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Beemerscreemer
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 08, 2005 - 12:34 pm: | 
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The ULY is my first Buell,my daughter has a Blast and she is very happy with it. I traded my 02 r1150rt for the ULY and have not regretted it for a second. And I loved the RT! I was able to put 2900 miles on it last month with no trips.
I live on a gravel road and I actually enjoy riding this bike on it. I got a warning on my ULY test drive because I did not realize how fast I was taking the turns. It turned out I was doing about 20 mph faster than I did on the RT - It did not feel fast! The officer commented that I was "too old for this bike!" Before the ULY I did not consider purchasing a Buell. So far I am very happy with it. |
Daves
| | Posted on Thursday, November 10, 2005 - 04:51 pm: |
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Pacal,
The engine light is probably a burr on the worm gear in the servo motor hanging things up and causing the light.
Have your dealer look it up in the service bulletin they sent out.
Stability,
Could be suspension settings
Could be you are not aware of the input you are giving the bars. These have wide bars so any little bit turns into a lot of input. Could even just be the movement of your shoulders at high speed doing it? Try gripping the bike with your legs and just lightly touch the bars during a high speed run and see if that makes any difference.
Could also be loose neck bearings.
Welcome to all of you new Buell owners!
This is a very good time to be a Buell rider. |
Chadhargis
| | Posted on Thursday, November 10, 2005 - 05:21 pm: |
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Humm...20mph faster.
Wonder what I could do with it at the track? Will it out run my Monster? Oh the possibilities.
I'll be picking up my bike next Friday, so I'll see soon enough. |
Xb12xdude
| | Posted on Friday, November 11, 2005 - 08:17 am: |
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The Ulysses is my first Buell. I was looking at a GS until my H-D dealer clued me in. I checked it out on the internet ,called him back and reserved it . It was the first Buell presold at that dealership ,that he knew of. I've ridden for 32 years and owned approx. 20 different bikes. Everything from a Honda CL-100s , H2-750 Kawasaki to Goldwings and Hurricanes. The Uly seems to fit me like a glove. It's been said before " Like Mr. Buell built it for me "! |
Daves
| | Posted on Friday, November 11, 2005 - 08:59 am: |
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How many of you "new to Buell" riders are going to come to the annual Homecoming rally?
Be really cool to see a whole bunch of Ulys there! |
Smcnamara
| | Posted on Friday, November 11, 2005 - 09:17 am: |
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I'll be coming up from Chicago. I'm also very interested in heading up for your U.P. ride, but will have to get clearance from wife and new baby first. |
Pascal
| | Posted on Friday, November 11, 2005 - 02:19 pm: |
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Thanks Dave. My Uly is at the dealer at the moment (1600kms service) and they are checking with Buell if they can install the stage 1 race kit. This would definitely solve the issue of the servo  But the thing is that this kit is not done for the Uly, but the other XB: will Buell accept to maintain the warranty... this is the question.
Re the stability, I tried everything, including suspension settings. I actually ask the dealer to check the neck bearing, because it is noisy on bumps... even though I don't feel it loose. I think it is the issue. I have the demo firebolt in the mean time and I took care of the tyres edges I love cornering with those Buells!
Do you have the service bulletin number at hands? It could be useful
Thanks again.
Guys, this forum is amazing! I look at it twice a day!!!
Congratulations and keep the rubber down!
Pascal |
Lowflyer
| | Posted on Friday, November 11, 2005 - 04:42 pm: |
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It is too early to tell if I will get the time off, but I plan to be there. |
Daves
| | Posted on Friday, November 11, 2005 - 05:15 pm: |
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There is no such thing as a "Stage 1 race kit"
It is a Race kit. Sorry just a pet peeve of mine.
Stage 1 is HD speak.
If your dealer is calling it a Stage 1 that's a big flag they don't know Buell.
Anyway sorry for the rant.
I looked for the bulletin and I can't find it.
I have a call in to see if i can find out the number for you to pass along to your dealer.
Yes, if you race kit it that will solve the problem.
But, as you know it is not made for the Uly.
I haven't put one on yet but it was something about a clearance issue I think. |
Gnomad
| | Posted on Saturday, November 12, 2005 - 02:42 am: |
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So what are the Buell dealers going to do with all those traded in BMW's?  |
Pascal
| | Posted on Saturday, November 12, 2005 - 03:36 am: |
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Sorry Dave, you are right, and I am the one who get confused with Stage 1 and so on. This said, the dealer here is not as good in Buell as they are in HD: they just started those Buell about 8 months ago, and we do not have many of them yet on the road in Saudi Arabia!
