Not as good as the original drum braked models which were a quick change, the disc braked models require the discs to be removed and fitted to the spare which takes a fair bit longer to do.
Was having a bad day and 5 mins into watching this video, I realized I had a smile as I listen and daydream of riding the Ural. Thank you for the quality content!
@@timjohnson1199 No still boxer type. Over head valve needs to be adjusted every oil change (3k miles). Newer ones I think after 2019 run better but you can buy updated system for the later EFI system. Which I'm going to do, cheaper then a 2020-2021 bike. Updated system is about 2k and 5oo. for the diagnostic tool. But this for the States I don't know what the price would be for Australia.
@@jayhom449 I'd be willing to check the valves often for the benefits of OHV. It's pretty easy on the flat twin. Just checked the valves on my present OHC bike. 19 thousand miles and didn't need adjustments.
@@timjohnson1199 Ural is like the old VW Bug, a work in progress type vehicle. I have a old bug (74) and have to adjust the valve's and my Ural the same. I enjoy the ride in both and when I have want to I ride my Buell 😁👍
Roothy, there's just something about a machine like that, everything is out to see, no plastic to hide all those glorious bits and pieces coming together to make a serious fun machine. The perfect Rally machine perhaps? Been missing the motorcycle reviews since Motorcycle Traders demise. Good on you mate
Such a positive review. My Ural Sportsman arrives at the end of the month. I see a lot of negative reviews of the ural where I question if I have made the right choice. But seeing this review really makes me happy and hypes me up for my new motorcycle :D thanks mate!
Be assured that when it breaks you should be able to fix it as it wasn't designed to be taken to pieces and reassembled by a small Japanese person with six opposable thumbs :) I have a Jawa 350 sidecar outfit for that very reason, they just aren't fast😁
@Maartem M I'm wondering how you've enjoyed your new Ural. I have had mine a little over a year and we have a blast every time we (my bride and I) head out.
Урал мотоцикл для мужчин с руками из плеч. Для тех у кого (как говорят в России) руи выросли из жопы, эта техника не подходит и принесёт только огорчения. Прежде чем покупать этот несомненно красивй мотоцикл, убедитесь из того ли места ростут ваши руки 😜
I bought one without sidecar in about 1970. $650 for 650cc with rego! Even the Tasmanian dealer, John Spillsbury, wasn’t sure what to call it because it was all written in Russian, but voshkod and Ural were possibilities. Running in speed was 35 miles per hour, top speed was a little faster. Endless fun. Thanks Roothy.
From Russia with love! More precisely from the Urals, this is the region we have here. From us begins Siberia, which is so loved in "cranberry" films! So, Ural is not only a proper name, but also a name! My brother's name is Ural, my name is Ildar, we are Tatars. But we are Russian guys and we are proud of our land!
@@MrThaF Russia lost the Russo-Japanese war, the Latvian War of Independence the Estonian War of Independence, the Polish-Soviet War, the Cold War and the First Chechen War AND MORE.
Hello! I'm from Russia. I want to tell you that modern Ural motorcycles are made specifically for export abroad, and they are assembled in a completely different way. We have more common motorcycles of 40 years ago. the driving experience is completely different. If you are with us, be sure to find such a motorcycle and take a ride :)
I have new and a Soviet era Ural, oh yeah, night and day...look a lot a like though...also rode a Dnepr all over wester Russia a few years ago. They are different beasts.
This is an incorrect statement, there is no "special made". Ural produces the same motorcycles for everyone. And in Russia, this model is also bought, only a little. The fact is that the old Ural motorcycles have a reputation for being very simple, cheap and common rural transport. And it is morally unacceptable for Russians to pay such a large sum of money for the Urals, as this modern model costs. That is why these Urals are mainly sold for export, in other countries they are not hindered by the history of the brand and they are evaluated in fact. I'm also from Russia.
THANK YOU(!) for the most honest, knowledgeable video introduction of the Ural Gear Up! I can’t stand it when super bike riders compare this machine to their cafe’ racing sport bikes.🤬 After becoming disabled (see screen name), I thought my lifetime of dirt & street bikes was a thing of the past. Then one glorious day, my brother bought a Gear Up. Soon after that, I bought my own, and installed the left footbox (running board) and hand shifters for both the forward & reverse gears. I can ride this machine as well as any “able-bodied” riders out there, and trust me when I say these machines will dependably get you WAY out there, and back again. These require an entire new set of skills, and they are WORTH THE EFFORT! You can head up the mountain roads/trails to that remote lake for a weekend of fishing/camping, and bring along all those “creature comforts” that dual sport riders can only dream of. They’re slow, but I no longer have a need for speed at my old age, and my Gear Up has put me back in the game! When other street bikers ask “Why the heck would you buy THAT machine, instead of a cushy ride?”, I tell them to follow me up a mountain road, and they can see for themselves. When they say ”I can’t go there with my Gold Wing or Street Glide!” I tell them they’ve just answered their own question. Other than flying an old, open cockpit warbird, these are the most fun you can have with your clothes on. (And the chicks really dig it.)
