
New to Ural and Sidecars
Forum rules
Here's the place for those who are newb or thinking about buying a Ural or Dnepr to introduce themselves ask those typical "newbie" questions. Try using the "Search" link at the top of the page to see if your question may have been asked before. Please post any tech questions in "The Order of the Greasy Wrench" section.
Here's the place for those who are newb or thinking about buying a Ural or Dnepr to introduce themselves ask those typical "newbie" questions. Try using the "Search" link at the top of the page to see if your question may have been asked before. Please post any tech questions in "The Order of the Greasy Wrench" section.
- Pterodactyl
- Hero of the Soviet Union - 2020
- Posts: 401
- Joined: Thu Mar 07, 2019 10:43 am
Re: New to Ural and Sidecars
Finally got it home. It is a very different experience to ride. Requires a great deal of focus as a new to sidecars rider, but it is a great deal of fun.


Kevin
The Outpost, Silver City, MT
2018 Ural Gear Up, 2017 R1200GSA
After taking several readings I’m surprised to find my mind is fairly sound..... Willie Nelson, Me and Paul
The Outpost, Silver City, MT
2018 Ural Gear Up, 2017 R1200GSA
After taking several readings I’m surprised to find my mind is fairly sound..... Willie Nelson, Me and Paul
Re: New to Ural and Sidecars
Nice!!!
Maybe I can get over to see it in person this weekend...
Maybe I can get over to see it in person this weekend...
'07 Arctic: The Russian Raucous Ship
Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out...
Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out...
- Pterodactyl
- Hero of the Soviet Union - 2020
- Posts: 401
- Joined: Thu Mar 07, 2019 10:43 am
Re: New to Ural and Sidecars
That will be great. Rode it up to Great Divide and Marysville twice yesterday. Seems like a great road for learning; little traffic with several turns and elevation changes.
Kevin
The Outpost, Silver City, MT
2018 Ural Gear Up, 2017 R1200GSA
After taking several readings I’m surprised to find my mind is fairly sound..... Willie Nelson, Me and Paul
The Outpost, Silver City, MT
2018 Ural Gear Up, 2017 R1200GSA
After taking several readings I’m surprised to find my mind is fairly sound..... Willie Nelson, Me and Paul
-
- Order of Suvarov
- Posts: 4677
- Joined: Mon Mar 13, 2017 7:03 pm
Re: New to Ural and Sidecars
beautiful Ural, glad your enjoying it.was thinking yesterday as i was riding how different it is from a so called regular bike. why i would like this thing i pondered. slow, clunky, harder to steer, seems all the gear ratios are fighting each other, 55 mph my preferd top speed,people behind me looking to pass as if im holding up traffic. thinking okay here comes a tight right hand turn slow down down shift if able to of course in the wrong gear, then try to speed up as fast as you can as not to pizz off the guy behind you. then it dawned on me that is exactly what i like about the Ural,im i deranged or what?




2016 gear up asphalt grey, name Seryy Medved ,Air America CIA circa 1967/8 Vung Tau Viet Nam USS Tutuila ARG-4 (AND JUST A TOUCH OF AGENT ORANGE!)
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- Comrade Colonel
- Posts: 321
- Joined: Sat Mar 16, 2019 10:21 am
- Location: Evart, Michigan
Re: New to Ural and Sidecars
Yes! 

2019 Ural Gear Up, OD Green
1977 BMW R100/7 (original owner)
2014 Burgman 400/A
2008 Piaggio MP3250
Whizzer Motorbike
If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.
Will Rogers
1977 BMW R100/7 (original owner)
2014 Burgman 400/A
2008 Piaggio MP3250
Whizzer Motorbike
If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.
Will Rogers
- Pterodactyl
- Hero of the Soviet Union - 2020
- Posts: 401
- Joined: Thu Mar 07, 2019 10:43 am
Re: New to Ural and Sidecars
So I guess the seat removal and installation process is some sort of cruel initiation ritual. Pretty soon I will receive in the mail the actual mounting hardware, that allows removing it with one hand... right.....?
I am surprised that Ural has not fixed this with all the other upgrades they have done, or at least that there isn't an aftermarket solution. I have some ideas on how to make it better, if not good.