My friend got the 12s (he is too short for the 12x) and we both have issues with them. Me and the engine light (code 21), loads of vibration and lose neck bearings and him with the exhaust studs that are keep breaking which requires to bring cylinder heads to a workshop. This is the second time so far. He is definitely eligible for the race kit (being installed today), but for me... this is another story: they want Buell's approval first.
The guys here are nice and pros. We need to give them time to adjust. I am forwarding so many information to them based on this forum.
Thanks again guys for this amazing forum. |
Ulys83
| | Posted on Saturday, November 12, 2005 - 12:48 pm: |
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I had been looking at different adventure bikes for a while now. Being 42 living in NY, I want to start taking longer trips. After seeing the Ulysses for the first time I got on the phone to my life long riding partner in FL. (He currently has about 7 bikes in the garage.) I'm not sure who was more pumped. After contacting several HD dealers our excite}ment turned to frustration. We were not used the the HD buying thing. Getting the bikes in the color we want, MSRP +++++. Someone turned me toward Ocala HD. They got us both out the door a grand under MSRP. After too many boring break in miles in FL we headed to the smokys. We made a couple of passes thru the Dragon and I got to say we impressed alot of people. With the extra ground clearance the lean angle is great. No worries of dragg}ing hard parts like on some sport }bikes. So far We both are happy with our first Buell. Now we are looking at the maps picking our next adventure, maybe Alaska. PS I have bike 83 sold he has 85.} |
Daves
| | Posted on Saturday, November 12, 2005 - 04:28 pm: |
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I didn't hear back from Buell on the service bulletin yesterday. It was getting close to closing time when I emailed them.
I will try to get it for you on Monday or Tuesday so you can pass the info along to your dealer. |
Milo_h
| | Posted on Saturday, November 12, 2005 - 08:46 pm: |
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Guess I'll jump in here.
I picked up my ULY on the 9th.
Still doing the break-in.
This is my first Buell.
Other bikes over the years include a Cushman (year unknown) Honda's, 72 Suzuki Water Buffalo, dirt bikes, quads, and 93 FLHS.
Looking forward to some fun riding. |
M2nc
| | Posted on Sunday, November 13, 2005 - 01:28 pm: |
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Man, I'm impressed. Allot of new people is great. I am almost to 2K miles on the bike and just put the hard bags on it. I dig the bike more every day. |
Dmcutter
| | Posted on Sunday, November 13, 2005 - 05:37 pm: |
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Had my wife out on mine today for the first time, about a 75 mile trip including highway and rolling back roads. I didn't change any suspension settings but the extra weight didn't seem to affect handling at all. Of course, since she isn't really a rider, I wasn't doing anything aggressive. Have had the bike one month and a day and have a little over 1200 miles. The ZX-10 I bought last November, had for 11 months and logged 2700 miles. Hmmmmm...which is more fun to ride? |
Superglide
| | Posted on Monday, November 14, 2005 - 02:01 am: |
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Started with my first street bike in 1981, a Yamaha Virago and 34,000 miles later I went back to dirt bikes for a dozen years...In 1999 I decided it was time to get back into the street bike market and bought a 1999 Harley Superglide Sport. After 25,000 trouble free miles I was ready for another bike and test rode a Multistrada, checked out the 1150 GS $$ and then read about the Buell. Checked out a couple of dealers and got in line on a waiting list. I agree with the majority of issues pertaining to HD dealers and current with Buell marketing. The Buell's seem to be a side business for the dealers that I am currently familiar with in a 50 mile radius from home. I wish these dealers could/would specialize and be stand alone from the Harley stigma. Sorry for the length, love my first Buell!! After mounting the luggage, please be aware of the ballast presented....no problem lofting the front end for which I only experienced 2 times in my past 24 years of riding experience. I have inadvertently launched this puppy twice in the last 200 miles. This afternoon it was my mistake (again) in first gear when I decided to pass traffic from a signal to the next to crossover to enter the freeway one lane over to my right, the next thing I realize is that I cross up and all I see is blue / Buell sky? Holy """"?
Thankfully I land somewhat straighten out and take the next turnoff to check you know what.. Regain composure and head home while telling self to never attempt WOT in 1st let alone 2nd gear. Please understand that I'm coming off a 620# Harley for which I ran WOT in every gear without thinking about lofting anything remotely attached to the front end.
I then quietly go home and keep my experience to myself, offer an evening ride to the wife and return home unscathed..Received a voice mail from a buddy to call and received a comment that he was 4 cars behind some crazy guy on a Buell that almost lost it today...I tried the it wasn't me thing but it didn't work...at least he was discreet, only time will tell. My 200#'s must need to move a little forward on the seat or recalibrate timing between my brain (stupid thoughts) and my right hand??
