2009 Ural Tourist Review

The 2009 Ural Tourist is produced by Ural USA, which is an official affiliate of the Irbit MotorWorks Factory in Irbit, Russia. Produced in the same factory in the Ural Mountains, relocated to avoid the Nazi Blitzkrieg during WWII and to nearly the same specifications requested by the Red Army, the 2009 Ural Tourist sidecar motorcycle combines timeless style, ruggedness, and utility with modern functionality and dependability.

The classic style of both the motorcycle body and sidecar is a combination of functionality and form, with smooth metal curves and sharp angles converging under red, black, or maroon paint. With a dry weight of 739 pounds and a maximum recommended combined speed of 65 mph, the Ural Tourist sidecar motorcycle is built for stability and utility around town, comfortable touring on the open road, or rugged performance in off-road conditions.

The 2009 Ural Tourist is equipped with both electric and kick starting, electronic ignition, and a 749cc, overhead valve, air-cooled, four-stroke, flat-twin cylinder engine, but only manages 40 horsepower at 5600 rpm. It has a four forward and one reverse gear transmission, and piloting it may require some practice for those new to the world of sidecar motorcycling. Turning to the right on tight corners may require a good strong push on the handlebars, while turning to the left may require the rider to shift his weight in a way that could take some getting used to. For those looking for maximum touring capacity, and the fun that comes with sidecar motorcycling, the tradeoff can be worth it. The Ural Tourist can carry as many as two passengers in addition to the rider, with little to no perceptible drop in its relatively minimal performance.

The sidecar comes equipped with a spare tire, a lap bar, and extra storage behind the passenger seat, as well as the capacity to handle several optional additions including a mounted fuel canister, a wind screen, and a snap-on cover for operating with a passenger in place.

The Tourist’s rear hydraulic spring shock absorbers and telescoping front forks combine for a suspension designed to provide a consistently pleasant ride on a variety of terrain. The utility of the design carries into the braking system as well, with a front disc brake and twin drum brakes on the rear wheel and sidecar. Front, rear, and sidecar tires are matched with stylish 18-inch spokes on cast aluminum hubs.