Ural Neo 500: A Modern Sidecar for the Everyday Rider

The Ural Neo 500 brings sidecars into the modern era with sleek design, user-friendly features, and an affordable price, making three-wheeled riding more accessible than ever.

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Sidecars might be old-school, but they’re not stuck in the past—at least not anymore. Enter the Ural 500, the first model from Ural Neo, a fresh branch of the storied sidecar brand that’s looking to redefine what a modern three-wheeler can be.

For decades, Ural has been synonymous with rugged, WWII-inspired sidecars that look like they were built to invade Berlin. But this? This is a different playbook. Sleeker, lighter, and made to be way more affordable, the Ural 500 is here to pull sidecars out of their dusty collector bubble and into something way more practical and dare we say, fun.

Not Your Grandpa’s Ural

Forget the olive drab, tank-like build of the Ural Gear Up. The Ural 500 looks like a modern motorcycle that just happens to have a third wheel. Based on the Yingang SUV500 II (yes, that’s a Chinese adventure bike), it’s getting a complete overhaul to become street-focused, cleaner in design, and tailored to Ural’s specs.

Think of it as the daily-ride version of a sidecar rig. No winches. No faux-military gear. Just something that looks cool, rides smoothly, and won’t break the bank.

Built for First-Timers (and Real Life)

Let’s face it: most people aren’t buying sidecars for off-road expeditions. They want something quirky, stable, and easy to use—whether it’s for grabbing groceries, giving your dog the ride of its life, or just standing out at bike night.

That’s exactly what Ural Neo is going for. With a price tag expected under $15,000, (approx. RM70,500) this bike is meant to get more butts in sidecar seats—especially folks who’ve never tried one before.

Plus, the bike ditches the off-road tires and 2WD system found on the Gear Up. Instead, it opts for comfort, tech, and style. Expect features like:

• A 7-inch TFT display in vertical orientation (very car-like),
• Full LED lighting, and maybe even
• A built-in dashcam tucked in the nose. Seriously, who knew a sidecar rig could have a hidden camera?

Why the China Connection?

While some may scoff at the China-built origin story, the truth is this move makes perfect sense. Ural doesn’t have the bandwidth to launch an all-new platform from scratch, and China has quietly become a powerhouse for building affordable, decent-quality bikes.

Yingang’s 446cc parallel-twin makes about 35 hp, which isn’t earth-shattering, but it’s not supposed to be. The goal is ease, not ego. A low, manageable powerband, 5.3-gallon fuel tank, and leading-link front suspension mean a balanced ride that’s still engaging without being intimidating.

And don’t worry—Ural Neo says they’ve already logged thousands of test miles across Russia and Kazakhstan to make sure this thing holds up.

Why This Matters

In a world where motorcycles are getting faster, techier, and (let’s be honest) more expensive, the Ural 500 is carving out a space for something different: a weird, wonderful way to ride that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

It’s practical and approachable. It’s a conversation starter.

Most importantly, it opens the sidecar world to a new generation of riders—one that doesn’t remember Agostini’s race wins or care about your vintage carb rebuild. And that’s kind of the point.