The legendary Ural motorcycle in 2021: engine, gearbox, configurations and prices

The manufacturer of motorcycles under the Ural brand is well known not only to domestic motorcycle enthusiasts, but also far beyond Russia. Today, the main sales market for Ural two-wheeled vehicles is Europe, the USA and Canada. According to estimates, only 3% of motorcycles of this brand produced per year remain in Russia or in the countries of the former CIS, the rest are sent to foreign buyers. There are several reasons for this: high cost and, as many people think, obsolete design and construction. The cost of a new motorcycle of 750-800 thousand rubles is justified by the manufacturer’s widespread use of imported components and a small number of equipment produced, which negatively affects the cost of production of the Irbit Motorcycle Plant. In this article we will tell you what engines and gearboxes are installed on Ural motorcycles.

Engine

Motorcycles from IMZ position themselves as modern motorcycle technology with a Russian (male) character. They are equipped with a powerful 2-cylinder four-stroke boxer OHV engine with 42 horsepower. The engine displacement is 745 cc. cm3. In the process of developing technology and improving production technology, the Ural engine has been modernized more than once. The last major changes happened quite recently. Firstly, Ural announced a reduction in its model range. Now the retro model M70 is not available for purchase. Two models remain available for purchase - Ural St and Ural Gear Up with a wheelchair wheel drive.

These two motorcycles will receive a modernized and improved 0.75-liter engine. The cylinder heads have been completely redesigned to improve the efficiency of the cooling system. The manufacturer supplied new intake and exhaust pipes, new valve covers. The piston group has become even lighter: lightweight pistons made of an alloy of aluminum and silica have finally replaced forged products. The anodized top part gave the pistons additional stability and reliability. The fuel injection system has been redesigned. The gas tank now has a modernized fuel pump; a modern TPS has been installed along with an XX sensor, which has contributed to improved engine performance.

Other important changes:

• We installed a one-piece forged generator adapter shaft;
• bimetallic piston pin bushing;
• piston rings now fit better to the cylinders due to precision cylinder honing technology;
• the size of the gaps in the piston rings is optimized;
• Teflon coated piston skirt;
• increased engine efficiency and fuel economy due to reduced ring friction (they received a manganese phosphate coating).

They designed a different, more reliable engine sump that did not reduce ground clearance. In general, it can be noted that the Ural boxer engine has become even more durable.
IMZ engineers made an attempt to increase the life of the power unit, since the motorcycle engine was often criticized for its fragility.

Motorcycle modifications

It is impossible to list them all - there were too many of them, and no one except the Irbit designers has accurate information, and they are in no hurry to share it. There are three main versions:

• With a 720 cc engine. It was this that served as the basis for the development of the 750cc engine, which was installed on subsequent models.
• With a 650 cc engine, the same one that was previously installed on other Irbit motorcycles.
• With 825 cc engine. This motorcycle was distinguished by the presence of liquid cooling, but not on all copies.

Speed ​​indicators

The maximum speed of the Ural Gear Up 2021 2WD is 110 km/h, fuel consumption remains at 7.5 liters per 100 kilometers in the combined cycle. Ural City 2021 is not inferior in terms of dynamic characteristics: the maximum speed is also 110 km/h, fuel consumption is 7 liters for every “hundred” of kilometers traveled.
Riding comfort at high speed is ensured by a front wheel suspension with two spring-hydraulic shock absorbers and a pendulum-type rear wheel suspension with two spring-hydraulic shock absorbers. Both are load adjustable.

Owner reviews

I used to own such a Ural with a 650 cc engine. It drove for a little less than one season, our acquaintance ended with the fact that its engine knocked while driving, after which it was sold for spare parts)) That was a long time ago, fifteen years ago already. Dmitry, Moscow.

