Ural

Check with URAL owners groups or chatrooms and sift through the feedback. Get the good, bad and ugly from actual owners of the rigs from older ('95) to the newest models. Then you will be able to make an educated decision on which way to go, URAL or elsewhere.

Good luck,
Lonnie

Jerry,

I read both boards and ride a URAL. I agree with the other comment. The Russian Iron board will give you the good and the bad on URALs.

It's sort of like kids (if you have any). They don't always act right, but you love them nonetheless! 🙂

i'm a new owner of a 2005 Ural Tourist - i took about 6 mo's to make up my mind - see pic's at www.picturetrail.com/tomhudson - i'm keeping an open mind but so far i couldn't be happier! - tommy

I just bought a Ural sidecar and would like to find out some more about them, do you guys have any links to some Ural owner's groups?
Thanks,
Joshua

russianiron.com

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/wagnerscycle/

http://motorvation.com/index.htmmotorvation has a ural-like style called the spyder. mary - who runs the place (& let me tell u, she RUNS!) - is an awesome person. i was very impressed w/ the facility & everything that went along with it. since u're in mn, it might b worth ur while; she's located in sibley, ia. she seems to have some inovative ideas. i can't tell u how they compare as i'm unexperienced m'self, i can only tell u that so far i'm a happy customer!

Hi Tom,

I surfed by you site, I love your collection of pics out there. I'd like to speak with you about one of your knives for my uncle's 60th birthday present.

I also was wondering if you could give me your advice. I noticed you own the '05 Ural Tourist. I'm trying to decide between buying a vintage '65 BMW w/sidecar or instead buy a new or used Ural. My choices there are a '03 Bavarian Classic for around $6K or a "05 Retro for about $10K.

I noticed your Tourist's starter ate your flywheel for lunch. Other than this, are you fairly happy with your '05 Ural? The reason I'm shying away from a vintage beemer is because I want to ride it, not work on it. But I'm starting to think that I'm going to be wrenching either way.

My dream choice is a '05 Triumph T100 Bonnie with a vintage Ural car attached. I've checked into that and I think it would run about $14K once I'm done...at that point I might as well by a Harley..huh?

Thanks!
Scott

An '05 Harley with a sidecar? Better double that 14K and add change for tax and license. LOL
The Triumph/Ural conversion is quite doable if you can find a new Bavarian Classic. Mine have been back ordered since last September according to Irbit, USA.
Doug Bingham makes a sub-frame for the Triumphs, give him a call at 818-780-5542, or e-mail sidestrider.com.

The Ural engine is a '40s era BMW. Russia got the design as reparations after the War. I would say you need to think about what you want to do with a sidecar. Bothe the Beemer and the Ural have a classic look. Those classic looks take more upkeep and also take more work to drive. The newer rigs are more resilient, a bit easier to handle due to better suspensions and lower center of gravity. Any Beemer parts are going to cost 3 to 10 times what you'd expect, but once it's set up, it's good to go. The /2s need some tiddling with the carbs more often than newer bikes and there's no oil filter so you have to change the oil way more often. There are even fewer pros to work on the Beemer than Brough Superior machinists anymore. However, there is a wealth of knowledge out there. One of my faves is Duane Ausherman (google). The Ural is probably not as fast and has a more Tractor-like feel. On the other hand, as thisd is a copy of the unit Rommel used in the dessert, it has 2WD and reverse. If you need to haul a dead horse, this is the rig for you. Also, Ural folks are generally not as snobby as some vintage Beemer people, and they cost way less. Unless you live in Kansas, make sure the BMW has the proper gearing. If not, /2 gearing is a dark art and finding practitioners who aren't interested in your first born as payment are almost impossible to find. The Ural comes set to go- just add gas.
The Triumph has classic looks, too. I imagine you'll need to beef up the suspension (at least) and change the gearing, which will slow you down (not esp. a bad thing); the Ural is one of the biggest (heavy) sidecars.
Paul dear, sit down and give someone else a chance. OK, I'll shut up... sorry

I have an 03 tourist with utility sidecar I use it in my landscapeing bisiness.have had a few problems,rear drive,electrical,front brake and carbs.If you don't like to get your hands dirty and want to go 70 mph buy somthing made outside USSR,otherwise urals are a lot of fun.Waranty and tech help was good for me.Good luck Mike.