Instead, the heavyweight iron steeds that roll out of the factory in Irbit near Siberia (out of the range of the bombs of Nazi Germany) trade things like fuel injection and ABS brakes for shovels and machine gun mounts. Seriously.
The latest machine from Ural looks as far back into the past as the Russian sidecar industry can go, harking all the way to 1942 when the first M72 motorcycles were sent into the Battle of Stalingrad based on designs for the German BMW R71, which had been superseded by the R75 in 1941. A total of 9,799 M72 motorcycles were produced by Ural for military use.
The new 2012 Ural M70 Anniversary Edition celebrates 70 years of history with two distinct models; one with a sidecar for $14,200 and one solo for $9,150. Both come painted in a perfect shade of olive drab, and there's a canvas tonneau cover, spare wheel and tire and shovel on the sidecar. And yes, there's also that machine gun mount.
Ural based the M70 on its Retro model with 18-inch aluminum rims, 40mm Marzochhi telescopic forks, Sachs rear shocks and a Brembo front disc brake. The frame boasts a longer wheelbase than other Ural models and sits closer to the ground, making it the fastest and best-handling model available. We especially like the teardrop gas tank fitted with a throwback Ural badge.
Read all about the M70 after the break, but not before getting an eyeful of its old-school design in our high-res image gallery.
Ural, the legendary Russian manufacturer of sidecar motorcycles celebrates its 70th anniversary with two special edition models.
It was a brutally cold November of 1941. The Nazis were at the outskirts of Moscow, preparing for the all-in assault on the Soviet capital. At the same moment, in a small town of Irbit, located on the eastern slopes of the Ural Mountains, 2000kms away from Moscow, a freight train arrived with the machinery, materials, and drawing boards. With this train came people with an impossible task to build a factory in the middle of a Siberian winter and produce combat sidecar motorcycles for the Red Army.
The motorcycle that was to be built at the Irbit factory was called M72. The M72 was essentially a copy of a BMW R71, the best sidecar motorcycle of the time. A rugged, all terrain motorcycle, capable of carrying three people and heavy loads, was ideal for mobile troops. The Nazis were to be beaten with their own weapon!
The first motorcycles built by the Irbit Factory were sent to the front lines in February of 1942 and were used by the troops in the Battle of Stalingrad. During the War, 9,799 M72's served in reconnaissance and dispatch detachments, and were also used to evacuate the wounded from battle fields.
After the war the factory continued producing motorcycles with sidecars and built over 3 million outfits. People who laid the foundation of the factory would have never imagined that 70 years later this factory would remain the only sidecar motorcycle manufacturer in the world and Ural would become a cult motorcycle.
We dedicate the Anniversary Edition M70 to those who built the first M72's.
M70 is based on the Retro model and is offered in sidecar and solo versions. M70 is not a copy of the original M72, but it bears resemblance to its veteran predecessor. The motorcycle is painted in olive drab, the sidecar has a machine gun mount and its tonneau cover is made of canvas similar to the one used on the M72. Just like the M72 it also includes a spare wheel and shovel. The tear drop gas tank is decorated with a replica of the original factory badge. The motorcycle features a tractor style seat and luggage rack on the rear fender. Each anniversary M70 also comes with a special commemorative plaque.
While M70 keeps the aesthetics of the original M72, it is also an extraordinary road going sidecar motorcycle. The M70 comes equipped with 18" aluminum rims, 40 mm Marzochhi telescopic forks, Sachs shocks, Brembo front disc brake, and other modern features. A longer wheel base and lower sitting sidecar make this model the fastest and best handling Ural.
The total Anniversary Edition production run is 30 sidecar and only 10 solo motorcycles. MSRP is $14,200 for sidecar model and $9,150 for M70-solo.
About Ural
More information on Ural's global adventures, dealers and specs visit www.imz-ural.com and www.facebook.com/
M70 Anniversary Edition: Dedicated to the people who laid the foundation of the Irbit Motorcycle Factory
It has become a tradition that every fall we come out with limited edition series.
This November we celebrate 70th anniversary of the legendary Irbit Motorcycle Factory and introduce two very special models: M70 with sidecar and M70 solo.
This motorcycle pays homage to its veteran predecessor, the original M72. The M72 was essentially a copy of a BMW R71, the best sidecar motorcycle of the time. A rugged, all terrain motorcycle, capable of carrying three people and heavy loads, was ideal for mobile troops.
The first M72's built by the Irbit Factory were sent to the front lines in February of 1942 and were used by the troops in the Battle of Stalingrad. 9,799 M72's served in reconnaissance and dispatch detachments, and were also used to evacuate the wounded from battle fields during the War. Read more about M72 and IMZ history.
M70 is based on the Retro model. It is painted in olive drab, the sidecar has a machine gun mount and its tonneau cover is made of canvas similar to the one used on the M72. Just like the M72 it also includes a spare wheel and shovel. The tear drop gas tank is decorated with a replica of the first factory badge (circa 1956). The motorcycle features a tractor style seat and luggage rack on the rear fender. Each anniversary M70 also comes with a special commemorative plaque.
While M70 keeps the aesthetics of the original M72, it is also an extraordinary road going sidecar motorcycle. The M70 comes equipped with 18" aluminum rims, 40 mm Marzochhi telescopic forks, Sachs shocks, Brembo front disc brake, and other modern features. A longer wheel base and lower sitting sidecar make this model the fastest and best handling Ural.
Featured Gallery 2012 Ural M70
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