The New 2018 Royal Enfield Classic 500 Hits the US Shore.

Lemons pop up once in a while . That's all I've got is HD's . Pretty much all I've had since the late 70's .

 

I wanted a H.D. so bad, I saved and saved and counted the days until I had enough to plop down a wad on the desk and ride of into the sun set on my own brand new bike! Pretty bad when a feller finally gets it all together and buys a brand new bike and its a lemon and both the dealer and motor company will not stand behind it or make it right!

 

I hear ya there . Had a buddy good of mine,,,,RIP bro,,,,, rode a '58 Sportster everywhere .He ended up buying a new Superglide,,,one of those Twin Cam models , he liked the bike , but for some reason , he'd be riding down the road , and at odd times , the front end would just drop , like the fork oil just disappeared . It about killed him one time , it dropped on him in a curve , just about sent him into an oncoming truck . He had it back in the shop , they could never find a problem . He finally took it back , raised hell , called corporate and raised hell . They took it back , and refunded most all the money he had in it .

 

I've known a few that had those problems . The on thing about them is , they put different amp charging systems on them , and a lot people just buy a regulator thinking they;re all the same , and in a few day's , they burn up another on . I've heard of Stators spiking in amps , and the Stator just slowly going out , and causes regulator problems .Even ground issues .But , I usually carry a small assortment of tools with me as well . Just part of the stigma ,,,,carry tools and oil leaks .

 

Knew a HD rider who set up his trip with a map of HD shops on his route. My brother rode a BMW and just went along to enjoy the DRAMA of not if the HD stopped but When it stopped so he could drag it in to the closest HD Shop.

 

I had the same thing happen to me in 1990. Since I bought my Sportster at a PX in Germany there was no support whatsoever from the local dealership in Texas. I was told to haul it up to Milwaukee.

 

@Tevin "My current ride is a BMW. Twelve years old and never needed anything except a battery, tires, and oil changes."
What kind do you have? After reading this thread I got the hots to own another BMW again, think I would want something like the old Daktari that would allow curb jumping and going on some logging roads around here as well as the street. I gotta get another garage built before I can get one...grrrr!

@ghrit "I was giving serious thought to a ... or Ural side hack."
Is that the one made in the Ukraine? I got to look it up. I use to see a lot of them in the old former Soviet Union countries...I didn't know they still made them?

I never care much for Harleys because I am first and foremost looking for reliability but I have heard they've gotten better.

 

Are they any good - meaning - reliability? The ones I saw were very old and still running so...

 

I have a K1200S. It's an inline four, liquid cooled. I never much cared for air cooled bikes, but to each his own. It is insane fast and handles like fighter jet.

Urals are a BMW clone, literally. Back in the day the Soviets simply reverse engineered a BMW without the build quality and attention to detail. That's why Urals look like Beemers.

I'm not sure where Ural is made today, but they are considered a very respectable bike. Keep in mind too that even though Ural is a decent motorcycle, like Enfield there is not a strong dealer system.

 

Here is a list of upgrades on the Urals.

• Ural Changes: 2003 – 2018
• Links
• Ural Service

Ural 2003-2018 Changes & Upgrades
Most recent changes are listed first.

2018

• Spotlight replaced with high visibility LED Fog Lights on Gear Up sidecar.
• New passenger windshield on cT model.
• New hydraulic/gas charged steering damper.
• New reed style magnetic float fuel sensor.
• Three new standard paint options (Slate Grey, Burgundy Satin, and OD Green).

2017

• Electronic speedometer with built-in indicators.
• New wire harness with combination relay and fuse box under left side panel.
• Handlebar switch for sidecar spot-light.
• Handlebar parking brake lever, replaces rider side lever.
• Reverse / neutral foot pedal instead of lever.
• New stock 2/3 seat, replaces tractor seat.
• New sidecar seat with extra storage space under the cushion.
• Updated Tonneau covers.
• Numerous redesigned and improved internal components.
• New colors available in premium colors and finishes.

2016

• New starter motor.
• Introduction of compressible fiber-aluminum gaskets to seal exhaust head pipes.
• Hydraulic brake switch.
• Modified wire harness.
• Modified throttle bodies and flanges.
• Gas tank with the fuel sensor baffle.
• Modified hydraulic dampener with increased stiffness and sealing.
• New trunk lid weather strip.
• New design of the oil deflector for the breather for 2WD models.
• Use of liquid paint on all body parts.

2015

• Updated standard roller bearing used in the crankshaft.
• Updated welding for hydraulic damper mount.
• 3M Self adhesive kick start bumper.
• New rear brake hose and cable mounting bracket.
• Relocated master cylinder with universal link rods.
• Redesigned rear brake pedal that is higher and more comfortable.
• New H4 headlight with housing.
• New tonneau covers, standard Sunbrella and vinyl for cT model.
• Plastic wheel hub covers for front and sidecar wheels.
• Introduction of Universal spare wheel.

