Who doesn’t have a soft spot in their hearts for a Ural? Quirky and delightful, steeped in history and perfect for toting around your dogs or a mound of luggage, Ural has been making sidecar motorcycles since World War II. New for 2021, Ural is launching a limited run of their ultimate off-road sidecar, the Gear Up GEO.
Before discussing Ural’s 2021 limited edition offering, it’s worth mentioning the company’s unique origins. Back in the WWII days, with the threat of German land invasion looming, Russian engineers developed the bike to be a method of transport that would stand up to the harsh terrain and the rigors of Eastern Front warfare. The Russians got their hands on a few BMW R71 motorbikes and began the process of dismantling and reverse-engineering the German boxer machine.
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From the pre-war days until now, Ural manufacturers their motorcycles in the town of Irbit, on the fringe of Siberia in the Ural mountains. And not only do they manufacture the motorcycles, but they also make every bolt, spoke, and body part in the same factory on some seriously archaic machinery.
Every year in recent history, Ural rolls out a limited edition motorcycle in addition to their regular production offerings. The inspiration for their collector-status sidecars ranges from international space stations to Star Wars and from the Sahara Desert to the American West. This year’s Ural Gear Up GEO takes aim at being the most off-road capable sidecar to date with a host of dirt-worthy upgrades and a custom paint job to boot.
For 2021, Ural will produce only 20 of the limited edition GEO. The hack (i.e. sidecar) is built on the proven Gear Up platform with a low center of gravity boxer engine, Brembo Disc brakes, and, in addition to the 4-speed transmission, a reverse gear.
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The GEO features a custom paint job, on demand 2WD, upgraded adjustable Nitron suspension, and an optional high pipe GPR exhaust system. Combine that with ample trunk space, luggage racks, a RotopaX fuel container, and dual outlet USB power charger, and you’ve got yourself one heck of a capable off-road machine.
Photo Credit: Ural Motorcycles
Motorcycle Industry News by Eva Rupert. Follow Eva @augusteva.