Nice video John. I love my 1975 M67 Ural and use it daily here in the UK. The only disadvantage is that it draws so much attention it takes ages to do anything 🤣🤣
Great review John! I absolutely agree with your sentiments and find it so refreshing to see such a refined "mechanical" machine that is able to put such a smile on your face when you ride it! I'm so over all the rider aids (rain, sand, rocks & mud, sport etc etc) that "nanny" all the new riders. Whatever happened to common sense - my rider control is my brain and my throttle wrist!! There's something to be said for back to basics riding! Greeting from South Africa mate!
Holy cow, do you know what this means? It means there is now a left hand drive arrangement for 2 wheel drive on a right hand tug Ural. That is game changing..... Australia , N.Z., UK, India, Japan.... Huge markets opened up. I want to the the mechanicals and how they did it.
Takes me back. I had a GS850 with a Hedingham trials sidecar on the side, I had the chair lowered to accept a smaller wheel. It was an unusual setup, but it worked great, I used to ride it with the chair in the air a lot of the time :)
I have a Soviet Union military version of the Ural made in the KMZ motorcycle factory called a Dnepr. The Soviets split the versions up because the military version costs a lot more to produce than the Ural motorcycle. The Dnepr motorcycles have a heavier frame, a centrifugal oil filter, full time 2WD, and a semi-automatic transmission. You can actually up and down shift without taking a firm grip off the left handlebar grip to pull in the clutch lever. The 2WD system is completely different than used on the Ural 2WD. Instead of locking both wheels together like the Ural the Dnepr has a second reduction gear box on the sidecar wheel with a freewheel drive shaft. When the motorcycle pusher wheel starts slipping the sidecar gear box will "catch up" with the freewheel locking in and driving the sidecar wheel with its even lower gear reduced drive. As soon as the motorcycle pusher wheel starts gripping again the freewheel will unlock so you are back to single wheel drive automatically. The Driver doesn't need to stop to disengage 2WD or ever have steering problems. KMZ no longer produces Dnepr motorcycles because they cost so much more than the Ural motorcycles so people did not buy them and the Russian military had no further desire for military motorcycles.
@@pauls8456 I have no idea. It's an MT-11 which they started building in the early 1980's. The paperwork says it's 1972 but that is way before they started building those. Apparently they just made up dates according to the State requirements for the States they sold them in. Here in Alabama 1974 was the first year they started requiring a title so they put 1972 on the paperwork and called it good. I didn't have any paperwork problems registering, getting a tag, and insurance. It was pulled out of a warehouse full of motorcycles built under contract for use with the Soviet Union Military so the Ukrainians had sabotaged it. I ended up taking it completely apart, fixing the sabotaged parts, and putting it back together. I later learned in forums that all military sidecar motorcycles were done that way. Why provide military equipment for people that are occupying your country with the things that make that possible. I would do it all over again. It's the most fun motorcycle I have ever owned.
Great review! Ha, I always rode my CT with no weight ballast when no one was in it. You really adjust to how these things handles, if you’re not afraid to hammer it around. I do believe the CT is lower, which does provide much better handling.
I wonder how people think of others riding Russian bikes especially now... Ive been wanting a Ural for ages.. I was in an accident off road on my BMW F650GS two week ago and the thoughts of the Ural popped into my head again... Absolutely loved your review Roothy.. Miss you from Two Wheels bike mag.. Im off when I heal up to have a gawk at the Ural dealership.. Thanks mate.. Thanks for the cool review..
I like machinery that just works and doesn't have to prove or compete against the mainstream. I'm sure this Ural would put a smile on my face every time I rode it.
Great video Rooth. Loved watching the two-wheel-drive dig out of the deep sand. I have a 2019 GU and love it. Just got skid plates installed under the tub and engine as well as a high exhaust. Getting ready for some serious off-road adventures.
Excellent video... agree with every statement. I have an Ural Ranger 2020 and love it. My only criticism is the short life of the rear tyre, mine only last about 3000km. Interesting to see a RHD version with two-wheel drive. I think this is a new development. It is not, in my opinion, suitable for Autobahns as its comfortable cruising speed is around 90kmh. A big advantage here in Germany is that it gets me free entrance to veteran/vintage vehicle meets.
First road bike I rode was a '42 WLA Harley outfit on my uncle's sheep farm, knobby tyres and all. Doughnuts, up on two wheels, in and out of watercourses, chasing rabbits. Never did a kid have so much fun in the holidays. Would love to revisit that some day. Does anyone rent these out for the weekend?
Great presentation, I liked how the possible negatives of a sidecar where presented ; its nice to see a review from someone who understands sidecar motorcycles and their unique features and quirks. My only problem with the Ural is that it's too attention grabbing, and I would say it's a bit slow on the top end(It really could benefit from a 5th gear for the top end) but, I don't I'm not sure if I want to go faster on something that can handle "like wrestling a drunken three-legged bear" on the bad weather days. People will be coming out of the woodworks to talk to you about it and normally that's not a problem(as long as you don't mind a good gab); the issue is that occasionally you will have a bad driver that will start to drift over trying to get a better look.
What a beautiful bit of machinery mate. Bet it would make ya smile every time you look at it, not to mention what it would do to you every time you ride it.
