| Author | Message | ||
     Ponti1 |
OK...I finally test rode a Uly this weekend. Got a few questions: 1) The right leg heat. Do the SpecialOps heat shields make a significant difference as to how much heat blows on your right leg? 2) Rider position. The Uly I rode was an '06 with standard seat, but it belonged to the owner of the dealership who is 6'-4". He had changed for lower, wider bars, which really left me sort of leaning with my arms almost straight down. Will the stock bars leave me in a more comfortable position, with my arms farther out in front of me? Won't the low seat help with that as well? 3) Performance. I really liked the bike, but didn't feel that it had too much over my stage 1 sportster in the power department. Hands down it handled better, but I was thinking I'd notice a HUGE difference in power as well. How big a difference over stock will I notice after I change out intake/exhaust for a better flowing system and install a race ECM? Any other recommended mods that will provide decent power gains for the money? 4) Windscreen. The tall owner had put on some massive windscreen that was almost eye-level for me, which put the wind kind of in the area of my forehead...Not very comfortable when I got it up to 90+ MPH. Where will the wind hit me with the stock windscreen? How about with the taller Buell windscreen? I'm 5'-10"... By the way, overall, I LOVED the bike. A little higher than I'm used to, but I could get used to that. The dealer is expecting an '07 XB12Ss later this month, and I'm going to try that one out as well. REALLY prefer the 2-up capability of the Uly though... Any input would be appreciated! Thanks, -Andy | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Ride one that is stock. The bike you rode was the equivalent of wearing someone else's underwear. It just isn't done, man. You rode a bike that is just perfect for someone 6'4" who wanted lower bars and a gigantic wind screen. As far as the heat thing, I am assuming you rode in just jeans? If so, the heat is worse than when in real riding pants. The heat shield does help, but it doesn't prevent the frame from heating up. If you lug it around town, it will get very hot. Mine seems to get hotter at lower rpms than at higher rpms. When I flog it, I don't notice the heat at all. | ||
| Ponti1 |
LMAO! I would have ridden one that was stock, but it was the only one they had. They won't be getting another Uly until 3rd week of July when they get their first 2008 models in stock. I did ride in jeans, but that will be most of my commuting. So for me, I don't think it's really viable to measure heat while in riding pants. Is the heat the same on all the other XBs as well, or does the Ulysses have a different setup to dissipate heat? | ||
| Roadrailer |
OK...I finally test rode a Uly this weekend. Got a few questions: 1) The right leg heat. Do the SpecialOps heat shields make a significant difference as to how much heat blows on your right leg? Never tried one myself, but I've always wondered where the blocked heat goes. It has to go somewhere. Anyone? 2) Rider position. The Uly I rode was an '06 with standard seat, but it belonged to the owner of the dealership who is 6'-4". He had changed for lower, wider bars, which really left me sort of leaning with my arms almost straight down. Will the stock bars leave me in a more comfortable position, with my arms farther out in front of me? Won't the low seat help with that as well? I think so. I'm only an inch shorter than you, and find the ergos (stock seat/bars) almost ideal. Don't know about the lower seat, although I would like to try the 07 seat. 3) Performance. I really liked the bike, but didn't feel that it had too much over my stage 1 sportster in the power department. Hands down it handled better, but I was thinking I'd notice a HUGE difference in power as well. How big a difference over stock will I notice after I change out intake/exhaust for a better flowing system and install a race ECM? Any other recommended mods that will provide decent power gains for the money? Speed only takes money. How fast do you want to go? FWIW, I've never needed more power on the street than the Uly provides. I'd ride it for a while before dumping a bunch of cash for marginal improvements. 4) Windscreen. The tall owner had put on some massive windscreen that was almost eye-level for me, which put the wind kind of in the area of my forehead...Not very comfortable when I got it up to 90+ MPH. Where will the wind hit me with the stock windscreen? How about with the taller Buell windscreen? I'm 5'-10"... I simply do not understand why someone would buy what is essentially a naked bike and tack a barn door to it. If you need that much wind protection, there are much more suitable bikes out there for you. Or just take the car. With the stock screen, the wind hit me mid-chest and was very smooth. My Cee Bailey's +2.5 (unfortunately no long in production) moves it up to my shoulders, and is also very smooth. No experience with the Buell tall screen, nor the ZG screen. Parabellum has a slightly taller screen in the design stages. By the way, overall, I LOVED the bike. A little higher than I'm used to, but I could get used to that. The dealer is expecting an '07 XB12Ss later this month, and I'm going to try that one out as well. REALLY prefer the 2-up capability of the Uly though... The Uly is a truly amazing two-up bike. Nothing else in the Buell line-up comes anywhere close. | ||
