| Author | Message | ||
     Pirnie |
Hey all! I'm considering purchase of my first Buell, a Ulysses. I've looked at an 2007 X and a 2008 XT. The X is more my riding style, but I'm tip-toeing at stops. The XT fits a little better, but lacks the rough roadability of the X. Any suggestions? Also, would you go for a left-over '07 X? The dealer hasn't discounted it much, compared with the list of the '08 X's. Does anyone have the specs for the '07's to compare with the '08's? Thanks for any input. Pirnie | ||
| Cityxslicker |
You have mail. (caffeine and insomnia are not a good mix apparently) | ||
| Buelldualsport |
To Quote Jerry Reed in Smokey and the Bandit "Caffeine, nicotine, and benzedrene" Buells to Alaska ALCAN 5000 2010 | ||
| Greenamp |
I've an 06 with the tall seat. The inability to flat foot the bike really isn't that big of a deal IMO. Course, I can just get the pads of my feet down being 6' with 32" inseam. I prefer the left foot down, right foot on brake stance anyway though. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Pirnie- You can get used to the extra height if you really want the rough road capability. OTOH, if you're planning on a lot of two-up riding, the lower height might be a big plus. I have an 07 X and a 30 inch inseam. The height isn't a problem for me normally but I have to be really careful riding two up. Here are the changes for the 08's from Buell's webpage: New on Ulysses XB12X for 2008 New 47mm front forks replace the previous 43 mm forks. Secured with a new triple clamp design, this new front end improves the torsional rigidity of the entire chassis. Fork flex is reduced during hard braking for improved stability and feedback. Steering sweep lock-to-lock is increased to 74 degrees from 54 degrees to reduce the turning radius in off-road low-speed maneuvers. New off-set triple clamps maintain the 23.5 degree rake and 4.8 inch trail. Note- the fork and steering changes do NOT apply to the 08 XT Heated hand grips are now standard equipment on the 2008 Ulysses. The grips are rated at 18 watts per side on the High setting and 11 watts per side on the Low setting. New air guides positioned on the tail section of the Ulysses deflect engine heat away from the rider’s legs. Modifications to the 1203 Thunderstorm V-Twin engine enhance performance, reduce maintenance, and allow a new redline of 7100 rpm (see separate Thunderstorm release for details). The instrument panel styling is refreshed and the tachometer reflects the new 7100-rpm redline. A commemorative Buell 25th Anniversary graphic with Erik Buell’s signature is placed on the handlebar clamp. New color: The 2008 Ulysses XB12X is offered in a new color, Thrust Blue, in addition to Barricade Orange and Midnight Black, each with Magnesium Tone wheels. Here are the engine changes: EAST TROY, Wis. -- (Sunday, July 08, 2007) Buell continues to develop its Thunderstorm V-Twin powertrain in 2008, with significant enhancements that boost engine performance and reduce required maintenance. The Buell Thunderstorm is a modern air/oil/fan-cooled V-Twin powertrain utilized in the Buell XB motorcycle platform that includes the Firebolt, Lightning and Ulysses model families. Two versions of the engine are offered. The Thunderstorm 1203 displaces 1203cc and produces 103 horsepower at 6800 rpm and 84 ft. lbs. of torque at 6000 rpm. The Thunderstorm 984 displaces 984cc and produces 92 horsepower at 7500 rpm and 70 ft. lbs. of torque at 6000 rpm. Both are tuned to deliver a broad, flat torque curve that makes abundant power available to the rider at almost any speed, reducing the need for downshifting and providing strong acceleration in any situation. Both engines feature electronic fuel injection and dry-sump oiling. The Thunderstorm 1203 is equipped with the Buell InterActive Exhaust system, which utilizes a valve in the dual-chamber muffler that is controlled by the ECM and adjusts exhaust flow according to riding conditions to smooth torque delivery and optimize engine power. For 2008 the Thunderstorm 1203 redline is increased to 7100 rpm from 6800 rpm, giving this engine an even broader powerband, and riders the ability to accelerate longer and downshift at a higher rpm. The rpm redline of the Thunderstorm 984 remains 7500 rpm. For 2008, the following changes have been made to both the Thunderstorm 1203 and the Thunderstorm 984: New Timing System * The timer cover is eliminated, as the engine is now crank timed from a new crank position sensor, which eliminates the need for manual timing, reducing maintenance costs. The ECM actively monitors and adjusts timing based on driving environment. The new sensor makes 30 reads per revolution, compared to the previous two reads per revolution, for more precise control of fuel mapping and timing to conditions. More Robust