| Author | Message | ||
     Tipsymcstagger |
Okay...I'm fully aware that asking this question is tantamount to asking "who do you think will win the '08 election" or "synthetic vs. conventional" but...as we are now in the new year and the days are officially getting longer, my '03 Bandit has been for sale for two+ months and thus far has not sold. The plan is to sell the B12 and buy a slightly used (or possibly new) '08 Uly. But the introduction of the '09 models is probably not more than six or seven months away. And thus I'm wondering...will the '09 Uly have the liquid cooled Rotax engine? Quite simply, I know me...and if I buy an '08 only to discover within weeks that the '09 has the Rotax, I will not be a happy camper. So, who has an Uncle working for Buell? There's got to be an industry leak somewhere! Should I ride the B12 for another season and wait for the '09 Uly? Tipsy | ||
| Rwcfrank |
I tend to stay away from first year models, besides if they go Rotax I think that will cause the 06-07-08 Uly's to hold their value just like the BMW 1150GS's are currently against the 1200's. Some ppl don't want the extra complexity of h2o cooling or the increased maintenance | ||
| Tootal |
You talkin about Me? Don't want no gas guzzlin complicated machine. KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) | ||
| Court |
>>>this question is tantamount to asking "who do you think will win the '08 election" or "synthetic vs. conventional" Not quite. With regard to the oil at least you have a fighting chance that one of the choices MIGHT WORK! There's not much risk in the decision . . . I've held out for the first couple years of the Ulysses but confess a powerful affinity for the '08. I totally dig the Helicon motor but I need a 146hp "Adventure bike" like I need a 500hp VW bug . . . . The Ulysses, in form it presently sits, is a capable and competent bike that shines in a multitude of roles. If you decide you want to shed your '08 . . lemme know.  | ||
| Tipsymcstagger |
>>>I tend to stay away from first year models<<< Yes, that would be my tendency as well. But I'm hoping with a new engine comes a new gearbox with a more appropriate 1st gear - e.g. the ability to engine brake downhill at a reasonable speed. >>>If you decide you want to shed your '08 . . lemme know<<< I'd have to buy an '08 before I can sell it! Tipsy | ||
| Cyclonedon |
>>>I tend to stay away from first year models<<< I didn't! and I'm damn glad I didn't because my 2006 XB12X Ulysses is the best all-round motorcycle I've ever owned or ridden! Mine has over 16,000 miles on it and I've only had to replace the rear tire and the rear brake pads! Very dependable and fun to ride! | ||
| Cityxslicker |
Ifn you want a rotax powered adventure bike, pray they make a 450 dual sport  > The Uly at 425lbs dry is really too big to be doing aggressive single track. And 146 hp motor on dirt is best left to Bonneville. oy and I like Max Headroom for 2008. I figure neither will happen. | ||
| Atoms |
Helicon - it will be a cold day in hell before they con me into thinking that would be an improvement for the Uly. If the 09 has a significantly larger range (and of course all the 08 improvements) now THAT might be worth waiting for or even switching to. | ||
| Firstbatch |
First Year '06 Uly...runs fantastic! Could not pry the bike out of my stable.... ever. Buy an '08 or find a great deal on a used '06 or '07. The tuned Sporty motor in a Buell frame is a thing of beauty. Funny that there is not even one Uly listed on eBay right now. | ||
| 86129squids |
Hey Tipper: Delayed gratification is not the Uly way. {Especially} with the overall goodness of the 08 bikes. Each year they have improved noticeably, the most so this year. That said, I have sold several 06 bikes which are ridden very regularly by my customers/buds/riding buds, and they all quite enjoy their steeds without much coveting of 07 or 08 spec machines. Step 1: get rid of the Zuke asap. The sooner you can get the Uly. Step 2: find a bike that has what you want, from a dealer or private party. (Heck, fly on down to Knoxvegas and I'll pick ya up from the airport.) Every year of the Uly has seen good bikes. Step 3: Ride daily, develop permagrin.  | ||
| Adrian_8 |
