| Author | Message | ||
     Doctor_x |
Greetings.. I am new here, and am also an employee at HD Financial Services in Plano. I own an 03 Suzuki V-strom 1000, which I purchased due to the "standard" riding position, sport bike looks, usable and friendly power, and also the *capability* that it could do more than just drive down a concrete street or highway - not that I've done much off road riding on it. So after starting at HDFS, and learning about the Easy Own program (purchase program for HD employees), and doing a little reading, I have gotten very interested in a Uly... I went to the local dealer (Allen TX) and sat on one and got even more interested in it - although I have yet to ride one. I've read lots of good things about these bikes, especially as the new models roll out and fix problems the old ones had. It goes without saying that with that big v-twin thunderstorm engine, the bikes are going to have a ton of character. The one thing I'm leary of is that even though my current bike is nearly 4 years old - I love it and it is one of the best products I've ever laid my hands on. I know its like finding a needle in a haystack - but I'm posting here in hopes someone here has some experience with both the V-Strom and the Uly and can steer me in the right direction on trading my love in for a Buell. If nothing else - I'm sure the other posts will be informative in general, and I wanted to thank the mods for running the board, and allowing me access. Mark/Doc | ||
| Sleez |
talk to ferris, he owned a Vstrom, not sure which size or year and rode a Uly from Appleton to CA! he should be quite knowledgeable on this discussion! i will contact him | ||
| Sleez |
i pm'd him, he is traveling now, so it may be a little while before he posts here. i am sure he will have great amounts of input, wait patiently. lee | ||
| Chadhargis |
I've never owned a Strom, but I've ridden my friend's quite a few times. They are nice bikes, especially for the price. The Ulysses is a wonderful bike, but if you like the Strom, there really isn't a reason for you to get rid of it just because you work for HD. Unless, of course, the other employees would bash it with a baseball bat should you ride it to work.  | ||
| Etennuly |
In spite of what anyone says you gotta ride it. I have not had a Strom either, but I was looking at them before I bought my Uly. I have had, and still have Japanese motorcycles. They all have the same utilitarian feel, dirt bikes, road bikes, it doesn't matter. I felt it sitting on the V-Strom in the show room. The Buell has character. It is hard to explain ......just ride it, then decide. | ||
| Reepicheep |
I have a good friend that owns a Strom, and I test rode a Uly, and owned an M2, and own a 9sx now. The Strom is a killer bike for the price. That is both it's strength and weakness. For the price, its fantastic, but as I rode and looked at one, I saw and felt a lot of things that made it clear that it was a remarkably good value I would not blame a person for choosing either really... but if it were me I would spend more for the Uly. Don't know if I would take the depreciation hit on a trade in though... Ferris talked nice about the Strom, but was all in all fairly happy to see it go. I doubt he would have traded it for a Uly though, based on the amount of muttering about "those ^%$damn fans" I heard on last summers trip Both bikes are great, if the Uly starts to get under your skin, you might as well buy it sooner rather then later, it's just a matter of time... If it does not, your Strom is a great bike for the money! | ||
| Wildwilly |
You've got to ride it to really decide. I test rode a V-strom and felt it was a great ride. I had my mind made up to buy either a Honda VFR800 or a Buell Lightning Long. On a lark, I test rode the Uly. 12 miles later I was signing the dotted line. If a Uly test ride speaks to you, buy it. If not, keep a great bike. | ||
| Danger_dave |
I have done some saddle time and tested a V-strom. Nice bike, good value for money, better off road...and a bland truck side by side compared to an XB12X. dd | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I have ridden the same friend's bike as ChadHargis (Yeah, Mike's bike is a slut and gets around!  ). It just didn't speak to me. Those who like it, love it. Those who don't, don't. A good long test ride will tell you what you want to know. They are both good bikes. You have a good one to keep if the Uly doesn't speak to you. For me, once I rode it, it was all I could think about. If the same is the case with you, your own question will be answered. | ||
| Rams |
i looked and the v-storm and ended with a uly, no regrets | ||
| Davo |
I love my Uly for what it could be but mine has had some problems. Honestly, I would think long and hard before I would spend that kind of money again for my machine. I am looking at a more inexpensive single cylinder alternative for riding around the countryside. My bike is more of an exception than the rule. There are many very satisfied Uly owners as will testify on this website. You will enjoy the experience regardless. | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
