Advice on Buying New 2012 Ural Retro

I'm looking at a new 2012 Ural Retro. Any advice on this model with the conventional front forks? I've never ridden a hack so it will be a new experience for me.

It seems to be more of a road model. I spend six months in flat Florida and six months in the mountains of Western North Carolina where I do ride some gravel roads but nothing that can't be handled by a two wheel drive car.

The other choice is the plain jane 2012 Ural T.

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/NkIHRd57SjUqJK76enJfedMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-mpPFdSNMYAM/UMeOQgqQQGI/AAAAAAAAClE/_YeyyERFfME/s800/2012-Ural-Retro1-small.jpg" height="448" width="700" /></a>

Thanks,

The Retro sure is a beauty and the Ural T is the flat black bare bones model.... which would you rather take down a gravel road? If you're tall you may find the Retro a bit cramped as the seating position and frame are different. I always felt like I sat "on top" of my tourist which I found more comfortable than sitting on a Retro. The tubs will feel about the same but the windscreen and comfort details in the tub seat on the Retro are a plus.

You'll probably get tighter handling and some less head shake on the rough stuff with the Ural T's leading link fork. Both have dampeners so you can adjust the Retro for rougher conditions.

If you really want to put it to work hauling kids, the dog, exploring on dirt and such and your hack monkey is OK with wind in the face the Ural T should do fine.

Whichever you choose either model will always turn heads and start a long conversation.

My .02.

Scott in Shoreview
'79 Suzuki GS550
'02 Ural Tourist (Gone but not forgotten)

For what you describe either one will be fine, so go with the style you like the look of.

You are going to have a blast w/ either...........if it were me, I go w/ the Retro. Bit lower like a street bike but the big difference is the higher rated Hyway speed. Bigger tank too.

My BRO's Gear Up 2011 is getting a real work out from both of us. These new Urals are purly so much better from the start. Most of the owners of the earlier Urals have done many of the upgrades on their own.

Go to Soviet Steed & ask you questions for the active riders of Urals from all years. But what ever you go w/, you're going to have a lot of fun.

I would say it's a matter of preference. I think the Retro looks much better than the flat black T, but that's just me. You can also check out:

www.sovietsteeds.com
www.russianiron.com
www.sidecar.com
www.adventuresidecar.com

Good luck either way - I'm hoping to have my Gear Up within the next few weeks

Thanks for the replies. I found the thread on
http://www.sovietsteeds.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=25866
which helps a lot too.

Both will work fine. Go for what you like the looks or the feel of.
If you are tall, the retro seating position will feel more cramped than the regular bike.
The retro also sits a little bit lower to the ground and (I believe) the sidecar wheel is further forward. Both of these enhance stability in turns.

The Ural T is the bare bones edition. It is a blank slate and is considerably cheaper than the Retro. The money difference would allow you to customize it to your tastes and have a lot of money left over.
BTW, one of the best dealers in the country is in Holopaw, FL. Give Gene a visit.

I am leaning toward the plain Jane T since I like the blank slate idea. Part of the fun of ownership for me is doing small mods to a bike.

I bought a retro around Easter of 2012. Spend about half my time in the VA mtns along the NC border. Retro does fine in the mountains on any road I've pointed it at. Dirt or gravel just fine. Twisty roads, hills, BRP - no problems.
Ural is slow but will plod anywhere. Great on the BRP and for sightseeing off the beaten path. Great cargo capacity. Ideal picnic machine. Some say the Retro is the fast one in the family - hard to believe. I've enjoyed owning it and have no regrets.
Occasionally I wonder if the 2wd would be any more fun in the woods, then I realize how little assistance I really need to get in over my head.

Only farkle I bought was a luggage rack, bit of overkill but handy when two of us go off for a day picnicking - sorta like the Clampett family. Ride it for a couple of months and get to know it before spending money on it. Check out Soviet Steeds for owners info.

If you can afford a Retro don't look back.

If you can sit on either I would do that. After I sold my 2005 Patrol I had it in mind to get a Retro. I went to Holopaw Gene's place and I sat on a Retro and a Gear Up. For me I just was more comfortable on the taller Patrol style kind of rig. It's a personal choice. The Retro has 18" inch wheels and is a little quicker than the taller rigs (Tourist, Patrol, T, gear Up, Etc.) handles a little better on the roads. Also keep in mind that the seats on either bike can be modified which people have done. My personal favorite limited edition rig that Ural made was the, "Red October" it had 18" inch wheels, a Retro type frame, and leading link front end. That rig was quick (Relatively speaking) and looked way cool. It's all good. Happy hunting.....

The additions add up really fast. So don't buy low with the plan to add things for fun. Most options are factory parts and cost more if you buy them later. Most shops will sell you farkles and install them for free if you buy them at the time of purchase. Right now best bang for your buck is the Yamal by far.

Thanks for all the information on buying a Ural rig. I'm currently looking at several different used/new 2012 models. I'm not hung up on any particular model but would like a newer one.

I would suggest against the stock T model.

You're going to want the toolkit and sidecar cover at the minimum, and a spare wheel can't hurt either. Pricewise it's better to go with the Tourist.

Didn't know that the T didn't come with a tool kit, thanks.

Maybe going to look at at used low mileage (km) 2012 Tourist next week. Any advice on what items to check?
Thanks

Where are you in WNC? There's a great mechanic in Highlands that puts BMW motors in older Urals.

I'm in Fort Myers,FL for the winter and will return to Robbinsville,NC for the summer in May.

you should be able to order it with the leading link. I think the leading link is safer. I ordered mine with the leading link and no additional charge.