| Author | Message | ||
     Court |
If you were going to take a group of Ulysses for a grueling off road adventure across a continent what mods would you make? . . . and why? Remap ECM to deal with crummy fuel? How would you handle getting the ground clearance? Where would you carry more fuel? Those types of things . . . | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Regear with the 9 primary chain to provide for shorter gearing especially in first gear. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Better lighting, super duty stator/voltage regulator. Have a set of real knobbies specifically designed in 17" sizes in 180 and 190 widths (you will sell a friggin' million of these for all the new Tiger, Versys, Multistrada, Ulysses owners who perpetually post "Looking for dirt worthy tires" threads.) | ||
| Mikef5000 |
I have a collection of pictures of things others on this site have done to there Uly's, which I love and feel would be necessary for a trip like you're suggesting. If you're Uly is here and you don't want it to be, PM me and I'll remove the pic immidiately. Your remapping ECU to take crappy gas would be a must also. 1) Aux fuel tank  2) Aux Lighting  3) Indestructable bags (AKA rear end sliders!)  4) GPS and heated clothes  | ||
| Reepicheep |
Thats kind of a cool idea... more ground clearance. Wonder how much thickness you can take off the stock exhaust without ruining the tuning, or adding too much noise? I'm picturing my 9sx with an extra 1.5" of ground clearance. It'd look pretty cool. Also... Polly heater cartridges (or the factory heated grips) and a "safe belt transport container" affixed somewhere out of the way on the bike to safely carry a "hot spare". | ||
| 911_racer |
spoke rims with tube type tires. aluminum bars with real hand guards. | ||
| Swampy |
Can I go? I can get the time off | ||
| Diablobrian |
Don't forget a good radar/laser detector (not that any of us would ever exceed the legal limit) | ||
| Ulyssesguy |
Under tail exhaust? for increased clearance? with a skid plate? Or... Scrambler style side pipes? I dunno... How about a set of poly panniers for fuel that hang off of the frame in front of the rider... | ||
| Jmhinkle |
"If you were going to take a group of Ulysses for a grueling off road adventure across a continent what mods would you make? . . . and why?" Please define grueling...more specifics like continent, terrain, climates. I think we all have different ideas of grueling. I have so many smart-ass responses that I have to narrow them down based on these details.  Nice answer is I would never do that to another human being. I mean spirited, but that is downright sick. | ||
| Court |
The undertail exhaust for clearance has been discussed. In terms of terrain, think of drawing (this is not the actual venue, but an example) a straight line from Darwin, Australia to Adelaide, Australia and riding that line. Serious adventure. My wife has already said not only "no, but hell no". She's touchy over the request I had to go to Bahgdad to work on a powerline. The fuel forward has some advantages. I'm trying to think of some creative ways of doing it. | ||
| Hughlysses |
I wonder what octane fuel is generally available world-wide now? I remember reading WAY back in the 70's AMC fielded a team of full-time FWD vehicles for some similar expedition, and they dropped the compression to ~7 to 1 or so to deal with the some of the fuel that would be available. It seems the situation is better now, but how much better? Another solution that's been posted here is octane booster that's available in little packets. IIRC one packet is enough to boost a motorcycle tank of fuel from sub-regular into premium octane range. This might be a cheap, easy solution that would avoid the bike's performance being compromised for the whole ride. An external, easily accessible fuel filter might be a good addition too. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Perhaps a laptop or PDA with a slew of DirectLink maps, for quick-change programming? Definitely a yes on extra lights; pending a draw test I'd bet the stock stator assembly would do just fine. Perhaps a "bigger" (as in CCA) battery? How about a brush guard / crash bar up front? +1 on the fuel filter, although "easily accessible" would mean post-pump, which means the potential for running crud thru the pump. Maybe a swingarm notch or clearance for pump removal/cleaning without having to pull the swingarm off the bike? For the forward fuel, I'd be willing to bet you could get nearly a gallon between the flyscreen and gauges with some creative stuffing, but that puts its weight on the steering instead of the frame. More likely I'd