| Author | Message | ||
     Wademan |
My Uly is great, no problems what so ever. XBimmer, it is simplistic, but why waste my time 'garage' engineering something that may be doing more harm than good on my bike. I have a engineering degree and the biggest thing I learned after I graduated was that I really don't know SHIT in the real world. It takes years of experience and know how to do the job these guys are doing. Since I realized this I am not going to try and apply basic ass shit I learned in thermodynamics, fluids, and heat transfer to re engineer my motorcycle. Instead Ill go ride. Now, the fan being unreliable is a different issue. I have no comment there other than I like it and if it fails there will hopefully be advanced warning. Diablobrian, I didn't want to start the 'garage' engineering debate but here is my take on what the right side scoop is inhibiting.... By having an asymmetric design with the scoops it creates a pressure differential across the heads, forcing air to flow not only over them but across them out the other side. The RSS inhibits this 'cross flow' by equating the pressures on both sides. In addition to this, the logic that more air in may equal more air out (over the rear head) may be very off. The space around the rear head is very limited. Forcing more air back there may do nothing except build up pressure in that area and flow the smallest more air. Again these are just 'garage' opinions, I don't know shit and what I just said could be the opposite of true. Brad, you got me there. I am not saying it is perfect guys, just damn hard to beat. (Message edited by wademan on September 04, 2006) | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
This forum is great but psychologically I think we start to get a wee bit of mass hysteria about certain topics. Cases in point #1) Pinging engine. A few folks write about it here and all of a sudden everyone if freaking over pings both real and imagined. I didn't think I had a pinging problem but now I'm beginning to believe or imagine those are pings I'm hearing (no kidding). #2) Sidestand. A few ULY stands snapped and because we got to hear from those that it unfortunately happened to, the rest of us (me included) got our collective panties in a bunch. I was so worried about that darn sidestand that I wouldn't let my son sit on the bike while I filled the gas tank. #3) Fan noise and quality. A few fans have crapped out and we of course get to read the gory details ad nauseam. We've got ourselves worked up into a lynch mob frenzy over the fan noise. My God, it's louder than an approaching tornado to some of us. Others just can't take it anymore and are contemplating sULYside. It never bothered me that bad but now I am listening for that first rattle instead of just enjoying the ride. I'm beginning to think that we have forgotten that our ULY's are mechanical devices and all things mechanical have problems. Not always the same problems because that is the nature of quality and specifications and engineering and economic trade-offs in the manufacturing of these vehicles. The problem here is that of the few thousand of these bikes that are made some of the parts have failed or acted improperly and we get to hear about each of these problems. Fact is, some of you guys beat the hell out of your bikes and should expect some problems. Others just got the un-luck of the draw. Still others, only have to worry that their bike is next for that written about failure. I'm starting to ramble here so I'll end this by saying that I believe this board helps Buell in sorting out and addressing the most pressing problems. Don't forget that with any new off the shelf model it takes (from what I've observed) a few years to sort out and fix the things they skimped on or simply overlooked when they originally designed the bike. We are to expect the growing pains of the first couple of years of manufacturing this bike and hopefully we will be rewarded with more recalls where it is truly needed. (Message edited by electraglider_1997 on September 04, 2006) | ||
| Retired_cop |
Electraglider, Thank you for saying what some of us think. I once vowed never to buy a first year production model, but did (06 ULY). As I am well versed in the older tube frame Buells of the late 90's,(own a 98 S3T) recalls are nothing new to me. Once everything is sorted out, we will have the bike the Ulysses is designed to be. Just be patient and have faith in Buell, they know what they are doing, although at times it takes a while. The knee jerk reaction to a problem will not solve it. That just treats the symptom, not the cause. IMHO only. | ||
| Brucelee |
I have a first year Buell XB9S. It does not appear that we had all that many issues with this bike. I remember a few rear bearings, early belts, maybe a sidestand (what is WITH this issue anyway?). I may be suffering faulty memory here. | ||
