Motorcyclists in Alaska can rejoice. Not only is your riding season finally here, but it's here to stay.
The Ural, a Russian built sidecar-motorcycle with two-wheel drive capability, has been finding its way into the hands of riding enthusiasts all across the United States, including Alaska.
As a motorcycle rider who lives in Girdwood, I have been frustrated with the short riding season in the Anchorage area. I enjoy the motorcycle as a mode of transportation, much more than my truck but have no desire to stud the tires on my two-wheeled machine and take to the Seward highway during winter for grocery runs into Anchorage.
I also miss having my dog, Sadie, along.
Last summer I returned to Alaska from a six-month job in Antarctica really missing my dog. I was determined not to leave her behind again, but I wanted to ride my motorcycle as well. Since the riding season is so short and I wanted to get in as much as I could, this meant "Time Away From Dog."
Dilemma.
Dog... Motorcycle... Dog... Sidecar!
I did some research and quickly decided two things: I wanted a sidecar rig built by someone who has been doing it for some time and I wanted something rugged. Something I could take on the Dalton, or Top Of The World Highway, or down Girdwood's potholed roads.
By chance I came across the Ural. I had noticed a couple for sale in Alaska on Craig's List and did some research.
The Ural originally came from a line of bikes based on BMW's pre-WWII R71. It had been built for the Soviet military to travel long days on difficult roads. There was also a two-wheel drive version capable of traveling through snow and mud. Sounded perfect.
However, being Russian built, could I get parts for it? Someone to work on the bike? Was it expensive to purchase?
Turns out, the Ural, manufactured by Irbit Motorworks in Irbit, Russia, has been catching on well in the United States. In fact Irbit's home office is now in Redmond, Wash.
Since new ownership took over the company in 2000, the bike has been steadily improving. Much of the heavy-duty frame, sidecar and air-cooled, dual carburetors, twin cylinder engine are still Russian made. But Irbit has listened to consumers and addressed past problem areas. They have added a front disc brake and out-source for quality carburetors, alternators and ignition systems.
With research I discovered that both parts and service are readily available in the United States. The marketing department at Imz-Ural told me they expect to import about 450 new Urals into the U.S. this year, and there are now dealers in 38 states -- including Alaska.
Which brings me to my own rig.
Mickey Sherfield, of Mickey's Mufflers in Anchorage, is Alaska's only dealer. An enthusiastic owner himself, Sherfield has taken his own Ural to Prudhoe Bay and back. It was Sherfield who spent a few days answering my newbie questions about the bike.
Since owning a brand new Ural wasn't necessarily important to me, Sherfield put me in touch with a guy selling a used two-wheel drive model in decent condition. (I was surprised to learn there are quite a few Ural owners in Alaska, including a guy who comes over from Kodiak to get his bike serviced by Sherfield every year.)
Sherfield even has taken the time to go over my Ural with me the past few weekends so I can learn to work on it myself during road trips.
The dog has been acclimating to riding in the sidecar. I got her a pair of "doggles" and earmuffs. The grocery capacity of the truck has worked well for our household. I've tested the two-wheel drive in snow and it makes enough of a difference to convince me I could take the bike off-road.
It doesn't go very fast, but that's fine. I ride it every day, wind, rain or sleet and it's been a great amount of fun.
Best of all, the riding season in Alaska has been extended.
Matt Shields is a screenwriter, firefighter, and motorcycle enthusiast who recently returned from working in Antarctica. Read his blog at gentlepup.blogspot.com/.
By MATT SHIELDS
Daily News correspondent