Hi! I'm from Russia. My first Ural I bought in 1993. New Ural was worth less than$ 2000. I enjoyed the drive in the Urals. The workmanship was not the best. Now it's a completely different Ural and it is not available to many in Russia. I'm glad Ural like you! It's a motorcycle with soul! My Ural is still alive and gets me around. Good luck on the road!
@@happytrails1963 Ridiculously overpriced in Australia for a budget bike. My friends in Russia have them for next to nothing. Somewhere along the line, a middleman is making a killing.
Сергей Аристов Для некоторых недоступен? Да он для 99% в России не доступен,его цена в среднем 650 -700 тыс.рублей,а народ получает в среднем 20 -25 тыс.рублей в месяц. Эти Уралы доступны только ворам,чиновникам и бизнесменам,но они такими мотоциклами не интересуются.Этот мот нужен для провинции,для деревни,но увы,народ в глубинке нищий.Вот такая она,путинская Россия,реальная,а не из путинского зомбоящика который постоянно врёт. У меня есть Урал 91 года выпуска,но это ещё производство СССР.
@@whatsstefon They are not. Actually Urals after 2010 and earlier models are absolutely different bikes. In 2010 IMZ started to equipe bikes with: Telescopic front fork Marzocchi (Italy); absorbers Sachs (Germany); brakes Brembo (Italy); Injector, valves Keihin (Japan); gas crane TAIYO GIKEN (Japan); Ignition Ducati Energia (Italy); Generator Denso (Japan); battery YUASA; spark plugs & high-voltage wires NGK-Ducati (Italy); gearbox shafts Herzog (Germany); bearings SKF (Swiden); wires ELECTREX (USA); fuel elements SEMPERIT (Austria); etc. As u can see - components are acquired from leders among producers of moto components - so it cant be cheap. Big neo retro 750cc side car bike cost smth like neo retro kawasaki W850 - I think the price is fare enough. Here in Russia u can buy nice Soviet made fully functional Ural for some $500-1000 or even less, some rare war era models like M72 for $1500-3000, but new one will cost us $13000-15000.
Theres a guy in the town I grew up in who has one of these and puts his yellow lab in the sidecar. The dog has little goggles and its unbelievably adorable.
I talked to a guy with one of these in British Columbia. He was driving up from Mexico and cutting over to New York. Had the thing packed to the gills, naturally. Naturally, he had talked to a LOT of people on his trip about the motorcycle. He had a pretty cool system: If you wanted to talk about the bike, you had to submit to a picture of you with his bike. He was going to make a collage of the pictures to remember his trip. He had well over a hundred photos when I met him.
My sidecar is both at the same time the most dangerous and fun "motorcycle" I've ever owned. It actually takes effort to man handle that thing and every single little control input you have is an event in and of itself. As much as I like the Ural, it is simply out of 90% people price range. The one I got is basically an Inder tub mounted on an old 250cc cruiser. It takes about a year to get up to 55mph, but the fact that it actually can get up to that speed is a miracle in itself. You never arrive anywhere fast, but you always arrive everywhere cool. :)
I'd have to disagree. Sure there are cheaper bike but it seems that people tend to buy around the 10-15k range. Especially if it's riders looking to upgrade. Most first time riders wouldn't be looking at this. Having said that, it's unique but i don't think i'd like it as much so for me i just wouldn't buy it.
thats what i did back in 2015 i've got 2015 version Ural cT,im from Lithuania about 3000km from the City Irbit where those are produced,took the trip with the train and got back with bike,took me nearly 4 days,but that was the most fun ride i ever had.
We own a 2016 CT a real pieces of garbage one of the must unsafe bike. Have only 3000 k we just had front wheel come apart has never run right we've had Nuthing but problems
@@johnsonoutdoors8117 I have a 2018 Gear Up and I've had no issues with it, and I do use it as a daily commuter. That's with my route being 87% paved and 13% dirt and gravel. And you want one because it's just fun to ride, and the side car has tons of room for my work gear. My wife and I like to load it up for weekend camping trips.
The shovel comes in really handy...when my wife started to complain too much about the sidecar, I was able to find a remote forest trail and bury her nice and deep...voila, peace and quiet again
I've been interested in these since they first became available in the US. Several years back I was nearly killed riding home from work. One of the long-term effects of the injuries I sustained is early onset, accelerated progression and degenerative osteoarthritis in my spine and joints that has left me retired and permanently disabled.. Basically my days on two wheels are done so either a trike or sidecar are my only options. Being the traditionalist that I am the only trike option (Harley) is way too expensive. Ural's prices are far more in line with what I can conceivably afford.
