| Author |
Message |
    
Blasterd
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 09, 2005 - 12:23 pm: | 
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Al,
While your at it for Reepicheep, does the flyscreen from the Ulysses fit an XB9SX?
Ken |
Speedy818
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 09, 2005 - 12:24 pm: |
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How's the windscreen at highway speed? Enough to keep off your chest w/o buffeting your helmet?
Looks really good - I'm very jealous!
Speedy |
Usroute66
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 09, 2005 - 12:27 pm: |
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Glitch,
U R absolutely right! I said the same thing all weekend with Al and Ebear...the Buell website does not do the bike justice. It looks much better in person, and Ebears photos outdo the Buell website. The LED tail light is really, really bright. At night it is unbelievable how bright it is. What an improvement. Fit and finish is great and well thought out. For those of us who has or had an S3T, this is the bike to replace it with. I know of at least four Uly bikes on the road here in SoCal, so it must be a hit!
I was right behind Al when the old fart tried to take him out. It was a bit scary watching this from behind. That guy went 1/2 way out into the other lane. Very sick person
Scott |
Blake
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 09, 2005 - 12:49 pm: |
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Reep,
Keep in mind that the cosmetic airbox cover doesn't seal to the frame. Pretty sure the gap running all around the cover represents a fair amount of inlet area. Even at 1/8th inch it would represent at least four square inches. |
Broodwich
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 09, 2005 - 02:41 pm: |
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Al,
I had a nice (really nice) test ride on a R1200GS over the weekend. I say really nice because unlike most test rides I actually got to see what that beast could do. I noticed the nice and tall riding position as an advantage on that bike as well. I'm used to sitting upright on my F650CS but the extra height was nice. Besides I could still lean it pretty far into the corners without any worry. The bike can handle more than my skill level will allow. Now I just have to try the Ulysses!
Oh yea, how is the wind buffeting. I am used to only a small fly screen on my bike. The R1200GS had the screen adjusted to the tallest position and I noticed a lot of noise around my head from the wind and I could tell that the air was being blocked around my chest but still hitting my helmet. I think I prefer the even feeling of air that I get with the flyscreen and you would have on the Ulysses. |
Jim_sb
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 10, 2005 - 12:19 am: |
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Hi Al,
Nice write up and pics.
But we NEED more info.!
How about the fairing? How does it do at freeway speeds?
What kind of mileage are you getting?
How does the handling feel compared to an S3? Or an S2?
Enquiring minds want to know.
All I can say is it's a darn good thing for my bank account that the black Uly is in Ventura and the yellow one is in Sandy Eggo...
Jim in Santa Barbara |
Ginzero
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 10, 2005 - 12:45 am: |
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Very cool write up Al!! I went through a thunder storm up there a few weeks ago on my XB9SX.
Jim_sb.. do you know if they got any 06 XB9s in Ventura?
California HD in Harbor City has a yellow XBX  |
Al_lighton
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 10, 2005 - 02:05 am: |
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There have been a few questions, I'll try to cover them all in this post. I took some pictures, but they are at the shop and I'm not, so I'll just use words.
1) The Uly flyscreen won't fit the XB-S models. The casting is a completely different shape, and it is more forward of the controls so the wider screen doesn't run into the controls. As a reference point, the transparent part of the Uly screen is every bit as big as the entire XB-S flyscreen. I think a similar transparent screen treatment with the XB-S would be a nice thing though.
2) The top of the still air bubble hits me shoulder height at highway speeds. The transition from still air to fully developed flow seems smaller than on other bikes. Might be something to that gap between the clear windscreen and the opaque flyscreen.
3) The wind protection is adequate, the rain protection is not. You aren't going to hide behind this screen and not get wet. The S3 fairing kicks butt on the XB12X flyscreen in that regard.
4) I didn't measure the gallons to fill it when the light came on. But using the factory specs, 4.4 gallons capacity minus .83 gallons at fuel light, 165 miles, = 46.2 MPG.
