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Author Topic: Cycle World reviews the electric Ural sidecar prototype  (Read 757 times)

JaimeC

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Cycle World reviews the electric Ural sidecar prototype
« on: August 09, 2019, 05:07:06 AM »

Powertrain by Zero.  Hope they build something like this!

https://www.cycleworld.com/ural-electric-sidecar-review/
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1999 BMW K1200LT
2019 Yamaha XMAX
2021 Zero SR

Alan. Yes THAT Alan

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Re: Cycle World reviews the electric Ural sidecar prototype
« Reply #1 on: September 24, 2019, 09:31:39 PM »

I wish somebody would make this, but without the sidecar.

One of the big problems with Zeros is that they were designed by engineering nerds who have never been on a motorcycle in their lives and it shows. My Zero is the most-uncomfortable motorcycle I've ever owned.
 Why doesn't somebody make a comfortable, cruiser-style electric that wasn't inspired by Tron?
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BrianTRice@gmail.com

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Re: Cycle World reviews the electric Ural sidecar prototype
« Reply #2 on: September 24, 2019, 10:46:13 PM »

I wish somebody would make this, but without the sidecar.

One of the big problems with Zeros is that they were designed by engineering nerds who have never been on a motorcycle in their lives and it shows. My Zero is the most-uncomfortable motorcycle I've ever owned.
 Why doesn't somebody make a comfortable, cruiser-style electric that wasn't inspired by Tron?

As someone who was inspired by TRON, I can tell you that Zero ain’t that. And I wouldn’t actually ride in a prone position...

Zero employees don’t seem to see their products as more than commuters or joy ride vehicles. Wheelies always seem to get more attention than basic ergonomics. I can just grab OSHA diagrams to critique their designs.

And no one there rides a cruiser that I’ve noticed. I’ve seen sport bikes, dirt bikes, and some sport tourers. We’ve been clamoring for a low-seat-height model for five years since the XU was discontinued to no avail. All the engineers and designers act deaf or powerless to do anything when asked.

It’s hard to admit blindness to your own product line’s shortcomings, but it happens to varying degrees at every product company.
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Current: 2020 DSR, 2012 Suzuki V-Strom
Former: 2016 DSR, 2013 DS

JaimeC

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Re: Cycle World reviews the electric Ural sidecar prototype
« Reply #3 on: September 25, 2019, 12:13:30 AM »

To each his own, because I find my "S" the most ergonomically comfortable bike I've ridden since my 1985 BMW K100, or my 2000 Buell M2 Cyclone.  Not "full-on-racer crouch" and not "Harley Davidson cruiser" but a nice in-between position.

One's feet are on the ground less than 1% of the time and I prefer that my legs are more comfortable where they are for 99% of the time, not the 1%.  Feet-forward positions put all the weight on your tailbone which quite bad.  Having your heels below your butt allows you to take the pressure off from time to time quite easily.  Plus, when crossing big bumps or rough roads it is easy to stand and let your legs take the bumps instead of your butt and spine.

The slightly forward leaning position is more aerodynamic than sitting straight up where your torso is a big sail reducing your range (which is why the DS/DSR models have less projected range than the S/SR models).  The extra weight on your wrists vanish once the wind picks up.  Too many people select bike comfort by sitting on a stationary motorcycle in the showroom for a minute or two (like they're buying a sofa or an easy chair).  Motorcycles are dynamic and in motion.

Zero's engineers did an excellent job.  I wouldn't change a thing (except maybe a full fairing to improve aerodynamics even farther).
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Richard230

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Re: Cycle World reviews the electric Ural sidecar prototype
« Reply #4 on: September 25, 2019, 03:53:58 AM »

All I want is a softer seat.   :'(
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Richard's motorcycle collection:  2018 16.6 kWh Zero S, 2020 KTM 390 Duke, 2002 Yamaha FZ1 (FZS1000N) and a 1978 Honda Kick 'N Go Senior.

BrianTRice@gmail.com

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Re: Cycle World reviews the electric Ural sidecar prototype
« Reply #5 on: September 25, 2019, 03:57:58 AM »

All I want is a softer seat.   :'(

I’ve heard that you can exchange money for goods and services that can resolve that (buy a touring seat, a Corbin seat, or get your seat re-built).
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Richard230

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Re: Cycle World reviews the electric Ural sidecar prototype
« Reply #6 on: September 25, 2019, 04:03:42 AM »

All I want is a softer seat.   :'(

I’ve heard that you can exchange money for goods and services that can resolve that (buy a touring seat, a Corbin seat, or get your seat re-built).

I am using an Air Hawk pad and it works well, but I would have preferred that Zero put a little more padding into their seats - at least the 2019 and earlier models.  You would think the seats were sourced from Italy.  ::)  I did buy a Corbin seat, sourced from Zero, for my 2012 S, but it had even less padding than the stock seat on that bike.  ???
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Richard's motorcycle collection:  2018 16.6 kWh Zero S, 2020 KTM 390 Duke, 2002 Yamaha FZ1 (FZS1000N) and a 1978 Honda Kick 'N Go Senior.

JaimeC

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Re: Cycle World reviews the electric Ural sidecar prototype
« Reply #7 on: September 25, 2019, 07:10:57 PM »

All I want is a softer seat.   :'(

Due to the nature of electric motorcycles, I'm never sitting on it long enough for the seat padding to be an issue.  It's not like I'm on it for four hours straight, like I am on my K1200LT for example...
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Crissa

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Re: Cycle World reviews the electric Ural sidecar prototype
« Reply #8 on: September 25, 2019, 10:45:55 PM »

I find my Zero really comfortable.  My only issue is I can't really tuck down for aerodynamics or put my weight forward because the bike length is too short for that.

The seat and tank are like a glove to my legs.  I am 5'10" tho.

I think the big battery is part of what determines the upright posture.  And they want to keep the cost down on variants - which is probably why they simplified the line to two motors again in 2020 as they have three frames now.

-Crissa
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valnar

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Re: Cycle World reviews the electric Ural sidecar prototype
« Reply #9 on: September 27, 2019, 11:03:35 PM »

I would buy an electric sidecar motorcycle in a heartbeat  = 1
I would never buy a Ural  = 0

Boolean 0 AND 1 =0.  No electric Ural for me.
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