Ural ..basic riding questions

The older Ural 2wd have a differentail and worked good on pavment. The current ones do not and do not steer well at all in 2wd as they want to go straight.
Jay

>Ural questions:
>Newbie looking for the easiest to ride/steer/control.
>a) Is it true the two wheel drive models track straighter under power then the single wheel models?

Mine are both 1WD so I don't know from personal experience.
Owners indicate that this is the case - the 2WD does have less pull-right.
I understand that they have no toe-in.
When properly aligned (toe-in, lean-out and sidecar height at all four corners), the 1WD models track straight. If your arms are getting tired, then you're not aligned! I have to think this is true for 2WD models too.
It seems that the 2WD owners only engage the 2nd wheel in slip conditions like dirt, snow, etc.

>b) Do the leading link models steer "heads and tails easier" than the telescopic fork models?

My 2000 Deco originally had telescopic forks - which I never had any problems with. I now have LL forks. They are not extraordinarily better. The do feel just a tad more stable when running in a straight line at speed (Uralspeak for 55mph ;-). They also perform better in hard turns - where the telescopic forks were noticeably strained. That's probably the key: stress. If you plan to run in stressful conditions like canyon twisties or off road then the LLs might be desireable. The telescopic forks are wholly adequate for normal street use.

I have a Dnepr MT-16, full time 2WD, a brake on the sidecar wheel, with a leading link front end. It tracks straight under acceleration and when stopping.

I have 3/8" toe in and no lean out. It steers easily and seems immune to varying road crowns.

I've ridden one wheel drive sidecar rigs, with no brake on the hack wheel, they do veer one way or another on braking and acceleration, but it is easy to compensate for and after a while, you don't even think about it.

The steering seems about the same between the LL front end and the Tele. bikes I've ridden. I think the Leading Link performs better off road as it is a little more substantial.

I hope this helps.

Dave

Thanks for your feedback!
I was guessing that the tele-fork was raked correctly (for sidecar) since this is purposely designed for sidecar only use.

I like the idea of 2wd and using it in the winter...but I'm fussy about keeping my "stuff" clean and would hurt me to ride on salty roads!

Is the paint/rust resistance getting better on the new Urals???

Any difference in handling between the higher sitting Patrols 2wd's
and lower slung Retro's???

Thanks,
John

> Is the paint/rust resistance getting better on the new Urals???

The paint is pretty good. There is the occasional post about defective paint on the IMWA site. These are likely due to the quality control program and mfr's painting technique (which are still not up to Japanese or HD standards). They seem to be usually addressed under warranty.

Rust still seems to be a problem - especially for bikes that stay outdoors or outside of climate-controlled garages (like in barns, shed, etc).

After the initial shock of finding rust on your less-than-a-year-old rig, you quickly come to realize that *real* Urals have rust and the rest are just poseurs.

Originally written by johnu on 11/29/2006 5:48 PM
(Snipped)
Any difference in handling between the higher sitting Patrols 2wd's
and lower slung Retro's???
Thanks,
John

First I must confess that I have never been on a "normal" Ural, let alone one of the 2WD models. All my experience is with the Retro. However, I have read on various discussion groups that the higher center of gravity does have an effect, especially with the 2WD models. How much, I cannot say. Again, like anything having to do with sidecars, one adapts and becomes used to it. I would postulate that one can take corners quicker with a Retro rig than with a Tourist or Patrol but none of them are speed rigs anyhow, so why worry about it?

Sarge

Sarge, Thanks
I like the lower classic looks of the retro. I'm to fussy to take it in the snow/salt so 2wd I could live without and the possible complications that come with it. I'm stumped over the leading link vs tele fork?
On a normal street bike converted to a rig it's a no brainer but on a Ural it sounds like it's too close it call on a street driven rig????
JU

You may want to post your question at the Wagners Yahoo site too just to see what responses you get. I have heard about some quirks related to the two wheel drive models but have so little experience on them that any reponse from me woudl be a guess at best. Click here: http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/wagnerscycle/