I've been riding motorcycles for a while, but I'm thinking about getting a sidecar rig to use as my main transportation. I do a lot of driving for my job. I really want something that looks older. I've read that the Ural's are pretty solid machines, but shouldn't be driven over 65 MPH for extended periods of time. So, with that in mind would I be better off getting something like the Royal Enfield?
Same problem.
I guess I should ask a different question then... what is a good rig for mostly highway use? I spend a considerable amount of time in my car, and I would rather be on two wheels, but have to carry enough stuff with me that a sidecar makes sense.
What are your price considerations? I've seen a few of the newer Harley's that have tons of "classic" vibe, the Crossbones or an old Heritage Springer for example.
http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_US/Content/Pages/2011-Motorcycles/cross-bones.html
Pair that with one of these sidecars and you get a very nice rig you can drive anywhere
http://www.libertysidecars.com/
http://www.championsidecars.com/products.asp?scPage=3&catID=3&itemID=18
http://www.motorvation.com/mepg4.htm
Sorry, to digress here, but I am wondering if the issues of riding the bikes over 65 for a period of time is a flaw of these specific bikes or an inherent flaw of a bike with a sidecar? I just got my first sidecar, and longer trips are something I am much looking forward to. I have a Moto Guzzi Jackal 1100cc with a Ural style sidecar.
sknapp351 - 7/2/2013 9:40 PM
Sorry, to digress here, but I am wondering if the issues of riding the bikes over 65 for a period of time is a flaw of these specific bikes or an inherent flaw of a bike with a sidecar? I just got my first sidecar, and longer trips are something I am much looking forward to. I have a Moto Guzzi Jackal 1100cc with a Ural style sidecar.The 65 mph mentioned above is inherit in the older design of the Ural engine, which is much more reliable when max sustained rpms is 4,000, which is about 60mph -- according to my TURD friends with LOTS of kilometers on their Ural rigs, Charlie & Jon: http://www.uralinguccc.blogspot.com/2013_02_01_archive.html
I have no experience with the gorgeous 500cc Royal Enfield's, but I have been drooling over the solo-seat Bullet Class C5 EFI for a couple of years -- however, cruising speed will be limited simply by the Bullet's limited power to motivate the rig thru the wind, which is likely happier at 50mph.
Your Guzzi Jackal powered rig should have no issue with extended higher rpm's and speeds -- maybe cleatusJ will chime in for us
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In addition to the Harley's mentioned above, the "new" Triumph Bonneville's make great classic styled rigs, as also do the Guzzi's.
Lee
MB5+TW200+CRF250L+GTV300+INT650
XL883R w/Texas Ranger Sidecar
Zuma 50F + Burgman w/Texas Sidecar<Mrs. SwampFox
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We build a lot of Triumph Bonneville rigs with our M72DL sidecar. Many people buy the bike new from one of our local dealers, we install the sidecar, change out the triple tree's and then ship them the bike. We have a new Bonneville right now in the shop that we are doing this with. If you buy a bike new from a dealer local to us we can mount a sidecar to most bikes. We can also ship the sidecar crated for you to install.
I have attached photo's of a Steve McQueen Bonneville, this one also has our steering modifications.
I have also posted photo's of a standard T-100
Jay G
DMC sidecars
www.dmcsidecars.com
866-638-1793
jaydmc - 7/3/2013 11:21 AM
We build a lot of Triumph Bonneville rigs with our M72DL sidecar. Many people buy the bike new from one of our local dealers, we install the sidecar, change out the triple tree's and then ship them the bike. We have a new Bonneville right now in the shop that we are doing this with. If you buy a bike new from a dealer local to us we can mount a sidecar to most bikes. We can also ship the sidecar crated for you to install.
I have attached photo's of a Steve McQueen Bonneville, this one also has our steering modifications.
I have also posted photo's of a standard T-100
Jay G
DMC sidecars
www.dmcsidecars.com
866-638-1793
Some good looking rigs. My vote goes to the Triumph over a infield or Ural.
For sustained 65 mph you need a reliable horse of 750 or more cc of modern engine.
My 750 Honda aero does the job well but really does not have a surplus of power.
Something reliable with about 900 to 1000 cc is better.
Make sure it has enough frame to be strong enough.
About 7 years ago I had a Yamaha V-star that carried a heavy sidecar very well with top speed above 100 mph with the hack fully loaded.
Total weight of the machine and load without me in the saddle was 1350 pounds. I rode it so loaded from Illinois to the Olympic peninsula Washington With side trips along the way including my first Deep Forest campout.
The engine was a mildly tuned 1060cc putting out about 70 HP.
I switched from a kz650 to a sportser 1200 for the same reason, I wanted more top end speed. I love the dmc rigs with the triumphs too. I remember looking at the ural T at one point which is a fine machine but just wasn't fast enough for what I was looking for in a rig.
I have an old '76 Guzzi Convert that will just keep on going if kept between 65-75 if my hand does not go numb from vibes. Being that it has not been rebuilt in it's life, I see no reason to complain, as the car is not light.
I did some checking and you can get a Triumph with hack for about what a Ural cost and it has MUCH more power.
I can only tell you about a good friend of mine that bought a new 2012 Ural gear up. His has been in the shop 3 times with motor problems in less then 10,000 miles and the last time they had to rebuild the motor. I took him 95 miles to pick it up in my Harley rig. I do not like riding with him as I spend more time shifting gears then enjoying the ride as it is what I call it the turtle. LOL Form many Ural riders I am being told it is getting harder to get things done under warranty. I do not know any of this from experience just from my friends that ride them. We have 3 of them that I know of in the Georgia Sidecar Club.
I know some others that put BMW motors in them but you still have the original drive train.
I looked at a new Ural Gear-Up and a new Triumph Bonneville T100 today. The Ural was just under $16,000.00 the Triumph was just under $9,000. I think I know what direction I'm going to be going...
About the Royal Enfield, I passed up a "chance" to buy one when I bought a Cozy Rocket a few months ago. The dealer (Royal Enfield of Ft. Worth) was great to deal with and he tried hard to sell me a bike. I bought the Rocket to marry to my Suzuki TU250X. It really turned out great! It won't win any races but it's a great little around town bike. You'd be surprised. It's a small S/C but I wanted it mostly for my dog or young, small humans.
I was really surprised at the quality of the Rocket. I wasn't sure but now I am very pleased. It doesn't have an auto quality paint job but it looks pretty good and all of the metal work is MUCH better than I thought it would be. We did replace the cheap little grey ribs with chrome ones. It looks great. I am very pleased with the bike and S/C.
I haven't figured out how to post pictures on the forum yet. If you're interested, you can see pics at the Royal Enfield of Fort Worth site. Go to "Facebook" and click on "Photos". In the middle of the gallery there are 6 photos of my hack. Click on any one for the whole slide show.
On another subject, I know about the history of the Ural and I like the way they look. I know a lot of their sidecars end up on BMW's. I chose the DMC instead for my BMW. My question is: What is the consensus as to the reliability of the Ural bike? Do any of you guys know? I'd love to hear your opinions. Thanks!
Jay S.
Okie from Muskogee
