The economy is having tough times, we all know. And we all know it’s not confined to the U.S., that other countries, other economies, have been reeling and feeling the pain too. What does all this mean to a wee company like IMZ-Ural, which has been trying to keep up with demand while raising capital?

There are various rumors about, such as the one below, picked up from a fellow Uralist. As for me, and I think, him too, Ural will ride this out. If they can handle the fall of communism, they can probably get through the current economic problems. That’s my hope.

“Even with all the rumors of dealers not receiving ordered bikes, Italian suppliers not being paid, profit skimming, lots of Irbit factory workers let go, and overall mismanagement. Hope it ain’t true, I see no talk of it on the interweb, but was told all this by a dealer of Urals in the U.S. … But I have been fooling with Ducatis for near 40 years, and have seen them go broke and bankrupt many times, and look at them now. With so much demand for Urals now, I can not imagine too much grief for owners for very long. Even though I have been trying to get a part for near a year now.”

I agree, but — what is happening with Ural? How is the company doing? If you know, please say so. If anyone from IMZ happens upon this blog, I’d also be happy to publish a statement from the company.