I am considering 2 bikes as my first sidecar rig. Both bikes being sold from a dealership.
#1 - 2006 Ural Troyka - is at a local dealer, has 2700 km on it, comes w/ windshield on sidecar & bike, has spare tire and heavy rack, sidecar & bike covers, blue & white. Asking is $6000.
#2 - 2011 T - at a dealer 1000 miles away, has 19000 km on it, no spare, no rack, no covers. Has a fully rebuilt front end (got backed into) bike is flat black. Asking is $5000. To add a windshield on the car and bike would run about $500 +/-. Plus I have to drive there, rent a trailer, drive it back. That's a couple hundred there.
I am aware of Urals reputation for required tinkering, but I'm having a hard time finding another complete rig in my price range. I've been looking since last year. I do NOT want to shell out a lot for a bike I may scratch (or worse) as I learn HOW to drive a sidecar rig. In spite of their issues, Urals seem to have a pretty loyal following and SEEM to hold their value & sell pretty quickly.
So - any thoughts? Avoid Ural altogether? Go local? Does 1 have more issues than the other? What's the top speed on either of theses? (I've heard about 65mph) Experienced, educated, constructive input welcome, please.
I'd go with the newer one and enjoy the adventure of driving it home. Generally these bikes have had improvements as time has gone on. I can't speak to exact changes from 06 to 11. I'd suggest posting on Soviet Steeds. those guys live and breathe urals.
another option, there are a couple nice rigs turn key ready in the price range you have posted. not sure of your location so can't speak for how far they are from you
I don't know about the wisdom of driving it 1000 miles having never driven a hack 1 mile. I'm a little crazy, not sure I'm that crazy. LOL Besides - I'd have to get there somehow. No cheaper to fly 1 way than to drive. Trailering the bike seems a little safer. Maybe I'll ride my next one home, eh?
I took the advice on posting on Soviet Steeds, I'll see what they say. Just reading there a bit, they seem to recommend the 2005 and newer as being more reliable. The newer bike seems to have been ridden more, but the other one was kept garaged after the original owner died a few years back. Or so I'm told.
redsimp - 4/20/2017 1:30 PM
I don't know about the wisdom of driving it 1000 miles having never driven a hack 1 mile. I'm a little crazy, not sure I'm that crazy. LOL Besides - I'd have to get there somehow. No cheaper to fly 1 way than to drive. Trailering the bike seems a little safer. Maybe I'll ride my next one home, eh?
Fellow who just bought my GW/Escort rig never drove a SC rig and flew to PHX and drove it 2000 miles home to Wisconsin. When I bought it I paid the previous owner to drive it 150 miles to my house... To each their own...
Big Tom - 4/20/2017 5:02 PM
To each their own...
Indeed. 😉
If you like tinkering Ural will be perfect. If you like to ride more then tinkering may be good idea to look for other bike. Also good idea to mark your location. It is several option near Denver in your price range.
Yes, I've heard that about the Urals, too. One of the reasons I'm slow to pull the trigger. Thanks - hadn't thought of putting in MY location. I'm in central WI, near Oshkosh. I've been checking the "rigs for sale" section, but haven't found anything I liked there.
I hope you find your ideal rig before this but, there is a very laid back sidecar rally in central WI in July. The SKUNK's are reviving the 10th First Annual, Sidecar Rally, Tornado Watch and Bear Scare-a-thon. It's going to be held July 14-16 at the Pioneer Village Museum in [well, actually near] Cameron, WI. Here's the flyer...
Ya dats up nort awrighty, eh? 😀 That would be a few hours ride, but a nice ride for sure. I'll put it on my calendar! I don't know if I'll have a rig by then, but it would be fun to see some. Anybody ever sell their rigs there?
redsimp - 4/20/2017 8:02 PM
Ya dats up nort awrighty, eh? 😀 That would be a few hours ride, but a nice ride for sure. I'll put it on my calendar! I don't know if I'll have a rig by then, but it would be fun to see some. Anybody ever sell their rigs there?
There have been rigs for sale but there's no guaranty. BUT... Scrambler Cycle, will be there and they are the best riggers in the area. I've had Kevin [he's Scrambler Cycle] build two complex rigs for me. He usually has something for sale.
Red,
There's a decent looking starter rig in our classifieds. Search for post #93134. I know it's a long way but the rig is cheap enough to make it worthwhile. This looks like the kind of rig you could get as a starter and resell for about the same money when you outgrow it.
Good luck.
I checked out the classifieds again - some newer listings (or maybe I missed). I see the '83 that you mentioned - that is a good price & nice looking rig. I also saw an '86 GW in MN for $5500 (post #92972) which looks big, but very sweet. And closer. Am I better starting with a smaller, lighter rig like the GS650 or beefier set-up like the '86 wing?
the way I look at it is like this
you should look for a rig based on the size of bike you currently ride or that your comfortable on when riding on 2 wheels
if your used to a 1200 for example I wouldn't go down in size as you will very soon be unhappy with it's capabilities
if anything I would consider going up in size as you can control extra power by simply not using it till your comfortable with it
but only go up as much in size as you would have with 2 wheels
as far as traveling to buy and riding it back, I wouldn't advise it. I know many have done it and survived just fine, but there are just as many that crashed right away
riding a rig is a whole new experience, A great experience I'll say but you don't just jump on and take off and know what your doing
Good Luck with your search and I hope you find that perfect or at least a real good first rig
AJ1200 - 4/21/2017 9:32 AM
the way I look at it is like this
you should look for a rig based on the size of bike you currently ride or that your comfortable on when riding on 2 wheels
if your used to a 1200 for example I wouldn't go down in size as you will very soon be unhappy with it's capabilities
if anything I would consider going up in size as you can control extra power by simply not using it till your comfortable with it
but only go up as much in size as you would have with 2 wheels
as far as traveling to buy and riding it back, I wouldn't advise it. I know many have done it and survived just fine, but there are just as many that crashed right away
riding a rig is a whole new experience, A great experience I'll say but you don't just jump on and take off and know what your doingGood Luck with your search and I hope you find that perfect or at least a real good first rig
I currently ride a Yamaha RSV 1300. So the 1500 Wing would not be "too much" rig. Makes sense. I also assumed the 86 wing will not drop in value too much in a few years (assuming I don't crash it) when I might consider getting something newer. And I already decided I'm not gonna just hop on and head home - unless it's REALLY close to home. There's just too much to learn, and I don't want to be a danger to myself or others on the road. Trailer rental is cheap compared to hospital bills.
Again, thanks. You guys have been a lot of help.
