In 2021, the Irbit Motorcycle Plant presented a limited edition of its Ural Gear Up motorcycle, only 20 copies. One of the GEO LE motorcycles fell into the hands of the American portal Cycle World, whose work is dedicated to motorcycles. One of the editors of the portal, an off-road riding enthusiast, reviewed the motorcycle and test drove it, while expressing a very ambiguous opinion about the vehicle.
Domestic “bearish” motorcycle
The author of the review rode a lot on motorcycle , taking advantage of the rough terrain, since the motorcycle was declared as prepared for use in off-road conditions. The journalist was pleased with the ride on the Ural and recommended that all his subscribers try riding it, and the motorcycle itself impressed him.
It’s just that the off-road enthusiast liked more not the capabilities of the GEO LE or its equipment, but fighting with it while driving. According to him, the skills of riding more familiar motorcycles cannot be applied to this at all. He compared the behavior of the "Ural" with a stroller to a drunken, unbroken bear, whose behavior is completely unpredictable. Only after riding it for a while did he get the hang of applying force at the right points at the right moments to stabilize the motorcycle on the road.
The impression received from Ural also cannot be called unambiguous. Rather, the Ural Gear Up GEO LE turned out to be a kind of attraction, interesting and exciting: first you need to make it work, and then try not to fall off it. The exclusive motorcycle of a limited edition did not start the first time, constantly winking at the driver with a ready light, and during the trip the Ural turned out to be very difficult to hold. The stroller bounced at every bump, and the suspension did not in the least prevent her from wanting to go on an independent journey.
New but old: test drive Ural Gear Up 2017
Frankly, I didn’t think that I would live to see the era when the Ural motorcycle would attract more attention than the two-door BMW third series. Why, BMW, the crowd that instantly formed around the test sidecar, did not even pay attention to the brand new Maserati standing nearby. We made it! I also didn’t think that I would see an injector on the Ural. Nobody thought, but he did, but first things first.
Usually, writing a test is easy: the logic of the narrative is built in the head on its own, the primary and secondary characteristics of a particular motorcycle, differences from previous models, a change in the vector of engineering development, a departure from the concept, interesting features - everything is lined up and intertwined with each other in , I hope, an interesting text, even before putting it on paper.
Have you noticed how beards, plaid shirts and cardigans have come back into fashion? So Ural waited in the wings.
But the Ural is a special motorcycle, every Russian motorcyclist has too much to do with it, and everyone has different questions. Some are interested in what is new in the model of the seventeenth year in comparison with the sixteenth, others are interested in how the new Ural differs from the motorcycle inherited from their father or grandfather. But the main thing is that it’s impossible not to love this motorcycle, and an objective test and brand dependence are mutually exclusive concepts.
I will try to talk about the new Ural as if it were an ordinary 750 cc roadster that has received another update and will try to forget about all the warm memories associated with its predecessors, only the sensations of the new one. Feel free to ask questions in the comments and stay tuned - soon a big story about the history of domestic opposition engines and a report from IMZ, which I was lucky enough to visit last year, will appear on our portal.
Camouflage coloring, which visually breaks proportions, is not for everyone, but, as they say, everything suits a scoundrel.
The new Ural Gear Up is damn good looking. No, the shape, silhouette, stamped parts have not changed at all over the last thirty years: the pistachio tank, the fenders, the stroller trough - everything is the same as in childhood. But in the little things - a new era and a new level! Blackened steel elements instead of chrome, neat parts made of unpainted plastic, nice nigrips on the tank, neat fittings, even the factory logo on the rubber mats in the stroller and its trunk - it’s these little things that make up the feeling of a motorcycle!
The new-style nigrips with Ural logos on the tank look decent, although they can’t be called super comfortable
Even the camouflage coloring, which I am skeptical about in most cases, suits the Ural, and the colors of the spots were clearly selected by the designer, and not by a retired warrant officer. The seating position is no different from previous models and is incredibly reminiscent of the Triumph Bonneville - a high saddle and a high handlebar, the legs are bent at the knees almost at a right angle, but how could it be otherwise, old school!
Right there, in the saddle, you feel something wrong with your butt. The seat, not much different from the old “frogs”, is suspended on the frame with a rubber elastic element and is rigidly attached to the hinge with just one bolt. That is why it not only moves up and down, but also plays to the sides, which immediately causes discomfort while driving. However, that’s where the shortcomings end: Domino brand remotes look neat and solid and work quite nicely, the levers and gas handle look good, and the mirrors are nice.