Outstanding review in every way, Zack. You're on your way to being an Ivan. That issue with running out of gas like that? Been there, done that.... a few times on my Ural. When I first bought mine, I thought I'd run it until the light came on and then quickly get gas. There's nowhere on my commute to work where I'm more than just a few miles from a gas station. Well, after getting near 200 km on the clock, I thought I might be pushing my luck. What if the low fuel light just wasn't working? Well, no sooner than I had that thought did the bike suddenly die of fuel starvation. Fortunately I was only about a mile from a gas station. Unfortunately, at least half that was up hill. Some kind soul in a pick up threw me a tow rope to get me up hill and then I coasted down the hill to the station. Learned to always watch the odometer. But then one time I gave my brother (about 250 lbs) a ride through TX hill country. I had been filling up at 180 km. But with his extra weight (I'm used to my 11-12 year old daughter as my monkey), I ran out at 167 km. Oops. Then one day my daughter and I were riding full throttle into a steady gale force wind, only able to go 50 mph. Hit empty right at 140 km. Lesson learned and learned then learned again. The load and wind really have a drastic effect on this bike's mileage. That and whether or not we're using the sidecar windshield. Now I won't ride it at all without a spare gas can. My daughter and I rode our 2014 Patrol from TX to South Dakota via New Mexico, Colorado, and Wyoming. Then the clutch had to be replaced on the side of the road by yours truly in SD. I then rode to Wisconsin and then back to TX via Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, and back to TX. Quite the summer mis-adventure. I even did a 928 mile day, oh so close to a saddle sore 1000. After about 5000 miles in a month of riding, I temporarily retired the Ural, back at the end of July, and am just now getting the itch to get back on it. It took about a month to get feeling to my left hand fingertips after my trip. Been enjoying the hell out of my Triumph Scrambler since getting back. It suddenly feels like some high tech piece of kit, like a MotoGP bike or something, after all that time on a Ural. Biggest possible bang for buck performance upgrade for any bike? Ride a Ural for a month or two. Your other bike, afterward, will have never felt better.
Ever since I ordered my Ural I been watching reviews. This review was the best for me. Main reason I buy Ural is for my work commuter. I could have went with a cheaper version. I ordered a 2021 Gear Up with Adventure package. Because this is the best for my personal use in my area. Taking it slow and enjoying the ride. This got to be the best bike for it. If I want to go fast. I'll ride my Harley-davidson. My Harley-davidson is nice, but my Ural looks more fun for the family.
Hi! Good choice man! I'd be very interested in seeing your own reviews. I think the same. Ural is a great family bike and this is why I intend to buy one.
Use tripometer, fuel lights on 2014+ rigs are not reliable yet. We get about 200km before we have to hit reserve. Love these rigs, mine is my primary mode of transport and my wife is starting to ride hers everywhere too, went to the grocery store yesterday. So much fun!
I have a 2014 Gear Up and agree on the faulty fuel light. Just zero out the km counter on fill up. However, the EFI models, all Ural after 2013, do not have a reserve unless you carry a separate can of gas.
As mentioned before; in 1939 Hitler agreed to a non-attack contract with Stalin. The socalled 'Ribbentrop-Molotov'- deal. The russians were given (!) the BMW R71 prints as part of that deal. They produced the MMZ M72 from 1941 on, in that same year the nazis invaded russia so they moved the Moscow-based factory to Irbit and became IMZ. From 1962 they changed the name into Ural (Ooral).
That's how a Russian woman I met pronounced it. She said, "You drive Ooral? Why?" I told her it was for fun. She said her grandfather used his for farm work, like a tractor, very much a utility and not a toy. I asked her what part of Russia she's from and she said "Ooral Mountains like your motorcycle."
Man, I always wanted an Ural or Dniepr. They look so cool. However, I'd prefer it with the old style separate seat for driver/passenger, the couch looks a bit weird (though it's probably more comfortable). And I'd probably use it mostly without the sidecar, if that's a possibility. What I particularly love about this bike is the sound. It sounds almost exactly like the Fiat 126, one of my favourite cars ever. It was the first car I drove, it was the car I've spent most of my childhood and early teenage years. I remember going on vacations in this car, 500km/310miles, almost all of our luggage on the roof, a lot of it inside all around us (the trunk is small as fuck), going about 80kph/55mph, stopping every 100 or so kilometers/60miles to let the engine cool down... Man, what a piece of crap awesome and lovely car it is. It's bad in pretty much every way possible, but I love it. And this motorcycle's sound reminds me of it.
I love these Ural set ups. I came very close to buying a sidecar back in 79 for my KZ 1300. Out of about 30 that were available in the United States there was about three or four that were actually worth buying. Motorvation made the nicest one. They were extremely expensive. Much higher than the motorcycle itself. But nothing else compared to their workmanship or quality. Not even the Factory Harley Sidecar. Equalean was insanely cool and extremely innovated, but didn't have enough room inside. Ural's Positive Locking rear axle option is the only way to go on this thing. PS I hope you didn't wear that parachute on your back while riding a motorcycle with an empty sidecar. Great video.
Sounds pretty much like my 1986 BMW. I'd love one. In the late 50's early 60's my wife's father had a BSA A7 (500cc) with a double fully enclosed sidecar as their main transport. She and her sister would go in the sidecar, which had a soft rollback sunroof, and they would stand up on the seats with their heads in the wind. Dad would ride, with Mom on the back. No helmets, but Mom had a headscarf. Somehow, I don't think that scarf was race approved.
3 years too late but the Urals are originally based off German BMW sidecar motorcycles. Before Germany betrayed Russia in WW2, they shared the patent and design schematics with Russia.
In the late 90s i owned an old 70s dnepr and chair , imported from poland as a non runner, for two hundred english pounds!!!!, it had a right hand sidecar, leading link forks, with pretty hefty springs!, I sold most of the original parts, rubber seats,pipes, leg shields, etc to the enthusiasts, and after getting a mate to strip the motor down and swap a stripped timing gear, all i needed was a complete rewire, fitted better dyna coils, a headlamp and old inverted levers from a m72 sidevalve, a bigger tank from an old brit panther or bsa, and that was all i needed!
Cool looking. The build issues can be tweeked and the power can be increased a bit but the reliability just isn't there for the price. Picking up a cheap used one and straightening it out might be the way to go.
