Ural PATROL reviews

'We bought the forest green gear up in Arizona. It came with everything except windshields. After setting the sidecar up to handle to suit me (first time side hack for me), things have gone well. After putting 1,700 klicks on her I set out on a 700-mile round trip. The bike wasn't real fast on the highway, which I knew when I bought it. Half the the trip was on I-25 & I-40, the return was all the backroads home. This trip was from Deming, New Mexico to Gallup, New Mexico, and return. Mileage was good - 31 mpg. It was a fun trip. The seat was a killer. While at Farm and Tractor supply, I found a steel tractor seat, same as on my old Moline tractor. I welded four lugs on the seat so it would use all the original hardware from Ural. I painted it flat black with intentions of having it done up in matching fabric if I liked it. I have owned the bike since June 16, 2012. Today is August 14, 2012 and the bike now has 6,200 kilometers on it. I had the brake light switch go bad and a flat. Since I would have to order a new switch, I used a Honda switch, fit it in the same place and just changed the terminal ends on the wires. My original driver wheel was just rotated to the side car at 6,000 kilometers. It is wore maybe 40%. All my road miles are at 60-65 mph. One time with no wind and cover on the side car it really huffed but it hit 80 mph., and no I won't do it again. Would I buy another one? Yes, in a heartbeat. My wife loves it! Show less

I read about Urals in the May 29, New York Times. I sold my last bike in 1994 and decided this looked like fun. I read a review on some website by an owner who recommended shimming the carburators for smoother operations and told the dealer. He did not have the shims in stock so the first 500KM were without. There was a lot of backfiring and I felt the mixture was too lean. After the shims were installed at the 500 km. service, the engine was a smooth as silk and the dealer is making their installation standard on all future deliveries. Last week we went to Stanley, Idaho and in the morning the frost was thick on the bike, temperature in the 20's. She started with two cranks and I turned the enrichers off as soon as I could reach them. This bike has been the most fun I have had in years! We have done 4,270 km. in less than three months. Show less

This bike has been my daily driver for the last 3 years and 53K km's...rain, sun, hot, cold (no snow in FL). I still have a ball with it and can't see myself riding anything else. This is one tough, easy to wrench, highly utilitarian machine. Many improvements have been made in design and quality since I got my bike in 2002, plus they now have a 2 year unlimited mileage warranty. If you're looking for a truly unique and fun ride, this is it. Show less

I have a '99 Patrol, bought it brand new. It was advertised as "the only street-legal ATV" so that is how I have driven it for the past 5 years, thru mud, snow, rivers, deserts mountains and plains. I ride it hard and put it away wet. It came with a 3 year unlimited mileage warranty so I figured I could beat the crap out of it and the company would pay for the parts that couldn't hold up. Much to my surprise (and pleasure), the machine kept going, and going, and going - put the energizer bunny to shame. I still ride it, in fact took it to a motorcycle rodeo today and even kept the shiny side up! Anyway, it is a great machine - has its quirks - it is old style, requiring attentive and regular maintenance as with all older machines, but it takes the abuse very well and only asks for more. It is the best investment I have ever spent money on - well worth every penny. Show less

As I get a few inquires from this site every month, I thought I would post a follow up after a year+ of Ural ownership. The update will be a little boring for most. No high tech. gizmos to wow about. No new fangled suspension to smooth out the ride. No twin turbo mega cc engine to rave about. Just a built-like-a-tank tough throw back to the 1950s bike review. The 2002 Patrol is my daily driver with over 30K hard km's (on and off road) put on it in just over a year. It has had a few electrical gremlins and component failures which were all easily and cheaply fixed. Everything on this bike is easily accessible for adjustment or repair due to its design (BMW) and military heritage. This is one tough rig which has never failed to do what I have asked of it. It is the 4X4 of motorcycles. What ever you can pile into it-it will haul. Loads of utility. If you are looking for a motorcycle that does more than make noise, look pretty and carry a gallon of milk home from the store...consider an IMZ/Ural. The only negative (if you consider it one)is, speed. With a top end of 74mph and a realistic cruise of 50-60mph this bike is probably too slow for most tastes (not mine). But what it lacks in speed it makes up in character and fun. When the time comes, it will be another IMZ for me. Show less

Have now put over 500 miles on a Ural Patrol with sidecar in the last couple of months. Have a Harley for touring but the Ural is so much fun to take to town that it gets a lot of use. Plan on any trip taking a while as you will spend many hours with admirers every where you go. Happy at 50mph and any terrain is okay. Only wish I had gotten the machine gun option so that nobody would pull out in front of me. Show less

We have a 98 Sportsman, almost the same only different. We have run it in mud, snow, rain and, as my neighbor said" you even use that in nice weather". Not a fast freeway bike, more of gravel or 2 lane up to 60 mph Cruiser. My wife and I love it. Show less