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Ural Sahara's have arrived!
This weekend I visited Lutz at Kottwitz Werke - his Ural dealership in Nova Scotia. Lutz is enthusiastic about Ural's and I must say - it's infectious.
His prep guy Rob was also very kind about answering all my questions. Rob has a few bikes, one of them being a Ural which he say's "is great for extending the riding season into the winter. You have to up the maintenance but these bikes are very simple so if you're interested in them you'll be able to do some work on it yourself." Both of them agree that the new 2009 limited Edition Sahara is a beauty. I'd have to agree with them. I want one!
The Sahara is a limited edition Gear-Up so it comes with all the options normally associated with the Gear-Up model such as 2wd of course, sidecar mounted light, sidecar mounted bumper, sidecar step, seat covers, spare tire, sidecar luggage rack, and storage compartment on the tank.
When I arrived at Kottwitz Werke they had already freed the Russian machinery from it's heavy duty crate but had yet to assemble it all, check the valves, and perform all the other preparation steps they go through.
Looking at the bike is like looking back in time, except everything is brand new! Those Brembo front calipers are a bit of an indication that it's a bike of a modern era. You'd be excused for thinking these bikes are straight from the WWII period though because that's when Ural's were were first sent into battle looking not too much different than these new ones.
* Here in this picture you can see the drive shaft coming out of the rear hub. This is what gives you 2wd power. It's engaged via a lever (just above the rear foot peg in this photo) and best left for when the going gets slippery because it's a straight coupling (both powered wheels move at the same speed when 2wd is engaged).
Actually, it's rare that you'll see this angle of the Ural Gear-Up because this model is intended to be ridden with the sidecar attached. Leading link forks are very functional on a sidecar outfit but would make steering too sensitive if ridden without the sidecar. The valve cover is also off of the 750 cc boxer style engine. Checking the valves is part of the preparation at Kottwitz Werke, just to make sure no adjustments are required.
We won't be getting many Sahara Editions in Canada so if you want one - you'd better act fast! The 2009 models feature many upgrades over Ural's previous models such as the stainless pipes, generous use of bearings instead of bushings, and a removable piece (previously welded) over the battery to facilitate access.
We're going to post a more in-depth and picture filled review of some of the interesting Ural facts we learned over the weekend in the very near future. Watch the "Articles" page for updates!
Special thanks to Lutz and Rob!
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