Wednesday 4 December 2013

Glimpses of the 2014 EFI model in the flesh

Check out some details on the new 2014 EFI model. We have one pre-production model here in Australia with the main shipment due to arrive in March 2014. There will be some small changes between this pre-production model and the final production. We will know early January the new colour schemes and also the accessories fitted to each model that will be available for 2014. There will be some changes from what we have had before.

The bike feels great to ride!!!

Air Intake Horn Above the Alternator

Linkage from the Rear Brake to the Sidecar Master Cylinder

Adjustable Hydraulic Steering Damper

Fuel Injection

Fuel Injection Pump and Plumbing, Also Note New Ignition Pickup from Top of Fly Wheel Case

Rear Master Cylinder and Hand Brake Actuating Cable

New Dashboard Including Fuel Light

Handbrake Actuating Lever

New Tyre Pump and Mounts in Trunk

New Raised Taqnk Lettering and the New Collett Mirror Mounting

Rear Brake Fluid Resevoir

New Final Drive

Rear Wheel showing the Handbrake Actuation Assembly on the Outside

View of the Sidecar Seperate Hydraulic Brake System

Vertical View of Sidecar Disc Brake

Sidecar Wheel

View of the New Front Cover with Spin-on Oil Filter

Saturday 9 November 2013

Ural rolls out the largest package of upgrades in more than ten years



Ural rolls out the largest package of upgrades in more than ten years



Introduction
Ural motorcycles gained popularity and a loyal following among motorcycle enthusiasts around the world.  Ural riders appreciate the bikes’ on- and off-road capabilities, ease of maintenance and certainly love the bikes’ classic appearance and feel. Our company is known for listening closely to customer feedback, and as such Ural has implemented a large number of changes and upgrades over the years.
We at Ural felt that the concept of a complete factory produced sidecar motorcycle has even bigger potential than what our previous models were able to deliver. So we began working on this project two years ago. The idea was to introduce a number of more advanced technical and functional features, while still maintaining Ural’s classic look, ruggedness and unpretentious character.
The four main areas we focused on were:
·         Engine performance
·         Handling
·         Braking
·         Overall fit and finish
Key differences at a glance.



2013 model year

2014 model year





Engine





Displacement

749 cc

749 cc
Fuel delivery

Carburation

EFI
Maximum HP

40 HP @ 5600 RPM

41 HP @ 5500 RPM
Maximum torque

38 ft-lbs @ 4600 RPM

42 ft-lbs @ 4300 RPM





Brakes




Front

Four-piston fixed Brembo caliper with 295mm NG floating disc

Four-piston fixed Brembo caliper with 295mm NG floating disc
Rear

Mechanical drum

Single piston big bore HB integrated floating caliper with 256mm NG fixed disc
Sidecar

Mechanical drum

Two-piston fixed Brembo caliper with 245mm NG floating disc





Dry weight, lbs

739

730
Fuel consumption, mpg

26-33

31-37
Recommended maximum cruising speed, mph

65

70

 Engine

What it was
Prior to 2014 all models of Ural motorcycles had been manufactured with carburetors. Carburetion allowed the user to make adjustments and accommodate different riding styles when necessary. While this is considered to be an advantage by some motorcycle enthusiasts, the benefits of EFI system are undeniable. Even though Ural could have continued with carburetion for a few more years, we decided it’s time to switch to EFI if we are to grow the brand and expand our customer base.

