| Author | Message | ||
     Davegess |
Reg's 1000 mile day on a Uly is out in American Rider. Worth picking it up for the read. (Message edited by davegess on December 14, 2006) | ||
| Bienhoabob |
Thanks, I'll have to go and pick one up. | ||
| Daves |
Me too Always like Reg's writings. | ||
| Crusty |
Just got my copy today. It's a good read. | ||
| Regkittrelle |
The constraints of a monthly mag means that a bunch of detail never gets printed. If you've questions about my experience with the Ulysses, I'd be happy to answer them. | ||
| Blake |
How many cute... err... what was your average speed on the road and mpg? | ||
| Blake |
Also, the following has been bothering me for some time now. If I see two or more Cyclones, I say "look at those "Cyclones"; if Firebolts, I say "Firebolts"; Lightnings are "Lightnings" etc and so on. But if I see more than one Ulysses, how should I declare them in plural? "Ulyssi"? ![: ]](http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/clipart/proud.gif) | ||
| Duck |
Ulys are Ulys....:>  | ||
| Frankf |
>The constraints of a monthly mag means that a >bunch of detail never gets printed. If you've >questions about my experience with the >Ulysses, I'd be happy to answer them. Sure, post the article here so I don't have to buy the damn rag. I always looked for your stuff in Thunderpress. | ||
| Regkittrelle |
Frankf... If you look for my stuff in Thunder Presss.... you'll be looking a long time: I sold that newspaper several years ago. Also, due to copyright issues I cannot post the article, ver batim, here. Blake: Distance 1,101.64 miles Time; overall 23hrs, 4 minutes Time, moving 19hrs, 43 minutes Time, stopped 3 hrs, 21 minutes Avg. speed, moving 55.8 mph Avg. speed, overall 47.7 mph Altitude range Sea level to 9,628-feet Temperature range 44f (est.) to 105F (documented) Overall MPG 41.2 Entries 34 Finishers 25 I used a Garmin 60C gps unit. It's a handheld with large field numbers... the reason I used it. I wasn't concerned with maps, just a steady readout of my progress. The Passport Solo saved me a good half-doen times. My approach to this event was a bit too casual. I've done these before, so I thought I knew what to expect. The problem was that my previous experiece was on routes set up by, primarily, touring riders, i.e. long, high-speed stretchs. This event.... as I mentioned in the article... was the product of a special niche in our sport: Very high speed night riders on mountain roads. The article was incomplete in that there was no space for the map. If you're interested, I can send a Garmin file to whomever would like one. Briefly,it was a quick lap from Lancaster to Lake Isabella, then a winding, technical route in the Sierras that included Sonora, Monitor and Ebbetts passes. From that a fast connector took us to Hollister and Hiways 25 and 198 to 33; A particularly dangerous route. The major problem for me was lack of speed. Unfortunately I was the very last rider out of the starting gate, so I was playing catch up all day/night. However, the absolute (Garmin verified) top speed that I could eke from the Uly was 113. (Note: If you'll look at the picture in the article you'll see that I strategicly placed a piece of tape over the top speed readout... didn't was speed nazis to come down on AR). Given that I was in an event with several bikes that quite easily maintained 130-140mph, well, you do the math. This differential really came to light on Hiway 33 between Coalinga and Maricopa: This section was the race track! Mostly straight, and seldom patrolled in the middle of the night, I was continuously zapped by the faster bikes. Let us not be too hard on the Buell, though. First off, The upright riding position, a tank bag,soft luggage, and my Aerostich all served to raise the CD to a ridiculous number, I'm sure. Without these air anchors I'm think the Big Guy would have seen 120mph... a reasonable amount of speed for a bike of this ilk. The biggest deficiency was/is the lights: Not at all adequate for anything but plodding night riding. I fitted an old ('bout 10 years) set of Motolights that helped immeasurably.I was amazed at the lighting systems used by many of the competitors. Highly illegal these lights cut a swath through the canyons that had to be seen to be believed. In fact, the riders that I spoke to re these lights all said they could ride faster at night than during the day. Another huge advantage is that they scare critters off. I came away from this event very impressed with the Ulysses. Particularly so as it was a press "beater." Through the tight stuff in the mountains it was a hoot to ride. It was also quite comfortable. As to how to refer to multiple bikes... "Here comes a Ulysses. Look there's another one." | ||
| Sleez |
