| Author | Message | ||
     Fastfxrs |
My wife and I went on our local wednesday night H.O.G. chapter ride last week. Its the 3rd time she's ridden on the back since I bought the bike in late February. She has a hell of time getting her leg swung over the saddle bag so I let her get on first and I held as much weight off the kickstand as I could (afraid of the dreaded kickstand bolt breakage). Long story longer: I talked her into getting on after me. She got stuck and the bike started to fall-not good for the bursitis in my left hip. Luckily I kept it from falling, but it was close. Later at the resturant, she proceded to tell me what she really thinks about the uly. 1- Hates getting on and off of it. 2-hates the riding that high in the air. 3- hates the fact its not a Harley. She loved riding with me on my old FXR. She wasn't as crazy about the bagger. And she just plain hates the Uly. She really wants me to get a new Street Bob. We are trying to find the best way to go about it as I'm going to be very upside down (worse than this one) on the next bike loan. Anyone else out there in the same boat? I've really enjoyed the last 8400 miles on this bike and really look forward to riding the black hills on it during sturgis-but I gotta keep momma happy. She's willing to get rid of her Buell blast( doesn't ride it much anyway) to help get me back on a Harley. I'm torn. Tim | ||
| Teeps |
Two choices come to mind. Leave her at home, or get her her own bike. I'm starting appreciate my wife's total lack of interest in riding on the back of my bike. | ||
| Aeholton |
How tall is your wife? My wife is 5'11" with very long legs which I think helps getting on and off the bike. However, she still says that it's a little difficult getting on with the side bags attached. As for riding up high, she loves it. She says it's great to see over all the traffic. My wife likes sports bikes, so the fact that "its not a Harley" is a plus. My advice is keep your wife happy. If she's not happy...you're not going to be. That said, I would think she needs to ride with you more than 3 times in 5 months to have a big input of what you ride. | ||
| Bmwdavid |
My wife like our Uly. Says its one of the more comfortable bikes we've had. Rates it with our Goldwing we had. She does not like the climb up and I do have an issue with holding the bike upright while she gets on. Oh, says the fan sucks. Way too much noise. David | ||
| Lorazepam |
My girlfriend loves the Uly. She likes the comfort, and the fact she can see better on the taller bike. Sorry your wife doesnt feel the same as you about the bike. I would have to agree that 2 rides in 5 months would not be enough for me to get rid of a such an excellent bike, and go back to outdated technology. | ||
| Fastfxrs |
Thanks for the input guys. I shouldn't make it sound like its all her idea. The fan is really ticking me off. I do miss having a cruiser and the stock 96ci and six speed have me drooling. I had a 100 hp FXR that handled decent but did'nt have anywhere near the reliability of a stock TC. Of course I'd like to keep the Uly and still get another H-D but the budget won't allow. My wife used to ride with me alot more and being the selfish SOB I am, I didn't really equate the lack of riding interest on her part with her not liking the Uly. My son and I have done some camping on the Buell and It worked great. I just had to get some of this down in print to see if it looks as ridiculous as it sounds. Has anyone out there already traded their Uly-if so are you happy with the decision? I've had a lot of great bikes that I wished I'd never gotten rid of. Tim | ||
| Chadhargis |
I have my wife put her left foot on the left foot peg, then step up and swing her leg over. Works like a charm. No problem holding the bike up if you're prepared for it and have it leaning slightly to the right to compensate. Of course, my wife hates the Uly too. She says it vibrates too much, is too loud (both motor and wind noise), and the seat doesn't have enough padding. That's why there is a Goldwing in my garage too.  | ||
| Rkc00 |
My wife hates my Uly also. That's because I am out riding it all the time.  Come to think of it she does not like any of my rides for that reason. She really likes it when she is on it though. Mike Long Island, NY 06 XB12X Black of course | ||
| Ulywife |
This wife loves the Uly! I will ride on the M2, but the comfort level is just not the same. My husband is one of the short Uly riders, so we have the low seat on. I wait until he's prepared for me to get on and off, as to not throw his balance off. I have found that I cannot swing my leg over the bags as I'm only 5'2" with probably a 27" inseam. I also found that stepping through with big clunky heals on my boots was not working either. I now have a low profile Justin boot that I don't end up dragging over the seat and leaving a mark. Since I don't "ride" I cannot say if the rider's seat is any more comfortable than the passenger seat, but Carlos can ride a lot longer than I can. Some of this may be just time in the saddle as he rides every day and I may ride once a month. Are her issues truly with the Uly or the fact that it's not a Harley? Harley has some great bikes, but they are not for everyone. I hope you two find what you're both looking for in a bike. Kristi | ||
| Pso |
Fieance' likes Uly. She thinks it fits in very nicely with her BMW F650GS. They both fit in the toy hauler very well and she likes that. I do not think she liked the Wing as much she just thought it was way to comfortable for me and made the day to long for her to ride along on her bike(little does she know that the Uly is as comfortable . | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Sounds like your wife has a hate problem. Bet that gets real old. My wife has not even been on my ULY and that is because she rides her own bike. I don't even want her on the back of the ULY because she thinks I take to many chances in traffic. (Message edited by electraglider_1997 on July 31, 2006) | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
