| Author | Message | ||
     Sarinstructor |
I have been reading this website for a while now and after a few visits to the local HD/Buell dealer (Pensacola, FL) and researching mags/websites, I'm almost convinced that my next bike will be the Uly. I am also looking at the HD Electra Glide Standard. Try as I might, I cannot see getting the HD. I "get it" when it comes to HD, however, the price of admission to that club seems a little high IMHO. I am 41, and can reasonably afford anything Harley makes (including CVO scoots) but is it worth it? I am looking for an every day ride, 23 miles to and from work, 5 days a week, 90 degrees in summer, 35 degrees in winter and everything in between (except the occasional hurricane). I am 6'0" and the seat height doesn't seem to be an issue. I have owned Hondas in the past (1983 Interceptor, Shadow VTX, and Shadow 1100). For all the HD guys that are here; I don't think I am ready to go down the "Geezer Glide" path yet. Is the Uly a good alternative until I am? I have also considered the BMW GS but, again, the price of admission seems a little high. To all; this is a GREAT website! Very informative and fun. Thanks} | ||
| Jim_sb |
So you've come to the asylum and want to know if we're crazy (about the Uly)? Drink the kool-aid. You'll see. Jim in Santa Barbara | ||
| Guybones |
Well, after researching the Uly on this site and others, I went down to my local dealer. They adjusted the suspension for me, handed me the keys, said "tanks full, have fun", so I did. After and hour and a half I pulled back in on the demo and ordered mine. I'm 6'-5", been riding some 30 odd years on all manner motorcycle, and this is the finest bike I've been on. All I can say is, find a good dealer, and ride it, you'll know pretty quick if it's for you or not. | ||
| Daves |
Sar, Could I interest you in a trip to Wisconsin? http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142838/157507.html?1131692204 You will love the Uly. I already have a FLHT and the Uly is just as comfy but waaaayyyyyy more fun to ride. | ||
| Sarinstructor |
I rode the demo bike and liked everything about it...especially the torque. For someone that has never experienced that amount of torque on a bike, it was almost scary. Daves, The program sounds good except I can't wait that long to ride again. Instant gratification...it's the American way. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
My Black Uly with bags is supposed to ship on the 17th and I'm hoping to have it by Thanksgivings day. What gives with the bad demo report? http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142838/158948.html?1131798849 I demo'd once at Sturgis but can't remember much about it other than I rode it. Is the foot vibration that bad? It seems like most everyone on this board loves the bike, but then this guy basically rips the Uly to shreads. Either you guys that love the bike are overlooking these things he mentioned or this guy that gave the unfavorable demo review has an axe to grind. What do you guys think on this subject??? | ||
| Sarinstructor |
I'm trying to find it now, but I know I've read that exact same post on a motorcycle.com thread. Why would someone post the exact same observations (mostly negative) on different websites if they didn't have an agenda? | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Sarinstructor, I like your comment about the "almost scary torque". Anytime I've demo'd Buells I've thought the very same thing and believe I have actually said the same thing to other folks when talking about the Buell demo. I ride an Electraglide and it's got torque but is so heavy most of the torque is used just to haul the mass. The torque on the Buell is another matter altogether and I think that is the bait, hook, line and sinker when it comes to why people get turned on to Buells. Anyway, I'm sure I'll get used to the tractor torque real quick once I get the ULY. | ||
| Dave |
Flock the "HD club". Get the Uly and ride. It's a rider's bike not a "parade-image" bike. DAve | ||
| Ulys83 |
I have bike 83 and Dave is right. This is the bike for riding, any weather, anyplace. Not for the posers. | ||
| 2hogs |
"parade-image"? Some HD folks actually ride, and don't give a s**t about image. But on to Sarinstructor's question. I have both a XB12X and a FLTRI (Road Glide). While they are similar in some ways (reliable, easy to maintain, comfortable and fun), they are also different. The FLTRI (or any HD touring bike) can eat up highway miles and when you stop you're not too tired or beat up to enjoy yourself off the bike. She is wide and heavy, so working though traffic isn't a strong suit. The XB12X is almost as comfortable (rider positioning) as the FLTRI. The XB12X lacks the wind protection though and is a little more tiring when droning down the highway. It makes up for this by being lighter and easier to work through traffic and it does twisty roads better. I've had both on gravel and dirt roads and the XB12X was easier to handle due to the lighter weight. I actually think they make great stablemates. I have bikes that can take me anywhere I want to go whether I want to carve some corners or putt around and enjoy the sites. Cheers | ||
| Dave |
2hogs... if my comment offended ya I apologize. I've owned a HD as well. (Oh sure it was a "Girls Harley" '84 XR-1000) You know very well the "club" Harley that's being referred too.  Good comparison between the FLTRI and the Uly. My favorite HD for years was the FLTRI..until the Street Rod came about. DAve | ||
| 2hogs |
Dave, No worries. I may just be a little sensitive to sterotyping is all. I think we all (motorcyclists that is) get negatively sterotyped by alot of non-riders just because the actions of a few riders. 'Girls Harley'? Funny! I'm not familiar with the older HDs, I've heard the Sportster line referred to like that. Funny how the Sportster is the longest running HD model. Even funnier when you can mod an 883 and have crazy performance without spending a bunch of cash. Cheers | ||
