To discover how a product of the illustrious Bavarian Motor Works is still being manufactured more than 60 years after its debut, you need to delve into history.
As early as the 1930's, a Russian company, Uralmoto Zavod, was producing motorcycles and sidecars in co-operation with BMW, Germany. The rising German administration of the 30's, needed military equipment, but the terms of surrender imposed under the Treaty of Versailles at the end of World War I prohibited Germany. They then developed a strategy to get around these restrictions by pursuing joint ventures with Russia. This was achieved by the signing of a 7 year trade agreement known as the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact, (also known as the Hitler-Stalin pact or Nazi-Soviet pact and formally known as the Treaty of Nonaggression between Germany and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics). It was signed in Moscow on 23 August, 1939, by the Soviet foreign minister Vyacheslav Molotov and the German foreign minister Joachim von Ribbentrop). from any form of military vehicle production, including large capacity motorcycles and sidecars.
Despite this agreement, Germany apparently only ever willingly shared information about the then new BMW R71 design. This model was only built in Germany for a short time and in limited quantities (from 1938 to about the end of 1939); it was a migration from the stalwart Wehrmacht BMW R12 model. The R71 signalled the move away from the conventional pressed steel frame bikes to the higher strength oval tube frame design which was easily able to cope with the additional stresses of a sidecar attachment.
Germany of course, never shared the design of the newly developed successor, the BMW R75 with the Russians. The BMW R75 was introduced in the spring of 1941, built according to German war ministry instructions, without cost limitations. This high performance war machine had incredible off-road capabilities due to its driven sidecar wheel drive, locking differential, reverse gearbox and selectable low range gearbox.
The non-aggression treaty with Russia lasted until Operation Barbarossa of 22 June 1941 when Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet Union.
In response, Russia joined forces with the Allies against Hitler. By then Russia had obtained certain BMW tooling and the designs for the R71 and the Russian militarised R71 versions was renamed the M72. This was almost identical to the original BMW R71.
After the German surrender, the Allied occupation forces had “access” to the shattered remains of Germany's once impressive automotive industry. The BMW motorcycle factory, which had been relocated to Eisenach during the war (where they produced the superior BMW R75), fell into German territory occupied by the Russians. The Russians then took possession of all the BMW blueprints and tooling and shipped the few remaining BMW R75 motorcycles and all the production parts and blue prints left at the factory back to Russia. The R75 dual wheel drive system design technology was also then used to create the relatively advanced, Russian military dual wheel drive overhead-valve "Ural" and "Dnepr" models.

What an exciting Hack! Why do I constantly look at this bike and think R 98 000 for a new bare bones hack sounds like such a good deal. I could sell off everything I own and just ride around in a Ural Sidecar Rig. Forget about the Marine Corps KLR650 diesel modified dual-sports... This'll do just fine. Leon

When analyzing armed conflicts that took place for the latest twenty years it is obvious that the identity of combat actions had dramatically changed. There are no more big armies involved into battles, instead local wars are in place with limited use of heavy armoured vehicles whilst no definite front line. Small and mobile elements act and mainly fight for various military or civilian sites or settlements being strong points. The great increase in mobility of elements in today's' fight can be achieved when you use such a specific transportation vehicle like motorcycle adequate to new scenery.

This is why the professionals of IMZ-Germany engineered and tested the army modifications of an off-road sidecar drive motorcycle IMZ-8. 103 GEAR-UP.

The basic armament of the motorcycle is the machine gun of PK type (7.62-mm calibre). The open structure of the motorcycle provides for circular targeting and destroying the enemy man force effectively at the distance form 100 to 2000 meters.

When equipped with a special stand or turret to mount the grenade launcher of KONKURS or FAGOT 9K 113 type, the new GEAR-UP motorcycles can be effectively used with anti-tank sections. The target ability of anti-tank rockets launched at ground and low flying aims from the sidecar fender is not less than 90 per cent at the distance from 2000 to 4000 meters.

The automatic grenade launcher of AGS-17 Plasma type (40-mm calibre) is one more arms type you can use with the motorcycle.

With excellent ease the three wheeler gears up to places where its sluggish four-wheeled college has no chance. Reconnaissance, diversions and patrolling and communications is not the complete list of jobs this versatile motorcycle can do.

Being smaller but more manoeuvrable than any army jeep, GEAR-UP Ural motorcycle is also effective for task force missions, and in particular in tight city blocks. The crew of the motorcycle may include two or three people including driver.

You can load up to 100 kilograms of equipment and ammunition on the sidecar without passenger and 25 kilograms with passenger.

Powerful engine and adequate transmission ensure the high dynamics, manoeuvrability and road ability of the motorcycle. The short wheel base of only 1500 mm and big diameter wheels of 19" in combination with cross-country tire patter plus reverse gear and high clearance are the best for heavy terrain. The design and structure of power train featuring gearbox as a separate unit and propeller shaft are dependable and easy in repair right in the field.

One more thing to note is that the motorcycle uses the same types of oils and lubricants cars use. Ural IMZ-8.103 GEAR-UP easily overcomes the obstacles other vehicles are not able to get over absolutely.

Using the "flying chair" drive style with the sidecar in the air the motorcycle is able to pass over deep craters and other obstacles. You can drag your motorcycle over fallen tree or electric line stand using the muscles only thus attacking your enemy without warning and from unexpected direction. The high speed of more than 100 km per hour (60 mph) let the crew get rid of pursuit and be safe.

Ural GEAR-UP motorcycles can be used under any climatic conditions starting with Artic zone and ending up with tropics in the temperature between -40 degrees to +50 degrees Celsius.

"The world of Adventure does not revolve around towns, hotels and restaurants, Adventure lies just beyond the next jagged hilltop, or within the flickering ring of lite around a campfire. Adventure definitely begins where the "pavement ends" There is however one certainty, Adventure "RawHyde Style" does not mean uncomfortable…" For more information visit www.rawhyde-offroad.com or call Jim Hyde at (213) 713-5652

Motorcycle touring with altitude in Colorado. All inclusive tours include distinctive accommodations, meals, fuel, entrance fees, support vehicle, knowledgeable and friendly guides, and much more. www.turkeycreektours.com. 1-888-763-6185.