I found a use 06 Ural at the local dealer for $9000?

Ask at these forums, you'll learn more than you need!

http://sovietsteeds.com/forums/

or

http://www.russianiron.com/forums/

Dave

Thank Dave, I'll check it out. What side car do ride and recommend?

check out the curd sites lots of imfo here.i run a tourist and like it generally the newer year model you buy the better, because improvements have been ongoing with the solving of some of the older issues that plagued the early models.updates include brakes,wiring,seals,bearings and carburation.there are lots of pros and cons.this i think is the only factory made at present motorcycle sidecar combo.simplicity of service/repair.parts are plentifull,if you service and care for it it will get you home if you are not somebody who can carry out some basic service/repairs dont buy one.carb balance is crucial but very easy to do.if you dont mind a little tinkering,then go for it its unique and you will get attatched!!! cant say about price as i am up in ns canada.jota

Kavan,

Here is the link to CURD (Canadian Ural/Dnepr Riders Group)
They are also an enthusiastic and informative bunch.

http://curd.phpbb3now.com/index.php

As my signature at the bottom of the post indicates, I ride a Dnepr(dNyeper) MT-16. You probably didn't think that that mess of consonants and numbers was a kind of motorcycle. lol

They look like Urals, but were made in Ukraine for the Soviet military. The factory closed down in 2007, by then they were assembling bikes from parts on hand. Most Dneprs available in the U.S. are not turn key rigs, they require a lot of TLC to get sorted out.
My Dnepr was imported and assembled by the Russian American Motorbike Company (RAMCO) in Seattle. They upgraded a lot of parts to meet DOT and EPA requirements, it has been relatively trouble free, much like a new Ural. RAMCO could get no more new motorcycles and the owner retired. He is still a good source of parts though.

Dave

Don't know much about them. They look pretty cool but seem over priced to me. I went to a side car meet in Griffith Park last year and bought a Honda Goldwing GL1500 with California Friendship car for less than half of that. It's a blast to drive and I can go 75 MPH on the freeway with no problem and carry a ton of stuff with my girl friend and dog!

I live in Lake Elsinore and work in southern OC.

Here's a link to the SoCal Sidecar Club:

http://www.socalsidecarclub.com/

Here's a link to one for sale that looks pretty cool:

http://www.socalsidecarclub.com/zadMikesCB750.html

I owned a Ural Tourist for 2.5 years and liked it...in fact I am sorry I sold it but at the time it seemed like the thing to do.

As mentioned earlier if you don't want to tinker this is probably not the rig for you. That said, they are easy to work on and you can do most stuff with the tools that come with the bike. I never had any real issues. Small stuff like brake light switches, horn, one rear drive gasketl failed. Other than that it was trouble free for 14K KM. A very fun ride. I sold at $6000.00 with it well sorted, in top notch condition Rear luggage rack, windscreen, leg fairings, aux gas container etc.

$9000.00 is probably an OK price for a Patrol model or Gear in like new condition up but seems too steep to me for a Tourist. Just my 2 cents worth.

If you ever plan onkeeping up with the California traffic,a URAL is not the way to go, even in top notch tune they won't survive the freeway speeds.
Backroads at about 50mph or so OK for the 2 wheel drive rigs, A bit faster for the Tourist.

Lonnie

yes if you plan on covering long distances quickly its not the rig for you 60mph on my tourist is as fast as i usually go.most of my driving is on back roads and secondary roads were it is happy.
jota

I looked at the Ural myself when shoping for a sidecar, but then after comparing the Goldwing with the Ural, I went with the Goldwing with CSC (california side car - friendship 1). It was less then half the price, had loads of comfort features (stereo, intercom, air ride suspension, twice the power, ability for long trips comfortably, better build quality/longevity, the list goes on.

It was a no brainer.

I still think the Urals/DNEPR/CJ750(asian version), are very kool, and have a great history, so they do that have attraction.....??

The sites mentioned will get you some valuable information, as well as a seach through the archives here. Lots has been discussed here as to Urals, both pro and con.