| Etennuly |
The Uly is a truly amazing two-up bike. Nothing else in the Buell line-up comes anywhere close. From my riding experience not much else in any bike manufacturer comes close for passenger comfort and room. Reserve the barn door windshield for winter weather and really bad bug seasons. The bike is so much sportier with the stock screen. You didn't state what year the bike was, an '06 is helped by opening the air box by whatever method, doing the race ECM, air filter, and exhaust makes a noticeable difference in acceleration. I have the '06 low seat and a 31" inseam, I use it for short around town commuting, it is less comfortable than the stock'06 which I use for long rides. I have ridden the '07 seat with its gel padding and slightly narrower front, it is probably better than both '06 seats, but I don't have one yet. | ||
| Ponti1 |
Speed only takes money. How fast do you want to go? FWIW, I've never needed more power on the street than the Uly provides. I'd ride it for a while before dumping a bunch of cash for marginal improvements. I guess my perception is that my sportster runs up through the RPMs nearly as quickly as the Uly. Again, it was only my perception, but it seemed like the 4th and 5th gear roll-on was even a bit sluggish on the Uly. Of course, that could just be from the stock intake and exhaust not allowing the engine to breath properly... | ||
| Ponti1 |
You didn't state what year the bike was, an '06 is helped... Sorry, I should have put that in the first sentence. I had it under issue #2...It was an '06, all stock except for the bars, windscreen, and some acrebis hand guards... | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I have the Race ECM, Race Pipe, and 07 Airbox. It rolls like a raped ape. The think I didn't like about the 07 seat is that the front is like a 2x4 in the support area. In order to make the seat narrower in the front, it feels like you are straddling a fence rail. You have to slide your butt back in the saddle to get the lateral support. If the heat issue is really a problem, the silver ceramic coated headers have been a good fix in addition to the head barrier. I am just not a fan of riding in street pants. Over pants will fix a lot of the heat issue and give you better protection. Not a gear Nazi, but I've seen bad things from folks in jeans. Chicks don't dig all scars. | ||
| L_je |
Ft_B noted, "The bike you rode was the equivalent of wearing someone else's underwear. " So, if I'm riding my wife's bike, is that like wearing her underwear? _____________________________ Heat: Every bike that puts 80+ hp to the rear wheel puts out as much heat as the Uly. It's just that the Uly (any XB) puts you a little closer to it. Not much quicker than an XL: Funny, but I had the same initial impression from my 12X. Though, after doing many miles (~1000?) beside an XL1200, I can tell you that the Uly will take the XL anytime, any gear. | ||
| Oldnotbold |
Funny, but I had the same initial impression from my 12X. Though, after doing many miles (~1000?) beside an XL1200, I think part of that is the height. I don't feel like I'm going near as fast as the speedo says. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Ft_B noted, "The bike you rode was the equivalent of wearing someone else's underwear. " So, if I'm riding my wife's bike, is that like wearing her underwear? The way she rides, hers will have skid marks!  | ||
| L_je |
Get owwwwwt of our hamper! | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
 Buwahahahah! "Hey, diaper lady!" -FB | ||
| Ponti1 |
Not much quicker than an XL: Funny, but I had the same initial impression from my 12X. Though, after doing many miles (~1000?) beside an XL1200, I can tell you that the Uly will take the XL anytime, any gear. I think part of that is the height. I don't feel like I'm going near as fast as the speedo says. So, it's really just more of a perception then, perhaps due to the lower seat height on the XL? Can I assume then that an XB12Ss or XB12TT would also feel a bit slower than the XB12Scg? The heat thing wasn't necessarily a real issue for me, but was definitely noticeable, and something that I'd like to minimize however possible. Thanks to all for the info...Sounds like everything I am concerned about can be overcome fairly easily. One more question...Has anyone tinkered with either a bit larger front, or a bit smaller rear pulley? I'm wondering if the gearing could be made just a tad taller without really affecting normal street riding (low/mid power)...If the pulley size is a bad route, is there a 6-speed gearbox available anywhere? | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Pont1, Your best bet is to change the gearing inside the primary cover unless you plan to go to a chain drive. Finding pulleys that match your belt would be difficult. Many have changed to the 9 gearing (Look on Americansportbike.com. They sell it as a kit.). Are you wanting the bike to wind out slower and run at lower RPMs throughout each gear or are you wanting the bike to wind out faster and run at slightly higher RPMs throughout each gear? I would think a taller gear would make putting around in first gear in traffic agony. | ||
