requiring them to be fitted to the opposite side, it’s handy Watsonian produce bike-specific kits for both options.
As overseas buyers boost Watsonian sidecar sales, its models like the Grand Prix which are being exported. It was originally produced in the 1960s, and has the octagonal front originally seen on Watsonian products in the 1930s. The traditional British look is constructed from fibreglass over a welded tubular steel frame and finished with polished gel coat. Modern tyres sit on a 16″ spoked wheel and passengers now benefit from leading link suspension. The cost for a sidecar outfit like the Watsonian Grand Prix starts at £5,750.
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