Sidecar Camping

Camping is all about getting outside and enjoying the open air, something Ural riders know all about. Whether you travel to a faraway forest or a nearby campsite, a sidecar can make the experience much more memorable.

These pictures show how our Ural cT model is a perfect vehicle for a 2-day, 1-night mini-adventure inside the Hoosier National Forest. With 2.9 sq ft of trunk space and an added luggage rack, there was plenty of room for a tent, chairs, gear, and food. Once set up, these campers rode into town for extra firewood after exploring the gravel roads and historic sites in the area.

A rack for your luggage...or loggage. :)

The nose of the sidecar served as a good table for condiments and hot dog preparation. A lot of fun can be had around the campfire, but often, there are many things to see and do within a few miles. This cT helped cover a lot of ground while keeping its passengers out in the fresh air as they traveled to lakes, lookout towers, and trailheads.

Not far away is the historic Story Inn near Nashville, IN, a great place to stop for lunch.

Corey Wilkinson of Good Spark Garage chose this destination for a father-son weekend,

“We wanted to find a place off the beaten path where we could explore nature; the Ural helped get us right down into the heart of it all.”

Load up your Ural for a weekend outdoors and create your own special sidecar memories!

Thinking of buying a new 2018 Ural? Already riding one? We partnered with MTS Towing to offer 24/7 Roadside Assistance to our US and Canadian customers with 2018 model year Urals. Included in your standard two-year warranty at no charge and available as part of Extended Warranty coverage (should you choose to purchase one).

National Demo Day is set for March 24th! Check out all the participating dealers and head over this Saturday to check out the new Urals, grab some food and get a demo ride. Most importantly, have some fun and ride!

The Ice Run 2018

What kind of people would plan a ride in subzero temps over a frozen Siberian lake? Answer: Ural riders. Hosted by The Adventurists, the 2018 Ice Run is now under way and headed toward the deepest lake in the world, Lake Baikal (the namesake of our recent Limited Edition Ural).

Ice Runners packed and ready for departure.

What’s this route like? The Adventurists say “parts of the ice will be sculpted by the wind and smooth as a well-oiled otter, other bits will be as cracked as your nan's elbow.” Most of the Ural motorcycles they’re using on this trip are from the old days, a different animal than today’s completely upgraded models. But, it’s a testament to the workhorse origins of these adventure-ready sidecar motorcycles.

Team Baikal Beach Boys before taking off on the 2018 Ice Run.

It takes a special (crazy?) person to tackle the Ice Run; the team names reflect their sense of humor: The Maximators, Icy Dead People, Baikal Beach Boys, and Biscuit and Orange Juice. There are 11 teams participating over this 10-day journey in Irkutsk, Russia.

Team James Poulter camping on the beach during the 2018 Ice Run.

As part of their incredible experience, the Ice Runners have raised funds for the environmental charity, Cool Earth. You can follow the trip and learn more about the Adventurists on their website.

Image by The Adventurists

Read more about our 2WD Gear Up and plan your own adventure!

Sidecar Tours in beautiful Colorado!

As any (and every) Ural owner, Scott Kirkwood has had his share of UDF (Ural Delay Factor) over the years. Then one day he decided to combine his love of Colorado with all the fun you can have in a sidecar and created City on the Side a sidecar tour company!

City on the Side provides an exceptional, personal and private sight- seeing journey, a different look, authentic and genuine, allowing passengers to experience the world from a completely unique perspective.

City on the Side is unique because they are located in such a beautiful part of the country. A state that can claim 300 days of sunshine plus beautiful mountain views combine for a perfect first ride in a sidecar opportunity. 

There is plenty to do in the Denver/Boulder area so even if you aren’t from the area it’s worth the trip out to spend a few days soaking in the sun, getting out on a hike or doing some wildlife spotting at Rocky Mountain National Park. 

Head over to City on The Side and get a trip booked!

Sidecar Down South

Ashley and Stephanie of @ride4lovetravels purchased their Ural off of Craigslist in Washington state and headed south.  For the past month they've been exploring and camping in Mexico with their trusty Ural rig. 

Christmas on the beach at Playa El Saltito in Baja Sur.

"While driving along the Highway 1 in Baja we spotted Adrian Oh @world_on_board We had heard about him while in Morro Bay, CA. A fellow friend told us he was in Ensenada...well, we found him on the road! Adrian is a rockstar, a total inspiration and the nicest guy you’ll ever meet. He has a dream and he is making it happen. He is skateboarding around the world 🌎 check him out @world_on_board".

Camping in Los Cocos on the western coast of central Mexico near Nayarit.

Who will you adventure with?

M70 Farewell

The bike that started it all.

 Since 1941 we have produced over 3 million sidecar motorcycles, many of which retained the iconic design of the original M72.

