Ural vs Sportster w/sidecar?
Ural vs Sportster w/sidecar?
Yes I've searched & read every thread on the forum,most are outdated or have same answers/ comments by same people. Which is mostly,#1) why would you want a side car? #2) Sportster are too small for a side car #3)Urals are unreliable. Those others suggest larger bikes or European models. Some post links to different side car manufacturers, (thank you).
#1) I want a side car because my wife had back surgery & can't ride 2 up anymore. I've got to have both knee joints replaced over the next 2 yrs. #2) Sportster are too small? The 1200 cc is bigger than all other European models & Ural that are under 1000 cc? #3) I see lots of satisfied Ural owners on other forums, most haters aren't owners just know someone who said they did & had problems. Based on that no one would ever buy a Harley.
Now to get serious. I want to hear from people who have actually owned/ridden side car fitted Sportsters or Ural & which is best cheapest setup & why.
I'm leaning towards a 1200 Custom or 48 w/ sidecar or Ural. Ural is in the lead because it's made for the sidecar. Sportster is still in running because it's a Harley. Not considering European models because of small engine displacement & not specifically made for sidecar use. Not larger bikes, Road King, Gold Wing, etc. because of higher costs. No I don't want a trike.
So can I please get some real input from owners of such rigs & not just a bunch of haters replying? Thank You
#1) I want a side car because my wife had back surgery & can't ride 2 up anymore. I've got to have both knee joints replaced over the next 2 yrs. #2) Sportster are too small? The 1200 cc is bigger than all other European models & Ural that are under 1000 cc? #3) I see lots of satisfied Ural owners on other forums, most haters aren't owners just know someone who said they did & had problems. Based on that no one would ever buy a Harley.
Now to get serious. I want to hear from people who have actually owned/ridden side car fitted Sportsters or Ural & which is best cheapest setup & why.
I'm leaning towards a 1200 Custom or 48 w/ sidecar or Ural. Ural is in the lead because it's made for the sidecar. Sportster is still in running because it's a Harley. Not considering European models because of small engine displacement & not specifically made for sidecar use. Not larger bikes, Road King, Gold Wing, etc. because of higher costs. No I don't want a trike.
So can I please get some real input from owners of such rigs & not just a bunch of haters replying? Thank You
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 291
Likes: 0
From: Abu Dhabi, UAE
I can't really help, but its bullshit if someone says sportsters are too small, maybe they mean size but its still not that small.. Royal Enfeilds are smaller in size and engone and can still be rigged with a side car..
Any way, good luck with everything and don't forget to post pics..
Any way, good luck with everything and don't forget to post pics..
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,932
Likes: 45
From: Stockbridge GA
Ive been doing the same research. Urals have seem to have gotten better over the last few years and if you buy new you have a warranty so.....not such a big deal. I think the main thing would be, what kind of riding are you planing on? The Ural is NOT a high speed machine, back roads, dirt roads, and 4 wheel drive trails are what its suited for. If properly set up a sporty would be better suited for interstate and more comfortable back road cruising, not so much on dirt roads and beyond.
Not much info here on hacks, go to ADVrider, they got a section just for hacks and people that know about Urals and sporty hacks.
http://advrider.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=56
Im sticking with a sporty, and if I do it will be a leaner so it still feels like Im riding a motorcycle.
Not much info here on hacks, go to ADVrider, they got a section just for hacks and people that know about Urals and sporty hacks.
http://advrider.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=56
Im sticking with a sporty, and if I do it will be a leaner so it still feels like Im riding a motorcycle.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,599
Likes: 11
From: Colonial Beach, Virginia
The truth is that several years ago new owners took over Ural and upgraded them. For example they now have Hitachi starters, Denzo ignition, Brembo brakes, Kehin carbs.. The crankshaft goes through an additional hardening process. Etc, The engine is 745cc with a 3.07 bore and a 3.07 stroke. They make 40 hp. Not a real road burner, but fun. I don't think I spelled Kehin correctly.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,599
Likes: 11
From: Colonial Beach, Virginia
Here is a link to 2014 improvements the Urals now have EFI
http://www.imz-ural.com/ural-rolls-l...des-ten-years/
http://www.imz-ural.com/ural-rolls-l...des-ten-years/
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Rob, there is a suitably named United Sidecar Association, whose website gives stacks of useful info, including sidecar manufacturers and suppliers. If they can't help there is no hope! Also call in the trikes and hacks forum here on HDF. As for Ural they have been making sidecars for decades, including 2-wheel drive ones.
