I'll start off by saying that I *am* on three wheels; just not my Urals anymore.
As much of a pain as they are maintenance-wise Urals have evolved into such *integrated* units.
Of course, that extensive - and proper - maintenance yielded many Many MANY trouble-free miles over many Many MANY years.
(Plus it prepared me for my silly Royal Enfield Bullet).
Other than the old right-hand turn syndrome - it wasn't like driving a sidecar rig at all!
And the model I had (Deco Classic) still had a spare wheel/tire that would fit all 3 wheels!
Try *that* today!
The one good thing that I can say for my Sportster/Cozy rig is power, power, power.
And reliable, reliable, reliable.
OK that's two unique things.....but I *still* miss the Deco!
Matt
One more who misses his spoiled clothes and stinky fingers.
You can easily get back to those times by buying cheap surplus parts.
Last week again my lunch tasted like gasoline. A gasoline line filter in the new KLR650 lasted fantastical 5 hours and failed during peek hour downtown in a "no stop" area...
So if you miss tinkering just buy scrap parts...
Joke. > Enjoy riding, that is what the bikes are made for.
On On
Sven
Peter Pan - 9/12/2011 8:14 PM
One more who misses his spoiled clothes and stinky fingers.
You can easily get back to those times by buying cheap surplus parts.
Last week again my lunch tasted like gasoline. A gasoline line filter in the new KLR650 lasted fantastical 5 hours and failed during peek hour downtown in a "no stop" area...
So if you miss tinkering just buy scrap parts...
Joke. > Enjoy riding, that is what the bikes are made for.
On On
Sven
Bummer!
Nope don't miss the roadside repairs.
That's why I bought a Bullet!
; - )
Matt: Properly modified triple trees make the Sportster rigs much easier, and more pleasant, to drive, but the result is still not a fully integrated sidecar rig like a Urals.
Lee
MB5+TW200+CRF250L+GTV300+INT650
XL883R w/Texas Ranger Sidecar
Zuma 50F + Burgman w/Texas Sidecar<Mrs. SwampFox
I too miss our Ural. Ours was trouble free. And regular maintenance was much simpler and cheaper than our current rig. I would love to see a modern Ural, 1000CC + modern engine, slightly larger tug, same tub. It was a lot of fun. Fortunately, the current owner is enjoying it.
We have been building ALOT of BMW GS rigs for people who want a Ural type bike but modern and very reliable. For the R1100/1150 and R1200GS we have an automotive wheel for the rear of the bike that interchanges with the sidecar wheel, pretty much like a Ural but as they are much larger, stronger, automotive tires, you tend to not need to change them. The sidecar we build the M72D looks very much like a Ural but is a modern design, it has a deeper trunk that locks and seals, We also make a version of this sidecar the M72DX that is 4 inches wider then the Ural. Our M72D sidecars. Being a modern design we also have options such as electric trim and a heated seat. To reduce trail on the front of the bike we offer a new from billet ball joint mount that lowers the steering effort. Our goal with these was/is to make a sidecar set up that it 100% bolt on specific to the bike and when done looks and works like you could have walked into the BMW dealer and purchased it right off the show room floor.
For experianced sidecar riders we allow test rides on our demo R1200GSA / M72DX rig (for sale $25,000)
Jay G
DMC sidecars
www.dmcsidecars.com
866-638-1793