5) While I own a fine S2 (came with the shop), I've never ridden it. I don't insure it for the street, it's a shop queen. So I can't speak to that. But compared to my S3, I can say it feels much smoother and more refined overall. It is easier to ride smoothly, and the power is more linear, especially below 3K RPM. It feels lighter. It wheelies easier. The seating position is more erect. I'll switch that some by putting CityX bars on it at some point.
Al |
Opto
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 10, 2005 - 05:01 am: |
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The gap between the clear screen and the flyscreen is a very practical application of known aerodynamic principles, it will direct the airflow up and with much less turbulence, much better than if there was no gap. (The clear screen has become an aerofoil instead of a shield or nose cone). Similar to a "slat" on an aircraft, or notice how when aircraft flaps are lowered a gap appears between them and the wing, same principle. |
Dave
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 10, 2005 - 10:14 am: |
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Al.... know anyone with a 955fi Tiger? I'd appreciate a comparison if you do!
DAve |
Oldroadtoad
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 10, 2005 - 11:57 am: |
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Hello -
I have ridden a Triumph Tiger, and an XB9S. The Tiger is a fantastic machine. Smooooooth and power full. The brakes are excellent too. From what I understand, the Tiger is capable of delivering good fuel economy, up to the 50 mpg range.
I nearly bought it, but I cared not for the tubed tyres. The new Tigers have cast wheels and run tube less rubber. They are also priced competitively against the BMW and Buell. Side panniers are standard. Insurance was also about the same.
Looks are subjective, but I like the appearance of both bikes.
I hope this helps some, even tho' it is not quite a direct comparison which is what I think you are looking for.
The Toad |
Jim_sb
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 10, 2005 - 12:41 pm: |
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They definitely have a City X and one other new Buell in stock.
Not sure of the specifics. I'll see what I can find out.
Jim in Santa Barbara |
Al_lighton
| | Posted on Thursday, August 11, 2005 - 10:11 am: |
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I've never ridden a tiger. Don's bike was parked next to one the first night at Knollwoods, the seat heights seemed to be awfully close. The styling of the Uly blew away the tiger, IMHO, but that's obviously very subjective.
On the S2/S3 vs Ulysses note, there is one very major difference. The S2, and to a lesser extent, the S3, feel like you are sitting IN them. The Uly definitely feels like you are sitting ON it. It feels like a dirt bike with a comfy seat. I like dirt bikes, spend enough time on them that it feels very natural to sit on the Ulysses. For someone with little to no dirt bike time, the feeling might be a bit foreign.
Al |
Dave
| | Posted on Thursday, August 11, 2005 - 02:00 pm: |
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Al: The one thing that seems noticeable to me about my Tiger is that it sometimes feels awkwardly top heavy. Especially slower speeds and on curves/switchbacks you'd find on the Dragon. The Tiger carries just over 6 gallons of fuel; the tank is somewhat draped over the engine and dips below/forward of the seat.
Don't get me wrong. I enjoy the Tiger's stance and utility. Some of what you wrote can be applied to the Tiger. Plus the 955i 3 is very competant...just not the V-twin lump I enjoy.
ANy feel of top heaviness from the Uly?
DAve
(btw AL, I finally met ya @ Torquefest) |
Al_lighton
| | Posted on Thursday, August 11, 2005 - 03:15 pm: |
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Top heavy is NOT something that I would use to describe the Ulysses. Not at all. I would say it has the best balance of any streetbike I've ever ridden. I can pull up to a 4 way stop, stop completely, and then go, not only with not putting my feet down, but also with not wiggling the bars back and forth to keep my balance. The shop XB9S does NOT do this anywhere near as well, nor does my S3 or S1W, and ESPECIALLY not my wife's SV650. I like her SV just fine, but frankly, it's slow speed handling is kinda funky.
On another note, my check engine light that is coming on when very hot is code 21, which relates to the muffler servo. Not sure why yet, I hope to figure it out myself rather than giving it to the dealer to fix. I don't like the dealer touching my bike and will avoid it if possible. Still don't have the service manual for it yet (neither does the dealer), so I can't trace the wiring to find the weird neutral light problem, YET.
I DO however have the parts manuals, for both the 06 lightnings and the 06 Uly. So if there are any parts that some are curious whether they cross over, let me know. So far, I know the swingarm and rear fenders for the XB12SS and XB12X are identical. The frame has different numbers, but they would even if they were otherwise physically identical due to ID numbering requirements.