Most carb bikes don't have fuel lights, they have at petcock. You leave it in "on" until it starts to sputter, then put it in "res" or "reserve" ". The on position uses a pick off point higher in the gas tank than the reserve. That way it warns you that you're getting low on gas before you run out. Just make sure you put it back in the on position after you fill up. If you leave it in reserve then it uses the lower pick off point so you won't get the sputtering when you gas gets low; you just run out and have to push your bike to the gas station. A quick Google search shows that the Ural has a vacuum petcock but since the light didn't come on it is possible that the system didn't switch over to the reserve position automatically like it's suppose to. However, it also has a petcock you can manually switch over if the automatic system fails. Of course if you have a Jerry Can on the bike hopefully it has gas in it already. Or you can simply carry the Jerry Can to the gas station, fill it up, and carry it back to the bike. Much simpler than pushing a bike to the station, especially one with a side car :-P
@@Mike_B_724 your were correct, sort of: World War II: from Jerry ‘a German’ (probably an alteration of German) + can2, because such containers were first used in Germany.
Props for pushing that monster to the gas station. I know it's old school, but I usually open the cap on my old bike and slosh the fuel around just so I have a rough idea how much fuel is left. I also carry a gallon of extra just in case.
It's funny you mentioned not running into an old Russian guy with the bike. There's actually a guy in my hometown that absolutely loves mine. Turns out he also served in the Red Army and rode one during his service. Lots of cool stories from someone I never would've met if I hadn't bought an Ural
People who complain about the price doesn't know anything about side cars. Most aftermarket chairs cost as much or more than the bike that they are attached to. Price aWatsoion side car or a Champion side car. Now price a fully restored BMW airheads motorcycle. You pay $10,000 for the bike and $10,000 for the sidecar. You can always go to a used one for 1/2 price. My Tourist was 20 years old and had 4,000+ miles on her. She has lots of accessories on her along with HD billet mirrors,hand grips, and turn signals. The stainless steel luggage rack fits just about every German and Russian motorcycle from the 1940's to today. Stainless steel exhaust system alone is $1,600. 25 years later all the Russian parts on my bike are still working.
There definitely a fun motorcycle. I've had a couple over the years a 1998 1/2 Bavarian classic and 2004 tourist. The Bavarian classic was a 650 cc model and had regular telescopic forks it was 1/2 model year in 1998 as they added an electric starter half way through the year, the 1998 model was only kick start. Had to work on both of them a few times on the side of the road but they never left me stranded. back then they were very reasonably priced.
There are actually a bunch of different machine gun mounts you can get for it & not just the German MG43 or the Soviet DP as Ural still makes the Military model to equip government orders from multiple nations & theres no restrictions on just ordering the mount .
Older versions had the gun mount. But few years ago they were banned for importing into the U.S. (it was considered by U.S. custom service as a machine gun carrier), so Irbit factory (Ural manufacturer) had to remove it.
Had a 2012 spent more time in the garage fixing it than riding it. Had to re-weld most of the welds withing 1 month, hell it was rusted out of the crate. Final straw was the final drive breaking at 13000km. Was fun to ride, but always plan to take an extra hour to get anywhere do the the UDF (ural delay factor)
13:03 you daredevil... Reminds me of the time when I took my motorcycle licence test in a CJ750 sidecar (a licensed copy of the Ural M72). Took a right turn too hard and lift the sidecar off the ground... Luckily the instructor wasn't looking my way.
IMZ (Ural) allready presents their first model M72 in 1941. Their first models were build in Moskau. By the attack from Germany in 1941, they moved the factory to Irbit, far away from the German bombers. There are many histories about how the russians get the bike. But in fact did the germans and russians make a deal in 1939 (Ribbentrop convension), and I think they had put the drawings into the box for the russians. The germans had allready build the R75, and the R71 (same as the russian M72) was outdated in their army (they thougt it was to weak for german purpose).
I had a Cossack 650 in the early 80s. Completely painted with black Hammerite, huge springs under the seats, reverse gear. Every time I went out on it something fell off it. Happy days.
Please bring URAL Sidecar to India. Just waiting for a video on Leh-Ladakh trip videos and through all the highest Himalayan highest motor-able roads. It will be great to review a Sidecar's performance on some o the World's highest motor-able roads. The concept of bringing Sidecar in touring is much awaited on the Himalayan Roads which is still to be explored.
I've got a little over 8k km on my 2015 Gear Up. Never had a problem except with the brake light. How did you get it up to 70? Down hill and with a tail wind I can get about 65.
I have to admit...I thought here we go...when the bike died. I don't hold too much hope for high quality out of the Ural bikes even though they look really cool. I'm glad you just ran out of gas.
I really enjoyed your video it was great been looking at these for about a year now many other videos as well with people who share there knowledge and experience couple of months I’ll make a purchase great video once again
I really wonder how reliable these bikes are? They didn't change a lot over time, i guess, but being there for such a long time suggests that they have some good qualities.
The design of the motorcycle dates back to the Ribbentrop/Molotov pact of 1939. BMW gave licencing rights to the Soviets at the time and they've been buillding it ever since with NO changes to the design. I've often thought that they should try and obtain the license to the R1200 and produce that with the same basic motorcycle/side car rig.
It looks old, love the engine layout which is perfect for a sidecar, BMWs are nice with sidecars, I have a Honda DN01 and in the handbook it says never to put on a sidecar, or tow with it, but they make beautiful trikes.