What it will be
2014 Urals feature the new standalone fuel injection system. This system has been developed specifically for Ural by ElectroJet, Inc., a Michigan-based engineering company, using components by Bosch and Delphi.
It’s a closed loop throttle body injection system utilizing individual ECU’s for each of the cylinders. This system precisely manages fuel delivery and ignition timing while simultaneously allowing the cylinders to communicate with each other for better idling and balance.
The most unique feature of our system is the individual ECU’s integrated with the throttle bodies.  It’s a compact and redundant system which allows the motorcycle to continue running with just one out of two ECU’s operational.  Our ECU also incorporates a PDS (pressure differential sensor) for more accurate and smooth fuel delivery, eliminating the need for additional TPS (throttle position sensor). The throttle bodies were specifically designed in a way to maximize performance while minimizing modification to existing engine components.
EFI is not the only piece of the puzzle.  We completed the package with an all new air box and an improved cam profile. 
The new airbox is almost two times larger in volume. This provides less restrictive airflow and better balance. The airbox inlet has been relocated to make the system more weather resistant and easier to service.
The profile of the camshaft was revised for shorter duration to increase the low to mid- rpm torque.

What is does
The three main benefits of EFI are obvious: it is more user friendly, provides better fuel economy and reduces emissions.
While the deployment of EFI and redesign of other engine components increased the maximum horsepower of our 750 engine, the real story is torque.
For a motorcycle with the sidecar that weighs over 700 lbs., you need a lot of torque to overcome the moment of inertia. And we achieved just that. The engine now produces 42 ft-lbs of torque at 4300rpm compared to previous 38 ft-lbs of torque at 4600 rpm - that’s a 15% increase! What’s even more impressive is that 90% of max torque is achieved below 2300 rpms - and that puts the power where you need it.

What it comes with
The engine now comes with redesigned front cover integrating a standard spin-on oil filter.
A new wire harness incorporates all new requirements for EFI utilizing high quality weather tight connectors.
The dashboard was redesigned to include fuel level warning and engine management indicator lamps.

Brakes

What it was
Since 2003 Ural motorcycles have utilized Brembo hydraulic disc brakes on the front wheel, and drum brakes for both the rear and sidecar wheels.  The drum brakes required the rider to apply more force to the brake pedal.  Also this configuration required more frequent maintenance and adjustment.

What it will be
Beginning in 2014 Urals will feature disc brakes on all three wheels.
The rear wheel utilizes a big bore integrated floating caliper by HB (Hayes Brakes) and a 256 mm solid NG rotor. The caliper also incorporates the mechanical parking brake feature.
The sidecar wheel is equipped with a two-piston Brembo caliper and a 245 mm NG floating rotor. 
Both rear calipers are operated by their own Brembo master cylinders.

What it does
The new system provides dramatically increased stopping power while requiring less rider effort. Having three individual braking systems provides for the highest level of redundancy and the ability to precisely tune the entire system.

What it comes with
During the development of the rear disc brakes we completely redesigned all wheel hubs. They now utilize standard sealed bearings with additional protective dust seals.
The rear hubs no longer utilize cast-in drive splines. They are now equipped with replaceable hardened bolt-on spline flanges. The rear wheel hubs will no longer need to be replaced due to worn drive splines.
The parking brake actuation lever was redesigned and conveniently located to simplify rider operation. 
The introduction of disc brakes allowed us to develop a new final drive housing, which is lighter and universal across the entire model line.
The front brake reaction link on leading link forks is now made by FRAP (Italy) and utilizes higher quality ball joints of increased strength.


Steering

What it was
The current Urals utilize a mechanical friction type steering damper. This simple design, while adjustable, doesn’t provide consistent handling under different riding situations. Thus the motorcycle requires constant rider input. 

What it will be
The new system incorporates an 18-position adjustable hydraulic damper. This damper specifications were carefully selected for use on our sidecar motorcycles and confirmed after extensive on- and off- road testing.

What it does
Riding the bike, equipped with new damper, requires less rider input while feeling more “planted” and connected to the road surface. As an added benefit, the hydraulic damper reduces the amount of sidecar specific yaw (pull to the right or left when accelerating or decelerating).  For newbies to sidecars, it eases the transition from two wheels to three wheels.

What it comes with
In conjunction with the development of the steering damper we also incorporated newly designed upper and lower triple clamps (bridges). These bridges are now made from forged aluminum alloy which is both stronger and lighter. Additionally the upper clamp incorporates handlebar mounts. Fork legs are now secured with pinch bolts in place of the original factory tapered upper mount.

