| Author | Message | ||
     Dynasport |
A couple of weeks ago two friends and I rode our bikes (cruisers) from Tampa to Sylva, NC, and then spent three days riding in the mountains before riding back home. This was our second year riding to the mountains, but last year we had rain and less time there so we didn't get as much riding in. Well, this year we spent two days riding around on the mountains and then did the Dragon. As a result of the two days riding the curves before the Dragon I was much more comfortable on my bike. So, I pushed it harder than I ever had before. And.....I HAD AN ABSOLUTE BLAST!!! The problem is that now I am somewhat dissatisfied with my bike. While I have about the sportiest Harley made in recent years (an FXDX) I wanted more power and less weight for even more fun. I have been thinking XB12X already, as many of you know from my previous posts, but this ride made matters worse. The problem is money and the fact that I am still a Harley guy at heart. I just got tired of getting passed by BMWs. Although, I think part of the problem was my riding partners. I could have pushed faster I think, without being dangerous. Anyway, I have NEVER ridden a sport bike. I am in my mid 40s and not exactly thin. And my bike has to be one I can ride all day when the opportunity presents itself. For those reasons I think a sport bike is out of the question. The Uly seems like a candidate, as do bikes like the Triumph Tiger, Yamaha FZ1, Suzuki Bandit 1250 and probably many more. I guess I just have to be patient a bit longer as I am still paying for my FXDX and really don't want to sell it. I want to add another bike. And for those of you who are interested, I have started a web site about our trip. It has pictures of me, my buddies, and our bikes. I am waiting on pictures I ordered showing us on the Dragon. Otherwise it is fairly complete except for the ride home, which I am still working on. Here is the link http://web.mac.com/dan_green/iWeb/Site/Welcome.htm l Dan | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Dan, The Uly is one of the best all around bikes out there. Here is my rip down the Gap: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-596415812 2122120035&q=deals+gap+ulysses&total=2&start=0&num =10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0 You can ride it all day and not really get tired. It has enough performance for you to feel completely satisfied yet it isn't trying to kill you like other sport bikes do. | ||
| Strato9r |
Dan, I'm in my late 40's, not nearly as skinny as I once was, and my knees yell at me every chance they get. I ride a Firebolt, though, and as far as "Sport" type bikes go, it is one of the more comfortable ones I've ridden. Other than a set of factory footpegs for a Lightning, it is stock, and let me tell you, the last few times I've been out riding with a group, I've been the one ready to put on another couple of hundred miles when cats half my age have been beaten into submission by their GSXRs and R6s. If you see yourself as a "Harley Guy" at heart, there is no shortage of company on this website; there is definitely something to be said about that 45 degree twin, and the nasty freakin' roar of my 9r ripping through the gears connects me directly to my Harley thing via the XR-750. The next time one of the test rides comes through your area, I'd recommend that you take as many Buell models out as you can, and get a feel for them. Every model I've ridden has been super fun in it's own way, but for the kind of riding you seem to enjoy, check out the Ulysses. I loved it; it felt like the most comfortable, most irreverant, torqueiest machine a guy could dream of, PLUS, my long legged girlfriend loved it. All of the other machines you mentioned are indeed fine rides, and none of them would be a disappointment. I do know that of all the bikes that were on my "short list" when making my decision for my current bike, none of them even gets a second look when I spot one, let alone regrets over not buying one. That distinction is reserved solely for the XLCR I should have bought back in '78............... | ||
| Strato9r |
Cool video, Jeremy!!!!! An "Adventure Tourer" with a hundred horsepower, yet you weren't passed by ANYTHING! I liked the reverse angle, keeping with the ancient Greek belief that time came up and flowed past from behind you! | ||
| Geopatr |
The Uly is a great bike. I am 52 and I ride it every day  This is one bike that does the job for me. I feel sick if I miss a day of riding!! I've owned over 40 bikes in my years of riding, and none have begged to be ridden more than the Uly!! | ||
| Pso |
Hey Ft Bstd-what camera are you using? It looks like good quality pic and sound. I want to mount one on my Uly. | ||
| Hooliken |
Hey Dyna. I am also a Harley guy about the same age. Ride a softail and this year added a Uly to the garage. You will not be disappointed in this bike for a second. Put a decent exhaust (I recommend Special Ops) and you can still have the "Harley" sound and all the performance one would ever need from a street bike. And I also look at it this way. The more of us that buy a bike from Eric the better him and his crew can keep making the bikes. Its a win win situation in my eyes. | ||
| Dynasport |
Thanks for all the responses guys. Let me clarify something. No BMWs or anything else passed me on the Dragon. I did get passed by a few BMWs and other bikes in other riding in the mountains though. Also, I don't feel like I have the be the fastest guy out there (anywhere) as I know that wouldn't happen no matter what I rode. I just don't have the experience to be that kind of rider. I do, however, want a bike that is faster and handles better, while still being comfortable. Something else I have thought of is putting some money in the engine of my FXDX, but I doubt I will go that route. If only money were no issue. I think I'll see if and when Buell is doing rides at Biketoberfest and see if I can ride some of the bikes then. And Ft, enjoyed the video. When I get up there next year I hope that some of you guys will be in the area and we can ride the Dragon together. I rode in on a Monday a couple of weeks ago and no cops in sight anywhere. Dan | ||
| Danger_dave |
Trade the FXDX. Just trade it in. You will hardly use it any more if you buy the Uly. Seriously. (Message edited by danger_dave on October 15, 2007) | ||
| Treadmarks |
