| Author | Message | ||
     Uselyssxb12x |
I finally got the Uly yesterday after what seemed like a long wait. First off, I want to thank everyone for posting their impressions, opinions, facts, etc here for all of us to read and learn about this fine m/c. I could not have made this purchase as easily w/o all this info.  Second, I can not say enough GOOD things about GOE HD/Buell/Kawasaki in Angleton, Tx. I emailed them about the Uly several weeks ago, and got a reply immediately. The salesperson, Jane Magee, answered all my questions, responded to all my emails, and took good care of me. In fact all the employees I met were very friendly, and seemed genuinely stoked about selling their first Uly, and about the Uly in general. The dealership is about 190-200 miles away from me, but is worth the drive. I was working nights this week, and got off Friday morning, and my wife was good enough to drive me to the dealership. I was only going up their to do the deal because one, my deposit to my checking account was on hold until Saturday morning, and because of working nights, my wife did'nt want me riding back with no sleep for over 24 hours and finally this weekend is shot for me due to kids birthday parties, etc., so I will pick up the bike next Wednesday. I did ride the bike while we were there, they had it ready when we arrived. First impressions were great! Vibration, what vibration? It is amazing the things your mind retains (good and bad) about certain things. Many years ago when I worked at a Honda dealership, we took in a Sportster on trade. Talk about vibration! I rode this bike around town many times while we had it, and it only confirmed why I did'nt like Harleys (style, vibes, wooden brakes, trans, etc). This is the memory I had about Harleys. Now, I know they have come a long way, but in my mind, I could only remember that Sporty, so it was important for me to read these posts and see everyones opinions here, and not just rely on a few magazine articles. Also had to test ride the bike before purchase. (back to the short ride...sorry so long winded  ) The bike accelerated well (linear), stopped well, and rode and handled great. (this was a very short spin on the Uly) I will give a more detailed account of the bike with more miles. If you can't tell I am very happy with how things have turned out.  Thanks for indulging me. More later! | ||
| Chadhargis |
Your experience was similar to mine. I sold an inline 4 to enable me to purchase a Uly. To me, the Uly was MUCH smoother than my I4 everywhere except idle. It appears to me that the Uly may be very sensitive to tuning just as my BMWs were. If one adjustment gets the least little bit off, the bike will let you know it. That's the only thing I can think of that might account for some saying they had bad vibrations and others none at all. Honestly, when I rode the Uly, I didn't feel any vibes. Just the nice V-twin lope. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
My dealer already sold their first 3 Ulysses so I got dibbs on the next black one that comes in. I've never bought from this dealer before but they sell a ton of Harleys and also said that the Ulysses has been their fastest selling Buell ever. Anyway, they agreed to an out the door price of 11,500 with the hard bags and tourpak included. I didn't think they would go for that deal but they did. I think this is a pretty good deal but you folks can tell me if I'm fooling myself. Of course I haven't actually got the bike yet so only my 500 down payment has changed hands. My 500 is refundable for any reason according to the dealer. I want to know what you guys think. Am I getting a deal or can I do better? | ||
| Cabexbx |
I think it's a pretty good deal...I'd take one for that price OTD. | ||
| Dmcutter |
Seems like a heck of a deal to me. Best offer I got from my dealer was $300 store credit to take an orange one, but I said I'd wait for the black. Since they're so new and selling so fast, they're not dealing at all. | ||
| Aeholton |
I think the price you got is a good one. My dealer in St. Petersburg was smart enough to realize the demand on the bike and didn't come off MSRP. So... I probably paid too much, but I've already ridden 1000 miles! The Ocala dealer would have given me a better out the door price, but I would have still had another month or so to wait for delivery. I don't have that kind of patience. | ||
| Jim_sb |
