Ural Solo - what it was and what it became - MY MOTORCYCLE

Ural Solo - what it was and what it became

Today I want to talk about an unusual representative of the Irbit motorcycle industry.
What could be unusual about it? We are all used to the fact that Urals have always been produced with sidecars and few people dreamed of a single model, but the motorcycle plant, I think, surprised everyone by starting the production of single vehicles. Why suddenly? In the 90s, the demand for motorcycles with sidecars fell, and the Irbitsky plant decided to save the situation by releasing a single Ural “Solo” model, and then the oppositionists’ dream came true. After all, they tried to convert wheelchair users into singles and encountered more than one problem, but here everything is ready right away, you just need to complete it “for yourself” and ride. An inexpensive, reliable and powerful motorcycle with a low, straight handlebar and a classic riding position has become very popular among fans of city riding.

So, let's start with the motorcycle itself: the motorcycle is a bit surprising and pleases with a lot of chrome. There are many of them: fenders, mufflers, arches, wheel rims. In combination with the strict black color of the remaining parts, they give the car a solid and at the same time festive look. When it appeared, it immediately attracted the attention of not only ours, but also foreign fans of this style of motorcycle.

Actually, it was prepared for production with the expectation of the foreign market. Most of the plant's products are sold abroad (USA, England, France, and, more recently, China). But domestic fans were not forgotten; they also dropped a little, and “Solo” began to appear in our stores in scanty quantities. Most of the differences from the base model IMZ-8.103-10 concern the appearance. The Solo is equipped with two small mufflers (Nikonov exhaust system), gracefully raised at the rear and protecting the passenger’s legs from hot surfaces. Another thing that immediately catches your eye is the double mono-saddle and the side decorative plastic panels (the tool, as before, is stored in a drawer on the tank). Elements of passive safety include roll bars with reliable fastening to the frame and folding footrests for the driver and passenger. The front fender—it has become a little smaller—attached to the fork stays is unsprung.

Increasing the compression ratio to 8.5 due to spherical head pistons raised the engine power to 29.5 kW (40 hp) and requires the use of AI-93 gasoline. In new pistons, the piston pin axis is shifted 1 mm from its axis of symmetry - this reduces engine noise and cylinder wear. In addition, the “heart” of the motorcycle has become more “environmentally friendly” due to the use of a closed crankcase ventilation system. The gearbox has “lost” reverse gear - it is not needed for single driving. The Solo uses electronic non-contact ignition, which does not require adjustment during operation and ensures reliable engine starting even with a partially discharged battery. The reduction in the weight of the motorcycle and its total load capacity (225 and 175 kg, respectively) entailed a change in the suspension characteristics: the latter became softer. Leaving the hydraulic part of the shock absorbers unchanged, the developers lowered the stiffness of the springs by using wire with a diameter of 4 mm instead of 4.5 for the front and 7.5 mm instead of 8 for the rear.

The position of the lower support washers of the rear shock absorber springs has changed - they have dropped by 20 mm. Abandoning the sidecar and switching to 18-inch wheels required reducing the rear axle final drive ratio from 4.62 to 3.89. The Solo's maximum speed increased to 135 km/h, and fuel consumption was 5-7 l/100 km. The motorcycle can be equipped with a conveniently shaped fairing and plastic mudguards. The brake system remains the same drum type.

This was Solo at the beginning of its release, in the 90s. But I don’t finish the description here. I would like to show you now the modern model of this motorcycle. Of course, no major changes happened, but still…….

So, a more modern single Ural in our time:

Externally, it remains with a rich color and a good balance of painted and chromed parts. It looks good, as befits a classic motorcycle.

Brakes - the Irbitsk residents finally changed the front brake to a single-disc one. The front one, even in the single-disk version, copes with its functions perfectly. The rear one was left as a drum type, but considering that no oil flows from the axle, nothing slippery will get on the pads, which means its efficiency is quite sufficient.