reg, great write up, thanks. i remember monitor pass as a kid, always loved the sight down into the valley, always knew we were close to the summer campground where we met my grandparents every year. i have a favorite pic with ferris and myself overlooking that valley taken by dr steve on the way to old hwy 40 motorcycle days a few years ago! you may remember that, had a wonderful time watching battletrax for the first time. | ||
| Kuuud |
Reg, Loved the article. I ALWAYS make time to read every word when I see your byline. Bret | ||
| Davegess |
<sure,> Buy it so they can keep paying Reg (and occasionally me) to write neat stuff. It is worth the pittance you pay, some neat stuff in ths month. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Great to hear about another Uly article from Reg; I'll be looking for it this afternoon. One thing- I just picked up my new 07 Uly last week (after having lusted for one continuously since reading Reg's extended article right after they were introduced). I don't get the complaints about the lighting. My motorcycling experience is admittedly limited; the Uly is my 3rd bike. The first was (is) a 1983 Honda VT500FT Ascot. Rectangular headlight; adequate and nothing more. Next was a 2000 Buell S3. Virtually identical headlight setup to the Ascot, except the light is mounted to the fairing and therefore doesn't turn with the forks. Seems OK. Finally, my 2007 Ulysses. Wow, even the low beam headlight throws a nice, wide swath of light; I'm impressed. I guess the Uly such an improvement over what I've had before I don't know enough to complain. Try riding an 83 Honda Ascot up (very twisty) highway 129 from Franklin, NC to Robbinsville for the first time ever in the dark leading two guys on sport bikes through a 30 minute downpour with no raingear and the temp at ~60 degrees. Maybe that event helped me develop "super night vision" or something...  How much better are the headlights on other bikes, what bikes are they, and why are the lights so much better? | ||
| Daves |
Try riding my 62 Panhead with it's 6 volt powered headlight at night! I have flashlights that put out more light. | ||
| Rubberdown |
Why could the ULy only "eke" out 113 mph? That dosen't seem right. | ||
| Old_mil |
>Try riding my 62 Panhead with it's 6 volt >powered headlight at night! >I have flashlights that put out more light. No kidding! I have to admit, I love the Uly's lights often finding myself riding around at night with the low beam on and nothing else. It's the first motorcycle that I've had where I didn't feel the need to upgrade the headlights (the others: R1150RT, K1200GT, K1200R, HD Sportster, HD Dyna, S3T)...I wonder if it's the bike's height (taller than anything else I've ever owned) that makes me think this. Even stuck some fork mounted motolights on the S3T. | ||
| Jlnance |
But if I see more than one Ulysses, how should I declare them in plural? "Ulyssi"? That would be: Look at those Cool Buells! | ||
| Jim_sb |
Hi Reg, If the Uly's top speed was a limiting factor at night I would consider that a good thing. Too many critters are out at night. At ton up speeds a cat, dog, possum, raccoon or deer could ruin your ride and then some. Best, Jim in Santa Barbara | ||
| Regkittrelle |
ah yes... Jim: You're of course correct: Totally irresponsible, childish, immature, careless, illegal, self-serving and I'm sure my dearly departed mother would not approve, and there is a special place in hell marked for miscreants like myself. Of course this probably explains why I ride alone/no one wants to ride with me. Next issue, please. The lights: Sorry guys, I cannot agree with you re the adequacey of the lights under the conditions I used them. To imply that the lights are just fine if the motorcycle is ridden within its limits begs the question. To wit, why have any vehicle, for example, that has an ounce more power than is necessary to meet the prevailing speed limit? Or for that matter, why motorcycles? Stick four people in a Prius and the equivalent mpg probably exceeds 100; silly useless motorcycles The fact is--- and official denials will be issued left and right--- these endurance events cannot be completed without exceeding the speed limit. And about that speed... As I explained, the wind drag on my set up was quite significant. I've never tried a top speed run on an Ulysses, but I'd be quite surprised if it exceeded 120mph by much. | ||
| Jim_sb |
Reg, You pay your money, you take your chances. I've taken more than a few myself as well. For me 140++ mph at night, especially on the roads you were covering, just isn't going to happen. It's not that I can't do it; I just choose not to do it. We've all got our own limitations. I don't mind saying that's one of mine. I agree that the lighting simply is not adequate for those speeds at night unless you are strong with The Force. Good luck, Jim in Santa Barbara | ||
