| Author | Message | ||
     Growl |
I bought the '06 new off the showroom in June. In July it was down for 10 days waiting for a back-ordered fan to replace the one that failed. Other than that, it's been a wonderful machine. I commute to work and take my wife on weekend tours on both tarmac and rough dirt roads. Problems: It blows the horn fuse sometimes and it pings once in awhile. Here is the report, by topic: Tire wear: I mostly ride in hilly twisty country but after a 200 mile freeway blast this weekend I noticed a narrow center wear stripe on the rear Dunlop. I can see why some are replacing their tires in less than 5000 while others get 8000. Clue to tire designers: The Uly can benefit from a dual compound tire! Power valve: I began to wonder if the exhaust valve was even working... sure enough it was stuck! I attribute this to the bike sitting on the showroom floor for so long. A little manipulation and viola! It is now free and what a clever little valve it is! I love the deep tone it makes in mid range rpm when the throttle is open. Surprising little difference in power though... yeah, some improvement in the mid and upper ranges but it scooted along nicely when the valve was stuck... Brakes: front brake is excellent. Rear brake is soft but together they add up to excellent braking. Airbox: Only mod to engine that I have made is add holes to the airbox and it did smooth things out from 1500 to 4000 rpms. I was surprised when I first read about this from others who have done the mod - counter intuitive to this carburettor schooled relic - but hey, it works. Exhaust: The stock exhaust was offensively quiet at first but I notice that it is picking up some tone - as it gradually blows out the fiberglass packing I suppose... I may eventually replace it when a suitable deep toned SPARK ARRESTOR option becomes available. Gearing: At first I was convinced that the 11% primary gear reduction is a must do, but now I am not so certain. 5th is really sweet when keeping up with the 80 mph traffic that is the norm on many California freeways. I prefer to cruise slower but when everyone else is going 80 it would be a hazard not to keep up. Amazingly, the gas mileage remains the same at 80. I was aghast at the tall first gear until I really put it to the test, climbing steep rutted rock strewn dirt trails hauling camping gear and my wife. The kind of situation where you had better not stop, even if you have to slow down. The Uly will not quit pulling! (I'm in love) Mass centralization: I'm converted. It really makes the bike handle with ease both on the street and in the dirt. I feel really blessed. | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
The sticking power valves was probably the reason for the blown horn fuse. The taillight, horn, and interactive exhaust valve are on the same fuse. | ||
| Tdiddy |
I've blown that fuse 3 times in 12,000 miles. I think the valve does cause this but I'm not to worried. I keep spare fuses under the seat. | ||
| Froggy |
From what i noticed with my Duncrap before i switched to the Pirelli, i noticed that it wore fast. I got about 6000 on it when it became a drag slick, and i now i got 6000 on my pirelli and it looks about half way to the wear bar, but i didn't measure it to confirm. I haven't had any issue with the fuse, but i had switched to the race kit at 1000 miles so i don't think my bike had a chance to blow it if it was caused by the exhaust servo. | ||
| Growl |
"The sticking power valves was probably the reason for the blown horn fuse. The taillight, horn, and interactive exhaust valve are on the same fuse" Ah Hah! I didn't know that... very cool info, thanks | ||
| Tstone |
Growl, Can you, or somebody else, post a link to the airbox mod? By the way, I just turned 3600 on my '06, and my ride report is one burned out turn signal bulb, and one burned out Dunlop, and one damn happy camper. 50 mpg, throttle wheelies, nice brakes, good handling, no problem on gravel roads. Honest to God, what could be better? | ||
| Growl |
http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142 838/299971.html By the way... I just added two extra holes on mine... about 1.25 or 1.5" in diam... that was enough to make a notable improvement. | ||
| Tstone |
Thanks for the link Growl. I'm on dial-up and search engines are almost impossible. | ||
| Growl |
No prob. By the way I'm on dial up too and find that the search that is within this website is pretty fast and very useful. |
