| Author |
Message |
    
Steve_a
| | Posted on Monday, August 22, 2005 - 12:14 am: | 
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"I believe that softening a bike's preload to accommodate a shorter rider is a typical practice and I haven't seen any evidence that doing so has a significant effect on a bike's handling."
Generally, pre-load should be set on most bikes so the suspension sacks through 1/3 of the its travel with the rider on the bike (some bikes will have a specific recommended sack dimension). A shorter and lighter rider will need less preload than a taller, heavier rider to achieve the same amount of sack, so it's standard practice to back off preload for a shorter rider, assuming of course he's not as wide as he is tall. And given that a lighter rider will also load the bike less in all conditions, it might not be totally inappropriate to set the sack at a little more than 1/3 travel for a really light rider. However, I'd never set the preload so the suspension sacks halfway or more through its travel when loaded by just its rider. |
Wolffone2000
| | Posted on Monday, August 22, 2005 - 01:07 pm: |
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So far, I have put just over 400 miles on my Uly, with the only problem being a check engine light that comes on right after refueling for about 30 miles. Other than that, I have been so happy with it that I may get rid of my sport bike. |
Henrik
| | Posted on Monday, August 22, 2005 - 01:38 pm: |
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Wolf, look up Al's posts about his Uly. He mentions something about a diode by the fuse box that needs to be flipped around. I diode is in the wrong way, it'll cause the check engine light to come on. Not sure of the exact details.
Henrik |
Reepicheep
| | Posted on Monday, August 22, 2005 - 01:46 pm: |
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COOL! Just got back from F&S Buell here in Dayton, and they had a new black Ulysses sitting out front.
That thing is TALL! And very cool looking! I love all the attention to detail.
Some interesting observations...
1) The vent behind the gas cap is not only small, but it is more then half occluded by the inner airbox cover. I think the thing is breathing through the gap between that outer airbox cover and frame.
2) Suspension travel did not seem excessive, at least while sitting on it.
3) Clutch pull is VERY nice.
4) The front "high" fender mounts to the same point where the brake lines mount on my 9sx, and may explain the extra "mystery" hole. There are two on my 9sx, and only one is necessary for a brake line. Two are necessary for the fender though.
5) The thing may not have been set up yet, but if it was, there was a LOT of play in the driveline. I am guessing it just needed a primary chain adjustment.
6) The seat is *really* comfortable.
7) Amazing luggage space.
8) The bike does not look "that big" in person. It sits high, and looks big next to a lightning, but it does not look like some sort of lumbering topheavy land yacht like the VStrom does.
I really like the thing. Were I buying new today, I would probably be torn. The 9sx is a perfect niche bike for exactly what I do, but the 12X looks like it will do a lot more.
The most obvious observation? How do you spot the 12X on a lot full of Buells at your local dealer? Look for the "Hold" tag. This one was sold as soon as it hit the floor. |
Sleez
| | Posted on Monday, August 22, 2005 - 07:06 pm: |
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prof,
how about a pic with the bags removed and the brackets still there, show how unsightly or not they might be? |
Dbird29
| | Posted on Monday, August 22, 2005 - 11:51 pm: |
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Sleez,
Maybe some company will make up nice little slip covers for the brackets. You could probably sell some advertising billboards that would fit the brackets.
Yea, thay are kind of big but not totally terrible in appearance.
DBird |
Al_lighton
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2005 - 02:20 am: |
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Henrik,
The backwards diode had nothing to do with the check engine light. It was causing the neutral light to come on whenever my clutch lever was in, regardless of what gear the tranny was in. Flipped the diode around, then all was well.
Ben, Not sure about the relation of the check engine light to fuel level. BUT, make the light come on again. When it is still coming on, short pins 1 and 2 on the diagnostic port at the seat gap on the left side of the bike. Pull out the rubber plug, and with the latch on the connector pointing up, it is the two pins on the right while looking into the face of the connector.
After shorting them, you'll see 6 rapid flashes of the check engine light, then 1 or more flashes at one per second, followed by a 2 second pause, followed by 1 or more flashes at one per second, then it starts over with 6 rapid flashes. Count the first number of flashes before the two second gap, then the secondnumber after the two second gap. For instance, if it flashes 6 times fast, then two times at 1 second intervals, then once again after the two second gap, it is a code 21, which is the muffler servo. There is a known low probability of occurence issue on early serno 06 Buells with that, the servo will be replaced under warranty if that is the issue. But that shouldn't have anything to do with refueling. If you get a different code, post it here and I'll tell you which it is.
Note: don't fill the tank past the flange down in the tank..not the one with the bolts in it, the one down below that. If you fill it above that, the fuel will expand from engine heating and just go out the overflow to the ground (or into the charcoal canister on CA models).
Al |
Henrik
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2005 - 11:00 am: |
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Oops, sorry for the mis-info, and thanks for the correction. I spoke from rapidly degrading memory chips. Just remembered you mentioning the check engine light as well ... no?
Henrik |
Al_lighton
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2005 - 01:04 pm: |
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I did. That was a muffler servo malfunction. Buell sent me a new one, I sent mine back. They are aware of a low likelihood failure mode in the early production models, most won't ever have the issue. My check engine light is all fixed. Bike is doing well, though the idle isn't quite as steady as I'd like. Might be bad gas, I need to get it from a different source and see if it clears up.
The bike is a hoot to ride. The suspension is wonderful, very plush, yet still easy to ride smooth and fast. This bike makes my S3 feel like an antique. It's a very functional bike. Don't care for the sound, however.
Al |
Wolffone2000
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2005 - 05:40 pm: |
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Thanks to Al and Henrik
I had spoken to the dealer just before posting my message. They want to look into it on Friday. Since I have only owned it 2 weeks - come this friday- I have not been able to tell if it is re-fueling too much or what. At first, I thought that maybe the gas cap was position sensitive, but I have not been able to see a difference in the installation. Since this is my first Buell, I am a little nervous about 'shorting' wires to determine the codes just yet. But time and experience will fix that nervousness. I have the pleasure of having more than one bike to ride. Yesterday, I rode the Uly in the morning and then my Yamaha YZF750 in the afternoon. I need to get rid of the Yamaha -- the Uly makes simple work of everything the Yamaha used to make me think it did so well.
--wolff |
Whodom
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2005 - 05:46 pm: |
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This bike makes my S3 feel like an antique.
Dang- like I needed another reason to want one! |
Wolffone2000
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2005 - 06:08 pm: |
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I have never ridden an S3, but I would imagine the generation difference with the frame change would be significant.
A guy told me yesterday, that the XB12 Firebolt was the best handling bike he has ever owned. But... he also said when Buell gets away from Harley it will also make an even better product.
An inspection of my Uly makes me think the bike is not even looking in the rear view mirror at the other manufacturers. I dont see a bit of resemblence to my Japanese bikes.
--wolff |
Henrik
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2005 - 10:04 pm: |
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Al; thanks for clearing that up. Glad to hear that the Uly is working out well for you.
I'm thinking I may have to take a very close look at one.
Henrik |
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