The first motorcycles were sent to the front lines in February of 1942 and used in the Battle of Stalingrad.

During the war, 9,799 M72's served in reconnaissance and dispatch detachments in addition to helping evacuate the wounded from battle fields.

As we look to the future with new developments, today we're announcing that 2018 will be the last production year of the iconic Ural M70.

Still sought after by those seeking the original military look, we have continued to upgrade the M70 over the years with the same modern improvements that have become standard on our Gear Up and cT models.

The Ural M70 will be available through 2018 with custom colors and all accessory options available.  Ural dealers will have full access to all M70 parts and warranty items guaranteed through 2028.

Here is Alberta based Destination Cycles, assembling a new 2018 M70 for their showroom floor.

As we say goodbye to the M70, we are expanding our sights to future products that will delight sidecar enthusiasts across the globe.

Finally, we're pleased to offer the M70 in our Retro Classic trim for our long time fans and true vintage enthusiasts!

model shown with optional accessories.

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Bucket list? Get your dream bike before it's too late!

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Sidecar Showdown on Hatfield McCoy Trails

Corey and Casey Wilkinson, twins from Indiana and avid Ural owners are our guest bloggers for this week.  They took a 2WD Gear Up Sahara and 1WD Ural cT on the Hatfield McCoy trails to compare the ride between the two rigs.

Words & Photos by Corey and Casey Wilkinson

Casey and Corey Wilkinson with their Gear Up Sahara (left) and Ural cT (right).

The proving grounds were the rugged terrain of the Hatfield McCoy trails in West Virginia. A perfect place for a challenging duel to compare the capabilities of our one-wheel drive and two-wheel drive sidecar motorcycles. Read on to see how well the Ural sidecars traversed the rough and muddy mountains; I’m bettin’ you’ll be surprised.

Both Urals are 2016 models. Casey piloted the 1WD cT and I (Corey) drew the presumably more capable 2WD Gear Up Sahara. Being twins with similar weight and sidecar experience, this was a pretty accurate side-by-side comparison out on the Hatfield McCoy trails. Both steeds are powered by fuel-injected 750cc boxer-twin engines with tractor-like torque. I’ll tell you skeptics now that the 41-horse powerplants each propelled over 900 pounds of bike and human with ease. (Still skeptical? Watch the accompanying video).

The Hatfield McCoy trails span over 600 miles (and counting) with many levels of difficulty. Some routes really show their teeth and look like they wanna break your bones, while others are more welcoming and docile. Massive ruts that plunged deeper than our available ground clearance meant some trails were off limits to us, but there was no shortage of gnarly miles we could opt for.

Casey, left, on the Ural cT and Corey on the Gear Up Sahara at the Devil Anse ATV Resort.

We stayed on the bottom floor of this cabin. It can sleep up to 6 people.

Our basecamp was the Devil Anse ATV Resort, where we stayed in a newly built cabin called “Sherriff Sid’s Jailhouse.” It was named after one of the area’s colorful family-feuders. Police Chief Sid Hatfield had gold-capped teeth and a hankerin’ for fightin’ which fueled his role in the 1920 Matewan Massacre. We rode right up to the brick building that still bears bullet holes from the shootout between the coal miners Sid sided with and a group of “thug” detectives hired by the coal corporations. Sid would survive this scenario, but meet his demise a year later when vengeful detectives shot him on the steps of a county courthouse.

I mention this man’s past to help paint a picture of this area, where scarred landscapes, tired towns, and harsh history are hidden in these Appalachian hills.

Bullet holes at the site of the 1920 Matewan Massacre.

For our first experience on the Hatfield McCoy trails, we set out on the Devil Anse trail system which is accessible via the grounds we were staying on (very handy). A steady rain fell on this day, creating mud baths in the low spots and slippery rocks on the hillsides. With the Gear Up’s two-wheel drive engaged and a fresh set of Heidenau K37 dual sport tires, it climbed the hills with confidence and minimal wheel spin. The one-wheel drive cT, being lighter, threw more of a roost while the rear wheel spun more easily. Casey simply leaned back to weight the rear Heidenau K67 knobby (a trials type of tire), which was key in reaching the top of each steep grade we encountered. It’s worth noting: the stock tires on the Urals would not have been successful in these muddy, wet conditions. This isn’t a chop on the standard-issue rubber, just a testament to the unmerciful environment.

It was a little muddy.

The Gear Up carried more weight than the cT, including a full 10L jerrycan, extra racks, all the 2WD linkage, and a spare wheel and tire. It effortlessly ascended the slimy trails even when the tight switchbacks wouldn’t allow a run at ’em.

This wasn’t the steepest hill we encountered and many had loose rocks on the way up.

