| Author | Message | ||
     Slowride |
As some of you may know, I road tripped out to Buelltoberfest from Dallas, TX. This was actually the first leg of my long trip for 2008 on the Uly. The trip was planned to run from 10/1 – 10/15. I covered approximately 4200 miles in 10 states, but had to call it short when I ended up running out of tire on the rear just 400 miles shy of my destination. This was my 3rd long trip on the Uly with each trip covering around 3200+ miles. In between the long trips I have also completed some local 800 – 1k mile loops riding single and two up for a grand total of about 25k miles on the Uly in the last 1.8 years. Almost all of those miles were covered with an ever growing array of gadgets and luggage. I have farkled the bike to suit my needs and to provide more comfort and convenience for me while I am on the road. All in all the bike (Uly) did exactly what I wanted it to do, but at the cost of many miles of holding my breath. If you take a quick look at my profile you will see the array of items that have been replaced under warranty. As of April of 2008 the Uly went out of warranty and as fate would have it during my long trip this month the Uly started throwing check engine lights and I received a myriad of codes from the ECM. After some heart to heart with the Uly, oh and the wife too; I decided it was time to trade in the bike for a true touring bike. I had more than a few PM’s and public messages as to the Why’s of getting rid of the Uly and I guess the best way to sum it up is as follows… After purchasing a new bike on Tuesday 10/21, I just finished logging 1643 miles on it as of 10/26. The wife and I rode the bike from Dallas, TX up to the Ozark Mountains and rode the back woods of MO (hwy 125) through the Mark Twain National Forrest and we finished up with a return run through Eureka Springs and down Hwy 71 to Mena, AR. It took me 300 miles to stop listening for a stumble or a noise that I might hear and wonder if there was something wrong with the bike. Funny thing is my wife was doing the same thing. Every time I moved around on the bike or looked down to see what this button did or if I had the right setting on the GPS she was wondering what was going on with the bike. We both had become so used to something going wrong on our trips that it had become second nature for her as well. I got off the bike at the first gas stop and ritualistically walked around the bike looking for potential problems. It soon dawned on me that I had one of the best touring bikes on the market and I would not have any significant problems for some time if I treated it well. We greatly enjoyed the next 1300+ miles on the bike. It performed flawlessly and had the power and nimbleness that was a must have for me when I was looking at a Uly replacement. What was learned through all of these miles? Bikes have become fairly purpose built. Gone are the days when one bike was expected to perform all roles. The Uly was definitely the Swiss Army knife of the motorcycle world, but for me I needed more. I needed more touring capabilities for the damn slabs we must endure to get to the primo spots. I refuse to trailer my bikes to reach these gems, so I must ride. I will own another Buell, a tuber to be exact. I will enjoy it for all things that make it a Buell. I will thrive in the ingenuity and I will revel in its rarity, but for touring I have found my new girl… The ST1800 by Honda, more commonly known in the states as the Goldwing and since I can’t bring myself to actually say the word “Goldwing” it shall for ever more be known as my “ST1800”. (Message edited by slowride on October 27, 2008) | ||
| Ulywife |
Micah - As long as you're happy, that's all that matters. You know you don't have to own a Buell to hang out here. If that was the case, they would have thrown me out long ago! Hope to see you at MBVI. | ||
| Etennuly |
I hope that thing will be capable of hauling your butt back to Suches in the coming year. I for one would like to see it. And for that matter seeing you again wouldn't be all that bad either!  It has been my contention for some time that Buell perfect what they build rather than make more models. But hey, I don't run their business. We will see for '09. I would likely have bailed at some point too had it not been for BadWeB, and I cannot fit one of those big bastards where I need it for my work. Funny though, the '05 City-X was flawless. | ||
| Slowride |
You guys are great! You know the best part of MBV and Buelltoberfest was hanging out with you guys at TWO. I will be back this next year either on the ST1800 or a Newly used tuber. To your point...She is big though! | ||
| Pso |
Slowride-The Goldwing info board is as good as this one. The bike is also a terrific bike. I had an 01 Yellow. Check out,if you can find it "Yellow Wolf doing the Dragon" it is an amazing display of what that wing is capable of. My finacee' thinks the Uly is more fun to passenger on than the Wing. She would fall asleep on the Wing. | ||
| Slowride |
Pso, That's pretty funny. The rake and lean angles possible with the Uly scared the crap out of my wife. I am sure I didn't help matters much as my ridding style is most closely related to Barker, JimDucan or Ft_bstrd. She likes the ST1800's ride a lot better and I also caught her falling asleep this weekend while we were out riding. LOL, I asked her if I needed to get her a seatbelt. AHAHAHAHAH (Message edited by slowride on October 27, 2008) | ||
| Tootal |
If you bring the Goldwing to Buelltoberfest next year I'll bring the Geezer Glide and we can battle it out in the twisties!! Damn road hogs! It was fun chasing you this year and I'm sure it will be fun next year. Thanks for a great day of riding and enjoy your new toy. tootal | ||
| Slowride |
Hmm, I swore I wouldn't put a trailer hitch on the ST1800, but now I am thinking it could haul my tuber in when I purchase it to either MBVI or Buelltoberfest. Hmmm..... do they make a toy hauler for a ST1800 that leans? (Message edited by slowride on October 27, 2008) | ||
| Road_kill |
It was a pleasure to meet you this year at Buelltoberfest. I still see spots after looking into the Death Rays!  Or maybe that had to do with a certain glass jar Brad was passing around  . Either way, a good time was had by all. I look forward to seeing you again at T.W.O. or wherever our paths may cross. Road Kill P.S. Your ST1800 should be cooler while waiting for traffic in Helen! | ||
| Etennuly |
It seems that most of the passengers that ride with me on my Uly fall asleep at some point. I thought it was just me!  Look up some trailer threads from last spring. I seem to recall someone towing a car with one!  |
