hello everyone!

I have decided that I want to do a round the world trip on a Ural, but not for at least a year (I need to save up more money).

But here's the thing...I currently live in the UK (I'm a Canadian living the UK), and I'm thinking that for a round the world trip, it would be ideal to get a Ural where the sidecar is on the right side since most countries drive on the right side of the road - mainly for safety. But I don't think I can buy that version in the UK.

Any advice if I can buy a Ural in another country and ride it back to the UK?

Thanks!

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Edit: after a bit more web searching, I found these:
“I think that your machine would be viewed as a motorcycle with sidecar attached irrespective of the fact that the sidecar wheel is driven. This argument may be supported by the fact that the framework Directive for European whole vehicle type approval of two and three-wheeled vehicles refers to a motor tricycle as having three symmetrically arranged wheels”. (Malcolm Fendick, DETR with direct reference to the Uralmoto 2WD combination)

“We have considered carefully the issues surrounding the use of a motorcycle combination with the sidecar fitted to the right hand side. In view of the implications for general road safety, I do not consider that changes in UK legislation to permit such a configuration can be justified.” (Lord Whitty, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State)

“I must make it clear that the sale of these machines in the UK for use on the road would be unlawful and if purchased for use off road, they would not, subsequently, be able to be used legally on public roads.” (Malcolm Fendick, DETR with direct reference to the Uralmoto 2WD combination)

“As it has been explained to Uralmoto, GB legislation requires that sidecars must be fitted to the left-hand side of motorcycles and because of the implications for road safety, the Department is not minded to pursue changes in legislation to allow the use of sidecars fitted to the right-hand side of motorcycles. The legislation prohibiting the use of right-hand sidecars was enacted in 1980.” (Malcolm Fendick, DETR)

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And looking at the legislation: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1986 ... on/93/made

Use of sidecars
93. No person shall use or cause or permit to be used on a road any two-wheeled motor cycle registered on or after 1st August 1981, not being a motor cycle brought temporarily into Great Britain by a person resident abroad, if there is a sidecar attached to the right (or off) side of the motor cycle.

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Ok...so that kind of sucks...has anyone bought a motorcycle and registered at a friend's place in another country and been able to ride it around the world?

Sure, lots of people have done that - check the bikes for sale wanted forum for lots.

The tricky bit is permanently registering a right side rig in the UK - no, you can't. So, it becomes a "for the trip" setup. You COULD get a one wheel drive version, I THINK - you used to be able to - and then convert it back in the UK to the other side.


best of luck!

__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
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Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

The UK registerable (sorry, I think I just made up a word) Ural can only have single wheel drive.

For once you may have an advantage coming from abroad as you can import, say, a French registered Ural with the chair on the right hand side as a temporary import. Whilst here you can get it ready to go abroad in it.

If I remember correctly there are some countries that simply won’t let you in if the chair is deemed as being on the “wrong” side - I think Saudi Arabia is one of those.

At some point the UK may decide to switch to driving on the right but I suspect that our politicians will run a trial with trucks swapping over first......