Older models had a petcock with a reserve position. Don´t know about the newer models, but since it´s a Ural, it might still be rocking the same old system :)
Hello from Ukraine. I am very glad that you like the Urals motorcycle, I also have a similar Dnieper 11, it was made in Ukraine, and the Urals are from Russia. Try to ride without a side trailer, I think you will like it!
My wife had wanted a Ural for years so she found an older carb'd Gear Up a month ago... she loves it and I've ridden it a few times and now I think I wouldn't mind having one too. It's a bike that is happiest from 45-50 (the newer FI model a bit higher)... and in that range it's very enjoyable to ride - so give yourself 50% more time to get places and you're good. It IS a bit odd going from modern bikes to the Ural... but sidecar bikes really are a different beast. So would a computer engineer who owns a number of modern fully-electronic gizmo'd IMU'd bikes recommend?... DA!
Awsome vid! I usually find these vids boring, it's not you Zach, just the format is not working for me. But the odd bikes provide the necessary spice to keep my attention. I loved this one!
They were reverse engineered before WW2 as a result of the Germans giving (either 2 or 6?) R71 outfits to the USSR after the Ribbentrop Non Aggression Treaty agreed sharing technolgy. In total the Warsaw Pact produced approximately 4.5 million Ural and Dnepr motorcycles and the Chinese wre licensed to produce the Chiang Jiang for the People's Liberation Army and later civilian models. As you say, they are basic, rugged engineered bikes which are fairly reliable and easy to repair (and upgrade) and keep going. I have a Dnepr MT16 - which does have a differential and constant two-wheel drive. Bliss!
Love the style of the bike itself too. I'm currently riding a 2015 Rebel after getting my endorsement this spring, but I'd love to upgrade to something with similar retro styling like this next spring. And I've definitely seen some cool retro-looking bikes, but I can't think of any that look like they're out of WWII lol.
Hi! I'm from Russia. My first Ural I bought in 1993. New Ural was worth less than$ 2000. I enjoyed the drive in the Urals. The workmanship was not the best. Now it's a completely different Ural and it is not available to many in Russia. I'm glad Ural like you! It's a motorcycle with soul! My Ural is still alive and gets me around. Good luck on the road!
Urals are awesome!
@@happytrails1963 Ridiculously overpriced in Australia for a budget bike. My friends in Russia have them for next to nothing. Somewhere along the line, a middleman is making a killing.
@Cătălin David wow. That's expensive.
Сергей Аристов Для некоторых недоступен? Да он для 99% в России не доступен,его цена в среднем 650 -700 тыс.рублей,а народ получает в среднем 20 -25 тыс.рублей в месяц. Эти Уралы доступны только ворам,чиновникам и бизнесменам,но они такими мотоциклами не интересуются.Этот мот нужен для провинции,для деревни,но увы,народ в глубинке нищий.Вот такая она,путинская Россия,реальная,а не из путинского зомбоящика который постоянно врёт.
У меня есть Урал 91 года выпуска,но это ещё производство СССР.
@@whatsstefon
They are not. Actually Urals after 2010 and earlier models are absolutely different bikes. In 2010 IMZ started to equipe bikes with:
Telescopic front fork Marzocchi (Italy);
absorbers Sachs (Germany);
brakes Brembo (Italy);
Injector, valves Keihin (Japan);
gas crane TAIYO GIKEN (Japan);
Ignition Ducati Energia (Italy);
Generator Denso (Japan);
battery YUASA;
spark plugs & high-voltage wires NGK-Ducati (Italy);
gearbox shafts Herzog (Germany);
bearings SKF (Swiden);
wires ELECTREX (USA);
fuel elements SEMPERIT (Austria);
etc. As u can see - components are acquired from leders among producers of moto components - so it cant be cheap. Big neo retro 750cc side car bike cost smth like neo retro kawasaki W850 - I think the price is fare enough.
Here in Russia u can buy nice Soviet made fully functional Ural for some $500-1000 or even less, some rare war era models like M72 for $1500-3000, but new one will cost us $13000-15000.
Theres a guy in the town I grew up in who has one of these and puts his yellow lab in the sidecar. The dog has little goggles and its unbelievably adorable.
Bridgton maine ?
I love dogs
I think I've seen that guy
That's exactly why I may be buying one to take my dog. My dog comes on my ATV with me and rides in my car as well. A side car would be great
@bidenisgod6978 with a name like that are you sure you want to buy a Russian bike 😉 I bet there's a few Ukrainian manufacturers you could find.
Going down a dirt road with the grand kids in the sidecar , plus fishing gear and a picnic basket is where this thing excels
exactly
I was just tinking of how cool that would be for my daughter and me... I'll have to wait cause she isn't old enought...
thats exactly how my childhood in early 80's was
I talked to a guy with one of these in British Columbia. He was driving up from Mexico and cutting over to New York. Had the thing packed to the gills, naturally. Naturally, he had talked to a LOT of people on his trip about the motorcycle. He had a pretty cool system: If you wanted to talk about the bike, you had to submit to a picture of you with his bike. He was going to make a collage of the pictures to remember his trip. He had well over a hundred photos when I met him.
Holy crap thats awesome!!!
Like to see that collage
That's actually a really beautiful story.
My sidecar is both at the same time the most dangerous and fun "motorcycle" I've ever owned. It actually takes effort to man handle that thing and every single little control input you have is an event in and of itself.
