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Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
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  #1  
Old 2 Jan 2013
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Sidecar motorcycle for long term traveling
We -my girlfriend and I- are looking for a motorcycle + sidecar for long term traveling

Ultimate goal would be RTW, but first some "shorter" trips around Europe, Turkey and North Africa

I was thinking along the lines of Ural / Dnepr, but since the search only started a few weeks ago we are still quite clueless

Any thoughts / ideas / experiences ?

Kind regards,
Chris & Cindy
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  #2  
Old 2 Jan 2013
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I've never owned one, so usual caveats apply, but bear in mind that the Ural/Dnepr are very crude indeed. The UK importer, David Angel, virtually rebuilds all the bikes he imports. From memory, they are taken apart and properly lubed, the timing etc are set up meticulously, and better kit like decent gaskets and NGK spark plugs are fitted, to bring the bikes up to something approaching Western consumer standards. Even then, they are unlike anything the Japanese or Europeans produce. I looked into all this a couple of years ago and had a chat with David, but in the end I decided that a Russian bike would not meet my needs and expectations. All this would apply even more to a second-hand bike, of course. Actual owners will probably disagree, and I would accept their opinions over my own, but I would strongly advise you to 'try before you buy', if your riding history is on modern machinery.
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  #3  
Old 14 Jan 2013
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I have a Dnepr mt 1970's , and i used to have a ural. They are very funny to drive, but not very reliable.
You have to have good, to very good mechanical skills to keep them running. The dnepr is exspecially bad.

Badly made get a hole new meaning, when you start to fidle with these bikes.

The original dnepr piston and cylinder wears out after 10,000 km and have to be changed, just to give an idear. Burned valves and piston is commen sinces the carbs are a pieces of junk and therefore can they hardly be syncronized.


The newer urals after 2005 is alot better.

My best advise is to get a old airhead bmw and fit a ural/dnepr sidecar to it. You will spend the price difference in new parts for getting the russian one to run anyway.
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Old 15 Jan 2013
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The airheads tend to be thirsty when pulling a chair, the K models are better ... but the rear suspension needs upgrading for the chair weight.

In some ways a small 4WD will be cheaper (tyres, rego, insurance etc).
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  #5  
Old 15 Jan 2013
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If you have never driven a sidecar outfit, that should be your first goal. They are in no way related to solo motorcycles once you have them out of the garage. Some riders like the mental and physical agility required, others can't live with something that tries to flip over on 50% of corners.

Comments above all deserve a big +1 IMHO

I've had a 650 Ural which was utter **** because I didn't buy from a dealer that rebuilt them and didn't understand that this was a 45 mph outfit with service needs from the 1930's. My 2004 Bonneville was a brilliant outfit until you wanted to move two people and two dogs on the motorway. My K100 could do that. They were all thirsty and more expensive to run that a 4x4. Outfits are for fun not practicality.

Andy
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  #6  
Old 16 Jan 2013
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I fixed a lightweight sidecar onto an XS650 Yamaha last year , just to try it out and see if I liked it.
Now I'm hooked !
This year I'm bolting a chair onto my Vstrom.

My advice would be to try someone else's outfit first and then if you like it , buy a well set up machine from an enthusiast. Aim to buy a bike with 85hp or more .
In the meantime read as much as you can and search the internet for as much knowledge as you can find .
Good luck !
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