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Buell Motorcycle Forum » Big, Bad & Dirty (Buell XB12X Ulysses Adventure Board) » BB&D Archives » Archive through September 13, 2007 » Well, I finally got my test ride this morning « Previous Next »

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Dynasport
Posted on Thursday, September 06, 2007 - 01:06 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Well, I've been on this board lurking and asking questions so much I thought I should share my impressions now that I have actually ridden one.


I took my Dyna in for some work this morning and took the opportunity to test ride a Uly. I have tried to do this several times before, but it seemed that every chance I had to take a test ride the dealership was too busy or they didn't have a Uly in stock.

Today, they had two Uly's in. Both 06s. A new one and a barely used one. I rode the used one because it was easier to get to.

Here are my impressions. The bike is taller than anything I have ridden before. I am just 5'10, but the height didn't give me any trouble at all. It was just a VERY different feeling from anything I am used to. I thought I had a tall Harley...

Next, while I had mid-mount pegs, the pegs on the Uly seemed very far back to me. I had a hard time finding them once when starting out. Also, while the seating position my be upright, it is still alot more forward leaning than that I am used to. I have mini apes on my Dyna and I felt like I had alot of weight on my arms. The test ride was short, so I don't know how I would feel after a few hours in that riding position.

I also was not very smooth at first. Everything seemed exaggerated compared to my Dyna. It starts quicker, stops quicker, and turns quicker. I think I could become smooth, but riding smoothly took more attention than normal. Of course I have been riding my Dyna five years and it now feels like an extension of me.

Also, I have a big windshield on my Dyna and I wasn't sure how the Uly would be with it's little screen. I am still not sure. We didn't do any highway riding and only got up to about 60 for a short stint. I will say I felt a good bit of wind on my chest, but my head was in clean air. I was wearing my full face helmet and it was very comfortable. I might feel differently if I was on the Interstate doing 80.

Also, I tried to pay attention to the heat issue. I don't know what to say about it. It was a short ride. I was in blue jeans and boots. I felt a little warmth on my right lower leg, but I am not sure I would have really noticed it if I had not been paying such close attention to that issue. It might get worse over a long ride, but this morning in 80 degree weather it was nothing to worry about.

So, in the final evaluation I am left wanting more. More time riding it under different conditions. I would also like to see if I could get my wife to go on a test ride with me to see how she likes sitting way up there.

It is just so different from what I am used to that I am having a hard time deciding how I feel. I mean, it doesn't have ANY chrome .

Dan
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Jmhinkle
Posted on Thursday, September 06, 2007 - 02:01 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

"Also, while the seating position my be upright, it is still alot more forward leaning than that I am used to"

One of the problems I also had with the bike. I'm 6' tall, but I only have a 32" inseam on good days. I have a longer body and long monkey arms, and found that I was still leaning too far forward and putting too much weight on my wrists (work related injury does not like that). I raised the handle bars almost an inch for $18 and went with the '07 seat. Ergo's are pretty good now. I would like to have a set of bars with less pull in now to make it perfect, but haven't found any without giving up the height. You might want to try an '07 and I think you'll find it has better ergo's than '06. The seat is always a topic of much argument as well. I found the '06 seat to be one of the most useless ever invented. It was too soft and made my arse numb after 30 minutes of riding and those seams dug into my legs something fierce. I went with the '07 as soon as it was available and absolutely love it. I only miss the knee room on really long rides. Some people have kept the '06 seat and gone with lower bars, so obviously riding position comfort is quite different for all of us. Just wanted you to be aware that it is easy and fairly cheap to adjust the ergos to your liking.
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Odysseus
Posted on Thursday, September 06, 2007 - 02:55 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I rode a Dyna prior to getting the Uly. In short, I am very happy with the Uly. I have taken one long trip on the Uly; 4000 miles round trip. I had also taken a cross-country trip on my Dyna (8000 mile). I like the Uly better. My only complaint is the low seat for the 06 Uly. I am replacing it with the 07 seat, which is lower than the 06 stock, but should be more comfortable. Do get the tall windshield. It makes a big difference on the highway.

The riding position and height did take some getting used to. I have actually found the riding position more comfortable. On the Dyna I had to use a backrest, but none needed on the Uly. I actually think the foot peg position is better and helps with back support/position. Also, the bags for the Uly hold a lot more stuff. In addition, I really enjoy the handling now that I have adapted to the bike. Heat can be a bit of a problem at times, so I recommend the Air Flow Cover kit ( http://www.buell.com/en_us/gear/accessories/Produc t.asp?Menu_ID=2&ProductLineID=2&CategoryID=5&Produ ctID=4139 ).

A move to a Uly is a change in riding experience, but a good change I think. I certainly have no regrets.

