|
28 Nov 2007
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Wessex, UK
Posts: 2,136
|
|
Russian combos in the desert
Does anybody have experience of using Russian built combinations with drive to the sidecar wheel, Urals and the like, in the desert. It sounds like it might be great fun two wheel drive in soft sand but is there a catch. I would like to hear of anybodies trips and experiences using these bikes.
Mark
|
28 Nov 2007
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 5
|
|
Paris/Dakar
3-4 years ago some guy was racing with Ural. It was not easy. He raced by day, was slow and when he finally got to the end of stage he fixed the by almost all night. Not reliable. Personal experience i don't have.
|
28 Nov 2007
|
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 639
|
|
An Ural combo is very heavy. I don't think I want that in soft sand.
But then, I found this website of someone who did ride in the sand with an Ural:
http://www.imz-ural.com/community/trips0010.htm
__________________
Jan Krijtenburg
My bikes are a Honda GoldWing GL1200 and a Harley-Davidson FXD Dyna Super Glide
My personal homepage with trip reports: https://www.krijtenburg.nl/
YouTube channel (that I do together with one of my sons): motormobilist.nl
Last edited by jkrijt; 28 Nov 2007 at 16:09.
|
28 Nov 2007
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Norway
Posts: 1,379
|
|
It’s funny that this thread came up today. I’m just back home after working on an Ural that we prepare for a trip to Morocco.
The new Urals with 750ccm can not be compared to the old one. They are much more reliable (parts from Denso, Keihin bearings from SKF and so on) then the old ones.
Urals need more attention then most modern bikes but it’s a simple bike and it easy to work on, it’s made to work on.
It’s one of the few bikes you can get with carbs next year.
It will probably be slower then ordinary bikes, but you will also be able to carry more water, petrol and food.
I have never tested the Ural in desert conditions but I think it will handle nice and most people will probably find it easier to drive in soft sand then a regular bike with luggage. The 2WD is awesome and virtually nothing stops that bike as long as there is room for it, and room is usually not a big problem in the desert.
For some examples check this:
Ural Motorcycles Europe | Downloads
….or maybe this Uraltoons:
Ural Motorcycles Europe | Cartoons
Few months ago:
Playing in snow:
But to use a new Ural would be to simple, so we are modifying a very old Ural with a 650 engine (the one with a really bad reputation) and we have removed the sidecar.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Aijala
3-4 years ago some guy was racing with Ural. It was not easy. He raced by day, was slow and when he finally got to the end of stage he fixed the by almost all night. Not reliable. Personal experience i don't have.
|
It’s many ways to read that story.
Two teams started in Paris Dakar a few years ago. One of the team was Harley Davidson with an ultra-modified rig and a crew. The other team was a guy driving a standard Ural, guess his budget was a bit smaller then the HD-guys but what does a single guy need.
The HD-team had to quit because of technical problems and the Ural guy crashed at the same stage. The Ural guy continued the stage but was to tired to fix the bike. The funny thing was that the Ural lasted longer then the HD.
|
28 Nov 2007
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Sax, Spain
Posts: 901
|
|
Ural fix, guaranteed
Throw away the useless Urinal, sorry Ural engine, and fit a BMW engine in, then you can have up to 1000cc of oldstyle boxer reliability,
its still gonna be heavy though, so pick your route, and carry sand ladders too, they dont weigh much, are available in alloy ( ask the 4wd boys) and add a winch too......... honest, seen it done on one, came in handy too as the lad riding it ditched it in a dyke in lincolnshire, he just connected up the winch to a rope sling,stuck his ground anchor in the top of the bank, rolled a fag and with a HUGE GRIN proceeded to haul himself out!
PS it was snowing at the time too!
Martyn
Last edited by Martynbiker; 28 Nov 2007 at 18:26.
Reason: more info
|
28 Nov 2007
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,598
|
|
I have seen these bikes with a sidecar rigged for sleeping, to call it a camper might be exagerating a little. I have also seen them sporting diesel engines. Not fast, but with tremendous torque and range ( cheap to run also). Mostly twins, I think just by extending the frame a little the Yanmar 3 cylinder engine used in micro JCB's would go and be much smoother. I am fairly certain that the sidecar could be made to be extending, to give sleeping room, without being bulky when in transit. Bit like a lift up camper roof, but slide forward bit for your feet.
Last edited by oldbmw; 28 Nov 2007 at 19:31.
Reason: Typos
|
28 Nov 2007
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Norway
Posts: 1,379
|
|
If you area able to swap the engine you area more then able to fix all the problems it is possible to get with an original Ural-engine.
The new engine is powerful and will run on pretty bad petrol. It’s smoother then a welltuned R80 :-)
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.
Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.
Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!
What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany
Lots more comments here!
Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook
"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
|
|
|