| Author | Message | ||
     Goo |
Hi, I've been test riding the Uly four times no.... My biggest concern is the floating feeling at high speeds. One reason for this could be the tires. Has anyone tried other tires on the bike? | ||
| Duck |
I switched to Michelin Pilot Roads 500 miles ago and that seemed to cure the problem. I switched mainly to try and get more mileage. I changed my first rear at 6000 and my second (along with the front at 10,5000). | ||
| Jim_sb |
At what speeds were you experiencing floating? I demo'd one at 80mph and it was peachy. I'm still in break in mode with my Ulysses. Just curious. Jim in Santa Barbara | ||
| Two_buells |
I love the stock tires. Had them up to 115 mph and felt great! BattleTraxed them to the edges also, no problem.  | ||
| Goo |
Jim: I feel it from about 60mph, but only when going straight ahead. Through curves the bike is much more stable. My theory is that the tread (good english?) centered in the front tire is causing this ? My dealer has offered me that I can do a test ride after he has switch to Pirelli Scorpion Sync. For the rest, the bike is fantastic. Great engine, gear box is slick and I love the overall look of the bike. Two_buells: Great picture! I also loved the bike doing cornering! Duck: Could you please describe your experience a little bit more; before and after changing tires? Thank you for the replies! Go | ||
| Dave |
Is the suspension set up for you? The owners manual details it nicely. I don't know if all XBs are like the Uly but it's much easier than my S3. DAve | ||
| Lovematt |
Suspension could be part of the problem...the rate of damping, amount of preload, etc. could contribute to a funny feeling on the bike. Tire pressure could be another..try changing it a bit to see if that makes a different....start at a higher pressure, ride, let some air out, ride, etc. I found I like my bike at just under the middle of the pressure range on my tires. | ||
| Duck |
The only thing that I noticed was a slight "swimming" (does that make sense) at speeds 80 and above. I did a lot of that heading across 50 through Nevada. With the Michelins that seems to be gone. I had no other problems other than looking for a little more mileage. I will be heading back to the East Coast starting on Tuesday and should be able to give my impressions on the Michelins as I will be doing the dreaded superslab through the flat states and then back to The Gap and North Georgia for awhile before heading down to FLA | ||
| Al_lighton |
I agree with Ducks assessment. If I try to hold a perfectly straight line above 70, there's a subtle amount of micro-wandering. I was first thinking it might be turbulence on my arms causing inadvertent small steering inputs, but I've carefully held the throttle on with a loose grip and the other had off the bar and it is still present. It isn't unnerving or anything, no where near as extreme as the feeling I get when dirt riding in sand. But it's definitely there, and tire pressure hasn't changed it for me. Haven't tried messing with the suspension set up to tune it out, because it really isn't that big a deal. Al | ||
| Chadhargis |
I didn't notice the tires doing anything on my test ride, but I did notice the suspension wasn't set for my 220lb weight. The rear wallowed a bit, but that can be cured by properly setting the sag. | ||
| Goo |
The "swimming" feeling is exactly what I'm talking about. I hope a change of tire will help. Thank you for your response! | ||
| Dbird29 |
My experience with the XB9 is that a worn flat rear tire will make it squirm. Due to goofy flat tire problems I have a newer front tire than rear tire. The bike is a little "busy" at speed. The Uly factory tire could be a flatter profile than Pirelli Syncs. My .02 | ||
| Bosh |
I'm wondering if the "swimming" effect isn't caused by the front fender catching wind and not a tire issue at all..? I had a KLR650 and it did the same thing (huge fender)only much worse. Someone on BadWeb did a fender conversion, any word from him? | ||
| Goo |
Interesting theory, could also be in connection with tire type. AS I mentioned somewhere else here on the web, Motorrad eliminated the problem by changing from D616 to Michelin Pilot Power. I hope Pirelli Scorp Sync will help, I still want to have tires that support some off pavement activities... | ||
| Matty |
More often than not, the "hunting" from the front end that folks feel on the Ulysses is the tread pattern tracking the road grooves. | ||
| Jim_sb |
Mine has been solid, but I'm still in break-in mode. Had the demo bike up to 80mph - it was solid. Jim in Santa Barbara | ||
| Brotherbuell |
I have a lightning front fender on my Uly and haven't experienced this. I haven't spent much time at the 80 mark since I'm still on the break-in cycle. I'll report back when I can give this theory a proper test. | ||
| Goo |
Did a new test ride today. My dealer had changed the front tire to Dunlop Sportsmax and the result was fantastic. No more floating, and the bike felt stable and solid. For me this was a big change in handling! It seems like the theory that the centre tread in the front wheel is causing the floating feeling, is right. | ||
| Chadhargis |
As soon as I wear the Dunlops off my Uly, I'll be switching to Diablo Stradas. | ||
| Javadog |
For the next set I am looking at the Metzeler Roadtec Z6. Does anybody have any experience with these? | ||
| Dmcutter |
How much effect will the tire change have off pavement? My recent experiences with Dunlop 208s on gravel were not good, but I imagine that was more the bike than the tires. | ||
| Goo |
I did try the bike off pavement. I was happy with it, but you have to pay more attention to it on that kind of tires. I want to go for the Pirelli Scorpion Sync. They do have some treads that can help off pavement. Maybe I will keep the D616 back. i know that they say that you should not mix tire types, but I guess that depends on how hard you ride the bike. And the forces working on front and back tires are different. I have the Z6 on my Multistrada and I'm very happy with them, as long as you don't go off pavement. There is no tread in the middle of the back tire and I guess it will be very slipy off pavement. I don't go off pavement with my Multi. The bike doesn't work well off pavement(not only due to tires). This is also the reason for me wanting to switch to Uly. |