Add another to the mid 40s list.  I have an 05 softail that was my daily driver, till I got the Uly. Since you love your Dyna, you will really love a Uly. We still ride the softail on the weekends, but the uly is the bike that makes short work out of long roads. I have had dozens of bikes since I started riding and the Uly is by far the most fun. We are planning a 1800 mile FL ride this thanksgiving and will be taking the Uly for sure. It's 300 pounds lighter than the softail, and with 3 full bags and the wife on the back it still hauls azz. | ||
| Rekrab |
I will be 60 in March! Had 02 Fat Boy, then 05 Roadking, Many miles on both, [80K combined], Traded for 08 Uly,10k so far. Will never look back! Go for it. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
PSO, It's a real complex set up: http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0007TJ5OG.01._S CLZZZZZZZ_.jpg I don't know if you'll be able to duplicate it. Dyna, Anytime! I live in middle TN so I have to ride a little while to get to the "good" roads. Unfortunately, the Gap is hit or miss right now with the LEOs. (Message edited by ft_bstrd on October 15, 2007) | ||
| Etennuly |
Yeah, it seems to be true, I'm fifty and tip the scales at 250 with my gear on. I live in East Tennessee so I don't get to ride much but for these damn crooked roads that makes it take for ever to get anywhere. | ||
| Oddsc |
I have a Uly and ride quite a bit with my Dad on his Harley. Your only problem will be how to spend all your time waiting for your Harley buddies to catch up. | ||
| Ksc12c |
I've had my Uly since late June. Former Harley guy. I've logged 5300 miles so far. I'm closer to 50 then 40. Weigh in around 200 pounds. The Bike is comfortable and a pure joy to ride. Take one for a test ride and you'll come back with a smile on your face | ||
| Khelton |
Congratulations on your evolution. I'm in mid-50's and enjoy riding the Uly more on the Dragon than my 600RR, have a couple of tards which do handle The Dragon better but the Tards can't be ridden all day like the Buell. Sell the Harley, you will never look back. | ||
| Pso |
Ft bstrd that exceeds my technical competance. I guess I will just need to take stills while riding. | ||
| Adrian_8 |
I too have an FXDX plus the ULY..Granted the FXDX is far from stock but...I love that "beast" and it is my favorite bike...even though the ULY does everything "better" with 34K miles on it...Just pick up a good used ULY if you can swing two scooters. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
PSO, I found that with a 2GB card, I can record 45 minutes of video with sound. When wifey gets a new camera, you get to play with the leftovers. I use the RAM Mounts camera mount. One of these days, I'll buy a "real" system. | ||
| Superglide |
Dynasport.. I went from my FXDX to the Uly. The wife didn't like the extra bike in the garage and once I realized that I had only put 300 miles on the FXDX in 2 years I decided to sell. No regrets. Most of my riding buddies are on cruisers and they just don't understand anyway....BTW: I'm over 50 a little. | ||
| Sungull |
Hi; I sold my 2006 E/G and bought an 07 STT. I'm 66yrs old and the E/G was to much weight. Have over 10,000 miles on it in 5 months. They are fun to ride. | ||
| Dynasport |
Here's a link to the shots of me at the Dragon. http://www.pbase.com/dynasport/2007_nc_mc_trip Dan | ||
| Etennuly |
OK that does it! Looking at those pictures makes me say you need a Uly. Just buy a Uly and ride it. | ||
| Mastros2 |
Even better yet, rent one. You'll see. I rented one when I was in Las Vegas and ran out of town with it. Solid, rode on rails even with the heavy cross winds I hit. It would be in the garage if I was able to get rid of my X1. E-mail/PM me if you want a full report on my experience. | ||
| Dr_greg |
Heck, I'm 60 and still get the whole back tire scrubbed in on the Uly. And I've been passed by older guys yet. It's a great bike, IMHO. | ||
| Pso |
Like Dr. Greg-I am 61. As embarassing as it is I had to trade in my 01 goldwing because it was just not comfotable enough for me on those long cross country rides as I am now an old coot. I got the Uly and find it more comfortable than the wing, its luggage stores more stuff (like my meds such as lipitor, viagra, arecept, rogain, testosterone,flomax and depends) and it handles so much better that it is much less of a strain on my arthritic bones and weak heart.  | ||
| Rotorhead |
Old is a state of mind. Owning and riding a ULY WILL put you into the right state of mind. | ||
| Sanchez |
I have a RAM camera mount as well. I tried putting my camcorder directly on it, but it shook too badly. I ended up getting a bullet cam that plugs into the camcorder. It's very light, so it doesn't rattle around much at all. It was actually quite steady even when I had it on my old M2.  Unfortunately I only made one test run around my neighborhood with it because I totaled the bike the next weekend. The Uly doesn't have nearly as many tubular mounting points as the M2, so I ended up putting it on my handlebars. I'm quite pleased with the results: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vUPtzTMyGA | ||
| Froggy |
As am I. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUe7fdvSJt4 | ||
| Karlsbad |
Dynasport, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, so I will say this as politely as possible. The FXDX you are riding is a overweight,under powered,under braked, frame wobbling,foot peg grinding, aneemik piece of crap. No amount of money spent can even begin to cure all these shortcomings. The reason you want more power and better handling now is you have become a rider, welcome to the group! I am fortunate enough that I still own one of the aforementioned type of cycles,but I have a few others as well and my favorite right now is my Ulysses. Every time I ride it I am amazed at how good it really is. My first impressions of the bike were that it was under powered, but I soon realized that it really has very good USABLE power, it prefers smooth input to the controls but rewards with outstanding handling and what I believe may be some of the best binders on the market today. I love mine and when the time comes to replace it my choice will be for a newer version of the same bike. Ditch the cruiser (Or use it as a second ride)Get a Uly or something similar ie Tiger,GS,V-Strom,Multi-Strada... One thing for sure, I doubt you would ever regret buying a Ulysses. My hats off to Buell they have done a fantastic job the Ulysses is a gem |