Nice Job Roothy. As always. Been looking at these for a while now. I think 2WD has just clinched it. Even got my Handbrake nodding, Best commentary Ive heard. Did you bingle the mudguard?? LOL
My apologies but just a minor correction on the spare wheel. It only fits on the right rear position. It won't fit the side car or front position. This is because to engineer the right hand drive two wheel drive mechanism they went to a 25.4 mm diameter axle. The side car axle is 20mm and the front axle won't fit either. Doesn't matter cause I still love mine.
Hey, John! That was great…perfect timing, too, as I’m looking at a ‘21 Gear Up in burnt orange as we speak. The dealer’s pics are ok, but seeing it in action along with your commentary is just what I needed. Thanks for helping me to make up my mind on this purchase. Btw, why has Oz not had the 2wd feature until recently? It’s kind of the flipslide of why the States never got any of the diesel Land Cruiser/ Prado offerings. (And now we don’t get anything, but that’s a different discussion.) Thanks again, sir! 👍
I'm noit sure on the why - probably a distributor level thing. You don't need the 2wd often but it's great when you do! Giid luck and let me know what you rekcon - thanks
Surely the most relevant crit on the URAL for the Australian market But also, the clearest support of this fun vehicle for the whole latent market. BLUEY QUILTY MA Australian Heritage Quanta Blue Mountains NSW
great video, loved the enthusiasm you had reviewing the bike and not just comparing it to a regular bike like A LOT of other UA-camrs have done. also.. bloody lovely shots and riding scenery, looks like it would be a blast to have one of these and ride it around where you were shooting!
I love the Urals! Sadly, the prices are astronomical (over $35,000 USD) in Thailand! Great tip about adding ballast! My wife weighs 50 kgs and I have 40 kgs as ballast (Royal Enfield 500 with side car) when she isn't riding. with me.
Completely agree John with the fact that riding a sidecar/bike against a solo bike has about the same similarity of riding then flying a plane and driving the QE2, not similar at all, something to learn indeed, but great fun, watch them left handers! (those weights come in handy if the missus isn't in there) used to ride sidecar combos here and in Europe, and that Ural looks fantastic to me, basic simple and STRONG, with two wheel drive and reverse no less, go anywhere, never had that on mine, I want one!
It's a right hand drive because Australia like the UK, New Zealand, India, Pakistan, South Africa, Japan etc drive on the left hand side of the road. Most export Ural's have left hand drive as the majority of the world's countries drive on the right side of the road.
@@davidmacgregor5193 Left hand sidecar drive, not LHD. The sidecar wheel is driven on the LH side, not the driver being on the LH side. Some mother's do have them!
As a bloke who has early onset ataxia (brain condition), I reckon this could be the answer to staying on a bike (& off the road). Thanks for a great review Roothy!
Hello, Roodog I've ridden bikes all my life, dirt & road; I"m now 60 yrs old, 2 years ago I had a stroke which left me with balance issues; don't think I can return to two wheels so I'm also thinking this will work for me also.
@@AmpsWatts4 Excellent attitude as well mate. As it turns out I now have another issue called Trigeminal Neuralgia in which my medication has stopped me riding (for now). But I still have my eyes on this bike, so no doubt it'll be a ripper bike for you as well mate!
I think in early 1920 German company Zundapp came with this design, in many WW II movies you can see this bike, new Ural still have vintage flavor very nice.
The Russians recovered many German motorbikes in the war, and started making copies, production never stopped since! Beware, because the best of them was the BMW!
This makes me want to change tack and move out of the motorhome for a while and just cruise Australia with the dog and a tent. Got to love the ignition key placement - flapping about smashing up the paintwork. A quick Velcro fix I think. Small thing, and otherwise what a fabbo machine.
Just take the key off the ring . If you forget it you're not going far...did that when I got my 2008 Patrol about 8 years ago. Previous owner had hi-bars on it for parades. That was the first mod. Put some reinforced flat bars from the XR 600 on it and it's Perfect! From taking flat turns on farm roads like an Aussie flattracker to motoring over mountain passes on Jeep trails it will go anywhere as fast as you want to. The Lady even suggests when a ride might be a good idea today. Make of that what you will...Ha!
This bike is absolutely perfect for things like fishing or if you have a kitchen-garden and need to carry some sack of potatoes, or carrots or whatever you grow there. The design fits perfectly for that purposes, and of course it is extremely fun and exciting just to ride it!
Hey Roothy, good to hear from you again, miss the two wheels columns and your various other bike stuff, I'm an on again, off again 4by guy. Still got Hilda?
@@JOHNROOTHROOTHY 😆😆👍👍 I love it. I could see you cruising to your local pie .... I mean ‘salad’ shop with the handbrake sitting gunshot in the side-car for a Sunday morning brunch. you’re a legend Roothy, keep up the great work buddy 😉👍🇦🇺
Do you do rentals Down Under? My 94 with an 02 motor needs a top end re build. There was a couple a decade ago that tried doing rental on 1wd, the only ones available in right hand drive at the time. I met them at a rally in North Carolina.
Is 2020 the first Ural model-year that the 2wd has been available for left-mounted sidecars? Not seen it before. And does anyone have any details regarding Urals quality-control changes, this being an area that was always an issue in the past (I remember a line in an old motorcycle magazine Ural review that went something like "If their missiles are built to the same quality we have nothing to worry about").
