Ural has been making retro sidecar rigs for years, based on a WWII era BMW, these outfits have a certain charm and appeal to a surprising number of enthusiasts who love the utilitarian machine. Well, they’re introducing a new model, the Ural T, sort of the distilled essence of a Ural, a basic rig at a price of $9,999, that will get you into the world of adventure sidecar riding and give you the opportunity to join the thousands of Ural devotees around the world.
The Ural T is all black with a few red accent stripes, it still has everything you would expect in one of these rigs and loads of options, too. It’s powered by the familiar 40 hp opposed twin with 4 forward gears plus reverse and it has both electric and kick start. The whole outfit weighs 705 pounds dry, which is probably lighter than a lot of full dress cruisers. Drum brakes on the rear wheel and sidecar with a Brembo disc up front and even electronic ignition, so it’s not completely retro. Options include such things as a sidecar windshield and tonneau cover plus that really cool sidecar luggage rack with spare tire carrier, just the thing if you’re heading a little off the beaten path or you just want some of that real retro feel.
These machines are probably not well suited to freeway driving, much more of a leisurely ride on the weekends or even a nice commuter ride if your route doesn’t involve lots of high speeds, great for running errands when you have to pick up a few things and a nice way to take a passenger along who gets to enjoy the comfort of a sidecar while they see the sights in the open air.
Every time I see a Ural I get the urge to head off on some adventure, which is exactly what the folks building them would like you to feel. This new model at $9,999 is a pretty affordable way to get into one, too, so if you’ve ever entertained the idea of putting one of these in your garage, now might be a good time. Check it out.
Link: Ural
Dan Martin says
There’s a good Ural dealer in Ft Collins CO. I went to see them the other day. I really, really want one for ‘just in case’… The article above fails to mention an important fact: the wheel on the sidecar is powered by a drive shaft from the rear drive of the bike. Perfect for navigating mountain passes!
kneeslider says
Dan, not all Urals have the sidecar drive. The Ural T has no sidecar driveshaft.
taxman says
very cool looking, and seems a very reasonable price. i like how it is retro styled with some modern day conveniences.
Thiago says
Is it possible to make the engine a little bit more powerful?
The Ogre says
Thiago;
Yes – iirc, the engine is basically a BMW /2 unit that’s been very minorly upgraded over the years. Most BMW retro performance parts will fit, or you could swap in an R90/6 or R100/7 motor
dresden says
Hmm, it’s a 750. Not bad. Should be able to hit normal highway speeds ok enough.
Kenny says
Are the Ural’s based on the Zundapp KS 7050 or the BMW R75. The only main differences between them were the engine. A almost flat v-twin on the KS and a flat twin on the R. And if it is very similar to those WW2 bikes then it won’t be able to hit highway speeds.
Jim says
Careful on switching the engine out to a R90/100. The tranny and drive train aren’t up to the extra 20-25 HP.
I’ll take a Gear-Up
Claymore says
I really like this concept. Seems like it would help extend the riding season too. (where I live we have 6 months of winter)
OT question follows…
This past weekend I completed my first step toward motorcycle ownership. I took an MSF course. Loved it. One thing we learned about is counter-steering at speed. (push left, lean left – turn left). Seeing this article got me thinking about how that would work with a sidecar, which would seem to negate the lean. Is the principle still the same or what? Thanks
todd says
Claymore, you just opened a whole can of worms on sidecar steering. It depends on how comfortable you are with the bike. You will steer a sidecar rig like a car; turn right to go right. BUT, with a firm left jab counter steer you can loft the car (and passenger if you’re real keen) to get a good lean through a turn. Make sure your passenger (monkey) is well aware of your intentions. Sorry, this doesn’t work for right hand turns.
Would love to have one of these.
-todd
kim says
Kenny, they are BMW-derived. WW2 Wehrmacht BMWs and Zündapps had the same sidecar with a driven wheel and (possibly, I’m not 100 % sure here) the same sidecar drive shaft attachment to the bike, but other than that they were completely different bikes, in layout as well as in details. Front forks, frame types, even the Zündapp gearbox with its many chains (!) were different.
Here in Europe many Ural/BMW conversions have been made, as the post-1970 BMW frames aren’t really strong enough to handle a normal sized sidecar. And since BMW engines from the medieval ages and until the late 90s have the same engine attacment points, such conversions are fairly simple to build. You can probably tune a Ural, but given its ancient engine layout and not-quite-cutting-edge materials quality, all but the mildest tuning might not be a wise idea.
Pigdog says
1. As said earlier, not all Urals have 2wd. They are releasing a “T” model of the Patrol, which is 2wd.
2. BMW parts will not just swap in.
3. Urals with 750s will cruise at 55-60 mph. They are more comfortable at non-superslab speeds though. Aerodynamics (or lack thereof) play a big part.
4. There are quite a few Urals out there with transplanted BMW engines in them. The weak link is the Final Drive and brakes that now have to deal with the extra power.
5.As for tuning, other than swapping out carb jets and maybe exhausts, most mods are done to ensure reliablility, not speed.
6. I wish I had the $$$ to upgrade from my ’00 Ural with the 650 into one of these!
Walt says
In addition to lofting the sidecar wheel in a right turn, on dirt or grass you can throw the whole thing into a ferocious left turn drift. When I got my 1932 Harley running back in 1964 it took 20-year-old me exactly two turns around the old man’s back yard to figure that one out.
Jim says
Assuming the hacks on the right. Aggressive left turn, Yeeee Ha! Aggressive right turn, Oh F___ !
Nicolas says
That’s sweet !
It’s what my dog has been asking me to buy for the past 10 years or so …
Jose says
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.
Mike Gozia says
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
Butcherboy says
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.
Dierk says
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.
Mike Gozia says
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.
Bruce Gabriel says
After 40 years of riding on two wheels, I just got a 2010 Ural T. I’ve been riding my two Yamaha scooters, and each time I’d go off for a ride, my Dog, “Miss Scarlett” a Bassett/Hound mix, would lie in front of the door and bay until I got home! So, as soon as I feel safe enough, I’ll install her in the sidecar, and see what she thinks! Gabe