In the “base” “Ural” there is a double seat, but as an option it is possible to install an additional passenger seat
But the dashboard simply personifies the word “TRUE”, beloved by the oppositionists, awakening my inner Stanislavsky - “I Believe!” A steel glass, a black dial, a Soviet font of white numbers and a white steel speedometer needle, old motherfucking school! Functional? The total and daily mileage, reset by a special cap located on the right fork casing, is all that this device will show.
The engineers added the rest of the functionality with elegant indicator lamps - “neutral”, “high beam”, “voltage”, “turn signal”, “check engine” and a lamp indicating “reserve” in the fuel tank. For Ural, the abundance of information displayed is unprecedentedly rich, but by modern standards it is a subsistence level.
This is the last model year to feature an analogue speedometer with a steel needle.
They say that an electronic instrument panel will appear in the future, but I'm not sure that it is so necessary here. But the electric starter and injector are the opposite. Never before has a Ural started so easily - a second touch of the starter button and the engine begins to rustle, without suction, opening the fuel tap, pumping fuel into the float chambers, setting the ignition, without any manipulation at all.
Domino remotes work well, are well made, but look too generic
At the same time, Ural entered 2021 with a kick starter, which suddenly became a rudiment. Why is he here? Yes, because no other 750 cc motorcycle has it, and what distinguishes a real motorcycle from a fake one is that it can be started “from your feet”! You will say that there are different cases, that you can, for example, stay in a winter forest with a dead battery, but in this case, I believe, the kick will be of little use - the fuel pump here still does not have a manual drive. However, there is a very real situation in which an alternative to an electric starter could really come in handy. We specifically tried to start the motorcycle with it - we succeeded the first time, as easily as using a button.
Kick starter in 2017 is a cool feature from the past!
But the abundance of wires and sensors on the engine spoils the look of a classic air boxer with protruding pusher rod housings. They don’t suit him just like the scary throttle valves with injectors - no one thought about the design here. It is in the decaying West that engineers argue with designers, inventing throttle bodies disguised as carburetors; here we decided that it would do just fine. Although the way injection transformed the archaic engine, some external disharmony can be forgiven.
I didn’t think that the domestic “opposite” could gain momentum so quickly and react so sensitively to turning the throttle, without any doubt, a new era! The generator, which has been made outside our homeland for a long time, works silently, the timing gears do not irritate with a hum, the engine runs pleasantly, and most importantly, there are no oil leaks. It is clear that the motorcycle is new, having run less than two thousand kilometers at the time of the test, but there is hope that the connections will remain dry in the future.
The injector on the archaic Ural engine looks alien
In addition, the Ural boasts a modern oil filter cup and a new filter box, the plastic of which, for some reason, was painted black - a mistake that betrays the village that is being squeezed out of this Irbit beauty drop by drop at the factory. This, by the way, is not the only annoying problem with the motorcycle; the second one is on the verge of absurdity.
Guess how many keys you will get when you buy a new Ural? Two? Three? You guessed wrong, five. The ignition switch, the steering column lock, the tank cap lock, the glove compartment lock on the tank and the lock that locks the trunk of the stroller are different, each has its own key! It is clear that keyless entry systems are not for the Urals, but in addition to the banal need to remember which key is for what, this whole bunch sways while moving, leaving scratches on the paint around the ignition switch! But don’t let the paint damage upset you, IMZ has solved the problem of chipping, which we will talk about below, but for now, go for a drive.
This is not a set of young safecrackers, but a complete set of keys for the Ural motorcycle
The dry clutch lever is quite tight, but once it is released, the heavy flywheel and abundance of torque at the very bottom of the rev range allows a heavy crew to move without touching the throttle at all. The first gear engages with a characteristic impact, the rest do the same, although somewhat quieter. I overdid it with gas - I caught a second crack, the stroke of the old double-shouldered paw is small, but the clarity of switching is decent, the gearbox works pleasantly, and most importantly - charismatically, you can’t confuse it with any other.
Short gears allow you to stay somewhat ahead of traffic in the city, although by the standards of the 750 cc class there is no dynamics; be prepared that any schoolchild on a KTM Duke 390 will overtake you. The picture is the same with maximum speed, 90 is comfortable, then not so much: the engine itches, there is not enough power at the top. But here it is of no use, the motorcycle makes your face break into a blissful smile even before the ride begins!
