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Dmcutter
| | Posted on Saturday, November 05, 2005 - 01:37 pm: | 
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Pretty darned funny, Court. |
Lovehamr
| | Posted on Saturday, November 05, 2005 - 09:12 pm: |
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I agree court, that was great! Still laughing here. It was a much better answer than I could think of like "Waaaah!" |
Dr_greg
| | Posted on Sunday, November 06, 2005 - 12:15 pm: |
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Joined this thread a little late, but I'm sort of a "worst case"...a little short and a little light (5-9, 150, 32 inseam) so I'm not tall enough plus I don't compress the suspension much.
But I LOVE the seat height since I get such a great view of everything! I'm used to high seats on dirt bikes. |
Buellgrrrl
| | Posted on Sunday, November 06, 2005 - 03:52 pm: |
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Court, thanks for the laughs... but they're not going to sell any Buells. Real dual sport bikes like KTM are tall for a reason, and one wouldn't dream of lowering one. The Uly is a sport bike on tippy-toes, jacked up to look like a dual sport. A factory built Uly with a seat height an inch or three lower isn't going to lose much if any off road ability, and would turn a lot of the riders who sit on it in the showroom and then walk away into buyers. |
Two_buells
| | Posted on Sunday, November 06, 2005 - 05:49 pm: |
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wrong thread.........
(Message edited by Two_Buells on November 06, 2005) |
Lowflyer
| | Posted on Sunday, November 06, 2005 - 08:09 pm: |
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Buellgrrrl,
I doubt anyone at Buell cares that some short people don't like the seat height. They make other models for the vertically challenged. This bike is obviously designed and marketed for people who are willing to buy a tall bike. For every angry short person that walks away from the Uly feeling cheated, dejected, and still short, we all know there will be a crowd of average-sized folks anxiously waiting to buy one.
I believe it has already been predicted that the Uly will be Buell's best-selling bike ever. If that holds true, it will prove once and for all that size doesn't matter. |
Lovehamr
| | Posted on Sunday, November 06, 2005 - 08:47 pm: |
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Actually Lowflyer it may prove the inverse. For instance; if the Uly hadn't come out with its high seat and more spread out and comfortable ergos then I wouldn't be on a Buell at all. It seems as though several people in this thread are the same way. To me this means that size does matter.....No matter what Dr. Ruth says! LOL I do have to agree though that anyone whining about the Uly's seat height just hasn't thought things through. Like the fact that ALL of the other Buells have lower seats, the drive trains are practically identical and the only things that the Uly has over any other Buell are the SIZE and some dirt-roading ability. If these vertically challenged people want a Buell to go dirt riding with then OK. But if that is the case, why on earth would one advocate lowering the machine?! On the other hand, if dirt riding isn't the focus of the munchkin rider then the sky is the limit for getting that drive-train in a more vertically friendly package.
"This bike is obviously designed and marketed for people who are willing to buy a tall bike."
You might also ad; "Unwilling to buy a munchkin bike."
The short of it is, Buell finally marketed a bike which taller people can feel comfortable on after years of building bikes apparently for the Lilliputians among us and I applaud them for it. Complaining about the Uly's size is like me complaining about the Firebolt’s lack there of. It just doesn't make much sense.
Before it even happens; to anyone offended by my somewhat ham-fisted short jokes. I offer that I did use them in a sentence. |
Johnb
| | Posted on Sunday, November 06, 2005 - 09:45 pm: |
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Buellgrrrl, tough crowd tough crowd.. don't let em get you down lol!
I believe you do have valid points which unfortunately were not included in the current Uly design for whatever reasons, short/tall.
I love the look/concept of the Uly, don't do much off-roading but like having the potential adventure option; so, i don't require big ground clearance or suspension travel all the time.
If engineered w/adjustable ride height rear shock, adjustable front fork/tree, and adjustable 2-section rider/pillon seat, the Ulysses would appeal to a wider market of riders who appreciate an optimal seating position. More adjustability (not compromise) is something I'd like to see incorporated into all future Buells - for short and tall alike..  |
Lowflyer
| | Posted on Sunday, November 06, 2005 - 10:58 pm: |
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Lovehamr,
Good point. I was only slightly offended by the munchkin slur. Other than that, you are dead on.
