Motorcycle IMZ Ural Solo Classic 1999 review

Motorcycle Ural classic (retro) solo st (st)

Ural “Solo-Classic” surprises with its rich color and good balance of painted and chrome-plated parts.
It looks good, as befits a classic motorcycle. The appearance of motorcycles of this class is almost more important than dynamic and driving performance, but it is also interesting to know the characteristics in detail. Price Ural solo - 270,000 rubles. But I doubt that people who have encountered Urals will be interested in the appearance first. Remembering the eternal disease of motorcycles of this brand - constant leaks and oil dripping from all the holes - I looked under the engine. Wow, it's dry! Maybe just new? But until recently it dripped on new ones, causing disgust in any person. Well, let's go for a ride.

Ural solo characteristics

The motorcycle is equipped with an automatic gas tap - no need to open it. The Keihin carburetors are very reassuring, I pressed the starter button and the engine came to life, illuminating those around me with a bass exhaust note. Connoisseurs will approve, how can this be compared to the Japanese 4-cylinder cackle.

One of the advantages of the boxer design is the ability to place the driver's seat lower. This is done so that when stopping, you can rest your entire foot on the ground; this makes it easier to maintain balance, because the motorcycle weighs 230 kg. While I was thinking about the weight distribution of the motorcycle, I forgot to remove the side stand, but it doesn’t matter - it springs back into place on its own. And immediately I got a good impression, the first gear engaged with incredible ease, without clanging, roaring or grinding. Once you start moving, the feeling of heaviness of the motorcycle immediately disappears. As you accelerate, the stability of the motorcycle increases.

I became a little bolder and let go of the steering wheel: the Ural Solo classic went where I wanted, and I corrected the trajectory by slightly tilting the body. At speeds over a hundred, the wheels do not hit. Finally, the factory thought about the consumer and began balancing the wheels, and they survived! But when I got to the first turn, I felt a slight jitter; the back of the motorcycle seemed somehow light, it turned out that it was unloaded. On uneven roads, the shock absorbers fail to cope, and it turns out that the motorcycle drifts off the trajectory. And the suspension itself was not up to par. The front fork is Italian “Paioli”, its characteristics are perfectly chosen, but the rear fork is too stiff. However, you can’t expect much from a short-travel suspension with two shock absorbers. But how the springs of the rear shock absorbers creak! You can compose a lot to this squeak, but I think comfort will increase if you seat a passenger in the back. And some shortcomings can be eliminated by replacing oak rubber.

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 Solo sT – classic and ergonomic on two wheels.

Solo sT is a motorcycle that combines the best of the classic Ural - simplicity, versatility and timeless classic lines. It could have been produced in the 70s if Soviet engineers had been allowed to create a two-wheeled motorcycle. It was decided to revive old ideas - thus the Ural Solo sT was released. This motorcycle satisfies the need for functionality, simplicity and intelligence. It is versatile and suitable for both the city and outdoor trips.

Solo sT is a classic motorcycle with modern components: DUCATI microprocessor ignition system, Sachs shock absorbers, Yuasa battery. The Ural Solo sT is equipped with Marzocchi forks and Brembo brakes for comfortable driving.

Reliable, robust and proven, the air-cooled boxer engine features electric start and kickstart, producing 40 hp. at 5600 rpm, torque 5.3 kgm at 4000 rpm.

In 2013, the Ural Solo sT is presented in matte black, which certainly suits it very well.

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.

Ural Solo

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 winding leg (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.

Reviews for most products in this line are quite impressive. People are satisfied with the technical characteristics of the two-wheeled IMZ, taking into account the price/quality ratio. With the beginning of the 21st century, this motorcycle received a brand new carburetor as a gift from the manufacturer. The electronics of the iron horse have also undergone many serious changes. The new map of the Urals is available on our website.

According to reviews from owners provided by experienced motorcyclists, the IMZ “Solo” is a fairly reliable and unpretentious steel horse. This two-wheeler is especially pleasant to operate within city limits, where there are high-quality, smooth roads. The Ural “Solo” model, equipped with a chrome-plated gas tank capable of holding 19 liters of fuel, is considered the most beautiful.

For this motorcycle, the speed limit is 130 km/h. With a mass of 235 kilograms, this is a pretty good indicator for a domestic bike that has not undergone radical changes in the design of the engine since the Great Patriotic War.