Appearance

In addition to all the performance improvement the motorcycle has undergone substantial makeover.
The classic look of the Ural has been preserved but well refined. Some of the improvements include new kneepads and badges on the gas tank, improved preformed hoses for fuel lines, breather and reservoirs.
The new dashboard with modern indicator lamps is more aesthetically pleasing and at the same time better follows the contour of the headlight and the upper triple clamp.
The new front engine cover is slimmer and cleaner in appearance and incorporates the IMZ logo.
Some other small details also add to the overall appearance

Saturday 26 October 2013

Ural Adventure Rally October 2013



The annual Ural Adventure Rally  for 2013 was held at Kentucky, Ural Australia’s headquarters on 18th to 20th of October.
Walcha Lunch stop
This event attracted 18 Ural outfits. It was a weekend of local ride tours, some mechanical training and some novelty events. Riders came from as far as Adelaide, Brisbane and Melbourne to enjoy time riding and socialising with long time Ural colleagues and new acquaintances.
Friday’s meet up in Tamworth at the Powerhouse Motorcycle Museum was followed with a ride taking us along quiet back roads into the hills on the way to Walcha’s Royal Hotel and a combined coffee and lunch stop.
A highlight was the steep climb out of the Weabonga valley up the infamous 4WD “Harley Hill”. Despite the challenge, only one rider needed a little outside help to scale the long steep climb.
Clare prepares lunch on Saturday
Friday afternoon we had an interesting technical session in Graham’s workshop where we looked at some Ural items that had failed over the last six years that he has been repairing Urals. Explanations of what, how and why was of considerable interest to the owners as they learned how to get the best out of their outfits and what they should and should not try to do in servicing and adjustment.
Steep Riding out of the crossing




A nice sunny Saturday saw us all away on a 200km scenic tour of New England roads. Coffee and lunch stops were in pleasant and friendly surroundings. A sand and rock crossing over the Gwyder river  at the lunch spot provided some good photo opportunities and enough challenge to encourage some determined riding. Ural Australia’s office manager Clare had prepared a great picnic lunch for us all and later for the Barbecue back at “The Huts” accommodation on Saturday evening.






Gwyder River crossing


The afternoon run took in a nice variety of road surfaces and scenery including the spectacular Dangars falls and gorge lookout east of Armidale and we returned via the much photographed Gostwyck Chapel on the historic Uralla property of the same name.

Gostwyck Chapel

Sunday morning was again warm and sunny and a slow start with bacon and egg rolls from the barby prepared the riders for the novelty events.
First up was a navigation and observation farm tour. Fluoro pink dots led a meandering 7km course around the farm with creek crossings, grassy hills, pine forests and farm roads. Random numbers posted on marked trees, rocks and posts had to be added up. It was hard enough to spot some of the fluoro dots and ride among the forest trees without trying to mentally add numbers and remember them as you rode. Needless to say, there was a wide variety of totals submitted at the finish. Lots of laughs and fun was had by all. Winner of this event was Ray Ward who had his trusty dog in the sidecar to help navigate and add up numbers!
Ray Ward and his trusty navigator
A slalom around a tight set of marker drums was held next. Riders had to drive out and at the far end select reverse and do the course backwards. Several older riders commented on the core muscle exercise provided by looking behind to alternative sides as they reversed around the markers.
The final competition was a magnetic dish stuck on the sidecar bonnet and a tennis ball placed in it. The driver had to accelerate around a circular course on a hillside without losing the ball from the dish whilst being timed with a stop watch. Lee Edwards was the overall winner at these timed events and he won a new Duro tyre for his effort.
It was once again an enjoyable get together of Ural owners and there are now some similar regular events for Urals in other states. The next scheduled event is in the Victorian Alps in March. Ural Australia can provide contact details for that.