Comments on: Ural T – A New Retro Sidecar Rig from Ural

By: Mike Gozia

Mike Gozia — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 20:59:05 +0000

Dierk: I am very aware of the the differences between 2 wheels and a side car rig. . .My Guzzi friends remind me every time I bring the subject up! I purchased the book “How to drive a side car rig” and will practice because I know that in an emergency situation, I won’t have time to think, just react.
At 63, I plan to ride many more years and the Ural was on my bucket list.

By: Dierk

Dierk — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 16:17:36 +0000

To answer Mike Gozia’s questions: If you rarely go off road, save yourself the extra expense of the 2 WD and go for the ‘basic’ one wheel drive. To accommodate the drive to the third wheel, the sidecar body has to sit higher, raising the centre of gravity (even more). From what I’ve read it’s also not as comfortable to sit in. The 2 WD is only really useful off road, on the road the single wheel drive is helpful to get you around corners. All Ural outfits run on 19 inch wheels. If you’ve never driven an outfit I suggest you find someone who can give you some instruction – don’t think you can drive one because you’ve ridden bikes, sidecars require a totally different technique! There are quite a few articles on driving technique on the internet, have a read. When I started driving my outfit after over 20 years of riding 2 wheelers, I was shocked to find that initially I couldn’t even drive in a straight line! Don’t get me wrong Mike, I’m not trying to put you off, because once you’ve learned to handle an outfit, they are the most fun you can have on the road (during the learning process, however, always carry spare underpants as the potential to soil yourself is very high ;o). Just be prepared to forget almost everything you know about bikes and start with a blank sheet. Although I’m based on the other side of the pond, I’ll be more than happy to provide you with more info, if you want.

By: Butcherboy

Butcherboy — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 17:23:22 +0000

I like the new Ural T. It’s probably not a race horse,but nice to ride around town and on the backroads.I have a CJ 750 side valve,24hp and I love it. Think what I could do with almost twice the HP and the more modern improvements.

By: Mike Gozia

Mike Gozia — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 20:13:43 +0000

Just totaled my Guzzi on the Blue Ridge and after 40 years of riding on two wheels I’m thinking URAL. I like to travel on the secondary roads and rarely go off road but the 2WD just looks like it could be fun, (yes, I know they are locked hubs). However, Occasionally I need to travel on the interstate. Is there any difference between the 2WD and 1WD as far as top end. Do they all have 19″ wheels?

Badly broken leg has me out for the season but I am looking to buy in early spring. 2WD T? When?
Thanks
Mike
Louisville, KY

By: Jose

Jose — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:16:59 +0000

When I got mine, wife was not too thrilled. Put the two kids in the hack, wife in the back seat, hibachi and small cooler in the trunk and headed out to the mountains, away from the desert heat, for a Sunday picnic. Results: momma happy = everybody happy! Its also tons of fun solo.

Cons: ’40’s tech, underpowered (max cruising about 65), fit and finish not as good as jap bikes, and can’t make a quick stop anywhere due to people wanting to know more about it.

Overall, can’t beat it for the price.