This motorcycle from IMZ is well controlled and very maneuverable. Riding it provides a classic driver's position, which allows you to travel long distances in comfort. By installing a windshield and fabric seat covers on a two-wheeler, you can get additional comfort on the road.

I would also like to note that this line of the Irbit Motorcycle Plant has received many modifications. One of these is used by the police of the Russian Federation. Ural Retro Solo is a striking example of another successful iron horse of IMZ.

Specifications

The first Ural Solo motorcycles were equipped with an ancient 650 cc 40-horsepower engine, but they are still rarely found on sale. Subsequently, the technical characteristics were improved, and the motorcycle received a 750 cc engine, which was installed on the Ural Solo Classic. At the same time, the bike acquired Brembo brakes, a Japanese carburetor and a host of other imported components.

Engine

The air-cooled boxer engine has not undergone any significant changes over the past two decades, with the exception that in the Ural Retro Solo and the Ural Solo ST it received an injector instead of a carburetor. The engine is powered by 92-octane gasoline and accelerates the bike to 100 km/h in about 10 seconds, reaching a top speed of 120-140 km/h. One of the pleasant moments is the confident traction at the bottom, and the less pleasant ones are the weak dynamics. This disadvantage is especially felt on the highway.

Transmission

The ancient 4-speed transmission has remained virtually unchanged for the past sixty years. The first three gears are relatively short, so you can switch to the top one at 60-70 km/h. Interestingly, the fourth gear ratio is greater than one, which is unusual for most cruisers. But there is a reverse direction! Although on a motorcycle without a sidecar like the Ural Solo Classic it is not really needed.

Chassis and brakes

The frame, rear suspension and driveline have not changed at all over the years. There are Brembo brakes on the front wheel, and the Ural Retro Solo, together with the Solo ST, can boast a similar braking system at the rear. The front fork, imported and reliable, has become much better; compared to the Ural Solo Classic, it’s just heaven and earth! The motorcycle stopped nodding when braking, and the efficiency of the front suspension was equal to the efficiency of the brakes.

Electronics

The Japanese Yuasa battery, a microprocessor ignition system from Ducati and a 500-watt generator have been installed on the motorcycles of the Irbit plant since the end of the 20th century. If the wiring had also been carried out wisely, and not left the wire harnesses hanging out where they would fall during assembly, it would have been absolutely wonderful.

Weight and dimensions

The motorcycle weighs 200-220 kg, depending on the modification, and subjectively it seems even lighter due to the low center of gravity. The relatively short wheelbase and the steering wheel, which is not too wide by cruiser standards, make it easier to control, and all the instruments are located where logic dictates they should be. In the city, the Ural Solo of any modification feels no worse than on the highway.

Controllability

The bike handles decently, better than you might expect from it. This is partly due to the short wheelbase and proper weight distribution, and partly to the small fork angle. At the same time, when driving at high speed, the motorcycle behaves obediently and predictably, as befits a cruiser, albeit a vintage one.

Fuel consumption

Real (and not declared by the manufacturer) fuel consumption is about 7.5 liters per 100 km. Considering the substantial volume of the gas tank, 19-22 liters depending on the modification, this is enough to cover considerable distances without refueling. But at maximum speed, gasoline consumption increases, and very significantly.

Conclusion

The old Ural Solo Classic is an affordable opportunity to join the domestic classics, while avoiding much of the fuss that is inevitable when buying a very ancient “opposite”. And fresh copies of recent years of production differ from them for the better even more, and the archaic design in them is adjacent to good quality. This is “Ural” in the form in which it could have been from the very beginning, if the issue of its production had been approached with full responsibility. This does not change the fact that this is an extremely outdated piece of equipment in terms of technical characteristics, and one can only recommend buying it to an opposition fan who is nostalgic for the old days.

Specifications

Advantages and disadvantages

It is impossible to judge this bike unambiguously, because it was continuously modified and modernized throughout its production. The differences between copies released at different times are sometimes no less than the similarities, although there is still something in common.

Advantages

• The 825 cc liquid-cooled engine has good acceleration dynamics.
• Some spare parts are suitable either from IMZ-8.103-10, or from “Wolf” and “Solo Classic”.
• The Ural Voyage motorcycle is now so rare that it can be called a collector's item. And this is a good reason to buy such a beast and, if possible, restore it to the original.

Flaws

• Some parts are impossible to find. At all.
• Build quality ranges from good to terrible, but the second option is more common.
• An ill-conceived design has many weak points, which leads to frequent breakdowns.