Hi Roothy, that looks schmink! Copy of Zündapp KS 600 and 750 or BMW 75 Gespann. Even better than the various Chinese copies I.e. Chan Jiang CJ750 (Gutless pieces). sold in CN nowadays. Ural comes even with 2 wheel drive. No carbs anymore. Guess rides nice with all the bells and whistles! Hell the price in Australia ! Interesting if they offer also the option, Anhänger and MG42 in OZ??... Cheers and safe ride
In 1939 the Russians and Germans signed a pact and part of it was building BMW R71 sidecar motorcycles in Russia for the Russian market. When the Germans invaded the Russians grabbed the factory and moved it to the Ural mountains and built them for the Russian Military for the war effort. After the war the Soviets built civilian motorcycles in that same factory that continues to this very day. They also built another motorcycle factory in Kiev Ukraine that built the military version of the Ural motorcycle called the Dnepr after the River that runs through Kiev Ukraine. The Chinese build a copy of the KMZ Dnepr motorcycles which KMZ sold the plans for to them.
As a long term URAL owner … gotta say, best & most honest review I have seen. Nice work mate
The value of a spare wheel that fits front or rear cannot be overstated
Not as good as the original drum braked models which were a quick change, the disc braked models require the discs to be removed and fitted to the spare which takes a fair bit longer to do.
I value that much over the extra drive shaft for the 2WD
Was having a bad day and 5 mins into watching this video, I realized I had a smile as I listen and daydream of riding the Ural. Thank you for the quality content!
Hard not to grin riding the Ural too - it's a bucket full of fun!
I’m only 33 and I’m in love, what a gorgeous bike
Best ever commentary about the Ural. You tell more enjoyable things about the Ural than anyone else. And I have a 2017 in the States.👍
Yeah, if it wasn't for the price tag I would grab one in a minute. Park that outside the bar, get a lot of reactions.
Are the new ones flathead?
@@timjohnson1199 No still boxer type. Over head valve needs to be adjusted every oil change (3k miles). Newer ones I think after 2019 run better but you can buy updated system for the later EFI system. Which I'm going to do, cheaper then a 2020-2021 bike. Updated system is about 2k and 5oo. for the diagnostic tool. But this for the States I don't know what the price would be for Australia.
@@jayhom449 I'd be willing to check the valves often for the benefits of OHV. It's pretty easy on the flat twin. Just checked the valves on my present OHC bike. 19 thousand miles and didn't need adjustments.
@@timjohnson1199 Ural is like the old VW Bug, a work in progress type vehicle. I have a old bug (74) and have to adjust the valve's and my Ural the same. I enjoy the ride in both and when I have want to I ride my Buell 😁👍
@@jayhom449 Thkx jay good advice on the old school OHV MOTORCYCLES🇦🇨
As a long-time URAL wanabe owner… gotta say, best & most enthusiastic review I have seen. Bloody good job, mate! 😁👍🙏
So nice listening to someone who knows and appreciates a Ural for what it is. 75 years of development.
The first time I see the Ural with a sidecar on the left. This means that you can even put 2 strollers and make 3wd! This will be a miracle! 😁
Тогда садиться на него нужно будет - с зади, как на гимнастического коня )))
Ну это же отличная идея!
You can make the drive shaft really long and add 6 side cars. Make it a family vehicle!
😂😂
Roothy, there's just something about a machine like that, everything is out to see, no plastic to hide all those glorious bits and pieces coming together to make a serious fun machine. The perfect Rally machine perhaps?
Been missing the motorcycle reviews since Motorcycle Traders demise.
Good on you mate
Rob keogh totally agree. It’s pure machine. No bullshit
I love it, dad had sidecars mated to Norton’s, Triumph’s and BSA’s back in the 60’s and 70’s.
Such a positive review. My Ural Sportsman arrives at the end of the month. I see a lot of negative reviews of the ural where I question if I have made the right choice. But seeing this review really makes me happy and hypes me up for my new motorcycle :D thanks mate!
Be assured that when it breaks you should be able to fix it as it wasn't designed to be taken to pieces and reassembled by a small Japanese person with six opposable thumbs :)
I have a Jawa 350 sidecar outfit for that very reason, they just aren't fast😁
@Maartem M I'm wondering how you've enjoyed your new Ural. I have had mine a little over a year and we have a blast every time we (my bride and I) head out.
Урал мотоцикл для мужчин с руками из плеч. Для тех у кого (как говорят в России) руи выросли из жопы, эта техника не подходит и принесёт только огорчения. Прежде чем покупать этот несомненно красивй мотоцикл, убедитесь из того ли места ростут ваши руки 😜
I have been waiting for 2WD in Australia for ever, no excuse not to get one anymore!
Great review mate!
Wait for the model with at least a five speed gearbox.
Nice video. Glad to see that 2WD is now available down under. Really nice color too!
I bought one without sidecar in about 1970. $650 for 650cc with rego! Even the Tasmanian dealer, John Spillsbury, wasn’t sure what to call it because it was all written in Russian, but voshkod and Ural were possibilities. Running in speed was 35 miles per hour, top speed was a little faster. Endless fun. Thanks Roothy.