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,512
Likes: 3,924
From: San Diego, CA
That is a cool looking sidecar for sure.
My buddy bought a Ural back in the 1990's when they were former commie bikes. I helped him out on it, the electrics were a total nightmare.
They absolutely were a piece of junk, glad to see they decided to improve them and keep them around. Certainly a novelty bike back then however.
I assume parts availability is much better than it was for us.
John
My buddy bought a Ural back in the 1990's when they were former commie bikes. I helped him out on it, the electrics were a total nightmare.
They absolutely were a piece of junk, glad to see they decided to improve them and keep them around. Certainly a novelty bike back then however.
I assume parts availability is much better than it was for us.
John
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 276
Likes: 43
From: Spokane, WA
I own an '08 Sportster 1200C (not with a sidecar) and I own a 2011 Ural Patrol 2WD that I rode to Alaska in 2011. A Sportster w a sidecar and a Ural are completely different machines.
Sportster:
* definitely more power than a Ural
* to build one would be a lot of work but do-able
* 1 WD only
* no reverse
* higher cruising speeds but with a sidecar you have to know that high speeds are not very safe with a heavy pendulum out to the side of your bike
Ural:
* available with 2 WD w the flip of a lever
* reverse with the flip of a lever
* low power = slow cruising speeds of approx 60 mph which is plenty for the inevitable quirky handling of sidecar bikes IMHO
* the owners love 'em and are borderline cultists
* old Urals are crap; 2007 was the watershed year and every year since then they've gotten better. 2014 is another watershed year with some really great improvements
* Urals are simple, tough, slow, quirky, and my Ural is not for sale anytime in the foreseeable future
* parts are easily available and I think Ural has the best warranty and support of any brand of motorcycle or car I've ever owned. Ural often goes beyond the letter of the warranty to make owner's happy and keep their loyal following in tact
Sportster or Ural? You'll be happy with either one. Just be sure to take a sidecar safety course because they ain't nothing like 2 wheels.
Good luck!
Norm
A Russian family going to market:
Sportster:
* definitely more power than a Ural
* to build one would be a lot of work but do-able
* 1 WD only
* no reverse
* higher cruising speeds but with a sidecar you have to know that high speeds are not very safe with a heavy pendulum out to the side of your bike
Ural:
* available with 2 WD w the flip of a lever
* reverse with the flip of a lever
* low power = slow cruising speeds of approx 60 mph which is plenty for the inevitable quirky handling of sidecar bikes IMHO
* the owners love 'em and are borderline cultists
* old Urals are crap; 2007 was the watershed year and every year since then they've gotten better. 2014 is another watershed year with some really great improvements
* Urals are simple, tough, slow, quirky, and my Ural is not for sale anytime in the foreseeable future
* parts are easily available and I think Ural has the best warranty and support of any brand of motorcycle or car I've ever owned. Ural often goes beyond the letter of the warranty to make owner's happy and keep their loyal following in tact
Sportster or Ural? You'll be happy with either one. Just be sure to take a sidecar safety course because they ain't nothing like 2 wheels.
Good luck!
Norm
A Russian family going to market:
Thank you Norms 427. Very helpful info. The type of riding I plan to do is with my wife in the sidecar ( she's light weight compared to most) mostly day trips on winding back roads to the mountains & the coast. Where the speed limit is usually 55 mph or less and light traffic if not a weekend. I wouldn't need two wheel drive as we wouln't ride in rain, ice, snow. I wouldn't be off roading so I assume that'd save some weight? I like the idea of it coming ready to ride. Whereas the Sportster sidecar build would take time & money & no reverse, as you point out. It would have more power for the mountain roads + the Harley wow factor. Then again the Ural probably has it's own following & wow factor, from what I see. If you took yours to Alaska & back without a problem then it should handle anything I'd throw at it mountain wise. The only other factor I've got to consider is that Harley dealership is 10 minutes from home and nearest Ural dealer is 5 hrs away. But after reading your post & thinking about it I'm leaning towards a new Ural. Again Thank you