| Author | Message | ||
     Epd1102 |
I currently have a Kawasaki KLR650 and I like the comfortable riding position and semi-dual-sport versatility but I'm looking for something bigger and better. From what I've read, the Ulysses seems to fill the bill for what I want. I haven't actually sat on one yet since the closest Buell dealers are two hours away and I haven't had the time yet. Has anyone on here ridden a KLR650 and can they tell me how the riding position compares to the Ulysses? Thanks in advance for helping out a newbie. | ||
| Irelage |
I have both. The riding positions are sightly different but similar. The KLR is definately upright and with bars sweeped way back. The Uly is much more forward and lower. I found that I have to be all the way forward in the seat on the ULY to have a relaxed posture. If I scoot to the back lip of the seat I am leaning on the bars more. So I found myself rarely sitting back. That said, I purchased the 2" Rox Riser and it it improved my riding position enormously. I can now sit back comfortably. It still isn't like my KLR but I ride the ULY all the time now and rarely get on the KLR anymore. Long rides on the ULY are effortless and stable. The KLR is nerve racking in the wind and the ULY doesn't react to the wind at all. Also cruising at 4kRPM at 80MPH with no vibration with tons of power to pass at that speed. Plus no chain, no valve adjustment. I am selling my KLR. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Epd1102- you might also try the "Beasts" forum at advrider: http://www.advrider.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f= 5 A lot of us frequent both forums, but I'd bet you'd be more likely to find a KLR650 rider there. | ||
| Chad_nc |
I traded a KLR650 for my Uly. The only thing I miss about the KLR is it was lighter. IMO, the Uly is much more comfortable to me. Also smoother. I do miss my KLR sometimes though. | ||
| Az_m2 |
I have both. Seating position for me is very similar. The Uly is better in just about every category (power, suspension, brakes, comfort, maintenance, luggage, passenger seating, did I miss any?). You could probably make an argument for the KLR off-road because of the front wheel size and overall weight, but I didn't take my KLR anywhere that I haven't taken my Uly. | ||
| Reepicheep |
I have a KLR-250, and a XB9SX, and have ridden a Uly. The KLR and the Uly are very different bikes. But let me say this... I would ***much*** rather fight a Uly on a dirt road, then fight a KLR-650 on the street, FWIW, IMHO. Seems like an easy call to me... If you are doing more street riding, the Uly is the slam dunk choice. If you are doing more single track dirt riding, the KLR would be the better choice, except that a KLR-650 is a pretty bad choice for single track... The KLR is great bang for the buck though. And you can wrestle it though single track, and you can fight it for a long road trip. If you have to... ;) The Uly and an dirt cheap KLR-250, DR-350, XR-200 or something along those lines would be an e-ticket. And if thats your approach, the new XT is probably the better choice if you want to ride aggressively. | ||
| Epd1102 |
At least 90% of my riding is on the road but I do actually use the KLR on dirt trails with friends once in a while. I can go just about anywhere on it, even if maybe a little slower than my friends on their dirt bikes. Since 90% of my riding is street, I am looking for something better on the street and that's how I ended up looking at Buells. Due to back and hip problems, I need the riding position to be like my KLR for comfort- Upright back position with legs fairly low and relaxed and not scrunched up like a sportbike. If the Uly is impressive enough and comfortable enough, I'll give up on the trickier dirt riding until I can afford two bikes. (Message edited by epd1102 on April 18, 2008) | ||
| Johnboy777 |
I had a KLR650 prior to the Buell - great bike, I loved it! But the Uly is just flat out better in every way X10, except off road, of course. But I was a 90/on-10/off rider any way, so the transition was a smooth one. But I'll be honest, I do miss the KLR every time a see a muddy power line trail running off somewhere ... but I sure as hell don't miss floppin' around on the interstate every time I pass a tractor trailer.  John | ||
| Davo |
Epd1102, The Uly is a very comfortable motorcycle to ride. It has very little vibration at highway speeds. The power is increase is more than significant when compared to the KLR. The Uly is more of an "all road" motorcycle than the dual purpose of a KLR. I sold my Uly and bought a KLR. I miss the Uly but I really like my KLR. The KLR is lighter, has a wider steering lock, longer range, extremely dependable and will get you home with a little duct tape and safety wire. | ||
| Epd1102 |
I have NO doubt that the Uly will impress me with power compared to my KLR...It's just the riding position that I have to figure out. I'm gonna go to Louisville or Mt. Vernon, IL soon to try to sit on one of them so I can go from there and make my decision. | ||
| Khelton |
I don't think you will have any trouble with the riding position...had a lotta bikes here and never had one that I could ride as long as the Uly and with comfort, particularly for the back and arms. | ||
| Jphish |
