I've not only ridden a Ural, I took a 700 mile, three up trip on one. The perfect place for one is the Blue Ridge Parkway. With the low speed limit, you can haul the Ural up and down the mountains. Yes, they are underpowered. I had the standard, one wheel drive sidecar model. The brakes suck, and they're unreliable. If you can't do basic mechanical work, forget it. BUT, they are an immense hoot. They are the most fun on dirt roads, where you can start sliding the sidecar around. I wouldn't recommend it for freeway travel, but for putting around the countryside, you'll have a ball. Oh, yeah, get the extended warranty and don't overheat the engine. Use premium grade gasoline.
I was sad the day that economic reality made me cut back to one bike. The Ural had to go. But I can recommend it for those days when you just want to cruise down a country road.
Vlad