"Восход" и "Урал" между этими мотоциклами разница как между пони и лошадью породы Тяжеловоз. Перепутать невозможно.
Around the world in one of these ,what a dream. Great review
From Russia with love! More precisely from the Urals, this is the region we have here. From us begins Siberia, which is so loved in "cranberry" films! So, Ural is not only a proper name, but also a name! My brother's name is Ural, my name is Ildar, we are Tatars. But we are Russian guys and we are proud of our land!
From Kazakstan* with love! After the ruSSian invaZion in Ukraine Ural HQ had to change countries.
@@zaporizhiaisukraine1589 Россия победит, россия всгда побеждает!
@@MrThaF hahaha... sure! I will quote you again in a year :P
@@MrThaF Russia lost the Russo-Japanese war, the Latvian War of Independence the Estonian War of Independence, the Polish-Soviet War, the Cold War and the First Chechen War AND MORE.
@@Knox-umbra ты историю по украинским учебникам учил?
Hello! I'm from Russia. I want to tell you that modern Ural motorcycles are made specifically for export abroad, and they are assembled in a completely different way. We have more common motorcycles of 40 years ago. the driving experience is completely different. If you are with us, be sure to find such a motorcycle and take a ride :)
Ride an original Ural. Sounds like a great idea!!
I have new and a Soviet era Ural, oh yeah, night and day...look a lot a like though...also rode a Dnepr all over wester Russia a few years ago. They are different beasts.
This is an incorrect statement, there is no "special made". Ural produces the same motorcycles for everyone. And in Russia, this model is also bought, only a little. The fact is that the old Ural motorcycles have a reputation for being very simple, cheap and common rural transport. And it is morally unacceptable for Russians to pay such a large sum of money for the Urals, as this modern model costs. That is why these Urals are mainly sold for export, in other countries they are not hindered by the history of the brand and they are evaluated in fact. I'm also from Russia.
@@Артём-ц5э8з Eto PRAVDA ARTIOM! Modern Urals simply cost too much! Greatings from Romania!
THANK YOU(!) for the most honest, knowledgeable video introduction of the Ural Gear Up!
I can’t stand it when super bike riders compare this machine to their cafe’ racing sport bikes.🤬
After becoming disabled (see screen name), I thought my lifetime of dirt & street bikes was a thing of the past.
Then one glorious day, my brother bought a Gear Up.
Soon after that, I bought my own, and installed the left footbox (running board) and hand shifters for both the forward & reverse gears.
I can ride this machine as well as any “able-bodied” riders out there, and trust me when I say these machines will dependably get you WAY out there, and back again.
These require an entire new set of skills, and they are WORTH THE EFFORT!
You can head up the mountain roads/trails to that remote lake for a weekend of fishing/camping, and bring along all those “creature comforts” that dual sport riders can only dream of.
They’re slow, but I no longer have a need for speed at my old age, and my Gear Up has put me back in the game!
When other street bikers ask “Why the heck would you buy THAT machine, instead of a cushy ride?”, I tell them to follow me up a mountain road, and they can see for themselves. When they say ”I can’t go there with my Gold Wing or Street Glide!” I tell them they’ve just answered their own question.
Other than flying an old, open cockpit warbird, these are the most fun you can have with your clothes on.
(And the chicks really dig it.)
Couldn't agree more - and good on you for getting back into it, it's hard after something like that - all the best, John
I'm not a biker, I'm just an amateur English speaker, tough after 3 min of this video I'm fall in love with this man.
great vid Roothy
Nice video John. I love my 1975 M67 Ural and use it daily here in the UK. The only disadvantage is that it draws so much attention it takes ages to do anything 🤣🤣
Haha = yep, I felt like I was running a sideshow most places there were people - huge appeal!
The smile on your face riding that says it all good on ya Roothy!
Great review John! I absolutely agree with your sentiments and find it so refreshing to see such a refined "mechanical" machine that is able to put such a smile on your face when you ride it! I'm so over all the rider aids (rain, sand, rocks & mud, sport etc etc) that "nanny" all the new riders. Whatever happened to common sense - my rider control is my brain and my throttle wrist!! There's something to be said for back to basics riding! Greeting from South Africa mate!
You summed it up perfectly. This bike is for people that love machinery.
Holy cow, do you know what this means? It means there is now a left hand drive arrangement for 2 wheel drive on a right hand tug Ural. That is game changing..... Australia , N.Z., UK, India, Japan.... Huge markets opened up. I want to the the mechanicals and how they did it.
Takes me back. I had a GS850 with a Hedingham trials sidecar on the side, I had the chair lowered to accept a smaller wheel. It was an unusual setup, but it worked great, I used to ride it with the chair in the air a lot of the time :)
I have a Soviet Union military version of the Ural made in the KMZ motorcycle factory called a Dnepr. The Soviets split the versions up because the military version costs a lot more to produce than the Ural motorcycle. The Dnepr motorcycles have a heavier frame, a centrifugal oil filter, full time 2WD, and a semi-automatic transmission. You can actually up and down shift without taking a firm grip off the left handlebar grip to pull in the clutch lever. The 2WD system is completely different than used on the Ural 2WD. Instead of locking both wheels together like the Ural the Dnepr has a second reduction gear box on the sidecar wheel with a freewheel drive shaft. When the motorcycle pusher wheel starts slipping the sidecar gear box will "catch up" with the freewheel locking in and driving the sidecar wheel with its even lower gear reduced drive. As soon as the motorcycle pusher wheel starts gripping again the freewheel will unlock so you are back to single wheel drive automatically. The Driver doesn't need to stop to disengage 2WD or ever have steering problems. KMZ no longer produces Dnepr motorcycles because they cost so much more than the Ural motorcycles so people did not buy them and the Russian military had no further desire for military motorcycles.
