Ural Discussion Group
Tech Tips
Snow Stomping
Topic: Off-road knobby on 1WD sidecar rig (1 of 6), Read 383 times Conf: Owners Section From: Greg Lang () Date: Sunday, April 19, 1998 11:39 PM Last fall, living in the Northern Midwest
climate I obtained a knobby tire, mounted it on the spare wheel than mounted the "spare"
"knobby" as the drive wheel. Unfortunately,
(blame El-Nino) we never had more than 8" of
snow pack but a few blocks from my house
were a couple of leveled construction demolition sites and the 1WD performed remarkably well. I have some flood plains
near my house which may offer some good mudding opportunities.
Note: Most knobby-tires, especially
the more aggressive ones are non-DOT and shouldn't be used on normal-driving roads.
This is Really isn't a problem since a drive
tire change is so quick and easy. I use the
knobby as a spare but also have a spare inner-tube so if I got a flat I'd probably just replace the tube on regular roads.
Hint to owners: The missing item, especially if you are alone, is a jack. Many of the compact and Sub compact cars of Day's
past had rinky-dink jacks that work extremely
well for the far lighter Ural. Now that a lot of these cars are being junked keep your eyes peeled for these jacks. As an example
my (still operational) 1986 Toyota Pickup has a compact mechanical Pedestal Screw-jack. It has a long crank-rod but a screwdriver would suffice. Keep your eyes peeled for one of these small car-truck jacks. Often local specialized repair garages part out these
vehicles and with a bit of bluff you can get
the jack for around $5.00.
Topic: Off-road knobby on 1WD sidecar rig (2 of 6), Read 311 times Conf: Owners Section From: Stephan Bless ( Date: Monday, April 20, 1998 06:58 PM I also have ridden the one-wheel drive bike with a knobby on muddy roads and have been very favorably impressed with the traction. I carry it as a spare too.
If I anticipate changing tires, I also carry a 2x4, about 3 ft long. Roll the rear wheel up onto the board. Put the center stand down. Kick the board sideways with your foot until the front end is behind one of the center stand feet. Then pull the bike sharply backwards. The bike rolls up onto the center stand, then the tire rolls off the board.
Topic: Snow-stomping (3 of 6), Read 227 times Conf: Owners Section From: Jim Nickel Date: Friday, May 22, 1998 05:54 AM I would like to hear from owners about their experiences in snow. I live in Wisconsin and would love to own a Sportsman for the all-weather potential, mainly street riding. I ride all year long only when roads are dry. This year I hit a new low of commuting in 15 degree weather for a couple of days. I'm also curious if the charging system on a Ural can handle electric heated clothing. How many watts can one pile onto the system?
Topic: Snow-stomping (4 of 6), Read 195 times Conf: Owners Section From: John Hubbard Date: Friday, May 29, 1998 07:58 PM Hey Wisconsin!
I've got a 1WD in Southern Ontario Canada and have had the pleasure of being in a snow storm where I was pretty much the only thing moving that didn't have four wheel drive. Handles it great and on a quite winter night in suburbia its the best three wheel drifts in corners and most fun you can have legally...well...relatively legally!?!
And NO, I doubt the standard charging system can operate anything but the bike!
John
Topic: Snow-stomping (5 of 6), Read 151 times Conf: Owners Section From: Tom Lynott () Date: Monday, June 15, 1998 10:38 AM With the higher output alternator, standard on the '98 Cruiser models, optional on others, the juice is enough to handle your gear. It has an "extra" 20 amps and 150 watts over an above what the bike needs.
Just order the "High Output" alternator from your dealer.
Topic: Snow-stomping (6 of 6), Read 150 times Conf: Owners Section From: Larry Kelly () Date: Thursday, June 11, 1998 08:09 PM I have a sportsman and have went through two Montana winters with it. I ride it daily to work in the winter, it is only a ten minute ride. I have ridden as cold as -14 degrees and plowed snow with the valve covers. This winter I had a fairing, and the knobby tires on both rear axles. Both are a must for cold and snow