I am happy with my 06..the 08 changes don't really do much for me. Its all supposed to be better but...mine is good...I just wish I could get the oil filter off without removing the underbelly plastic...the oil change is super easy..I just want it easier..put that feature on a 09 with the "lump"...hummmm. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Where can I order one of those 500hp VW's?? | ||
| Xbimmer |
Where can I order one of those 500hp VW's?? Here (well, sort of...): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEK7POxpVeE | ||
| Iugradmark |
The kind of riding you will be doing and your climate are a couple of things to factor in. If you are going to be in traffic or lots of warm weather, the current motor may not be to your liking. There is a lot of engine heat and fan noise and the bike is not geared to poke in traffic without spending a lot to redo the gearing. I'm not sure about the plans for the current motor but I think a lot of things would need to be changed to the Uly to make it work and I don't think that is likely for 2009 since Buell went through a pretty major round of upgrades for 2008. If you are looking for a more refined motor you may want to test ride the new BMW 800 GS when it is available or the Triumph Tiger. For hooligan style bikes, I really think that BMW may have obtained the better Rotax motor (light weight, fuel efficiency, etc.). | ||
| 86129squids |
IU- "For hooligan style bikes, I really think that BMW may have obtained the better Rotax motor (light weight, fuel efficiency, etc.). " There is NO WAY you could have experienced the Helicon's output and said that.  | ||
| Adrian_8 |
I have a 998cc Rotax motor in my Tuono...Aprilia has the option of just changing a "chip" for "racing" only... The motor is a joy to ride, the FI is absolutely spot on...with the Ti can and chip it is making about 130hp..the motor makes the most addicting sound, has all the power and then some. If the ULY with its short, high wheelbase had that motor..you would have to hang tractor weights on the handlebars.The ULY is still good..very simple and easy maintenance. | ||
| Tipsymcstagger |
I live in NYC and ride mostly in the warmer months. I really don't ride "in" the city other than to make my way to a bridge or tunnel so as to get out of the city. I'm not so much interested in the Rotax for 146hp. In fact, I would assume if the engine did make its way into the Uly, it would be a detuned version. I'm primary interested in liquid cooled for the heat issues and for the likelihood of a more appropriate gearbox. It's not that I do a ton of dirt road, downhill riding but I took the B12 to the top of Mt. Washington this summer and on the way down, I was able to let it engine brake at just a few miles per hour in first gear. From what I've read about the current first gear in the Uly, that would not have been possible...necessitating riding the rear brake all the way down. I can't even imagine how hot the brakes would have gotten had I needed to do that. It was a long way down. I test rode the '08 at Liberty a few months ago and from what I recall, I was doing the better part of 20+ mph through local town traffic in first gear without feeling the need to shift to second. On my B12, I'm out of first at around 10mph, hence the ability to engine brake downhill. Again, it's not that I intend or expect to be coming downhill to that extent very frequently, but from what I've read (and I've been reading A LOT about the Uly vs. GS vs. VStrom vs. Tiger vs. MutltiStrada, etc. for about a year), it seems the first gear issue is one of the biggest weaknesses of the current powertrain combination. That, and the heat issue...which may or may not drive me crazy as I'm sitting in traffic on the FDR Drive...(the NYPD has really stepped up their ticket writing campaign for lane splitting) are the two reasons I think I'd be interested in the Rotax/Uly combination. Anyway, I'll probably get the '08, but those were my thoughts on the issue. 86129, are you a Buell dealer? I can fly anywhere for free. Knoxville is no big deal. I bought my B12 (used) from a guy in JAX and did a fly-and-ride to NYC. The right deal is the right motivation Tipsy | ||
| Asdf |