The tank is a “droplet”, its appearance is impressive, the lid on it is of a new design and is airtight. Now I would like to talk about the configuration: Irbitsk residents probably decided that they had made an eternal motorcycle, it would never break. Apparently they think so at the factory, since there is no space for tools. But - this, of course, is just terrible - but the tire pump is fixed in the most visible place. Although this is a small thing that can be eliminated.

The motorcycle has two options for completing seating positions: the basic model has a single seat, which is characterized by a rubber coating, or a double seat. In addition, there is the possibility of having two single seats. The price for the basic configuration of the Ural Solo motorcycle is about 215 thousand Russian rubles, which is considered a very competitive price compared to models from competing manufacturers.

"Ural" as a global brand

Motorcycle with sidecar "Ural" in Switzerland. 2011 Currently, only 3% of Ural motorcycles produced are sold in Russia and the CIS. The main sales market for IMZ is the USA, EU countries, Canada, Australia, where the company exports up to 97% of its motorcycles. Promising markets are Japan and Korea, since in these countries there is demand and there are no competitors for models with a sidecar (side trailer).

Despite the fact that the appearance and many technical solutions of the motorcycle date back to the developments of pre-war Germany, IMZ positions the Ural as a simple and reliable motorcycle with a Russian (male) character. Most motorcycles are sold with a sidecar.

Due to the collapse in demand for motorcycles in the early 1990s, the company switched from full-cycle production to OEM production. In recent years [ when?

] a number of changes were made to the design and equipment of the motorcycles, designed to significantly improve the reliability and consumer qualities of the motorcycle. As of 2011, serial Ural motorcycles are equipped with the following foreign-made components:

• telescopic front fork Marzocchi (Italy);
• hydraulic shock absorbers Sachs (Germany);
• Brembo disc brakes (Italy);
• Keihin carburetors (Japan);
• gas tap TAIYO GIKEN (Japan);
• electronic ignition Ducati Energia (Italy);
• generator Denso (Japan);
• YUASA battery;
• spark plugs and high-voltage wires NGK-Ducati (Italy);
• gears (oil pump, timing, gearbox) and gearbox shafts Herzog (Germany);
• gearbox, engine, steering column and wheel bearings SKF (Sweden);
• cuffs NAK (Taiwan);
• wires for motorcycles with sidecars ELECTREX (USA);
• fuel hoses SEMPERIT (Austria);
• sound signal LEB (Italy).

Despite the modernization, Ural motorcycles are practically not in demand in Russia due to the high price (500,000-650,000 rubles as of 2021) and obsolete design and construction. The high price of motorcycles is explained by the widespread use of foreign components and low production volume (reduced from 130,000 in 1990 to 800 motorcycles in 2010), which negatively affects production costs. As of 2011, the company employed 155 people, of which 145 were at IMZ.

Currently [ when?

Ural Solo (Solo) - a classic road motorcycle

The almost legendary Ural Solo motorcycles have reached us from the times of the Soviet Union almost without significant changes.

There is still a lot of old equipment on the country's roads, however, IMZ has always tried to modernize its motorcycle.

But, besides this, the main features of the appearance have always retained the original old style .

Only modern technical characteristics were added. The proposed model range of the Ural Solo motorcycle is represented by variants with a sidecar, as well as single motorcycles, in particular the Ural Retro-Solo, Ural Solo sT.

