This week’s video from David, as usual, based on popular demand. How to program electronic speedometer. How to adjust hydraulic steering damper.
Optimistic
The factory in Irbit is reopening this month and will resume production with initial shipments to Europe and Japan.
Ramping up will take time and the first shipments heading to US will be arriving sometime mid to late July. US and Canadian dealers currently have good inventory levels but by mid June we expect some pre-order situations. The sooner you let your dealer know what you are looking for, the more precise we can plan production and get your bike delivered quickly. Please plan ahead. Dealers have never been set up better for remote orders and safe deliveries!
May retail registrations in the US have been very strong, almost the same level as last year. This is great news! It's great that folks are feeling optimistic and plan on riding. As a result our New Jersey warehouse bike inventory is quickly thinning. We have approximately 15-20 day supply to support back-to-normal sales levels should the upward trend continue. Our focus now is to figure out how to replenish inventory as quickly as possible. Stay tuned for further updates!
Our Parts Department has been super busy and working fast to make sure we keep you on the road and/or occupied in your garage. The new Parts Drop Shipments service and waived drop shipping fees have been extremely popular.
And, last but not the least.... 90 Days Warranty Extension*
All Ural motorcycles currently under warranty will automatically have three months (90 days) factory warranty extension. All new motorcycle sales registered during the period between March 25 and June 30, 2020 will also have automatic 90-day warranty extension on top of standard 2 year manufacturer warranty.
* For US, Canada and Australia markets.
Past Week In Videos: Air Filter Replacement, A Day In Ural Parts Department and Center Stand Tricks
Technical video tutorials from David at Ural HQ continued. Check the Center Stand one - lesson in thinking outside the box. Nik’s Parts Department daily groove - what stamina really stands for. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel!
Stay safe and go for a ride if you can!
The Team at Ural
Air Filter Replacement
How to change the air filter on EFI URAL motorcycles including discussion on carburetted models prior to 2014.
PS: How ‘bout that green?
On Any …day: Ural Parts Department
Nik Hays runs our Parts Department during this challenging period when we all have to do a lot more with much less. You know it’s a serious process when it looks effortless. We have the best team. Ever.
Our Redmond Parts Department services North America dealers, international distributors and we’ve been offering Direct to Retail Parts Drop Shipment Service. It works as simple as this: you order parts from your local or (if it's closed) any open Ural dealership and the parts are drop shipped directly to your home. And (!), we've made a decision to waive parts drop shipping fees for the time being to help us all get through this. If you can go out and ride, we are here to help you do it.
Find dealers here: https://www.imz-ural.com/dealer-locator or call (425) 702-8484 x 100 or send us an email at sidecarsmakeyouhappy@ural.com. We will help you find the closest open dealer to provide you with parts and service advice.
Ural Center Stand
FIND leverage. think creatively.
There’s Always a Shovel.
Ural Tech Tips . Checking Fluid Levels. Lubrication Basics. Battery Installation. And more…..
Technical video tutorials from David at Ural HQ. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel!
Fluid Levels Explained.
Lubrication Basics.
Battery Basics.
(By Popular Demand)
Custom Options Explained
PART TWO: CUSTOM OPTIONS, PACKAGES AND SPECIAL EDITIONS
In Part One we went over standard models, colors, standard accessories and detailed pricing for basic configuration. Let’s look at custom options, how to order, lead times and pricing.
There are two types of customization: factory and bolt on.
Factory Customization includes custom paint, protective undercoating, inner-coating and black powder paint for the drive train.
“Bolt on” Customization is accessories and accessory packages. These get installed at the dealership. Installation costs may apply.
Special Editions are a combination of factory and bolt-on customization.
Custom Paint
Lead Time for ordering custom paint is typically 65-75 days - that’s from the time you place an order for your Ural to the time the bike gets delivered to the dealership. (That’s pre-covid19 timeframes, of course) Sometimes dealers order custom painted units for their floor. Sometimes we bring certain popular custom configurations to keep in the warehouse available to dealers for purchase at a moments notice. Be sure to check what inventory gems your dealer has in stock or can get from our warehouse.
There are three tiers of custom paint pricing: one tone, two tone and three tone. One tone custom paint is any paint other than the standard paint colors, which for 2020 are Slate Grey, Burgundy Satin and OD Green. In case of two and three tone paint schemes there is more time and labor involved and pricing reflects that.
Here are some examples below. Images of bikes in this post may be of various model years. Please remember that this this information is a guideline and there maybe exceptions. Your final price quotes should be discussed with your dealer directly.
How to find all available options: currently anything you see on our website is available as custom order. Almost anything. Please contact your dealer or drop us a line at sidecarsmakeyouhappy@ural.com. We will put up custom paint gallery in the upcoming blog posts. Stay tuned!