Good to know this
I had a 1970s Dnepr, how old is yours?
@@pauls8456 I have no idea. It's an MT-11 which they started building in the early 1980's. The paperwork says it's 1972 but that is way before they started building those. Apparently they just made up dates according to the State requirements for the States they sold them in. Here in Alabama 1974 was the first year they started requiring a title so they put 1972 on the paperwork and called it good. I didn't have any paperwork problems registering, getting a tag, and insurance. It was pulled out of a warehouse full of motorcycles built under contract for use with the Soviet Union Military so the Ukrainians had sabotaged it. I ended up taking it completely apart, fixing the sabotaged parts, and putting it back together. I later learned in forums that all military sidecar motorcycles were done that way. Why provide military equipment for people that are occupying your country with the things that make that possible. I would do it all over again. It's the most fun motorcycle I have ever owned.
You've got to really want one of these. They're the Land Rover of the motorcycle world. Prepare to get acquainted with it mechanically.
The leading link front end allows the front end to rise when braking instead of diving
Well done Roothy .awesime 1940 side with 2020 texhno features .Thkx John .Garry on the goldy.
Fantastic presentation 🤗
I’m in love with this bike 💜👌
Much love from Austria 🇦🇹
🍻
A great review of a legend by a legend
Great review! Ha, I always rode my CT with no weight ballast when no one was in it. You really adjust to how these things handles, if you’re not afraid to hammer it around. I do believe the CT is lower, which does provide much better handling.
Just to add my 2 cents as a former ural owner from 2008. The 2023 model improvements are amazing. Its an actual modern quality machine now.
Beautiful scenery reminds me of Tasmania. Beautiful bike.
I wonder how people think of others riding Russian bikes especially now...
Ive been wanting a Ural for ages.. I was in an accident off road on my BMW F650GS two week ago and the thoughts of the Ural popped into my head again...
Absolutely loved your review Roothy.. Miss you from Two Wheels bike mag..
Im off when I heal up to have a gawk at the Ural dealership..
Thanks mate..
Thanks for the cool review..
South Africa, where meat and one veg means beef with chicken on the side... love your country!
I like machinery that just works and doesn't have to prove or compete against the mainstream. I'm sure this Ural would put a smile on my face every time I rode it.
Впервые вижу "Урал" правым рулем. Спасибо за обзор, очень инетресная новинка
Great video Rooth. Loved watching the two-wheel-drive dig out of the deep sand.
I have a 2019 GU and love it. Just got skid plates installed under the tub and engine as well as a high exhaust. Getting ready for some serious off-road adventures.
You;'re gonna love it - we have the best country on earth for off road fun.
Excellent video... agree with every statement. I have an Ural Ranger 2020 and love it. My only criticism is the short life of the rear tyre, mine only last about 3000km. Interesting to see a RHD version with two-wheel drive. I think this is a new development. It is not, in my opinion, suitable for Autobahns as its comfortable cruising speed is around 90kmh. A big advantage here in Germany is that it gets me free entrance to veteran/vintage vehicle meets.
Yep, 90km/h is about it - but off-road that's plenty!!!
First road bike I rode was a '42 WLA Harley outfit on my uncle's sheep farm, knobby tyres and all. Doughnuts, up on two wheels, in and out of watercourses, chasing rabbits. Never did a kid have so much fun in the holidays. Would love to revisit that some day. Does anyone rent these out for the weekend?
Great presentation, I liked how the possible negatives of a sidecar where presented ; its nice to see a review from someone who understands sidecar motorcycles and their unique features and quirks.
My only problem with the Ural is that it's too attention grabbing, and I would say it's a bit slow on the top end(It really could benefit from a 5th gear for the top end) but, I don't I'm not sure if I want to go faster on something that can handle "like wrestling a drunken three-legged bear" on the bad weather days. People will be coming out of the woodworks to talk to you about it and normally that's not a problem(as long as you don't mind a good gab); the issue is that occasionally you will have a bad driver that will start to drift over trying to get a better look.
Thanks John for your Comments on the Ural
congratulations Mate
No worries
What a beautiful bit of machinery mate. Bet it would make ya smile every time you look at it, not to mention what it would do to you every time you ride it.
Hahaha - yep, it's a beauty alright - I couldn't stop grinning!
Yess roothy. Still got it!
Stunning.
Nice Job Roothy. As always. Been looking at these for a while now. I think 2WD has just clinched it. Even got my Handbrake nodding, Best commentary Ive heard. Did you bingle the mudguard?? LOL
I have a Ural M63 from 1965 is under renovation: D it will be ready in spring: D
Always love the Ural.. you did a great job on this vid !!