Advertisements on the Internet for the sale of IMZ Ural Solo Classic:

The maximum price of IMZ Ural Solo Classic among the advertisements found is 110,000 rub.*
The average price of IMZ Ural Solo Classic among the advertisements found is 110,000 rub.*

The minimum price of IMZ Ural Solo Classic among the advertisements found is RUB 110,000*

* Attention! Under the maximum, average and minimum of the IMZ Ural Solo Classic motorcycle on this page, the average cost according to advertisements for sale on the Internet is indicated, without taking into account the year of manufacture, configuration and generation of the motorcycle model. Hai! The Ural Solo motorcycle is not the only model of biker transport that is available on our website

Here you will find the most popular iron horses on the planet. Both domestic and foreign, and no longer produced Soviet bikes are described in detail on All about motorcycles. Here you will find a wealth of information regarding biker organizations and their iron horses

Hai! The Ural Solo motorcycle is not the only model of biker transport that is available on our website. Here you will find the most popular iron horses on the planet. Both domestic and foreign, and no longer produced Soviet bikes are described in detail on All about motorcycles. Here you will find a wealth of information regarding biker organizations and their iron horses.

The Motorcycle News section is especially important. With it you will always be aware of the latest events in the world of two- and three-wheeled steel horses

Description Ural solo and photo

This bike belongs to the class of classic road motorcycles. Moreover, this is one of the most popular IMZ motorcycles. The main advantage of the above two-wheeler is the price. Almost all compatriots can buy Ural Solo. There would be a desire. In addition to the relatively moderate cost, this Irbit iron horse stands out for its excellent style, having a lot of elements of the classic retro style.

The “Solo” model is equipped with a powerful 650 cc engine. The latter is started using an electronic ignition system. Moreover, the designers also left the crank (kick starter).

Among other pleasant technical characteristics of the Ural Solo Classic, a photo of which you will find in this motorcycle review, we can highlight the presence of a disc brake system. Otherwise, the volumetric opposed four-stroke two-cylinder bike from IMZ remained without fundamental changes. Let us also note the rather high power performance of the motorcycle engine. 45 horses for the domestic motorcycle industry is incredible progress, given the lack of proper funding for the production of biker equipment.

Reliability and power

Ural Solo motorcycles are distinguished by high power and reliability. They feel great on city streets and spacious highways.

The equipment is equipped with a 4-speed gearbox, which provides reverse gear, rear pendulum and front telescopic suspension.

There is also an electric starter, hydraulic front disc brakes and rear drum brakes.

The chrome-plated fuel tank holds 19 liters of fuel. For safety reasons, special arches are provided.

The model reaches speeds of up to 130 km/h. It is quite heavy, but its weight of 235 kg has almost no effect on ease of handling.

The equipment remains maneuverable among cars in a big city.

A classic stance, a straight, low-set steering wheel, chrome-plated 18-inch wheels, as well as unique optics that provide the ability to control the situation on the road - all these are the unique features of this motorcycle.

It can also be equipped with a windshield for the driver, and the single saddles can be replaced by one common seat with covers in fabric or leather. All this gives comfort while driving .

It must be said that the Ural Solo is externally designed for motorcycles of the 50s, but its sharpness is not lost.

Here, classic style and modern technology are present in a harmonious combination.

One of the representatives of the Solo motorcycle model line is the Ural patrol "Solo-DPS".

It is equipped with an additional windshield, headlights for signaling, a siren, as well as a special design for installing traffic police devices.

Thanks to its unique characteristics, the Yamaha Raptor 700 has gained high popularity among outdoor enthusiasts.

An excellent option for tuning an ATV is this equipment, which provides an excellent balance between cross-country ability and carrying capacity.