2014

• Introduction of new EFI engine.
• Introduction of new cT model.
• New airbox with branch pipes.
• New hydraulic steering dampener.
• New aluminum triple clamps.
• Disk brakes on front, rear, and sidecar wheels.
• Redesigned wheel hubs.
• New final drive housing.
• Pre-formed fuel lines, breather, and brake reservoir hoses.
• New front brake reaction link.
• New Ural gas tank badges.
• New tank knee-grips with logo.
• Redesigned ignition key.
• New dashboard with updated indicator lamps.
• Front engine cover now featuring Ural logo.

2013

• Improved clutch plates.
• New mirror design.
• New diamond sidecar step plate.
• New sidecar floor mats.
• New military hardware fasteners on all tonneau covers.
• Improved tire pump.
• 3M seam sealers for improved protection.

2012

• New piston rings with tighter tolerances.
• New camshaft with improved materials and bearing surfaces.
• Improved 2 piece design for sidecar drive shaft yokes.
• New 2WD gear hubs for final drive and sidecar swing arm drive.
• New 1 piece intake branch pipes that eliminates center coupler and clamps.

2011

• New paint options including more powder coated colors.
• New Aluminum rims on all models.
• Trunk locks standard all models.
• New Cordura (canvas) tonneau covers and aprons.
• New aluminum upper fork bolts.
• Improved high strength final drive ring gear bolts.

2010

• Aluminum alloy rims for Patrol and Tourist models.
• Rocker arms with needle bearings.
• Bearing instead of bronze bushing on the camshaft.
• Polished ports of the cylinder head.
• Stainless steel on all tubular parts (bumpers, clips, handles etc.)
• 40mm Marzocchi forks for Retro model.

2009

• Stainless steel exhaust pipes and mufflers
• Newly designed removable plate under the driver seat
• Standard (7/8′) handle bar size and removable risers.
• Bottom out travel limiter on sidecar swing arm.
• New NAK seals and SKF bearings.
• High quality 8.8 hardware used throughout.

2008

• Complete new valve train including 7mm stem valves, sealed valve guides, hardened valve seats and stiffer valve springs
• New clutch springs
• Shock absorbers from Sachs
• Pivot bearings installed in place of bushings in both front and rear swing arms
• Tapered steering head bearings (SKF)
• Steel braided brake hoses
• New tool kit

2007

• Ducati ignition system
• Herzog precision cut timing gears and oil pump gears
• Surfaced clutch plates for smooth operation
• Herzog shafts and precision cut gears for gearbox
• Reversed style drive shaft with larger spline surface area
• Improved 2WD engagement rod with UNI balls
• Improved front sidecar mount to allow more adjustment and negative camber
• SKF sealed wheel bearings
• Brembo floating disc on all models
• Improved sidecar truck hinges and handle
• Standard (7/8′) handle bar size and removable risers
• Bottom out travel limiter on sidecar swing arm
• NAK seals
• SKF bearings
• High quality 8.8 hardware used throughout

2006

• New header fastening system for exhaust pipes
• Type V ignition (one-piece rotor)
• Floating disc on Retro/Troyka front brake
• Clutch linkage, different thrust bearing
• Mechanical rear drum brakes on Retro
• Petcock mounting on the tank without adapter
• “Upside-down” type of air filter
• Ducati ignition (late 2006)
• Neutral indicator off when reverse is “on”
• Drive shaft with longer splines
• Different style speedometer cable

2005

• Front bumper for Patrol
• New bench seats
• New wire harness with power outlet in the sidecar

2004

• Denso alternator
• Type IV ignition (outside location, two-piece rotor)
• Improved 2wd engagement lever (with fixing plate)

2003

• Brembo disc brake
• IMWA 750 engine (different valves, camshaft, pistons)

 

"The Word" on the street is that they are markedly improved, but stlll need to carry tools. I will say this, if there were a dealer within anything approaching a reasonable ride, I'd have one, far in preference to a Harley.

That said they are NOT interstate speed machines. There are some on line reviews, or at least used to be, on the 2016 model, a guy took his young daughter on a multi day tour and had no problems.

 

Went to Austin Tx a while back. Saw a Guy with his dog on the way. Made contact in Austin and found he had driven from Lubbock and took fastest way. No problems, not a 80mph cruiser but 70MPH was in reach and the Bitch Seat occupant was happy.

 

This Ural Gear-Up looks really quite interesting, 2WD and built for off-road...but I'm a bit leery of parts availability and, of course, reliability. I need to do more research...but I really like the idea of a off-road 2WD bike with side car.