Johnb,
My point was that Buell obviously does not have to make the Uly fit any more rider sizes than they already have. They apparently have had to stop production of other models to keep up with Uly demand. The angry hordes of oompa-loompas frustrated by the Uly's size will just have to wait until Buell can keep up with or exceed demand on the current model. They have enough business in the 'normal-size' market to worry about the pygmy demographic.
I also apologize if anyone is offended by Lovehamr's sizist coments.  |
Dragon_slayer
| | Posted on Sunday, November 06, 2005 - 11:29 pm: |
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Dear Buell Buyer,
We have issued a service bulletin to our dealers. They can now accommodate your request for a lower Ulysses model by taking off both wheels and tires. There will be a service charge of $500 but we are sure that you can Ebay your wheels and tires to recover your investment. Please enjoy your new Buell and let us know how we can serve you in the future.
The COMPANY. |
Johnb
| | Posted on Monday, November 07, 2005 - 12:20 am: |
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oh i forgot, adjustable rearsets/footpegs/handlebars/kickstand too!
Lowflyer/Lovehamr, 'sizist' comments aside LMAO, i dunno, just think it'd be cool if buell engineering took it up yet another notch and added on the fly adj ergonomics to the trilogy of tech - maybe lose the low models/seats in the process (ouch). Great to hear Buell's doing well, love to see the '05/06 sales stats. |
Court
| | Posted on Monday, November 07, 2005 - 04:25 am: |
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>>>>I doubt anyone at Buell cares that some short people don't like the seat height.
No they don't. Neither does Porsche care about people who think fast cars are dangeous. There is danger is trying to be the universacycle.
The BLAST is a great "low" bike, in fact my 5'0" SCU proclaims it "too low". The BLAST offers great handling, sportbike level braking and enough power with the ability to get more easily.
The XB Csg is some sort of a lowered XB that I frankyly know little about. My confidence is entirely due to the fact I know what they have to go through with the feds to market it from the factory, so I expect it's capabilities to be on par with the XB line.
The Uly would not be for the shorter rider who was not comfy riding a taller bike.
Your comments about the KTM being the "real off road" (or words to that effect) are not entirely meritless but they are misleading. The Uly is a far more capable off-roader than has been shown yet. That is by design.
Court |
Jim_sb
| | Posted on Monday, November 07, 2005 - 11:43 am: |
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>> No they don't. Neither does Porsche care about people who think fast cars are dangeous. There is danger is trying to be the universacycle. <<
Court,
Porsches come with adjustable seats though to accommodate drivers of various heights.
I don't think the "speed" analogy is relevant.
Regards,
Jim in Santa Barbara |
Chadhargis
| | Posted on Monday, November 07, 2005 - 11:53 am: |
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I've sat in a Porsche. The seat doesn't adjust to my height. Especially when it comes to getting in and out of the car. Crawling out of it a real challenge.
If I were going to buy one...I'd look at the Cayenne S.  |
Lowflyer
| | Posted on Monday, November 07, 2005 - 05:39 pm: |
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Jim_sb
Maybe you can agree with this analogy: Cessna doesn't care that some pilots walk away from an airplane purchase because they can't see over the glareshield or reach the rudder pedals. |
Jim_sb
| | Posted on Monday, November 07, 2005 - 06:56 pm: |
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Seeing over the glareshield is a good thing. For pilots with those issues they can strap wooden blocks to the rudder pedals like they would for a young student pilot.
I never had trouble in a Cessna, Piper or a Beechcraft. Had a nice view out the front window of an Astra jet once as well.
I think I have more empathy than some others do for those that want a Uly and don't quite feel comfortable with the reach. It is a tall bike.
