Originally written by Mark in Idaho on 1/3/2009 12:46 PM
I sure would like 2 wheel drive on my Honda. I just don't want to give up being able to cruise at 80 mph across the Idaho desert.
If you want 2 wheel drive and 80 mph bad enough here ya go...just cough up the bucks.
click here:
http://tinyurl.com/7qyb6t
Now this is different, wonder how it rides and how it steers
http://www.mobec-international.com/53276097880f0b705/53276097880fb0501/532760978b1181904/d003.html
Here is a link to Ural recalls. Retros made the list for Ural. However, look at any other make and you will find other bikes frequently make the list more often or at least as often.
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/motorcycle_recalls/01/ural/index.html
Even making the recall list does not imply that the problem may not be an easy enough fix and not something that is really all that life threatening. Some problems have not made the recall list at all, but are frequent enough to see mentioned on Ural websites, that one can probably guess that they should be considered to be on the recall list. Rear brake springs that break have been a problem surfacing enough lately to at least be aware of on newer Urals as a possibility.
Me, I like that one. Had to save it for later use. 🙂
I always like the religious funny signs. Best I saw so far was in a town outside of Greenville, Tx. I don't recall the name of the town though, but was headed toward Henderson. I had my wife stop the car so that I could get a pic of it.
Originally written by Pat Huey on 1/3/2009 4:09 PM
Me, I like that one. Had to save it for later use. 🙂
I always like the religious funny signs. Best I saw so far was in a town outside of Greenville, Tx. I don't recall the name of the town though, but was headed toward Henderson. I had my wife stop the car so that I could get a pic of it.
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That Ural sign, and many more, were custom-created at this site. Have fun with your friends by putting their name on a sign.
http://www.churchsigngenerator.com/
Sarge
I found info on the web that if I found a used one to buy it sounds like it could be any year as the big fault with the older urals was the russian hand grenade or the russian built alternator that locks up and wipes out the engine shattering the cam gear ect. being gear driven look for a installed upgraded japan made nippon alternator they have 0 fail rate- some might of had belt driven ?
Originally written by gwalker on 1/10/2009 10:55 PM
I found info on the web that if I found a used one to buy it sounds like it could be any year as the big fault with the older urals was the russian hand grenade or the russian built alternator that locks up and wipes out the engine shattering the cam gear ect. being gear driven look for a installed upgraded japan made nippon alternator they have 0 fail rate- some might of had belt driven ?
The Nippondenso alternator upgrade is available only for the 750 motor. It, too, is gear driven but better gears. The 2004's were the first year where they came standard. 22,000 miles later mine is doing just fine. Anyhow, the upgrade is only for older 750's.
Sarge
The Ural two wheel drive is sort of useless on pavement as the rear drive is not a true differential. It's a direct drive off the rear transfer case and as such does not allow for the difference in speed of the sidecar wheel around corners. Off road, the sidecar wheel can slip in dirt, gravel or on other soft surfaces but on pavement the rig wants to go straight. It's not as useful as you might expect unless you spend a lot of time off road.
A major consideration when looking at the Ural is that it's basically built for Russian roads which used to or may still have a national speed limit of around 45mph and are often in poor repair. As previously mentioned, it's not a super slab rig. It has neither the power or the ability to maintain the sort of speeds encountered on Interstate highways for long distances. Yes, speeds of 70 can be reached but again, as previously mentioned, doing so can easily burn a piston if maintained for long distances.
Sidecar rigs are expensive. I could have bought two nice used cars for the price of my non-Ural rig used. The Ural can be had relatively inexpensively used and owners are loyal to the brand for the most part. Most Urals are hobby type bikes used for around town or for short jaunts to the grocery store and for pleasure rather than primary transportation although there are those who do use them as commuters.
In areas like Dallas/Ft. Worth Texas they're simply not able to keep up with the demands of fast highway travel (often at speeds exceeding 70) and if you live in such an area you may become quickly disenchanted with the Ural's performance.
I almost bought a Ural but instead purchased a highway hauler (V Star 1100 w/ Hannigan Classic). It was the best choice for me. Urals aren't for everyone. Do your homework!
