Intrepid URAL rider Dom Chang of Redleg’s Rides suggested the above video to me as an example of the kind of riding video he would like to make and post on his blog. I’m suspect though that it’s just a part of a covert plan to get me to abandon the Vespa for the Russian machine with a sidecar. Don’t tell him this, on more than a few occasions I’ve found myself daydreaming of a URAL motorcycle.
Like the Vespa, the URAL is a lesson in form following function. It’s made for transportation in all weathers and situations while offering a wide range of capabilities from carrying capacity to ruggedness. Add to it a marvelous sense of coolness with a magnetic personality and it’s hard not to want one. Or at least think about it.
I had the opportunity to ride a URAL rig a few years back when I was writing reviews for Kissell Motorsports in State College, Pennsylvania. Like the video says, you’re riding through the forest and suddenly you realize you love it. I can attest to the truth of the statement. To get a sense of what you might encounter should you find yourself on the back of a URAL check out my stories linked below:
Becoming a URAL Adventurer
Surrender to the URAL
In the meantime, I’ll allow myself now and again to be daydreaming of a URAL motorcycle. Just hope my Vespa doesn’t get wind of it…
Hello Steve,
A very good site for the ural side rider: http://www.thetimelessride.com
Sorry for my little english:
Laurent.
Wow, that rider has a life on the road. Some great sidecar adventures on the site. Thanks for sharing it.
I have to admit that I have looked at them with envy but I’m not ready to give up 2 wheels just yet. Perhaps when that big lottery win comes in.
Same for me but I see some great advantages in foul weather. I’ve not looked away yet.
Steve….resist no more, come over to the three-wheeled side…keep the Vespa for those glorious spring/summer weather riding days….but plunge into Winter with more gusto and less worry……
oh, and think of Junior coming along in the sidecar…..I’m sure he’ll get used to it. 🙂
Now that Junior is a little older and wiser he might just understand the value to him of staying in the sidecar. Would be nice riding with him.
Steve…a great piece about the Ural. A very short ride on a Ural got me into sidecars, but not one of those. My first was a bright yellow Honda Helix with a Texas sidecar that was a great little machine, except that I mistakenly thought it too small and underpowered. Actually, it kept up with my friend’s Ural, and had FAR fewer maintenance problems. Then I had a Burgman 650 with a Texas sidecar that was a real hoot…rode it over to Eureka Springs, AR at speeds of up to 85 mph or so. Learned I had to keep it down to 72-75 mph because I could see the fuel gauge dropping too fast. Then there was a Honda SilverWing with a Texas sidecar that I drove home from near Tampa, FL. 1900 miles as I recall. Then my wife got some back problems that put an end to the sidecars. One thing I did not see in your article was “flying” the sidecar on right-hand turns, which, the first few times, is startling to put it mildly. And you are right, driving a sidecar rig is absolutely different than riding a scooter/motor cycle! Again, a good article to my mind.
Regards, Karl Utrecht
There are so many variations of the sidecar theme to choose from. The URAL “looks” like what I imagine a sidecar rig should be. I’ve ridden an older one (not fun) and a newer one which is functional and enjoyable. I’ve read they are still plagued by poor construction and engineering but I also know a lot of serious URAL riders customize their rigs to make up for deficiencies.
Regardless, the attraction has little to do with the machine and more to do with what you can do with the machine. I like the go anywhere in any weather.
I don’t think Dom’s plan is too covert. Just like the free samples from your local “dealer”. It worked on me…
I am now a convert and two wheels is still fun, three has become a preference. The practicality is too hard to ignore.
It’s tempting but the time isn’t right. The riding time and focus is still squarely on the Vespa. Haven’t exhausted my questions or adventures yet.
Maybe they’ve gotten better but I rode one when they were called Dnepers and I wasn’t thrilled. Even with careful setup it pulled down the road crown making it a fight to keep it on the road. Solo bikes for me thanks.
I rode a new one and it did seem like a fight at first but after some 50 miles or so it seemed to become more relaxed. Certainly nothing like two wheels but a different experience all around.
Sadly both the Ural with sidecar has the same fault (design criteria) as does the Vespa. Both are physically way too small for me to either contemplate or even sit upon.I weigh 400 pounds and stand 6 foot inches tall….
Motorcycles sadly just don’t fit.
Hmm dylexsia of the fingertips, not completing my sentences…must be that age thing.
So I stand six foot eight inches in height and weigh around 400 pounds. The big problem for me is handlebars on most bikes don’t clear the top of my knee when turning lock to lock. If I put my feet (size 16 9E boot) flat either on the footpeg or the floor in the case of a step through the handle bars are basically locked, in situ. On prior older machines have modified the handlebars somewhat however nothing current on the market would allow such a drastic change in components. Funny too, always thought a Harley-Davidson machine was big; found out a long time ago they are physically a small machine.. they just look massive due to all the bits and pieces added.
One person suggested i build my own righ, which would be an idea however her in the province of Ontario it would be well-nigh impossible to register such as machine
as it would in many cases not be able to conform to government regulations; which are fairly rigid.
You definitely have circumstances that make things near impossible lest you have something custom built from the ground up which would come no doubt with a tall price tag, especially to get past the government.
The Ural fills some of my daydreams too…from time to time. The new 2015 models might just lure me away from my current bike. Winter riding would become an entirely new experience.
Winter riding has a unique charm but not for everyone. Like climbing rocks or jumping off bridges, to each their own…