To me, and I know nothing in the least of the actual rig you mention as for sale, I would ask some folk actually out in California. The junk they apply in CA for smog control may really hamper the thing from performing to the best it can. Super slab riding is more common out in many parts of CA, so a Ural is not going to be a good choice if you are wanting to keep up at super slab speeds. It is also no fun to be in bumper to bumper traffic for long periods of time, so a different option may well be to look at a different brand. Me, I like the Ural, but I also know quite a bit of the characteristics of it and know what to expect out of mine. Sometimes fellows purchase with their heart an not their heads, so asking around is a great way to get some good insight in figuring out what rig best suits your personal needs. Lots of installers here, so they can point out some really great rigs to consider as a back up option.

I also think that new rigs are waaaaay overpriced by IMZ, currently. I'd never recommend getting a new one over a used one. However, like all used bikes and rigs, the price is only half the bargain. There are just too many variables to say that the price quoted is good. If it were a well taken care of rig, with lots of options, I may consider $9,000, but if not, I'd say the price is a bit high. Barter and see what you can come up with. Take a person familiar with Urals with you to check out the rig. Lots of folk on the various sites, so finding someone willing to help and look it over with you should not be so difficult. The economy makes good used rigs a bargain in most cases. Lots of low mileage (low KM) rigs out there if you know where to look. Ural dealers have inventories that are not moving, just like any other make. People can't eat a Ural, so wanting one and needing one are two different things. A good, used one should not be too difficult to locate and you have the power as a purchaser in this economy, I suspect.

Good luck on your choice and let us know what you decided.

Originally written by Chili Pepper Garage on 3/10/2009 9:26 AM

Here's a link to one for sale that looks pretty cool:

http://www.socalsidecarclub.com/zadMikesCB750.html

That's Mike Braverman's bike! He's the west coast SidecarMike. He's been around sidecars and desert racing for a very long time. I would venture to say that whoever buys his rig will be well satisfied.

I wish I could afford another one.

Thank for the reply, I'm going down to dealer in Harbor City, CA to look at Ural tomorrow. They have 9 Ural in stock, couple of them are use. I'm in no rush. I'm want to make sure Ural is the bike that I want.

I'll let you guys know...

Kavan

Originally written by SidecarMike on 3/10/2009 8:30 PM

Originally written by Chili Pepper Garage on 3/10/2009 9:26 AM

Here's a link to one for sale that looks pretty cool:

http://www.socalsidecarclub.com/zadMikesCB750.html

That's Mike Braverman's bike! He's the west coast SidecarMike. He's been around sidecars and desert racing for a very long time. I would venture to say that whoever buys his rig will be well satisfied.

I wish I could afford another one.

This rig is so cool with Shark paint like mine (I didn't steal the idea, I swear.)

The Ural dealer in Harbor City is 5 minutes away from where I live but I have never been there...

Lots of back roads around Lake Elsinore including the Main Divide Road just ahead of Blue Jay campgound so I think Ural is a good match. I wish I lived around there.

Hi Kavan:
There has been lots of really good advise, so I'll chip in with a personal opinion. 🙂
I live in SoCal. I think Urals are cool for what they are capable of doing. They do have limitations when it comes to freeway driving. There are some places in CA where the freeway is the only option. I would think long and hard about what you would like to do. I have ridden with ural drivers, and they do fabulously well on 2 lane twisties, but they do have trouble keeping up when the speeds increase on open highways. There are many back roads that one can take, but if you are thinking a high mileage day, and arriving before the chickens roost, you may want to consider something else. I ride a VTX1300/Hannigan and planning a 3,500 mile vacation trip, which includes the least amount of freeway possible, and many scenic routes. Would I like a Ural for the trip? No. If I am tootling around town and riding some local mountain roads, would I like a Ural? Well, heck yes! I would be fun. Would I like to drive hwy 10 to Phoenix and be truck fodder? H*ll NO! So, once again, think about what you would like to do. BTW there is a active sidecar group in SoCal. They go on some pretty neat rides. Their website is:
http://www.socalsidecarclub.com
Have fun taking the plunge. Welcome to sidecaring, and be sure and ride safe. 🙂
gp