What motorcycle was Vladimir Putin riding without a helmet?
Vladimir Putin has been in the spotlight for riding a 3-wheeled Ural motorcycle without a safety helmet; But what exact model was he riding?
Member for
54 years 6 months
Recently a video emerged of Putin riding a 3-wheeled motorcycle in the Crimea, and it had me thinking. What motorcycle is he mounted upon? As it looks more like a light tank with handlebars.
Not being an expert on Russian motorcycles (and after some research) it appears he’s riding an IMZ-Ural CT. I could be completely wrong. Nevertheless, I thought it would be cool to share a bit of information about the brand and the kind of motorcycles/sidecars the firm manufactures today.
Brief History
IMZ-Ural was founded in the Soviet Union in 1941 with factories being built in Moscow, Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg), and Kharkov.
During this time, Irbit Motorcycle Works’ (IMZ) first production motorcycle was modeled after the BMW R-71 and called the M-72. This machine was built solely for military purposes and as such was a durable and rugged hack.
Modern-day IMZ-Ural Motorcycles
Ural’s original design ethos hasn’t really changed over the years, as they still design and build adventure-ready motorcycles that are built to last. And now they export them worldwide so anyone can buy them.
All of there current motorcycles have a 749cc OHV air cooled 2 cylinder 4 stroke “boxer” engine (with reverse gear) and have an attached sidecar that allows for two-wheel drive.
Current models
CT
Price: $14,999* - $17,499*
Specs
| Engine and Transmission | Chassis | |
| Displacement, cc: 749 | Front suspension: IMZ leading link fork | |
| Engine type: OHV air cooled 2 cylinder 4 stroke “boxer” (flat twin) | Rear suspension: Double sided swing-arm with two Sachs hydraulic spring shock absorbers, 5x adjustable | |
| Valve per cylinder: 2 | Sidecar suspension: Single sided swing-arm with Sachs hydraulic spring shock absorber, 5x adjustable | |
| Bore and stroke (mm x mm): 78 x 78 | Wheels: 2.15X18 Aluminum rims with steel spokes | |
| Max output (hp): 41 @ 5500 rpm | Tires: Heidenau, 4.0x18” | |
| Max torque (ft-lbs): 42 @ 4300 rpm | Front brake: 4-piston fixed Brembo caliper with 295mm floating NG rotor | |
| Compression: 8.6:1 | Rear brake: HB big bore single piston integrated floating caliper with 256mm fixed NG rotor | |
| Fuel system: Throttle body EFI | Sidecar brake: 2-piston fixed Brembo caliper with 245mm floating NG rotor | |
| Starting: Electric & Kickstart | Misc. | |
| Clutch Double-disc dry | Fuel grade: 91 Octane, unleaded | |
| Transmission type: Manual | Fuel tank capacity, gallons: 5.0 | |
| Speeds: 4 forward 1 reverse | Reserve, gallons: app. 1 | |
| Primary drive (rear wheel): Driveshaft | Estimated range, miles: 155-185 | |
| Final drive ratio: 4.62 | Recommended max cruising speed, mph: 70 | |
| Engageable sidecar wheel drive: No | Max permissible weight, lbs:1325 | |
| Physical Measurements | Trunk volume, cubic ft.: 2.9 | |
| Overall length, inch.: 91.6 | Warranty | |
| Overall heights, inch.: 53.8 | 2-years parts and labor unlimited mileage. | |
| Overall width, inch.: 63.6 | ||
| Seat height, (unladen), inch.: 31.0 | ||
| Ground clearance (unladen),inch.: 6.5 | ||
| Dry weight, lbs: 700 | ||
| Electrical | ||
| Alternator: Denso, Peak Output 40 Amp @ 14vdc, 560 Wt | ||
| Battery: FAYTX20HL (12V, 20Amp/h) | ||
| Headlight: H4 | ||
| Spark plugs: NGK BPR6HS |
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