| Author | Message | ||
     Turnagain |
quoting Mr. Anderson: Granted, most of us have seen pictures, read some reviews and a few have thrown a leg over it. But what's your opinion so far -- is it a replacement? Personally I would have liked to have seen something like this: hope to see the XB12X soon and will have to see if I need to wait another year (or more) | ||
| Easy_rider |
Your version does look nicer. Now you got me thinking about mixing and matching parts... All in all, the bags are more utilitarian than attractive. Way above the Beemer, though. What attracted me to the S2/S3T (other than I was completely infatuated with Buell from the 80's) was that it was the nicest looking bagger. The nose is decidedly dated now, but it's still got a nice rear end (and I like nice rear ends!). Uly really doesn't do much for me. I'm happy to see Buell get good press, but the S3 has still got a home for now. | ||
| Easy_rider |
Hey! Your bike looks alot like the that passed by near Deal's Gap while I sat beside the road nursing my wounds. Was it you? | ||
| 1313 |
Ulysses is sure not a replacement for my S2. For one, the S2 will leave my hands when they're cold and dead. And two, I am too inseam challenged for Ulysses. Turnagain's photoshopped pic above nearly hits what I desire for my next Buell spot on. As for Easy-rider's statement regarding the S2/S3-T nose being decidedly dated now, I recall an experience riding back from Homecoming this year. I believe it was the Honda Hoot that had just ended about the same time. I pulled into a rest area in West Virginia to put on my rain gear and as I pull into a parking spot a Honda rider yells to me 'Is that a new Buell?'. I said 'It's 10 years old and has over 100,000 miles on it.'. He said '10 years old? It still looks like it's a brand new bike - the styling is still fresh.'. But then again that may just be a Honda rider for you.  1313 | ||
| Court |
Brankin: I don't NEED you to buy an XB12X, but I'd LOVE to have a picture of you with your legs dangling in mid-air.  | ||
| Henrik |
I'm thinking that Buell has provided us with some good building blocks to create that S3T replacement; the new saddle bags and their brackets can most likely be adapted to fit other XB models by an inventive aftermarket supplier (Al - hint, hint ). Start with an R model, add bags, bar risers, heated grips, some power outlets and wah lah ... Or begin with a Lightning long version for more room, and R fairing etc. etc. Henrik | ||
| Bonesbuell |
The lightning long SS does make a better candidate as the basis for future sport-tourer. Longer, wider and better suited for two riders. | ||
| Buellish |
"Brankin: I don't NEED you to buy an XB12X, but I'd LOVE to have a picture of you with your legs dangling in mid-air." Yuk,yuk,yuk.....I'd pay real money to see that!  | ||
| Steve_mackay |
But the XB12Ss doesn't have the weight capacity of the Uly, or the better windscreen. I wonder if the tail section and windscreen is adaptable to the 12Ss? That would make it a no brainer for those that are verticaly challenged I can see a 12X in my future, but I still don't think it will ever *REPLACE* my S3T. | ||
| Regkittrelle |
I'm on the road, but dropped in on a "hot spot" to check up.. and found this thread. Very nice job, Turnagain. But let me throw this out for you to chew on: On all but the smoothest roads I feel fairly certain that the Ulysses will outhandle the "Long", and any S1, S2,S3 or M2 ever made. | ||
| José_quiñones |
but you have to put your feet down at some point...... | ||
| José_quiñones |
Steve put an S3 front end on that thing!  | ||
| M2nc |
Training wheels, does it come with training wheels? From what I'm told, I will need a self standing system to ride a XB12X. Maybe for 2007, Buell will start playing with parts in the bin and get us a XB12RX. | ||
| Anonymous |
Don't believe all the stories about how tall they are until you ride one, especially with the low seat. Reg Kitrelle is not tall, and he was delighted with the low seat. Make sure the suspension is set soft (you do it with a twist of a knob), and you'll be fine. And all the time you are moving (hopefully 99+% of the time), the long travel suspension gives an incredible ride. This is in every way a MUCH, MUCH better S3T. | ||
| Regkittrelle |
Just to keep the record reasonably true... "Reg Kittrelle" was NOT delighted with the low seat; "Reg Kittrelle" was delighted with the motorcycle. The low seat was just low enough to allow a now-muscular big toe to stabilize at a stop. "Reg Kittrelle" was, however delighted with the comfort of the low seat once he was moving. Were one to appear in my garage I would have to shave/taper the nose of the seat in order to use it around town. And yes, you certainly can lower it with the knob just aft of your left thigh. Don't like that idea, tho.. prefer a suspension that works properly to one that accomodates my stature, or lack there of. Should Buell lower the seat? Nope. If I can't ride it, that's my problem, not Buell's. I have no more sympathy for those complaining about a tall seat as I have for those whining about how small the other XBs are. To paraphase a Mr. Darwin; "Adapt, or stay on the porch." One thing that Mr. Anonofmyass and I do agree upon is the comparison with the S3... there really isn't any. | ||
| Vfrbart |
I've started out riding tall bikes, XR650L and KLR650. I don't like them for a street bike. The seat height on the 12X is about the same. I hated trying to back out of a parking spot or my house, or sitting at a light. I'm 5'9", not sure but I think Reg is 5'8" which is about average? I'm also wondering about wind buffeting. Bikes that tall tend to be good sails too, but maybe its heavy enough not to matter. I really dig the photoshop at the top of the post. I used to own an M2, but not anymore. I loved the S3T, the rear of it at least. I'm going to go check out the new Ully though.. Might be suprised. I hope Buell sells a ton of them. | ||
| Jon |