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RESULT. That was hard. At times it's even too risky. But IMZ, it seems, achieved exactly what he wanted and what no one believed in. “Ural” is no longer associated with the collective farm and the pioneers. Today it can be considered a full-fledged motorcycle.

OWNER'S OPINION. Vitaly “Bordo” Borovsky: “Retro” is my second “Ural”. The first, a classic Troika model wheelchair, served me faithfully for seven seasons and traveled 40 thousand km on the roads of 24 countries. It never let me down and proved to be a reliable and completely modern motorcycle. Therefore, the purchase of a “Retro” with a stroller was a completely conscious and purposeful decision, and its main purpose, as before, was traveling on asphalt for several thousand kilometers - “Retro” is ideal for these purposes.

The new motorcycle has a different frame, significantly lower than the classic one. As a result, Retro feels low, sleek, and light to me. It steers much easier, there is practically no roll, it holds a straight line as if on rails, and the effect of a right turn with the lifting of the cradle comes much later. Where on a regular Ural I leaned as far as possible to the right, pushing my butt into the sidecar, on a Retro I drive without leaving the seat. Driving is now even more fun and requires much less physical effort: even after a thousand kilometers I don’t feel like I’ve unloaded a wagon of coal. Other impressions are more subjective, but no less stable. If my first “Ural” still seemed like a Soviet motorcycle with characteristic squeaks and rattles, then “Retro” creates a feeling of some kind of foreign-made solidity and reliability. And how elegantly a large headlight with an ignition switch looms before your eyes, from which a key sticks out like a sight!

Another big advantage of the “Retro” is the possibility of solo use, because it is already equipped at the factory with everything necessary: ​​a side stand, a full set of turn signals and a side trailer electrical wiring connector. Being also the owner of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, I can’t help but compare. “Retro” seemed to me light, small and nimble (and this is a “heavy Russian motorcycle”!). In traffic jams I felt like I was on a scooter: I climbed into all the cracks, steering with just my fingers. The ergonomics are familiar and comfortable, unlike the Harley scheme with separate turn signals, which also turn off themselves. The suspension is soft and comfortable. The road is familiar to the bumps - where I was shaking terribly on the Harley, I instinctively tensed up in advance, but nothing happened. So, “blah blah”, but I don’t even waver. During rides in the pouring rain, the motorcycle never sneezed - the new air filter no longer floods. Only on cleared asphalt, due to the thin wheels, the motorcycle behaves quite nervously. But I’ll probably change the mufflers: the original ones are very quiet.

As a result, my “Retro” is two wonderful motorcycles in one. With a sidecar, it is not only ideal for long journeys with a passenger and luggage, but can also give a lot of special pleasure to the experienced sidecar pilot - one who understands. In the solo version, I got a dynamic, maneuverable and elegant “old school” motorcycle, which I could use to get to work in traffic jams or to show off on Observation Street in the evening.

Rev'It!, Motto and Marushin equipment is provided by the PRO Moto store.

Black and white: “Ural-Retro”

Durability and power of the Ural Retro motorcycle

The Ural Retro Solo motorcycle equipment is known for its increased engine power and long-term wear resistance, thanks to which they handle perfectly on city streets and wide highways.

It is the increased degree of reliability that needs to be given attention. The motorcycle is equipped with a 4-speed gearbox, which has the ability to move backwards, pendulum suspension at the rear, or telescopic suspension at the front.

It also has an electric starter, hydraulic front disc brakes and a rear drum brake.

The gasoline tank has a fuel capacity of 19 liters. For safety purposes, specialized arc frames are installed.

Such a specimen is capable of reaching a speed of about 130 km/h. With such data, it can be classified as a heavy weight category, with a mass of 235 kg, but the weight does not have a significant effect on comfortable handling. The motorcycle does not lose its maneuverability and remains a leader among vehicles in an urban environment.

A standard driver's position, a straight, low-slung steering wheel, chrome-trimmed 18-inch wheels with built-in spokes, and in addition to this, a unique optical device that allows you to monitor the road situation - these are the very unique features of this model of motorcycle equipment.

Standard driver's seat on a Ural Retro motorcycle

The Ural Retro motorcycle may be equipped with a driver's windshield, and split saddles can be easily replaced with one single seat with a fabric or leather cover. All of these upgrades increase the feeling of convenience while traveling.