One Tone Paint
MSRP US: $1,000 usd
MSRP CANADA: $1,000 cad
Two Tone Paint
MSRP US: $1,500 usd
MSRP CANADA: $1,500 cad
Three Tone Paint
MSRP US: $1,750 usd
MSRP CANADA: $1,750 cad
Undercoating
Body protection.
Extra protection from salty roads and other elements.
Anti-corrosion coating protects external sidecar underbelly and the inside of the fenders.
MSRP: US $600 usd
MSRP CANADA: $600 cad
Starting 2020 models undercoating layer is painted over in body color.
Innercoating
Inside the sidecar tub.
MSRP: US $600 usd
MSRP CANADA: $600 cad
Black Power Train
Black Powder Paint Option
MSRP US: $1,000 usd
MSRP CANADA: $1,000 cad
“Bolt-on” Customization
Bolt-on customization is just that - accessories that are installed at the dealer level. These can be individual pieces or accessories packages. You can look for individual accessories in our Parts Catalog or sometimes we put up items for sale in our retail Shop. Most popular accessories packages are Sahara Package and Adventure Package. It’s important to know that Sahara or Adventure package can be installed on any Gear Up model.
Special Editions
Sahara Special Edition is a combination of factory and dealer installed accessories.
Sahara SE
Sportsman SE
In the next post (Part Three) we will talk more in-depth about Packages, Special Editions and Limited Editions. Let us know if you have any questions. Email sidecarsmakeyouhappy@ural.com.
You can check into the blog anytime to look for updates. Or you can receive blog updates directly to your inbox by subscribing below. Cheers!
Frequently Asked Question: How Much?
Part One: Basic Prices Explained
We have been receiving quite a bit of inquires about the differences in models and pricing for new Urals. Perhaps it has become a little tricky with the growing number of custom options we now offer. Let us clarify and simplify a bit. We hope this will help answer some of the questions. You can also always drop us a line at sidecarsmakeyouhappy@ural.com.
Be safe and healthy. Go for a ride if you can!
The Team at Ural
There are two models in our 2020 line up: Ural
Gear Up and Ural cT
The legendary Ural Gear Up
MSRP US: $17,549 usd
MSRP CANADA: $21,999 cad
The Ural cT
MSRP US: $15,549 usd
MSRP CANADA: $19,999 cad
The principle difference between the two is cT is 1WD and Gear Up is 2WD. Think of it as Gear Up is your AWD Subaru Forester and cT is the Subaru Impreza – lower to the ground, sportier. We are the only motorcycle company that compares its motorcycles to cars. On the official company blog. Because why not? :)
You can compare the technical specifications for cT and Gear Up by clicking the button below.
We will write up a more in-depth comparison of cT vs Gear Up performance and handling in another post.
For now let’s start with basic information:
Gear Up standard colors:
Slate Grey,
Burgundy,
OD Green
Gear Up standard accessories include:
LED Sidecar Fog Lights
Sidecar Power Outlet
Sidecar Tonneau Cover (Cordura)
Jerry Can
Folding Utility Shovel
Universal Spare Wheel - Fits All 3 Positions
Spare Tire Luggage Rack
Enduro Bench Seat
Passenger Handles + Footpegs
cT
standard colors:
Slate Grey,
Burgundy,
OD Green
cT standard accessories include:
Sidecar Windshield+Apron (Vinyl)
Sidecar Power Outlet
Sidecar Tonneau Cover (Vinyl)
2/3 Deluxe Solo Rider Seat
Price:
MSRP – is Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price. MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, delivery, set-up, and dealer-installed options. Dealer prices may vary.
Shipping - there is a flat shipping fee, sometimes also called destination fee. All dealers have to pay this fee because we have to deliver bikes from the warehouse in New Jersey to each individual dealership. This fee is $695. Dealers can’t will call bikes from the warehouse, everyone, including NJ dealers have to pay $695 USD. Alaska and Hawaii dealers have to pay more. The same rule and cost applies in Canada - flat $695 CAD fee from port to dealers (certain remote locations have extra destination charge check with your local dealer). If you get your dealer to discount this fee – know that it comes out of their pocket.
CARB Fee – there is $300 charge for extra equipment for motorcycles registered in California. This is to satisfy the State’s environmental requirements.
Assembly (or sometimes called “Set Up”) charge - Ural comes in a crate with the sidecar detached to save space. Dealers receive these crates and must perform assembly and set up according to a specific check list. On average set up takes 6.5 hours. Usually it’s about a full day for a dealer to set up a Ural. Dealerships pay their mechanics to assemble bikes. This cost usually gets passed onto customers.