| Bosezone |
When my fan went out I rode the bike for 3 weeks waiting for my service appointment. It was pretty consistently in the 90's. The bike was fine. The only thing I noticed was that if I lugged it around town and caught a lot of lights, eventually it would start to ping under hard acceleration from a long stop. After a minute or so of riding, it would be ok again. Point being that I knew the bike has overheating protection to prevent engine damage so I was sensitive, but not overly concerned. It is not going to suddenly melt down without warning and under most "normal" riding conditions the fan doesn't even appear to be needed. It seems to have just enough effect to prevent serious overheating in adverse conditions. Bottom line is you can rest easy that if you do have a sudden failure, you are not going to destroy your motor. You would notice the pinging and eventually, if it got bad enough, the protection built into the ECU would kick in and start skipping spark plug firings to reduce heat which you could not help but notice immediately. | ||
| Jlnance |
I have a first year Buell XB9S. It does not appear that we had all that many issues with this bike. I remember a few rear bearings, early belts, maybe a sidestand By my counting thats 3 times the number of serious issues the Uly has had (Uly sidestand recall.) The other complaints about the Uly fall into the "I find it annoying" catagory. | ||
| Brucelee |
I have seen posts for windscreens, seats, fans, sidestands, overheating, pinging. That seems a bit much to me. But, hey it is your Uly! (Message edited by brucelee on September 04, 2006) | ||
| Blake |
Aftermarket/optional windscreen, doesn't count, not EOM stock. Seat problems?  None I've heard of. Overheating?... Not happening. If you try, you'll find a similar number of the same types of complaints for any new motorcycle, no matter what make or model. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Hey, if people like us didn't buy the 1st year ULY then that would of been the only year they made them. | ||
| Xbimmer |
+1. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Granted, each successive version of a model gets more and more reliable, but it ain't like they took a crap in a box and sent it to us. There are a few issues to be ironed out. Let's say, hypothetically, that for the 07 run they found a fan manufacturer that produced a unit produced virtually no sound and ran forever. Would this thread even exist? If there is truly a problem, they will address it. If you blow through a fan every 5000 miles, you will need several over the two year ownership and warranty period. They will eventually think "hey, there seem to be quite a lot of failures. Maybe we should look at the fans." If there isn't an issue, well, why mess with a good thing? | ||
| 12x_infatuation |
Got mine back from 1st service yesterday & after riding 25 mins was impressed that it took that long for fan to kick in. Today (evening) i rode half an hour ambient temp before the fan came on. I reckon it it only came on as i had to show this guy on an XR650 a thing or two about acceleration! Anything scientific about old oil not dealing with the heat as well as new? I may be happier to do oil changes more often or go with the synthetic or both. Any suggestions? Matt. | ||
| 12x_infatuation |
By the way E'glider thanks for sheetmetal scoop idea im following that one up! Might even get the left side done in steel to match. If it works out & i can sell em here whats your cut? | ||
| Jlnance |
I believe I recall someone mentioning that other motorcycles had fans. Any of them particularly quiet? I'd love to look up the specs. | ||
| Teeps |
Ft_bstrd Posted on Monday, September 04, 2006 Let's say, hypothetically, that for the 07 run they found a fan manufacturer that produced a unit produced virtually no sound and ran forever. Would this thread even exist? NO... | ||
| Brucelee |
Older oil (esp DINO or cheap syn) will shear down due to heat and mechanical shearing as the miles pile. If you swapped oil with 5K miles on it for a fresh fill with say, Red Line, I would bet your bike would run cooler and that MIGHT effect your fan operation. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
