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Northern and Central Asia Topics specific to Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Mongolia, China, Japan and Korea
Photo by Ellen Delis, Lagunas Ojos del Campo, Antofalla, Catamarca

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Ellen Delis,
Lagunas Ojos del Campo,
Antofalla, Catamarca



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  #1  
Old 24 Apr 2007
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Location: Wasatch Mnts, UT, USA
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Ural vs Enfield

I'm planning on getting a local bike in Kazak or Kyrgyz in June. I hear they are prone to breakdowns. As a local bike, how do they compare to an Enfield?

Are they easy/cheap to fix? To ride with a pack full of gear? Can you solo them to remote places?

Also, can you leave your bike somewhere in the mountains while you go for a hike & still expect the bike and your belongs to be there upon return?
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India Himal, 3mo,2x; Kazak/Krygyz/Tajik, 3 mo; Kashi-Lhasa, China 219! 6 wk; Nepal, 4 days/trekked 55; Santiago-Ushuia-Cusco, 7 mo; Peru, 3 mo; Chile-Medellin 3 mo; Medillin-Arica, 3 mo
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  #2  
Old 24 Apr 2007
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Compared to the old non lean burn enfields they are much of a muchness, with the enfield being easier/cheaper to service. The new lean burn enfield should not be in the same category at all, probably more akin to any modern single. ( Which it is) with new tooling and materials. This is not what you are asking but here goes. If you want to ride it solo, I would choose the enfield. with a sidecar the ural ( with 2wd.)

Last edited by oldbmw; 24 Apr 2007 at 21:24. Reason: typos
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  #3  
Old 26 Apr 2007
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don't know much about urals but the enfields are fantastic.

the chassis is a strong as you could ever need, 80mpg easily, relaxed 50mph cruising for the 350, and about as complicated as a knife and fork.

they need regular tweaking but will always run.

i got my 350 enfield stuck in a river crossing in just over 2 foot of water. i pulled it out the other side, took the points cover off (to let them dry), and kicked it over with the decompressor held down (to clear any water in the pot). after that it went 3rd kick and ticked over after 5 seconds.
running sweetly less than a minute after leaving the water!

one concern with urals would be the weight. in some conditions you have no choice but to push, and i'd rather push a lightweight enfield.

rdjc
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