Cheers
Great video Roothy
My apologies but just a minor correction on the spare wheel. It only fits on the right rear position. It won't fit the side car or front position. This is because to engineer the right hand drive two wheel drive mechanism they went to a 25.4 mm diameter axle. The side car axle is 20mm and the front axle won't fit either. Doesn't matter cause I still love mine.
Hey, John! That was great…perfect timing, too, as I’m looking at a ‘21 Gear Up in burnt orange as we speak. The dealer’s pics are ok, but seeing it in action along with your commentary is just what I needed. Thanks for helping me to make up my mind on this purchase. Btw, why has Oz not had the 2wd feature until recently? It’s kind of the flipslide of why the States never got any of the diesel Land Cruiser/ Prado offerings. (And now we don’t get anything, but that’s a different discussion.) Thanks again, sir! 👍
I'm noit sure on the why - probably a distributor level thing. You don't need the 2wd often but it's great when you do! Giid luck and let me know what you rekcon - thanks
My next bike might be a Ural too. But then I want it in Outback orange with the paint flakes when you are close. This is a beautiful color.
Awesome looking motorbike 👍
Great video Sir
Surely the most relevant crit on the URAL for the Australian market
But also, the clearest support of this fun vehicle for the whole latent market.
BLUEY QUILTY MA
Australian Heritage Quanta
Blue Mountains NSW
Cool accent %) Big Hi from Russia )
great video, loved the enthusiasm you had reviewing the bike and not just comparing it to a regular bike like A LOT of other UA-camrs have done.
also.. bloody lovely shots and riding scenery, looks like it would be a blast to have one of these and ride it around where you were shooting!
I love the Urals! Sadly, the prices are astronomical (over $35,000 USD) in Thailand! Great tip about adding ballast! My wife weighs 50 kgs and I have 40 kgs as ballast (Royal Enfield 500 with side car) when she isn't riding. with me.
Beautiful machine Sir, greetings from Florida USA
Well said, I love my old style full time 2 wd, my 1 wd and standard 2wd...yes, I have a Ural problem...
What a great problem to have!!!
Really cool bike! Colour, 2WD and all. Bravos!!
Great rig, that has a iconic look with the side car. Rock solid craftsmanship , best of luck.
Completely agree John with the fact that riding a sidecar/bike against a solo bike has about the same similarity of riding then flying a plane and driving the QE2, not similar at all, something to learn indeed, but great fun, watch them left handers! (those weights come in handy if the missus isn't in there) used to ride sidecar combos here and in Europe, and that Ural looks fantastic to me, basic simple and STRONG, with two wheel drive and reverse no less, go anywhere, never had that on mine, I want one!
On ya mate - not many people in the sidecar rider category, we're a tad rare.
Glad to see you all got the second drive wheel down there! Uralistas, myself included, are indeed special (heh).
Been eying one of these Urals for awhile. Hopefully they’ll still be available when I’m ready to purchase and not sanctioned or banned from import.
Thanks Roothy for such a informative review, SO good see you again, best wishes to you and yours
What an awesome concept and looks like it's really well designed and built
Great review Roothy! Would have never known about these bikes.
Beauty mate = enjoyed renewing my friendship with them too!
Tough looking set-up. I like the 2 wheel drive and the side car suspension. Flat 2 cylinder reminds me of the BMW's. Good review.
It should remind you of a BMW. It sort of IS a BMW.
Great test mate enjoyed seeing your enthusiasm, they look a mighty bike 👍🇦🇺
Gotta love a good machine.
Finally we get 2WD.
Suddenly the Ural becomes desirable!
They have had 2 wheel drive and reverse since the 1940s as did the very similar Dnepr and Cossack machines
Bout time they put the drive on the left side, great review roothy.
Left hand sidecar drive goes back to 1929. Read up on H.E. Baughan.
It's a right hand drive because Australia like the UK, New Zealand, India, Pakistan, South Africa, Japan etc drive on the left hand side of the road. Most export Ural's have left hand drive as the majority of the world's countries drive on the right side of the road.
@@davidmacgregor5193 Left hand sidecar drive, not LHD. The sidecar wheel is driven on the LH side, not the driver being on the LH side. Some mother's do have them!
I’d love to buy this as a regular bike. Kinda like the RE Himalayan. I mean this is great as is only not cheap!!!
Thanks mate it's about time someone did a road test . I would love to have one
I'm 23 and I'm in love with this model, the only negative thing is that in my country (Italy) they cost so much :(
Before getting carried away check out the Fortnine video regarding the Ural.
Great review John, good to see you again 👍
Sweet. My dad was a sidecarrist. Heard about it for 58 years. Sidecar needs drive or at a minimum a brake. My Suzuki Jimny will do for now.
As a bloke who has early onset ataxia (brain condition), I reckon this could be the answer to staying on a bike (& off the road). Thanks for a great review Roothy!
On ya Roodog, that's a great attitude - and there's plenty of bush to pedal this baby!
Hello, Roodog I've ridden bikes all my life, dirt & road; I"m now 60 yrs old, 2 years ago I had a stroke which left me with balance issues; don't think I can return to two wheels so I'm also thinking this will work for me also.