As much as I like the Ural, it is simply out of 90% people price range. The one I got is basically an Inder tub mounted on an old 250cc cruiser. It takes about a year to get up to 55mph, but the fact that it actually can get up to that speed is a miracle in itself.
You never arrive anywhere fast, but you always arrive everywhere cool. :)
I'd have to disagree. Sure there are cheaper bike but it seems that people tend to buy around the 10-15k range. Especially if it's riders looking to upgrade. Most first time riders wouldn't be looking at this. Having said that, it's unique but i don't think i'd like it as much so for me i just wouldn't buy it.
Cant say anything about price range in europe its pretty "cheap"
its $5000 in Russia with all extras.
INTERNATIONAL Time for a trip to russia :D
thats what i did back in 2015 i've got 2015 version Ural cT,im from Lithuania about 3000km from the City Irbit where those are produced,took the trip with the train and got back with bike,took me nearly 4 days,but that was the most fun ride i ever had.
My uncle used to own a Ural. We used to drive it on the country roads to go fishing when I was a kid. Was so much fun.
I love Zack. Such a positive and happy guy. MM is definitely one of the best channels ever.
If I were rich enough to retire early, I'd buy one and deliver pizzas with it for fun.
adrianS or used it for uber
A man's gotta dream...
We own a 2016 CT a real pieces of garbage one of the must unsafe bike. Have only 3000 k we just had front wheel come apart has never run right we've had Nuthing but problems
@@mikebmikey8241 why do I want one and make it run better
@@johnsonoutdoors8117 I have a 2018 Gear Up and I've had no issues with it, and I do use it as a daily commuter. That's with my route being 87% paved and 13% dirt and gravel. And you want one because it's just fun to ride, and the side car has tons of room for my work gear. My wife and I like to load it up for weekend camping trips.
Very glad to see that you reviewed a Ural.
The shovel comes in really handy...when my wife started to complain too much about the sidecar, I was able to find a remote forest trail and bury her nice and deep...voila, peace and quiet again
Well that wins the comment of the day award.
ROFLOL! YES this for the WIN!
spilled my coffee...loved it
Voila
Ha ha ha!
I've been interested in these since they first became available in the US. Several years back I was nearly killed riding home from work. One of the long-term effects of the injuries I sustained is early onset, accelerated progression and degenerative osteoarthritis in my spine and joints that has left me retired and permanently disabled.. Basically my days on two wheels are done so either a trike or sidecar are my only options. Being the traditionalist that I am the only trike option (Harley) is way too expensive. Ural's prices are far more in line with what I can conceivably afford.
You ever get one?
outfits are gods gift to motorcycling!
Outstanding review in every way, Zack. You're on your way to being an Ivan. That issue with running out of gas like that? Been there, done that.... a few times on my Ural. When I first bought mine, I thought I'd run it until the light came on and then quickly get gas. There's nowhere on my commute to work where I'm more than just a few miles from a gas station. Well, after getting near 200 km on the clock, I thought I might be pushing my luck. What if the low fuel light just wasn't working? Well, no sooner than I had that thought did the bike suddenly die of fuel starvation. Fortunately I was only about a mile from a gas station. Unfortunately, at least half that was up hill. Some kind soul in a pick up threw me a tow rope to get me up hill and then I coasted down the hill to the station. Learned to always watch the odometer. But then one time I gave my brother (about 250 lbs) a ride through TX hill country. I had been filling up at 180 km. But with his extra weight (I'm used to my 11-12 year old daughter as my monkey), I ran out at 167 km. Oops. Then one day my daughter and I were riding full throttle into a steady gale force wind, only able to go 50 mph. Hit empty right at 140 km. Lesson learned and learned then learned again. The load and wind really have a drastic effect on this bike's mileage. That and whether or not we're using the sidecar windshield. Now I won't ride it at all without a spare gas can. My daughter and I rode our 2014 Patrol from TX to South Dakota via New Mexico, Colorado, and Wyoming. Then the clutch had to be replaced on the side of the road by yours truly in SD. I then rode to Wisconsin and then back to TX via Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, and back to TX. Quite the summer mis-adventure. I even did a 928 mile day, oh so close to a saddle sore 1000. After about 5000 miles in a month of riding, I temporarily retired the Ural, back at the end of July, and am just now getting the itch to get back on it. It took about a month to get feeling to my left hand fingertips after my trip. Been enjoying the hell out of my Triumph Scrambler since getting back. It suddenly feels like some high tech piece of kit, like a MotoGP bike or something, after all that time on a Ural. Biggest possible bang for buck performance upgrade for any bike? Ride a Ural for a month or two. Your other bike, afterward, will have never felt better.
I take it there's no reserve on the petcock valve on those?
@@bolivardigriz8847 I think they're fuelies now.
Hey J.W., I think I followed your blog on Adventure Rider, it was good stuff. Do some vlogs next time Sir. Kind regards.
Definitely the coolest commute review yet. I'm not really in to sidecars but it was awesome to watch.
Ever since I ordered my Ural I been watching reviews. This review was the best for me. Main reason I buy Ural is for my work commuter. I could have went with a cheaper version. I ordered a 2021 Gear Up with Adventure package. Because this is the best for my personal use in my area. Taking it slow and enjoying the ride. This got to be the best bike for it. If I want to go fast. I'll ride my Harley-davidson. My Harley-davidson is nice, but my Ural looks more fun for the family.
