Dual-sport sidecars

Publishing date: 09.18.2005 07:45

It would be really cool to have one of these as my next motorcycle.

I can't figure out if I want a purpose-built Ural (such as the Patrol or Gear-Up), or a simpler, lighter rig like a KLR650 with an inexpensive hack (either Ural or Velorex).

I think what I like about the Ural Gear-Up is that it simultaneously appeals to so many of my male fantasies -- it's a motorcycle. An off-road motorcycle. An off-road, military motorcycle. An off-road, vintage, military motorcycle. An off-road, vintage, military motorcycle, with a sidecar! I could be just like Indiana Jones.

Perhaps the most irresistable, persuasive, and irrational part of this dream is that this would be a viable recreational activity that the whole family could enjoy.

Good links:

Sidestrider - Side Strider's Doug Bingham was kind enough to send me some information by both email and snailmail. He's previously done some testing and prototyping of sidecar rigs for the US military.
Official Ural site - purpose-built, Russian-made sidecar motorcycles with a growing owners network.
Military Ural pictures - Good pictures and notes on the military Ural. My favorites are the jumping Ural (with machinegun) and the mounted anti-armor missle.
Dauntless Motors - A Washington state shop that specializes in building expedition-quality dual-sport sidecar rigs.
Sidehacking - A good article from blackdogdualsport.com on dual-sport sidecar rigs with pictures and links.

I especially like the the impressive features of the Gear-Up: the leading-link front end, front disc brakes, shaft-drive, and the powered third-wheel. Of course, the machinegun fitting is a plus as well. Be sure to check out the 7.5MB Gear Up.WMV video as well.

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