Collaborations and special editions are huge business these days. 99% of them shouldn't exist. Unfortunately Jeep has nearly gone off the deep end with so many special editions that it feels like a normal, untainted Jeep is actually the one that's special. They even went as far as to add a special Dragon Wrangler for China. Specifically I wasn't so kind to the Jeep Wrangler "Modern Warfare 3 Edition" —you know, that video game on the clearance rack that was outdated even as they were still selling the model at dealerships? There's always an exception, and it's generally when a company releases something funky and different and isn't incredibly serious about it. For example? IMZ-Ural's latest special edition motorcycle: The Yamal. I think it's awesome, now why would I say such a thing considering I generally loathe "special editions"? Because it's factory equipped with an oar, and teeth...and it's orange...and named after an ice breaker...and they're not taking themselves too seriously. What could be more Russian than that?
When translated, Yamal literally means "the end of the Earth" it's the name of an inhospitable and nearly always frozen wasteland peninsula north of Siberia. Yamal is also a massive nuclear powered icebreaker with intimidating teeth that's been almost everywhere in the Arctic Ocean—including reaching the North Pole.
Image: Wikipedia
According to Ural, the mission-driven, rugged, and heavy nature of Russian icebreakers lends perfectly to a special edition Ural motorcyce. In their own words "Ural motorcycles are much like this strange genre of sea-going vessel: durable, dependable, and able to conquer what typical motorcycles cannot." Just like the Yamal icebreaker, the special edition motorcycle is also spec'd with it's very own version of a double-hull. Instead of it being constructed with a foot-or-so of solid steel, it's the same durable Ural sidecar we've come to know with the addition of a 3M coating to weather proof the lower portion of the sidecar body and fenders—a unique interpretation to say the least. Did we mention the somewhat-matching flat orange paint?
Based on the Gear-Up model, the Yamal has on-demand two-wheel drive which allows it to reach some places a normal motorcycle couldn't.
The tongue-in-cheek nature of the oar is refreshing to say the least. You sort-of get the idea that a bunch of guys drank too much vodka and decided to put an oar on a motorcycle for shits-and-giggles fun.
In Case of Emergency:
If you are reading this then you wandered out too far, and the ice didn't hold—we're very sorry.
In an effort to make it back alive, you may want to follow these survival tips:
- Abandon all hope — it will help you focus.
- Detach sidecar, jump in, and then paddle like heck.
- Rescue your dog — they're better at finding their way home than you are.
- Should you find yourself sinking, use your seat cushion as a floatation device
An accessory windscreen for the passenger and rider have been fitted to increase comfort and keep you out of the wind.
Two additional yellow-colored spot lights have been fitted to the front bumper of the sidecar for those dark arctic nights.
"Does that guy have an oar on his sidecar?"
"Yeah, dude, he does."
"Awesome."
Durable hand guards are fitted as standard on the Yamal special edition to protect the rider from brush and wind.
Styled almost directly after the teeth on the Yamal icebreaker, the teeth decal on the motorcycle might not be for everyone, but it's surely unique.
A knobby spare tire along with rack comes as standard.
There's plenty of storage for a passenger and gear.
The Yamal is so funky that you really can't fault it, Ural knows they're making a 3-wheeled orange motorcycle with an oar and teeth and they're having fun with it. From the tounge-in-cheek instructions on the oar that Ural claims can "double as a defensive tool or your last hope of survival on thin ice..." to styling inspired by a nuclear-powered icebreaker—it's nice to see someone is not taking life too seriously. Bravo for making a special edition that is actually special.
Ural will only import 50 of the special edition Yamal model to the United States, they're available now with an MSRP of $14,250.
For additional details and more information on Ural Motorcycles, check out their website here. [link]
Images courtesy of Ural Motorcycles
Matthew Scott is a dedicated photographer, vintage car enthusiast, and regular contributor to Overland Journal. Growing up in Chicago in a family that valued “all things automotive” as much as exploring the region’s back roads, provided a solid platform for a career as an automotive journalist. He departed the Windy City in lieu Prescott, Arizona, and the great open spaces and adventure opportunities of America’s Southwest. Matthew is currently the Digital Editor for Expedition Portal. You can follow him on Twitter @matthewexplore.
