| Author | Message | ||
     Algarete |
I now they are two different bikes but they are both my favorites. How do they compare in terms of low end torque and power. Which one is smoother at low speeds? is the FJR boring? | ||
| Hdbobwithabuell |
I've never ridden a boring bike. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Ask ChadHargis. He's owned both. In a straight line, the FJR would eat the Uly's lunch. He always told me that he liked the bike, but that it was heavy. 600lbs is a lot of weight to be jabbing into a corner. I think the lean angle is a lot less as well. Great bike, but different than the Uly. | ||
| Dhalen32 |
Algarete: I own both. Both '06 models. The FJR has better weather protection, is faster, smoother and is my choice for longer trips. However, the throttle is ridiculously hard to turn (heavy spring) so it requires a throttle lock to rest my hand periodically. The bags are smaller, it is much heavier and it goes fewer miles per gallon than the Ulysses. The Uly is lighter, more economical to service and operate and has larger bags. I would say it is more fun to ride on twisty roads and I use it for shorter trips. I like both of them very much. Dave | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
However, the throttle is ridiculously hard to turn For some reason, Yamaha decided to use an oval throttle pulley on the 06's. I believe that they changed it back to round in 07 or 08. It makes the throttle very difficult to turn and keep turned. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Dave, You are a candidate for the upcoming Rotax powered ULY.  | ||
| Adrian_8 |
I have an 06 ULY and have ridden my buddys 07 FJR...The FJR is not happy on small unimproved or rough backroads with a little gravel thrown in...but on good roads that have nice sweeping turns it is one fine bike...The owner has had many bikes from a Duc ST4S and many BMWs and he is in love with the FJR..for the money it is fantastic for a FAST,smooth, long distance tourer. These two bikes are just two different animals, like an SUV vs BMW 540. | ||
| Buellerandy |
nice analogy. | ||
| Chopped58 |
Dhalen32: I read on a forum (maybe an FJR forum) that there is a mod you can do to ease the throttle tension a bit. Not sure if you were aware of it. Maybe a google search would turn something up. I do not own a FJR but the bike has caught my eye. | ||
| Chopped58 |
I remember where I saw it: Rider magazine, Feb 08 issue, page 10. hope this helps, sorry to hijack the thread | ||
| Wesman |
Here in NJ I think the insurance is double on the FJR as it is a sport bike ($1200 on the FJR) (Message edited by wesman on January 30, 2008) | ||
| Supertoon |
An alternative and perhaps more "apples to apples" comparison would be to the Yamaha FZ1. I had a 03 FZ1 before my Buell. Brutally fast, standard riding position and fairly low-tech. (not saying Buells are low tech) I always found the pegs too high and the fairing really sucks and the bike lacks a bit of character. Otherwise cheap to buy and insure, bulletproof (pre FI version) goes like stink and with the givi bags a decent sport-touring mount.  | ||
| Atoms |
"Which one is smoother at low speeds?" would almost have to be the characterless sewing machine FJR. Wouldn't it? I loves my Uly, but I would not say that it is smooth at low speeds. An FJR was on my short list when I eventually bought my R100RT a few years back, but I never got around to actually riding one - so I'm just guessing. | ||
| Adrian_8 |
The FJR is so smooth at low speeds and most all speeds... that you can hardly tell if it is running..thats good if thats what you like. Very close to an electric motor.. as in a Goldwing..Characterless and sort of boring for me...Thats why people like Harleys... they have that special feeling..you either get it... or you don't. | ||
| Chadhargis |
My FJR was wonderful. I really like it. But as my riding skills improved, I found that I was dragging pegs and even a muffler once. That scared me. I finally decided that it needed to be 100lbs lighter and have more ground clearance if I were going to keep it. When I started out running guys on Gixxers and R1s, I knew it was time for a small, lighter, more agile bike. Now I out run them on my Ulysses.  | ||
| Josh_ |
Ton of power, but real heavy. Kind of boring too, but the power windshield rocks! I'll be selling my 05 in the Spring since I got a 1125R and a backpack ;) | ||
| Algarete |
Is the leg room on the Uly the same as in the fjr? I sat on a 06 fjr today and it felt great. The weight was not too bad. It had about 1/4 of a tank of gas. The dealer has all the used bikes ready for people to test drive them. Maybe I'll go this weekend and test drive it and see how boring it really is. I don't think it's going to be worst than my nighthawk. | ||
| Chadhargis |
The Ulysses has more legroom that the FJR but about 2". It's a big difference. | ||
| Danger_dave |
Fairings are ghey. HTFU and Uly. | ||
| Crusty |
HTFU and Uly.  | ||
| Danger_dave |
There's a press advert or what? | ||
| M2nc |
The only experience I have with the two bikes was on the trip to MBIII. The Uly was brand new at the time and I passed an FJR on I-40 just before Black Mountain. The FJR rider was obviously curious about the Uly since the bike had just come out, so he match speeds with me and we rode together for 40 miles or so. As we hit Black mountain we never slowed down. Running 85-90mph all the way up was as fun as super-slab gets. He could not keep pace as I could see him dragging in the corners. He also could not evade lane-changing traffic as quickly. But on every sudo-straightaway he would throttle the bike and catch back up quickly. A few exits after Black Mountain he turned off as we waved good bye. It's always cool when you're on a long ride by yourself to hook up with another rider on the road. | ||
| M2nc |
I love it Dave. I wander if HD legal would let it fly. I think we need to get stickers. "HTFU and Uly. DD" (Message edited by M2nc on February 02, 2008) (Message edited by M2nc on February 02, 2008) | ||
| Danger_dave |
No chance. I've done a bit of official publishing down here. If you want a model of political correctness I'll show you the H-D marketing guidelines. Helmet for every rider - even if off bike No overtly sexist or sexual references no ink or outlaw imagery it's comprehensive and very well done - even down to acceptable camera angles. more likely they'd say stfu  |
