The Ural is an example of the shortsightedness of companies who have missed the writing on the wall..like Colt. They failed to see that the SAA pistol could be brought back as a modern pistol and the Italians saw an opportunity to take this business for decades.
BMW is in the same position. They could be going simplistic retro and instead let the Russians do it. The Ural is some bike to be sure but no BMW. I have looked them over carefully in my driveway and it's as if a caveman made them. Well, not that bad but if you know and love BMW bikes they just don't come close enough to buy one.

Ural motorcycles are the equivalent of the Russian farm tractor. But they do have a following.
dju

OOOOH!! I like that! Price is atrocious, I paid less than that for my last new car!

Last one I looked at was 10 years ago. From the website it looks like quality has improved some? Still, That's an expensive weekend toy.

excellent John

even has James Bond machine gun ports on the rear :)

hah hah you guys beat me to the punch, albeit in a different way :D

Zurich, 1955 BMW R50, 1956 summer tour mit frau
BRgds, John

John, that is a great picture. You wild guy and wild frau :)

Thanks Ed, 15k km that summer in Europe, a great machine, a big improvement from my army 45 during high school/college.
John

The quality of the Urals has improved tremendously in the last 10 years.
But they are still not a bike I would ride any great distance.

Royal Enfield is another company that takes advantage of a retro design and have also made some substantial product improvements in recent years.
But, imho, they are still bikes that are only good for scooting around town.

The Urals reminded me of the Enfield. This outfit seems to demand a bit more from their Enfields than just scooting around town! http://legendarymotorides.com/tour-ladakh

Nice ride John! Those side car motocycles always stand out when you see them on the road!

BMW's are nice bikes but this is the way to go. These are my three babies.

But, imho, they are still bikes that are only good for scooting around town.Oddly enough that's about all I am good for these days!

Congratulations on your new bike, John! And... I like the sidecar alot...

My cousin is the director of safety systems for BMW. He worked on the design of the last BMW I was on was one of these (at the factory in Munich):

It was not particularly satisfying!!!!! That's why they stopped making them...

http://images.motorcycle-usa.com/Pho...-Scooter-9.jpg

The rubber blow up doll of BMW.

OMG!!! Seat belts!!! They should have put training wheels on that, would have given it a bit more class....
Marc, I tried to imagine you on that thing, and visions of the bear on a tricycle came to mind..Did you look over the top of the roof?

I stay out of town, it's safer.
But I'm only good for about 100 miles tops on my old CB750.
After that I need a day off. :(

I'm still waiting for one of these... :)

Aside from being a bizarre ride it looks like a great way to roast the family jewels.

Sheepherder, what were those bikes called? I've seen pictures of them before, just can't remember what they were called or how unsafe they were.