It is worth noting that the outer shell of the Ural is not much different from the models of the 50s, but its boldness does not go away from this.

It harmoniously combines the classic style of the last century and the modern technological potential of our time.

One of the special models of this Solo series motorcycle is the Ural “Solo-DPS” for patrolling by police. Its package includes an additional wind shield, special signal lights, as well as a modified form of construction for mounting traffic police equipment.

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 RUB 110,000*

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

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. Solo sT is a motorcycle that combines the best of the classic Ural - simplicity, versatility and timeless classic lines

It could have been produced in the 70s if Soviet engineers had been allowed to create a two-wheeled motorcycle. It was decided to revive old ideas - thus the Ural Solo sT was released. This motorcycle satisfies the need for functionality, simplicity and intelligence. It is universal and suitable for both the city and forays into nature

Solo sT is a motorcycle that combines the best of the classic Ural - simplicity, versatility and timeless classic lines. It could have been produced in the 70s if Soviet engineers had been allowed to create a two-wheeled motorcycle. It was decided to revive old ideas - thus the Ural Solo sT was released. This motorcycle satisfies the need for functionality, simplicity and intelligence. It is versatile and suitable for both the city and outdoor trips.

Solo sT is a classic motorcycle with modern components: DUCATI microprocessor ignition system, Sachs shock absorbers, Yuasa battery. The Ural Solo sT is equipped with Marzocchi forks and Brembo brakes for comfortable driving. Reliable, robust and proven, the air-cooled boxer engine features electric start and kickstart, producing 40 hp. at 5600 rpm, torque 5.3 kgm at 4000 rpm.

Specifications

Parameters of the Ural Solo ST motorcycle

Moving smoothly to the machine characteristics, it should be noted that there are no special differences from the standard properties of the IMZ models. It has a good two-cylinder engine with a volume of 745 cc. see. An up-to-date ignition system will allow you to start the engine simply and quickly. Equipped with a four-speed gearbox. The rear wheel moves due to the driveshaft. Fuel consumption per 100 km of city driving is 5-6 liters.

"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?

The story of one Ural Solo sT

Smart people, when they need to write a report about events spread over time, keep a journal. Or they make small notes all the time, which can then be summarized and published (if they were not published immediately). I was not so lucky with my understanding, so at the moment I will definitely not be able to give specific dates or the cost of the work. But my memories are enough to convey the feeling of the new motorcycle.

So, we will start by answering the question “Why?!”. At the beginning of the new year, or rather at the beginning of February, I bought a Solo ST, simultaneously selling my liter dragstar to Podvodnik. Why? Because I bought the dragstar to replace the ’96 Magna and Solo (yes, the 825 cc one). And the replacement did not work out. Dragstar was not problem-free, not once. Its cruising speed was no higher than Magna's. It was no more vigorous than the overbored IMZ engine, equipped with carburetors from a small Japanese company that does not make the best carbs in the world. Its maneuverability in the flow was lower than that of both, so the conclusion was this: Ural Solo > Magna > Drag.

Well, after such fabrications that were happening in my head, when, blinking the light bulb “what the hell is wrong,” the drag was cooling down on the side of the road somewhere in Ryazan, I was definitely convinced that the next horse would be the Ural. Then they helped me successfully finish the season, the dragstar was beaten, and I sold it, because it was too much trouble to repair this plastic bucket.

So, the Ural from Plamen was brought to me by tow truck. The upper fastener did not fall very well onto the tank, and a white chip formed in this place. It immediately became clear that this wonderful piece of jewelry was not painted with powder. And there was so much talk about it. It's a shame, though. But it started up perfectly without any suction, despite the fact that it was February.

March came, there were frosts, and the moth’s gas tap couldn’t handle it. The fuel line, which was not secured with clamps, suddenly peed itself. Trouble. But the carbs (and I rather expected from the Keyhens that the needles would not hold up) held up well. However) I drained the gasoline from the tank and changed the oil. I hoped that nothing would catch fire. In the meantime, I decided to remake the seat.

The season has begun. The motorcycle was driving very poorly. The sound of the gearbox input shaft bearing was heard. Trouble. I took him to Plamen. The spendthrift was there for quite a long time... Until Guru came to them and said that all this was a sign of a bad pre-sale. We must pay tribute to the motorcycle dealership, they didn’t bother with the fact that I brought them the motorcycle without a seat (it wasn’t ready yet, and the old one was already screwed up).