Al |
Dave
| | Posted on Thursday, August 11, 2005 - 03:44 pm: |
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Thanks for the feedback Al
DAve |
Blasterd
| | Posted on Thursday, August 11, 2005 - 10:02 pm: |
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Thanks Al!
Thats a bummer though, I really like the flyscreen on the Ulysses. Maybe we can talk them into making some for the XB's
Ken |
Outrider
| | Posted on Friday, August 12, 2005 - 10:30 am: |
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Which came first...The X1 or the Tiger?
I just got a laugh out of the Tiger's tank. It reminded me a bit of the X1's Pregnant Guppy look which I have learned to like for functional rather than aesthetic reasons.  |
Dave
| | Posted on Friday, August 12, 2005 - 07:18 pm: |
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hahahaha Outrider... I always thought it looked like a pregnant guppy too...
Dern that Al...confirming all that is good with the Uly over the Tiger.
DAve |
Al_lighton
| | Posted on Sunday, August 14, 2005 - 02:33 am: |
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Some additional review fodder:
I changed the oil today at 680 miles. Yea, it says 1000, but I'm more likely to do the first oil change at even lower mileage than this normally, but I just racked up the miles too fast on this one to get to it sooner. I guess that's a good sign, eh?
Anyways, the shock adjust knob is in a poor place relative to the oil fill hole. Twas a pain in the butt to fill the oil, funnel couldn't get vertical enough. The other side would've been nicer, but there would have been a little bit of engineering to get it clear of the rear brake master cylinder. It'd be easier to adjust there too, being on the uphill side of the bike.
Helmet holder? Nice feature, but the location made it a bit of a pain to get my helmet on it. I'll get used to it and it will be fine, but it did create a bit of first time use fuss. Plus, it is just screwed to plastic. I think it'd be tough to steal it anyway, though. But I did wonder....where will you put the passenger helmet? There wasn't one on the other side, and you aren't going to easily get two helmets on this one lock.
Minor niggles. The dipstick is better than the previous iteration. Easier to grab, easier to get to the hole, just not great yet. The draining was a piece of cake, though.
Another thing about the windshield....the transition zone is indeed narrower, but it the air blast is a little steeper. I've noticed that it isn't really nice to ride with my helmet face shield up, as the wind catches it more easily and it is noiser/windier inside my helmet with the shield open than before. No issues when the shiled is down though.
I'm really liking the bike. I've been giggling in my helmet on my commute to and from work all week. This thing is a first gear wheelie monster. It feels a lot like my XR400, which also usually puts a big grin on my face. The ride is plush, I've found myself steering INTO the bumps just to feel the bike laugh at them. And if you chop that throttle to abruptly on that wheelie? No problem, the front will take it just fine without jarring your fillings out.
Al |
Opto
| | Posted on Sunday, August 14, 2005 - 04:51 am: |
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Al, can you confirm if the Uly has a heavier flywheel, and if it does is the acceleration noticeably different? Thanks for the review.
Ian.
PS For the CE light on the muffler actuator, had a similar prob on the XB12S, the muffler actuator sub-harness connector LHS of battery under all the looms wasn't pushed in all the way, had to remove battery to get to it. |
Al_lighton
| | Posted on Sunday, August 14, 2005 - 01:18 pm: |
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It does not have a heavier flywheel, it is the same as the other XB12 models, see the thread higher up.
Al |
Al_lighton
| | Posted on Sunday, August 14, 2005 - 01:25 pm: |
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So, I needed to carry a bunch of stuff on my Uly today, and the bags aren't in yet. I flipped up the triple tail, put my 45liter Ventura pack on it. It fit it like it was made for it. The straps that hold the pack down on the pack rack went right around the hand grab rails, the pack doesn't wiggle a bit. Very cool. It looks kinda funny in this picture because I only have a few things in the big section of the bag, and a big water jug in the little section.
Al
(Message edited by al_lighton on August 14, 2005) |
Outrider
| | Posted on Sunday, August 14, 2005 - 01:47 pm: |
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Al...Silly question submitted as the Uly has yet to hit my local dealers.
