Scooter in the Sticks

Exploring life on a Vespa Scooter and Royal Enfield Himalayan motorcycle.

Daydreaming of a URAL Motorcycle

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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…

A Piaggio MP3 with a Sidecar

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Steve Williams with a Piaggio MP3 sidecar rigMP3 Sidecar Rig

I’ve never ridden a motorcycle with a sidecar. I’ve read about them. Follow the Redleg’s Rides blog and Dom’s adventures on Ural sidecar rig. And Ara’s adventures with his dog spirit on Oasis of the Soul have created a myth of riding across the country with my dog. A lot of information floating around my head with absolutely no first hand experience. Seems I am constantly reviewing things as a beginner with no room to puff and strut. With a bit of nervous energy and apprehension I approached the rig.

After I saw this picture I went to Wal-Mart for a haircut. The kind you get with a number 3 red clipper attachment that takes only three minutes.

Dom sent me a link to the online bible of sidecars and suggested I read it before venturing out and killing myself. Well, I don’t think he put it that bluntly but the meaning was plain. So the night before I knew I would be stepping up to take the rig for a spin I went through the bible. Most of it common sense. And the rest incidental to a slow rider like myself.Continue Reading