| Author | Message | ||
     Broads |
Well looks like I got take another trip to the Harley dealer. I think the latest improvements will let me pull the trigger. My main reason for not riding a Uly is/was the right side heat issue. The one I test rode really baked me. The engine re-work sounds good. Not having to deal with TPS reset will be nice. Hopefully the engine changes will help with the low speed surge. Increased steering lock also a welcome change. If they would have increased the fuel cap and announced separate dealerships for Buell, and I ride a RoadKing, I would have gotten all my wishes and more granted. | ||
| Orangeulius |
Go for it. I don't think you'll be disappointed. During the summer here in East Tennessee the right side of my 06 can get toasty but everything else makes up for it. I spent most of my motorcycle years riding dirt bikes in So Cal. This is the most fun I have had since then. And like the Hodaka I rode as a kid, this is one unique bike that I will always have special affinity for. | ||
| Heath3n |
I was hoping for brighter lights and I really, really wanted a lower seat height. I'm 5'7" with a 30" inseam. That being said, I still have full intention of getting an'08..not like I haven't owned tall bikes before (FZ1) Outside of those 2 things, I'm really happy with the changes that have been made. | ||
| Paochow |
The 08 changes make the Uly even more maintenance free than before. Change the oil and filters and you are good to go. As for the heat issue, proper riding pants work wonders along with a right side scoop. | ||
| Broads |
"And like the Hodaka I rode as a kid" Wow haven't heard the Hodaka name for a while. I used to ride/race a Bultaco Pursang. They had a couple of diff Hodakas if I remember.....One called a wombat ? | ||
| Fast_eddie_1956 |
>along with a right side air scoop< Where can you get the air scoop? | ||
| Broads |
"As for the heat issue, proper riding pants work wonders along with a right side scoop" Well the only "proper" riding pants I own are 501 jeans....lol. Been working for me for a good many years. Seriously, I felt that the heat issue was so glaring that Buell should fix it. I don't think I should have to stuff tin foil or wear special armour in order to ride a brand new bike. Sounds like Buell agrees. | ||
| Orangeulius |
Broads, Bultaco and Sachs were the other cool bikes back then. Ebay search Hodaka and sort by highest price.I am surprised by how often I can find restored classics available. I had an Ace 100 but they also had Combat Wombats and Dirt Squirts. The Bultacos were awesome. | ||
| Atoms |
The changes are welcome here - especially the fix for the surge from which I suffer from quite a bit. I also ride all year long here in Chicago, so heated grips would be great for me. But did I get everything I want? No. I would really like - more fuel capacity, - throttle lock (or cruise control) - separate clock/speedo (or did that change?) - centerstand But I'm selfishly GLAD the '08 does not have all that stuff since I've only had my '07 for a few months.  | ||
| Cyclonedon |
right side air scoop? Why? It was in the 90's both yesterday and today and I rode back and forth to Elkhart Lake both days with no problems with the right side heat everyone seams to be complaining about! I'm very happy with my 06 Ulysses, it's not for sale and I don't have any intentions of trading it either! It's a keeper! But i do plan on getting the stock hot grips on mine before winter. That was a nice improvement. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
Nope... Gas gauge, run/gallon meter for trail riding... Real Bright lights for running Rural (OFF GRID!), more fuel capacity... and where is that enduro that we were all promised ? Damn, back to the okra and little bird express for me. | ||
| Broads |
"Bultaco and Sachs were the other cool bikes back then" Hey Orange Off subject but ya gotta mention Greeves,Macos,Huskies,Czs and a bunch of Bsa 441's in Rickman Frames....when talking back in the day. | ||
| Iugradmark |
The main thing for me was to see the motorcycle continue to evolve. I think Buell got the bike basically right and the improvements each year are just making it better rather than totally leaving behind the group that made early purchases. I suspect the changes to oil pump, oil cooling, new headers, etc. are going to combine to reduce some of the heat and also reduce fan running. The press has not been kind on the heat and fan issue and I suspect it is keeping potential buyers away from this bike. If these changes improve those items, I think the Uly is poised to take off. When you look at the total cost to own other non-Japanese adventure bikes (BMW, KTM, etc.) the Buell starts to look really good. | ||
| Bobsims |
