| Author | Message | ||
     Tipsymcstagger |
Since we seem to be bringing up hypothetical scenarios today... Other than the gearing, it seems to me that the biggest criticism of the Uly is its inability to truly compete with KTM/GS/VStrom off-road due to the lack of proper (knobby) tires to fit the Uly's 17" front wheel. So why has no one developed a 19" front wheel in the aftermarket for the Uly allowing for a broader choice of trail-friendly tires? Is it simply because no one feels there is enough demand in the market to justify the effort and expense? Or is the Buell front brake a limiting factor? Or is a 19" front wheel yet to come? Tipsy | ||
| Froggy |
I believe its all of the above. It would be nice if they made 17" knobbies, that would be the cheaper and easier way to go. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Another point is a 19" wheel might not physically fit (without a fork change). The front wheel/spoiler clearance is tight already. | ||
| Treadmarks |
Maybe it would fit with 08 trees.  | ||
| Jmhinkle |
Axle sits back in the '08 trees keeping the wheelbase the same. If a 19" won't fit because of chin spoiler clearance then it won't fit in any year. 17" knobbies would be a better (cheaper) solution. MT-60s work reasonably well off road, but the lifespan of the rear is not ideal for everyday use. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Maybe it would fit with 08 trees. Maybe with 08 trees and 06/07 forks. The 08 fork axle mounts are offset to the rear to compensate for the forks being moved forward. | ||
| Tipsymcstagger |
Maybe with 08 trees and 06/07 forks. The 08 fork axle mounts are offset to the rear to compensate for the forks being moved forward. Don't think that's possible. The '08 fork diameter is larger than '06/'07. Tipsy | ||
| Florida_lime |
I remember a discussion of that point before. I believe the triple clamp clamping diameters are the same, but the male slider part of the fork is what has been made larger (43 vs 47mm)? (Message edited by florida_lime on September 28, 2007) | ||
| Treadmarks |
If memory serves me right, both the forks have the same outside diameter, but the 08 have a bigger inside diameter. Sooner or later the tire folks are going to get with the program and offer a wider selection of aggressive tires in the 17" size, but I am tired of waiting. I don't really need a front wheel larger than the 17" for the driving that I do, but I am craving for the reduced turning radius of the oh eights. I would love to find a set of gun metal gray billet trees that reduce our turning radius and maybe extend out wheelbase by a little bit. I have a set of billet trees on my supermoto with USDs and they do a great job of reducing steering flex, without a fork brace. I would be willing too start contacting the tree manufacturers if thats what it would take. Maybe a group buy??? | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
The problem isn't just with the 17" front. You really can't find a 180 knobby rear. You can make some "do", but You would really need to change the fork, front wheel, and rear wheel to make it work. I think it's just too much to be worth it. | ||
| Treadmarks |
I was checking out the posting times.... 4:26 4:27 4:28 Must be stirring up some interest. | ||
| De50man |
I think the 17" tire would be pretty much our only hope. I'm with you Treadmarks, I would love something like that. I would most likely go in on something with you, assuming the price is reasonable. I found this rear, but I'm not even sure that a 150 will fit on the XB rear rim  http://www.maxxis.com/products/motorcycle/product_ detail.asp?id=5436 | ||
| Old_mil |
Going from a 17" front wheel to a 19" front wheel would mean that a good # of Uly riders would have to resort to riding on stilts. | ||
| Saltydog |
Its not just the knobby issue, the 17" wheel washes out to easy when the road gets bad...19" would be more stable. I run a 160 rear and that is as narrow as you could ever go. I would love a 19" front wheel, I would throw that chin spoiler away to make it fit. I would also like a 1.5" narrower rear rim... | ||
| Crashing |
I would like this. I had a 19" on my DRZ400 and it was a great size. I would be interested in this as well. It would be neat to at least ride a bike with this set up to see what the geometry change was like. I am just starting to put miles on this thing and still have the DRZ so I appreciate the Uly for the street ability and so I'd have to try this before I jumped in. | ||
| Mop |
If there is serious interest in a 19" wheel I could make that happen. I've been thinking about working up prototype for my Uly. I'll post more info as I get it but price will probably be high as I doubt we'll have enough demand to have a large production run. The Chin spoiler will have to go as will the factory pipe. Drummer & Spec. Op's pipes probably won't fit either, so we're also looking at a custom pipe/skid plate. I think this is needed anyway and will be my next mod project. If we're going this far, might as well put a narrower rear tire on it. Chain drive kits are available, but personally I would keep the belt. Thoughts? MOP |
