We had a dealership for the Ural line of motorcycles in 2007-8-9. They are a well built motorcycle, however they are lending themselves as crude in many ways. The technology is from the early BMW motorcycles. The model we sold came with the sidecar, in two configurations of sidecar, one with a driven sidecar wheel and the civillian model that did not. Right out of the crate and assembled, they were jetted for California's CARB (Ca. Air Rescouce Board) and jetted as such had dismal performance, about that of a spry 250cc. bike, however changing the jets they really really came alive. Top speed, I dont recall now, but I believe it was in the 70mph range (wanked - out) which was slow sort of, but which was sufficient considering the sidecar, a bit slower if the military version had the outboard wheel on the sidecar engaged of course. Acceleration was brisk, though lending itself twards sluggish, though not bad really. As for navigating on the road with the sidecar..... it's a whole 'nother world for the un-initiated. Though you quickly became accostomed to turning and on left hand turns often-times had the sidecar off the ground for convieniance, though not nessessary, pluss LEO may not approve. On right-hand turns it was a matter of slow speeds or hyper-leaning, monkey-like as on side-hacks that you see the British race on tracks. Though none of those shenanigans were nessessary. For moderate driving, they were fine, and not too un-nerving on right-handers. Quality.... well they were well built, I can assure you, though the tech. was dated. These models had typical leading link front forks w/disc brakes. Braking was fairly good, infact I never paid attention to anything in that areana, meaning that it wasn't something I would have noted. Mind you I was a Bike nut and rode a Buell bullit bike 1200cc. fast bike, much modified (for Buell). The quality of the finish was topnotch, nice chrome and the paint was verry nice. Quality control there at the factory was above average. Funny thing..... the crates they came in were enormous, considering, and sufficient for an addition to your porch lol. The price was a killer though, and at a suggester $13,600 up, tough to sell. Our cost was a stagering $10,000. This was of course just before the economic meltdown globally. Prior to that we were kicking out 10-12 bikes a week, sometimes way more, although not Ural brand bikes. They averaged one every two-three months, and needless to say were bought by eclectic types. Would I buy one???? For what their purpose is, yes.... just on a whim? well unless your well off and $ were no hinderance, mabe? As an addition to a Bike collection, absolutly. I was impressed with the overall quality, and though somewhat less than a fierce road burner, they were sufficiant to keep me entertained. their off-road prowress was comperable to a Deuce or Jeep, I mean, with the rear enguaged (sidecar) it was a brute off-road, though heavy, but non-the-less a good performer. The sidecar rack looks sort of wimpy in the pictures, but it was a fairly stout piece, and sufficient for rather alot of cargo.The motor was a bit low on horse power, somewhere in the range of about 40hp as I recall, but grunt (torque) was good, from the bottom on up. They were also verry comfortable, and came with an outstanding tool kit pluss spare tire of-course. Changing tires was akward, but not too unduely. Of-course the most difficult was the rear on the bike fitted with the outboard drive for the sidecar, though not bad, no not bad. Mabe 1/2 hour doing such a change. I have nothing bad to say about the Ural. The lead time to have then shipped to us was usualy lengthy though, up to three months sometimes, and had to be paid in advance. The last one we sold, we offed at just over cost and then discontinued activly persuing the sales. Parts are only somewhat difficult to get, rather ..timely.... but available, so theres no worry there. Though parts rarely break, as I eluded, they are well built, but as the latest batch of hyper-bikes go, they ARE crude, but heak, its a 40 year old design. If any of you are framilliar with the dirt bikes from the 60-70-80's CZ, I need'nt say more.....only a real dolt could kill either a CZ or a Ural. Ural, leakage.....?...virtually zero. I would have liked to own one, but fortunatly as a dealer did get to ride one about, to and from the shop as the whole outfit was so large so as to not be able to be secured in the showroom at days end, so that nessesitated riding it home (about a half mile everyday), so that was a neat thing, a pluss. If you have the oppertunity to get one for a good price, Id say "go for it".........however, a note of caution... the 2000's up were the best, anything built from 2000 on , and especially mid 2000's.
PICTURES ON THE NEXT PAGE........................I would NOT HESITATE to drive one CROSS COUNTRY, don't give it a second thought, just bring warm clothing and a cedit card/cash and enjoy...
One last note: we NEVER had to order any replacement parts other than tires, which being Eastern Block were less than long wearing, though Dunlop has a GREAT replacement tire for the bike. Your not going to have trouble, rather the stock tires wore rather quicker than the American market offerings.
