Ural 750 Weekender Special Edition 2020 — Specifications

Every autumn, Ural releases a limited series the way others drop an album. The 2020 Weekender Special Edition follows the same pattern, but this time the Ural manufacturer has clearly looked toward Mediterranean shores rather than Siberian steppes. The result: a sidecar that arrives in lemon, mint, or tomato — shades that could easily be borrowed from Ducati's Scrambler palette. For a brand accustomed to military khakis and red stars, it's almost a wardrobe revolution.

The fundamentals, however, remain true to form. The 745 cc flat-twin, square in its bore and stroke with a 78 mm bore matching its stroke, produces 41 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 51 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. These figures, respectable for sidecar use, make no attempt to rival a modern roadster. Top speed is capped at 100 km/h, and no one will complain. The four-speed gearbox, complete with a reverse gear that quickly proves indispensable on this type of machine, manages power with the philosophy of another century. The 363 kg dry weight leaves no doubt about the register in which this machine operates.

What sets this edition apart is its use-oriented equipment. The Weekender SE is built on the two-wheel-drive platform, giving it decent traction on degraded surfaces. The two fog lights mounted on the front of the sidecar body are a welcome addition. A spare wheel makes an appearance, though without its protective mount. And most notably, the machine accepts an optional accessory receiver that allows a cargo platform or bicycle rack to be fitted without sacrificing ground clearance. For a weekend ride with loaded bikes or camping gear, the concept is coherent.

The intended audience is abundantly clear. This Ural targets neither track riders nor time-pressed urban commuters. It aims at the vintage mechanics enthusiast, the devotee of slow rides with family or friends, the man or woman who values the experience over performance. At $17,750, it occupies a nearly empty segment, because the production sidecar is a rare sight in 2020. BMW does offer the R 18 in this retro universe, but without a sidecar. Ural remains one of the only manufacturers to offer a complete package, with all the mechanical patina that entails.

Honesty about the limitations is warranted, however. A machine weighing 363 kg dry, powered by 41 horsepower, with a suspension setup featuring five-position vertical shock absorbers, does not offer the precision of a contemporary machine. Mechanical surprises are part of the deal — something well known to owners of the brand. The 19-liter tank provides a reasonable range, consistent with the pace dictated by the mechanics. This production run was moreover intended exclusively for the North American market, which adds a degree of rarity to the package.

This Russian paradox — seducing Americans with summer colors and an Italian vacation feel — says something about the nature of this product: a machine outside of time, sold for exactly what it is without pretending to be anything else. That is its greatest quality.