Hi! Good choice man! I'd be very interested in seeing your own reviews. I think the same. Ural is a great family bike and this is why I intend to buy one.
I want a sidecar so bad! I got one for my ebike. Can't wait until it arrives but I really want one for a motorbike, leaning towards a Ural.
I own a 2014 Ural M70. Love it!!! The low fuel light failure is universal. My rig has otherwise been super reliable.
Mike Gray
My fuel light hasn’t worked in a year. Then one evening it came on. Scared me. I thought it was a check engine light. Didn’t expect it.
Use tripometer, fuel lights on 2014+ rigs are not reliable yet. We get about 200km before we have to hit reserve. Love these rigs, mine is my primary mode of transport and my wife is starting to ride hers everywhere too, went to the grocery store yesterday. So much fun!
I have a 2014 Gear Up and agree on the faulty fuel light. Just zero out the km counter on fill up. However, the EFI models, all Ural after 2013, do not have a reserve unless you carry a separate can of gas.
As mentioned before; in 1939 Hitler agreed to a non-attack contract with Stalin.
The socalled 'Ribbentrop-Molotov'- deal.
The russians were given (!) the BMW R71 prints as part of that deal.
They produced the MMZ M72 from 1941 on, in that same year the nazis invaded russia so they moved the Moscow-based factory to Irbit and became IMZ.
From 1962 they changed the name into Ural (Ooral).
Ural is properly pronounced oo-ral, as in "boom"
That's how a Russian woman I met pronounced it. She said, "You drive Ooral? Why?" I told her it was for fun. She said her grandfather used his for farm work, like a tractor, very much a utility and not a toy. I asked her what part of Russia she's from and she said "Ooral Mountains like your motorcycle."
no, it's pronounced WTF?!?
And i always thought it was pronounced, urinal :)
J Waller aww that's awesome and adorable.
Ты абсолютно прав! "Урал" - "Ooral"
Man, I always wanted an Ural or Dniepr. They look so cool. However, I'd prefer it with the old style separate seat for driver/passenger, the couch looks a bit weird (though it's probably more comfortable). And I'd probably use it mostly without the sidecar, if that's a possibility.
What I particularly love about this bike is the sound. It sounds almost exactly like the Fiat 126, one of my favourite cars ever. It was the first car I drove, it was the car I've spent most of my childhood and early teenage years. I remember going on vacations in this car, 500km/310miles, almost all of our luggage on the roof, a lot of it inside all around us (the trunk is small as fuck), going about 80kph/55mph, stopping every 100 or so kilometers/60miles to let the engine cool down... Man, what a piece of crap awesome and lovely car it is. It's bad in pretty much every way possible, but I love it. And this motorcycle's sound reminds me of it.
rubbers3 I think k 750 , or m 72 are a way better
YEAH the Fiat 126!!
I love these Ural set ups. I came very close to buying a sidecar back in 79 for my KZ 1300. Out of about 30 that were available in the United States there was about three or four that were actually worth buying. Motorvation made the nicest one. They were extremely expensive. Much higher than the motorcycle itself. But nothing else compared to their workmanship or quality. Not even the Factory Harley Sidecar. Equalean was insanely cool and extremely innovated, but didn't have enough room inside. Ural's Positive Locking rear axle option is the only way to go on this thing. PS I hope you didn't wear that parachute on your back while riding a motorcycle with an empty sidecar. Great video.
These things are so freakin' cool
They look cool but don't be fooled they are not reliable and grossly overpriced.
Is that a glove box on the gas tank? Great video! Commentary is well done. I watched, rewatched, and sent to friends who I know will enjoy!
Russian motorcycle with sidecar is stronk, but better with petrol, товарич!!
Правильно товарищ)))
Love it I want to take one out cross country camping
Sounds pretty much like my 1986 BMW. I'd love one. In the late 50's early 60's my wife's father had a BSA A7 (500cc) with a double fully enclosed sidecar as their main transport. She and her sister would go in the sidecar, which had a soft rollback sunroof, and they would stand up on the seats with their heads in the wind. Dad would ride, with Mom on the back. No helmets, but Mom had a headscarf. Somehow, I don't think that scarf was race approved.
3 years too late but the Urals are originally based off German BMW sidecar motorcycles. Before Germany betrayed Russia in WW2, they shared the patent and design schematics with Russia.
@@kitsachie. I didn't know they shared the patent. Never to late to learn something new. Thanks for the info.
My Russian uncle had an Ural with a side car and I used to go fishing with him as a kid on that motorcycle. Good times.
The tree behind you at the beginning makes you look like you got an afro. Highly approved.
"Damn that bike looks vintage. How old is it?"
"It's a Ural"
"It's a Ur old"
In the late 90s i owned an old 70s dnepr and chair , imported from poland as a non runner, for two hundred english pounds!!!!, it had a right hand sidecar, leading link forks, with pretty hefty springs!,
I sold most of the original parts, rubber seats,pipes, leg shields, etc to the enthusiasts, and after getting a mate to strip the motor down and swap a stripped timing gear, all i needed was a complete rewire, fitted better dyna coils, a headlamp and old inverted levers from a m72 sidevalve, a bigger tank from an old brit panther or bsa, and that was all i needed!
That 5 gallon gas can strapped on the back of the side care could've come in handy.