Okay, the motorcycle started moving, rattling its valves terribly and accelerating lousily. He also couldn’t boast about the uniformity of traction at the bottom, but during the run-in it’s nonsense to demand this. At that time, the upholstered seat had just returned.

With 1050 km covered, I went to Guru for the first maintenance. Next time I'll do it myself. Vasily, of course, is a pro, and not every service can boast such a warm welcome and tea and bagels + good conversation, but... For yourself, routine service operations can be performed with great quality. For example, you can really cool the engine completely, turn the nuts with a torque wrench, you can pay more attention to the beating of the pusher rods, etc....

But Vasya secured the clutch cable from the Wolf with all his heart. Yes, I ran out of clutch cable, but I couldn’t find it for sale. Was taken used from Wolf. The same thing happened with the throttle cable that comes from the handle, but a set of throttle cables was found in Peter’s possession. The cables were caught by the steering limiter, because no one really strengthened them at the factory, and this was not done during pre-sale either.

And the motorcycle began to ride. The thrust at the bottom was still not very uniform (for some reason), but the piston began to spin. However, the happiness did not last long. After a couple of trips to work, I ran out of rubber carb flange. There were no relatives available, and flanges from Ikov, in my experience, were no more reliable. And I decided to put k-68. Solve the problem so radically. One fig, I was denied a guarantee, since rubber products are not subject to it.

Okay, I bought carbs, pushrods, bought a seat from Patrol, installed it all. I spent a long time selecting jets, and the motorcycle was off. Yes, yes, with a capital letter. By playing with the quality of the mixture, we managed to straighten the traction at the bottom (which is strange, in theory the settings should be the same). Separately, it’s worth saying that the seat from Patrol is the best sofa I’ve ever used on a motorcycle.

I arrived at Sinezh-21 at night; I had to drive occasionally turning off the headlights in order to see what was going on under the wheel. Like Norsu, he rolled down the shore several times until he found the camp. But my St didn’t flop, unlike the Finnish Wolf. Marzochi + Brembo = best combination I've ever ridden.

I returned from Sinezh and went to work. Well, that is, he returned, sobered up and slept it off, then went to work. It drove well, the Ural rolled superbly between the rows, showing stunning dynamics and controllability. Until I got into a Ford Focus. This happened on Vavilov when I was rolling in the right lane, where there was no longer any hint of a row aisle. The old man just turned sharply, turning on the turn signal at the very last moment and not making sure that there was no one on the right. The traffic police stated that I did everything correctly and all the blame lies with the owner of the Focus.

Since I was trying to avoid the collision, the impact did not hit the front passenger door, but to the right, at a strong angle. The Ford was left with a bent strut and a damaged side member. The Ural escaped with a flying left arc (from the impact) and a torn right side (the slipper tore off the brake handle, bent the turn signals, etc.).

At Sinezh, when Volkodav told me how wrong I was for getting rid of the Keyhens, I joked that in the event of an accident, the K68 would come off only if the cylinder and the pilot’s leg came off. I was right. The motorcycle did not lose its mobility after the accident.

As a result, the turn signal mounts were corrected. The headlight, steering wheel, valve covers, and arches were replaced. And then a disaster immediately happened - the moto turned out to be without a side stand. Since on my motorcycle it was attached to the left arch, and the factory makes new arches without a platform, I had to farm it. I would like to look into the eyes of the drug addict who came up with this...

It was decided to defect the engine. A difference in compression was found to be more than 1 atm. A difference in compression of more than 0.3 atm is already felt, and here the reason for the difference in traction was found. Someone at the factory did not lap the valves well. And the oil scrapers also worked very lousy: the valves were absolutely full of oil.

Okay, I took new heads from Peter, replaced the carbs with Dellorto ones (the accelerator pump makes the difference, and the quality of their performance is much better than that of the “domestic ones”).

A few words about heads. IMZ was faced with the task of increasing the tightness of valve closure. There are two ways - install more powerful springs, or make the geometry of the saddles with better quality. Judging by the oval working chamfers, the width of which varies from ~0.5 to ~2 mm, they ignored the second path. Well done! On the native heads, the chamfer was generally continuous, 45 degrees somewhere. Like on the old Volgas. Here, don’t install any carbs, don’t dance around with the ignition - the car won’t be playful.

