| Author | Message | ||
     Highcountry |
I'm considering purchasing the Ulysses, but what holds me back is the seat height. I have owned a KLR650 for 4 years now and love the bike. I was able to lower the 35" seat height to 32" utilizing rear suspension lowering links, then lowering the front forks to match the rear, and finally a Corbin Dual-Sport dished seat. I'm 5'7" with a 30" inseam. I have heard that a lower seat (by 2"?) will be available soon, but is there also any way to lower the suspension slightly on the Uly. I'm not planning to ride rough roads (I've got the KLR for that), just hi-way and an occasional gravel road. Thanks for any help. Rich | ||
| Lowflyer |
The lower seat is now available from Corbin. This subtracts 1.5 inches from the 35-inch seat height. I have a 31-inch inseam and find the stock height is not a problem. | ||
| Highcountry |
Although I like the Corbin seat on my KLR, I've read complaints about the Corbin seat for the Uly with its seam running across the saddle right where the tail bone meets the seat. Can anyone confirm this? I have seen the Uly low-seat prototype and it looks good with the color-coordinated pillon area. Lowflyer: Can you touch the ground with the balls of your feet (my goal)? I'm on my tip-toes and that IS a problem for me on slick pavement or uneven ground. Can any of you Uly owners see if the forks can be raised in the triple-clamp like other bikes such as the KLR and V-Strom? | ||
| Stevem123 |
The forks cannot be raised in the triple-clamps unless you change the bar and or bar clamp. The top of the forks are only about a quarter inch from hitting the bottom of the handlebars. | ||
| Milar |
I'm taking a multistep approach. Step #1: I set the suspension preload to soft. Step #2: I had the stock seat cut down by one of the many aftermarket seat gurus. Step #3: Over the winter I may twiddle with the suspension further. Perhaps shorten the springs. Then again I may not. I have a 30" inseam and am getting quite used to the bike. It's not as bad as you think. M | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Can any of you ULY owners provide photos of the upper and lower rear shock connection mounts. | ||
| Brotherbuell |
E, The dynamics of this bike are so well sorted out I wouldn't even go there. I used the White Bros. kit to lower my Road King and changing the shock angle even upset that behemouth a bit. I think the Uly would be much more sensitive to geometry changes. The low seat will do it. (Message edited by brotherbuell on October 18, 2005) | ||
| Lowflyer |
HighC, I can firmly plant the balls of my feet and have plenty of grip in all but the most uneven of surfaces. The only time I have had any trouble at all with my seat height is off road, but I am getting used to that too. The first few times off-road when I reached down for that reassuring feeling of earth and felt nothing but air was a little scary. However, short of dumping it, I have learned to be more deliberate about planting a foot on uneven surfaces. That said, I would not recommend squidding around on a Uly wearing flip-flops or tennis shoes (not that you would)  . This bike is for serious, boot-wearing and helmeted motorcyclists. Standing on my pegs, I can see over the tops of most pickups. Seated, I can see over any car. I imagine even a parking lot fall without a helmet could be fatal from the back of a Uly. I'm not sure where that rant came from. My mom must have telepathically assumed control of my typing.  | ||
| Half_buell |
Got my uly yesterday,awesome! I'm only 5'6 & the only problem I have is getting off of it, I have the corbin seat ordered& they told me 3 weeks I'll let you know how that works out. My sportster I traded in was low like a vette the uly is like my 4X4 only handles better than anything. I guess now I'm full buell | ||
| Highcountry |
Does anyone know if Progressive Suspension or Wilbers is planning on providing a "short shock" for the Uly's rear suspension, like the ones available for the KLR and others? I see that Progressive presently has springs available for the front suspension. BrotherBuell: On bikes like my KLR, and I've heard on the V-Strom as well, dropping the front down by 10mm to 20mm (raising the forks or shortening the fork springs) has helped improve handling by shifting weight forward slightly. Has anyone attempted this on the Ulysses? | ||
| Bosh |
Electraglider, You can see the shock mounts @ the Ulysses micro site. http://buell.com/en_us/home.asp Click on Ulysses micro site, then Handling, then on trilogy of tech, then click on the frame picture on top of the page. | ||
| Highcountry |
Well, I was finally able to take a test drive on the Uly, fully intending to buy it if the height was as manageable as indicated in this thread. All was going well until I tried to make a u-turn on a narrow street. The steering lock engaged and I pulled a groan and calf muscle trying to keep the bike from tipping over while on my tiptoes -- ouch! I got the bike back to the dealer and limped back to my car. Next stop was a Suzuki dealership to look at the V-Strom DL1000. It proved more manageable for me, especially with the pulled groan. So sadly, farewell Buell lovers. The Uly is a great thrill to ride -- but with a turning radius akin to the Titanic, it's about 3 inches too tall for me with no reliable solution available. Thanks for your help. This is a great forum. | ||
| Eor |
Sorry it didn't work out for you. Your issues with the seat height and turning radius keep me on my toes [so to speak] everytime I'm on it and have kept me from venturing off pavement unless I know the lay of the land beforehand. The Strom is a great bike, too. I'm sure you'll be pleased with it. Be safe! | ||
| Milar |
>Next stop was a Suzuki dealership to look at >the V-Strom DL1000. It proved more manageable >for me, especially with the pulled groan. Want to buy a used one? My buddy want's to sell his to buy a Uly. The Suzy's cheap suspension and lack of cornering clearance did it in. M | ||
| Lowflyer |
Wow, HighC that really sucks for you. I'd say from my experience that the GS is the next best alternative. If you really liked the Uly, I would do some serious deliberation before plunking cash down on a Suzuki. I would even consider the KTM Adventure 950. Sorry it didn't work for you. Man, does that ever suck. That's got to be like your body rejecting a transplanted kidney or something. | ||
| Cdallen |
I keep hearing about this steering lock problem... seriously is this really that big of a problem. I mean I am coming from a completely different style (BMW K1200RS) and this thing (the Buell) comparatively turns on a dime... Although I must admit I did something very similar only it was my ankle muscles that got torqued when turning around on the Blue Ridge Pkwy... but if I am honest, it was my nerves and lack of slow speed maneuvering skillz... | ||
| Thunderbox |
Steering lock was a problem on my M2 and it is noticable on the Uly. A big problem I don't think so. Just sneeks up on you if you have to turn real sharp when you lose your balance. I went down in a 7 Eleven parking lot once on the M2 and I hurt my leg too. Didn't happen again. | ||
| Royintulsa |
I have a BMW K1200RS and the Uly turns much easier. A lot lighter weight overcomes the marginal loss in steering lock. I hated doing u-turns on the BMW, with the Uly just jump the ditch! | ||
| Hippo888 |
Has anyone gotten the low seat yet? How's the comfort? The BMW R12GS with the low seat is pretty uncomfortable because they pulled out too much padding. Is the Uly the same? The Uly low seat is supposed to drop the bike 2 inches and the Uly pegs are 3 inches lower than a XBS, so that's a total of 1 inch more leg room than the XBS -- is it still comfy? How about the handlebar relationship -- is it too high up after the low seat install? TIA |