12X, If you are serious then it's up to you to decide since you are actually the one doing something with it. Thanks. Here's another thought... Since the RSS is said to create higher rear head temps because it purportedly fights the LSS then how about making a larger LSS and maybe it will accomplish more than adding a RSS. Maybe an inch out further and and inch lower. That would probably close to double the air volume. (Message edited by electraglider_1997 on September 05, 2006) (Message edited by electraglider_1997 on September 05, 2006) | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Here's a thought on ULY fan-a-side. Brucelee doesn't understand why ULY has problems with fans when his 9X doesn't. ULY riders spend time on gravel roads and my bet is that the abrasive gravel dust is the main culprit. I road about 20 miles of gravel the other day and noticed a nice film of dust under the seat while I was doing the air box cover holing. Considering that the ULY fan pulls that crap through it, you can't expect that it will last near as long as a fan on a bike that steers clear of dusty roads. That is also why we always read that oil change intervals should be way less if driving gravel roads. It's apparent to me that Buell engineers crossed their collective fingers on this one with a wait and see attitude. Their eyes have been opened and I'm sure they are working on it. With two year warranties they can ill afford replacing fans on every bike that cracks 10,000 miles or more with those 2 years. I'm sure they also cringe at negative publicity which is worse yet. | ||
| Brad1445 |
Jlnance Posted on Tuesday, September 05, 2006 - 07:53 am: I believe I recall someone mentioning that other motorcycles had fans. Any of them particularly quiet? I'd love to look up the specs. ____________ I also have a 2006 Triumph Sprint 2005 Ducati 999 2004 Hayabusa Just sold all with fans that sound solid and quite. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Brad, None of those are gravel road bikes. | ||
| Teeps |
Maybe my final word on this subject; maybe not. So here's my observations from Sunday's ride. Ride duration: 212 miles. Ride conditions: sea level to + 7000ft. ambient temperature from 70f. to 100f. freeway and twisty mountain roads; about 60/40 split respectively. Observations: Level cruising, freeway speeds +65mph, fan does not run. Climbing, freeway speeds +65mph, <80f. fan runs. Level off or go down hill for a few minutes; fan goes off on its own! (as one might expect.) Level cruising, +65mph, >90f; fan runs. How does this differ from the stock scoop? On the same ride, give or take a few miles and degrees; Fan starts running at about the 10 mile mark and runs continuously until the engine is stopped. One design flaw was discovered during my use of the Big Air Scoop. If the bike is allowed to sit and idle for too long. The scoop starts to smell, and the paint or black coating blisters. This could be the only reason that Buell does not put one on the bike stock... Chew on that. | ||
| Aeholton |
Teeps are your headers wrapped? Mine are and I haven't noticed any blistering. However, they still smell funky when they get hot.  | ||
| Teeps |
No, Aeholton, no they are not. I was thinking about wrapping them, then I read (on a nascar site) that doing so can cause the metal of the pipe to erode from the extreme heat that is captured by the wrap. I would get them ceramic coated 'cept I like the stock golden color. | ||
| Jlnance |
Thanks for the info Brad. I've tried to find some info about those fans. There is a company called Muzzy that sells replacement fan blades for the Hybusa and several other bikes. They don't mention noise as one of their selling points, but they might be quiter. I also found a picture of the Triumph fan (I think.) It has a circular plastic ring which connects the ends of all the blades. I suspect that it's the blades that make our fans loud, so both of these caught my attention. | ||
| Birdmanrh |
The only way to get the same amount of air movement with less noise would be to make a deeper fan, which will not fit. You are not going to find a more quiet fan. They only thing needed is a more reliable fan that does not get bearing rattle in 1000 miles.  | ||
| Brad1445 |
The sound of fast moving air through tight constraints is ok, a crappy ass sounding piece of junk is not. Its two different things. | ||
| Blake |
Let's say, hypothetically, that for the 07 run they found a fan manufacturer that produced a unit produced virtually no sound and ran forever. Would this thread even exist? Of course, but it would be a bit different. People would be complaining that the fan is too damn quite and they cannot tell if it is running or that it must not be moving enough air to properly cool the engine.  You know I'm joking, but you also know that there is probably a grain of truth in that.  | ||
| Diablobrian |
I think Blake means that some will always see the glass as "twice as large as it needs to be"  | ||
| Brucelee |
My guess is it IS the loudness of the fan. I had a fan on my ninja but it was really pretty quiet and did not run if the bike was moving much. When I got my XB, it was like, HOLY JESUS, I can hear that fan down the block. If the fan got "normal" I think the complaints would die away. | ||
| Brucelee |
Did I just say, "It was LIKE ....?" There is no hope for me! |