Riding on the King Coal Highway.

The 1WD cT went everywhere its more utilitarian counterpart went. Of course, the knobbies helped. Before the trip, we traded the stock Heidenau K28 street tires for the offroad-friendly K67s. I’ll put it like this: the Gear Up‘s ability to gain traction is a bonus, but don’t count out the 1WD in the rough stuff. If you know some basic throttle management while scanning the trail ahead, the cT is a very capable dual sport machine. In other words, the 1WD can take you farther than you’d think.

A view from Corey’s Sena 10c helmet camera and communication device.

The 1WD cT on the left and the 2WD Gear Up Sahara on the right.

During the second day of riding on the Buffalo Mountain trail, we dropped in on the coal town of Delbarton. It’s the kind of tiny community that hosts gospel sings in the town square, where free burgers, slaw and baked beans are offered to sidecar motorcyclists covered in mud. We said thanks, but decided to log some more miles before dark.

A personal difference-maker during our experience ought to be mentioned: We used the Sena 10c helmet communication and camera devices (see pic below) for two reasons: (1.) as ‘dash cams’ to capture our adventure in HD and (2.) as a way to be on the same page the entire ride. In one instance, with engines running and 20 yards between us, I wanted to warn Casey about an obstacle he would soon encounter. I didn’t have to pantomime or even turn around, I simply voiced it. To which he said, “Hey, you don’t have to yell, really.” Not only was it handy for navigating the trails, we actually had conversations about the area, speculating about old buildings or where roads might lead. It’s nice to be able to say things like, “don’t go yet, there’s a car comin'” or “watch that branch pointing toward you on the left.”

We mounted the Sena 10c devices on our Icon Variant helmets.

Recently, I read the following comment on one of our social media channels: “What’s with riding sidecars when you don’t have passengers??” My answer: Dear, Puzzled Guy. I hope this injustice doesn’t have your stomach in knots. As since the day sidecars were invented, they are not limited to human cargo. The ample storage allows us to easily carry rain gear, tools, camera equipment, food, drinks, first aid kits, and other stuff we don’t feel forced to jettison before a motorcycle trip into remote and unfamiliar territory. That’s what’s with it.

The Outer Limit Supply Day Tripper Series first aid kit with quick-release mount.

Safety first! We mounted the Outer Limit Supply Day Tripper Series first aid kit to the cT (see pic above), which holds a ton of dressings, tools, and medications (even a tourniquet and 24″ moldable splint). The thing is tough, too, made of high-impact ABS that’s watertight and crush proof. The quick-release mount allows you to grab it and go for instances when every second matters.

Waiting for a train in Williamson, WV, one of the bigger mining towns in the area.

Many ATV riders and UTV pilots met us with a wave and big smiles. A few stopped to tell us we were crazy and some gave an enthusiastic thumbs-up. Most trails are meant for quads and high-powered 4WD machines, but the Urals did well to knife through thick layers of loose rock. These torquey sidecars chugged right along with relative agility. And, when it was time to jump back up on the asphalt, their stout chassis provided smooth and stable transportation after bouncing around for hours. If you’re wondering how the knobbies did on the pavement, the answer is: great.

The Heidenau K37 and K67 tires aren’t soft; they have a compound that’s grabby enough in the dirt and hard enough to wear well on the street.

The UTV and side-by-side folks were curious about our sidecar motorcycles.

Both ‘bikes’ absorbed the bumps just fine. We kept a spirited pace in many areas (see the video), but we also rode with realistic expectations. A Ural won’t handle like a Trophy Truck, but you can still give it heck. Keep in mind, it’s a sidecar made for on- and off-road travel; ride accordingly and you’ll have a great experience.

In the end, if a person had to choose between a 1WD cT or a 2WD Gear Up model, we believe they’ll be happy with either. If the rider plans to ride mainly on the street with an occasional gravel road excursion, the cT would be just fine. If you live near sand, in snowy climates, or steep terrain, the Gear Up may be the better choice. But, as you can see, both sidecars are up for challenging conditions. Something to keep in mind, the cT is lighter and its sidecar is about 3.5 inches lower. It also has 18″ wheels (the Gear Up has 19″ wheels). These details give the cT slightly better street stability and lower center of gravity. Now, if you’re headed for technical, rugged routes, the 2WD will give you a welcome boost of confidence, for sure.

