Ural, the funky motorcycle sidecar manufacturer from Russia, is boasting a 39% increase in unit sales for 2011. Considering the company’s total expected output for last year was approximately 1,100 models, you won’t notice an influx of sidehacks dominating your local roadways, but this is really good news for the small manufacturer of eclectic two-wheelers, especially in the midst of a deficient economy.
Ural recognized an article in the New York Times and a collaboration with bike builder James Hammarhead for some of the company’s increasing popularity. We like to think our positive review of the Ural Gear-Up model last year as cause for Ural’s booming market share. Some may consider our love of this machine to be irrational, but we’re in the company of Ural owners including Brad Pitt and Ewan McGregor, who both added Urals to their garages in 2011.
The American Motorcyclist Association has named activist Nancy Sabater its 2011 Motorcyclist of the Year, recognizing her efforts in helping get the “lead law” ban on youth motorcycles overturned.
