Tuesday, August 9, 2016

Goodbye Ural

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This past weekend I sold my Ural sidecar. I’ve had it for sale for a couple weeks now. It was something I have been wanting to do for many months. I’ve struggled to bring myself to sell it. It felt like it was part of my identity even though I only rode it a few times in the last year.

I originally bought it because I loved the look of it and the idea of it. I wanted to experience the challenge and adventure of riding a motorcycle in the winter. A sidecar seemed much safer than the scooter I was riding previously and it was.

Over the years, the challenge and adventure started to wane. I had “figured it out” if you will and it became routine and easy. After six years of riding in the winter, it became a chore. There wasn’t a break that I have now with the car. When I am too tired to ride, but could still drive. I previously had to stay home. There is more balance now.

I love riding in the snow and in the extreme cold! There aren’t that many days were those have been happening in MN lately. I also loved the impact I had on those around me. Being able to brighten someone’s day just by riding to work was a nice thrill.

I’m not sure what will replace the Ural yet. I’m eyeballing a vstrom. I’ve been looking at them for a few years now. An R6 sounds fun as does another sidecar. I’m also not sure what my winter riding future has in store for me. I am not done with winter riding; just done with Ural winter riding. Stay tuned to find out what’s next as I figure it out myself.

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Above is the proud new owner of my Ural. I sold it with 17,000km on the odometer which was broken, so it was more likely 20,000km. I’ve had it since it came out of a crate in 2009. It’s been a fun bike, and I am glad to see it going to a good home.

7 comments:

  1. If it isn't fun anymore then it may be time to move on. Not having the warranty anymore makes the Ural shortcomings harder to accept. Hopefully the new owner will actually ride it. I'm closing in on 50k km now and it seems to be running pretty good though I'm not sure I'd trust it for a really long trip.

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  2. +1 on what RichardM said....I've started straying from URAL by acquiring a project rig with a Beemer engine...now thinking my next rig might be a KLR tug of some sort...

    My 2014's warranty coverage expires March of next year....closing in on 40K km.

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  3. So long and thanks for all the fish.......

    Looking forward to seeing what your next purchase will be.

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  4. I have connection with this unit. I had the privilege to clean it after 6 winter's of riding it. :) Good luck Chris with your next adventure. A Vstrom is a good choice also.

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