| Author | Message | ||
     Radegast |
I know it's more of the same. I've been lurking around a while. I've actually owned two Buells, an 03 XB9R (wifes) and an 01 X-1. I was also a member here, but it was short lived. (you may remember Nemo the Clown bike) I currently ride an 04 Z1000 and am very happy with it, but I want something alittle more comfy. A lot of shopping has lead me to the GS and the Uly. Now I have a few questions. 1) Reliability. Due they still have cylinder temp probe problems? Does the fan blow hot air on your thigh? Do the primaries need adjusting every oil change? 2) Power. I've read stories of guys upgrading from KLR's and the like, are there any former sport bike riders? Am I going to miss the Missle-like-acceleration? 3) Touring. I want this bike for 400-500 mile days. Is this realistic? Can it do 200 miles on a tank of gas? Will it run 90-100 mph pretty easily? I've done a lot of surfing, searching, and such. It looks like the GS's are about $8000 over priced. Did you buy a Uly to thumb your nose at Beamer or because it's the best value? Any former GS owners? What do you miss? What don't you miss? Sorry about all the usual "shopping" questions, but I figure it might give you all a chance to revise your previous answers and help a guy make up his mind.... again. hahaha thanks. I'll see if I can find some "Clown Bike" pictures in your archives. | ||
| Panhead_dan |
Yes, you do seem to need answers. I don't have them all but I can tell you that the bike will cruise at 100 all day long and get to 100 quickly. It will go much faster but that was not your question. The primary drive will require an adjustment after initial break in but only checked at each oil change afterword. The adjustment is very simple. It's a stud with a jam nut, much like a cam chain adjuster on a jap bike. Cake. The fan blows hot air out both sides behind your thighs and the heat from the fan is only noticeable when stopped. It's great for warming your hands. Your riding buddies will want to use it for this when they see you do it. There is some heat on your right thigh but it's not from the fan, it's from the rear exhaust header, in my opinion. I have never considered it a problem. Some riders do and there is a fix for it if it is a problem for you. The amount of power the Uly has is engineered for the real world. It has enough torque to loft the front end in the first 3 gears and is extremely satisfying. It will not do 105 in first gear or run up to 186 mph but then that's not real-world power, is it? I've had some fast bikes and I don't feel like I'm missing anything. Especially when I enter a corner marked at xx mph at double that speed routinely and with confidence. That's where the fun is at! I get 180 miles on a tankful and am aware of no head temp probe problems. It is very comfy on the highway and I would be willing to ride it anywhere, anytime. | ||
| Jmhinkle |
Here is my .02 (which is worth about .0001 to anyone else but me): 1) There are no cylinder temp probe problems at all. The bikes do run hot and there are several different theories as to what is the cause and how to fix it. I'm currently testing my own theories and it's working quite well. The fan does blow hot air out of the right side until you buy Odie's blankets and then it works as should. The baking right leg is part of the character of a Buell. It is caused by the rear header which also heats the right side of the frame. Coated headers are supposedly the fix. My primary needed a lot of adjustment at 1K because it was too tight. It took me 5 whole minutes maybe and hasn't needed any since. 2)I find the power much more usable than any crotch rocket I've ever ridden. Pulls like a tractor from bottom to top. That's the joy of big v-twin torque. I personally would have liked maybe 2k more RPM as it seems to hit redline before it's done. My bike has also bounced off the rev limiter in fifth several times and had no problems getting there. I don't have to shift gears for any throttle inputs either. Will it do 180MPH? No, but it will exceed the speed limit fast enough to get you in trouble with the law. 3)With an '07 seat you could probably tour that much easily on it. I personally don't find any bike comfortable after 200 miles, but that is just me. Many people travel great distances on their Uly's and love it. A full tank without stopping is my limit before the knees, arse, wrists, and shoulders start complaining. I have not gotten 200 miles on a tank yet. The best tank mileage I've seen was 180ish before filling up. The best gas mileage I've seen was right at 60 once, but that was 