Photo ou archives : F-M. Dumas
1105
DNEPR
650 Troïka MT 16 / Driven-Wheel Sidecar - 1992
Watch yourself on the Steppes
The automobile and motorcycle production of the various republics that made up the former USSR was never anything to write home about. Nevertheless the first Russian motorcycle was built in 1924 and, in this country where the car has always been an unaffordable luxury, motorcycles – particularly with sidecars – are still the most popular means of transport.
On Your Marques ...
In this state-controlled scheme of production organization, each factory is dedicated to a single model. Thus KMZ – for Kiev Moto Zavod ("Kiev Motorcycle Factory") – based in the capital of the Ukraine on the banks of the River Dnepr, is in charge of building the biggest and most sophisticated of all the Russian motorcycles, the Dnepr. KMZ builds around 100,000 bikes annually. Russia's first big postwar bike, the M75, was a 750cc sidevalve, based on the prewar BMW R71, and its derivatives are still in production. Starting in 1953 the overhead-valve M52 – and subsequently the M53 – appeared. They were still heavily inspired by the BMW, with flat-twin engines, double-cradle oval-tube frames, and similar suspension.
One Model, Three Engines ...
Ura l currently builds a 650cc with an own-make engine while Dnepr offers no fewer than three models - the Troïka, the Taïga (with an Ural engine), and the Sevruga (with a genuine 800cc BMW unit).
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine: 649cc (78x68mm) Dnepr air-cooled flat-twin four-stroke
Power Rating: 36 hp @ 5200 rpm
Valves: overhead
Fuel System: 28mm carburetors
Transmission: 4-speed + reverse; shaft final drive to rear and (via differential) sidecar wheels
Suspension: telescopic forks (front); swinging forks (rear and sidecar)
Brakes: twin leading shoe (front); drum (rear)
Wheels: interchangeable 3.50 x 19 inch
Weight: 727 lb
Maximum Speed: 65 mph
The Dnepr Looks a little ill-at-ease away from its native Steppes.