Gee, I don't know Reg...I think you were delighted...nah just kidding. Reg, one of the features of your writing that I enjoy so much is what we just had an example of. Your iron grip on the details of your observations and experiences with bikes. It's proof we're not being buffaloed with prose. From what I've read this is a bike I want. But common sense and an awareness of where my money needs to go the rest of the year will keep me on the sidelines. My X1 yet liveth! | ||
| Regkittrelle |
I didn't find wind buffeting to be a problem, but then some people are more sensitive to this than am I. I rode an XB12R 4,000-some miles through OR/WA/ID/WY/UT/NV sans a windshield and enjoyed most every mile of it. Somewhere amongst my blatherings I stated that I'd gladly ride across country on the Ulysses; meant it then, mean it now. It's human nature to compare seemingly like entities and, in the case of the Big U, I'm seeing a lot of these wherein XL, KLRs and the like are used for reference. That's erronious (but understandable) on two fronts, at least. First, these "Adventure" (pptth!) bikes are far more comfortable on the street than are the big singles and, second, they handle far better at the upper end of the speed scale... far better. | ||
| Regkittrelle |
Jon... you only live nine lives...er, wait. that's my dog.. uh... just buy the damn thing! You will ride Mt. Hamilton quicker than you ever have. (Don't know that that will work as an arguement with the wife, tho) | ||
| Vfrbart |
Hi, I should have been more clear. I was comparing my stopped in traffic; in the parking lot; have to move the bike around experiances with the KLR/XR to the 12X. I"m sure it is light years ahead of those bikes in terms of comfort, once one is moving of course. | ||
| Regkittrelle |
...bart, I agree wid youse re the moving it around part. I was atop Mt. Evans with Bill Wood of the AMA, both of us aboard a Ulysses. Bill is one of those silly tall people (anyone over 5'8" He pulls off the road into a very rocky parking lot. He dismounted, pulled out his camera and was taking pictures before I could find a large enough rock on which to rest my right foot. Gingerly I lower the kickstand, and carefully slide off the saddle on the wrong side... onto my rock. Satisfied that my world was once again stable I looked up at him in time to hear him say, "Let's go!" (What's the deal with the automatic insertion of the stupid smiley face? I never use those.) | ||
| Jon |
Well, there is a very slight chance...would be nice for Laguna next year that's for sure. | ||
| Easy_rider |
The Uly might be better in the specs department, (it should be -- it's a generation and a half earlier) but calling it a replacement for the S3T just because it has bags seems off-base. It is a different style altogether and should stand on it's own merits. However, if someone wants to leave one in my garage for a month or two I'll be happy post a completely unbiased comparison. | ||
| Regkittrelle |
Good point, Easy. My justification for calling it a replacement lies in the fact that it does everything the S3 did/does, and much more. And it does it better. As well it should given, as you point out, the age difference. The S3 is a unique, minimalist tourer. It's a handsome devil (There's a point in its favor) and I understand the loyalty it engenders. | ||
| Court |
You know....call it the "forest through the trees" phenomenon, but it just hit me that we've been lead down the wrong path in this discussion. The challenge before us is obvious and right under, about a foot, our nose. The problem here as Reg observiated is his height. Reg is a stand up self sufficient fellow and I've never looked, figurativly, down on him as needing help. But, now I have heard his cry. Here's where it gets cool, the perfect marriage of talent and need. Erik Buell is a designer, and Reg has a design problem. How about, for next year, we forego a new model and have Erik Buell design Reg Kittrelle? Think about it. Erik has the resume to support this effort, Reg would be happier and it would remove the "yeah, but Reg is only 5'8" from these discussions. Standing here, at 5'-9.33" I can clearly see the future. | ||
| Ray_maines |
Saving a RK redesign, how about if Erik did a few design tweaks on the City X and introduced a smaller Ulysses for those of us who were blessed with fully functional pituitary glands? Oh, BTW: a : and ) right next to each other will result in a | ||
| Henrik |
Reg; for some reason one of these " next to one of these ) will also give you the Quote plus one of the little Wink Smiley. Like this " I like the Uly. I'd been thinking of retiring the S2 from touring duty and get either a VFR or maybe a GS instead. I had good fun on a GS in CO a few years ago - except that it needed a "running jump get-on - rock off the center stand." But the Uly seems to fit the bill very nicely, and it has that nice Buell engine I much prefer. I also suspect someone at Buell made good notes over the years when we've had our recurring "what would I like in a Sport Tourer" discussions. Great job guys. Now, when you're done celebrating, can you please add some Aux lighting to the Uly accessories? Henrik | ||
| Steve_mackay |
Jose, I'll see what the "extended" windscreen will do. I still have yet to see one in person. Hals should be getting their shipment in next week. | ||
| Phillyblast |
Henrik, Great minds think alike I'm looking at the Uly right now and drooling, and the good news is Jenn is looking at it with approval as well. Spent all day last Sunday sightseeing and shopping on the S2 and as much as I love it, it's not a 2up touring bike without some mods. At the very least a "Gunfighter/Lady" seat and an S3 bag conversion. Not to mention the remote preload adjustment, grab rails, available top box, acc. outlets, etc. I see a barricade orange Uly in the basement by springtime. Just have to get some stuff on ebay, methinks. Anyone want to buy a Blast? | ||
| Henrik |
If I can get Daves to take a '03 XB9R in trade on a used Uly in August of 2006 I'm there. Dave ...? Dave ...? Henrik (edited for brain fade) (Message edited by Henrik on August 05, 2005) |