Kevin
The Outpost, Silver City, MT
2018 Ural Gear Up, 2017 R1200GSA
After taking several readings I’m surprised to find my mind is fairly sound..... Willie Nelson, Me and Paul
The Outpost, Silver City, MT
2018 Ural Gear Up, 2017 R1200GSA
After taking several readings I’m surprised to find my mind is fairly sound..... Willie Nelson, Me and Paul
- Bendog02760
- Hero of the Soviet Union - 2020
- Posts: 637
- Joined: Sun Oct 09, 2016 8:12 pm
- Location: Massachusetts
Re: New to Ural and Sidecars
Looking good, take it slow and enjoy!!! 

Current Rides:
2012 GU (I bought in May 2017) All my GU rides are with my dog, Liberty
HD Road King
HD Wide Glide
Owned about 15 other HD over years
Boston Mass.
2012 GU (I bought in May 2017) All my GU rides are with my dog, Liberty
HD Road King
HD Wide Glide
Owned about 15 other HD over years
Boston Mass.
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- Order of Suvarov
- Posts: 4677
- Joined: Mon Mar 13, 2017 7:03 pm
Re: New to Ural and Sidecars
i thought the same thoughts as to why Ural doesn't fix this or that,and was soon advised not to forget how small the factory is, im happy and surprised that they have been able to upgrade what they have. i love my 2016 GU and don't have a need to go the 2019 route,but i will be watching and reading and hope that all goes well for Ural .Pterodactyl wrote: ↑Thu Apr 04, 2019 1:01 pmSo I guess the seat removal and installation process is some sort of cruel initiation ritual. Pretty soon I will receive in the mail the actual mounting hardware, that allows removing it with one hand... right.....?I am surprised that Ural has not fixed this with all the other upgrades they have done, or at least that there isn't an aftermarket solution. I have some ideas on how to make it better, if not good.

2016 gear up asphalt grey, name Seryy Medved ,Air America CIA circa 1967/8 Vung Tau Viet Nam USS Tutuila ARG-4 (AND JUST A TOUCH OF AGENT ORANGE!)
- Lofty
- Hero of the Soviet Union - 2020
- Posts: 1789
- Joined: Wed Feb 14, 2018 9:17 pm
- Location: Pennsylvania, USA
Re: New to Ural and Sidecars
We presume you mean the Enduro bench seat, which is standard on 2018 Gear Ups.Pterodactyl wrote: ↑Thu Apr 04, 2019 1:01 pmSo I guess the seat removal and installation process is some sort of cruel initiation ritual. Pretty soon I will receive in the mail the actual mounting hardware, that allows removing it with one hand... right.....?
I am surprised that Ural has not fixed this with all the other upgrades they have done, or at least that there isn't an aftermarket solution.
There is an aftermarket solution, of sorts: replace the rear bolts with stainless thumb screws. This reduces the tool requirement for seat removal to a single combination wrench for removal of the front locknut.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00 ... UTF8&psc=1
Inventory:
2018 Ural Gear Up
2015 Suzuki DR650
1991 Bianchi Osprey
1952 Columbia RX-5 ('87, NOS)
2018 Ural Gear Up
2015 Suzuki DR650
1991 Bianchi Osprey
1952 Columbia RX-5 ('87, NOS)
-
- Order of Suvarov
- Posts: 4677
- Joined: Mon Mar 13, 2017 7:03 pm
Re: New to Ural and Sidecars
i thought the same thoughts as to why Ural doesn't fix this or that,and was soon advised not to forget how small the factory is, im happy and surprised that they have been able to upgrade what they have. i love my 2016 GU and don't have a need to go the 2019 route,but i will be watching and reading and hope that all goes well for Ural .Pterodactyl wrote: ↑Thu Apr 04, 2019 1:01 pmSo I guess the seat removal and installation process is some sort of cruel initiation ritual. Pretty soon I will receive in the mail the actual mounting hardware, that allows removing it with one hand... right.....?I am surprised that Ural has not fixed this with all the other upgrades they have done, or at least that there isn't an aftermarket solution. I have some ideas on how to make it better, if not good.




