Ural Motorcycle

Ural Motorcycle History

In the Soviet Union, it was decided to start production of the army of heavy motorcycles in the early 1940s.

was decided not to develop a free bike from 0-field, and to copy a well-proven in the German army motorcycle . This was done secretly purchased 5-Th BMW motorcycles in Sweden, not to cause any suspicion.

Russian analogue called and the spring of 1941 launched its production in Moscow at the motorcycle plant under NP Serdyukov. For production are involved and other plants - VMS became engine supplier, KIM (now AZLK) helped transmissions, side chair and propeller shaft to supply gas.

To increase production, planned to start production in other cities (in Kharkov and Leningrad), but the onset of World War II has made its adjustments to the plans.

February 25, 1942 production of military motorcycle M-72 (with all equipment) had in Irbit, where they were produced 8500 units.

in 1953 Ural motorcycles began to be exported to the countries of Eastern Europe and some developing countries, where the most-used only for the army or the police. in May 1967 was produced 500 000th motorcycle, in April 1975, and one million.

Even in Russia, in October 1993, there were more than 3 million Uralov.

IMZ in November 2011 marked its 70th anniversary, in honor of which were produced 2nd anniversary motorcycle modification: M70 Sidecar and M70 Solo costs $ 14,200 and $ 9,150 respectively.

«Ural» as a global brand

It is strange for a Russian brand, but now only about 3 percent of new Uralovpopadayut to Russia and the CIS countries.

Basically IMZ products exported to the U.S., EU, Canada and Australia. Increases and exports to Asian markets (Japan and Korea), due to the demand and the lack of competition motorcycle with a sidecar.

Because of the crisis in Russia in the early 1990s and the decline in demand in the Urals in Russia, IMZ away from full production cycle and started OEM-production. For this design changes were made and modified motorcycle accessories that well as greatly improved the quality of consumer motorcycle and reliability.

in 2011 used the following serial Urals foreign components:

Marzocchi telescopic front fork (Italy)

Sachs hydraulic shock absorbers (Germany)

Brembo disc brakes (Italy)

Keihin carburetors (Japan)

TAIYO GIKEN petrol tap (Japan)

Ducati Energia electronic ignition (Italy)

Denso generator (Japan)

YUASA Battery (Japan)

NGK-Ducati candles and high-voltage cables (Italy)

Herzog gears (timing, oil pump, gearbox) transmission shafts (Germany)

SKF Bearings Gearbox, engine, steering column and wheel (Sweden)

NAK collar (Taiwan)

ELECTREX wires for motorcycles with sidecar (USA)

SEMPERIT fuel hoses (Austria)

LEB sound (Italy)

Despite improved reliability, and world-renowned motorcycles "Ural" little popular in Russia because of the relatively high cost and outdated design and construction (within the meaning of many motorcyclists).

high costs caused by using Uralov large Number of foreign parts and low-volume production (the decline in production from 130,000 motorcycles in 1990 to 800 in 2010).

Interesting Facts

Republican Guard Saddam Hussein in 2002 placed an order for 2000 Ural motorcycle with sidecar for the army, which should help to implement a defensive strategy (for high mobility of troops).

officially stated that motorcycles will be purchased for the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of S/H.

The plan received about 1500 motorcycles . After the overthrow of Saddam's regime, Iraqis are interested in motorcycles and the rebels.

Urals with sidecars were quite adapted for movement inside the hotel, and on and off-road. Equipped with their protective sheets and machine gun becomes quite dangerous military unit (which would have been made and these bikes historically) .

U.S. command in Iraq was very dissatisfied with the advent of motorcycle combat the insurgents.

the film "Ghost Rider 2" was seen new Russian Ural motorcycle - Solo-sT. He went Moreau.