The Russians are coming!

Well, actually its just one Russian, a 1996 URAL Sportsman Sidecar Motorcycle.

From the craiglist ad: 1966 Ural Sportsman 2 wheel drive. 750 cc engine upgrade. Batwing windshield, sidecar windshield. Leg guards and hand guards. Harley solo seat. Chome sidecovers and chrome sidecar bar. Current tag. 5125 km. Black with white pinstripe.

I found her on craigslist, presently owned by a gentleman by the name of Phil, who lives in Edmond, OK. Many emails later, we've agreed to a swap. I get the URAL and he gets Maria, my 2004 R1150RT Beemer.

The URAL (its pronouced ooo-ral, not you-ral) has over 3000 miles on her odometer so it's pretty much broken in based on what I've read online and from manuals downloaded from sidecar sites.

Phil is sending me more recent pictures but here's one he had from before he had her engine upgraded from 650cc to 750cc. It's got on whats known as the "batwing" fairing which I am counting on for wind protection during the upcoming winter rides.

click for larger version

She's a beauty isn't she? The URALs are made in Russia from back in the 1940s or so depending on which story you want to believe. Some say the Germans gave some to the Russians before they went to war and the Russians duplicated them to the last bolt. Some say the Russians bought them on the sly, duplicated them down to the last bolt and used them against the Germans during WWII. Here's a blurb from wikipedia: LINK

Regardless, they're basically modern versions of the BMW R71 Sidecar Motorcycle used by the German Army prior to and during WWII. So I am not straying too far from my Beemer loyalties.

The plan so far is for the two of us to meet somewhere between here and Edmond, OK. Phil is going to trailer the URAL while I ride Maria to the rendezvous point. It's been quite a while apparently since Phil has been on two wheels, he rode a Goldwing before, hence the trailer to take Maria home. If we both still agree, after doing a checkout of each other's motorcycle, then the deal will be done.

I will, after hopefully sufficient practice in an empty parking lot and neighborhood streets, ride the URAL back home to Denver via state and county roads, avoiding the expressways. These motorcycles are heavy and you're lucky to go 65 mph on them without problems! So, not speed demons but they're reputed damn near unstoppable off-road!

I am really going to miss Maria I think, specially her superb wind protection during the cold months. However, you may have noticed I don't ride her as much anymore now that Brigitta, my 1987 R80 Beemer is in the stable. Phil's mechanic sang his praises in terms of how well he kept his URAL in great shape and his expertise with the machine. This said a lot to me and went a long way to making up my mind about the swap.

So that's the news. More pictures as I get them from Phil. Of course more as I become the owner and start exploring the mountain roads with her. The URALs also hold a reputation for being fun on snow, yes snow! I hope to increase my riding days count since while still nothing to be careless about, I at least won't fall over when I hit ice while riding this rig! Oh the possibilities are endless in terms of exploring trails where I've had to turn back on Brigitta.

The best part is once I am comfortable and safe on this rig, I'll be able to take my sons for rides with me, hopefully teaching them the joys of exploration via motorcycle. I know my loving wife might even be talked into a ride or three as well.

Still working on a fitting name for the URAL, any ideas from the peanut gallery? I must ask Phil if he's named her already.