If the XB-9 primary gearing in the Ulysses makes first gear "Right" for you, as it did for me, you will also appreciate the compression braking with the XB-9 primary gearing. Folks who have done the XB-9 primary conversion all like the lower gearing, but seldom does anyone also mention that the conversion increases compression braking, too. Food for thought... | ||
| Rwcfrank |
ASDF,I have read most of the threads on the XB9 primary. How would you rate the benefits on the top end? Can you run extended periods in the 80-90mph range? Did it increase the top speed or reduce it? The reason I ask is I am picking mine up in February and I am considering having the xb9 primary parts thrown in to sweeten the deal. I would not install them until sometime after the break in. WIll the uly pull redline in top gear or does the wind resistance stop it?> | ||
| Bearly |
I'm ready for the 170hp Uly adventure sport bike! Too much power is a rare thing when you have control over it. JMHO, I can't wait for more power on the ULY whether it's air cooled, Hydrogen powered or electric. Don't get me wrong, I would buy my 06 all over again. The "Lump" has treated me very well. But I would not mind something that pulls like a boss hog, weighs 400 lbs and handles like my Uly. The more made in America the better! So I had to choose right now, I'd buy the 08, ride it love it, and then buy the next one when it comes up. You never know when the next one is coming. Might be one, two or three years. I'd want to be having fun on my Buells between now and then. | ||
| Chadhargis |
Count me in on the Rotax powered Ulysses. I know some view the Ulysses as a "dual sport", which it IS NOT. Sure, you can ride it on a dirt or gravel road, but I have done that with the FJR I used to have. If you go slow, you can pretty much ride just about any bike down a dirt or gravel road. To me, the Ulysses is a sportbike for tall people. In the same class as the Multistrada or Tiger. If Buell will pony up and put the Rotax motor in the Ulysses (not detuned PLEASE), I think they will sell all they can make. It will be the worlds ONLY comfortable, real world, sportbike for people over 5'8" and 170lbs. At 6'5" 235lbs, I know I'd buy one. I really wanted an 1125R, but I'm holding off to see if they do a Rotax powered Ulysses. If so, my sportbike riding buddies can get the hell out of my way. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
yes, you can flog a pogo stick down a dirt road if you go slow, what fun is that? 50 on dirt is fast, no cops, no traffic, no other thing compares to it. I suppose it is the XR75 that I grew up on that makes me want to do it. The uly is quite capable off road, more people should try it. Just watch the narrow single track ;) For that you need a 450 Ds or SM. | ||
| Dentguy |
Put the Rotax in the Uly and don't detune it please. I don't think it will have too much power anywhere and if it does I just won't twist the throttle so hard. Better to have too much and decide when to use it than not have enough. The main problem with my Uly was the engine and the Rotax should solve that problem. Now don't go getting mad I'm talking about my Uly not everyones. I will wait for the 09 and keep my fingers crossed. | ||
| Maximum |
Cityxslicker said: "I suppose it is the XR75 that I grew up on that makes me want to do it." Hey, that was my first bike too! Start with an XR75 at age 8...and motorcycles become permanently in your blood. | ||
| Dentguy |
+1 on that XR75. Mine was a little tricked out and had a DG pipe on it. Wish I still had it. | ||
| Daulyfreek |
No interest in the Rotax for me. I had the Aprilia Rotax which is similar-great engine but complicated. I'm an airhead fan. The HD motor has so much real world power the only thing I wish it did was rev another 1k higher. To each their own. my '06 is the best streetbike I've ever owned. A lower 1st gear may be in the works but i have the same question about top end-love to cruise @ 80-90 | ||
| Johnboy777 |
I don't think the Rotax is the end all. I bought the Uly in part, because of the air-cooled motor. The Rotax does make more HP, but w/ higher maint. and less MPG along with that HP. . | ||
| Etennuly |
Johnboy7's, Ahh totaly agrees!  | ||
| Crusty |
 Yah; what they said. | ||
| Dougm |
I actually bought the Uly because of its Sportster based heritage. Just have a thing for those V-Twins. -- DougM |
