| Author | Message | ||
     Wademan |
Me and a buddy stopped by a HD/Buell Dealer so he could test ride a bike. I have been looking heavily at a Firebolt as my next bike but have yet to find a dealer with a 9 engine... anyways. Only two bikes they have are a Uly and a XB12s. I tell my buddy to take the S and decide I might as well try the Uly. I was floored. Grin the whole time, super smooth, (xb12s I had test ridden before felt choppy and misfueled), handling felt great and the suspension was amazing. I hate the thought of liking it cause I though I wouldn't have a bike like that till I was at least 35. I am 22 and have been looking at sensible sportbikes and can not belive how much I liked the Uly. It did not feel what I thought a DS bike would feel like. I felt more like a cross of a race replica and a standard with a amazing lump of a engine. I only got ten minutes on it and had a couple of lingering questions for you Uly veterans.... 1. I like the upright riding position, but do you start to sag into a 'C' shape after riding for long periods and get back pains. The reason I ask is I am riding a Bandit 1200 currently and the upright position on that bike makes me start to do a arched back 'C' thing that kills my back. The Uly felt better because the bars were closer and a tich higher but like I said only ten minutes on the bike so I dont really know. and 2. Tires... most you guys sticking with the stock tires? How are they on the street compared to a sport touring tyre like the Dunlop 208's. I would only be hitting fire roads at the most extreme as far as off road goes, just wondering if there is a tire that is a good trade off for what I would mostly be riding. and sorry one more... 3. I did not get to see any real twisties? Does the Uly handle them as good as it felt like it would? I had gobs of confidence only being on the thing for ten minutes. Tell me Im not a old man by wanting this bike. Thanks guys. Wademan | ||
| Daves |
1. The uly is great for long distance 2. The tires stick really well in my opinion, I can drag the pegs with very little to no slippage 3. yes! You are not an old man for wanting this bike, a smart man yes. | ||
| Daves |
PS Can I interest you in a trip to Appleton WI to get one? | ||
| 44mag |
I agree, the Uly is very comfortable for long distances ... the C shape bothers me as well, but less so on the Uly than my other bikes. The upright position is comfortable to me. The tires are fine to me, although some other people, who probably have much more skill and experience than I do on a motorcycle, don't like them much. The Uly excels on the twisties, but I have never ridden a true sportbike ... only cruisers. The Uly is the perfect bike for a guy who loves getting out of the city and off the pavement once in a while. Buy one, and you will not be disappointed. | ||
| Dr_greg |
Just finished a 4100 mile trip, and the Uly is a great bike for just about anything on pavement or mild off-pavement. No problems with riding position, comfort, etc. Great, great bike in the corners. IMHO, a real classic. | ||
| Crusty |
Wademan, I've done a couple of 750 mile days on my Uly, and it didn't bother my back at all. I've had no traction problems with the Stock D-616s, but I'll be changing to Avon Azaros when they wear out. I'm planning a long trip this summer, and I want the tires to last the entire ride. The Uly handles twisty roads like you wouldn't believe. It's a joy to ride fast on roads like Vt. Rt. 100 or the Mohawk Trail in Mass. One note of warning, though; if you get one, you will be unable to look serious with that silly grin on your face. | ||
| Biker_bob |
I ride about 17,000 miles a year on average. Always on HD until I got mu Uly. On my Road Glide, both Ultras and a Softail I have owned I always needed a back rest for any distance riding. I went to Homecoming last weekend and put 1800 miles on the Uly with no back problems, including 2 600 mile days. The difference I feel comes from three things. 1. The upright position with your feet under you. 2. The incredible seat 3. The wind holds you up at highway speed. You can actually push against it like a brace. When I first bought mine I researched seat manufactureres because I was sure I would need a backrest. I don't. | ||
| Wademan |
So now that we have that covered... How about wheelies?  And do chicks ask for rides on a Uly?  Its almost not funny how indecisive I have been about my next bike lately. The Uly is the only test ride I have been on that I enjoyed so much. (Message edited by wademan on June 10, 2006) | ||