Regards,
Jim in Santa Barbara |
Lowflyer
| | Posted on Monday, November 07, 2005 - 08:33 pm: |
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Jim_sb,
Empathy is not really the issue. It is not the availability of a work-around either. At issue is whether or not Buell needs to build infinite adjustability into the Uly in order to be successful. I am arguing that it will be successful in spite of the oompa-loompa factor.  |
Lovehamr
| | Posted on Monday, November 07, 2005 - 09:16 pm: |
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What I don't understand is why any shorter person would want one if not for the off pavement factor. As stated before; it's not like it has a hotter engine or handles any better than any other Buell, it's just bigger. So what is it? Is it just the styling? If so customize some other Buell. It shouldn't be to difficult get a lightning to visually represent a Uly. But then what about the poser factor? I mean really, you can either ride a Uly or you can't. It's not Buell's fault if you can't ride one any more than it's their fault that I can't ride a Firebolt comfortably. There's a ticket! Buy a Firebolt. Oh, Oh, I know, strap some wooden blocks to their feet! Yeah, that's the ticket! |
Dmcutter
| | Posted on Monday, November 07, 2005 - 09:20 pm: |
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I would venture a guess that all the extra adjustability some people are clammoring for could be had but at additional, maybe substantial additional cost. The Uly is already, what, a grand more than the pure road going models? I'm sure containing costs was a factor. Porsche has basically stated that they're not building for the masses. If they were, they'd be VW. Likewise, Buell is trying to broaden their appeal, but I don't think they're trying to be Honda, or the Uly would be a lot more like a 750 Nighthawk. |
Blake
| | Posted on Monday, November 07, 2005 - 09:48 pm: |
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Hamr,
Maybe some of the less altitude-endowed are wanting a Buell with factory hard bags and utility outlets? Not supporting either side of the debate, just pointing out on factor illustrating that there is a significant difference in the Uly package compared to other less tall Buell models. |
Crusty
| | Posted on Monday, November 07, 2005 - 09:57 pm: |
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Maybe some of the less altitude-endowed are wanting a Buell with factory hard bags and utility outlets?
Bingo! |
Johnb
| | Posted on Monday, November 07, 2005 - 10:20 pm: |
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ya know.. historically in Homer's fabled version of the wooing of Helen, Ulysses was not a tall guy.., he was strong, active, and SHORT w/broad shoulders and did not stand out amounst all the tall princes.. oompa-loompa that! LOL  (still wishing buell could/would add ergonomic adjustable componentry). |
Jim_sb
| | Posted on Monday, November 07, 2005 - 10:38 pm: |
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Sure, you can get the handling and stopping in other Buell products...
As far as Buells go the Uly has the best hard bags, best electrical power options, best seat (comfy!), best suspension (in terms of soaking up irregularities while providing an exhilarating lean angle), greatest utility and IMHO the best ergos.
There is not a single other Buell that compares IMHO and that's why there is so much interest in the bike.
As for the competition the V Strom lacks character, the GS is too pricey, the Multistrada less capable off pavement.
YMMV.
Regards,
Jim in Santa Barbara |
Jim_sb
| | Posted on Monday, November 07, 2005 - 10:42 pm: |
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PS. I've already ridden the Uly on some roads around here that are about 90% potholes, 10% smooth pavement. The Uly makes them enjoyable.
Haven't tried it off pavement yet, but I will.
Jim in Santa Barbara |
Blake
| | Posted on Monday, November 07, 2005 - 11:48 pm: |
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I gotta be honest. I spent some significant time looking at, sitting upon, and pondering the R1200GS and the Uly at the IMS in Forth Worth on Saturday.
If BMW would invest the time and effort to get rid of or at least hide the spaghetti el-cheapo looking plastic and wiring mess that is the EFI ganglia sitting atop each intake manifold, I'd have a very tough time crossing it off my list in favor of a new Uly.
If I buy a Uly, I'll be doing some serious customizing, on account of I like what I like in the way a bike looks. I'm not interested in the hard bags. I don't like that I cannot get a mild set of knobbies for the front wheel. Not sure if there is any way to get around that obstacle short of a custom steering head with a little more rake. I'd probably remove the belt guards and mount up a Lightning tail as Trojan-Horse has already done.
I totally dig the looks of the big GS. When they release the Adventure version in 1200cc form, I'll have to take another look.
I still want a Uly, just not quite as much as I thought I did originally.
Got a free T-Shirt though. Thanks for that Buell! |
Jim_sb
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 08, 2005 - 12:04 am: |
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Hi Blake,
I agree...the big GS is an excellent bike. For similar $$$ it would have been a very difficult decision for me between the two.
But I wasn't ready to spend 20k on a bike (which is what a fully equipped GS runs out the door).
I like the looks of the Uly better, but the GS is a worthy competitor. One of my closest riding buddies bought one about 3 weeks after I brought home the Uly.
We're gonna have some fun with these bikes...