The glove compartment in the tank is a convenient feature that appeared back in the late thirties
In addition, the strength of the Ural transmission is not high speeds, but its suitability for off-road use. The uniqueness lies not in the presence of reverse gear, which can be found on motorcycles such as the BMW K1600GTL and Honda Gold Wing, but in the ability to connect the drive to the sidecar wheel. That is why, to the right of the pilot, between the motorcycle and the sidecar, there are already three levers: reverse gear, connecting the sidecar wheel and the parking brake.
“Three-armed Masha” - on the right side of the Urals there are three levers: “handbrake”, connecting the wheelchair drive and reverse gear
The last lever actually tensions the cable, pressing the rear caliper pads against the disc. Why is it needed on a manual motorcycle that can simply be left in gear? I believe that the plant was pushed to this decision by the requirements of some countries, without which it is impossible to obtain certification. It will soon oblige motorcycle manufacturers to install an ABS system, so its appearance in the Urals is most likely a matter of time.
The finder headlight adds charm to the look and can really come in handy if you happen to set up a tent at night
In the meantime, there is no need to complain about the brakes even without it - the excellent Brembo calipers settle the motorcycle efficiently and predictably, and even though there is only one brake disc in front, the four-piston opposed caliper bites into it properly. A disc brake is also installed on the stroller wheel. It has its own brake machine, but the pressure in it is created by a rod attached to the rear brake pedal of the motorcycle.
If the potential of Brembo brakes is not enough, you should pay attention to tuning in the form of a hub for a second brake disc
In this way, you can remove the cradle without interfering with the hydraulic brake lines - a convenient solution, even though the manufacturer does not really provide for riding this motorcycle without a side trailer: right turn signals are only on the sidecar, and there is no side stand. But if you suddenly decide, it won’t take long to buy a side stand, and if you’re lazy, there’s a central one as standard, although it’s extremely inconvenient to use.
And most importantly, without a sidecar, the Ural Gear Up is unlikely to please: the flat tire profile will not improve handling, stiff suspension, low torsional rigidity, lever fork... No, the Ural should remain a sidecar! It is important that our test subject was taught to drive great. I don’t know whether it’s the merit of the factory engineers or the competent adjustment of the sidecar by the dealer, but the sidecar steers amazingly, if that word can even be applied to motorcycles with a side trailer.
The stroller is sprung, but it’s still a little hard to sit in
It will be difficult for a person who has not tried sidecars to imagine the delight of driving in the Urals, which goes straight on a straight road! Of course, when accelerating, the stroller pulls a little to the right, and when braking, to the left, but unlike previous models, the turning moment is kept to a minimum. I believe this is partly due to the standard hydraulic steering damper, and partly to the good settings of simple and fairly stiff shock absorbers.
A hydraulic damper on a motorcycle with a sidecar is almost more necessary than on a sportbike.
The suspensions here are generally like those on an army truck - oak, with large strokes. Of the adjustments, there is only one spring preload, but even in a relaxed position the empty motorcycle shakes, unevenness is felt even taking into account the sprung saddle. And this is on 19-inch spoked wheels! Apparently, as before, the motorcycle is designed for incredibly bad roads, or rather the lack thereof, as well as heavy loads.
A suitcase, a suitcase, a picture, a basket, a cardboard and a small dog - this is about the trunk of the Ural
It’s not very comfortable, but turns are made confidently and predictably, no swaying. The steering angle is impressive, so the need to stand in traffic jams is offset by the ability to quickly jump between rows and, within a couple of lanes, make four ninety-degree turns while playing checkers, frightening amazed car drivers with its outrageous audacity.
The rear suspension is simple, reliable and rigid. A real warrior.
Of course, you need to get used to the stroller, as the English sticker on the tank reminds you of - dangerous features, read the manual. But we already know everything! The steering wheel to the right is a little sharper than necessary, and the wheel of the stroller comes off the asphalt: the reactions to the steering wheel are sharp, so if desired, the lift of the stroller can be countered by leaving it on the asphalt, or you can increase it by riding with the cradle raised. In left turns everything is different - at low speeds they are safe, but if you want, and, again, with the steering wheel turned, you can spin the wheels into a small skid. Out of habit, these tricks are scary, but with the proper skill they deliver incomparable pleasure!