Here in SoCal the dealer's have waiting lists. Well, at least every dealer I spoke with did. None of them were willing to deal (I spoke with 3 dealers). All of them told me they had received a lot of phone calls and visits regarding the Ulysses, many from owners of other bikes ("J" bikes, BMW's, etc.). I too was not patient. The Uly is targeted at a niche that suits me well. I liked the idea of the Multistrada, but couldn't get over the looks (by all accounts a fine motorcycle with a fugly face) or it's more intensive maintenance needs. I like the BMW GS with the boxer motor, but I chafe at the price (simply too high for what you get) and have concerns about that boxer motor kissing the pavement in spirited cornering (happened to a good friend of mine, leveraged the rear wheel into the air and he low sided as a result). Plus the GS needs more maintenance and is heavier. The V Strom is undoubtedly a good bike but IMHO it lacks character and style. There really aren't that many players in this niche, and Buell did a fine job of positioning the Uly there. It has character, an unusual high-tech SUV look, air cooled pushrod simplicity, lightweight belt drive (lifetime?), comfy "big ol' dirtbike" ergos, excellent street skills, great brakes, great suspension and an acceptable array of accessories (and more will be coming). I'm sure if you're willing to wait some length of time supply will eventually catch up with demand and dealers may be willing to negotiate. For me (I paid MSRP as well) it was worth it to have the Ulysses now. Good luck, Jim in Santa Barbara | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
I appreciate the comments about your dealing in getting your bikes. We all must have some kind of motorcycle embossed into our genes. Anyway, I called the dealer this morning because I wanted to make sure that the deal he gave me was not some kind of mistake. I was worried that the luggage was possibly something cheaper than what is made especially for the Ulysses. He assured me that it was the 1000 dollar hard bag and tour pack luggage and it would all be attached. He couldn't yet tell me the delivery date but I expect Nov or Dec. I've always wanted a Buell and have test rode all of them other than the Blast. I rode the Ulysses out at Sturgis in August and liked it. The thing I love about the Buells is the attention to detail in the engineering. How many other bikes with chains or belts need no adjustment and now they've taken it to a new level with the lifetime belt. Perimeter front brake, fuel in frame, oil in swingarm. I mean, it is an engineering masterpiece, a feast for the eyes as far as I'm concerned. Good things come to those who wait and I'm waiting. | ||
| Dmcutter |
Got a call from my dealer this afternoon, my bike is in. Going over shortly to sign the papers and write the check; it should be prepped and on the road tomorrow! My wife, a wise woman, told me not to sell my ZX-10 til I was sure about the Buell. Reckon I'll know soon enough... | ||
| 2_spuds |
Electraglider, it sounds like you made a Great deal.I paid full list price for the bike and bags. It was the only one in the dealership, and after the test ride I knew this bike was for me.I also bought the 7 year warranty and the wheel and tire warranty to go with it.I intend to leave it basically stock, it has enough power for my intended use.I love this thing,good luck with yours. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
2_spuds, Yea, I'm pretty much into riding bikes as is unless something really bugs me like a seat or gearing. Considering that I'm used to the low power of the Electraglide, the Buell should be way more than enough for me. I'm 6'1/2" barefoot so I'll just have to see how the seat height is for awhile before I make any decisions on that. I'm itching to get it though. I'll probably run around on it without the bags. Keep them in the basement for when needed (and that is just a maybe). Is it true that you can't have a passenger with the sidebags on??? Oh, yea, I'm a do it myself maintenance kind of guy so does anyone offhand know what they get for the manual since I didn't think to get that in with the deal. (Message edited by electraglider_1997 on October 10, 2005) | ||
| Fool4buell |
No problem with a passenger with the bags on. (Check out the gallery photos at the Buell Ulysses site.) You might be thinking of the soft bags on a CityX or other Lightning. A passenger won't fit with the soft bags on. | ||
| Al_lighton |
