options????

[drbike]

It sort of bugs me at times to live so far from the hub of things so to speak. Its so far to kick tires and things especially with the family and work and all of that.

My question becomes drum roll please

Does the collective wisdom support the fact that one can learn to ride a two wheel drive Ural and survive by teaching ones self? There is also a lot of chatter regarding rigs and it seems like the Ural is a fairly good thing to get into, with the new ones being fairly reliable and usable. I may be able to save a few dollars if I were to add a sidecar onto my 1150 GS I don't suspect it will be a lot cheaper overall, and not knowing at all what I want it is sort of tough to make reasonable choices. There is a west coast operation about 1500 km from here that can add a sidecar onto my rig, that looks like it would be a great intro as well.

Comment away help me decide the best way to get onto three wheels.

[windmill]

Originally Posted by drbike

It sort of bugs me at times to live so far from the hub of things so to speak. Its so far to kick tires and things especially with the family and work and all of that.

My question becomes drum roll please

Does the collective wisdom support the fact that one can learn to ride a two wheel drive Ural and survive by teaching ones self? There is also a lot of chatter regarding rigs and it seems like the Ural is a fairly good thing to get into, with the new ones being fairly reliable and usable. I may be able to save a few dollars if I were to add a sidecar onto my 1150 GS I don't suspect it will be a lot cheaper overall, and not knowing at all what I want it is sort of tough to make reasonable choices. There is a west coast operation about 1500 km from here that can add a sidecar onto my rig, that looks like it would be a great intro as well.

Comment away help me decide the best way to get onto three wheels.

Learning to ride a sidecar rig really isn't hard at all, Yes it is different from a motorcycle, but it isn't anything a experienced rider can't handle. Just take it slow. Get used to it's quirks, and it is a blast.

I started with a 2wd Patrol, 2 years, and 33000+km later, no break downs, accidents, or injuries, and absolutely love it, just gets better, and better.

Each type of rig has has its benefits. I also had a hard time deciding between a Ural, or Airhead BMW. I finally went with the Ural, it suits me, I have no regrets. There's lots of cool rigs here, can't say I'd be sorry to own any of them.

The best way to get in to 3 wheels is Your way, the only person who needs to be happy with Your decision is You.

[Richard-NL]

Expensive?

When I say: "an Ural and a 10 year old KLR" was all I needed to get this, would you believe me? No, but it has the same value........

Don't exagerate this.

Richard-NL

[SamM]

After I saw Vernon's pictures of his broken KLR frame, I decided that my KLR650 would not be getting a sidecar. I was about to pull the trigger on an Enduro sidecar. Gald he posted those pictures! I have no plans to experience that for myself. The new plan is to buy a new Ural to use as my everyday transportation. I'll be purchasing my Ural from Heindl and have already called Dave to let him know about my timeframe. My boat is about ready to come in. It's a boat not a ship but the Ural is close to the top of the list. So far, it's a toss up between a desert camo or a woodland camo Gear Up. I really like the desert camo! My daughter says to get the Sahara but I'm not sure if they are still available.

At this point in time, I am parting out both my '08 KLR and my '05 KTM 950 Adv to partially finance my new Ural. I live off-road, so only the 2WD version would work for me where I live. I don't think the 1WD would make it through my backyard. The Ural will replace my workcar, the KLR and an ATV used for hunting on my farm. I don't require 70+mph interstate speeds for my riding. The Ural will work perfectly. If my riding buddies don't like my speeds during trips, I'll keep all their stuff. I'm sure a few of them will try conning me into carrying things for them in the hack.

Hey Dave! It's looking good bud! I'll be in touch.

SamM

[windmill]

When everybody else is putting up their bikes for the winter, Ural riders are looking for more excuses to go out and ride.

[drbike]

Well I did it, got a Ural Patrol, hope to pick it up in two weeks. If it gets somewhere near reasonable in the temperature department I may actually be able to ride it before spring.

Thanks for all your collective help over the last while.

[windmill]

Originally Posted by drbike

Well I did it, got a Ural Patrol, hope to pick it up in two weeks. If it gets somewhere near reasonable in the temperature department I may actually be able to ride it before spring.

Thanks for all your collective help over the last while.

For a more Ural specific forum, check out, http://www.sovietsteeds.com/forums/

[Mr. Cob]

Originally Posted by drbike

Well I did it, got a Ural Patrol, hope to pick it up in two weeks. If it gets somewhere near reasonable in the temperature department I may actually be able to ride it before spring.

Thanks for all your collective help over the last while.

Howdy drbike,

First, welcome to the wonderful-wacky world of Ural.

Second, why wait for spring? Dress warm, get some heated grips and some Hippo-Hands and ride ALL YEAR many of us Uralistas do this and have a great time whilst doing it. There is something very satisfying about passing up a four wheel drive that has slid off of a mountain road when your just out playing. in the snow.

[drbike]

Thank you for the welcome Mr. Cob, sir. I hope to ride in the winter but I am located in the sort of far north where we often see minus 30 and regularly minus 20 on the C (Canadian scale), when is it too cold to ride?

That Mr. U-bear chap seems good to go at minus 15 but I am a simple mortal, and a noob to boot.

How good does the URal start at the wee temps? I have so many questions, like does it help to add a deep oil pan with a heater for winter starts, given of course I can plug in. Up here there are cords hanging off all the vehicles and its not because they are hybrids.