One thing I have realized reviewing my street bike history, all v-twins, nothing compares and nothing deserves more of my respect if you get my point...Damn right hand has a mind of it's own..... |
Electraglider_1997
| | Posted on Monday, November 14, 2005 - 09:56 am: |
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Superglide,
That's the stuff I like to read. By the way, Dreft worked real good in getting out the stains in my son's diapers. |
Snub13
| | Posted on Monday, November 14, 2005 - 11:33 am: |
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Well, add me to the already long list. The Uly is my first Buell (and my first street bike). I've been riding dirt bikes and OPs since the seventies. I almost bought a V-Strom several times but something kept telling me to wait. I love the voices in my head (most of the time.)
The other day after a couple hundred mile two-up ride (while having a few beers) my wife started talking about getting her own bike! I hope (for the bank accounts sake) that she was just drunk! More on this to come. |
M2nc
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 15, 2005 - 12:22 am: |
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Superglide,
I did that with my 10 year old daughter on the back. The sad thing was I was not WOT, just trying to match speed with cars coming from behind at Highway Speeds.
10 year old girls are not discreet, and she just couldn't wait to tell her grandparents that Daddy popped a wheelie on the four-lane with her. Yeah, I'm still hearing about that one. |
2old2bfast
| | Posted on Thursday, November 17, 2005 - 10:42 pm: |
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Ulys83 summed it up well. The dealership network seems like the most limiting factor on the horizon right now for the growth of the Buell brand.
This is the first Buell/H-D product I have owned while my wife has a Blast that is seldom ridden. She signed off her approval of the back seat right away, but it's the one up ride on twisty roads and gravel that gets me pumped! We had a blast on the Cherohalla Skyway, and turned a couple heads running Tail of the Dragon through Deals Gap for the first time last month! This bike is amazing in its ability to disguise just how fast you are going. Not so much on the straights, but it's so easy to ride in the turns it is amazing. In the twisty stuff, every time you glance toward the speedo you are shocked to see the needle hanging 10-15 mph faster than you are used to running on other equipment!
Now that our hard bags have finally shown up, the plans board for these bikes will include everything from Alaska south through the Rockies, some exploring in the Arches and Canyonlands areas of the Southwest, and of course exploring some more of the less traveled roads in Tennessee and Western N.C.
After no less than 15 Japanese bikes in my past (the only American one is a Cannondale motocrosser), this is definitely the bike I enjoy the most. As for trackday capability, I'll keep you posted... Normally when I head to Jennings for that type of play I do it on my ZX10R, but next trip I take with be with both bikes for sure!
Great bike Mr. Buell! Please fight to offer them through additional dealers that might be half as enthusiastic as your owners are about the products you build. |
Windaddiction
| | Posted on Thursday, November 17, 2005 - 10:48 pm: |
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My first buell was a uly, and I love it, i love my dealership very supportive, and I love the whole idea behind BRAG ! |
Crusty
| | Posted on Thursday, November 17, 2005 - 11:00 pm: |
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quote:The other day after a couple hundred mile two-up ride (while having a few beers) my wife started talking about getting her own bike! I hope (for the bank accounts sake) that she was just drunk! More on this to come.
Do it! Find an MSF course and get her a Blast (used ones are cheap). You have no idea how much more fun it is to have your wife riding along side. |
Biker_bob
| | Posted on Thursday, November 17, 2005 - 11:10 pm: |
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My first Buell, I do long distance touring on my Ultra Classic and will be selling a highly customized softail that won't corner but is a lot more pwoerful in a straight line than my Uly which will be here in January. The softail has 105 HP and 105 lbs of torque dynoed at the rear wheel, but it will be leaving and the Uly taking it's place. I've owned 5 bikes all Harleys before. I'ver read some posts here when people express their discomofrt walking into a HD dealer. I'm that way walking into a shop that sells foreign manufactured bikes. To each his own. |
Biker_bob
| | Posted on Thursday, November 17, 2005 - 11:26 pm: |
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I just saw the refernce to the homcoming rally. When do they set the date for it and is it always in June? I will come if I can. |
Jim_sb
| | Posted on Thursday, November 17, 2005 - 11:30 pm: |
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Hey Bob, Talk to Aaron Wilson up at Nallin Racing if you want to juice up that Ulysses. I don't know if he can do 105x105, but the Uly weighs a bunch less than that behemoth you've been riding - I'm sure he can put a big grin on your face when you twist the wick if that's what you want.
As for HD shops, having owned HD's and Buells, I can tell you that the comments you're hearing are valid. You'll see if you haven't already. It's not a big deal to me, as I've been a Buell owner for years. The Internet is the ally of Buellers everywhere...
