| Author | Message | ||
     Chadhargis |
I've been reading this forum far too much. Listening to all the banter about broken this, pinging that, leaking the other. It really has made me paranoid about my Buell. I know other bikes have issues, but there is a mindset out there that Buells are pieces of doo-doo and it's only a matter of time before they grenade themselves. I went for a ride on Saturday with another Uly owner. His bike is fairly new, mine has a little over 5000 miles on it. We stopped for lunch and his fan was in "screaming banshee" mode when we stopped. We shut down our bikes and his fan continued to run...mine ran very slowly. I thought that was odd, so I started the bike back up and shut it down again. The fan kicked on high speed for maybe 3 seconds, and went back to low speed. This had me worried. I posted a question about "Fan Logic" over on the XBoard and got a few helpful responses. Last night I went for another ride to dinner. Mostly interstate. The fan did not come on. I idled around in traffic for a couple of miles to get to the restaurant, and the fan did not come on. When I shut the bike off at the restaurant, it worked normally in "screaming banshee" mode for about 30 seconds before dropping to the lower speed mode. On the way home, I decided to find out once and for all if the fan was going bad. I beat the living daylights out of the bike. High RPM riding (4k - 6k), stop light, to stop light jack rabbit starts, etc. I pulled over with the engine running, and the fan was running in low speed mode, but not "screaming". So I beat it some more. Hit the twisties hard, powered out of corners, and accelerating hard. The bike felt smoother and more powerful than ever. Actually lofted the front tire an inch or so shifting from third to fourth coming out of a sweeping turn! The bike was not pinging, and pulled like a freight train. I got to the end of the road, and listened....Ah yes, the "screaming banshee" had returned. I slowed down and rode the bike home only to find the banshee sound became inaudible. I pulled over to check the fan. It was in slow speed mode again. Once in my garage, I shut the bike off and the fan went high speed for a few seconds, then back to low speed. I checked the oil, and it was at the perfect level...my bike burns very little oil. Much better than any air cooled bike I've ever owned. Up till a week ago, the fan ran constantly and never shut off, now it appears the bike has loosened up and runs cooler. I put synthetic oil in it at 3000 miles and didn't noticed a difference then. I'm still skeptical that my fan may be dying, but the bike runs so good. Better than it ever has. It has more power, it's smoother, revs faster, and seems to run cooler. It doesn't ping. In fact, the only time it's pinged is when I was stuck in traffic for an hour and even then, after a mile or so of riding, the engine had cooled enough to allow full throttle roll ons without pinging. So..the moral of the story....I'm going to stop worrying about breaking sidestands, breaking belts, pinging, overheating, bad fans, dying engines, bad wiring harnesses, and the host of other issues I've read about here. I'm just going to ride the damn thing like I stole it. After 5000+ miles, the bike hasn't given me a minutes trouble. I guess I can assume that I got a good one.  I know there are guys who've had issues, and we've all heard about them. But it makes me wonder how many folks out there haven't had any issues. How many have put lots of hard miles on Buells and had nothing but a reliable bike for it? | ||
| Debueller |
My Uly runs awesome. I've had 1 broken belt and 1 danaged one changed out. All other issues have been minor (liscense plate light, binding cables at headset, ect.) The bike has over 17k miles on it. Yesterday I rode with the Harley guys at work. I did a noisy 55mph wheelie through a tunnel and they haven't stopped talking about all day. The damn thing is awesome. It's the most fun I've ever had on a motorcycle. I can't wait to get off work and load it up for a 9 day trip through Canada on Thurs. When I get back it should have over 20k miles on it. | ||
| Roadrailer |
My fan has recently started running as you described. I was a bit worried about it at first, but decided not to freak about it until the bike overheats or the fan stops running altogether. My guess is the bike is just finally getting broken in and doesn't require as much supplemental cooling. | ||
| Chadhargis |
That's good to hear. I don't think I have a fan problem, because when it runs, it runs normally. It's not bound up and it's not making any noises like the bearings are failing. As good as the bike was new, it's actually getting better. I'm really curious to know what sort of numbers it putting down. I might have to make a trip to the dyno. It feels substantially more powerful than when it was new. | ||
| Bmwdavid |