right side air scoop? Why? It was in the 90's both yesterday and today and I rode back and forth ... with no problems with the right side heat everyone seams to be complaining about! I'm very happy with my 06 Ulysses... It's a keeper! +1! I'm still new with only ~2500 miles on my '06 so far, but I also can't figure out what the big issue is with the heat. I commute daily in heavy traffic, but I normally wear ATGATT (Darien overpants). On the rare occasions I've been in jeans, I've felt some heat (appropriate to an air-cooled engine), but nothing so severe as to keep me from riding the motorcycle! FWIW, the Uly is not the first modern production motorcycle to suffer these accusations. The main thing for me was to see the motorcycle continue to evolve... just making it better rather than totally leaving behind the group that made early purchases. +1 again! It's refreshing to see that Buell is still actively developing and refining the Uly, with a lot more than just new color or trim. It's also amazing to see the improvements resulting from direct rider input after only two short production years. Bob (Message edited by bobsims on July 09, 2007) | ||
| Orangeulius |
Broads, I agree. I think I had a few dozen brain cells reconnect when I read your list. It felt good! I totally forgot about Greeves. Thanks for the memory jog. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Orangeulius, I had a 100cc Hodaka Ace. Very light and fun. Pabaco(?) imported the parts from Japan into Oregon and put the bikes together under the Hodaka name. I test rode a 125cc Combat Wobat and it was super fast compared to 100cc Ace. The guy I sold my Ace to ended his life running it in front of a train. Took the train about a mile to stop. (Message edited by electraglider_1997 on July 09, 2007) | ||
| Broads |
"but I also can't figure out what the big issue is with the heat" The heat deal is strange. I think everyone feels it to some degree. I'm not sure if some bikes are worse than others, or some folks just tolerate it better. Most bikes I've rode/owned have thrown off some sort of heat. My Klr heats up my left calf, Roadking feels like you sitting on top of a campfire when stopped in hot weather. When I rode the Uly it really bugged me, and things like that usually just get worse once you take ownership, so I passed. I'm really excited to hear that this may be fixed along with a couple other things. Looking forward to finding out | ||
| Orangeulius |
Electraglider, glad to hear from another ex hodaka owner. PABATCO stood for Pacific Basin Trading Company and the Hodaka community is still very active from what I can tell. I'll probably pick one up on ebay when the time is right. I still think, like the Hodaka, the Uly is one unique machine with limited appeal to the masses. that's fine with me. | ||
| Bottomsdown |
Yes I got what I wanted. After two test rides on a 07 Uly I knew it was the cycle I wanted to replace my trusty '81 BMW R80 G/S I've ridden for 11 years - the daddy of all dual porpoise (or is it dolphin?) bikes. After riding the Uly, manoman.. first time that I ever got back on my beemer after a test and it didn't feel better than what I had just tested. Since the 08 announcement was imminent I waited and I love the touchups. Doesn't matter a bit to me whether they junk the true Uly in a year or two for an aquabike. I've been riding an 'extinct' bike for over a decade and loving it. I've always had good air-cooled bikes. I've ridden all of them for 10 or so years and I fully expect to be on a Uly for the next decade. And it will more fun, day in and out, than any bike I've owned before. | ||
| Jmhinkle |
Right side frame heat on my bike is beyond imaginable. During the summer months you absolutely cannot touch the frame even when wearing riding pants over jeans over a kevlar firesuit. The rest of the year is tolerable, but June thru August is totally unacceptable and makes me wonder if they ever rode the development bikes in temps above 80. I really like what they did for '08, but I'll wait for the 1125 5.6gal Uly in '09 and I'll throw mine in the trash then. (Message edited by jmhinkle on July 10, 2007) | ||
| Broads |
Hmmm......Maybe I'm not so excited.....I thought the Rt side heat issue was addressed with a new design. I see by looking at the web site it's just a little plastic piece blocking the exit ......Hmmmm | ||
| Orangeulius |
The perfect bike like the perfect woman does not exist. I have a friend of mine who will never find the right partner because there is something wrong with each one. My Uly, like my wife, is not perfect. But I love em both and have many hours of enjoyment from each. I write this with my wife sitting beside me and oddly enough she is starting to put out some right side heat. Go figure.  |