| Regkittrelle |
Jim... 140mph at night on those roads is not for me either. I seriously doubt that had the Big Unit been capable of those speeds that I would have attempted them. There were sections, during the daylight hours, where very high speeds were.... uh, reasonable. | ||
| Hughlysses |
The lights: Sorry guys, I cannot agree with you re the adequacey of the lights under the conditions I used them. To imply that the lights are just fine if the motorcycle is ridden within its limits begs the question. To wit, why have any vehicle, for example, that has an ounce more power than is necessary to meet the prevailing speed limit? Or for that matter, why motorcycles? Stick four people in a Prius and the equivalent mpg probably exceeds 100; silly useless motorcycles Reg, I don't doubt that anything close to stock headlights would be inadequate for the ride you were doing. My point was that I have seen quiet a few riders here and at advrider complain about how lousy the Uly's headlights are. I'm just asking what other stock bikes are out there with much better lighting, and how much better is it? | ||
| Jim_sb |
Regarding the lights - the Ulysses is my 5th motorcycle and it has the best lights of any I have owned. So I think they're very good, but not great. Riding ton up at night IMHO you want GREAT lighting. Daytime speeds - lets just say I know how fast my S2 would go wide open, how fast my Ulysses goes wide open, and I've had both of them airborne at speeds over the ton. So I understand the boys will be boys program. But I do tend to pick and choose my moments of indiscretion. I also ride with a crew that will leave you in the dust if you're "only" willing to do 120mph in the straights. Sheesh, they've got tickets going faster than that two-up 'fer cryin' out loud. So yeah, sometimes I get left behind for a little bit. Then again this other riding buddy of mine has a real problem. He's been clocked at over 200mph.... Some times you've just got to let 'em go it on their own. :-) Jim in Santa Barbara | ||
| Daves |
Reg, if it helps, my mother doesn't approve of how I ride either  I'd love to ride with you someday! | ||
| Regkittrelle |
Hugh, I've a Duc Multistrada and a H-D Road Glide. Both of these lighting systems are superior to the U. In particular, I like having the ability to change the headlight angle on the Duc while on the fly. As an aside: One of the things that has turned me off about web "chats" such as this is that the Big Dick issue always.. er... pops up. The speeds I mentioned were in the context of the event, they were not meant to imply any hero status on my part. The fact is, were I to ride with, say, the friends you mention, Jim, they would have left me in the dust long before 120 was reached. I carefully pick my venues and conditions for speeding and seldom, if ever, do they include riding with friends. As strange as it my sound, I try and be stupid in a smart way, and part of that is to risk no one but myself. | ||
| Regkittrelle |
Daves... Gimme a call when you get a moment: 831.234.0042 | ||
| Jim_sb |
Hello Reg, I certainly was not trying to rain on your parade; or to make your posts here unpleasant for you. Motorcycling is like flying an airplane. Both endeavors are incredibly unforgiving of mistakes or lapses in judgment. I have done both for many years; my in-laws often point out it may kill me one day and my response always is "then you'll know I died doing something I love". Regardless of what my personal limitations are, there is always someone who will do more and someone who won't do as much. Neither concerns me whatsoever; I do what I'm willing to do and no more. Well, except on my dirt bike where my buddies constantly sucker me into terrain beyond my abilities. Apparently these twisted souls get intense pleasure out of watching me crash which is something at which I excel. We each must define our own limitations and act accordingly. Unless you're on a dirt bike; then you have to try to follow the group or they put a skirt on ya'. Best, Jim in Santa Barbara | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
I rarely exceed 80 to 90 mph for a number of reasons. Tickets, animals, murphy's law. I honestly believe that those who temp fate ALWAYS pay the piper. Things that I used to do 25 years ago I won't do today. Hell of a thing to get older. | ||
| Jlnance |
About the lights. I have to confess I find them lacking. I rode the Blue Ride Parkway last summer with Rubberdown and M2nc. The section we were on frequently had unlit tunnels. To help matters out, the roads curve inside the unlit tunnels.  When riding from bright sunshine into the tunnels, I would not see the walls with the Uly lights. When Rubberdown was behind me on his 1150ST I could see fine. That bike has much better lights than the Uly. |
