Russian bikes in Harley dealers ?
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 563
Likes: 3
A friend has owned one for years. He went across a truck scale at the Vermont State Line loaded with camping gear. With him and the G/F it weighed #1850 THEY ARE TUFF!!!!!!!!
At the H-D dealer does sound kinda ODD!!!!!!
At the H-D dealer does sound kinda ODD!!!!!!
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
From: Sweden
Has anyone seen Harley dealers selling Russian bikes. It seems odd to walk into a dealer and see this bike on the floor as part of the regular inventory. I know most of the parts on a Harley are made in China anyway but the whole idea of keeping Americans working appeals to me. That's why I bought another Harley. So to see a Russian bike sold new next to a Harley is just wrong to me what's next Honda's and Yamaha's. I think the bike is called a Ural it has a side car and looks like it was made with old CZ and BMW parts just crap. And Russian crap should not be sold under the same roof as Harley.
Just my two cents.
Just my two cents.
Grow up and appreciate the dealer's maturity in giving a nod to motorcycling history, regardless of borders.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,605
Likes: 3
From: Adirondack Mountains
Now Americans are hitching a ride with them to the space station.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
From: Sweden
http://www.scientificamerican.com/ar...tion-nasa-spen
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 15,389
Likes: 19,343
From: Upstate N.Y.-Rochester Area
Urals
I know someone who has a Ural, and has owned it since new a few years back. Like others have said, this is his snow bike.
However he has also stated more than once that Urals are made to ride for 4 hours and repair for 1.
Fortunately he is a reasonably competent toubleshooter, and mechanic/repair technician.He has experienced a lot of "Unusual" breakdowns, but he reminded me that this is 1937 or 1939 technology.
Rust has been a big problem as have Cracked components, which he happily welds back together, sprays some fresh paint and he's off.
Wiring/electrical/ignition is troublesome.
A lot of this no doubt can be traced back to this being his snow (Salt) bike.
But he absolutely loves that bike. He has a Kawaski Concours as well, so the down time does not bother him.
However he has also stated more than once that Urals are made to ride for 4 hours and repair for 1.
Fortunately he is a reasonably competent toubleshooter, and mechanic/repair technician.He has experienced a lot of "Unusual" breakdowns, but he reminded me that this is 1937 or 1939 technology.
Rust has been a big problem as have Cracked components, which he happily welds back together, sprays some fresh paint and he's off.
Wiring/electrical/ignition is troublesome.
A lot of this no doubt can be traced back to this being his snow (Salt) bike.
But he absolutely loves that bike. He has a Kawaski Concours as well, so the down time does not bother him.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 3
From: West New york, NJ
I don't see the big deal of selling them at a Harley dealer. My local dealer is a Harley-BMW dealer.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 19,978
Likes: 6,074
From: Florida
Friend of mine back in Jersey traded in his Sporty & bought one with a sidecar about the late 80s (he was an MMI graduate; maybe he knew something?) & let me take it for a ride. Unbelieveable POS, but something about it made it fun to ride. Maybe it was the oval-shaped brake drums?
And about the same power as a Vespa.
'Course, That was over 20 years ago; Maybe the new ones are better?
And about the same power as a Vespa.
'Course, That was over 20 years ago; Maybe the new ones are better?
Last edited by dickey; Jul 24, 2012 at 06:20 PM.