At the moment, the odometer shows something in the region of 4,700 km, and the only breakdown, well, so that the motorist could take it and get up - the fuse burned out, which was bought right there (there were auto parts across the road). Everything else - replacing pusher rods, searching for original flanges, gearbox noise, periodic valve ringing (a feature of poorly made rocker arms), howling of the dens, work on moving the side stand, lousy selection of oil scrapers and missing chamfer geometry, all this lies on the conscience of IMZ. It looks like it turned out to be a good motorcycle, but there are such problems... These are not even childhood problems of the model. This is some kind of disregard.

I'm currently getting ready to completely repaint the bike. Powder paint. Because there are many shortcomings in the painting, and the motorcycle has already begun to bloom in places. It’s generally better to remain silent about non-galvanized fasteners. In addition, I have to do something with the heads and ignition, since the carbs have already proven the correctness of their choice, and the dynamics need to be improved.

There is a separate issue with the selection of an air filter. Dellorto carbs require more performance. But the “nulevik” type filter, which is placed in the original pan, must be washed about three thousand every time. I would like to adjust this interval to the total mileage between maintenance.

Interesting Facts

• In 2002, Saddam Hussein's Republican Guard ordered 2,000 Ural motorcycles with sidecars to support their defensive strategy based on high mobility tactics. Officially, the motorcycles were intended for the Iraqi Ministry of Health and Ministry of Agriculture. About 1,500 motorcycles were delivered before the start of the Iraq War as part of the Oil-for-Food program, which aroused great interest among the military and the public. However, after the overthrow of Saddam Hussein's regime, the State Transport Company of Iraq, which entered into an agreement on the supply of motorcycles, was forced to look for other buyers. According to Iraqis, motorcycles with sidecars are well suited for moving around the city and off-road. Due to the ongoing violence and the danger of coming under fire at any moment on the street, the Iraqis weld additional protection on the vulnerable spots and sidecar of the Urals and install a machine gun on the motorcycle. Representatives of the American command in Iraq have repeatedly expressed concern about the appearance of such motorcycles with machine guns among Iraqi rebels.
• The new generation Russian Ural motorcycle took part in the filming of the film “Ghost Rider 2”.
• In December 2013, at the last stage of the Olympic torch relay of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in the city of Kamensk-Uralsky, 11-time Russian motocross champion Evgeny Shcherbinin carried the torch on a Ural motorcycle, and on February 8, 2014, 20 Ural motorcycles took part in opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Sochi.
• In November 2021, the Ural Brand presented a prototype of the Ural electric motorcycle with a sidecar. The prototype was created on the basis of the existing ST chassis with single-wheel drive. The motor, battery, controller and other components are from the famous American manufacturer of electric bikes Zero Motorcycles. The manufacturer's management later revealed some plans for the electrical project.

History of Solo first issues

I would like to tell my story of communication with the opposition, which has been going on for more than 14 years. During this time, I gained experience in the repair and maintenance of Ural Solo motorcycles.

I started riding, like probably many others, on a Minsk, then on an Izha, and on Czech motorcycles. At the same time, having mastered one class of motorcycle, if opportunities allowed, I tried to switch to a more powerful one, but always of domestic production, because... I was frightened by the high cost and low maintainability of foreign cars, poor suitability for our roads.

As soon as the first Solos went on sale in our stores (around 1993), I immediately had a desire to buy, but I didn’t have the required amount. There was also no repair experience, so I bought an Izh Planeta-5 and drove it for several years, but the thought of a heavy, powerful single vehicle never left my head. Interest was also fueled by articles from the Moto magazine for 93-94, which talked about the operation of these motorcycles.

These motorcycles went on sale in scanty quantities and were approximately two to two and a half times more expensive than the Izhi.

And once, when I was driving my “Planet-5” along the highway on a long, rather steep climb at a speed of about 70 km/h in 3rd gear, such a “Solo” easily passed me without straining. At a glance, his speed was about a hundred. This impressed me because... “Izh” was not capable of this.

Finally, I had the opportunity to buy a used Solo for an inexpensive price. The deciding factor for the purchase was the low price. The motorcycle was running, but had been in an accident and was quite damaged. The impression from the first trip was twofold. On the one hand, it’s a heavy and quite comfortable motorcycle, on the other, there are short gears (in fourth, after 75 km/h, the revolutions are already too high. After 90 km/h, the engine is already overturning.) In addition, there was quite a strong vibration on the steering wheel, which is strange for a boxer , which is well balanced in design.