Other - there are taxes, registration, sometimes document and other dealer and state/province related fees. Each dealership and state/province are different. Please check with your local dealer.
Summary:
MSRP + Shipping + Assembly + Taxes + registration, document or any other fees which are dealer and state/province specific.
For California only - add CARB Fee.
That’s about it. In the next post (Part Two) we will talk about Special Editions, Packages and Customization.
You can check into the blog anytime to look for updates. Or you can receive blog updates directly to your inbox by subscribing below. Cheers!
A Day Trip On A Ural. Seattle, Washington.
Mike And AillenE
Mike Paull and Aillene Balagtas Paull have been friends of Ural for well over a decade. Avid motorcyclist/sidecarists and GlobeRiders adventurers, they’ve owned and driven multiple sidecars including a couple of Urals. Older Urals. In the Ural world, those who follows us, know this well, 2006 and 2008 models are light years away from even let’s say 2013’s - the last year of the carbies. That is not to mention new generation EFI models. We’ve lent our new shop Ural to Mike & Aillene to experience what 2020 Ural feels like and give us a report. And pictures. Mike has an impressive and long career as design engineer and product developer … so we knew the report will be very detailed and uncompromising. We will share the full report here once it’s completed. In the meantime, here are some highlights from the day trip Mike and Aillene took to lift the spirits during these uneasy times we are all experiencing.
Stay healthy, safe and go for a ride if you can!
The Team at Ural Motorcycles
As always, I’m doing my best to be objective. I’m reviewing this 2020 model against the three 2006-2008 model year Gear-Ups I owned back in the day, and in the context of currently owning four BMW-powered adventure touring rigs (one with a Ural sidecar mated to it!).
We had a nice break last weekend from our normal spring pattern of overcast and rain, and a sidecar is made for a passenger, so it was a great time to see how the Gear-Up performed “two-up”. Before you rain fire and eternal damnation down on me, under WA State’s stay home order (at least we have one!), we’re still encouraged to get outdoors, observing all recommended precautions and keeping physical distance. From what we know, the virus hasn't mutated to airborne viability, otherwise, herd immunity might be the grim future or our generation . . . .
My wife, Aillene, dons her gear. Yes, we are ATGATT riders.
To keep physical distance and not enter any business we packed lunch, snacks and beverages.
It’s so cool to back out of a garage when you’re sitting on a motorcycle, and never have to put your feet down either!
A three-point turn, and we’re headed down our Olympic Bobsled Run of a driveway, headed for Carkeek, one of Seattle’s most underrated saltwater parks.
A huge fun factor about sidecars that motorcyclists don’t generally experience, is miles and miles of smiles. Whether in a car or truck, on bicycle, a motorcycle, or just on foot, people (and dogs) love sidecars. A lot of smiles are directed your way when piloting one. And that all gets kicked-up a notch when two-up on a wonderfully retro/modern Screaming School Bus Yellow Ural Gear-Up; those smiles are amplified with friendly waves from young and old. We waved back to most everyone we passed in our neighborhood. People were out, physically distanced, but collectively enjoying the simple pleasure of Seattle Sunshine.
A huge difference in piloting the 2020 Gear-Up is the throttle-body, closed-loop fuel injection upgrade, first introduced in 2019. The motor pulls cleanly and steadily at throttle even when two-up.
“As a daily driver, an errand runner, or an escape-the-rat-race machine, the new Urals no longer have to apologize for feeling under-powered, there’s enough response at the throttle to keep it interesting and fun.”
Aillene unpacks lunch. Love backing into a parking space!
We hit another short/twisty/rutted road winding down into Golden Gardens and Shilshole Bay Marina
The Gear-Up has always had an optimal front end, called a leading link fork. Improvements have been made in bushing and bearings, and the steering effort with the weight of a passenger in the “chair” is reasonable and predicable. On a beeline road with little crown and constant speed, the rig drives straight. The front end is now equipped with a steering damper, so it’s possible that the trail has also been reduced, though that’s a guess on my part.
Some might voice a concern for a rather choppy ride. A sidecar is a rolling mix of compromises to begin with, and the Gear-Up is optimized for rough road operation. The suspension is robust, relatively stiff, and has short travel; it’s designed to take punishment, and this translates into a ride that is predictably harsher than a standard street bike. However, it’s a surprisingly comfortable ride for the passenger. Unique to Urals, the sidecar has a dual suspension system. The suspension at the wheel is a normal trailing arm and shock absorber, but unique to Urals, the suspension at the chassis has the sidecar body shock-isolated as it pivots at the nose, and rides at the rear on two “snowmen”, or rubber shocks.