Originally written by Pat Huey on 12/27/2008 3:35 AM
I also believe that you really need to do some homework on owning such,
Originally written by Pat Huey on 1/3/2009 2:10 AM
If you got to have a sidecar rig, just do your homework first and make the right choice for yourself.
Originally written by Tomcat101147 on 1/11/2009 11:31 AM
Do your homework!
Enough with the homework! It seems to me that's exactly what he's doing by asking his questions here.
I'm not the most literate person on here, but in the last week alone I've counted 8 separate instances of someone coming to us for advice and being told to "DO YOUR HOMEWORK". Maybe we can come up with a new catch phrase for next week. :0)
Okay, How about "Ask Claude!" for next week?
Or for now:
Read everything you can find about sidecars. Check out boards that deal with sidecars. (There are at least two that are Ural-centric). Look at every sidecar rig that you can find nearby and ask questions. Read all the dealer's sites you can find and compare prices. Look for options as to availability, desirability and price. Spend a few bucks on phone calls to dealers. Actually talk to people who sell and ride them if possible. Don't buy unless you've actually seen the rig you're buying (true for all bikes and bike parts). Don't trust a dealer on Ebay to tell you the whole story.
I will admit to buying my rig based on one photo and some Email but my rig belonged to Dave Keesee (sidecar installer for Hannigan Motorsports) and was built by him for himself. Impeccable credentials! Not everyone is quite as fortunate as I.
This will get you started.
SidecarMike, not to get into a big tiss over it, but you are either reading much more into the phrase or much less into it in making your reply observation, I suspect. I am not in a tizzy over such, but feel you are incorrect.
He is indeed already doing some homework in asking here as you suggest, but if here is the only place he expects to find all the correct answers about which rig to pick and does a particular make have a lot of problems, then he is not doing enough homework to begin with. "Do your homework" is indeed something that really isn't just a catch phrase at all, as everyone wants the best for the individual in making his own personal choice a good one. In order to convey that, it is generally a very good idea to suggest someone get their homework done, especially if folk are also good about pointing out some other avenues to persue, as well. Part of that homework assignment is in fact checking for answers here at this site, as well as at any host of other places as a multi-facited approach. Hopefully, he does pick and choose wisely in just what information he uses to help him make up his mind.
New catch phrase to perhaps make everyone happy:
If the shoe fits, then you did your homework correctly. 🙂
Originally written by Sarge on 1/11/2009 8:29 AM
Originally written by gwalker on 1/10/2009 10:55 PM
I found info on the web that if I found a used one to buy it sounds like it could be any year as the big fault with the older urals was the russian hand grenade or the russian built alternator that locks up and wipes out the engine shattering the cam gear ect. being gear driven look for a installed upgraded japan made nippon alternator they have 0 fail rate- some might of had belt driven ?
Ummmm.... I had a Denso on my 650. It's a 10 minute bolt-on. Never seen a belt driven one OEM.
The Nippondenso alternator upgrade is available only for the 750 motor. It, too, is gear driven but better gears. The 2004's were the first year where they came standard. 22,000 miles later mine is doing just fine. Anyhow, the upgrade is only for older 750's.
Sarge
Although this is being directed at Claude, I'm guessing it's meant to point to me. All I was trying to say is that the person asked questions and they are being answered.
My post originated because of an email from someone wondering about putting a sidecar on a Victory. I answered his questions as best as I could, then suggested he come here and get the advice of people who may have experience with his particular combination.
He responded by saying he had been here but felt that too often the questioners were being talked down to and he didn't like that. He pointed out the frequency of that phrase as an example.
The literacy comment was meant to say that if a catch phrase is repeated too often it loses it's meaning. Click on the button above that says "This Week" and read all the posts listed. I think you will be amazed at how many times that phrase is repeated.
I certainly didn't mean to ruffle any feathers.
I re-directed and shortend my reply after having read yours.
Overuse of any popular catch phrase is sometimes difficult to get a good handle on, as it depends entirely upon what the phrase actually means or how it was applied. "Do your homework well before making any final decision" still seems to be good advise for this thread. In reality, it would probably be much worse to not give such advise with a good intent.
No feathers ruffled, as it is just a difference of opinion about such and sidecar life goes on, regardless. 🙂
Can we move on to technical support Q and A now?
Lonnie
