ural riders?

[halo]

anyone out there ride one of those 'new' old urals? i am assuming that they are being built pretty much the same way they used to be for the military?

what are the pros and cons of said bike? i like the idea of the 2 wheel drive and sidecar.

[Buck]

I'm not a Ural owner but my brother once owned a Dnepr in the '80's which is very similar. It was a blast to cruise around with a passenger in the sidehcar and got lots of attention. It was also gutless and unreliable but what would you expect for a soviet era hack. Repairs were simple at least. I'd expect the Ural to be better built even if an old simple design. Had a good look at the Urals while at the bike show. A test ride might be fun but doubt if I'd ever buy one.

There ia agood thread about Urals in Death Valleyby Mr Cob on ADV Rider in case you have not seen it...

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=202761

Mike DR650

[Northern Rob]

Ya, I just got a Ural GearUp a few weeks ago.

This is one fun bike!

They did upgrade some of the less reliable Russian stuff in the last few years. From memory...alternator & electrical, bearings, brakes, transmission gears - are now Italian, Japanese and/or German parts.

I think the accurate list of upgrades are on the Ural homepage.

This may be sacrilege - but I think I like this bike even more than my R1200 GSA! Best smiles per mile!

[drbike]

I too got a URal, still in the back of the truck, got a new 07! Anyone else in the northern half of BC have one of these rigs? I may need some advise on the carb setup. I was a little disappointed when I did not find a hammer in the tool kit, darn, everyone said all you needed to fix them was a hammer and a screwdriver.



Let this old thread live on just like Russian iron

[North]

I belong to a UK GS site and they talk about the Urals every now and then. One guy is crazy about them and has a couple.

As far as I know, the Bikes are based on 1938 technology (or there abouts) and require a lot of TLC. Guys that have them say that they love them. The flip side is that other guys don't have nice things to say about them. Boths sides say that they need a lot more work than a modern bike to keep them running.

[cathouse willy]

I don't have a Ural yet. I do have an enduro car to mount to my Klr over the winter.I'll ride it for a season and if I like three wheels I'll be looking for a Ural patrol.There is an excellent section on Adv rider just for hacks and lots of info about Urals.If you don't mind me asking what did you end up paying for your gearup?

Bill

http://www.advrider.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=56

[Buckethead]

I've never ridden one, and only seen them in person a few times, but I am fascinated by Dniepers, Urals and the rest of those vintage rigs. There is something about old-tech, military based, low performance-high capability utilitarian machines that really appeals to me.

[ruskin]

I love the new blacked out paint schemes. I look for a Ural once in a while but they are rarely for sale used and don't seem to lose value, which is good, I guess.

I know guys say they are low powered but too much powerwith a hack can get you in a heap of trouble. Your passenger has to thrive on it, as well.

What do youthink those grab rails all around the chair are for?

Yeee-Haaa!!!!

[drbike]

I got a white one with a lot of chrome, and now don't laugh I actually went out and got some chrome polish. She may not run but dang she is going to be pretty.

I will post some pictures latter of her transformation into zebratski, 3e6ba, zebra with chrome a plenty and stripes all over.

I think the other bikes may get a little jealous. The blacked out ones look great, and it would look really good covered in mud and dirt and stuff.

I think the landings will be a little softer in the winter, so this may be a good time to learn to ride, but there is no way I am riding at minus 15, I am in no way that Russian.

Once again I ask is there any URal riders in the northern half of BC???

[Northern Rob]

Buckethead wrote:

There is something about old-tech, military based, low performance-high capability utilitarian machines that really appeals to me.

Ya, what he said! Great for a ride with the kids or goofy off road stuff.

[drbike]

Yeah they are fun, easy to work on, still have the GS and buster but I really enjoy the jaunts with the Russian. Here are some recent photos now that she is dressed and ready to Parrrrrrrty.....



I am not sure why but most URals are dressed in Camo paint of various styles but the lady I have is special

The URal is about fun and I think the stripes sort of show off her eyes the best?!!

So far I am impressed about the ease of ownership, its a hoot, the hack monkey likes anything with a motor but I suspect she likes this better than the Beemer.

So far its all good, and I don't think they have an issue with the final drives LOL.

[sparklr]

Looks real Sweet DOC, making me a tad envious and can't wait to see her in action.

[Mr. Cob]

Howdy All,

Its been a while since I have posted to this board but thought my Canadian friends might be interested in what I have been up to, allow me to introduce the "Predator". Some of you folks may have ridden with me on several rides I have done in BC, the last great ride I did up there was the "Dead Zone" back in 07 if I remember correctly. Anyway the rig I rode then was my 2005 Gear-Up, over the last nine months I have turned it into the Predator which will make its first official showing in this years Black Dog rally on June 4-5 and 6th this year. I have been testing this rig for the last month or so its a runner and a hoot to ride.

Heres a bunch of photos, MANY more on my Smugmug photo site. This is me and the rig when I rode in the Dead Zone ride.



The following photos are what the rig looks like NOW. Here's a 3/4 view just as the build was finished.



I love playing in the snow, even two wheel drive will only get you so far before the snow piles up and stops you.



I like this one coming up and out of a muddy ditch.



One of these days I am going to have to get my Yankee arse back up to BC and ride with you folks again.

[Phoenix]

Predator rig looks great, did ya need move the the "camping implement storage area" for the mods ?

[drbike]

Just got back from a bit of a road trip....2 months of bliss with the Ural. Unlike Mr Cob I spend most of my time hacking on roads that are snow free, and my rig is more or less stock with a bit of stuff added on.

The highlight of the trip this year there were many but the big one was going across Labrador, it was a laugh. The Ural was at home on the gravel but a pile of stuff got loose which was to be expected, blue and red loctight along with Russian nylock (hammer and punch) kept things more or less complete.

The rig seemed to run better as the km have increased the issues with it have decreased , top speed and mileage have also gone up. It now has 44,000 km, and is still under warranty. Just over a year of ownership and 44klicks.

The Ural is a Ural and its got some issues but they are a hoot and like I have said in the past they are a easy rig to work on, and the support behind them is fantastic.

My only warning with hacks is that they are addictive....kept the Ural but now have a hacked GSA, my young hack monkey will get the keys to the Ural.

The GSA is more fuel effect and faster, smother and nicer in all regards but the Ural is still our go to rig and a whole lot cheaper to maintain I am sure.