| Author | Message | ||
     Nipsey |
Been lurking here for awhile and finally have reason to post (despite wanting jump in on the “To Uly or Not Thread" ) Went out and test rode a 2007 today after reading everything I could find on this site and AdvRider – great resources. Doug the sales guy I dealt with rides a Buell Lightning and seems to know quite a bit about the various models and the dealership seems to move them. Getting ready to go for a test ride Doug asked me if I had ridden a Buell before (nope) and cautioned me about the torque (not quite like anything else he said). Leaving the parking lot I gave the bike a couple of light gooses and …HOLY S%^!! This is great!! We took a 20 minute spin through the south side of Indy and like most of this area it was flat and straight with just a couple of wrinkles. A few miles into the ride and I got used to how the bike felt and could concentrate on the areas I had questions on in addition to general feel. Ride position was very comfy and everything seems laid out nice – so much so that I am not sure I was ever within 10 mph of the speed limit. I searched out every pot hole and bump I could find ... and nothin ...everything stays smooth and settled. The fan came on about halfway through the ride but that was not an issue. It was just under 80 outside and I could feel the heat on my leg, again not a big deal (no deflectors and obviously not too hot out). We took it onto the interstate for 4 or 5 miles and at 85 and life was gooooood! Smooth and comfy and the few times we popped out to pass – fun! Back on city roads I played with the brakes – and they are impressive. Despite what I have read the idea of a single rotor bringing it down was tough to believe – till I hit them. I was also surprised at how tucked in the front wheel felt (mind you I have a Ural and the front wheel is about 3 feet out in front of me). The Uly was everything I had hoped it would be and more – a real visceral bike with character, but also super smooth and comfortable. I could have ridden it all day – it is amazing that everyone who tests one (me included) doesn’t immediately buy one. I am not too concerned with support or reliability (I have a Ural). The only issue I see is that I really don’t want to buy the Uly till Spring…not sure how I can wait till then  . | ||
| Froggy |
Wait, you test rode it but you still haven't bought it yet? Are you sure you are feeling ok? Someone call a doctor! I didn't even test ride mine, i just sat on her and said that shes the one, then i took her home.  | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Great to hear you had not only a great Uly experience but also a great dealer experience. I would take time to speak with the service manager as well (it'll give you something to do while you wait for spring). You will probably want to do most of your own maint., but it's good to know who you will be bringing it to if you do have a problem. I would ask him very specific questions about the service department. I would ask who the Buell Tech(s) are. I would ask to meet them. It's like meeting your primary care physician before you get sick. The last thing you want to do is walk into the service department and say "Hey, my name is Nipsey. My bike is a piece of crap and I am pissed." | ||
| Nipsey |
Wait, you test rode it but you still haven't bought it yet? Are you sure you are feeling ok? Someone call a doctor! Iknow,I know!! left the checkbook at home just in case, too. Fortunately they don't have an orange 08 - from everything I have read they are the fastest  Good points Ft_bstrd - I gotta do something to kill the time till Spring, and getting to know the service manager before any problems is a huge idea. Dog help me if I walk in anywhere and say "I'm Nipsey and I am pissed....no matter what the issue!!! | ||
| Bosh |
Nipsey, It's cool when something exceeds your expectations. I had the same experience when I took my test ride (2005). I wasn't expecting much because I hadn't even heard of the 12X until a couple of days before. I was actually going to buy a Duck or BMW. I took it through some deserted back roads and just loved the way the thing wheelied out of the turns. Out on the freeway I was shocked at how smooth and quiet the bike was. I came off a Honda VTR1000 with TBR race pipes. I was sold and tried to buy the Buell on the spot but the dealer wanted $1000.00 over retail. Went to another (Walnut Creek) and told the sales lady I wanted the next one to come in the door!! Paid full retail and loved it. (Never did that before). (Message edited by bosh on September 10, 2007) | ||
