Most Urals leave Irbit with a sidecar, but not all. The Ural Solo, model IMZ-8.123, is a solo machine built on the IMZ-8.103-10: the same 650 cc layout, 40 hp and 18-inch wheels. The factory offered solo versions in several forms, from the Retro Solo to the Solo sT.
Ural Solo at a glance
| Maker | IMZ-Ural, Irbit |
|---|---|
| Factory designation | IMZ-8.123 |
| Based on | IMZ-8.103-10 |
| Layout | solo motorcycle, no sidecar |
| Power | 40 hp |
| Wheels | 18-inch |
| Engine | air-cooled two-cylinder boxer, four-stroke |
| Final drive | shaft |
| Other solo models | Retro Solo, Solo sT |
There is no separate Wikipedia article for the Solo; the model is described in the model list of the Russian article on Ural motorcycles.
History of the Ural Solo
Without the third wheel
The Solo is built on the IMZ-8.103-10, the 650 cc sidecar outfit with reverse gear that the factory made from 1987 to 1995. Removing the sidecar and fitting 18-inch wheels gave a lighter, quicker motorcycle with 40 hp, intended for riders who wanted a Ural but not an outfit.
The solo range
By 2013 the factory listed two solo machines, the Retro Solo and the Solo sT, alongside the sidecar models. In 2011, for the factory’s 70th anniversary, ten M70 Solo machines were built at $9,150 each. The solo Ural remained a niche product, as most buyers wanted the sidecar outfit.
Design and features
- IMZ-8.103-10 base: the reverse-gear 650 cc outfit, minus the sidecar.
- 40 hp: more power than the sidecar version of the same engine.
- 18-inch wheels: solo gearing and handling rather than outfit work.
- Shaft drive: the same cardan final drive as the sidecar machines.
Ural Solo versions
- Ural Solo (IMZ-8.123): the standard solo on the IMZ-8.103-10 base.
- Retro Solo: solo version of the retro-styled model.
- Solo sT: the solo listed in the 2013 range.
- M70 Solo: 10 anniversary machines of 2011 at $9,150.
The Solo is the solo counterpart of the Ural sidecar range; the retro-styled solo is described on the Retro page. More machines are in the Ural collection.
Video: 2012 Ural Solo M70 Limited Edition Demonstration
Video by AlphaCars & Motorcycles on YouTube.
Sources
- Урал (мотоцикл), Russian Wikipedia: IMZ-8.123, solo models, M70 Solo
- IMZ-Ural, English Wikipedia: factory history and exports
