| Author | Message | ||
     Electraglider_1997 |
I got a strong feeling that the 1125 Rotax engine and 5.6 gallon frame is going to be used for an upcoming issue of our beloved Ulysses. I would love to have that 146 hp and extended mileage with the larger tank. I have no idea what if any the heat issues will be with that hot rod engine, but we will find that out from the luck first 10,000+ owners. Yes, that's right, I'm guessing that Buell will sell at least 10,000 1125R's within its first year. I'm not a sport bike guy but even I think he's hit a home run with this bike. The bike mags are going to be tripping all over each other to write nice things about Buell's water-cooled bike. Back to my prediction about a water-cooled ULY. Remember that the Harley twin cam motor was rolled out across the bigtwin bike line over about 3 years. The Dyna's didn't get it at first. They've got to get the kinks out of the new engine before going completely across the Buell line. I imagine they worry about recalls and it would be better to find out about problems on just one model than to have a system wide recall. Also on another note. I asked Erik (at homecoming) about a Buell police bike and he said that they are working on it. He may have been pulling my chain but you never know. | ||
| Chinook |
The police bike thing might have merits. And from the business side it makes sense, given all the PD's that are currently on H-D's. That would be cool, unless of course I'm the one getting pulled over! | ||
| Paochow |
I hope that 146hp engine has a smooth delivery. I spin the tire on my 100hp Uly quite a bit in the sloppy stuff offroad as is. I'm definitely in for the increased fuel capacity and 6th gear. | ||
| Bertotti |
2010 Ulys use new super strong composite frames dropping the dry weight down to around 300 lbs. | ||
| Broads |
"I would love to have that 146 hp and extended mileage with the larger tank." I am all for the larger fuel cap, but as far as the engine goes....keep it simple! One of the major draws for me is a low maint, torqey motor. The new plant has its place, but not in the Uly ! | ||
| Bosh |
I am all for the larger fuel cap, but as far as the engine goes....keep it simple! One of the major draws for me is a low maint, torqey motor. The new plant has its place, but not in the Uly ! +1 on that. I like the engine (on the 12X) as is, simple and relatively maintenance free as possible. I think Buell hit the nail on the head with the 08 Uly. 146hp / 10500RPM is too much for a bike that specializes in rough "roads". | ||
| Jammin_joules |
"Remember that the Harley twin cam motor was rolled out across the bigtwin bike line over about 3 years. The Dyna's didn't get it at first. " Actually it was two, the softail was delayed because they introduced it in 2000 as a TwinCam B motor, balanced system on the crank shaft. Dynas and FLHs got it in 1999, and it was the rubber mount A motor. I think an adventure bike needs low rpm torque, not high rpm horsepower, and the only advantage of a 6-spd will be if it gets rid of the too-tall first gear for true slow speed dirt maneuvering. I do think that a water cooled motor is not going to have a heat issue for the rider because air flow will be directed through a radiator and away, plus lowering the overall external air temp effects. (water boils at 212, 225-230 under pressure, air cooled cylinder heads run 460-480) Radiator, water, mass centralization on a tall clearance bike.... I have been wrong once, maybe three times in life, but I think the 1125r drive train is not suited for adventure riding for these and a host of other reason. | ||
| Jmhinkle |
Having owned several Rotax motors and looking at the almost Diesel like torque curve of the 1125 I would have to say it is perfectly suited for the Ulysses. I would give my Uly up in a heart beat for one with the 1125 and 5.6 fuel capacity. Not because of the 146 HP, but because of the experiences I have had with Rotax motors and the desperate need for water cooling my bike suffers from. | ||
| Chadhargis |
Same here. When the Uly comes out with the 1125 engine, I'll be selling my 2006 Ulysses to someone who wants the old aircooled motor. Maybe XB Buells will become like old airhead BMWs. Some beemerphiles thing the airhead engine is the best engine ever made, progress be damned. Because of that, airhead beemers enjoy a very good used market. Me? I'll take the Rotax motor please...Same torque as the air cooled motor, more power if I need it, water cooling for those times when you get stuck in traffic, and finally being able to break the stigma of a Buell being a "Harley sportbike". With no Harley parts in it...what will my buddies tease me about now?? LOL!  | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
I think that water cooling opens up a whole bunch up opportunities for the ULY. Don't think for a moment that the 1125Rotax engine is the only thing in the works for Buell. Without the large cooling fins of the air-cooled engine and the need to leave as much of the fins exposed to facilitate air cooling, the frame gas tank can then be enlarged as they have done on the 1125Rotax. The Rotax engine also simplifies the rear shock mount, eliminates rubber mounting, eliminates remote swing-arm oil reservoir and it's oil lines, and the only negative is valve adjustment(?). 5.6 gallons of gas at 50mpg gives 250 miles between fill-ups with a .6 gallon reserve. Don't even forget the six speed tranny, something that a lot of us have wished for on the ULY. And it doesn't have to be the same gearing as the 1125Rotax. As for 246 hp being too much for an adventure bike, that is total horse-hockey. Since when is have gobs of power on hand a detriment??? Anyway it is the torque that will serve you well off road and not the hp. Chances are that you are not going to be cracking the throttle wide open at 100 mph on some fire road. Here's a good article on the Buells. http://www.cycleworld.com/article.asp?section_id=3 &article_id=399 | ||