| Thelumox |
Nipsey- visceral. had to look that one up. yep, that's it, visceral. got mine after the test ride. you have the best weather in the U.S. right now. what are you waiting for? in FL the real riding season begins in october. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
in FL the real riding season begins in october Is that when the roads get curvy? Must be the cool damp weather kinking the roads up.  | ||
| Danger_dave |
>> from everything I have read they are the fastest << Dyslectic? | ||
| Crusty |
Fortunately they don't have an orange 08 - from everything I have read they are the fastest I don't know if they're the fastest, but they ARE the sexiest.  | ||
| Wingspan |
You test rode a Uly in Indianapolis? Southside Harley perhaps??? If so I need to go back down there because they wouldn't let me ride the black '07 they had in stock when I was there a week or two ago. | ||
| Nipsey |
Thelumox - I though of saying grabbed me by the balls - but wanted to sound educated! Holding off till Spring will not be easy - with a little luck I will grow several inches to fit in with the rest of the giants that ride a Uly! Every one of DD's pics (and many of the others) make the Uly look tiny - feels huge to me. Therefore they must be giants <insert>. Wingspan - that is the one I rode and where I rode it! I dealt with Doug and Bill. Bill initially when Doug did not get back to me - but Doug went out on the ride with me. Maybe time of day is why they told you no? I had to do it during the week and not around the lunch hour. | ||
| Miamiuly |
in FL the real riding season begins in october Ft_Bstrd said: Is that when the roads get curvy? That is about the funniest thing I've read in a long time. (Message edited by miamiuly on September 13, 2007) | ||
| Wingspan |
I was there on a Saturday and the sales guy I talked to said they didn't do test rides on new, zero mile bikes. Maybe now that it's sat for a few weeks they've changed their minds. I've still got his card, I'll call tonight and see if I can schedule a test ride. | ||
| Bosh |
"I'll call tonight and see if I can schedule a test ride. Don't do it!!! You can resist, just try and put it out of your mind. And what-ever you do, if you can't stay away.... leave your check book at home!!  | ||
| Wingspan |
Done, I just got off the phone with the dealer and I've got a Uly test ride scheduled for tomorrow (Friday) afternoon. The checkbook has to stay at home for sure! I am buying a new bike, but not until sometime after the first of the year. I've narrowed it to either the Uly or a new Triumph Tiger. I'm pretty sure it'll be the Uly, but until I ride one I can't say for certain. I've already ridden the Tiger, so tomorrow will be the last step in the decision making process. | ||
| Nipsey |
Have Fun - I assume you will hook up with Doug? He took me on a 15-20 jaunt around the southside and then back down I65 to Southport road. I was going to head over to the Triumph dealer right after to test the Tiger - but it was to late....the hook had been set and I am being dragged tot he boat  | ||
| Wingspan |
I've talked to Josh so far, but he said when I get there tomorrow to ask for either he or Doug. | ||
| Johnny_uly |
I am glad you liked it Nipsey ;) Mine is already locked in and I can wait to get it in October! I have never seen one in person and I am still hooked! | ||
| Nipsey |
It was awesome - I might have tinkled on the seat a little, I was pretty excited - sorry Wingspan! | ||
| Wingspan |
Ewwwww...I'll bring some baby wipes for the seat! | ||
| Wingspan |
I'm back from my test ride! Like Nipsey, I was led on a ~20 mile ride by the sales guy. I'd rather not had to play follow the leader, but it was still the best motorcycle test ride I've had in terms of road diversity. City streets/traffic, rural back roads, and several miles of interstate were all included in the route. The sales guy (Doug) is Buell rider as well as Japanese bikes, so he wasn't strictly a "Harley guy" So...what did I think of the Uly? I have to be honest and say that I didn't think much of it at all at first. Damn, this thing shakes! Bars, pegs, everything. It seemed to shake a lot while on the move too, not just at idle. Then, about 2-3 miles into the ride it suddenly dawned on me...STOP LUGGING THE BIKE!!!!! I dropped a gear, the revs popped up above 3k and everything changed! Light handling, more than enough power to please at any reasonable street pace, terrific brakes, outstanding ergos, etc, etc, etc. Just keep it above 3k as much as possible and the bike is just sublime. Backroad bumps