My 2.5 cents worth. Ride safe
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Ejbeert
Posted on Thursday, September 06, 2007 - 03:07 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

dynasport
after owning my ulysses for a year i still find that the rides are too short and i always seem to want to go and explore differant riding conditions. did i mention the smile.
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Jlnance
Posted on Thursday, September 06, 2007 - 09:56 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I mean, it doesn't have ANY chrome

If you get an 06 or 07, you can put a sporty timing cover on it. : )
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Dynasport
Posted on Saturday, September 08, 2007 - 10:14 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

My wife took me to the dealership to pick up my Dyna and I showed her the Uly I rode.

Her response. "I'm not getting on that. It's too high."

I showed her the large passenger seating area and she said, "I'd be afraid I'd go off the side of that thing or over you. It's too high."

I continued to try and convince her, saying I had read it was very comfortable for a passenger. We could put a trunk on it with a backrest pad, and other things.

I was saying these things as she continued to walk away. I think the day on the Electra Glide may have sealed the deal for her.

My only solution is two bikes. A big Electra Glide for when she goes with me and a Uly or something like it for when I am alone (most of the time). The CFO is still laughing about that. So, it seems since my wife will ride my Dyna with me, and I do enjoy it, the Dyna will stay for the time being.
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Kars
Posted on Saturday, September 08, 2007 - 10:25 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

To me a motorbike is far to personal to let anyone have say in my choice. I do make considerations for my wifes seating but that is it.
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Ft_bstrd
Posted on Saturday, September 08, 2007 - 11:42 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Dynasport,

I would pull the "casserole gambit" on your wife. How many times has she cooked something new and insisted that you try it? Or wanted to go to a new restaurant? Or forced you to go see a chick flick?

If you've ever had to try a new "casserole" for her, she owes you a test ride on the back of the Uly.

Many of the Uly's have been sold as a result of the passenger accommodations. It may look too high or seem that it won't be comfortable, but I think she will be pleasantly surprised.

She owes you at least a test ride. Tell her to try the "casserole".

"You can't say you don't like it if you haven't tried it."
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Bertotti
Posted on Saturday, September 08, 2007 - 11:42 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

She needs to meet a few other Uly wives who like it up there.
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Dynasport
Posted on Saturday, September 08, 2007 - 02:20 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

"To me a motorbike is far to personal to let anyone have say in my choice. I do make considerations for my wifes seating but that is it."

Well, if I didn't care if my wife rode with me, I would agree. But, if I want her to go sometimes I can't ignore her feelings. Note, she didn't say I couldn't buy the Uly, just that she wouldn't ride it.

I also know from past experience that sometimes it just takes time for her to adjust to new ideas. Meeting a woman who rides on a Uly would certainly help. But I am not in a hurry. I'll keep dropping comments from time to time. It'll work out in the end.
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Ulywife
Posted on Saturday, September 08, 2007 - 02:36 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Meeting a woman who rides on a Uly would certainly help.

Guess you can tell by my screenname I ride a Uly with my husband. As for the height, it is high, but I don't really give it any thought, as I can't reach on any bike we've had! I'm only 5'2" and probably a 26 inseam. You can only imagine how far my feet dangle when sitting on the Uly. Ask your wife to try the Uly, she may be pleasantly surprised.

In fact, only after we got the Uly did I have him the "go ahead" to sell the Honda we had. I wasn't as comfortable riding our M2 for any distance because of the lack of a back rest and I didn't really like the fact of our daughter riding without something behind her.

Carlos and I took our Uly to the Outer Banks last year for my birthday. That was an adventure for me, as I have never ridden that distance on a bike. I was a bit nervous that I'd get there and then regret going that far without my truck. We've logged as much as 180 miles in one day with a group of Buell riders. Three Ulys in the group, 2 of us wives riding 2-up. It was a fun day.

Here's a picture of my daughter riding the Blue Ridge Parkway with some fellow C3er's this past Labor Day Weekend. Sad part - she can hold the Uly and M2 up on her own, Mom cannot!



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12x9sl
Posted on Sunday, September 09, 2007 - 02:29 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

My experience is almost exactly the same as Odysseus. My Dyna was a low rider, our cross-country trip was only 7,000 miles. I have the same impressions about the bikes as well. The bike is comfortable enough to take my 61 year old mother-in-law on rides. I have never regretted the switch-the bike is so versatile.
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Etennuly
Posted on Sunday, September 09, 2007 - 05:06 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Dyna,

I have ridden with my wife, my daughters, my 72 year old mother, my 260 lbs son as passengers. They each say they are comfortable for a hundred miles at a time. All of them really like having all three bags on the bike, it seems to make them feel more secure.

The wife has done a 475 mile weekend trip with me. Our 30 year old daughter has done a 230 mile day trip. They all put in requests to ride again, so that tells me it isn't too bad. I can tell too, by when they fall asleep for twenty miles at a time, there has to be some comfort in the ride. They say they do need to get off to move around once in a while.
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