I’ve only heard about the options for dropsy; I’ve only seen it in pictures. I myself used to have a 720cc, one of the first, heavy as a cast iron bridge. The memories were mostly warm, although there were a lot of problems, something constantly needed attention, the ignition was faulty, the valves were knocking, or oil was dripping from the crankcase. IMHO the mot was promising, but very crude. I would even say, too raw for mass production. Apparently, someone in Irbit decided to conduct large-scale testing by buyers. Yan, Tyumen.

If you compare it with the old IMZ, there are many differences, all for the better. But the tendency to breakdowns was inherited, there’s no arguing with that. It was an interesting model, but clearly unfinished. Vladislav, Saratov.

Transmission

Over the long history of the motorcycle's existence, its gearbox has undergone several major changes and acquired a reverse gear. The Ural is equipped with a two-shaft 4-speed gearbox with constant mesh gears. The idea of ​​using a secondary gearbox shaft has become the reason for increasing transmission performance and reducing the overall dimensions of the unit, which is very important for two-wheeled vehicles. One of the advantages of the gearbox on a Russian motorcycle is its high maintainability. The crankcase of the unit is made of aluminum alloy; on the latest modifications it received a rear cover, which further simplifies the process of assembling and disassembling the gearbox.

In general, the unit is considered quite reliable and resourceful. While operating the motorcycle, it is important to check the oil level and inspect the transmission for leaks. Loss of lubricant usually leads to serious premature failure. The gearbox oil should be changed every 4,000 kilometers. If necessary, change gaskets and seals. In rare cases, adjustment of the foot switch mechanism is required. Typically, the need for such work arises after reassembling the gearbox and loosening the locknuts. The durability of the transmission is determined by both the quality of maintenance and the correct operation of the motorcycle.

Design

Compared to the “Wolf” that replaced it, the Ural Voyage motorcycle looks more heavy. It seems that its creators have not yet fully decided on what class of bike they would like to design - a cruiser, a chopper or a classic. The dashboard towering above the headlight, hoses and wires inaccurately protruding from the bowels of the motorcycle, the absurdly raised skinny exhaust, more suitable for some small-capacity vehicle - all this noticeably spoils the impression. However, everything is clearly visible in the photo.

Options and prices

Today, the Irbit Motorcycle Plant offers to purchase one of two available models - Ural Gear Up 2021 and Ural City 2021. The price tag for the first motorcycle starts at 879 thousand rubles. For the second two-wheeled vehicle you will have to pay at least 798 thousand rubles.

The basic package of Ural Gear Up 2021 2WD includes the following technical equipment:

• LED fog lights for strollers;
• stroller cover;
• trunk;
• universal spare wheel (suitable for all 3 positions).

The basic package of Ural City 2021 is much simpler: only additional glass for the stroller and a cover are included. At the same time, the equipment is guaranteed for a period of up to 12 months. For an additional fee, the motorcycle will be painted khaki. The buyer can choose from three styles: “Desert Camouflage”, “Forest Camouflage”, “Forest Fog”. All wheels are equipped with disc brakes. Traditionally, the right hand operates the front 4-piston Brembo caliper, while the foot simultaneously operates the Hayes Brakes piston floating caliper on the rear wheel. The downside is that there is no ABS, although perhaps this is just a matter of time.

Estimated cost

Although production of the Ural Voyage was stopped, this motorcycle was still in little demand among us, so you can find it on the secondary market .

Now the cost for it ranges from 75 to 150 thousand rubles, depending on the technical condition of the motorcycle.

When purchasing a Ural Solo ST motorcycle, the buyer is offered the opportunity to order additional equipment for the model to upgrade the standard equipment.

The most significant thing in the design of this domestic moto was the appearance of a seat, which was popularly nicknamed “Bench”.

Conclusion

It is impossible to say anything unambiguously about this motorcycle; there were so many different modifications of it. They were assembled by hand, sometimes using those spare parts that were found in stock, so the quality varies greatly from specimen to specimen. Now they are of more academic than practical interest. So if you have a Ural Voyage motorcycle in your garage, perhaps it is truly unique, and there is no other like it.

