Today the Ural has made it to 7,500km at 8 weeks and we are really happy with its performance. We thought it would be appropriate to detail performance/problems so far.
The gearbox was faulty from day 1, it turned out to be a loose pin in the shifter but a new box was installed to alleviate any problems.
The round nuts that hold the exhaust pipes to the muffler came loose just to confirm what it says in the handbook, "CHECK NUTS & BOLTS REGULARLY".
The carburetor intake from the air cleaner came loose, think I probably knocked it but was a simple fix.
The switch on the front brake has failed and a new one supplied under warrantee.
We have had two flat tires on the pusher and this was the result of inferior tubes. It has only been the pusher so the extra stress possibly caused the problem, but the tubes were definitely not up to standard.
We have used three Russian pusher tires in 7,500km, mainly due to excessive loads, faster speeds, we change them early but mainly crappy quality.
That's it, the bike is performing better than I ever expected and at a bit over $10,000 must be the best value motor cycle on the road (we still have a long way to go but I think/hope it will continue to perform extra well.)
It seems to be particular about fuel but when it gets to drink genuine premium plus we reckon it performs at its best. Lesser fuel does not work as well, not as much power, much slower on the hills, that we are sure of.
For touring the USA & Canada so far we have found the Ural excellent. The interstates are normally avoided, especially in the cities so we get to see rural US & Canada, and the slower speeds forced on us by the Ural let us see a lot more scenery and ensure we meet a lot more people. The advantage we have is 12 months to do our tour, if we had to compress it into 4 weeks we would possibly like a faster bike.
Graham & Julie Meyer
www.thesunshineteam.com.au
God bless you and tell us about your experiences.Somewhen I want to change from Jawa to Ural Patrol and I am interested in your experience, because its a good distance from Washington state to Costa Rica Sven Peter Pan
Graham and Julie, it was indeed a pleasure to make your acquaintance at the rally in Idaho this past week end. It was a great week end made all the better because of your presence. I hope the rest of your trip is excellent with nothing more than minor challenges. Good luck and Godspeed my friends!
Graham and Julie were at the Fri st Ever Sidecar Rally in Hayden Lake Id.with what seemed to be a perpetual smile and endless stories about there trip and the Ural, Graham said something that says something about the Ural, and I quote,"The way we've treated the Ural, if it was a Dog, we would be thrown in jail", to say that the Ural is packed to the hilt is a understatement, when they won the long distance award Julie was holding it and one could see the gears turning trying to figure where the heck she could put it, it was only a 1/2 inch thick and about 8" long by 4" wide, I think there going to mail it home.
If you get a chance to meet this couple by all means do so, it will most likely be the HiLite of your day.
Ride Safe and Enjoy.
For those who haven't heard. The Aussie express has been derailed for a few weeks, as an unfortunate fall by Julie has left her with a busted up kneecap and shoulder. So some healing time is needed before they venture off down the road again.
-Mike
Where are they now? What state?
From Idaho (First ever NW Sidecar Rally) they were going to Calgary and then to Prince Rupert Is. BC, where there at,,,got no idea.
Graham has posted details of Julie's mishap and the problems they now face over on the Ural web board. I think they're humg up in Calgary for the time being but looking to get back down to the Northwest while she recovers. www.imz-ural.com then community, then web board...
Thanks for the good news about the Ural motorcycle. I am picking mine up in a few days and am really looking forward to it. I will be sure to check nuts and bolts often.
Paul Boufford
Is there a route and time of this trip/venture? I'm in the Southern California desert on Route 66. I'd like to wave as they motor by. Maybe see Death Valley!
Dave
Graham mentioned three rallies they intended on attending but taking it as it comes other than that. They're not due home until Feburary.
It was great to meet Graham and Julie and everyone else at the "First Ever". Archey the dog is a new best friend.
Graham and Julie, if your plans ever change to include Vancouver Island, please be sure to look us up.
Gary and Barbara Storch
It was certainly a pleasure to meet Gary and Barbara at the Idaho rally too. And thank you Barbara for taking Archie on such a long walk. He needed that and sure came back happy! Hope that was the first of many rallies where our paths will cross.
