Considering a new Ural, tell me about durability

[SidecarExplorer]

Exploring the idea of replacing my bmw 2 wheeler with a Ural Ct. I am an active rider with room in my condo building for only one bike. If I’m careful about maintenance can I reasonably expect to ride 10k or so a year? I know I can set up a 3 year unlimited mileage warranty but when that runs out should I expect lots of upkeep costs when I get north of 30,000 miles? I have a dealership within 40 minutes of me so should be able to get support there but don’t want to be spending lots of time at the shop now or in the near future. It seems like the newer models are more reliable, but are they durable enough to put up with as much use as I’d want? Thanks for any advice.

[windmill]

Yes, the 2019 and up Urals are a diametrically different ownership experience from previous generations. I'm coming up on my 3rd anniversary of my 2018 M70 which has been upgraded to 2020 specs which I ride daily as my full time transportation.

So far the only issues has been the parking brake cable, and spotlight switch. Because of an injury last year, and the events of this year, I only have 16000 miles on it, but I have almost 70000 miles on my 2007 Patrol which was also my full time transportation, and its reliability actually improved with miles. If one is diligent with scheduled maintenance, and doesn't push it beyond its capabilities, reliability shouldn't be an issue.

I wouldn't hesitate to take my M70 on a coast to coast ride today without preparation.

Few things to consider.
A sidecar is more work to ride, most folks find it preferable to ride fewer miles in a day then they're used to. They are safe and capable freeway runners, but one must adjust their expectations with a top useable speed of 70-75 MPH. Even the most durable tire, a Hiedenau K28 will wear quickly on the pusher (rear) and be done at 6K to 10k miles depending on riding style, and most other tires half that at best. Maintenance intervals are only 3125 miles, but its easy and inexpensive to do, maybe 1.5 hours and $25-$30 unless one uses designer oils. They're thirsty, and have a fairly small 5 gallon tank, safe range per fill up is around 140 miles plus 1 gallon "reserve", aka fuel light.

[Marine Corps Codu]

Barry (Windmill) explained it very well.

[stagewex]

"I have a dealership within 40 minutes of me so should be able to get support there but don’t want to be spending lots of time at the shop now or in the near future".

Well of course you can't "plan" for the above. I'd hang-out here for awhile and read the daily and weekly postings for awhile. Very active site and among the mods, and repairs and fix's there will be complaints and also loads of smiles to share. It's a Forum after all. Quite different than a BMW one.

What year and model Beemer do you have?
What's your general location (put it in your signature) and what "dealership" is 40 minutes away?

Have had a 2007 since it was new. Great bike and close to the most oddball vehicle I've ever owned.
It's primitive and simple and the newer ones have some nice lipstick on them nowadays

[chaos2]

Lots of BMW owners here. I wound up with a Ural because none of BMW’s offerings interested me anymore. It’s not my sole means, still have my K75, but in 8 years it’s never stranded me and is my preferred way to get around.

[treeman1942]

I've had my 2019 Gear-up for 9 months, 5800 miles. The only issue I've had is a missing bolt out of the rear-drive causing an oil leak, and that was probably my fault for not checking those bolts, although warned on this site. Also, it seems my sidecar spotlight has quit working. Also, my fuel warning light is not working. All pretty minor, and should be covered by warranty when I take it to the dealer in the spring. I love this rig and would buy another in a heartbeat. Ural warranty people seem to be superb, understanding, etc. I took a ten-mile ride in light rain this evening and thoroughly enjoyed it, my dog too. I replaced the rear tire at 5600 miles and it was overdue. In a nutshell, the Ural is a ton of fun to ride.

[SidecarExplorer]

"I have a dealership within 40 minutes of me so should be able to get support there but don’t want to be spending lots of time at the shop now or in the near future".

Well of course you can't "plan" for the above. I'd hang-out here for awhile and read the daily and weekly postings for awhile. Very active site and among the mods, and repairs and fix's there will be complaints and also loads of smiles to share. It's a Forum after all. Quite different than a BMW one.

What year and model Beemer do you have?
What's your general location (put it in your signature) and what "dealership" is 40 minutes away?

Have had a 2007 since it was new. Great bike and close to the most oddball vehicle I've ever owned.
It's primitive and simple and the newer ones have some nice lipstick on them nowadays

I currently have a f800gsa and I live near Boston MA, so Ural of New England is not to far away.

[SidecarExplorer]

Yes, the 2019 and up Urals are a diametrically different ownership experience from previous generations. I'm coming up on my 3rd anniversary of my 2018 M70 which has been upgraded to 2020 specs which I ride daily as my full time transportation.

