I am getting ready to make the plunge into a sidecar. After a little research and help from this board I am leaning towards a ural sidecar on my existing gs. I live in Colorado and want to use it for camping with my two young ones (4 and 6). Does anyone have any feedback or experience with a similar set-up? Do the Urals comfortable rides? Thanks for your comments.
Sounds like a fine rig. The later Urals with foam seats are very comfortable. The rubberized horsehair ones are not. The URAL will be a good fit for the bike, the 17" seat width may be a bit squeezy for the kids but I used to pack my bride and three youngsters in my old MG TD roadster and they didn't mind a bit.
Hackin:
Any other suggestions for a dual sport (dirt road) set-up?
If you're not interested in the better detailing of the URAL Classic, a Dnepr or C-J will get you there too. I'd stay with the 4.00x19" wheel for side strength and clearance. The hiway treads drift nicely without tearing up the tire. One problem with these cars is the wheel isn't always concentric and you will notice that quickly at highway speed when it starts hopping or squirming.
Hi Dan,
Where are you in Colorado? We have a small group of sidecar
enthusiasts in the Denver area, we meet Thursday nights at
the Putt 'n Pub, 7785 West Colfax Ave in Lakewood about
4:30 to 6:30 PM (people come and go...VERY informal). We
have members with Ural chairs on various bikes, and also
people using BMW GSs as tugs for their rigs. If you are
close enough to hit a meeting or two you can probably
glean a bunch of info... (not to mention a little BS)
Let me know if I can help.
john in Denver
Funny, I have a GS AND a Ural, just not together. My Ural is attached to a 1974 R90/6 BUT I think a GS with a Ural would make a fine combo. Does your GS have ABS because that could be an issue, except with a GS you have the option to turn them off. I would go and meet with your local sidecar folks. I am sure they will provide you with a wealth of knowledge. Also, have you considered taking a sidecar class. Trust me, it is not the same as "riding" a bike. Before I took my class I "almost" traded a bike for an R100RT rig from a guy in St. Louis (I'm in Chicago)The plan was we would meet "halfway", about 150 miles driving for each. Fortunately I nixed the deal. My first day driving a rig at a sidecar class,I kept laughing my ass off KNOWING had I done that deal I would have DIED for certain on the ride home that day.
Good Luck,
Dr. Raoul Duke