| Wademan |
Saying a 146 HP bike with dual 61mm throttle bodies will get 50 mpg is a big stretch. Unless they detune the engine for the supposed 2010 Uly the tank range will likely not change. We will have to wait and see I guess. | ||
| Crusty |
the desperate need for water cooling my bike suffers from. I just finished riding almost 3,000 miles. When I left Road America on Sunday it was 99 Degrees F, and it stayed that hot for hours. My Uly used eight ounces of oil during the whole trip , didn't ping, and didn't fry my leg. What desperate need does your bike have that mine doesn't? | ||
| Stevenknapp |
With no Harley parts in it...what will my buddies tease me about now?? They'll find something. I'm sure. | ||
| Daves |
That's what i was was thinking Steve!  | ||
| Daves |
And Electra1997 The Dyna bikes did get the 88 Twin Cam in 99 along with the Touring bikes. It was the Softail bikes that didn't get the TC until 2000. Good point though and I do think the Uly will get the new motor. | ||
| Froggy |
Ah good, i thought i was the only one that thinks the 1125 is going to get horrible gas mileage. | ||
| Teeps |
Ulysses 2010 = meet the new boss; same as the old boss... YEA!!!!!!!!!!! As long as the aircooled Ulysses can meet G'ment regs. I don't see it radically changing anytime soon. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
I personally think Buell will offer both and see which one outsells the other. How long do you think they will continue to build Firebolts if they quit selling after the 1125R hits the dealers? I've been way wrong before but that 1125R is just so cool I think they will presell a load of them. Oh yeah, here's an analogy for ya. I remember when all the die hard carburetor lovers were bitching about fuel injection and how they wouldn't be able to tune for mods anymore. I love fuel injection. | ||
| Terrible1one3 |
The air cooled motor must be surpassed. For christ sake we landed a guy on a moon a long time ago and I'm still riding on pretty much a lawnmower engine. Given it's a damn good one with a ton of technology in it, the fact is things change. Engines evolve, a lot of the time they are forced to by law. It took the car companies 30 years to learn how to make a pushrod, production oriented, v-8 kick out 500 horses and make emissions. Buell's have been known to pass epa's because the efficiency of the burn in their cylinders. Even the rotax motors will have to be reworked as time goes on. I really think Erick will hit the nail on the head when he does go to revamp the Uly. I'm guessing it will be a new liquid cooled motor that will prolly also land in the Lightning lineup. Maybe a 900 or so CC liquid cooled Rotax motor with 100-120 hp. 8 or 9 k redline and prolly a different transmission compared to the 1125R. I do <10% riding off road, I feel I do as much off road riding as the average Uly owner maybe more than them. The bike is a street oriented machine. Buell isn't going to hold back moving forward to appease the small population who takes it off road seriously. If you are that serious you are probably on a KLR anyways. I am all for a liquid cooled american made quality drivetrain in a motorcycle. The V-rod handles like absolute crap, so it wasn't for me. I might jump at the chance to purchase a 1125R. I love my Uly, best bike I've ever owned and told myself I would never sell it, but things change. I don't know if I can wait for what I want (a liquid cooled Uly) I might just have to nab one of these while they are hot, which they seem like they very well will be. | ||
| Rotorhead |
I see Buell halving the engine and putting it in a smaller frame for a "mini" ULY that could be 70 dirt and 30 street. Buell proved the market for a "adventure" sport and I personally would love to see a real dual sport made buy buell to compete say with the new KXLR. Rotax motors are a great way to go for the light weight and dependable motors. They are used as airplane powerplants. Not a place for crappy craftsmanship. | ||
| Windrider |
My 2 cents: Shrink that Rotax down to about 800cc and 85 HP, lose about 50lbs from the Uly but keep the 5.5 gal fuel cell frame of the 1125R and keep all the great ergos of the current Uly. Add the 6 speed for dirty work and do something incredibly clever to make the belt drive work in the dirt and Buell would have the perfect 2010 Uly. 146 HP is great but no tire known to man can keep that much power connected in the dirt. It is great to see Buell come out with such a good platform for future product development. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Windrider, If you shrink it down to 800cc then that frame/tank could hold 6 gallons easy I'd venture. I think all that extra fuel space in the 1125R was gained because of the lack of aircool fin space. If Buell would shoot for 100 pound reduction that would really sell the bike. Anything within reason is possible. Also some kind of really innovative lifting stand. Some kind of move-able device that could be used to lift the front or the back according to the circumstance. Maybe something that was stored under the seat. |