So far the only issues has been the parking brake cable, and spotlight switch. Because of an injury last year, and the events of this year, I only have 16000 miles on it, but I have almost 70000 miles on my 2007 Patrol which was also my full time transportation, and its reliability actually improved with miles. If one is diligent with scheduled maintenance, and doesn't push it beyond its capabilities, reliability shouldn't be an issue.

I wouldn't hesitate to take my M70 on a coast to coast ride today without preparation.

Few things to consider.
A sidecar is more work to ride, most folks find it preferable to ride fewer miles in a day then they're used to. They are safe and capable freeway runners, but one must adjust their expectations with a top useable speed of 70-75 MPH. Even the most durable tire, a Hiedenau K28 will wear quickly on the pusher (rear) and be done at 6K to 10k miles depending on riding style, and most other tires half that at best. Maintenance intervals are only 3125 miles, but its easy and inexpensive to do, maybe 1.5 hours and $25-$30 unless one uses designer oils. They're thirsty, and have a fairly small 5 gallon tank, safe range per fill up is around 140 miles plus 1 gallon "reserve", aka fuel light.

Thanks for the feedback, I ride almost exclusively in the back roads and two lanes now, 30-55 is my preferred speed range which seems like a match for the Ural. I do slab from place to place rarely at the moment and it sounds like I just need to fully commit to a backroads riding style, it will be nice to have an excuse to stay off the freeway and have more backroad adventures.

[stagewex]

So close to Ural of New England. You'll "pay-up" there but they are also known as a solid dealership in the Northeast. Ural dealer network is terrible but you happen to be by one that speaks Ural.

I see in your "Bikes I've Owned" you've had all mainstream bikes. Get used to not being in that category anymore.
If 55mph is a happy place for you the Ural is perfect smell-the-roses. Can go much faster but... why?

Also none of your BMW's were Boxers so think of the Ural as a "blast from the past Beemer" using inferior materials, haha.

I've never had my Patrol as an only motorcycle so can't speak to that but right now it is the longest run of ownership of any bike I've ever owned.
Still waiting for them to come up with something that's going to move me to upgrade from my 2007 and say "I really gotta have that", haha.
I think Ural of N.E. does trade-in's if you are buying new. But you'd do better selling privately. Of course maybe not that much better this time of the year?
Good Luck with your search and like I said keep reading and poking around the threads here. You can choose "Unread Threads" from the menu in the upper left hand corner, makes things move along quicker.

[mjrally]

At your condo, do you have room for one bike? Or is it a rule that you can only have one bike? Reason I ask is that they are physically big machines. Probably 2.5 BMW’s wide if you can envision that.

[windmill]

Also none of your BMW's were Boxers so think of the Ural as a "blast from the past Beemer" using inferior materials, haha.

That is basically correct for our 2007s, but not an accurate representation of todays Urals. Now virtually every part beyond the frame and tin is outsourced from suppliers used by many other mainstream motorcycle manufacturers. If I remember correctly, all castings are done by the same company that makes them for KTM and BMW. I believe there isn't a Russian/factory made part left in the engine.

[SidecarExplorer]

At your condo, do you have room for one bike? Or is it a rule that you can only have one bike? Reason I ask is that they are physically big machines. Probably 2.5 BMW’s wide if you can envision that.

I have a tandem parking spots, enough for two small cars, have a biggish suv so that and a Ural will fit fine but adding anything else would be more of a jigsaw puzzle than I want to deal with every day...

[RC20]

Well I pulled out of the dealership and headed for the back side or the Oregon Mountain (East side). 850 miles more or less of wandering to Bellingham Washington .

Then it was on the ferry and a 800 mile trip onto Anchorage AK. Never worried about breakdown. Its not that it might not happen, just not likely enough to make me pause one second.

You get a bit better handling from a cT (side car does not have a driven wheel in that model).

It will run 75 mph no problem as needed. I suspect you would rebuild the heads at 60k but others may chime in otherwise (about what I would have expected from a 80s air cooled).

My wife owned an R80GS that I rode for years after she gave up cycles, the ops and feel of the Ural are spot on with the R80GS (last of the true air heads)

[SidecarExplorer]

a 2020 terracotta cT is I think is exactly what I’m looking at! No need for 2wd, the cT will be a good fit I think. I may add a spare wheel and rack if the 18 spare is a universal for as well.

[windmill]

a 2020 terracotta cT is I think is exactly what I’m looking at! No need for 2wd, the cT will be a good fit I think. I may add a spare wheel and rack if the 18 spare is a universal for as well.

Yes, the 18" spare is universal.