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Any Ural Moto overlanders out there?
Not sure if this is the right sub-forum to ask, but....
Used to ride an R1150GS. It getting smashed in a crash, and us getting a dog having moved to Estonia, has meant that in addition to my little XR400, I have bought a Ural Sportman (aka Tourist Deluxe) outfit with engagable sidecar drive. I hope that this will continue what we started on the GS, and be our trip bike in the future, particularly as we would like to take our new canine friend with us. So, the question is: are there any Ural riders on the HUBB? If so, where have you been and what problems have you encountered with the bike, whether its mechanical or terrain that it suffers in, or weather that it dislikes. I'd like to know what I should be wary of! Thanks |
Does this make me original or just wierd?
Wot? Seriously? I'm the only one on here?
Its not often I end up being the first, so I'm going to relish it. No stealing my thunder... no on else allowed to buy a Ural now... |
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It only does European jaunts and then, only with full breakdown/recovery membership. Quote:
John |
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Actually, I'm told they are pretty bullet proof:especially the more recent models, of which mine is a fab example!! All this provided you check clearances and do the oil/filter chage every 1500 miles or so. I'm not too worried. Good thing too as it will hopefully take us to the Cape in a few of years... |
Warthog I think Indu from Oslo Norway uses a Ural for winter use, got to say i think your right in that the late models are far better built with jap carbs, electrics and bearings, and they are really easy to work on - it will be interesting to see how you get on with the bike. I have been considering buying one myself however in the uk we can not get the two wheel drive system. Cos the chair is on the wrong side and the law does not let you drive a left hand drive combination any more.
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I got the Sportman with sidecar drive by buying one here, in Estonia, although I had planned to also look in France and Germany. That said tht a look at MPC and if you call, ask for Mick. He knows a lot about all this stuff, and he seemed to think that I could have got the same model in the UK and that there were not the registration problems people seemed to think. Otherwise, its easy to live without the side-drive, really. Especially in the UK. If you've never had a go, Mick also does a 1-2-1 training for newbies. I did it: really gives a great insight and saves you from crashing (always appreciated). Also the most motorised fun I've had below 50mph!! |
Next week I will go to Morocco with a friend who drives a heavily modified Ural 650 (the old one).
Extended swingarm, Kawa fork, Acerbis tank and mudguards, AT-seat, BMW-pegs, titanium exhaust, Ducati ignition and much more. |
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I really like personalised bikes, where everything on it is for a reason: often shows real imagination and ingenuity!! |
Ural rider on the HUBB
Warthog ... Urals seem reliable these days - based on my web research at least.
What are your opinions about "breaking-in" a new Ural? Some say work the first 500 and 1000 km to find the "sweet-spot" while others say the warnings in the Owners Manual are just over cautious manufacturer blurb. I am waiting for a Ural Retro to arrive in May. I will keep riding my 1963 Dnepr K750M until then. |
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As for running in, I got the bike with 400 miles on the clock (600 KM) so its almost there, and I have to hope that the guy who sold it to me (the only Ural rep in Estonia) had looked after it, but he seemed a reasonable guy so I think it should be fine. There are few open roads here, in Tallinn, so varying engine speed and not running at high revs are not a problem. Over-loading the engine, or lugging? Not a problem either as the carbs need new jets so if I let it drop below 2000, it splutters!! Racing? Hmmm. Seeing as my first full 80 km riding an outfit after 15 years of solos has seen me end up in a ditch and also a field, because of the different riding approach, I can safely say that racing is not a huge likelihood!! In short, I'm taking it nice and easy!! Manual overkill? Maybe so, but I'd rather hold back for the first 900 miles than risk weakening the engine. Post some pictures when you can!! |
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BTW, before I am questioned about my experiences with Urals, in the early 80's 2 friends and I went to the Elefantreffen at Salzburg, They went by Ural and I on my old R100/7 BMW, I was getting 63mpg from where I was travelling so slow behind them, they were getting about 30mpg but they were 2 up, so that could be seen as 60mpg! every 150-200 miles they had to stop to use a 'squirty' oil can to lube the rockers, and on the way back they had to change rear wheels as all the spokes were either loose or broken!:eek3: Eh, we had a great trip tho'.
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Had a Ural, but got rid of it. Traded it for a Watsonian sidecar. At least it's easier to push... Anyway: I used the Watsonian to build myself a Guzzi sidecar rig for winter use. Works great! Doesn't have the sidecar wheel drive, but neither did my 93 Ural. My Ural was, in short, a piece of crap (was screwed by the seller, we found out later). But I understand newer Urals are far better. Maybe I will try again sometime.
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New thread of Baltic Schengen roads
Veterans and regulars, give a newbie a clue ... I would like your help to explore a new thread in the Baltic States and new Schengen roads ... but I cannot figure out how to start a new forum thread.
Think of the Baltic-Soviet-Baltic-Schengen as having been a filp-flop of border barriers on cross border roads. Between the Baltic States many small roads (bridges) which were open during the Soviet Union should open again in the European Union of spring 2008. The border road network has gone through many distortions and I plan to explore the new crossings from Estonia to Latvia this year. |
Anyone able to comment on the relative merits of a Urinal and its Chinese equivalent.