“My wife’s daily driver is a Toyota FJ Cruiser, and she says for her, the Gear-Up’s ride is comparable”
Drivability in an urban environment matters, and the Gear-Up does just fine in all respects. The motor pulls strongly enough and cleanly, a passenger is protected and comfortable, with three-wheel disc brakes, it stops with authority. The transmission has straight-cut gears, so yes, selecting gears is a bit clunky, but it evens out a bit with time. With a heel-toe gear selector pedal, you have options on how to execute a shift.
Before heading home, we pass through Seattle’s delightfully Bohemian Fremont District, where one can see The Troll, Waiting for the Interurban, and an old friend, possibly the world’s largest statue of Lenin…
I have a sidecar in Japan, one in Germany, two at home. I don’t have room for another. The opportunity to do an extended test ride of the Gear-Up was an unexpected one, one that I gladly accepted. I’m impressed, it’s come a long way. I won’t have it long enough to comment on long-term reliability, and the dealer network is sparse, but I’ve heard the customer service is exceptional, and it comes with a two-year warranty. Compared to the cost, time, and hassles of building your own or commissioning a build from a non-certified facility, the Gear-Up is a compelling package for anyone considering a sidecar for the first time, or, lives in a rural area where you could experience it’s full potential.
“In summary, one no longer needs to make excuses for the Ural’s powerplant. It starts. After a brief warming period, it pulls cleanly. There is enough power to move you and another (two-legged or four), along nicely. The brakes can lock all three wheels. The ride is perhaps a bit choppy for the rider, comfortable for the passenger, and the suspension works as intended off-pavement. You get a locking trunk, miles of smiles, a reverse gear, and 2WD drive. All in all, it’s a remarkable package for the price.”
Latest Update From Ural
Dear Friends,
We'd like to extend our wishes to all of you and your loved ones to be healthy and remain strong during these trying times. Our staff at Ural in Redmond, WA, at the factory in Irbit, and all other distributors are all healthy and well! We've put in a lot of effort to keep the employees and their environment as safe as possible and continue to do so. We have also put processes in place to continue business activities that keep the support for our dealers and customers uninterrupted. Our dealers have great inventory of standard and custom 2020 models. Please check with us or with the dealers directly if you are looking for a specific model, color or configuration. Email our sales hotline sidecarsmakeyouhappy@ural.com - we'll help you find your dream Ural. :)
US Parts Warehouse & Tech Support
Our Parts Department in Redmond, WA continues to operate and ship parts to our domestic and international dealers and distributors. We are providing technical support to our dealers uninterrupted. It's all hands on deck to keep Urals on the road.
Direct to Retail Parts Drop Shipment Service
As the situation from state to state changes by the hour, some dealerships are and may be closing and/or operating at a partial capacity. To address parts needs of our customers, we have implemented direct to retail Parts Drop Shipment Service. It works as simple as this: you order parts from your local or (if it's closed) any open Ural dealership and the parts are drop shipped directly to your home. And (!), we've made a decision to waive parts drop shipping fees for the time being to help us all get through this. If you can go out and ride, we are here to help you do it.
List of Ural Dealers and Service Centers can be found here: https://www.imz-ural.com/dealer-locator. We can assist you in finding the closest open dealer to provide you with parts and service advice. Please call (425) 702-8484 x 100 or send us an email at sidecarsmakeyouhappy@ural.com.
Production Update
We are experiencing interruptions with suppliers of components from Europe, particularly in Italy and Spain. The situation is being monitored very closely and we are adjusting our planning accordingly. In anticipation of further supply interruption and a slowing retail demand, we have decided to halt production at the factory in Irbit, Russia as of March 30th until further notice. Factory workers will be sent on paid leave.
90 Days Warranty Extension
Effective immediately, all Ural motorcycles currently under warranty will automatically have three months (90 days) factory warranty extension. All new motorcycle sales registered during the period between now and June 30, 2020 will also have automatic 90-day warranty extension on top of standard 2 year manufacturer warranty.
The last but not the least.....
Our dealers are adjusting to the new reality on a daily and hourly basis. Many are rearranging sales process to limit physical contact while still creating good sales and service experience; deliveries and service by appointment, deliveries directly to the customers' homes, etc. Certain States have implemented temporary changes in regulations that simplify registration process for new vehicle sales. Please contact your dealer and see what special arrangements are available. Some dealers might already be offering virtual showroom experience through Skype, Facetime, etc. We are working on this as well and soon will be offering ways to learn about the new Urals using video streaming tools. Stay tuned for that!
Please keep up with the latest updates via our social media channels – find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. We’d also love to see some good vibes photos and/or videos of how Ural is keeping your spirits up, please share this on social @uralmotorcycles and/or drop us a line at sidecarsmakeyouhappy@ural.com.
Ride safe and stay healthy!
The Team at Ural Motorcycles