I enthusiastically began to master the hardware and gain practice. Having put the mechanics more or less in order, the appearance, which was very important to me, still remained, to put it mildly, not very good, and its restoration required a lot of money. So I decided to look for another motorcycle, in better condition.

I managed to find the same, almost new “Solo”, with a mileage of 6 km. Their release date coincided (February 1994). But the motorcycle stood for 9 years in the basement, not properly preserved, with cylinders damaged by corrosion.

Therefore, I had to repair the CPG and tidy up the appearance. At the gearbox I installed the fourth accelerated one (1.19).

I tried to make a motorcycle suitable for long trips, because... I love asphalt long-distance driving. But, even with an accelerated fourth gear, I set the rear axle to ten (10/35), because Without it, when driving on the highway, the engine still twists.

Fears that the engine would not be able to pull the entire transmission were not confirmed. A standard, well-adjusted, unworn 650cc motor pulls the whole thing along just fine. The dynamics did not drop critically. The only thing is that it takes longer to accelerate in third.

But after three and a half thousand runs, 3 teeth of the driven Chinese gear, which was overheated, broke off at the root. The gearing was adjusted perfectly.

Returned to the factory nine. (I haven’t found a quality top ten yet.)

The combined accelerated transmission (fourth plus ten) left an indelible impression on me personally. It was as if it was designed for this motorcycle.

In 1969, even the smallest BMW R 50/5 with a 500 cm engine and 32 hp. had a top speed of 157 km/h. (Moto magazine, October 2004.) Therefore, why can’t a Ural with a 650 cc engine and the same power, but more torque and at lower speeds, have the same performance? He has them.

The appearance of the motorcycle differs little from the stock one. The original wind shield may not be very elegant, but in terms of wind protection it is very effective. Knee guards (I installed them made of stainless steel) and guards on the steering wheel also work as wind protection.

Even at speeds above 100 km/h, all the air flow comes from above, so the motorcycle is pleasant to ride over long distances. You don’t get tired when driving for a long time; with well-synchronized standard K-65T carburetors, vibrations are small and do not tire.

After 90 km/h, the boxer wakes up and is able to express itself. In total I drove it about 17,000 km, I didn’t go far, maximum 150 km. During this run, NOT A SINGLE BREAKDOWN HAPPENED, EVEN MINOR! With the exception of the aforementioned overheated Chinese ten. The plans are to install the top ten again, hang good side panniers, and put on good imported tires.

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!

The heavy weight of the motorcycle is not noticeable while moving; you only feel it when skidding. If we remember the poorly functioning suspensions and the poor tread pattern of the tires, it becomes obvious that it is better not to drive the Solo off-road.

The motorcycle is also not suitable for training riding, since due to its large length and small steering angle, you cannot ride a standard “figure” on it. In addition, at low speeds with a sharp increase in engine speed, the lateral rotation of the flywheel affects: the motorcycle tilts to the right. For studying, it is better to choose another motorcycle: lighter, simpler and cheaper.

Beginner motorcyclists need to remember that opposed cylinders and heads can become “easy prey” if they fall. You should not rely on the arcs: although they look quite powerful, they may not save you at speed.

So, let's summarize what has been said. Riding the Ural Solo will bring pleasure to experienced motorcyclists on well-paved roads. Loose “classic” seating position, good throttle response and torque, high maximum speed, long service life of all components and, finally, “clean hands” when refueling with gasoline - all these are the undoubted “advantages” of the motorcycle. And the “cons” are poor suspension and not always satisfactory brakes. For a passenger, driving a Solo over long distances is unlikely to be a pleasure. As for the heavy weight and off-road driving, the assessment largely depends on experience and driving skills.

And in conclusion, let’s take a look at the Ural-Solo through the prism of the world motorcycle industry. Most companies produce a wide range of motorcycles, and several of them are the classic chopper type. The legendary American Harley-Davidson alone makes about twenty models in its own style. The layout and appearance have not changed for decades, which, however, does not prevent the introduction of rational new products - disc brakes and 5-speed gearboxes. We can say that the Ural is somewhat similar to a Harley; it does not succumb to the rapidly changing motorcycle fashion: it has a lot of “metal” and it also sparkles with chrome. True, this is not because of a good life, but because of the inflexible technological process. But if the plant continues to consciously adhere to this course, you see, soon the “Ural” will become national Russian pride, along with samovars, nesting dolls and pancakes.

The material was published in the magazine "Moto".

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.