Biggs HD has two on the floor (one orange, one black) unsold. That's where I bought mine, at full retail and a ridiculous $795 setup charge. Given the amount of biz I give them, I thought I was gouged. $795 is a ridiculous amount of money to pay for freight and setup on a Buell, where there is little to do but remove the crate side walls, screw in the mirrors, top off the tank, and give it a quick spin. But the sales manager at Biggs that was NOT Buell friendly (and I wasn't too crazy about at all) just left, and the new sales manager is a good dude from my dealings with him, so maybe things will change there. Sure hope so. If you're in SoCal and are looking for a Uly, try Biggs. I doubt you'll get better than MSRP, but who knows, you may be able to get a reduction in set up fees or a first service or some such thing thrown in. Manuals are $58, see here: XB service manuals Al | ||
| Jim_sb |
Hi Al, Well, speaking that way I paid MSRP + Freight + Setup. $13.2k out the door with the heinous Santa Barbara county sales tax. Thanks for posting; you made me feel better because you had to pay a little bit more than I did.  But, like I said, nobody I spoke with was willing to deal. But they were all willing to let me place a deposit at MSRP + freight + prep. Such a deal. At least I love the bike! Regards, Jim in Santa Barbara | ||
| Rkc00 |
I paid MSRP plus $500 shipping and Prep plus tax. | ||
| M2nc |
Found out something about the Uly last night. It's hard to keep the front tire down even under moderate acceleration when riding two up. I was riding with my daughter when we reached a four-lane highway. Traffic was steady but spread out. I pulled out, maybe got up to 4000rpm and the front tire started to lift. I was shocked. I could not have been much more than half throttle and the front end kept lifting. After carrying the front tire for about 30 feet and retracting my jaw, I backed off the throttle and got the tire back to terra firma. My daughter did not know what happened. When she asked what happen I explained that we pulled a wheelie. She thought that was so cool that she had to tell her grandparents. Yeah, I'm in trouble. | ||
| Jim_sb |
Regarding 2 up wheelies, where is your rear spring pre-load set? Did you adjust it for the additional weight of the passenger? I'd check that first. Regards, Jim in Santa Barbara '06 Ulysses '04 DRZ400S | ||
| M2nc |
Yes, but I have found on my other bikes that increasing the rear spring preload only makes a bike lift the front more. | ||
| Court |
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| Electraglider_1997 |
This site is great! I'm thinking that either I'm getting the best deal in the U.S. or I'm being set up for a rude awakening by the dealer. I guess I'll know one way or the other when my Black Ulysses arrives sometime in the next couple of months. I did call a Buell dealer in Lincoln, NE and explained to him the deal I was getting and whether he could match it and he said "no way" and probably thought I was telling a tale. They had a Black Uly that was their first and not yet out on the sales floor. Question for you current Uly owners: What is the rpm at 60 in fifth gear? At 70? | ||
| Daves |
I'm selling mine for 11,495.00 MSRP 240.00 frt 000000000 set up I do 15% off all parts and acc at time of purchase and for the following year. If you buy the bags when you buy the bike I will throw in the 97.50 installation. I have 4 coming in Nov, 3 are available. | ||
| Jim_sb |
Daves, too bad you're not in California.  Meanwhile, I don't begrudge Buell dealerships enjoying a moment in the sunshine where they can "make some hay". As long as they don't get greedy! NOW! COURTIMUS MAXIMUS! ARE YOU LISTENING???? How about coming up with some sweet riding gear to go with the Ulysses? Such as an all weather riding jacket (perhaps with some Barricade Orange highlights for visibility?). The Teknic Spider (check it out!) looks like a sweet year 'round armored jacket. Perhaps Buell could license something through them? Only things they could improve on would be to add some vents in the outer shell (which is waterproof and zips completely off to reveal an armored mesh inner jacket). Vents in the outer shell are for those in-between days (not cold or hot). Meanwhile, long sleeve tee shirts are great for riding, especially with perhaps a mock turtleneck style collar for the winter, eh? So Court, give your Amigos at Buell a holler and tell 'em we want some Uly goods. Something with some Barricade Orange too! Regards, Jim in Santa Barbara | ||
| M2nc |
Uly & Me  |