sacrifice underseat storage for a fuel cell; use the p&a storage bag for a template to make a poly cell. That position would give you the option for tapping in a "petcock" assembly for switchability, or just leaving it as a spare fuel bag that you could dump into the tank as required. It also keeps weight "lower" on the bike. The added "bonus" is it gives you a heatsink to help cut down on the apparently-dreaded seatwarmer feature, LOL. And just as a testament to the Trilogy, I'd like to see the muffler stay on the bottom. Weld or otherwise fasten a skidplate to it and use it for a slider; fit a snorkel outlet for water crossings that goes up under the tail if needed. Oh. And LOTS and LOTS of pictures!  | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
You could always run a straight pipe through the center of the void space in the muffler. Use the muffler as a reinforced, insulated fuel container. With correct design, you could pick up at least 2-3 gallons that way. It would also keep the weight low. You wouldn't get any enhancements in ground clearance, but you could definitely pick up more usable volume. It would take some pretty high end insulation to keep the heat down. I think it could be done. | ||
| Buellerandy |
+1 for going on the trip if given enough advance notice | ||
| Andrejs2112 |
Aggressive footpegs from American Sport Bike or Touratech. Give Al the $ first. | ||
| Lorazepam |
add a 21 inch front, and narrower rear wheel to add serious tires. the ecm remap is a good idea. a set of gobi bags from hb, they have space designed to carry fluid between the inner and outer skins, perfect to carry extra fuel, or water. extra lighting a place to carry a spare belt. get tight with the motorcycle god of your choice, because taking the Uly on a serious, grueling off road ride will be a lot more difficult than on a bike actually designed for that kind of riding. | ||
| Court |
Those gobi bags sound interesting. I'm going to be taking a closer look at the route. This is looking like a very serious undertaking and my first impression was "no problem, there'll be a chase vehicle". Well, I'm quickly finding there are some places that chase vehicles don't stand a chance of traveling and it the stuff hit the fan you are literally hundreds of miles from ANY (as in even water) services in a very hostile terrain/enviroment. Gotta think on this tires thing as well. What are the advantages of the larger tire? Obviously the more than can be stock the better. . . my experience is with each mod you introduce potential for problems. | ||
| Brad1445 |
Upgrade your rims if you want Grueling, getting stranded with a dented leaking rim in the middle of nowhere an really ruin your day. Trust me on this one, do NOT use the factory rim on a rocky road unless you drive like a little old lady. | ||
| Old_mil |
...Question - the mount that the Zumo is mounted on in the above picture...what sort of mount is that? | ||
| Sethbuchbinder |
"If you were going to take a group of Ulysses for a grueling off road adventure across a continent what mods would you make? . . . and why?" The only mod should be to take the current Ulysses, park it in the garage, and go buy a KTM 950 adventure or BMW R1200GS adventure or even the BMW F650 Dakar or Kaw KLR650 for the trip. Or, wait for Buell to build a properly equipped bike for this type of riding. ( I am confident they will) and im sure when they do, it will be superior to those mentioned above... but. The current Ulysses is a phenomenal ADVENTURE SPORT bike. Its extremely comfortable, handles great tons of fun to ride etc. It does all of the things it was DESIGNED to do superbly. It was not designed to be an OFF ROAD bike. Rough road yes, wet rough road yes dirt road yes, fire road yes trail esque road yes, but not off road. The main component which confines the current bike to terrain ending in some form of ROAD (there are exceptions) are the 17 inch wheels and the tires or lack of tires available for them. Suspension travel and ground clearance and come in second and third on the (no pun) shortcomings list. All the lights,aux Fuel, NAV, Ipod, seat cushion, hand guards, tall shield, power ports, heated grips, bags, crash bar (well that might come in extra handy without the rite tires) will not help you when on the first steep muddy or sandy or rutted ascent you'll be spinning and tipping and cursing etc. It comes down to having the right tool for the job. Ulysses is a GREAT adventure sport bike (as designed). but it is not a GREAT adventure bike.. I believe Buell can build a great adventure bike and hope they will. Until then, If I were preparing for a adventure as you described, I would have to choose against my Buell loyalty( of which you know, Court), a bike from a different OEM. Or just delay the trip for a few years..... When they build it, it will surely kick some serious butt! You could put 100,000 or so adventure sport miles on the Uly while you wait. Seth | ||