Can you give a dimensional comparison between the XB12S and the XB12X handlebars?
Am looking for something with a 6"+ rise and a 30"+ width with a less than radical pullback for my X1. The aftermarket Triumph bars I currently have are fine but I am still looking for a tad more rise and less pullback.
Thanks,
Bill |
Al_lighton
| | Posted on Monday, August 15, 2005 - 08:21 pm: |
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Well, it's kinda tough to measure bars precisely, but, and I don't have any city-X bars here. But I do have regular S bars here, and I've been told (have not verified) that the CityX and standard S bars are identical other than the crossbar and color. The rise on the S bars I have is approximately 3 inches. The rise on the XB12X bars is approximately 5.5". It's a substantial difference.
The width of the uly bars is substantial, about 31". The Lightning bars are about 28" or so. I find that interesting. On the crossroads bars on the lightning, where you have substantial forward lean, anything over 30" feels too wide, as if you are falling between your splayed arms. But the 31" bar width on the sit-up-and-beg Uly feels very natural, I never even suspected that they were that wide.
Al
(Message edited by al_lighton on August 15, 2005) |
Al_lighton
| | Posted on Monday, August 15, 2005 - 08:39 pm: |
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You may recall from my first post in this thread that I had a problem with my neutral light coming on every time I pulled in the clutch, regardless of what gear I was in. And that the clutch had to be in to start the bike, regardless of what gear it was in.
Well, I got a phone call today, and it is now fixed. Turns out that there is a plug-in diode in the fuse block. If that diode is in backwards, it will do what my bike was doing. Any XB is similar, though my XB9 has two diodes, it is Diode 2 that will make it behave the same way if it is inserted 180 out. I flipped it around, all is well. 
I won't say who called, but let's just leave it by saying that you're not likely to get a call from Yamaha or Honda when you post something on an online board about something wrong with your scooter.
Al |
Jim_sb
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 16, 2005 - 12:28 am: |
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Hi Al,
Great stuff. Keep the data coming!
Keep racking up the miles! I'm curious to see how many miles we can expect out of the new tires.
Jim in Santa Barbara |
Outrider
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 16, 2005 - 11:10 am: |
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Well, it's kinda tough to measure bars precisely
Al, you said it all right there. Even the different manufacturers and resellers measure differently. Ergo, catalog comparisons are often misleading.
Thanks for the info. As the X1 and XBS bars are the same, you gave me all the info I need to order a set of XBX bars.
By any chance are you selling your take offs? If yes, email the price and I will most likely take them off your hands.
Thanks,
Bill
(Message edited by Outrider on August 16, 2005) |
Al_lighton
| | Posted on Friday, August 19, 2005 - 12:33 am: |
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I'd indicated that I has a check engine light.
After a nice chat with someone at Buell, I sent my servo back while one was next day aired to me. I installed it, problem seems to be fixed. If any one else has the check engine/ Code 21 problem, (very few will), no worries, the bike is fine, you won't blow it up, and it won't hurt anything riding it until you can get it to a dealer. There is a known cause, it will be caught and fixed under warranty, and the appropriate bulletin is being issued. Mine seems to be all better now.
Al |
Blake
| | Posted on Friday, August 19, 2005 - 01:02 am: |
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Your servo? Please explain. Muffler valve servo-motor? |
Mikej
| | Posted on Friday, August 19, 2005 - 09:04 am: |
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Outrider,
Sound familiar?
 |
Al_lighton
| | Posted on Friday, August 19, 2005 - 10:15 pm: |
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Blake,
Yup.
It is a new servo this year. Hard mounted instead of suspended in foam. Better. But new. |
Metalstorm
| | Posted on Saturday, August 20, 2005 - 01:45 am: |
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Al, thank you for posting that picture. Seeing the Ventura bag on it gives a very good perspective on how much roomier the Uly is over the 12S or 9SX. |
Blake
| | Posted on Saturday, August 20, 2005 - 05:01 pm: |
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Those header pipes look awesome. Post a close-up please? In the right light a shot of those headers may qualify for the 2006 BadWeB calendar. |
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