2016 gear up asphalt grey, name Seryy Medved ,Air America CIA circa 1967/8 Vung Tau Viet Nam USS Tutuila ARG-4 (AND JUST A TOUCH OF AGENT ORANGE!)
- Mr Wazzock
- Hero of the Soviet Union - 2020
- Posts: 6498
- Joined: Wed Feb 01, 2017 8:22 pm
- Location: Boston, UK
- Contact:
Re: New to Ural and Sidecars
Isn't it just?Pterodactyl wrote: ↑Thu Apr 04, 2019 9:15 amFinally got it home. It is a very different experience to ride.

Enduro seat, yeah, I've done mine a couple of times now, there is a knack to it. I've found I can insert a hand up between the rear fender and tire from the back while holding an Allen key and do the screws by feel, no need to jack up the suspension, but then I have slim hands and wrists. The front nut is a special kind of Chinese puzzle designed to test your patience.

Mike H
2016 Ural cT, in glorious terracotta
(aka Oranzhevaya Opasnost, "The Orange Peril")
2016 Ural cT, in glorious terracotta
(aka Oranzhevaya Opasnost, "The Orange Peril")
- Mr Wazzock
- Hero of the Soviet Union - 2020
- Posts: 6498
- Joined: Wed Feb 01, 2017 8:22 pm
- Location: Boston, UK
- Contact:
Re: New to Ural and Sidecars
PS, fab photo. 

Mike H
2016 Ural cT, in glorious terracotta
(aka Oranzhevaya Opasnost, "The Orange Peril")
2016 Ural cT, in glorious terracotta
(aka Oranzhevaya Opasnost, "The Orange Peril")
- Happytrails
- Hero of the Soviet Union - 2020
- Posts: 1180
- Joined: Tue May 29, 2018 7:35 pm
- Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Re: New to Ural and Sidecars
Me too, I thought I had made a very expensive mistake. But then it turns to "why did I wait so long to do this?"Mr Wazzock wrote: ↑Thu Apr 04, 2019 2:22 pmIsn't it just?Pterodactyl wrote: ↑Thu Apr 04, 2019 9:15 amFinally got it home. It is a very different experience to ride.
My first thought was what the feck have I done...