The Urinal quite frankly, sounds like an abortion. Are the Chang Jiangs any better or worse? Garry from Oz. |
I suppose the CJ is not better nor worse than the older Urals. There is a site for dedicated followers of the BMW R71 copies (Ural, Dnepr, CJ etc), home. Pros (if there are any), cons (a lot), similarities and "which is better" questions are answered there.
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We are talking three sorts of bike here IMHO. A Chang is a sidevalve 650 made in China, so produces about as much power as a CG125 and is made to Soviet standards by people who'd really rather be elsewhere. It is only two places removed from the BMW R71, so if you want one for a film role and know a decent mechanic they are maybe your thing. I wouldn't leave the house on one unless you have your bus pass with you. :( A pre-2005 Ural is also a 650 made to Soviet standards but by people paid in vodka, but is at least OHV and when actually working puts out 30-odd HP. If you know how to rebuild your gearbox with nothing but a swiss army knife you may feel able to leave the bus pass at home. :confused1: A post 2005 Ural is a 750 40-odd HP and has a fair few japanese and European components and is made by people who'd like to earn some decent hard currency and know what they need to do to do it. It still has two carbs and pushrods and some major bits left over from the 650 so I wouldn't stop renewing the bus pass yet, you could at least need it on days when you've used up the bikes full service interval. :confused1: My Bonneville is now sporting a 2007 Ural sidecar and while the paint is as thin as ever, looking at the 750's in the showroom they were tempting. The design is as practical as it gets, I just have nagging doubts about the build quality. Personally, once they go FI (and hopefully hydraulic tappet) and have a year or three to settle down the production line I'll be about ready for a new outfit and will definately go look. They have the potential to be an R80 for the 21st century but we'll see.:mchappy: Andy |
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Now that's close to what I want!
If anyone from Ural was reading this I want: 750-850cc 55 hp, basic FI and pushrod/hydraulic flat twin (buy the FI from the same people as Moto Guzzi) Big fuel tank - 300 mile range. High ground clearance sidecar that can carry a dog (so no open platforms) Reverse gear Interchangeable wheels with disc brakes or at least a front disc that unbolts. A frame and forks designed for sidecar/off road use. Everything where you can get at it. As many standard car items as possible (ie H4 headlamp bulbs) No CAN electrics, just a ****** big battery. Metal used anywhere you might want to fasten anything on. A kick starter as back up. Space to stow a proper tool kit and a service manual with the bike. Stainless exhaust. Ural have done most of the hard work over the last 60 years and the picture shows they can use almost the same bits to make an R80GS competitor for both overlanders and the European retro market. Just hope they realise how close they might be to three really sellable bikes (they'd need to make a Harley clone too, the motor is too perfect not to and the reverse gear sells it to potential US buyers who are currently buying things with starter motor reverse). Andy |
May I suggest one of the best personal websites I know of.
The Timeless Ride Hubert Kriegel BMW Motorcycle Raid World Travel Sidecar Adventure Gespann He has just replaced his BMW rig for a Ural. |
I'm a current owner of a 2007 ural with 13000 km + --so far the bike is performorming as advertised --the heavy steel / nonplastic build is impressive ---the rig is old skool and does require your attention [ any bike does in my opinion ] you treat it right it gives you good service. all mechanial features are simple and straight forward ,making it easy to perform scheduled maitenance and repaires [ to date none has been required - just the initial retightening of the usual components during breakin ] . We've been on several long trips and have enjoyed the extra carrying capacity to carry tent,sleeping bags and camping gear that you just can't do comfortably riding two up on two wheels. Now that its broke in we've even been on the Interstate with it and although I still run it at about 55 TO 60 it will do that loaded all day ,but the back roads is where it's best suited and makes for a great ride. As with all bikes it has a few bad points it's just some thing you deal with :thumbup1:
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Anyway, do you have extra carrying capacity? What sort of fuel economy do you manage? Have you gone off-road? Was you paasenger a pillion or chair-monkey? |
sorry for delayed response--my bad-- The Retro now has 22000KM on the clock and is a definate keeper,seems the guzzis and the beamer don't get ridden much--Warthog- yes theres allot more capacity--in the summer months riding with passenger it averages 34 to 35 MPG--no serious off roading , just the dirt roads of the Ozarks --and the passenger is always in the chair. this Retro has the reliabilty I'd hoped for- been to the rockies, to texas .missouri,iowa kansas , oklahoma, new mexico with NO problems other than the occasional flat tire it just purrs allday--the only warning I have is If you buy one be prepared to do ALLOT of UDF and waving as everyone that sees you waves like they know ya :thumbup1:
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What's your cruising speed?
Over on that other bike forum (The one that starts with an A) we were having a discussion and while I love the look of Urals and think they have made a huge leap since I had mine in 2000, I've still got nagging doubts about what happens if you run them on the motorway? Here abouts anything that can't run at 60 all day eventually gets OVLOV, NAM or a three pointed star imprinted in it's rear :( Now if Gordon Browns mates would lift the ban on right hand chairs and I could get a 3x2..... Andy |
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I would say a comfortable cruising speed is about 55-60 mph, no more. That said comfortable also depends on the road surface. They feel on the verge of throwing you into a nearby field at those speeds on a bumpy road
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dito on the 55 to 60 cruising speed but I don't have that problem on back roads-- the Retro handles very well and the ride is great ,since break in the Guzzis and the beamer sit allot cause my back and ass feel much better after a days ride on the Retro as compared to the others. of coarse that could be that corbin police solo that I've adapted to the frame:yes:
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