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Awesome sidecars

Nancy wanted us to get one real bad. I talked her out of it, and eventually she got her Spyder instead. I am so glad! I am not too fond of the Ural. Probably due to my BMWs. The Ural is a copy that originated with the WWII era Beemers. I like vintage, but that may be taking things too far. Next thing you know they will be reproducing Orville & Wilbur Wright's airplane. :joke:
Well now, I'm not so sure, Scotty. These days Urals come with Keihin carbs, Ducati electronic ignitions, Sachs suspension, Brembo brakes, Domino switchgear, Herzog precision- cut tranny gears and shafts and hardened valve seats. They now use readily available standard sized seals and bearings and the handlebar clamps are standard size now, too. My Spyder is better as far as the pavement goes, but as an old 4wd nut, I know lots of places it doesn't........
 
Well now, I'm not so sure, Scotty. These days Urals come with Keihin carbs, Ducati electronic ignitions, Sachs suspension, Brembo brakes, Domino switchgear, Herzog precision- cut tranny gears and shafts and hardened valve seats. They now use readily available standard sized seals and bearings and the handlebar clamps are standard size now, too. My Spyder is better as far as the pavement goes, but as an old 4wd nut, I know lots of places it doesn't........
Oh, I'm not disputing that they are better machines than in WWII. A Sopwith Camel built today probably would be, too. The two-wheel drive has off-road advantages, too. It's just that after having several modern boxer engines, it just seems so ancient! Oops, I forgot that you guys say that about me, too. :D
 
Oh, I'm not disputing that they are better machines than in WWII. A Sopwith Camel built today probably would be, too. The two-wheel drive has off-road advantages, too. It's just that after having several modern boxer engines, it just seems so ancient! Oops, I forgot that you guys say that about me, too. :D

Ancient...thats part of its charm. Like the Spyder it is not for everyone. With your interest in vintage bikes I am surprised you do not have one in your collection. Shame on you!!!;)


RAL
 
:agree:
One of the reasons I really would like to have one is it looks so old but it's not. I think that's too cool. :doorag:
 
:agree:
One of the reasons I really would like to have one is it looks so old but it's not. I think that's too cool. :doorag:

One of the fun things about it is the look on peoples faces when you finally convince them that it is a new bike not the result of restoration project. The front disc and the modern carbs tip off the bike savey but even then many just think that they are part of the rebuild.
The Red October is a nice looking bike but it is a limited release model so carries a bit of a heavy price tag, over $14000! You might want to look at the Tourist, it comes in red and looks very simular and retails for about $11500. You might be able to find a low milage one in the $7000 to $8000 range. People sale them with hardly any miles on them if the sidecar scares them. I paid $7000 for my as new 2005 gear up with 5000 klicks on it. The 2008 and newer have better heads on them, not a deal killer if you find a nice 05-07 at a good price. The 07s also have Ducati EI but you can add that to an older bike for about $350.


RAL
 
I can definitely see you on one! I can definitely see myself in the side car, during a snow storm all bundled up with snoopy goggles on. That would be way cool!

LOL, I think it would be such a blast. Imagine me barreling up the hill at Lamont's house with that. hmmm
 
Yeah, I'd be interested in a used one - like half the price! And I LOVE the Gear Up! I like the black ones too but black is a pain to keep clean. With the Gear Up you can get it filthy and leave it filthy cuz it looks cool filthy!

One of the fun things about it is the look on peoples faces when you finally convince them that it is a new bike not the result of restoration project. The front disc and the modern carbs tip off the bike savey but even then many just think that they are part of the rebuild.
The Red October is a nice looking bike but it is a limited release model so carries a bit of a heavy price tag, over $14000! You might want to look at the Tourist, it comes in red and looks very simular and retails for about $11500. You might be able to find a low milage one in the $7000 to $8000 range. People sale them with hardly any miles on them if the sidecar scares them. I paid $7000 for my as new 2005 gear up with 5000 klicks on it. The 2008 and newer have better heads on them, not a deal killer if you find a nice 05-07 at a good price. The 07s also have Ducati EI but you can add that to an older bike for about $350.


RAL
 
I can definitely see you on one! I can definitely see myself in the side car, during a snow storm all bundled up with snoopy goggles on. That would be way cool!

We would be a great team, once we practiced up, we could enter one of those races....or better yet ride around Lamont's and end up on Funniest Home Video's.
respect-055.gif
 
Anyone interested in riding a hack should take the rider's class - I have, and for the roads I ride on, my Spyder is as close as I'll ever come to one. Among other things, I'm a licensed pilot, and "flying the car" is as inspiring as an pulling a stall and ending in a spin.... :chat:

I agree. The rider's class is a great idea. I wish I had done it when I got my rig six years ago. Although I've become comfortable with it w/out any major mishaps, learning may have been more fun with the proper training. I'm sure I've gotten used to many bad habits, but it's still a blast. I plan to acquire a spyder soon (I kinda like the stability of 3 wheels), but I'll be hangin' onto the hack as long as I still have a couple of kids at home.
 
Here's a warning for those seriously considering a sidecar rig: the Ural sidecars are very well made, but the motorcycles are quite "iffy" as far as the dependability department. If you want a hack, stick one on a Moto Guzzi or BMW. You really can't run a Ural at highway speeds, the 62 MPH ceiling is real. Russian metallurgy is a bit on the primitive side, and parts of the engine that should be heat-treated or made of proper alloy for the application AREN'T!

Here's a pic of my (recently sold) rig with enthusiastic passenger Ginger, one of our Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, aboard.

ginger-rig2.jpg



Dauntless Motors is THE authority on setting up a sidecar on almost any brand of motorcycle if you need professional assistance.
http://www.dauntlessmotors.com/

Hacks are fun to drive, but totally different in handling characteristics than either Spyder or motorcycles. Unless equipped with a leading-link front end, they also require some upper body strength to steer. Get some training and practice a bit before venturing out in traffic. Some ballast in the "chair" is absolutely necessary for noobies!!
 
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:agree:

The Urals are fun around town but limited on long trips, although I know a friend that rode his from San Jose Ca to Death Valley. Thats a long trip at 60mph. I had a Velorex 562 sidecar set up on my BMW R100RT for a while but my French Bulldog did not like to ride like my previous Boxer.

Mike
 
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