121 miles on 2 gallons exactly and I had to fill up because I knew I wouldn't make it to the next gas station. Mostly I see 46-50. It will run 90-100 easily, but that might explain my lower gas mileage. I bought my Uly because my local Suzuki dealer wouldn't make a deal on the V-strom that had been on his showroom floor for 8 months. I was totally planning on buying a Vstrom because it has the best bang for the buck in this category to me. When he wouldn't take the cash I was waving in his face, he pissed me off for the last time. I went and road a Uly and loved it. I pretty much fell into a great deal on a brand new one and have been so happy I didn't by the Vstrom ever since. I personally hate Beemers because they are ass ugly, too boring to ride, and have absolutely zero bang for the way to many bucks of them. But again, that is just what several test rides and dealership visits have made me feel about them. They are just not the bike for me. They sure do make the rest of my RiderCoach colleagues happy though. | ||
| Crusty |
I'm not going to repeat what the previous posters said. I just want to say that I put 18,000 miles on my Uly in my first year of ownership, have done two 750 mile days, two 650 mile days and a lot of 500 mile days. It's been trouble free. I normally fill up at around 175 miles. I find it comfortable. I bought it because it feels better than anything else out there, and meets my needs. | ||
| Retired_cop |
I will second what the other have stated and add passenger comfort if you are going two up. We have an 06, stock and got rid of a 2000 ElectraGlide Classic for the ULY. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Can't complain about my ULY. It is very fun to ride. Buy one, but keep your Kaw around for awhile and see which one calls to you more. I'll bet it's the Buell. | ||
| Thelumox |
radegast- no,yes,no,probably,yes,yes,almost,yes,no,yes,unkno wn,unknown. i have several bikes, and the uly gets most of the miles. | ||
| Etennuly |
Agree with the above. I have done the 700 mile days. My butt was sore when I arrived at my destination, I was off the bike for 30 minutes and everyone there said lets ride, I hopped on it and cruised around for another couple of hours no problem. I use the '06 stock seat for long rides. Cruising at a sustained 80 to 100 mph, my reserve light came on at 165 miles, about 40-41 MPG, I have done 225 miles on a tank on back roads cruising under 55 mph. I was less than 1/10 of a gallon from walking. All of my other bikes, my boat/ fishing gear, golf clubs, and my property projects have been totally ignored since I bought the Uly. It is looking bad for that stuff this year too! | ||
| Windrider |
1) Reliability. Due they still have cylinder temp probe problems? Does the fan blow hot air on your thigh? Not that I know of. The fan does blow hot air. Doesn't bother me a bit but some are bothered by it. If you ride a lot in really hot weather it might be an issue for you. Do the primaries need adjusting every oil change? No. I have adjusted mine once in 8K miles. Very easy to check and adjust. 2) Power. I've read stories of guys upgrading from KLR's and the like, are there any former sport bike riders? Am I going to miss the Missle-like-acceleration? I traded from a KLR to the ULY but I have also ridden sport bikes in my past. The power from the Uly mill is wonderful for street use. If you ride on the street, you should find everything you lust for .... the engine will surprise you how the last 1/3 is missing as compared to a typical sportbike but the first 2/3 are simply wonderful. 3) Touring. I want this bike for 400-500 mile days. Is this realistic? Can it do 200 miles on a tank of gas? Will it run 90-100 mph pretty easily? I have ridden 410 miles on mine in 6 hours and I was not looking to get off of it then. It is a very comfortable touring mount. On road trips I get right at the 190 -200 mile mark before the fuel light comes on... then it is 35-40 miles until you are walking. Commuting I get about 160-180 miles until the fuel light comes on. I really like the fuel light system on the Uly... it is much better than a manual reserve valve system. Range is adequate for me. The Uly is very comfortable at speeds from 60 - 100 MPH for extended times. Check out your dealer before you buy. Some HD dealers don't take good care of Buells. Talk to the owner and the service manager before you buy and make sure that speak Buell. | ||
| Stevem123 |
Buells are like the BORG. YOU WILL BE ASSIMILATED! BC Steve | ||
| Campjo04 |