I owned a 2005 Ural Tourist. Good conversation piece but extremely fragile. Easy to work on right on the side of the road. Good family toy.
nothing in the jerrycan?
learning to ride it on 2 wheels is awesome fun
Cool looking. The build issues can be tweeked and the power can be increased a bit but the reliability just isn't there for the price. Picking up a cheap used one and straightening it out might be the way to go.
Number 1 upgrade should be a steering dampner if you buy a used one, as early models did not come with one.
Dropping the fuel cap and wondering if it would roll into the road and get crushed was the hilight of the video.
This is definitely the best review I’ve watched on the Ural. Your background made this more informative and grounded.
I haven't watched the video yet but this is exactly why I love this channel. :)
Most carb bikes don't have fuel lights, they have at petcock. You leave it in "on" until it starts to sputter, then put it in "res" or "reserve" ". The on position uses a pick off point higher in the gas tank than the reserve. That way it warns you that you're getting low on gas before you run out. Just make sure you put it back in the on position after you fill up. If you leave it in reserve then it uses the lower pick off point so you won't get the sputtering when you gas gets low; you just run out and have to push your bike to the gas station. A quick Google search shows that the Ural has a vacuum petcock but since the light didn't come on it is possible that the system didn't switch over to the reserve position automatically like it's suppose to. However, it also has a petcock you can manually switch over if the automatic system fails.
Of course if you have a Jerry Can on the bike hopefully it has gas in it already. Or you can simply carry the Jerry Can to the gas station, fill it up, and carry it back to the bike. Much simpler than pushing a bike to the station, especially one with a side car :-P
I drove Ural ever since I grew big enough to reach pedals, that's so awesome to see someone drive it outside of Russia
Dude, how you gonna run out of gas on, and then push, a bike with a Gerry can?
mbradishable a *what* can..?
Not sure why I spelled it that way. Must've had "German" in my head.
@@Mike_B_724 your were correct, sort of: World War II: from Jerry ‘a German’ (probably an alteration of German) + can2, because such containers were first used in Germany.
Here is an idea...Part 2 off-road demonstration & part 3, picking up a lass on a friday evening.
I like your channel because you don't have any thing that bother you
Zakk, I love your motorcycle commutes and reviews. Thank you sir!
Thank you. I've heard of Ural from other dual sport riders never been up close.
Props for pushing that monster to the gas station. I know it's old school, but I usually open the cap on my old bike and slosh the fuel around just so I have a rough idea how much fuel is left. I also carry a gallon of extra just in case.
It's funny you mentioned not running into an old Russian guy with the bike. There's actually a guy in my hometown that absolutely loves mine. Turns out he also served in the Red Army and rode one during his service. Lots of cool stories from someone I never would've met if I hadn't bought an Ural
Dude-The Earle's front fork design is there for the sidecar. It's been around since 1953 and gives the driver more control over his rig-John in Texas
People who complain about the price doesn't know anything about side cars. Most aftermarket chairs cost as much or more than the bike that they are attached to. Price aWatsoion side car or a Champion side car. Now price a fully restored BMW airheads motorcycle. You pay $10,000 for the bike and $10,000 for the sidecar. You can always go to a used one for 1/2 price. My Tourist was 20 years old and had 4,000+ miles on her. She has lots of accessories on her along with HD billet mirrors,hand grips, and turn signals. The stainless steel luggage rack fits just about every German and Russian motorcycle from the 1940's to today. Stainless steel exhaust system alone is $1,600. 25 years later all the Russian parts on my bike are still working.
So you CAN back it in!
WWII Aerostitch soldier made me chuckle. Love to have one. Maybe when I am too old to hold up a bike.
There definitely a fun motorcycle. I've had a couple over the years a 1998 1/2 Bavarian classic and 2004 tourist. The Bavarian classic was a 650 cc model and had regular telescopic forks it was 1/2 model year in 1998 as they added an electric starter half way through the year, the 1998 model was only kick start. Had to work on both of them a few times on the side of the road but they never left me stranded. back then they were very reasonably priced.
my mate used to put a bag of cement in the chair to help with right handers :) great review
Awesome commute video! I love those bikes and would love to have one just for the cool factor and to play around on.
Has it got a machine gun mount ....?
No ?
Ok then I am not interested.....😬
andree hammerschmidt You can order that.Seriously
There are actually a bunch of different machine gun mounts you can get for it & not just the German MG43 or the Soviet DP as Ural still makes the Military model to equip government orders from multiple nations & theres no restrictions on just ordering the mount .
Older versions had the gun mount. But few years ago they were banned for importing into the U.S. (it was considered by U.S. custom service as a machine gun carrier), so Irbit factory (Ural manufacturer) had to remove it.
Not in California, maybe you can get one in Texas.
For you comrade, anything is possible
Had a 2012 spent more time in the garage fixing it than riding it. Had to re-weld most of the welds withing 1 month, hell it was rusted out of the crate. Final straw was the final drive breaking at 13000km. Was fun to ride, but always plan to take an extra hour to get anywhere do the the UDF (ural delay factor)
13:03 you daredevil... Reminds me of the time when I took my motorcycle licence test in a CJ750 sidecar (a licensed copy of the Ural M72). Took a right turn too hard and lift the sidecar off the ground... Luckily the instructor wasn't looking my way.
My 5 year old boy keeps telling me to buy an Ural. Once my V-Strom is paid off I just might...
lol, dont, real shit
You would be a Hero to him. Kids love this bike.
The engine from the RNINET would be perfect in this bike.
i would love to have these here in the philippines .. tricycle is one of our mode of transportation here but only limited to 100cc to 175cc ..