Crankpins * The size of the crankpins is increased to 1.50 inches from 1.25 inches. Oiling System Upgraded * A higher-output oil pump supports oiling to the new crankpin area. The new pump is driven off of the crank, a design based on the Buell XBRR production racing motorcycle. * A new eight-row oil cooler offers enhanced cooling performance. * All oil line ends are now equipped with Jiffy-tite fittings. New DDFI 3 ECM (Engine Control Module) * A new ECM with increased computing capacity. * DDFI 3 actively controls and monitors the TPS (throttle position sensor), IAC (idle air control), and timing. DDFI 3 automatically zeros the TPS and adjusts fuel metering for smoother idle, eliminating service intervals and reducing the cost of ownership. * A new progressive throttle cam and new throttle cables provide smoother throttle input from stops, and less rotation to full throttle. (Message edited by Hughlysses on July 25, 2008) | ||
| Cityxslicker |
You could also grab the XB12XT, and at your first tire change, put the more aggressive dirty tires on it. You wont have as much clearance as the ULY, but you will still have 1.5 inches over my ground clearance. I seem to be able to ride mine off road fine  Let me know when you want to come out and try them on in dirt. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I can't flat foot my Uly either. You get used to it. As long as you can touch your toes on either side, you're fine. If you are going to do 2-up, the addition of the passenger actually helps to make it easier to reach the ground. With my wife on, I can flat foot on both sides. If you are going to ride off road much, you'll prefer the extra ground clearance. | ||
| Barker |
06 uly w/ tall seat and im 5'10. Yeah, I tipie-toe, but I love it. I used to use the 07 low seat. | ||
| Johnboy777 |
Mr. Pirnie, Riding a Buell is a visceral experience that starts at the medulla oblongata and races through the brain like a runaway freight train hurtling down a narrow mountain pass and igniting the primordial gasoline of the soul. Oh yeah, it’s a lot like that!...  . (Message edited by johnboy777 on July 25, 2008) | ||
| Buelet |
+1 for the 2-up, flat-foot vs. solo tip-toe on my '06 12 X. (6' w/ 34" inseam) Love it! | ||
| Etennuly |
A guy who rides an XB9R asked me the other day "how do you guys ride those Uly's? I rode one and can barely touch the ground!" I told him "when I ride my Uly I'm not touching the ground!"  "And I'm old enough that what ever part hits the ground first when I stop, is what I lean on until I go again!" | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
the medulla oblongata "There's something wrong with his medulla oblongata!" | ||
| Froggy |
Another midget here, was barley able to touch the ground on my X, but i still managed. Only sucked a few times, i dropped it on some gravel because my bike has to lean like 40 degrees before my foot hit the ground, and loosing traction at that point isnt any fun!  | ||
| Pirnie |
Wow. I'm overwhelmed by the generous sharing of the Buell community. I can't wait to become a key-carrying member. I test rode an new '07 on Thursday on an all too short, but very enjoyable ride. Tip-toeing with my 30-inch inseam and the specter of dropping the Big X at each stop was foremost in my mind. Unfortunately, this machine is no longer available as of this morning. If I could ask one further question of the group: Do any of you feel limited by your fuel tank size or MPG on your Uly? If so, how do you address this? Thanks for the input. I guess I have some shopping to do. Pirnie | ||
| Panhead_dan |
My '06 will run almost 200 miles on the freeway and gets about 50 mpg. It gets good mileage on dirt roads too, which is surprizing. | ||
| Buelet |
My turn again? '06 12X - I usually tank up anywhere from the 150's to the 180's. Sometimes higher, but not on average. I don't worry too much about what the actual MPG is. I tank up sooner when I'm accompanied by my wife on her '03 XB9S. Then we stop around 110-135 usually. (Her's did make it 154 miles on one fill-up on the way to or from Homecoming this year! ...she was giving me dirty looks every time I kept updating her on how much farther the Zumo said the gas station was! lol) I do wish the Uly had a larger capacity tank, but I don't think it's going to be a limiting factor for 99.9% of the riding you'll do. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
I run with the 3.8 gallon tank and do a bit of off road, your milage is pretty consistant. (150 for me per tank) When I go for long off road I do take a small Gallon + in the tank bag, I havent had to use it yet, but it is there for emergencies. 200 miles is at speed limits, 3 hours + in the saddle, you will want to get off the bike and stretch a bit anyways. The New 09 XT should be here in two weeks |
