Last Saturday the URAL team rolled into State College, Pennsylvania to demonstrate the sidecar life to a group of interested riders gathered at Kissell Motorsports, the central Pennsylvania dealer.
After some basic instruction two rigs were made available to go on a short 15 to 20 minute ride with a leader and follow bike to help make sure nothing unexpected happened.
I like the looks of the URAL and at some point in my life it may have a role. Just not right now.
Many went out in pairs to try out both possible riding positions. Others rode alone. No one brought their dog, the real reason to have a motorcycle with a sidecar in my opinion.
The Vespa seems rather insignificant compared to the much bigger URAL. But then the URAL can’t fly. Things balance out in the universe.
I’ve spent some time on a URAL. If you’re interested in my views you can find them in my post titled Becoming a URAL Adventurer.
That black and silver patrol does look good doesn’t it?
Sadly, as with most things motor
bike/cycle/scooter, these devices are way too small to fit my enormous physical frame. Even seated on one here at a Canadiann dealer a while back and on the back passenger’s seat at that, my knees were way above the highest height the handlebars would extend.
Nice idea, for puttering around however as with so many things once enjoyed, now never to return. Current motorcycles of all manufacture are just too darned tiny and small.
Had thought of constructing my own sidecar rig to fit my overwhelmng size but looking at federal transport regulations and what was required on modified or newly constructed vehicles soon determined that idea was not viable for many reasons.
Still Steve’s Vespa looked almost lost in the views with the URAL
design
Steve:
I was very disappointed when I read ” Just not right now . . .”
” That black and silver patrol does look good doesn’t it ? “
I can just imagine you riding the backroads of PA in a snowstorm next winter.
bob
Riding the Wet Coast
I guess you must’ve not had enough of the “kool-aide” they served…
Bobskoot wrote:
“I can just imagine you riding the backroads of PA in a snowstorm next winter.”
I could be wrong, but I think Steve and the Vespa are veterans of Pennsylvania snowstorms. OK, maybe not on the backroads, but…
I think Vespas are severely underrated as go anywhere machines. Steve routinely patrols pastures, and the 2014 Cannonball folks just demonstrated how their Vespas (and other scoots) negotiated snow and ice-covered mountain passes on the way from Hyder Alaska to New Orleans Louisiana.
” But then the URAL can’t fly.”
Best line about scooters I’ve seen so far this year, Steve!
Charlie6: The URAL’s are attractive in a Swiss Army knife kind of way.
Bryce Lee: I think you are just going to have to bite the bullet and have a motorcycle shop build you a custom bike from the ground up, sort of like having a tailor made suit. Get a good designer on the job and you’ll look small on the machine!
bob skoot: I already ride the Vespa in the snow but the URAL could reach into far heavier snow storms.
RichardM: I didn’t eat or drink anything for fear I would wake up groggy in my garage with a new URAL.
David Masse: You’re right about people underestimating the Vespa. Almost everyone I meet thinks they are an in town only machine. Little do they know how capable they are…
Joe: Thanks! I always feel like that when I’m on the Vespa!