-JR
2018 Ural GearUp, Urban Camo
1991 Honda Goldwing SE
"riding is good therapy"
2018 Ural GearUp, Urban Camo
1991 Honda Goldwing SE
"riding is good therapy"
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- Hero of the Soviet Union - 2020
- Posts: 2847
- Joined: Thu Apr 19, 2018 11:59 am
- Location: Anchorage AK
Re: New to Ural and Sidecars
Back in the early 80s I got to ride a Norton with a side car (he had lost a leg in an aircraft crash in the Navy)
Yes it was different but it was intriguing as well. I am going to take it easy and work my way into it, stay on back roads as much as possible.
I like learning new equipment, never brilliant at it but I adjust to decent pretty quickly (I operated a wide range of equ9ipment when I was younger) .
The one that threw me was the R80 GS initially (actually was my wifes but she handed it off to me when she had to quit riding) . I felt I was missing something but could not figure it out. One part was failure to use the engine, no tach, but those funny marks on the Speedo were allowed gear limits. Hmm, shifting way too soon. Ahh, now better, less tractor and more cycle - it had a lot more rpm upside than I thought. And even with 100 lbs of gear it performed as good as no gear.
The other part was the suspension, As someone said, you never ever want to bog down a bike that heavy (done it twice on a 750 and the R80, damned near gutted myself getting out.
Well it turns out you could do 65 on the worst road in the world as long as it was packed hard. I passed a lady in Canada one time on bad road, she was one of those more typical male drives that got offended. She racks it up to more speed . Hmm, my brother taught me to loose them or exit fast, you never know what the hell they are going to do.
So I ramp it up to 60ish, she ramps up but she sure is starting to do some interesting twist and vertical stuff. Up to 65, she ramps it up and its getting kind of crazy back there. I am just as smooth drag strip. I am doing 70 at the end and just fine and she fades off, but she sure was getting wild back there.
Ran another 30 minute to loose her for sure and then back to 55. Dang, I was out there to enjoy the world not go fast. But that R80 GS sure was amazing on the rough stuff and I saw how you could win the Paris/Decar race with it.
Yes it was different but it was intriguing as well. I am going to take it easy and work my way into it, stay on back roads as much as possible.
I like learning new equipment, never brilliant at it but I adjust to decent pretty quickly (I operated a wide range of equ9ipment when I was younger) .
The one that threw me was the R80 GS initially (actually was my wifes but she handed it off to me when she had to quit riding) . I felt I was missing something but could not figure it out. One part was failure to use the engine, no tach, but those funny marks on the Speedo were allowed gear limits. Hmm, shifting way too soon. Ahh, now better, less tractor and more cycle - it had a lot more rpm upside than I thought. And even with 100 lbs of gear it performed as good as no gear.
The other part was the suspension, As someone said, you never ever want to bog down a bike that heavy (done it twice on a 750 and the R80, damned near gutted myself getting out.
Well it turns out you could do 65 on the worst road in the world as long as it was packed hard. I passed a lady in Canada one time on bad road, she was one of those more typical male drives that got offended. She racks it up to more speed . Hmm, my brother taught me to loose them or exit fast, you never know what the hell they are going to do.
So I ramp it up to 60ish, she ramps up but she sure is starting to do some interesting twist and vertical stuff. Up to 65, she ramps it up and its getting kind of crazy back there. I am just as smooth drag strip. I am doing 70 at the end and just fine and she fades off, but she sure was getting wild back there.
Ran another 30 minute to loose her for sure and then back to 55. Dang, I was out there to enjoy the world not go fast. But that R80 GS sure was amazing on the rough stuff and I saw how you could win the Paris/Decar race with it.
Fear No Gravel
Formerly Owned: ( various rides on others)
Honda 90
2 x CB750K (one a true Japan Model flown to Hawaii by a P3 Orion Sub Patrol Aircraft!)
1 x CB700 SC ala Shaft Drive Nighthawk S (RC20 is the actual in house production Model)
1 x R80GS (ok to start with, learned to love it for what it was)
1 x CB450K
Current:
1 x 2019 cT Terracotta
What I Did (I quit June 2 , 2019)
Mechanic/Technician/Engineer: Electro Mechanical Systems
Formerly Owned: ( various rides on others)
Honda 90
2 x CB750K (one a true Japan Model flown to Hawaii by a P3 Orion Sub Patrol Aircraft!)
1 x CB700 SC ala Shaft Drive Nighthawk S (RC20 is the actual in house production Model)
1 x R80GS (ok to start with, learned to love it for what it was)
1 x CB450K
Current:
1 x 2019 cT Terracotta
What I Did (I quit June 2 , 2019)
Mechanic/Technician/Engineer: Electro Mechanical Systems
- Pterodactyl
- Hero of the Soviet Union - 2020
- Posts: 401
- Joined: Thu Mar 07, 2019 10:43 am
Re: New to Ural and Sidecars
Thank you.Lofty wrote: ↑Thu Apr 04, 2019 2:04 pmWe presume you mean the Enduro bench seat, which is standard on 2018 Gear Ups.Pterodactyl wrote: ↑Thu Apr 04, 2019 1:01 pmSo I guess the seat removal and installation process is some sort of cruel initiation ritual. Pretty soon I will receive in the mail the actual mounting hardware, that allows removing it with one hand... right.....?
I am surprised that Ural has not fixed this with all the other upgrades they have done, or at least that there isn't an aftermarket solution.
There is an aftermarket solution, of sorts: replace the rear bolts with stainless thumb screws. This reduces the tool requirement for seat removal to a single combination wrench for removal of the front locknut.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00 ... UTF8&psc=1
Kevin
The Outpost, Silver City, MT
2018 Ural Gear Up, 2017 R1200GSA
After taking several readings I’m surprised to find my mind is fairly sound..... Willie Nelson, Me and Paul
The Outpost, Silver City, MT
2018 Ural Gear Up, 2017 R1200GSA
After taking several readings I’m surprised to find my mind is fairly sound..... Willie Nelson, Me and Paul