| Kenm123t |
Sit ups will cure the problem! Its not a bike problem its a rider problem 98 S3T 98S1W 99M123T | ||
| Jlnance |
Glad you liked it! My answers would be the same as all the ones above, but I'll say a bit more about the tires. The 616es have good grip. I haven't heard anyone complain about slipping or things like that. Some people have had head shake and front end weave or swimming issues with their Ulys. While I don't know of any actual problems cause by this, is can be annoying. These issues have gone away when people switched to different tires. | ||
| Ulywife |
How about wheelies? And do chicks ask for rides on a Uly? As for wheelies, I can only tell you that my 11 year old daughter came in and announced to me and her grandparents that Daddy just popped a wheelie with her and it was cool. Just what a mom wants to hear. So yes, you can pop a wheelie easily from what some people have said and Daves rode one down the street at Daytona Bike Week. We "chicks" do like the Ulys. It is a very comfortable bike. I wouldn't let my husband sell his Honda Nighthawk until the Uly came home. He has a M2 that we can ride, but it's no Uly. Just thoughts from an old "chick"! Call Daves at Appleton HD/Buell. He's the man to buy from seeing as you are somewhat close to him! Wish we had a Buell guy like him here in NC. We buy all of our parts from him even though we have a dealer 40 miles away! Kristi (Message edited by Ulywife on June 10, 2006) | ||
| Wademan |
Thanks for all the replies. The more reviews I am reading the more I am settled on getting a Uly. I feel a 'real world' motorcycle movement coming. Once people realize how good these bikes are on the street, who wants a race replica? | ||
| Fastfxrs |
Just got back from a 250 mile ride to Dennis Kirk and back to pick up a front Michelin Pilot road for my Uly. I'm getting all the life I can out of my rear 616 (5000 mi. so far) and I was just going to go with a michelin in back until my front 616 was cupped a little worse. I keep hearing how the ride of this bike is "transformed" by getting rid of the stock front. I kinda got used to the "swimming" feel in front,but I've decided to change the set all at once. Anyway, mp3 earbuds in my helmet with the stock exhaust and I'm in heaven. I rode a mix of freeway, 2 lane and some forest roads on the way home. I just kept grinning and thinking " this is all the bike I need" which is good cause its my only one right now. The dealer replaced my cam postion and bank angle sensors and no more engine dying on the highway. I continue to be more and more impressed with this bike everyday. Hope you can get one Wademan. Tim | ||
| Wademan |
Sorry dave I missed your post. I am just getting ready to move to Bloomington, IN. Its a hour south of Indy. I think in the next month in a half or two I will actually be ready to sign some papers, right now is just crazy. How far are you from NW Chicago though??? I will be there off and on for weeks at a time for the next couple months. | ||
| Grimace308 |
chicago - appleton 196miles, or 3hours and 42 minutes by google maps. i think the swimming stuff is all in peoples heads and if it isnt, people have said switching to a different front tire is the cure all. if youre less fat than i, the bike wheelies like a demon and if you are as fat, or fatter, itll still wheelie... ive perfected the "pretty girl repellent" and i apply some everyday, so i cant tell yo about the chick quota. oh yeah, with new conti road attacks, the bike handles better that i can ride it, not that thats saying much. ;0 chris | ||
| Galloper |
I can't wheelie but the front wheel doesn't always touch earth. A girl wanted to know what the Uly felt like so I had to chase her on her own BMWR1100S for a 100mls over a lot of twisties. She had the "grin" on her face when we stopped  | ||
| Daves |
 Nope, they don't wheelie at all | ||
| Mb182 |
Daves You can do better than that  MB | ||
| Jlnance |
And do chicks ask for rides on a Uly? I really wish I had taken a picture of Seth with 2 girls on his Uly. The passenger accomidations are very comfortable, and the backrest makes them feel secure. This is mine. See how she has lots of room:  Here is Ulywife riding with M2NC:  Lots of room. Happy girl. The bike also rides very well with a passenger on the back. |