and ruts were soaked up with ease and left me looking for more to run over. Zero helmet buffeting at any speed and next to no wind noise. Even at 85mph, I didn't find myself wanting a larger screen. Easily the smoothest interstate ride I've had, even more so than my VFR. Oddly enough, by the end of the ride I didn't seem as aware of the low RPM vibes as I was previously. It was a relatively cool day (80F), so I had no heat issues. The fan didn't bother me in the slightest. Even without my ear plugs (left out on purpose just for this ride), I could only hear it when stopped and even then only when I was paying it attentions. When I parked the bike the fan ran on high for ~45 seconds then dropped to a lower speed for another minute or so. Final verdict: The more I rode, the more I liked. Great bike! To anyone looking into a test ride, do not settle for a quick spin around the block. You have to get out on the open road and really ride it to appreciate it. A short, slow ride in traffic will do nothing but highlight the bikes rough spots. Likes: Handling Brakes Suspension compliance over rough surfaces Ergonomics Looks Engine performance from 3k to redline Build Quality Dislikes: Low RPM vibration Sputtered and coughed a time or two when cold Very hard to find Neutral (bike only had 37 miles on the Odo, so I'm not overly concerned about this) | ||
| Nipsey |
Glad to hear you enjoyed the test and nice job summarizing. so, do tell - how did it compare to the Tiger? | ||
| Wingspan |
Funny you should ask, because after riding the Uly on Friday I took the Tiger for a second test ride on Saturday. The Tiger is faster in a straight line. No question, it's more powerful and obviously doesn't have the huge vibrations at low speeds. If I were forced to sit in slow moving traffic, I'd rather be on the Tiger. That said, the Tiger did have some high frequency buzziness at certain RPM's. It wasn't nearly as smooth running as I remembered it being in the test ride I did ~6 weeks ago. I also found the Tiger to be a bit rougher in on/off throttle response than the Uly. Some of that may be drive line lash due to the chain vs. belt, but whatever the reason I like the Uly better in that regard. The Uly handles better and copes with rough pavement better. The Tiger's suspension felt soft, loose, and sloppy by comparison. The Triumph also felt slightly more top heavy. I liked the feel of the Uly's front brake better, but the Tiger's ABS would be an advantage in some situations. The Tiger feels like a bigger bike. On the Uly I felt as though I was sitting on the front wheel, the Tiger is the exact opposite. By comparison there is a lot more bike in front of you on the Tiger. IMO, fit/finish is much better on the Buell. The Tiger has a cheap look and feel to it. The only thing on the Buell that I thought felt cheap was the switchgear. The Tiger is a great bike, despite the way what I just wrote sounds. The problem I'm having is that I've chosen two great bikes to pick from. The question I'm asking myself now is "can I come to terms with the Uly's low speed vibes?". I think I can and so am now leaning heavily toward an '08 Ulysses. (Message edited by wingspan on September 16, 2007) | ||
| Karlsbad |
Nipsey Did I hear yo right when you said you test rode an 07 Uly ? Don't buy it ! Wait and get a hold of an 08 I know I may get a little negative feedback for saying this, but truly the 08 is a much better bike. (MUCH) Do the research there are many improvements to the bike worth waiting for or paying a little more money for. The 07 didn't even make my shortlist of new bikes I wanted, But I bought an 08 about a month ago, really do like the bike, it has a few minor things I could do without, but we have a great dealer here (or at least they make me feel that way) in Spokane and they seem to want to grow that side of the business. They have a few guys at the store that understand some of us want to ride in other than a pack of 300+ riders, and if we see a logging road or F.S. road we can head down or up it and check it out. IMHO it's a pretty darn good ride, and you don't see one on every street corner, or 10 at every bar you pass. (Yet) | ||
| Nipsey |
Hi Karlsbad - yep I tested an 07, but will be getting an 08 - in orange. I think I will pick one up in the Spring so as not to burn the first few months of warranty sitting in the garage waiting for the ice to melt! Thanks for the info on the diff tho. Wingspan - great write ups and insight as well. Both summaries you provided are great. I hear you sitting on top of the front wheel, felt different but not bad. |