| Ulys83 |
2hogs, Everyone knows that there are two types of HD riders. One rides the other poses, AKA RUBs. One will take a trip across the country in the rain, the other will take a trip to the local ice cream stand on Saturday. | ||
| Daves |
Sar, You don't have to wait. I have one on the floor right now you can pick up next week if you want. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Buells are Harleys as far as this HDI investor is concerned. My glide is by far the best bike I have ever owned and I've been riding since 68'. In a couple of weeks I'll be a Ulysses owner which will help the Motor Company out and me also the way I look at it. I just love motorcycles but because of my long held and highly appreciated investment, I will only buy from Harley Davidson Motor Company. And I'm keeping the glide. | ||
| Jlnance |
(Oh sure it was a "Girls Harley" '84 XR-1000) Don't worry. I have a "Girls Buell" '03 Blast! It's still fun. | ||
| Sarinstructor |
2hogs, Thanks for the info. I like the Road Glide as well. Stands out in a crowd of Electra Glides and Road Kings. The longest trip I MAY take is to Daytona (500 miles) so touring isn't as important as the qualities you mentioned; reliability, comfort, and ease of maintenance. Daves, You're in WI correct? Awful long trip for a bike. I went to Boot Camp in Great Lakes, IL so I may be able to justify the trip with a "return to the start of a 20 year Navy carreer" type of thing. I know the wife wouldn't buy it, but what the hell? Todd | ||
| Dave |
Delta had a special from ATL to Appleton WI for $158 R/T!!! No telling what one way deals are available. Get a set of electrics and you'll be toasty. (Damn... DAve | ||
| 2hogs |
Todd, I can honestly say 500 miles on a HD touring bike isn't hard. I did a 5000 mile cross country trip back in 2003 that spanned ~ 13 days on the FLTRI. The longest day was just under 800 miles. We saw 23 degrees and snow on the way to Yellowstone and 110 degrees when heading to Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon. I have pics on my website, not sure I can post a link to it here though. Cheers | ||
| Lowflyer |
Sar, I was looking at everything from the Night Train, V-Rod, Softail Standard to the BMW GS, to the Victory Hammer, to the Yamaha FZ-1. All of them are awesome bikes. I bought my Uly after deciding that it is the most practical of the bikes I was considering. Having rode it hard for the last two months and 2k miles, I can tell you that the Uly provides the best of all worlds on a motorcycle. I have experienced the following: --stares from onlookers as if I might be riding an OCC theme bike (not that I have or ever would) --all-day riding comfort --sportbike handling and acceleration. --easy and inexpensive maintenance --the opportunity to explain what a Buell is to damn near everyone I meet (thanks to HD marketing) --a bike that I am not afraid to leave in a parking lot --a bike that I don't have to wash if I don't want to | ||
| Blake |
"I will only buy from Harley Davidson Motor Company." Then you just disqualified the Uly. Buell Motorcycle Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of HDI as is HDMC. Buells are not Harleys. Buells are Buells. Say that ten times real fast.  Would you call a Cadillac a Chevy? Please give due respect to Erik Buell and all the folks at BMC. They work at Buell Motorcycle Company. | ||
| Sarinstructor |
I've heard the saying "some people ride em, some people polish em" but 800 miles? Wow! Lowflyer, All of those sound good to me. As far as sportbike handling though, I have been riding cruisers almost exclusively. It's going to take a lot of seat time to get used to throwing a bike around like that. This might sound crazy on this forum but handling is kind of low on my priority list. Take it easy on me all you knee draggers, I'm just the FNG. | ||
| Crusty |
Sar, you're going to find that the Buell will make you a better rider. It won't be long before you find yourself anticipating that "favorite turn" on the way home from work. Then you'll find yourself looking forward to riding the most twisted road you can find. It's a very short road to this addiction on a Buell. And the whole time you'll have a S*** eating grin on your face. You've been warned. | ||
| Dave |
After my initial 500 miles I rode from Birmingham, AL to the St Louis area to Chicago and back down to Birmingham. Highway miles, Deal's Gap twisties, gravel roads...perhaps more of a multi-road cycle than anything else. Hell... get a Uly and your favorite HD Todd! 2hogs and many others have the right idea. DAve (okay so 3 Buells may not be the same thing) | ||
| Sarinstructor |
I have been thinking of the two bike thing but, according to the accountant/wife, I'd have to sell my boat. I don't think I'm ready for that yet. 95 mph in a 21' boat is probably as fun as 140 on a bike. Since I've never been past 100 on a bike I can't say for sure though. The good thing is the boat will be paid off next year so... Todd | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Blake, Buell sales apply to the motor company bottom line. I don't know what the heck you are talking about. Buell is wholly owned by Harley. | ||
| 2hogs |
Off topic news. A friend of mine has a 600 GSXR. He saw the XB12X in person today, he even took it around the block. He's selling the GSXR and getting a XB12X. He mentioned how light it felt, how well it balanced, and loves the hard bags (I just have side cases, he would like all three). I pointed out the power outlets, explained why it's easy to maintain, but I think he was sold after the ride. If he gets one before July next year, we will be heading out West (WY, MT, etc) from PA/MD for a couple or three weeks:-) Cheers |