@@AmpsWatts4 Excellent attitude as well mate. As it turns out I now have another issue called Trigeminal Neuralgia in which my medication has stopped me riding (for now). But I still have my eyes on this bike, so no doubt it'll be a ripper bike for you as well mate!
I've travelled green lanes in the UK Peak District that were much, much worse than any of the roads in this video - on a BSA M21 outfit!
I live in Darwin, I just saw one of these today in nightcliff so I thought I would check it out...
I think in early 1920 German company Zundapp came with this design, in many WW II movies you can see this bike, new Ural still have vintage flavor very nice.
The Russians recovered many German motorbikes in the war, and started making copies, production never stopped since! Beware, because the best of them was the BMW!
Totally right. Other than when you look close there’s heaps of little modifications along the way. Evolution !
@@Andre-hi9xn Abosulute BS. The USSR had plans to make the M-72 (based on the R71, prior to the German invasion).
@@JOHNROOTHROOTHY Totally wrong. John, you keep propagating BS. But as an author BS is your business!
This makes me want to change tack and move out of the motorhome for a while and just cruise Australia with the dog and a tent. Got to love the ignition key placement - flapping about smashing up the paintwork. A quick Velcro fix I think. Small thing, and otherwise what a fabbo machine.
Just take the key off the ring . If you forget it you're not going far...did that when I got my 2008 Patrol about 8 years ago. Previous owner had hi-bars on it for parades. That was the first mod. Put some reinforced flat bars from the XR 600 on it and it's Perfect! From taking flat turns on farm roads like an Aussie flattracker to motoring over mountain passes on Jeep trails it will go anywhere as fast as you want to. The Lady even suggests when a ride might be a good idea today. Make of that what you will...Ha!
This bike is absolutely perfect for things like fishing or if you have a kitchen-garden and need to carry some sack of potatoes, or carrots or whatever you grow there. The design fits perfectly for that purposes, and of course it is extremely fun and exciting just to ride it!
Bugger I assumed they stopped making them 50 years ago , What great bikes I want one !
Hey Roothy, good to hear from you again, miss the two wheels columns and your various other bike stuff, I'm an on again, off again 4by guy.
Still got Hilda?
Yep. Still got Hilda. And missing magazine work although Live to Ride is still strong!
Спасибо папаша, за Урал оранжевого цвета двадцатого века!
Glad to see a beautiful side car straight from the Russians in Australia, from snow to desert, always beautiful
Is that ‘Milo 3’ mate ? 😆👍
Awesome bit of gear that, would take some getting use to but pretty cool indeed
Hmm. It does come in cammo green!
@@JOHNROOTHROOTHY 😆😆👍👍 I love it.
I could see you cruising to your local pie .... I mean ‘salad’ shop with the handbrake sitting gunshot in the side-car for a Sunday morning brunch.
you’re a legend Roothy, keep up the great work buddy 😉👍🇦🇺
Love the girl live fairly close to a dealer wrote them many times if Honda makes similar I would stand in line take good money for one
Do you do rentals Down Under? My 94 with an 02 motor needs a top end re build. There was a couple a decade ago that tried doing rental on 1wd, the only ones available in right hand drive at the time. I met them at a rally in North Carolina.
Was it just a happy accident that Ural Australia is based in Uralla (NSW)?
... замечательно ! Моя собака тоже очень любит путешествовать со мной на мотоцикле Урал . Видно на моём
Really a great review! Thanks!
it was nice to see the Urals in Australia. the movie was great.👍
Thats looks so epic I don't ride bikes but I need one of those.
Is 2020 the first Ural model-year that the 2wd has been available for left-mounted sidecars? Not seen it before. And does anyone have any details regarding Urals quality-control changes, this being an area that was always an issue in the past (I remember a line in an old motorcycle magazine Ural review that went something like "If their missiles are built to the same quality we have nothing to worry about").
Hi Roothy, that looks schmink! Copy of Zündapp KS 600 and 750 or BMW 75 Gespann. Even better than the various Chinese copies I.e. Chan Jiang CJ750 (Gutless pieces). sold in CN nowadays.
Ural comes even with 2 wheel drive.
No carbs anymore. Guess rides nice with all the bells and whistles! Hell the price in Australia ! Interesting if they offer also the option, Anhänger and MG42 in OZ??... Cheers and safe ride
In 1939 the Russians and Germans signed a pact and part of it was building BMW R71 sidecar motorcycles in Russia for the Russian market. When the Germans invaded the Russians grabbed the factory and moved it to the Ural mountains and built them for the Russian Military for the war effort. After the war the Soviets built civilian motorcycles in that same factory that continues to this very day. They also built another motorcycle factory in Kiev Ukraine that built the military version of the Ural motorcycle called the Dnepr after the River that runs through Kiev Ukraine. The Chinese build a copy of the KMZ Dnepr motorcycles which KMZ sold the plans for to them.
John great review, wish the Ural had a 5 speed as an outback tourer... P.S. always loved your TW column...
The fact that someone is still making sidecars is fantastic. The machine looks great, however I can see many many keyrings being lost.
I think you pikced the weak point - definitely don't need a key fob!
A bit of string through the keys and tied up to the handlebars .
I always thought, rightly or wrongly, the Ural was based on the WWll German motorcycle, the Züdapp KS 750.