| Author | Message | ||
     Rekrab |
Just been looking. As the cold sets in I wander the dealers.Big price difference, but looks like fun! I put 30 k on my 08 Uly and thinking of a change. Is it true I have to buy new gear and make new friends! | ||
| Skinstains |
Who are you and what are you doing here ? Seriously, I rented an 08 R1200GS to hit the pacific coast highway earlier this year. Hated it. Rode a Uly all day on the racetrack at an inside pass day and really enjoyed it. Try to rent or go on a long demo ride on one before you buy one. | ||
| Stevem123 |
YES!!! LOL BC Steve | ||
| Rekrab |
Thanks, It must be the cold weather ! the end of the season gets me depressed, so I shop. That said, It's time to do some new mods to the Uly! | ||
| Froggy |
Only thing the GS has on the Uly is the dirt friendly tires. Other than that, I think someone hit you with a crowbar. | ||
| Hooper |
You really have to ask yourself what you want to do with the bike, versus (gersus?) what your money is worth, versus what you love about motorcycles. I've rented a BMW R850R, an R1200RT, and a K1200GT in my short life of riding, and they DO NOT HOLD A CANDLE to the pure enjoyment and value of the Uly. Yes, they have many more options and creature comforts, and I've had a few bike nerds come over and drool (but it was mostly because of how expensive the bike was, and how impressed they were to see someone riding one) but if you actually have to BUY a day-to-day bike and not just rent something to enjoy in the glens of Scotland, the mountain peaks of Colorado, or the green hills of coastal California...you may think twice - those trips (when you live in suburban DC) are unique and require unique rentals. I haven't ridden a fully tricked-out GS, and I love them for what they seem to be (and for what Ewan McGregor and Touratech want us to think they are!), and they're fantastically GIGANTIC, but that's a heck of a price to pay. What I love about the Uly is how it functions as ALL OF THE ABOVE. It's fast. It's naked. It has electric plugs. It has tons of luggage. It's comfortable for the rider. It goes off road. It's tall. It's sporty. It's great for a passenger. It's easy to work on. It's 100% unique. It's rare. It's cheaper than most of the bikes that purport to do these things. And it comes with a dedicated forum for support, advice, and personal abuse!  Oh, and it's great to shop...I was looking at Ducati Monsters recently for God's sake!!!! I'm too big for them, but damn, I love the concept! I think I'll buy another guitar instead...cheaper, similar thrills, and makes the girl happy too. Win, win, win. But then I saw a new V-Max... And then maybe I'll edit this message again... (Message edited by hooper on November 08, 2008) (Message edited by hooper on November 08, 2008) (Message edited by hooper on November 08, 2008) (Message edited by hooper on November 08, 2008) | ||
| Sekalilgai |
It must be the cold weather ! the end of the season gets me depressed, so I shop I can relate for sure. But yesterday was nice and we got to take a ride for the WV-tag-o-rama that included twenty miles on what claimed to be a 'road'...I think that was certainly a test for Erik's statement of all roads as this was neither pavement nor gravel nor dirt but some even split of all three ...all at once (add a bunch of potholes and shrink it to the width of an ATV for good measure). Made for a 'schizo' riding style....some leaning, some standing, some peg weighting...weird. But the Uly handled it all well. Oh back to topic, the Uly introduced me to the off-pavement enough that after spending too much time on craigslist came....  I'm hoping to get-some-skills and thought maybe wiser on the 280lb, 250cc dualsport and save the Uly my clumsiness till I was a better rider. I sold a scooter (that the GF wasn't keen on riding) and an old car that got less than an oil-change's worth of driving the last two years and got me a little (I cannot imagine how I look on it) Super Sherpa. If my 'world' ended in a 25 mile radius of where I live, the Sherp would make a great single bike. It is a different bike altogether; not a substitute ...but more a complement to the Uly. | ||
| Longdog_cymru |
I'm looking at a new bike, but I'm keeping my Uly!!!!! | ||
| Svh |
I've had 3 people this last week ask me how I like my BMW. Lol so I explain that it is a Buell made just down the road in our lovely state. I did not like the GS when I rode it for the same reasons I didn't like the Goldwing I rode. Too refined I like feeling the machine and that visceral connection I have with the sounds and feel of the chassis. So for now I am going to enjoy my "BMW" and enjoy the $$ I saved for other things | ||
