| Author | Message | ||
     Warbaby |
After several decades of riding and some two-dozen bikes of all types (http://www.zenfire.ws/mybikes.htm), I recently settled on a 2006 Uly as my primary bike for solo touring and mountain twisties although I wanted a XB12Ss “Long” (same 54” wheelbase/chassis as the Uly) but factory hard bags were not available for the Ss model. So, the Uly was chosen with one objection—excessive height for my 30” inseam. Since off-road ventures on a heavy bike don’t interest me, I have no need for 6.75” of ground clearance and thus decided to modify the Uly into a hybrid “XB12XS”. New Pirelli Scorpion Sync tires were mounted along with a 2006 Uly low seat and a complete suspension upgrade (to approximate XB12Ss dimensions) using a custom Penske rear shock and new fork springs with Showa’s GSX Race valving/internals up front. These suspension mods lowered the chassis 2”, expanded suspension adjustability, greatly decreased front end dive during braking, and transformed the handling into something I can only characterize as exceptional. GMD Computrack in Atlanta made the suspension calculations for the Uly with their precision optical chassis analysis machine. They ordered and installed the parts, and tuned the suspension to my weight and preferences. The side stand was also sectioned (shortened) to accommodate the lowered chassis. GMD’s work is impeccable and I heartily recommend them (http://www.gmdcomputrack.com/). The newly-modded Uly went straight from GMD's Atlanta shop to Deal’s Gap for a four day workout on the infamous Dragon and other local roads. I also happen to own an `07 Aprilia Tuono (http://www.zenfire.ws/tuono.htm) that has been well-flogged on the Dragon. The new Tuono is known for its superb handling and it just seemed natural to compare the Uly with the Tuono. The Ulysses did not disappoint...! Obviously, suspension functions and handling traits are intrinsically related, but after multiple Dragon runs, it became apparent that the Uly's new suspension is superior to the Tuono's high-grade, factory suspension for virtually any street work, and...both feet are now flat on the ground when stopped. In terms of overall handling, the Tuono turns-in a tad easier than the Uly but that’s about the biggest difference between the two and that says a lot for the Buell. Should I choose to do so, the rear can easily be raised .5” to quicken turn-in but, after all, the Uly is not a race bike. The GMD suspension doesn’t jump out at you and scream “Damn, I’m great”. Rather, it subtly elicits high confidence and smoothness by simply doing whatever is asked of it without any distracting gyrations or misbehavior. In other words, the Uly worked perfectly regardless of what I did during testing to try to upset the chassis. I incrementally increased my lean angles until I was running within 1/8” of the edges of the rear tire and the Scorpions gripped the tarmac tenaciously. Indeed, the bike handled the tight Dragon twisties well enough that I kept running up on sport bikes from behind. The ride is smooth, solid, and supremely compliant without any detectable tuning glitches. I recognize that these particular suspension mods will not appeal to many Ulysses riders (it is pricey at $1.5K to $1.9K, depending on options chosen), but several Bad Web members wanted to know how this project developed, so I'm sharing my joy. Fortunately, I actually got what I paid for--a practical ride height and flawless handling! Life is good.  Pics of the XB12XS are here: http://www.zenfire.ws/buell.htm  | ||
| Windrider |
Warbaby, Great Post! Lots of folks have expressed interest in lowering a Uly. Thanks for sharing. Enjoy that new ride. My experience was that the engine just runs better and better with time. Seems like it took about 5K miles to get it fully broken in. Happy Trails. | ||
| Buelet |
Thanks for the update! The pics & info are great. I love mine the way it is, but it'd be nice if we could attach these bags or had another similar option to the other XB family members! You definitely took the road less traveled, but it is a refreshing change. How would you compare the Tuono mirrors to the stock ones? I like the look a lot. They look (to me anyway)like the ones on the new BMW K1200R (I think). I stopped into a BMW bike dealership one Saturday afternoon to get a hands on "look" for a possible conversion, but the price of a single mirror was WAY too high, so I scrapped the idea right then and there. I figured it would only be cosmetic "upgrade" anyhow. But I LIKE the look!  | ||
