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ADV NewsUral Releases Limited-Edition ‘GEO’ Model for 2021

Ural Releases Limited-Edition ‘GEO’ Model for 2021

A new sidehack from Russia that doesn’t involve espionage.

Published on 12.24.2020

Each year for the last decade, Russian sidecar manufacturer, Ural Motorcycles, has introduced a special edition rig. It’s an endeavor pointed as much at core devotees, as it is a way of reminding the remaining 99.99% of riders that the 80-year-old brand is still kicking. 

This year’s bid is the fantastically garish Limited Edition GEO, built on the brand’s Gear Up model, which features on-demand 2-wheel drive. The base rig is well-proven as a robust, tractor-like machine capable of slow-traveling the globe, and this 2021 variant, limited to 20 units, adds wild paint and a handful of adventure—minded component upgrades and accessories. 

But as someone with a similarly odd Russian-built sidecar in the garage — a Dnepr, the military cousin of the Ural, I feel inclined to first flesh out the advantages of riding a fresh-off-the-line World War II-era motorcycle and sidecar in the first place. Firstly, while you do lose the advantage of maneuvering with a more slight profile, an off-road sidecar adds a ton of stability, and the Ural provides 2-wheel drive as well as a reverse gear. 


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And sure, with a concerted effort you can tip one over, but you can’t just fall off. The Ural’s post war-era mechanicals make it easy to work on when it breaks down, which it very well might, but what an advantage that the sidehack setup provides a trunk to hold a horde of spare bits and kit, not to mention space for not one, but two passengers, one of which should be goggle-wearing canine whenever possible.

This new GEO edition, with its impossible-to-miss hand-painted camouflage design, offers several extras for the adventure-minded rider. While the base model comes standard with a universal spare wheel, additional luggage racks, LED auxiliary lighting, power outlets and foldable utility shovel, the GEO adds a fairing and hand guards for the rider, plus the two cargo racks on the sidecar.

Ural Geo Limited-Edition

Other upgrades for the GEO include adjustable Nitron suspension, a RotopaX fuel container to boost range offered by the 5-gallon main tank, a GPS mount, knobby Heidenau tires and a high pipe GPR exhaust system, which is listed as optional since it’s technically legal for off-highway use only. But then who will know? When the cop pulls you over he or she will likely be too enchanted by the Ural’s extreme vibe to question the legality of the pipe.  

Ural Geo Limited-Edition

And I can attest that when you’re piloting a retro Russian sidecar the fascination from onlookers will be plentiful, and usually end in love/hate opinions. Something akin to owning a hairless cat instead of a normal, fluffy one. 

In the performance department, the Gear Up and GEO are powered by Ural’s 750cc boxer-style twin, which produces around 41 horsepower and 42 foot pounds of torque. Power is managed via shaft drive and four forward gears plus reverse, with the front wheel of the bike and sidecar the wheel wearing Brembo brakes. 

Ural Geo Limited-Edition

The Limited Edition GEO has just become available for a rather steep asking price of $26,999 ($34,499 in Canada), though with over 70 dealers in the U.S. alone and only 20 units available world wide it’s hard to know where you might see one in person.

In the meantime, if you’re interested in trying a Ural sidecar rig on for size, the company has fostered several partnerships that rent units out of cities like New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Houston. 

Author: Jamie Elvidge

Jamie has been a motorcycle journalist for more than 30 years, testing the entire range of bikes for the major print magazines and specializing in adventure-travel related stories. To date she’s written and supplied photography for articles describing what it’s like to ride in all 50 states and 43 foreign countries, receiving two Lowell Thomas Society of American Travel Writer’s Awards along the way. Her most-challenging adventure yet has been riding in the 2018 GS Trophy in Mongolia as Team AusAmerica’s embedded journalist.

Author: Jamie Elvidge
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Ural Releases Limited-Edition ‘GEO’ Model for 2021 - ADVENTURE & OVERLAND MOTORCYCLE TRAVEL
December 24, 2020 12:19 pm

[…] post Ural Releases Limited-Edition ‘GEO’ Model for 2021 appeared first on ADV […]

Michael Dougherty
Michael Dougherty
December 25, 2020 6:04 am

I have a dnepr and it is cool. I have as of yet to get a dewat gun for the side car machine gun mount. I’m planning on getting a Ural this year. Send me your email and I will send you a picture.

Quin Mar
Quin Mar
December 26, 2020 9:51 pm

Well written Jamie – If only Honda or Kawasaki made something like this, today …

Joe John
Joe John
December 28, 2020 9:29 am

I think if I had $27,000 to spend on a motorcycle this would be about my very last choice. In fact I would buy a $10,000 tenere 700 and spend $17k on an ultimate motorcycle adventure trip.

normanzb2
normanzb2
December 29, 2020 6:47 pm

now what it is? an russian made himalayan with a boxer engine?

Robert
Robert
January 1, 2021 2:32 pm

A friend has a Ural sidecar rig. He calls it a fun piece of garbage that isn’t safe above 60mph. I haven’t driven it but I have been in the sidecar and it is very rough, bouncy and noisy and pot holes can cripple the inattentive passenger.

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