5 PRO and CON of owning a URAL Gear Up

5 pros and cons of owning a Ural Gear Up. Recorded while playing in the dirt on a day off.

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[mldiode]

I tell folks during UDF, ”A Ural is the most maintenance intensive motorcycle I’ve ever owned and hands down the most fun I’ve ever had on a motorcycle.” I’m on my 2nd. one, racked up well over 100, 000 miles of smiles between the two. Met so many great folk through Soviet Steeds and an awesome Ural dealer (Holopaw Ural) which I’m blessed that he’s only fifty miles from me. Life is good!

[mikew]

We have a 2013 Gear Up, it has 34, 500 km on it we do the service required regularly, ride the bike as it is meant to ridden, our bikes sweet spot for speed is 55 mph. We have met so many people because of this machine, and our dog loves it. One change we made was going to a 2 spring Harley cop seat, it makes the ride much better and easier on my back.

[peterrussell]

Once you go hack, you’ll never go back.

My ‘12 GU continues to trundle along without issue. 20, 000 kilometers and counting. Do regular servicing, ride the bike within its design parameters, and a Ural 7:29 will last and last and last.

[duaneleiker]

Not a good review. Every video about the Ural says it's unreliable but, no one says why. So tell me...electrical, mechanical, fuel, abuse, skipping regular maintenance, what?? I know many that have had no problem with their Ural with over 30K miles. Of course, they don't do stupid shit on the bike either. Modelled after the 1938 BMW R-71. These 85 year old designed bikes require constant maintenance. Filters, greasing, oil changes, adjustments, etc. These were designed for men in combat who were self reliant. Carrying men, heavy loads and towing small trailers/canon were the Military requirements. Not comfort. These are not bikes that after 5-7 years are discontinued. No other bike has lasted the test of time than the Ural.

[johnmccann]

We have a 2018, it was sort of an early ownership challenge because of a local dealership issue (we don't do business there at all now). However... You cannot measure the level of glee we get each and every time we jump on and ride. We built a rack for the dog that sits behind me (dog is too big to sit in my wife's lap) and we explore endlessly. Fl to WA and all parts between. These things are simple to work on provided you have some basic mech skills. If you are worried about breakdowns, buy a Zoleo or a Spot. Worse breakdown we've had while riding was a flat tire wayyyy out in the hills in CO. But we have a spare so wasn't a big deal. Folks, these things are just plain fun. Lots of get together's on the east coast as well as the annual National Sidecar rally. We have a strict no highway rule, back roads only so seldom do 55. You will make lots of new friends, as everyone wants to talk about the bike so plan on being late. We just leave a little early usually. I did upgrade to the 2:1 exhaust as we used to rate our trails by the number of times we knocked the muffler off. New bikes come std with the 2:1. Also did some seat foam mod as the original is just way to stiff. We've got about 25k miles (40k km) so above is based on some seat time. Best dealer out here on the east coast as far as my experience is Heindle Engineering (In Ohio). They always have the parts I need and do pretty much only Ural so they are focused.

[TheTandrus]

Ok on country roads. I have ridden a 2020 ural on my share of highways. 70 mph is ssscreaming and unsustainable. It’s happy at 50/55. Brakes are light and it’s heavy. It’s also a lot of fun, but let’s remember what we have here.

[boomdawg]

I have a 2014 Gear up, I live in the mountains of PA and so far it has been a blast. Mine likes 55-65 mph, I use the speedometer on my GPS because the motorcycle speedo is horribly inaccurate. The key to loose or muddy terrain is a little more speed. I can get a campstove, sleeping bag, sleep mat, and dishes in the trunk, leaving the sidecar open for a passenger or my pup. I have been on two wheeled bikes for 40 years, I bought the Ural for camping and grandkids. I have owned it less than a year but I believe it is a keeper. I am too impatient to ride on a very long trip at 60 mph so I will trailer for longer trips. So far I love it. Not being able to run 75 or 80 for sustained periods is the only drawback to the Ural for me. I have heard rumors about a larger displacement engine and a 5 speed gearbox, that would probably be enough of a reason for me to trade up.

[JS-nfsn]

Great video, real world, hands on info. Thanks. Always wanted one. Realize it's got some constraints...have to love it for what it is and not hate it for what it's not. But that's the charm (hopefully).

[Northeastken]

Yes Agree with all pro-cons. I have a2004 Ural Troyka. Been a blast to drive totally different from a regular M/C. Mine is in the middle of prehistoric Ural compared to your Ural of the future. Have disc brakes on front to drums on rear and sidecar. Spare tire/wheel only fits rear and sidecar. The Russian ignition failed several years ago. Now its a Ducati / Ural, lol
But it's been fun. If you don't like people talking to you and approaching you about the buy one lol

[SoloBlack]

Ok..I Love it. If I had the space I would get one in a hart beat!

[stevenwomack]

I've been a fan of URALS ever since my kids were little and I pulled up next to one at a gas station. The first time I caused somebody else to have UDF... I kept the poor guy talking for 20 minutes. I've seen hundreds of YT videos, test drove them at dealers, go to URAL Demo Days at 2 different dealers. They're impractical, mechanically unreliable (although they're a hell of a lot better than they used to be) and I've have been reading folks on Soviet Steed call them RPOCs for decades. But, heaven help me, I LOVE the damn things. I even have a drawer full of URAL T-shirts and a set of URAL coasters.

So why don't I have a URAL?

Because, cc for cc, they're the most overpriced motorcycles in the world! I went to the local URAL demo day a couple months ago. New Gear-Ups, after accessories (and ALL dealers throw on a crapload of add-ons) are north of 30 grand. In some cases, way north. For a 750 cc bike you can't take on the freeway and requires 92 octane fuel. If I were wealthy and just wanted a new toy, I'd go for it. But I'm not. Even the used ones are off-the-wall expensive. My local dealer had a 12-year old Patrol that he wanted more than 10 grand for!

So I watch YT videos and drool... 😭

[ikofire]

All you talked about is how much the thing sucks! Looks like you blew it.