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Sidecar Family Time AMA VMD

Originally posted on the Ural Motorcycles Blog:

AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days

Vintage Motorcycle Days is a massive event put on by the American Motorcyclist Association, drawing well over 20,000 motorcycle enthusiasts to the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. The Wilkinson brothers of Good Spark Garage tell us how they use their Urals as the ideal moto-event transportation.

AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days

Above: The Wilkinson bros brought their sons: Corey’s two are on the left, Casey’s is on the right.

AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days

“Most people get around on mini-bikes or golf carts. We use our Urals.”

The Mid-Ohio grounds cover a lot of area and there are things happening all over. “We can tote our kids and haul our swap-meet finds and camera equipment with ease. Of course, the look of these air-cooled rigs fit right into the scene and turn a lot of heads,” says Corey Wilkinson.

AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days

AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days

AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days

“With all of the racks and storage, the Ural is like a 750cc shopping cart.”

AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days

Above: We ran into Greg and Kristin on their Ural Ambassador Gear Up. They’ve been attending VMD for a long time and know to come prepared for staying cool and hydrated.

AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days

Above: Casey Wilkinson of Good Spark Garage (middle) talks with fellow Ural riders from Ohio, Kevin and Sally Craig, who rode in on their olive drab M70.

AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days

AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days

“The Ural Gear Up raffle bike is going to make someone really happy!”

Also present at this year’s event was the Ural Gear Up provided by Ural Motorcycles and outfitted by the Wilkinson brothers. This special set-up will be raffled off on December 7th to benefit the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum. Officials will draw the winning name during the 2018 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony weekend (see rules).

Donate for a chance to win this Gear Up: Click here!

AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days

Flashback from last year’s event: AMA president Rob Dingman and his daughter pose with the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum raffle bike.


“Our sons will look back on these days and remember the fun they had with family and motorcycles.”

Where would you take a Ural and who would you take with you? Like the Wilkinson brothers, you can turn an event into an adventure by taking a sidecar which will create an unforgettable experience for your family.

AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days


Watch our video on best practices when riding with passengers:

This Post Has 4 Comments
  1. I had a Ural Patrol for a short while, but being trapped in Los Angeles and the unending tangle of dangerous drivers and traffic jams, I sold it. It broke my heart. To look at these photographs of this event, with all these happy folks on a summer day in a country setting that reminds me of my long ago youth, makes me feel like selling my house here and finding this kind of paradise again. The first thing I’d buy is another Ural.
    Thank you for putting these up.

    1. Hi, Carter. We appreciate you stopping by and sharing your Ural story. Completely understand avoiding the rat-race traffic; we, too, feel the need to escape the city streets and venture out into the woods or hills. As you well know, the Ural is the perfect escape vehicle for that. Pack the sidecar with an afternoon’s worth of art supplies or carry along a like-minded co-pilot and the journey becomes the paradise! We hope you end up with another Ural when the time is right. -Corey @ GSG

      P.S. You might enjoy our “Of Sketchbooks and Bikes” article with Chris Sickels: http://goodsparkgarage.com/sketchbooks-and-motorcycles/

      1. Corey
        Thanks for responding. Oh man, that looks like a day I wish I could have been part of. I’ve been a huge fan of Chris’s work since forever. We keep just missing each other, so I have yet to meet him, but I look forward to the day I do. What I’d really love is to visit his studio one day. The guy is in a class by himself. My dream is to strap the bags on my Bonnie, and do a long roll in your direction. Maybe we could engineer another outing like the one I missed. That would be something. -Carter

        1. If you’re rolling through or toward Indy, yes, another motorcycle-sketch outing would be great. A multi-stop mini-tour would be even better. Chris is one of the most talented artists we know, but he’s even nicer than he is skilled. A humble, creative spirit. Your work is killer, too, from the ol’ Prince of Egypt days right up to ‘October Surprise.’ Love it. Whether it’s a year from now or ten, give us a holler when you’re near (We’ve got a spare Ural here, too.) -corey

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