| Smcnamara |
Great post Seth! Agree with you completely. Of course, I'm sure people may chime in and say how they've done some aggressive off-road riding with their Uly, and that's great, but still doesn't make it the best tool for the job. Even Erik was very clear in differentiating between Dual Sport and "Adventure Sport." It's a great "ANY road" bike, but that still includes the word "road." | ||
| Hughlysses |
Granted a Uly ain't the best tool for this job, but this would be an excellent opportunity to see what it would take for Buell to build a truly off-road capable adventure tourer. Gotta think on this tires thing as well. What are the advantages of the larger tire? Obviously the more than can be stock the better. . . my experience is with each mod you introduce potential for problems. Court, see the other thread here about riding a Uly in the sand. I think the consensus is that larger diameter, skinnier front tires handle sand, deep mud, etc. much better than sportbike sized rubber. | ||
| Court |
Thanks folks . . . appreciate the help. (Message edited by court on October 12, 2007) | ||
| Adrian_8 |
If you want a true dual sport bike get a 650cc bike...Honda 650/Kawa KLR etc.. 1200 cc bikes are just too big "off road" unless you have a platoon with a wrecker following you... | ||
| Sethbuchbinder |
"Of course, I'm sure people may chime in and say how they've done some aggressive off-road riding with their Uly, and that's great," I admit that I would be one of those people saying that I operated the bike outside intended duty cycle. When we received the first Ulysses at the dealer I worked at, I immediately allocated it as a demo and then proceeded to demo the Piss out of it for the next 5000 miles on the road, at track days in nasty mud up to the muffler, and sand (not fun) and through creek crossings with water up to the headlights (lots of fun but it wasn't happy) I wish it had been. it got jumped and exhaust can bash plated over logs and the list goes on. During none of this "abuse" did the bike falter however it was definitely in over its head with the exception of the track days. There the bike is like a big motard, perfectly comfortable hammering down with its clipon/rearset brethren. The looks you get when you drag a knee around the outside of a guy on a 600cc super sport on a Ulysses is priceless. As I said before, if/when Buell builds a proper ADV bike, Will be buying it. Till then I will enjoy the current crop as intended. Saving pennies and looking for sponsors for an 1125R to race next year. I'll probably retire the XB from racing. Seth | ||
| Court |
Well these 6 specially built Uly's will be operated far outside their intended limits, make Surviorman look like a kid at day-camp on a scholarship and I suspect the stories will be wonderful. Things that are logical and make sense, in teh world of motorcycling, generally have little interest to the types of folks who undertake these projects. Thanks all for your help and input. It has been helpful. | ||
| Daves |
I would get in touch with Bison for his ideas also. | ||
| Rubberdown |
I would get rid of the fan which is truly annoying during long low speed sessions like easing your way along a forest service road that is also being used by hikers, horses and others. All I want to hear is the low tone of the bike, not the the fan screaming away non-stop, blowing heat all over me. I was on one such ride with a ULy three bikes behind me and I could hear the fan through my helmet. IMHO it must go. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
But...... the fan is there for a reason. | ||
| Rubberdown |
Agreed, but there must be a better alternative. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Indications are it runs a lot less on the 08 bikes with their larger oil coolers and new oil pumps, but I suspect it's as noisy as ever. If I had the time and money, I think the cure for the noise would be to fit a big-ass fan horizontally under the tail section and duct the air to it. A bigger, slower-turning fan would be quieter, maybe much quieter. | ||
| Hughlysses |
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| Brad1445 |
Rubberdown I have also had less they satisfying nature experiences interrupted by that very unnatural and overpower noise. It does ruin the ambiance and tranquility. I would agree to see if there is a way to address that issue for such a trip. |