IMZ (Ural) allready presents their first model M72 in 1941. Their first models were build in Moskau. By the attack from Germany in 1941, they moved the factory to Irbit, far away from the German bombers. There are many histories about how the russians get the bike. But in fact did the germans and russians make a deal in 1939 (Ribbentrop convension), and I think they had put the drawings into the box for the russians. The germans had allready build the R75, and the R71 (same as the russian M72) was outdated in their army (they thougt it was to weak for german purpose).
That's why I always kept the jerry can filled with gas, I had to use it more than once.
I had a Cossack 650 in the early 80s. Completely painted with black Hammerite, huge springs under the seats, reverse gear. Every time I went out on it something fell off it.
Happy days.
Nice bike, i love its colour.
I just love how they look I wish they make one without sidecar
www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/others/2014-ural-solo-st-review.html
Please bring URAL Sidecar to India. Just waiting for a video on Leh-Ladakh trip videos and through all the highest Himalayan highest motor-able roads. It will be great to review a Sidecar's performance on some o the World's highest motor-able roads. The concept of bringing Sidecar in touring is much awaited on the Himalayan Roads which is still to be explored.
I've got a little over 8k km on my 2015 Gear Up. Never had a problem except with the brake light. How did you get it up to 70? Down hill and with a tail wind I can get about 65.
MC COMMUTE a royal enfield!!!
Nice bike.... i like this model very much.
I have to admit...I thought here we go...when the bike died. I don't hold too much hope for high quality out of the Ural bikes even though they look really cool. I'm glad you just ran out of gas.
It would be cool to see a 2019 review since they updated them a lil bit and now that this is on mtod.
reminds me of watching MASH. very cool video.
Good! Hello from Russia!
I really enjoyed your video it was great been looking at these for about a year now many other videos as well with people who share there knowledge and experience couple of months I’ll make a purchase great video once again
I really wonder how reliable these bikes are? They didn't change a lot over time, i guess, but being there for such a long time suggests that they have some good qualities.
The design of the motorcycle dates back to the Ribbentrop/Molotov pact of 1939. BMW gave licencing rights to the Soviets at the time and they've been buillding it ever since with NO changes to the design. I've often thought that they should try and obtain the license to the R1200 and produce that with the same basic motorcycle/side car rig.
What is it like with a passenger in the sidecar? Why not stick Ari in the side car and do a joint review?
I want one of these so bad... I think it would complement my Multi rather well.
It looks old, love the engine layout which is perfect for a sidecar, BMWs are nice with sidecars, I have a Honda DN01 and in the handbook it says never to put on a sidecar, or tow with it, but they make beautiful trikes.
BMW should bring back retro 50’s R series with a sidecar and unlike Ural electronic that actually work, how cool that would be again !
Older models had a petcock with a reserve position. Don´t know about the newer models, but since it´s a Ural, it might still be rocking the same old system :)
Hello from Ukraine. I am very glad that you like the Urals motorcycle, I also have a similar Dnieper 11, it was made in Ukraine, and the Urals are from Russia. Try to ride without a side trailer, I think you will like it!
Love all the running stops🤣
My wife had wanted a Ural for years so she found an older carb'd Gear Up a month ago... she loves it and I've ridden it a few times and now I think I wouldn't mind having one too. It's a bike that is happiest from 45-50 (the newer FI model a bit higher)... and in that range it's very enjoyable to ride - so give yourself 50% more time to get places and you're good. It IS a bit odd going from modern bikes to the Ural... but sidecar bikes really are a different beast. So would a computer engineer who owns a number of modern fully-electronic gizmo'd IMU'd bikes recommend?... DA!
OH I've wanted one for years.
I wish you had Ari in the sidecar during the ride, this bike is awesome !
This might be a dumb question but, can you take the sidecar off? Just as an option?
did you check if the jerrycan was empty???
Awsome vid! I usually find these vids boring, it's not you Zach, just the format is not working for me. But the odd bikes provide the necessary spice to keep my attention. I loved this one!
They were reverse engineered before WW2 as a result of the Germans giving (either 2 or 6?) R71 outfits to the USSR after the Ribbentrop Non Aggression Treaty agreed sharing technolgy. In total the Warsaw Pact produced approximately 4.5 million Ural and Dnepr motorcycles and the Chinese wre licensed to produce the Chiang Jiang for the People's Liberation Army and later civilian models. As you say, they are basic, rugged engineered bikes which are fairly reliable and easy to repair (and upgrade) and keep going. I have a Dnepr MT16 - which does have a differential and constant two-wheel drive. Bliss!
Love the style of the bike itself too. I'm currently riding a 2015 Rebel after getting my endorsement this spring, but I'd love to upgrade to something with similar retro styling like this next spring. And I've definitely seen some cool retro-looking bikes, but I can't think of any that look like they're out of WWII lol.
I like the trunk world of motorcycling. It's open road too.
It would be cool for the side cart to have a seperate brake for right hand turns
When you step on the brake pedal it activated the sidecar.brake as well.
You didn't say anything about the access door on the gas tank. What is it for?
Great video, but 14,500 USD as a starter price. Jesus!
18:05 was the back reflector on the side car hanging off?
Zach, it ran out of gas. Does it not have a reserve?
Yep, always reset trip one on either bike i have just in case.
LOL at 5:19 I realized you're in Newport Beach. How did the Ural fare in the OC traffic?