| Reepicheep |
Nice super sherpa! I try not to sound like a broken record, but you could get a Uly and a KLX-250 (or for that matter, even a CRF-450) and still have money left over for the cost of the big beemers. Neither the Uly or the BMW are much fun for any length of time off roads (in the woods), and both the Uly and the BMW do good enough on dirt roads or for short dry woods sections. But a KLX-250 in the woods? Oh my, stupid fun. Put a $150 hitch on your car, and borrow or buy a $200 harbor freight trailer, or if you are close to trails just get the KLX plated (it would be easy in Ohio). I did it the "father of four kids" route, and got a $700 KLR-250 and got it running again. Given the time investment, you would be better off getting a newer more modern bike, but the KLR is a LOT of fun as well, and comes from the factory street legal. Kind of like the super sherpa, but more like a dedicated dirt bike (taller, probably lighter, kick start only). Street bikes make great street bikes and dirt bikes make great dirt bikes. Anything that tries too hard to be both is either posing in one category (i.e. you are dreaming if you think my KLR-250 is a good touring bike, and you are dreaming if you think a GS is a good bike for a relaxed hare scrambles). Or the bike is just lousy at both (*cough* KLR-650 / XR-650 *cough*). (Message edited by reepicheep on November 08, 2008) | ||
| Court |
I've **GOT** to get to work this winter! . . I have TWO fully titled KLR basket cases sitting here begging to be something . . . I'm n ot sure what just yet. | ||
| Werewulf |
bmw gs adventure, may be the best motorcycle made, according to a lot of people who cruise the continent... big bucks to buy, tall as hell and damn expensive maintanance, if you have to pay a dealer.. a lot of "snoot" factor and great abs brakes.... uly is a cool bike, great bang for the buck and no maintanance.. i chose the uly.. | ||
| Wesman |
Winter? ..... the Uly will keep you nice and warm ..... The BMW only heats your feet  | ||
| Natron |
I've lusted after the R1200GS while the Uly is in the shop, but I know that once it's back on the road I won't think about the big beemer. It's got cache, definitely. But what the Uly lacks in cache, it makes up in uniqueness. ...and price ...and on road handling ...and maintenance costs ...and this forum. | ||
| Xbimmer |
When BMW officially acknowledges that they have a problem with final drives and fixes it  then MAYBE I'd look into another one. Give me Uly wheel bearing mysteries any day... | ||
| Skyclad |
Oh, XBimmer, and here I was thinking that was the new BMW afterburner | ||
| Tootal |
BMW has had one form of diff problems since 1985. I had a K100RS that I rode to the 85th birthday party for HD in Milwaukee. I was riding with a bunch of friends on Harleys and we pulled over at the city limits to check the map and get our bearings. Upon reentry to the highway I went into neutral, or so I thought. Upon further inspection I had stripped the splines on the driveshaft. The boot was not installed properly from the factory and water had gotten in there and washed the grease out. Do I have to tell you what it was like the rest of the weekend? One of the Harleys, a sportster, trashed the output bearing of the counter sprocket shaft. We shared a rental truck home. My point is they didn't have any problem with the old design. Sometimes old time German overkill is a good thing. Take your cad/cam and shove it! | ||
| Sanchez |
I rode an 05 GS. My impressions vs. the Uly: - It needs more ground clearance. I drug my toe almost immediately without trying. - I like the transmission. It takes less effort to shift. I actually accidentally downshifted once just resting my foot on the shifter. - The handling feels more responsive than the Uly. You just think about turning, and it starts to move. It was a borrowed bike, and the suspension was tuned for its usual 330 lb rider, though, so I didn't push it hard in the corners, and I can't really compare it to the Uly at its limits. - I like the tele-lever front suspension. It doesn't dive under hard braking. - The seat felt more comfortable than the Uly for the relatively short time I spent on it, but I couldn't really move my butt around on it, and I think it would wear me out more on a longer trip. I also couldn't slide around to get my weight off as easily. - The throttle response felt great. The engine is nice and smooth too. - I couldn't figure out how to cancel the damn turn signals, haha My conclusion: It's a great bike, and I'd be happy to own one, but it isn't worth the money to me. I also felt really old on it. Seriously. My self image just doesn't mesh with the BMW. :P I might pick one up 10 or 15 years from now, though. | ||
