Natasha's history with me

As Natasha, my formerly owned Ural Sportsman Sidecar Rig makes her way to Traverse City, Michigan and her new owner Michael A; I figured I'd do a final posting with links and some notes.

I first laid eyes on her in a craigslist ad, and after some emails back and forth, effected a trade with her then owner Phil B.  "The Russians are Coming"

craiglist photo

The day came, September 18, 2009 when she was delivered to me by Phil B, on the back of his trailer.
"From Russia with Love".

First time riding Natasha

My education into the "skills" involved with riding my new Russian tractor-like steed began soon afterwards:  "Shift it like a Man"

One of the main reasons for getting a sidecar rig had been having the option to take on passengers safely and in comfort:  Short rides with the boys and My Loving Wife's first sidecar ride.

Miles

Patrick

Martha

What turned out to be an ongoing education into the service and repair requirements of Ural ownership also began soon after I got to know here.

My first RPOC day where what I found out in the long run were heat-related deficiencies in the design of the Urals' ignition system.

My education into the fuel/air delivery system:  LINK

My first long ride on Natasha and finally crossing over Empire Pass

Empire Pass

The first "major" breakdown, dealing with the Russian "hand grenade" alternator and the subsequent successful repairs thanks to Andrey my Russian friend and fellow members of the sovietsteeds online forum.

Here's some of the more memorable snow rides while I owned Natasha, she did great every time!

• Riding in Colorado's Recent and Really Cold Weather
• Snow Storm Commute
• Uraling on fresh snow
• Early Spring on Squaw Pass Road
• Last ride of 2009 - Southern Mountain Loop

Here's a search on examiner.com for rides involving Natasha:  LINK

Some of the more memorable repair episodes:

• Natasha's propshaft rebuild
• Stripped wheel hub splines
• U-Joint replacement
• Failed valve guides 
• The final drive rebuild

My thoughts on Ural ownership at the six month mark:  LINK

The last long ride on Natasha:  LINK

Making the decision to sell Natasha: LINK

Some final thoughts:

I am going to miss Natasha, warts and all, she provided so much fun under conditions that two-wheeled motorcycles are pretty much useless under.  

She allowed me to ride an entire year, every day, no matter what the weather, through a combined use of all my motorcycles including her in the nastier weather conditions.

I'll miss her reverse gear and her driven sidecar wheel when on slippery terrain, but believe the V-Strom will do just fine as well with the right tires and some chains perhaps.

I won't miss her struggling to keep up with traffic when going uphill, or her short service intervals, or her sometimes tractor-like riding.  

I will miss her classic looks and attention-getting presence, but believe the V-Strom will contribute her own in these terms.

I won't miss wondering if I'll be able to get home safely when some new noise manifests itself or some new behavior appears.  I won't mind being bored by the often mentioned Suzuki reliability.

I got her with 5125 km on her odometer, she left me 30,586 km later, so about 15,276 miles; this was done from September 18, 2009 to May 16 2011.

I know her new owner will appreciate, as I did, the simplicity of her design even though the execution of which was a bit lacking in terms of tolerances and metallurgical qualities.  I won't miss the issues presented by the Ural parts supply system, they've got a long way to go to match the performance of BMW in this regard.