My son thinks my ULY seat doesn't even compare with the Electraglide seat for comfort. I've got the Air Zepplin seat the glide. It is more comfortable to my arse too. | ||
| Pso |
Another note on the Uly, fiance' and Wing. When Sara rode on the back of the wing she kept falling asleep and was bored so she got her own bike. I prefer riding single. Perhaps trade the blast for a bike more comfortable for longer periods for the wife then you can both ride your own bikes together? I don't know about how you folks ride, but the extra storage is a great thing for Sara (and me, now we do not discuss the size of the hair dryer to take). Paul | ||
| Ulywife |
now we do not discuss the size of the hair dryer to take LOL - now that's a man who knows how to keep the peace!! | ||
| Pso |
Yup - just got her to get a bike and then purchased the saddle bags for her and a tail trunk with the understanding "you haul what you brung". I do carry what I consider the essentials but she considers frivolus, eg tools for repairs, oil, rain gear etc. | ||
| Madduck |
You can eliminate most of her mounting problem by leaving the side bags off. Without the luggage its a lot easier for passengers. Its a lot easier learning to travel light than without. | ||
| Wademan |
I just personally dont like riding with a passenger. No matter how much I tell the lady pillion they are always fidgeting around when I am going slow. Hopefully when i get married eventually, the wife will want her own bike. | ||
| Roadrailer |
fastfxrs, did you let your wife sit on the bike before you bought it? IMHO it's essential to bring your pillion along when bike shopping. Good luck selling, if that's what you decide. Resign yourself to the fact that you're going to take a bath on it unless you find a real sucker. FWIW, my wife LOVES the Ulysses. We tried almost everything on the market, and the Uly won out by a large margin. She's done 300 mile days without complaint. | ||
| Fastfxrs |
What are the highest and lowest prices anyone has seen on a used Uly out there? Roadrailer, I had her sit on the bike at the dealership. I rode it home in last February in Mn. so she did'nt get a test ride. It took me alot longer than 3 rides to realize how much I like this bike. Its been my daily rider and despite its problems, I could see this being a keeper. I have resigned myself to the fact that I will be taking a bath on it. The wife and I definately had our wires crossed on this purchase. Thanks again for letting me vent. Tim | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Fastfxrs, Ya gotta man up. If you like the ULY then keep it. Maybe I'm just lucky with my wife but I've seen to many guys let their wives dictate everything they can or can't have or can or can't do and who their friends are and so on and so forth. It just leads to repressed resentment that will eventually come to an ugly head. Lay the law down and tell her you like the ULY and that she can ride her Blast because that is what you bought it for. My brother's overbearing queen bee wife put a kibosh to his biking days and a friend of mine quit biking as soon as he got married. My wife and I rode our "bikes" 362 miles yesterday in 103 degree heat and high wind and she and I only complained about the weather and crazy car drivers. My son was sitting behind me on the ULY and he never complained at all. In fact, I had to look in my mirrors to make sure he was still there quite a few times. God, it was hot out. And my ass was killing me for the last 100 miles or so. | ||
| Soloyosh |
Tell the street-bob doesn't come with ANY passenger provisions (solo seat, no pegs). Problem solved. | ||
| Grimace308 |
"3- hates the fact its not a Harley." jeez, that fact alone is worth a billion bonus points...and 3 extra lives. its funny how peoples perception entertainment varies as to what theyre riding, how theyre dressed and who theyre associating with. it seems to me that youre looking to trade the wrong one.  chris | ||
| Dennis_c |
- one wife + one Uly problem solved | ||
| Bent |
Tim, It is obvious that you see your wifes point. I hope that she can see yours. Be safe, Russ | ||
| Lowflyer |
My wife hates all motorcycles. | ||
| Coolice |
Keep the Uly, trade the wife. You won't win. I did it over 10 years ago, now I have a garage full of Buells, racing again, AND a wonderful lady Fiery thats has her own XB and drag races. And she will be on the Uly with me this weekend for a 3 day trip. So we'll let ya know about the Uly in trip mode. | ||
| Mb182 |
Wife? (had one once ) Uly - own one! If my call, the wife would have to go!!! MB | ||
| Fastfxrs |
With the money that I'll loose on any trade, or with selling it, I could by an old FXR and keep the Uly. That's my latest plan. My wife really doesn't ask much when it comes to my motorcycle obsession. We still have mismatched bedroom set with no headboard. She has put a lot of things on hold in the past so we could enjoy motorcycling together. Bikes just have'nt been as big a priority to her lately. So when she brought up the missing the Harley thing-I thought I should at least listen. Well, thanks again. Gotta get on the Uly and head to work. Tim | ||
| Pso |
fastfxrs: Sounds like you are looking for a good compromise. By reviewing all your alternatives perhaps you can have it all. Paul | ||
| Lowflyer |
Good plan!  | ||
| Snub13 |
Tim, that's too bad. My wife loves the Uly. We use the "left foot on left peg and swing" method and it works well. I agree with Grimace, you should get bonus points because it's not a Harley. | ||
| Rubberdown |
Man, it's just a bike. I like seeing my sweetheart smile and hear her giggle. Go get a hog and enjoy life. You can always get another Buell down the road. | ||
| Too_tall_todd |
my wife likes the uly. she gets sore on the seat quickly though so I bought her an airhawk pillion, Much nicer. every hour or so we stop and shake the legs out and the ride is much more comfortable. about the fan, I just tell everyone that asks that it is just the demons still all riled up and wanting to play. problem solved | ||
| Stretch67 |
My wife hasn't ridden with me in years. Whew! Chalk up another one for Men's Liberation. |