Regards,
Jim in Santa Barbara |
Lowflyer
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 08, 2005 - 09:11 am: |
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I love the GS. I have lusted after that bike for much of the last ten years. However, when it came to spending my own $$, I chose the Uly for looks, price, simplicity, ease of maintenance, ergos, and for what might break off if it fell over. I can say that I am very happy with my decision so far. If I had to replace the Uly tomorrow, it would be with another Uly. In 5 years, I might be looking at the GS again.
My dad owned a 2003 R1200R and paid over $500 per visit for scheduled maintenance. He loved the bike, but constantly complained about the maintenance costs. He also didn't care for other BMW riders in his area (Phoenix, AZ). He says they are snotty. I think it was likely they were not as troubled by the high maintenance costs as he was.  He has a '04 Yamaha FZ1 now and his trusty '79 HD FX (when it runs). he would have bought a Buell, but he doesn't trust HD. Go figure. |
Dave
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 08, 2005 - 09:19 am: |
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I spent the weekend at Deal's Gap and came back to B'ham south through TWO. Lot's of riders out taking advantage of the temps approaching 80. At every fuel stop or break, the Ulysses would draw a crowd of interested folks. All would be commenting very positively while taking in the XB12X. One guy didn't realize Buell had built such a remarkable bike and indicated it may taking the place of his GS.
My S2 and S3 always drew a few interested folks due to the uniqueness of a "Buell". This Ulysses draws a new excited crowd inspecting the bike and interested in actually getting one.
DAve |
Blake
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 08, 2005 - 10:14 am: |
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What is "TWO"? |
Rubberdown
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 08, 2005 - 10:24 am: |
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TWO = Two Wheels Only motorcycle campground in Suchs, Ga. Home of the March Badness!!! |
Blake
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 08, 2005 - 10:42 am: |
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Thank you. The acronym nazi is now placated.  |
Dave
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 08, 2005 - 10:50 am: |
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http://www.twowheelsonly.com/
The most interested was a couple traveling on a Cagiva Gran Canyon. Having looked at the GS, Multistrada, Tiger, V-Strom...they were excited to see the Ulysses. Especially when I told them my '01 Tiger paled in comparison. I also plugged the demo event this coming spring by Stone Mtn.
DAve |
Dmcutter
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 08, 2005 - 12:58 pm: |
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So how did the Uly handle the Dragon's Tail? My dad lives a couple hours from there but I've never taken a bike up because I didn't want to ride all the way to Asheville on the interstate on any of my crotch rockets. This is the first bike comfy enough to make that trek. |
Rubberdown
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 08, 2005 - 01:06 pm: |
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DMcutter, you're missing some really great rides if you take the slab from Asheville to Deals Gap. |
Dave
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 08, 2005 - 01:33 pm: |
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It is awesome Dmcutter! Fall colors seemed to be near peek and temps were warm. I was 2-up and still had a couple riders commenting how smooth I looked. Mind you, I'm no self-proclaimed "great" rider but I've been known to drag pegs/shifter on the Tiger I had.
DAve |
Chadhargis
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 08, 2005 - 02:27 pm: |
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Wow! Never take the slab from Ashville to Deal's Gap. Way too many good roads in that area to do that.
Deal's Gap is great, but not the best road in East Tennessee. There are others that are just as twisty, and not nearly as crowded. |
Dmcutter
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 08, 2005 - 09:16 pm: |
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Dave-did you drag anything on the Uly? Doesn't seem like it's possible.
Chad-I was talking about taking the slab from Greensboro to Asheville- I certainly would find better roads from Asheville to the Gap. I know that 91 from Mountain City TN up to Damascus VA is a darned good road; I imagine TN does have a lot of good stuff. My Pacific Coast riding sister lives in Murfreesboro; I should probly take a scenic road trip to go see her. |
Dave
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 08, 2005 - 09:44 pm: |
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Oh it will be possible Dmcutter! I'll check the pegs to see but I don't think I did...I was 2-up. I did get the edge of the boot but I had the arches of my feet center peg. My Tiger had similar clearance and I ground pegs, shifter, and even the service stand.
-DAve |
Chadhargis
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 09, 2005 - 10:38 am: |
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I'm not too far from Murfreesboro. Went to school there. There are several good roads within 30-45 minutes of there. |
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