List of models

Motorcycle "Ural" Retro

Motorcycle "Ural" Patrol-DPS

Motorcycle "Ural" GEAR-UP

Road motorcycles

• IMZ M-72 (1940-1961) - the first motorcycle of the Irbit plant, a copy of the BMW R71, was modernized throughout its production, the latest model even received a short-lever fork and aluminum wheel hubs;
• IMZ M-52 (single) (1950-1957) - a model with the chassis of the M-72 and a 500 cm³ engine. Only a limited edition of 678 motorcycles was produced;
• IMZ M-61 (1957-1963) - a transitional model with the chassis from the M-72 and a new engine (650 cm³), the travel of the front fork and rear suspension has been increased. The front fork has been changed. The crew section has been lightened;
• “Ural” M-62 (1961-1965) - new gearbox, increased suspension travel, automatic ignition timing introduced, camshaft cam profile changed to reduce wear. The steering has been changed (chain throttle and duralumin clutch and brake levers);
• “Ural-2” M-63 (1963-1971) - a frame with a pendulum suspension of the rear wheel on spring-hydraulic shock absorbers (later a similar suspension was introduced on the sidecar wheel), ground clearance was significantly increased due to the introduction of a new exhaust system.
• “Ural-3” M-66 (1971-1975) - the engine was significantly modernized, the power increased to 32 hp. With. Engine durability has been increased due to full-flow oil purification and the use of a new crankshaft design. The motorcycle has direction indicators and new lights;
• "Ural" M-67 (1973-1976) - twelve-volt electrical equipment was used. The design of the motorcycle frame has been changed;
• “Ural” M-67-36 (1976-1984) - due to changes in the design of the cylinder heads, the use of K-301G carburetors with an increased diffuser diameter and an increase in the diameter of the exhaust system, the engine power was increased from 23.5 to 26.5 kW. (36 hp). The right turn signal on the motorcycle itself has been removed.
• “Ural” IMZ-8.103-30 (1985-1986 [ source not specified 2425 days
  ]) - the frame and rear suspension, optics, electrical equipment were modernized, a brake was installed on the sidecar wheel, instead of two mufflers, one was installed on the right side;
• “Ural” IMZ-8.103-10 (1987-1994) - differed from the previous model by the presence of reverse gear, slightly lighter weight, noise and fuel consumption;
• “Ural” IMZ-8.103-40 Tourist - equipped with a lever front fork;
• “Ural” IMZ-8.123 Solo - a single unit based on the IMZ-8.103-10, engine power 40 hp. pp., 18-inch wheels;
• "Ural" IMZ-8.1037 GEAR-UP;
• "Ural" IMZ-8.1243 Voyage;
• "Ural" IMZ-8.1024 Cobra;
• “Ural” IMZ-8.1238 Wolf (1999-2011) - a motorcycle in the chopper style;
• "Ural" IMZ-8.1036 Retro

Sports motorcycles

• M-35;
• M-52S for road racing;
• M-52K for cross-country competitions;
• M-61K for cross-country competitions;
• M-62K for cross-country competitions;
• M-75M;
• M-76;
• M-77 for road racing.
• M-80;
• K-1000 for cross-country competitions;
• “Cross” IMZ-8-201 for cross-country competitions.

Special equipment

• "Ural" IMZ-8.1233 Solo-DPS - patrol motorcycle;
• "Ural" IMZ-8.1037 Gear-UP - a military motorcycle equipped with a 7.62 mm PKMB machine gun on a standard turret;
• "Ural" IMZ-8.1037 Gear-UP-ATGM - a military motorcycle, carrier of the Konkurs-M ATGM. The launcher with a thermal imaging sight is mounted on a motorcycle sidecar on a special turret. An ammunition load of two ATGMs is transported in the ammo rack of the stroller. In the stowed position, the launcher and thermal imaging sight are placed in the trunk of the stroller. The weight of the container with a guided missile (without launcher and thermal imaging sight) is 26.5 kg; the firing range of the complex is 4000 m during the day and 3500 m at night; armor penetration - 200-250 mm (solid steel).

Limited editions

It has become a tradition to make limited editions of Urals. Among them:

• Gzhel Sahara (2009) - painted like Gzhel. Released in a single copy.
• Yamal (2012) - theme of the icebreaker "Yamal" with an oar. 50 copies were produced.
• Gaucho Rambler LE (2013) - cowboy theme with warm materials and tea set.
• World (2014) - Shuttle Theme. A solar battery is used as an auxiliary current source. 20 copies were released.
• Dark Force (2015) - Star Wars theme with lightsaber. 25 copies were produced.
• Ambassador (2017) - presented in honor of the 75th anniversary of the plant. With a standard bottle of vodka and sardines. 20 copies were released.