Got Both & very capable for their intended purposes. When I dont want to thrash the Uly I take the KLR. Just finished a month long trip to Baja. Did 2600 mi, 500 on dirt, with the knobbed up KLR. The Kawi is a great little bike. A bit porky for single track, (particularly with loaded alum bags)But a good compromise for both dirt / single lane hiway & the kind of riding one does on that dual sport terrain. I dumped it 3 times on the dirt - mostly amateur errors - like not enough speed and rear weight shift on deep sand. Embarrassing! It's not bullet proof but pretty damn tough when armored with all the after market protection available. (Skid plate, radiator guard etc.) It's not in the same league as an xr 400 or KTM on the dirt or Uly or 1200 gs on the road - but an acceptable alternative between the 2. I love my 08 Uly but have alot of respect for what the KLR can do. In spite of my abuse & rudimentary skills on the tough stuff...it has always gotten me home. Easy to maintain & cheap to fix -(like the Uly) I use the Buell more as my sport touring ride - like to Yellowknife this summer. Some dirt, but mostly tarmac. They're different animals and difficult to make comparisons - but they both have their place in the garage...or on the road. | ||
| Jphish |
Oops - you inquired about riding position. I have an after mkt wider dish seat on the KLR - stock seat on the Uly. I can almost flat foot the KLR when slid all the way forward in the "saddle" portion - Just get my toes down on the Uly. (5'8" - 30" inseam) As you know they are both very upright biased in riding position - still playing with handle bar rotation to the rear, a few degrees at a time, on the Uly - already there with the KLR. That said, the "ride" is VERY different - the Uly handles, corners, brakes, & travels the long road with comfort, well beyond the support offered by the KLR. | ||
| Mark61 |
I have wondered about the difference speed in first gear? How do they compair? I live in the mountains and even on what is concidered a road there are times I would need to use first gear. Especially over very rocky sections. mark61 | ||
| Jmhinkle |
"I would ***much*** rather fight a Uly on a dirt road, then fight a KLR-650 on the street, FWIW, IMHO" I sold my KLR after I bought my Uly. Seating position was only close in the height department to me. The Uly has a much greater lean to the bars and I have long arms and torso. The Uly even with risers and lower seat was never near the upright position of the KLR. The KLR is a much more comfortable position to me. And to rebut the argument above, I realized by the end of the Uly that my KLR on street tires was faster and more stable through the curves than my Uly ever was. For me I've realized the nothing handles as good as a dirtbike design on street tires. That is why I never got along with the Uly. Unnatural handling for me. Not a sportbike, not a dirtbike and didn't work. If you like the Uly that's great, but don't go into it thinking it is a replacement or upgrade from the KLR. I learned the hardway. You don't have to. Buy it because it's a Uly and you like what it does do. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Thats a fair datapoint! I run street rubber on the KLR-250 on and off, knobbies other times (and the knobbies do a lot better on the street then I expected). The KLR-250 with street rubber feels fast through the corners, until I actually look at the speedo  I'll find out this memorial day weekend. I'm bringing the KLR and the 9sx to NC and Gentlemen Jim and I will be switching between the two bikes chasing all those fast cruiser guys around the Deals Gap area... It was hard enough to keep up with them on the 9sx... It'll be interesting... but those roads will lend themselves well to the KLR. An important thing to remember about my opinion here is that while I own a KLR-250, I have never ridden the 650. The 250 and the 650 share similar philosophies footprints, but are really two completely different bikes. | ||
| Jlnance |
The KLR-250 with street rubber feels fast through the corners, until I actually look at the speedo : ) That's not necessarily a bad thing. I enjoy my Blast because I can pretend like I'm a road racer, and still not break the speed limit. | ||
| Epd1102 |
I had a little time today and went to some local motorcycle shops looking around. I ended up going to look at Triumph Tigers and found a 2002 Suzuki VStrom 1000 with 5,600 miles for the same price as the mileage. I liked the position so much that I ended up trading in my KLR650 and bought the VStrom. From appearances, I consider it to be a less expensive version of a Buell Ulysses with the advantage of a local dealer. So far, I really like it. I put almost 100 miles on it getting home, which is usually only a 10 mile trip. Sorry for not getting a Buell but thanks for all of the advice and information. I hope to see you on the road.  | ||
| Jphish |
Good Luck Epd - Have ridden the DL650 but not the 1000. Pretty nice dual sport for the $. I don't think its as capable on the dirt as the KLR650 - but better on the road - you likely already know that. I love my Uly - but I have friends with Vstrom's and they seem pretty satisfied with 'em. To each their own...I don't care what people ride - have fun with whatever your sittin on. Enjoy! |
