| Author | Message | ||
     Dr_greg |
As you may recall, I recently bought a demo bike from Chick's HD/Buell in Albuqerque, NM. Turns out that it's serial number #44, and has had most of its mileage under the steady hand of John Flickinger, the President of Buell Motor Corporation! (Erik is Chief Technical Officer). Kind of a neat pedigree! Anyway, in a 400-mile ride through the mountains of northern New Mexico, here are my observations: 1. Vibration. I've heard complaints of excessive footpeg vibration. Huh?! IMHO, there's just enough vibration to indicate the presence of an engine down there somewhere. Oh yeah, since I used to ride an XB9R, I already knew about the high-amplitude vibration at idle that offends some testers. Adds character, and we all know it goes away as soon as you start moving. The gentle vibrations are exactly what I like from a big V-Twin; a sense that there's something forceful and well-intentioned going on down there... 2. Wind protection. Coming from a sportbike background, I do admit concern about having my poor old body up there in the wind. But...no problem whatsoever! Sure, the wind is there; but it's totally clean air and simply a non-issue. 3. Drivetrain. Shifting IS much improved, but I found my 9R to shift fairly well using Mobil-1 75W-90 gear oil. The 1203cc engine is a first for me; never ridden one before. It's very quiet and unobtrusive, yet offers a quite satisfying forward thrust. I'm a nut about sound (hey, I have perfect pitch), and the first thing I fit to my XB9R, my 900SS Ducati, and my Aprilia Mille were aftermarket exhausts. Not the Ulysses! I much prefer the quiet nature of this bike. The engine--- er, "powerplant"---makes itself known well enough via other sensory modalities. Oh yeah, very nice clutch, too! 4. Handling. I have noticed myself going slower on the straights and faster through the corners. Slower, because the whole bike just says "relax and enjoy the ride!" Faster, because those nice comfy handlebars say "countersteer, and watch what happens!" And what happens is precisely nothing; except that you carve through the corner in complete control, confidence, and comfort at whatever speed you've selected. Wow. I completed that ride having averaged 56 mpg (remember, I'm not riding fast on the straights). Never ever have I had that much fun on a motorcycle! Everything just works SO well. And I have the full set of luggage; gosh, I can actually carry something, what a concept. This is the first bike I have ever owned on which I will not change a single thing. Except the handlebar grips. | ||
| 2_spuds |
I totally agree with all your impressions, and I am glad to hear such a good report from someone with a sportbike background. Before I got this uly the closest thing to a sportbike I've ever ridden was a 03 sportster sport,and the closest thing to a " dualsport" was a 750 norton matchless which I bought new in 1965. This thing is so smooth I am finding it almost impossible to stay anywhere near the posted speed limit. I have to find something to change or add on, it just isn't normal to do otherwise,is it? | ||
| Rhinowerx |
Ditto Dr_greg, and congrats. As for the handlebar grips, my favourites are the BMW grips...  Cheers -Jack | ||
| Spoof |
Dr. Greg--- Did I see you heading North through Penasco as I was headed South? I was giving my legs a stretch with my boots up for a moment.  | ||
| Dr_greg |
Spoof, yes! I knew I saw someone on an orange Ulysses passing through Penasco! I continued on through Taos then across 64 to Tierra Amarilla (picture below). What a great ride.  | ||
| Spoof |
I had gone the other way out of Taos that morning looping through Eagle Nest and Red River. I see those gorgeous Brazos Cliffs behind you—what a road and what a part of the state that is! |
