Ural TWD 2016 — Specifications

Buying a sidecar in 2016 is already a statement of conviction. Choosing a Ural is taking that conviction even further. The TWD makes no attempt to appeal to the masses: it speaks to those who want to venture off the beaten path — literally — and who accept that enjoyment sometimes comes at the cost of a little mud on their boots.

The 745cc flat-twin produces 27 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 51 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. On paper, it sounds like a joke. In practice, it makes perfect sense given the machine's purpose: nobody expects a tractor to win the Monaco Grand Prix. This engine, descended from a lineage directly inherited from Soviet-era BMWs, runs smoothly, pulls well at low revs, and hauls 363 kg dry without complaint. The four-speed gearbox does its job with a somewhat rough honesty, but it never lies about its intentions. The top speed caps at 100 km/h, which neatly sums up the project's philosophy.

Where the TWD sets itself apart from its cousin the CT is in its all-terrain calling. The 19-inch wheels and more generous ground clearance allow it to venture onto tracks the CT would rather avoid. It's not a pure trail bike, but it's a sidecar capable of reaching an isolated mountain cabin, crossing a forest track, or heading out on a bivouac with enough luggage for a week. For this kind of use, the double-cradle tubular frame and hydraulic shock absorbers adjustable in five positions do serious work. The Brembo front brakes inspire confidence when tackling a loaded descent.

The entry price of €13,390 places the TWD in a particular position. That's not cheap for a 27-horsepower motorcycle, but the sidecar isn't a bolt-on option — it's the very DNA of the machine. Compared to some hand-built bike-and-sidecar combinations that easily exceed €20,000 once fully assembled, the Ural proposition remains coherent. The buyer knows what they're getting: a solid, easy-to-maintain base, stripped back enough to welcome years of customization, accessorizing, and weekend workshop tinkering.

The target audience is clearly not the newcomer looking for their first motorcycle. At 363 kg dry, the TWD demands a certain level of skill in slow-speed maneuvers, and riding a sidecar requires a serious adjustment compared to a conventional two-wheeler. For the experienced rider who dreams of a different kind of tool — one capable of carrying family or gear while venturing off paved roads — the TWD ticks a lot of boxes. It's a machine of character, not performance, and that distinction changes everything.