You know, my Uly's fan always seems to run in the quiet (slow) mode most of the time. Only when I turn bike off will I hear the higher (banshee) speed, then only for 10-15 seconds max. I've got 1800 miles on my Uly and have no issues other than a hard shifting issue on 3rd and 4th gears. I posted about this and will be checking my hot primary chain tension. So I've been really enjoying my Uly and sure hope it continues to be trouble free. David | ||
| Gamdh |
I'm coming up on 5K miles... so far no issues at all (other than the self inflicted/dealer assisted problem with the fouled plugs I documented here). My fan does seem to run quite a bit... it will be interesting to see if follows the behavior you point out in this post??? | ||
| Royintulsa |
The race kit installation made my fan run just like you describe in the first post. I think the engine breaking in and the richer fuel and more open exhaust have all reduced the need for the fan. Also, I have just over 3000 miles now and the fuel mileage just gets better and better. Running 70 mph through some nice twisties playing with the throttle I still got better than 50 mpg where the same ride when the bike was new got about 42 mpg. The more I ride the Uly, the more I love it. If only I had a cheap bike to practice wheelies on so I don't wreck my $13,000 toy.............. | ||
| 44mag |
My Uly runs great when it does not ping ... and MAN does it ping on the steep mountain passes we have out west. If I can solve that problem, then the bike is almost perfect (I have 2500 miles and I get 55 MPG on the mountain highways and 43 MPG in the city). It will be interesting how I feel at 50,000 miles. | ||
| Chadhargis |
I've never put more than 23,000 miles on any bike I've owned. I keep them for a couple of years and sell them. I'm wondering how I'll feel about the Uly in a couple of years. | ||
| Dr_greg |
13,000 miles here, and not one single problem of ANY sort. Still near 60 mpg sometimes even with all cases mounted. Not one hiccup in my NM to FL trip. I do tend to be pretty easy on the bike (it's my nature) Boy, I'm keeping/riding THIS bike for the rest of my life (admittedly perhaps not a long time  ) P.S. Speaking of mileage, I've put 42,000 miles on my '92 Ducati 900SS...never seen another Ducati past 13K (I know there are a bunch, however). Finally fragged a main bearing...I rebuilt it. | ||
| Rubberdown |
I've always said that the harder you run an XB the better it works. I flogged both of mine and they begged for more. My '05 BMW R1200st seems to be the same. Rev 'em high and often and run 'em hard and fast. I think that's what they were designed for. | ||
| Bienhoabob |
9,000 miles on mine. Cracked license plate light lens and rusty muffler. Both covered by warranty. That's it. I will be putting it to an extreme test in August. Should have another 10,000 miles in a little over a weeks time. (ButtLite IV event) Just put a set of Michelin Road Pilots on. Bikes ready---I'm ready. We'll see what happens. | ||
| Superchicken |
My fan runs the same chad, much less than it did before | ||
| Chadhargis |
Good to hear. My Ducati has over 16,000 on it, and I ride the living snot out of it. It's my track day bike. No issues from it either. Guess the key to having a healty bike is ride the snot out of them. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Chad, You will probably have to have an updated ULY is my guess. | ||
| Rubberdown |
"Guess the key to having a healty bike is ride the snot out of them." I really do believe that's true. (Message edited by rubberdown on June 28, 2006) | ||
| Ulybagger |
I rode to Americade in lake george NY from CT a few weeks back. I stopped in Manchester VT after riding about 1 1/2 hrs and no fan. I thought that was odd then it slowly began to spin but labored. At americade I talked to a tech at the HD/Buell demo tent and he said they've had some fan's (2 speed) act up when they heat up. I think he said the housing would actually distort a little from the heat not allowing the fan to spin freely. Unfortunately they didn't have a spare but he said to get it warranteed. Two times on the way home it never even turned on when we stopped. Short trips it works perfect. I have a new one on order. Otherwise the bike is great. Except for the ping and the cough. | ||
| M2nc |
Great Uly for me. I broke the latch, license plate light cover, pinging fixed by dealer for free, and a turn signal light on the dash that doesn't want to flash on right turns (I suspect the turn signal switch). When it is cold it will cough a bit but that is it in 9600 miles. Mechanically no real problems and I would ride it anywhere. | ||
| M2nc |
Of course I rode the M2 across state and back last weekend and it did great too. Not even a hiccup at 43,500 miles. The bike has the same type of turn signal switch with no problems, go figure. The M2 has gasket issues mostly but it is not bad. I still have to change out the front rotor carrier and hand grips. I just changed the rear shock but the engine and transmission are stock and original and I think they are ready for another 43,500 miles. The motor actually is tighter than most other Harley powered bikes I have been around. | ||
| Brad1445 |
