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Gummiente · Tue Nov 08, 2005 2:22 pm

Well, looks like this coming Saturday will be the end of the riding season for me. Long range forecast does not look good; lots of rain/snow and sub zero temperatures just do not make for a pleasant 6am commute to work at this time of year. I'll be phoning the Harley dealer tomorrow to make the necessary arrangements for my bike and for Angie's; they charge $210 for heated storage, monthly battery charging, an oil change and a wash/wax in the spring prior to pick-up. Not a bad deal and a much better environment for the bikes than my cold, drafty garage.

But the Ural, well, that's a different story... it's pretty much set up for cold weather riding now and all I need is to get some new winter riding gear and a set of knobby tires and I'll be able to go blitzing through the snow whenever the mood strikes. For the first time in 23 years of riding I think I'll be able to maintain my sanity over the winter months.

Just did a quick total mileage calculation from 19 March to today:

'04 Harley FLHT: 22,778km
'79 Dnepr MT10-36: 763km
'06 Harley FXDI: 1,878km
'05 Ural Tourist: 3,520km
TOTAL - 28,939km

Not my best year, but not my worst either.

Mag7C · #72 Unread post by **Mag7C** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 12:12 pm

Nooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well at least you have the backup bike. Being forced to drive the family behemothmobile sucks.

Gummiente · Wed Nov 09, 2005 1:44 pm

Mag7C wrote: Being forced to drive the family behemothmobile sucks.

Well actually, it's a POS '97 2-door Chev Cavalier - but it sucks just as bad.

Thu Nov 10, 2005 3:32 am

I finally had enough of all the rain here so I put my 94 Ford Tempo back on the road for a while. This has been the wettest fall I can remember.
I'm sure my bike will appreciate not being out in the monsoons for awhile.

Your winter storage at the dealer sounds good. Someone else I know rented a storage locker for winter storage.

#75 Unread post by **cb360** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 5:04 am

Hey Gummi - do you have a detailed review of your ural up anywhere? I'm just wondering some things like top speed and load capacity, etc. It's unlikely that I'll be getting one this year, but you never know. My wife is actually into the idea so if we can save up for one it's a possibility. I do know there's a dealer here in Wa. State. Anyway, just wondering if you've reviewed the bike anywhere where I can take a look. My wife and I and the dog weigh about 450 .lbs without lots of gear and I want to make sure my ideas are feasible before I get my hopes up!

Gummiente · Thu Nov 10, 2005 5:59 am

cb360 wrote:Hey Gummi - do you have a detailed review of your ural up anywhere

No, but that's a good idea. Will try to post one here or on my website soon. BTW, 450lbs is well within the limits of the Ural's carrying capacity. If memory serves, you should have around 600lbs but I'll check my owners manual to make sure.

#77 Unread post by **cb360** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 10:47 am

Sweet - I've read some of the dealer's stuff, but it would be great to get a write-up from someone who not only has one of their bikes and knows motorcycles in general, but sidecar rigs in particular. I'll look forward to it.

Gummiente · Sat Nov 12, 2005 1:21 am

Today is the day our bikes go into storage at the local Harley dealer. I'll take some pics and post a ride report later today or tomorrow. It's going to be an emotional moment for me... I friggin' HATE the end of the riding season.. but at least the Ural will still be available to keep me on this side of sanity for the next few months. Speaking of the Ural, my dealer paid me a visit the other day as he happened to be in the area. He dropped off some more goodies; I now have a set of handguards on the handlebars, a shiny chrome luggage rack over the spare tire on the sidecar and a J&R air filter (a French version of the K&N) for the motor. All I have to do is update my cold weather gear (I'm thinking about buying a snowmobile suit) and I'll be good to go in the snow!

Gummiente · Sat Nov 12, 2005 5:18 pm

Last ride of the season is now history. Read all about it on my website here.

Gummiente · Wed Nov 16, 2005 11:52 pm

And the long winter begins...

What a bizarre year for weather, especially in the Fall. It has been raining pretty much steady for the last two weeks with only the occasional day of sun/clouds and near zero temps, so there hasn't been much opportunity to go riding. It was 7C on Monday and I managed to ride to work but the Ural has been sitting in the garage ever since. Long range forecast calls for rain and/or snow for another 13 straight days... I don't care where you live, but that's depressing. I'd be out on the Ural every day were it not for the very cold rain, I'm just not keen on getting wet and freezing on the way to and from work every day. Maybe once the rain turns to snow I might venture out as it will be a little safer to ride under those conditions.

My Ural dealer sent me an email, he has a bunch of Russian made knobby tires in stock now for winter riding. I think I'll buy one and install it on the spare rim (the one on the trunk of the sidecar), that way I can put it on the rear of the bike whenever I want to go blasting through the deep snow and keep the normal dual-purpose tires on for normal road riding throughout the winter. It only takes about 10 minutes to R&R a wheel, so it won't be a hassle every time I want to change it.

I've asked for a two piece snowmobile suit from Santa for Xmas, hopefully the big guy will come through for me and I can then ride on the really cold days without too much discomfort. I plan to have the bike out for a ride at least once a month between now and Spring.