Ural Solo sT – motorcycle classic

The modern motorcycle Ural Solo sT continues the classic traditions of the Ural, which has been produced since the times of the Soviet Union.

The model that is based on it comes with stainless exhaust pipes , a standard fuel tank, a tractor-style saddle, and a black fender at the rear.

It has a classic black finish .

But when ordering this motorcycle, the buyer is offered the opportunity to order additional equipment for the model to upgrade the standard equipment.

Convenience

Ural Solo sT is equipped with two transformable seats: standard single-seat solutions have rubber-covered seats or 2-seater motorcycles.

also choose two single seats .

First of all, this modern motorcycle is designed for comfortable movement on asphalt surfaces.

However, it can easily cope with movement on the roads of villages or in the absence of a road.

It handles the track quite confidently, and is highly stable when cornering .

The motorcycle has excellent aerodynamic characteristics.

Manufacturers have provided the motorcycle with excellent shock absorption, so small bumps on the road are practically not felt .

A perfect braking system adds a high degree of safety to this vehicle. Especially when maneuvering along city streets.

An excellent Kawasaki Versus 650 motorcycle, designed for long trips, both on highways and on rough and mountainous terrain.

The design of this bike from Kawasaki, even taking into account the time that has passed since the creation of the motorcycle, is considered very fresh and ultra-modern.

Specifications

Moving on to the technical characteristics, it is worth noting that they are no different from the usual properties for most IMZ motorcycles.

The 2-cylinder engine with a volume of 745 cc works great here. cm.

A modern microprocessor ignition system provides the driver with the ability to easily and quickly start the engine.

A manual 4-speed variable gearbox is installed. The rear wheel is driven by a driveshaft.

The fuel tank holds 19 liters of AI-92 gasoline. Fuel is consumed at the rate of 5-6 liters per 100 km of city streets.

If the speed is cruising, then it is approximately 105 km/h, and the maximum speed reaches 120-130 km/h .

Motorcycle Ural Gear-Up: technical specifications, photos, videos

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Ural Solo: Pros and cons

So, what attracts you to the Ural Solo ?
One of my acquaintances, already an elderly motorcycle owner, saw my motorcycle for the first time and said only two words: “This is solid.” Yes, the specific power - 0.178 hp / kg - is the highest among domestic motorcycles (the closest in terms of characteristics, IZH-Yu5, has 0.15 hp / kg). This means that you can, without straining the engine, take off on a par with foreign cars, feel safe when maneuvering in traffic, load up well and go to distant lands. Some may be attracted by the distant relationship between Solo and BMW. (The participation of motorcycles of this company of the R100GS brand in the prestigious Paris-Dakar supermarathon is known). Others who prefer a quiet ride should be enchanted by the torque of the four-stroke engine. One way or another, you preferred this motorcycle to all the others. The store decided to deliver the purchase under its own power. This will require. a small supply of gasoline, some motor oil, electrolyte for a dry-charged battery. My motorcycle was low on oil in the rear axle, but it would be a good idea to check the levels in the engine and gearbox as well. I immediately advise you to pour the required 150 g into the air filter. Be sure to remove the preservative grease from the exhaust pipes and mufflers with a rag moistened with gasoline, otherwise it will burn and will be much more difficult to remove.

It is possible that the front fork of the motorcycle will not work well. The reason is that preservative grease gets under the oil seal. At the store you will have to put up with this, but at home you need to disassemble the plug and wash the seal in gasoline. The brakes may be overtightened, so after driving a couple of kilometers, stop and feel the hubs of all wheels. If they are hot, slightly unscrew the front brake cable sheath stop screw or the rear brake linkage nut.

The engine on the Urals, as a rule, starts with half a turn. However, at first it can get very hot, and until the first hundred on the speedometer, it is advisable to make stops for 10-15 minutes every 15-20 km.