I was looking at another BMW GS when I saw the Uly. Previously I had a 1100GS which I really missed and got me back looking for a big adv bike. The Uly feels lighter, and more controlable, and much more fun. I do miss the GS's para-lever front end & ABS. The Buell looks like it will be fairly maint free. Also, American made is plus. | ||
| Thunderbox |
I did Canada from one side to the other 2 up and I can tell you it is the best all around motorcycle I have ever owned. Not once did either of us have asore but and we did lts of miles in a day. I never once thought I needed more jam than she gave me. | ||
| Radegast |
Thanks to all. I loved my X-1, right up until I had fuel inj. problems. The dealer just couldn't fix it. I know it was a different bike, but it's hard to take that step after such a bad experience. I love twins and the power delivery. I did hit the rev limiter a lot on the X-1, but I ride differently now, a little more conservative. I know the primary is nothing to adjust, I used to do mine all the time. But it seemed like mine needed it about every 500 miles. I guess maybe all of these bugs are worked out. I'm gonna shop and test drive, etc., but it's sounding much more appealing than another sport/nekkid/ touring bike... and I hate cruisers...can't stand up on the pegs.  Again, thanks for being patient with me. | ||
| Old_mil |
1) Reliability. Due they still have cylinder temp probe problems? Does the fan blow hot air on your thigh? Do the primaries need adjusting every oil change? {2) Power. I've read stories of guys upgrading from KLR's and the like, are there any former sport bike riders? Am I going to miss the Missle-like-acceleration? 3) Touring. I want this bike for 400-500 mile days. Is this realistic? Can it do 200 miles on a tank of gas? Will it run 90-100 mph pretty easily? Reliability - at least compared to newer BMWs - is excellent, and you'll pay a great deal less for parts and service. Furthermore, by spending less you'll have the added benefit of never again having to deal with a BMW dealer. A great touring bike that would easily manage 400-500 mile days. I usually like to be in a gas station at around 180 miles, but I'm paranoid that way. I've run 85 (10+) comfortably without a problem all day long. As far as power, well, it's no Ducati 1098. But it will match my 800 supersport's acceleration readily. Course it has 400 more CCs, too... Really, the only issue that I'd see with the Uly is the height issue. While the 2007 is better than the 2006, it is a tall bike. Realistically, I'm not going to be able to hang hard luggage on mine and tour without first lowering it. Unladen around town, not a problem. (Message edited by Old_Mil on April 09, 2007) | ||
| Radegast |
Thanks Mil, Inseam for myself is not an issue (34 in). My main concern is that ol' Sportster motor. I need to be able to do 800+ mile weekend rides... worry free. I'm currently riding an 04 Z1000. Needless to say, the Z is not really made for that. Now motorwise, the Z is great for that, and extremely reliable. It just isn't quite comfy like that Uly looks to be. I'm getting older and Comfy sounds good! I found a used '06 local I'm gonna call on tomorrow (at a HD dealer) Maybe he'll gimme a good deal. Looks to have bags already. | ||
| Thunderbox |
Go For it but ask about the history the dealer has on the bike and all the repair it may have had. | ||
| Radegast |
I'm going for a test ride Saturday. '06 Orange with bags. Has 6100 miles. I think the price is a little high, but they may have some wiggle room. They'll have to drop it about a grand for me to take them serious, but maybe at least I'll get a ride out of it. | ||
| Trapper |
Looks like there has already been more than a little good info. However thought I'd add just a little more. I have been riding motorcycles for close to 50 years and find the Uly very comfortable even on long rides. My last bike was a HD Ultra Classic and had decided I wanted something more suitable for the kinds of roads one finds riding to the North Slope in Alaska. I had narrowed my quest down to a GS or a Uly. So, one morning I went to my closest BMW dealer and took out a GS for a good test ride on high speed roads as well as back roads, twisties and gravel. Then after lunch I went to my local HD dealer and took out a Uly over the same kinds of roads/trails. When I got back, having both rides fresh in my mind, I bought the Uly. That was last July. I still feel I made a good decision. My advise is ride each of the bikes you are thinking about, in close order, then pick the one you feel best with. Which ever you choose, maintain it well and ride often and be safe in how you ride it. Enjoy yourself! -Trapper |