Additionally don't underestimate what the Uly can do in stock trim. I rode Sunday with a guy on an FJR1300, an ST1300, a VFR800 and an RT1150. Unless they've got a long straight on which to run the Ulysses is right there with them.
And as they said in the magazine, get a twisty road with some dirt or sand in the corners and watch the Uly walk away from them. They were sliding while the Ulysses was hooked up.
Enjoy your new bike.
Jim in Santa Barbara |
Electraglider_1997
| | Posted on Friday, November 18, 2005 - 09:56 am: |
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BikeBob,
The thing I like about Harley dealers is that their allegiance is to one brand. Some of these foreign bike dealers sell every brand of bike they can. Triumph is like Harley in that they only sell Triumph, at least here in Omaha. You can figure when a bike shop specializes in one marque the mechanics will probably be experts with that bike brand. We have two Harley dealers here in Omaha, NE and only one of them carries Buell. The other one carried Buell Blasts for a couple of years and they practically had to give them away. I never rode the Blast but it sure looked cheap. Anyway, I bought my 97 Electraglide new from the one dealer and the Uly will be bought from the other. I like both shops and feel comfortable going to both. They treat me well. |
Lowflyer
| | Posted on Friday, November 18, 2005 - 12:08 pm: |
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I'm 'that way' no matter what the brand or dealer. Dealerships are all designed to take maximum advantage of anyone that walks through the door. That is not wrong or evil, it is just how they stay in business. How well they do this will determine how successful they are. They have many strategies and tactics in their playbook with which to win your business.
One of their most basic strategies is to lull you into a false sense of security. They want you to feel like you have nothing but buddies there so you will keep coming back and you will buy without even flinching at price. They also want you to feel like the more you spend, the more secure your relationship will be. If you really feel 'comfortable' in a dealership, it is likely because they were successful in this strategy. If left unchecked, that sense of security will suck more $$ out of you than anything in your life.
Brand loyalty is just as dangerous if not more so. The sole purpose for the existence of the OEM is to convert raw materials into money by way of a particular market. They are all the same in that regard. Be careful out there.
I am not saying any of this is bad, it is just my version of reality. My advice is to always check your 'comfort' along with all other emotions at the door.
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M2nc
| | Posted on Friday, November 18, 2005 - 08:08 pm: |
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The dealers around here mean well but most just do not understand Buells. They need to understand where the Buells are different from other Harley products and where they are similar. I think the traffic is there, but they do not know how to take that interest and convert it to sales. I have talked to too many, especially Sportster riders, that said they like the Buells, but decided to go with the Sportster because of one or more falsehoods that the dealer told them or could not dispel. The one real obstacle is insurance on XBs. They are much higher than Sportsers and since HD is not making matters any better, the cost conscious will go to the Sportster even though they would like the Buell better.
Those salesman that do like Buells also try to sell the bike like a Race Replica replacements. They do compete in that market, but they are different in the very important way, Buells are Street bikes, not Race bikes. It's not a Biker's bike as much as an enthusiast's bike. A perfect Buell prospect is the guy who has ridden all kinds of motorcycles and are looking at an extremely fun bike to ride that you do not have to go into triple digits to enjoy. Dealers need to understand that the one thing that Buells and other HD product have in common is their sole that has stood the test of time and technology. Sell the bike as an alternative to the Show and Comfort of HD, with minimalist and functional aspect of the Buell, but the same sole that HD, Ducati, KTM, BMW, Triumph riders love.
The best thing Buell can do, is start a Sales class for HD salesmen on how to sell their product. Also they need to focus on the trilogy of mass plus the alternativeness of the Buell products and especially their sole (fun factor).
Lastly, they need to push guys like us. The BRAG/Buell enthusiast that really makes owning a Buell worth while on its own. This site and others like it, BRAG events and the fact that you can still talk to Mr. Buell is really understated.
As far as for service, there are some dealers to steer away from, though I am really happy with my dealer here. I think the guys in the service department are more pumped about Buells than the Sales department.
That's my more than two cent anyway, not like I am any kind of an expert. |
Biker_bob
| | Posted on Friday, November 18, 2005 - 11:53 pm: |
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Another reason for pushing the Harleys is up to now a dealer could get all the Buells he wanted so no pressure to sell any. HD dealers are very concerned with their allotment of HD's and want to keep those sales up so they don't miss out on selling all of this years to get more of next year. Some dealers sales are slowing in HD's now and some are still growing. If demand for Buells continues to grow that thinking may change. And since this is a capitalisitic society, HD's (mine included) have a lot more money spent on the aftermarket items the dealer sells. |
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