Specifications

FAQ

• Where to select spare parts for it? For obvious reasons, there are no originals. If you are lucky enough to be the owner of the 650 cc version, then parts from IMZ-8.103-10 will fit the engine. And for exotic engines of 720 and 825cc there are no spare parts at all.
• I saw one like this once, with liquid cooling! Is this really a factory solution and not tuning? Yes its true. Liquid cooling was installed on 825cc engines, but not all. According to some reports, there is also a 650cc with dropsy. But it is not exactly.
• I have a bike like this in my garage, but it doesn't have reverse gear. Is this normal? Fine. Some 650 cc versions were produced without reverse gear for some reason.

Specifications

Built using technologies that were outdated decades ago, the Ural Wolf lacks stars from the sky. But in Russia and the CIS countries there are enough connoisseurs of “opposite” motorcycles, for whom this motorcycle is primarily designed.

Engine

The 750 cc 2-cylinder engine can be called a real rarity. It is a file-modified version of an ancient engine from 60 years ago, and therefore produces only 45 hp. The dynamics of the bike are mediocre, but the engine is still capable of pleasing. Pleasant exhaust sound, light vibrations of a “real iron motorcycle” and impressive traction at low revs - lovers of cruisers will like all this .

Transmission

The Ural Volk gearbox is almost no different from the one that was installed on Soviet “opposite” cars half a century ago. It only has 4 steps , and the fifth is noticeably missing. But you can engage fourth at 60 km/h, and then drive like an automatic transmission. In addition, the gearbox is one of the few components of a bike with which problems almost never arise.

Chassis and brakes

The entire structure described above is embedded in a steel frame made of welded pipes, which is quite short by cruiser standards. Thanks to this, the bike handles well, but it weighs a lot. The suspension, however, let us down, especially the front fork, which is too weak for the tenacious Brembo front disc brake . At the rear there are two standard shock absorbers “a la” a candle, hard and generally practically useless. On uneven asphalt, the biker is guaranteed to feel every bump with his butt. Let’s tactfully keep silent about the rear brakes - you shouldn’t expect much from the archaic “drum”. Let us just note that most Japanese cruisers of those years also had weak drum brakes at the rear.

Electronics

Everything is simple, like in some Soviet “opposite”. True, the Ural Wolf received many imported components, from the battery to the modern microprocessor ignition (here all experienced boxers should breathe a sigh of relief - meticulous adjustment of the ignition angle is a thing of the past). The wires, however, are laid out somehow, but in general there are no complaints about the quality of the electronic filling.

Weight and dimensions

The dry weight of the Ural Wolf reaches 249 kg . This is not much by cruiser standards, but noticeably more than that of foreign analogues comparable to it in terms of technical characteristics. And this weight is almost not felt due to the fact that the lion's share of it falls on the low-mounted motor. In the parking lot, handling the bike will not be difficult even for a puny motorcyclist.

Controllability

The Ural Wolf handles just like any other chopper, that is, mediocre. Although, thanks to the short wheelbase, its maneuverability is still quite good. At the same time, the base is not so short as to prevent it from confidently holding course on the highway. This model is designed for highways , not narrow streets, and once released, the Wolf feels like a duck to water.

Fuel consumption

The motorcycle consumes AI-92, and consumption starts from 5-5.5 liters . It is not too demanding on the quality of gasoline, and will probably run smoothly even on AI-80. But when driving on the highway at a speed close to the maximum, the consumption almost doubles.

Total information

German military all-wheel drive motorcycles gave rise to the spread of such equipment in the USSR in the days after the Great Patriotic War. The Soviet M-72 motorcycle was created for exclusively military purposes, and the Ural series, which still pleases many people with new models, became its continuation.

Initially, motor vehicles became most widespread in rural areas due to accessibility, convenience and reliability. Over time, especially when new Urals began to be equipped with imported parts and were stylized according to current realities, they began to be used in tourism, by bikers, and for simple highway driving.

A large amount of equipment is sent for export. In Europe, no matter what, modern models are highly valued, and some representatives of the series are even intended only for sale abroad.