Mark/Doc: i've little time to write these days, sorry. i've ridden both a V-Strom 1000 and a Uly across the US. i liked the V-Strom better. Ferris | ||
| Galloper |
I have a Strom and a Uly. The Strom is nice for the every day to work ride, nice smooth and comfy. The Uly brings out the hooligan in me. I say: Testride!!} | ||
| Crusty |
I have a Uly. I love it. Test ride one before you decide. (Test ride a V Strom, too) Buy the one that feels better. | ||
| Chadleys1 |
Ferris Stromer  | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
after the V-Strom it was Ferris FJR'er for a while. these days, it's Ferris Road King'er. FB | ||
| Dhalen32 |
Doctor: I don't know if it matters to you or not but I think the V-Strom has a a larger diameter front wheel. This is a good thing for off pavement riding but not necessarily for on pavement work. How you will be using your bike most often might help you with this decision. In addition, the drive chain, valve train and cooling system on the Suzuki will all require more maintenance than the Buell. Dave | ||
| Ekaphoto |
I have a 2006 V-Strom but have test rode the Uly. Both had their strong and weak points. I will try to highlite them V-strom- V-twin grunt but very smooth. Liquid cooled so slow going doesn't overheat as easy. Does well on dirt roads. very easy to ride and with a few simple and cheap to free tweeks you can get more power, but it has plenty stock and is a great bike right out the door.The engine needs very little maintance. Valve adjustments are something like 20k miles Uly- You get the low end grunt of the v-strom ,but it is a harley engine with no valve adjustments. Also no chain to mess with and air cooles is one less thing to worry about if you drop it or yearly maintance. It comes with 2 electrical adapters and THAT is handy. Trust me. The back flip up backrest/cargo carrier etc is a great idea I think all bikes should have.The low center of gravity is nice. Also you are getting something diffrent and I like that As for ergonomics, everyone is diffrent so to say one is more comfortable than the other is bullshit. everybody is built diffrent so one may fit you better and the other one me better. I would have been happy with the Uly, but went with the strom due to price (I got a great discount on my DL)and not all the bugs had been worked out of the Uly at the time. BTW it took a couple of changes in the V-Strom to get things just right as well. | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
Ekaphoto, nice assessment, jives pretty nicely with my thoughts having ridden both bikes extensively. FB | ||
| Doctor_x |
Thanks for your posts guys... I'm trying to figure out a way to get a test ride on one. The perk of working for HDFS means that I basically take the bike home for nothing. After owning the Strom for a while, a change would be good - and short of something like the Ducati Hypermotard the Uly is really the only other thing that appeals to me. Off road riding is really not of concern. If I want to ride off road, I'll buy a Honda CRF. We'll see... | ||
| Wasions |
Ft_ said: For me, once I rode it, it was all I could think about. If the same is the case with you, your own question will be answered. For me, once I saw the Ulysses, it was all I could think about. I had ridden the 1K V-Strom some 100+ miles, and although it felt strong and comfortable (with a Corbin saddle), I've never been much taken with it's styling. I had ridden the Tiger 955 in '03 and loved everything about it. When the opportunity came up to buy an '06, I decided to do the dirty deed before ever actually riding the Uly. As it turns out, I'm glad I did. I had the opportunity to test the Uly early last summer, and it left me cold. During the period of my lust for it, I thought I sought some of the 'visceral' feel/sound of a big v-twin. During the ride though, it just sort of shook (mostly, at idle) and sounded like a tractor. Elemental protection wasn't even up to the standards of my DR350. By comparison, (IMO) the Tiger sounds better, is far more comfortable, and 'feels' light years ahead technologically. I still love the look of the Uly, and would be happy to be seen with you if that's what you ride. It's just not the bike for me. As an aside, the new Tiger 1050 has gone the route of the Buell, with 17's on each end, and the way of the Suzuki (or maybe Yamaha FZ) with it's anime styling. I'll stay with the guppy. Steve | ||
| Vikingdave |
Sorry, but there is really no comparison. That Suzuki looks and handles just like a motor BOAT. The V Strom is not only funny looking but wishy-washy handling is an understatement, it's very top heavy and it understeers terribly. Go with any Buell over the V strom! |