Engine and Transmission

• Displacement: 749cc
• Engine: Air-cooled boxer twin, 4 stroke
• Horsepower: 41 @ 5500 rpm
• Max torque (ft-lbs): 42 @ 4300 rpm
• Compression: 8.6:1
• Fuel system: Throttle body EFI
• Starting: Electric & Kickstart
• Clutch Double-disc dry
• Speeds: 4 forward, 1 reverse
• Primary drive (rear wheel): Driveshaft
• Final drive ratio: 4.62
• cT = 1WD // Gear Up = 2WD (engageable shaft drives sidecar wheel)

Physical Measurements

• Overall length: cT = 91.6in // Gear Up = 98.8in
• Overall heights: cT = 53.8in // Gear Up = 54.3in
• Overall width: Both 63.6in
• Seat height: cT = 31in // Gear Up = 32in
• Ground clearance: cT = 6.5in // Gear Up = 6.8in
• cT dry weight: 700 lbs // Gear Up dry weight: 730 lbs

Chassis

• Front suspension: IMZ leading link fork
• Rear suspension: Double sided swing-arm with two Sachs hydraulic spring shock absorbers, 5x adjustable
• Sidecar suspension: Single sided swing-arm with Sachs hydraulic spring shock absorber, 5x adjustable
• Wheels, aluminum rims, steel spokes: ct = 2.15×18 // Gear Up = 2.15×19
• Front brake: 4-piston fixed Brembo caliper with 295mm floating NG rotor
• Rear brake: HB big bore single piston integrated floating caliper with 256mm fixed NG rotor
• Sidecar brake: 2-piston fixed Brembo caliper with 245mm floating NG rotor

Misc.

• Fuel grade: 91 octane, unleaded
• Fuel tank capacity: 5.0 gallons
• Reserve: approx 1 gallon
• Estimated fuel economy: 31-37 mpg
• Estimated range: 155-185 miles
• Recommended max cruising speed: 70mph (*we say 65 is a more comfortable sustained speed, but 60 feels more relaxed)
• Max permissible weight: 1,325 lbs
• Trunk volume: 2.9 cubic ft

Warranty

• 2-years parts and labor unlimited mileage.

To wrap things up:
If you’re thinking about buying a Ural sidecar, watch our “How To Ride a Motorcycle Sidecar” video first.
If you’re curious about the Hatfield McCoy trails rules and requirements, visit their website.
If you want to get out and explore the country via a sidecar motorcycle, go for it!!

Want a chance to win a 2WD Ural Gear-Up? Enter the AMA Raffle here: AmericanMotorcyclist.com/ural

Learn more about the prize package and details here.

To see more adventures from Corey and Casey check out Good Spark Garage to see where they go next. Thanks for riding along!

I Do

With his wedding a week away, Ryan decided to have one last moto camp out with his groomsmen in Northern California.

Ryan rode a new Gear Up with his best man north from LA to meet up with the rest of his crew in Yosemite.

After the weekend they headed south to tie the knot and celebrate with his wife!

Ryan and his best man headed up north towards Yosemite.

Hitting the trails on the way to the camp site.

Pack it in, pack it out.

Headed back south for his wedding celebration.

Ryan giving his uncle his first sidecar ride.

The Gear Up became my wife’s favorite motorcycle in the stable, and it will always hold a warm spot in my heart for the adventure of a lifetime it took me on.

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Learn more about Ryan's ride.

2018 Ural Gear Up

Ride In Peace

In loving memory of Hubert Kriegel
(1946 - 2018) 

Kriegel Family Memorial Fund

On January 24, 2018 the sidecar community lost one if it's most adventurous and inspiring ambassadors, Hubert Kriegel, the man behind The Timeless Ride.

For those who don't know, Hubert was one of the most honest and kind hearted sidecar enthusiasts this world had ever seen. He traveled the world for over a decade, inspiring generations of new riders and adventurers alike.  Pushing people to think outside the box and chase after their dreams.

His ever evolving curiosity and passion for life pushed him to continually life live to the fullest.

Selling everything I had in 2005 to go travel around the world on my sidecar was the best decision I ever made in my life!

Capetown, South Africa

See all of Hubert's adventures.

Hubert always traveled with a sense of wonder, preferring to immerse himself in the local culture instead of hiding away in hotels and tourist destinations.  With his incredible wit and boundless stories, he was always making new friends wherever he stopped.

Always keen to communicate in the native language, Hubert often wrote notes on his gas tank of local phrases.

For the last 9 months he was living healthy, happy (off the road), and in harmony with his family including his wife, Lorraine, his daughter, Jessica, and her family including his new granddaughter, Eleanor.

Now his ride really is timeless as he sets off on his next adventure. The Ural family and entire sidecar community will miss him dearly. 

As Hubert always said, "Don't forget to take a risk today!"

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Hubert's family will be having a public celebration of his life on Saturday, February 17, 2018 at 2pm in Sacramento CA at House Kitchen and Bar, 555 Capitol Mall, Sacramento, CA, 95814.  All are welcome.

Kriegel Family Memorial Fund