I would not care one bit if the fan is running if just was not louder than my engine and the traffic around me. | ||
| Buelluk |
Mine runs great ,the only problem I have had is when I left it sitting for a few weeks and I forgot to put it on the tender and the battery went flat. My fault. The fan doesnt bother me. | ||
| Naustin |
Its nice to have a thread that talks about good experiences. I think negativity gets concentrated on these enthusiast sites and it starts to seem like everyone is having all these problems, when in reality it is just a small minority. I talked to a blast owner the other day who had 40,000 miles on his blast. He'd never been to BWB or the Yahoo Blast group. He'd never had a significant problem with the bike either - other than basically routine maintenance issues... I wonder how many other bikes are out there with very happy owners and high miles that we never hear from... | ||
| Snub13 |
I have had a great time on (and off) the Uly. It is a great bike. No two ways about it. 7500 miles (since Nov. 4) and the only problem so far is a low beam issue. But that is for another thread. As others have posted, I think it's getting better with every mile. Changed to H-D Syn. oil at the 1K and it is noticeably running cooler.  Al Lighton had a similar thread in the "Would you buy a Uly" area. Some good comments in there. Of course my answer is a resounding YES! | ||
| Windrider |
Chad, Great Post. These types of boards tend to see more complaints that comments. Seems to be the nature of the beast. The Ulysses has been the most enjoyable motorcycle I have ever owned... and I have thoroughly enjoyed some other great flavors of 2 wheelers in the past. In the end, I am sure that someday I might have a problem with it. When I do I will just fix it and ride on like I have with all the other brands of bikes I have owned and ridden in the past. Any bike has it strengths and weaknesses but the Ulysses has such fantastic strengths that it is really hard for me to get upset about little problems. Happy Trails, WindRider | ||
| Buellysses |
HI folks! 7400 miles so far on my bone stock Uly, and good ridin' all. I wonder if I might like the race kit and a can, but I like it so much overall, that I'm reluctant to mess with it. Seeing some red dirt road on the to my auntie's today, can't wait! Any experience 2-up on the dirt??? | ||
| Captain_nartman |
Engine Light Often Comes on??? n I'm at the Mo Without Indicators or Tail Light?? Oh Well... Not Needed in the Northern Territory... Next Service (next week 5oook) when the Lads at Desert Edge Harley Alice Springs Fit me Race ECM (thanks DAVE.. your a TOP F^&$&*^ Bloke) n Kellerman (ahhh Matts Trojan Bits) Indicators. What was the Question? N x  | ||
| Captain_nartman |
Buellysses GO the UPGRADE... It is Groovy.. A NEW Bike Fer ya... Pipe (love me Jardine but any will do.. depends on Budget) The ECM... well... Ya'll Need that.. but I Hear they are Re-Mappin the Stockers... I Dunno,... But DO UPGRADE. My BIKE ROCKS NOW, n Canna Wait Till I Get it with the ECM Tuned n Sorted. BTW... Shade TINT ya Screen Black... It Looks Handsome. BTW... How can I Upload a Pic of ME Bike ere>???? Upload Don't work??? N x | ||
| Grimel |
Buell Ulysses gets a double thumbs up after yesterday's test ride. Until yesterday the only way I found to get a test ride was the Honda Hoot (again double thumbs for the Lightning Long only probs being my broken bits related). The sticking point for Buell IMNSHO (and I've emailed and filled out the post Hoot demo ride comment sheet to the effect) Buell needs to get AWAY from the H-D dealers. I've been to the local H-D dealer at least 6 times (several at both locations) to find a grand total of 5 or 6 Buells new 2003 through 2006. With comments of we don't sell too many of those and how about a Super Glide/Sportster. I want to strangle someone. I've even complained to an out of state dealer I know just so H-D and Erik know how SCREWED UP things are. I did find a reasonably close (hence the test ride) H-D/Buell dealer that wants my money (i.e. has the Buell line AND didn't try to sell me a H-D AND has a salesman that rides a CityX which he's trading for a Uly) - well worth the extra 30 minute ride. So, after much study I found a bike that a) meets my criteria (goes most anywhere and handles well) and b) moves me. The Buell grin is tops. So, now I have to readjust the budget and save some more to upgrade. | ||
| Captain_nartman |
Crikey... that was a Beer Muck-Up.. Anyway... yeah.. ME Ugly.. Did I Mention the Ceramic Headers....ALSO A MUST. Cheers.  N x | ||
| 12x_infatuation |
Looks awesome, captain! I too will soon be a proud owner... Tested one last november & have been haunted since. Ordered a black '07 model last thursday - i will find out tuesday about how long ill have to wait... Thanks, chad for starting this, while i havent been scared off with some peoples problems, i have often thought 'what am i getting myself into here?'. Life seems to be getting away way too fast but i still think this waiting period is going to seem like an eternity! Matt |