| Warbaby |
I don't know the price of the Tuono mirrors since they came on my Tuono but these folks can tell you: http://www.af1racing.com/ The Tuono mirrors are lower and extend outward more than the Buell mirrors which makes the rear view more panoramic with less elbow intrusion. | ||
| Idave |
Great post Warbaby. You and the Uly look fantastic on the Dragon. You should print an enlargement and hang it on your garage wall. | ||
| Warbaby |
Thanks for the generous comments folks! I think I'll pass on the garage poster though--I'd never hear the end of it from my wife...hehehe. | ||
| Thespive |
Great info, Buell needs an S3T replacement and I think the "XB12XS" would be perfect. I would add a translucent airbox to the Uly black windscreen, along with a black CityX front fender and make it look more street oriented (no duck bill). This is a great post, thanks for the info. --Sean | ||
| Xbimmer |
Outstanding job, Warbaby! As much as I love my Uly as is you've made the bike that I believe would probably outsell the XB12X. Same as you, I was shopping originally for the Ss, but I need serious hardcase capability for my bikes. Once I read up on the Uly though, I figured that it would be the bike to carry me distance and on bad backroads. When I test rode one, I was sold. You did a great job and thanks for the pix!  | ||
| Nutsosane |
Warbaby, I met you at the Dragon last week, thanks for posting the mods. I think they'll be very useful for those that are looking for that extra push towards the Uly. However, I am not so terribly happy about you advertising the Tuono mirrors.  I had no luck finding a pair online last week and now I have to fight the rest of these Uly maniacs for a set!!LOL Again it was good to meet you and I look forward to seeing you and your Uly Low. NUTS | ||
| Warbaby |
Thespive - You got me thinking about that fender and windscreen.  Xbimmer - Thanks!  Nutsosane - It was good to meet you guys.  | ||
| Thespive |
If you do it, take a picture with the bags on it and I'll e-mail it to Erik and say, "SEE THIS IS WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT!!!" --Sean | ||
| Warbaby |
Thespive - You've got a deal.  | ||
| Sanchez |
That's pretty damn cool. You should bring it out to Stone Mountain Harley-Davidson some Thursday evening so we 3%ers can check it out. How's the lean angle with the new suspension? I find myself scraping the pegs quite a bit even at the stock ride height. | ||
| Warbaby |
The pegs scraped a few times at Deal's Gap so I'm considering peg options. Thanks for the invitation but Stone Mountain is a bit out of my range for a Thursday evening.  | ||
| Ka5ysy |
Tom- Nice setup, but I am curious why you did not start with an Xb12Ss lightning long and rework that suspension? Doug | ||
| Warbaby |
Thank you. As mentioned in my first post above, factory hard bags were not available for the "Ss" Long model. I chose the Uly for: 1 - Competent twisty handling 2 - Solo touring with factory bags 3 - Torque traits 4 - Relative light weight 5 - American  | ||
| Xbimmer |
5- American Cryin' shame Buell can't say that on the logo anymore for the XB's... I don't care how many parts are sourced elsewhere (well actually I do from a patriotic POV) or what the Gummint says we can label "American" or not. Buells are USA to the core... | ||
| Warbaby |
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| Powert |
Is there any merit in taking a XB12Ss and putting the Uly subframe/seat on it in order to use the hard bags? Or is it really more efficient to just lower the Uly? | ||
| Mb182 |
"Is there any merit in taking a XB12Ss and putting the Uly subframe/seat on it in order to use the hard bags? Or is it really more efficient to just lower the Uly?" "Official Line" is there will be interference with rear wheel and the pane where the EMC goes... Dealer up in ND has put Ss forks and shocks on a Uly tho.... most likely cheaper route than the custom fabed components.. MB "Loud Fans Save Lives"}} |