How much juice does the bike put out? Can you plug a vest, and grips? Are the stock tires good for the white stuff or should I try to get something better while I am down south claiming the bike? If stock rubber is wanting what would you suggest?

Give me a few weeks and I will upload some pictures of early season white stuff with a nice URal in the foreground.

I am so un-smart in the way of side-car URal

[DirtyDR]

Hey drbike,
I use my Ural to commute every day in the winter up here and it regularly is below freezing and quite often below zero on the American scale. The Patrol starts better with the kicker than the electric start when it is below zero. Personally I would ditch the deep oil pan idea all it does is take away ground clearance and take longer for the engine oil to get up to a good operating temperature. There are a lot of guys using electric vests and gloves and such so it is not a big deal on the newer Urals. I don't personally use electrics or heated grips but I know a lot of folks who do with no issues. As far as learning to ride I don't think it is that difficult, there is a learning curve if you are used to 2 wheels but if you take it easy and read up on handling a rig it is no big deal. Here are a few winter pictures to get you going and good luck.
http://dirtydr.smugmug.com/Motorcycl...36520508_aL7gR

[windmill]

Originally Posted by drbike

Thank you for the welcome Mr. Cob, sir. I hope to ride in the winter but I am located in the sort of far north where we often see minus 30 and regularly minus 20 on the C (Canadian scale), when is it too cold to ride?

That Mr. U-bear chap seems good to go at minus 15 but I am a simple mortal, and a noob to boot.

How good does the URal start at the wee temps? I have so many questions, like does it help to add a deep oil pan with a heater for winter starts, given of course I can plug in. Up here there are cords hanging off all the vehicles and its not because they are hybrids.

How much juice does the bike put out? Can you plug a vest, and grips? Are the stock tires good for the white stuff or should I try to get something better while I am down south claiming the bike? If stock rubber is wanting what would you suggest?

Give me a few weeks and I will upload some pictures of early season white stuff with a nice URal in the foreground.

I am so un-smart in the way of side-car URal

The Ural windscreen, and leg guards help a lot in cold weather, add hand muffs, and some electric clothes. Just do what snowmobile folks do. Don't worry about alternator output, it is a Nippon-Denso automotive/industrial 100211-1680, 14V, 500W.

The stock tires work well in all conditions, but will wear quick on the pusher. The Duro HF-308 is a good all around tire that will last twice as long as Russian tire, but not as good in snow. The Heidenau K37 is a superb tire, lasts as long or longer than a Duro, very aggressive tread excellent for snow and mud. Avon SM MK-II, excellent all around tire that will last twice as long as a Duro, but costs twice as much. Avon triple duty sidecar tire, excellent street tire that works surprising well for compact snow and ice. Kenda K355, ice racing tire, works excellent in snow and ice, Hard compound, thick casing so it can be studded.

Don't waste Your money on a deep oil pan, it reduces ground clearance and increases warm up time. Remember where the Ural is built, it is well suited to extreme cold conditions.

[Mr. Cob]

Originally Posted by drbike

Thank you for the welcome Mr. Cob, sir. I hope to ride in the winter but I am located in the sort of far north where we often see minus 30 and regularly minus 20 on the C (Canadian scale), when is it too cold to ride?

Howdy drbike,

You must remember that the Ural is built and is designed to run in the arctic COLD of Siberia, you won't have any problems starting it and running it in the cold.

That Mr. U-bear chap seems good to go at minus 15 but I am a simple mortal, and a noob to boot.

I met Hubert "U-bear" in Death Valley a few years back, at that time he was riding a BMW R-100 with Ural hack. He was so impressed with what our Urals were doing that for a year afterwards he was in contact with me by email asking about the Ural, I think I was instrumental in pushing him over the edge to buy one.

How good does the URal start at the wee temps? I have so many questions, like does it help to add a deep oil pan with a heater for winter starts, given of course I can plug in. Up here there are cords hanging off all the vehicles and its not because they are hybrids.

Like has already been said by others, I think the deep pan is a waste of money, it cuts down on ground clearance and will PROLONG warm up times in cold weather. If I lived in a very warm climate and didn't ride off road I might have a deep pan, for your environment I honestly think it would be detrimental.

How much juice does the bike put out? Can you plug a vest, and grips? Are the stock tires good for the white stuff or should I try to get something better while I am down south claiming the bike? If stock rubber is wanting what would you suggest?

I run heated grips and a Gerbing heated jacket liner and have never had any problems with the electrical system. As windmill has said you will be surprised how far you can go in snow with the stock tires, however the best winter tire I have found is the old almost impossible to get Russian full knobby tire the problem is they wear out so fast. The German Hiendue K-37 if I remember the number correctly is a very good all around tire works great on the pavement as well as off road its what I use all the time for the last three years.

Give me a few weeks and I will upload some pictures of early season white stuff with a nice URal in the foreground.

I am so un-smart in the way of side-car URal

Take your time learning, push a little more each day and soon you'll be Ural-a-ling in style. POST PHOTOS.

[drbike]

Thanks folks, I pick up the rig in 8 days, 12 hours give or take a few hours, already excited there is no darn way its waiting till Christmas morning. I sure hope it will fit in the back of my Tundra PU, with the hack off of it and placed with great care alongside of the mother.

Now my biggest concern is what kind of oil should I use?
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Nah, just kidding.....not at all concerned about the oil, thinking of rendering down some bear fat, should be good

[windmill]

Ran in to another Uralist today, The only thing better than a Ural in the snow is 2 Urals in the snow.