| Bmwdavid |
1-I don't really notice much right side heat. I wear jeans. However I think most Asian bikes have more heat issues. 2-I'm 5'11" with a stock '06 Uly. Seating is pretty much upright with a bit of a reach forward to the bars. All in all quite comfy. 3-Performance. My '06 is stock with the exception of an '07 air box cover. Sure its not a superbike as I've had my share of them However my '06 does run very strongly and for the most part I'm quite satisfied with the engine. I've had my share of Sporty's that had some work on them. My Uly feels stronger. 4-I run a stock windscreen. Works great for me. I'm out in the clean smooth air...no noise or buffeting. 5-Great bike for two up! David | ||
| Ponti1 |
Ft_bstrd: I was thinking of going slightly taller on the gearing. Not drastically, but slightly. No real interest in tighter gearing, just the potential of going a little faster and/or cruising at around 100 without revving quite as high. I'd like a top end of 150-160, but don't want to sacrifice low/mid-range to get it. So, I'm probably stuck until a 6-speed is available. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Sixth gear would be nice, but I don't think it's necessary. If you're coming off an XL, top end cruising RPMs will definitely be higher than you are used to. 80 MPH runs right about 4,000 RPMs, whereas on your XL, you would probably be running around the 3,200 RPM range. I keep my bike spooled up around the 4,000-4,500 range all the time, so I am used to it. Run it up to 130 MPH and 4,000 RPM at 80 doesn't feel so bad. | ||
| Ponti1 |
Sixth gear would be nice, but I don't think it's necessary. If you're coming off an XL, top end cruising RPMs will definitely be higher than you are used to. 80 MPH runs right about 4,000 RPMs, whereas on your XL, you would probably be running around the 3,200 RPM range. I keep my bike spooled up around the 4,000-4,500 range all the time, so I am used to it. Run it up to 130 MPH and 4,000 RPM at 80 doesn't feel so bad. You're absolutely right. It's likely that I'm just not thinking of the difference in the bikes. I was thinking that over 4000-4500 was not really good for a longer period of time, what with it being air cooled and all. Thanks for the comparison of your riding habits! That really got me looking at a different perspective... | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Keeping your Buell between 3000 and 3500 RPM would suck. Below 3000 and it bucks, spits, bitches and moans. Your bike likes to scream. You just have to retrain your brain as to what is normal in the engine vibration and sound area. I would hazzard a guess that your XL never, EVER saw the rev limiter. Not a fault of the bike, but it just doesn't like it when you take it there. You're Buell is good right up to the rev limiter. It is a streetfighter hooligan and doesn't like it when you don't ride it accordingly. | ||
| Orangeulius |
I think the race ECM and pipe is a significant improvement. The bike seems smoother at low speeds, pings less, pulls better and sounds freakin awesome. Best investment yet for my 06 along with adding the 07 airbox. I still use the Buell tall screen over the stock and am trying to find something, maybe a zero G that doesnt have the lip. I like the 07 seat but you do have to sit back into it. I will probably raise my handlebars to compensate. I almost have the bike setup perfect for me, but everybody likes something different. Buy it and tweak it to your liking. | ||
| Jmhinkle |
"Below 3000 and it bucks, spits, bitches and moans." The '07 airbox and ECM map stopped that on my bike and made it smooth and happy from 2K up. The Drummer made it happy from 1.5k and up. There is a 1 mile, 25 mph speed zone residential area that spits me into my work drive way. I can cruise thru there in 3rd or 4th without issue or noise from the Drummer at 6AM when I get off work. "I like the 07 seat but you do have to sit back into it" I did when I first got mine because the ledge was extremely noticeable in the front to rear transition. After about a month, I started to sit on those humps all the time and found them comfortable. Now, after 9 months with the seat, I have no humps or transitions and the whole seat is useable and comfy. | ||
| Supertoon |
Thats good to hear, as I agree that the "ledge" sorta tainted my wanting to like the 07 seat. Although after about 500 miles it already seems to be less apparent. Joel, was that the famous 07 reflash to the 06 ecm, I am thinking about doing exactly the same mod along with the 07 airbox cover and the drummer.... | ||
| Jmhinkle |
Yes it was and has been very troublesome for some to procure, some of us have had no problems at all. Actually, the airbox alone cured all the bucking, surging issues. The reflash fixed the low MPG issues that came after the box swap. | ||
| Etennuly |
I love riding this here Uly of mine! I have cruised 95 to 100 MPH for over fifty miles at at time. It does seem like a lot of RPM, and it seems to be happy there, and it gets so totally smooth once you get acclimated to the speed and the sound of the engine singing near 4700 + RPM. Yeeeehahhh! I just got back from a fifty mile sprint on such a beautiful night!  |