A spare wheel suitable for any of the three axles is a feature of the old-fashioned Urals.
Fun is the word that best suits this bike. Not work, not war and not routine, the Ural is a weekend vehicle and a good tourist, suitable for the harshest conditions. It was the latter purpose that the Gear Up model tried to emphasize in every possible way at the factory - the standard package includes an incredible set of tools in a branded case. It contains a bunch of wrenches, screwdrivers, pullers, and, among other things, a pair of mounting holders with gloves! Add blue electrical tape with a sledgehammer, and you can safely rebuild the engine right in the middle of the taiga.
No other motorcycle manufacturer offers a better set of original tools
You will not find a similar set on any other motorcycle, just as you will not find a pump, a shovel, a canister, a searchlight and a spare wheel. But that's not all! By purchasing a Ural right now you will receive a cigarette lighter connector in the stroller, which comes with an adapter with a pair of USB outputs and... You won’t believe it, a set of bottles with paints, each of which corresponds to one of the camouflage colors. That’s why you won’t have to worry about the scratches left by a bunch of keys on the fork housing for a long time.
We haven’t reached fifty shades of gray yet, but no other manufacturer will offer you such a set of colors
IMZ motorcycles are sold all over the world; it would be wrong to force an American to run around his ranch in search of a metric wrench or to drive an Australian to a colorist to select 20 grams of ocher paint with a proponosinka. For this, in addition to the above, Ural is loved abroad. And we have…
“Well, the Ural can’t cost 723,000 rubles, my neighbor sells the same one for 30 thousand,” people usually say when they hear the price tag for the first time. But if you think about it and do the math, it turns out that it’s not expensive, but quite the opposite. Of course, there are a number of features in which the Ural is not up to par with foreign cars, but there are also criteria by which foreign cars are not up to par with it: equipment, sidecar, drivetrain, kick-starter and reverse gear, and in terms of reliability, I believe, compared to some Europeans “Ural” can still be compared.
Our test subject was released this year, but all the changes for the 2021 model year did not affect it
As a result, a quite competitive offer, despite its narrow focus. Now let’s look at the prices of hypothetical classmates – mid-sized “road bikes”: Harley-Davidson Street Rod, Honda NC750X, KTM Duke 690, Kawasaki Z650, Triumph Bonneville T100 and many others, they are comparable! And unlike them, you get not one motorcycle, but one and a half: four wheels, an additional shock absorber, a third wing, a second frame, a tail light and, in the end, a sidecar body. A single motorcycle would cost significantly less, but, unfortunately or fortunately, it is not offered today.
I won’t argue with those who don’t like this motorcycle; over the 50 years of practically no alternative existence in the USSR, the word “Ural” has justifiably made many people feel sick, but I also fully support those who are crazy about it. Ural Gear Up is a bright, charismatic device, which today has almost no alternatives in its narrow segment.
Video review of the IMZ Ural Gear Up 2021 motorcycle:
We thank the Moscow Ural-Moto company for providing the motorcycle for testing
Accreditation and organization of test drives – Denis Sokolov | | +7 (999) 851-49-71
Ural Gear Up GEO LE
In general, the author of the review, who prefers off-road driving and thrills, was pleased with the Ural. But others are unlikely to like it, with the exception of fans of the brand and admirers of the “Soviet classics”.
The design of the motorcycle was outdated many decades ago, and the manufacturer’s attempts to somewhat refresh its appearance and functionality did not play a special role. It's been tweaked somewhat for off-road use with adjustable Nitron suspension, custom tires, a new exhaust system, crash bars and disc brakes. They even included a holder for a smartphone and two USB connectors.
Unfortunately, this did not add power, speed or reliability. The representative of Cycle World was unable to accelerate it: the motorcycle simply did not respond to upshifts, but it is difficult to expect more from an engine with a capacity of 749 cubic meters and a stated power of 41 horsepower. According to the documentation, it should reach speeds of up to 105 km/h.
One of the most interesting points is the price of the motorcycle - it is 27 thousand US dollars (about 2 million rubles). FAT BOY from Harley-Davidson 2021 will cost approximately the same in Russia. And this is a modern popular motorcycle, more powerful, faster, reliable and, of course, comfortable.
Chinese motorcycles are gradually conquering the market. Among a considerable number of them there are also quite worthy specimens .