At this point, the “pre-flight briefing” can be considered complete. Now is the time to talk about the extent to which a motorcycle meets such an important requirement as safety.

On any motorcycle it consists of many factors, but the decisive ones are stability and controllability, low fatigue of the driver and passenger. Let's start with the last one.

The fatigue of a motorcyclist largely depends on his seating position. Thanks to the high and wide steering wheel and low-mounted footpegs on the Solo, I found it very comfortable. By foreign standards, such a landing is considered classic and is rarely found on road motorcycles, except for the “chopper” class. On most modern road models, the driver is leaned forward, almost touching the tank with his chest, he holds the low and narrow steering wheel with straight arms, and his feet are positioned quite high on the footrests. The passenger, if there is room for him, sits somewhere on top, his legs are strongly bent, and his body literally lies on the driver. Which landing is best for our broken highways and manhole-filled streets is an open question. I personally, maybe due to habit, found it more comfortable to sit on the Solo than on some Japanese models.

The Solo's large power reserve, which allows it to easily accelerate to 130-140 km/h, increases safety when overtaking and maneuvering. But here the “fly in the ointment” can be the brakes. In addition to the general desire for disc brakes for a car of this class, there are comments on the existing design of drum brakes. Their break-in period is too long! On my motorcycle, for example, the front brake began to skid only after... 4 thousand km (!), and the rear brake does not work properly to this day due to the axle collar seal constantly leaking oil.

Motorcycle suspensions play an important role in ensuring traffic safety. When they work well, the stability of the motorcycle increases, since the wheels have better contact with the road surface. This also increases the service life and reliability of the motorcycle; the driver and passenger are less tired from riding. Unfortunately, the “Ural” suspensions do not work the best. Although the stiffness of the springs, compared to the sidecar version, is slightly reduced, the hydraulic part of the shock absorbers remains unchanged, and the suspension almost never works all the way. And if on the Ural with a sidecar this is not so noticeable - spring “frog” seats help, then on the Ural Solo, when driving over uneven surfaces, you are literally thrown out of the saddle. However, the driver can stand up on the footrests, holding the steering wheel, while the passenger, to a much greater extent, feels all the “charm” of the overdamped rear shock absorbers.

The handling of a motorcycle is greatly influenced by the tires it is shod with. For many years, our motorcyclists were spared any hesitation when choosing tires. “If only there was one” - that was the motto. The situation has not changed even now. The 18-inch Izhevsk tires installed on the Ural Solo are not the most ideal option. I don’t know if they were tested anywhere, but on my previous motorcycle, the IZH-P5, the cord began to deteriorate in such a tire after only 13 thousand kilometers. But IZH is much lighter than Solo.

I’ll mention one insidious little thing, because of which I lost my balance several times and almost fell. The culprit is... the protruding lever of the right carburetor enricher.

"Ural Solo": Pros and cons

You approach an intersection and brake, and when you stop, you want to put your right foot on the road. But then the ill-fated lever clings to the trouser leg, and meanwhile the motorcycle begins to fall on its side. The only way out is to jerk your leg and, tearing your trousers, hold the car. So don't ride in wide pants, or at least tuck them into your boots!

FAQ

• How much does a Ural motorcycle weigh without a sidecar? Not much - about 220 kg. But many owners dismantle the cradle permanently, removing some components and thereby making the bike lighter.
• How many cubes are there in a Ural motorcycle? In older models - 650. In modern ones - 750.
• How much does a Ural motorcycle with sidecar weigh? Weight varies depending on the specific modification, but on average it is about 320 kg.
• Is it comfortable to drive around the city? Not very much, given the solid overall dimensions.
• How much does he really eat? A bike without a sidecar consumes about 6 liters when riding leisurely on the road. But if you drive aggressively, the consumption will be higher, up to 8 liters or more.