| Nutsosane |
I have an 08 Uly and my Father has an 07 R1200GS. I have ridden both bikes extensively and can honestly say I'd take the Uly any day. I know he can put a knobby on his front wheel for the rough stuff  but he hardly ever needs it. The only other place his bike has an advantage over mine is Superslab cruising. Something I try to do very little of. I delivered his bike to him from the mountains of Virginia to the sauna of South Florida via the Highway(cue Audioslave) and that bike was a dream. I try to keep my Uly on routes not fit for tractor trailers. The price we paid was pretty close as his was a smokin deal brand new. I like 'em both but I've bought 2 Uly's so far and am happy with both decisions. NUTS | ||
| Conchop |
Sanchez nailed it. I just did a very little ride on a 06 GS. They are a great bike, but it would cost an extra 4 to 6K$ to get one. I think about $1500 could really perfect a Uly. The GS does have the ride, comfort, and a strange heavier feel yet light to the handling touch. It certainly will not dial a wheelie like the Uly. We did a back road with about a dozen creek crossing. Both bikes are really good. The Uly needs some refinement, the GS needs some power. They are both powered by highly refined "stone axes". | ||
| Hooper |
Who says BMW doesn't have a cigarette lighter like a Uly? It's right there at the final drive. | ||
| Luftkoph |
I.M.O BMW screwed the pooch a long time ago not just with bikes but the auto line to,If you ever have or get the chance to drive a 2002 series what a sweet simple automobile,same goes for the 'ole airheads. I like to be connected to the machine not insulated from it. Also BMW has killed the good shops for the 1 line cycle boutique ala Harley.then throw in a lethal dose of poor workmanship [final drive,electrical gremlins]over zealous engineering and way to high price then they wonder why north american sales are in the crapper. Ok I feel better now.I would have bought another BMW when I bought my ully but not with the above problems | ||
| Chadhargis |
I love BMWs. I've owned three of them. GREAT motorcycles. That being said, they are VERY expensive to buy. Very expensive to repair. And they still have issues that need to be worked around just like any bike. The biggest difference between BMW and Buell is that if you have a problem with your BMW, the manufacturer will tell you that it's due to how you ride the bike. With Buell, they'll help you fix it, you may have someone from the company call or email you to get information, you will get a survey that asks how much you do wheelies and stoppies, and you'll have the ability to drive to the factory and see one being made and possibly even meet the man himself. | ||
| Tootal |
I.M.O BMW screwed the pooch a long time ago not just with bikes but the auto line to,If you ever have or get the chance to drive a 2002 series what a sweet simple automobile,same goes for the 'ole airheads. I like to be connected to the machine not insulated from it. Also BMW has killed the good shops for the 1 line cycle boutique ala Harley.then throw in a lethal dose of poor workmanship [final drive,electrical gremlins]over zealous engineering and way to high price then they wonder why north american sales are in the crapper. I totally agree with you. I had a 76 2002 and loved it. It saw a lot of track time and it is a great car to learn how to really drive in. It eventually became a donor for our racing effort. It's a little battle worn since those guys in late model cars will do almost anything to keep from getting passed by that damn box!!  | ||
| Luftkoph |
now that's a bmw automobile,lean and agile like an fw 190 really like the visquen plastic underneth | ||
| Tootal |
really like the visquen plastic underneth Requirement of the hotel, even for the new cars. I don't blame them, rarely seen a race car that doesn't drip something!! We were at a technical seminar put on by the St. Louis BMW Club. Listening to speakers all day on just about any subject about BMW's was good but hanging out at night sipping homebrew with a bunch of track junkies was the best!  | ||
| Cheddarheads4erik |
Let me sum it up for you quickly; put that money into your Uly. We've had several BMWs and the last nail in their coffin for us was their denial of a TSB that THEY released for a faulty fuel tank in the wife's 650GS. Got the lawyer involved and they [bmw] did what they said the NHSTA said they were supposed to do. She's selling the 650 and the old K100RS for an XB12XT. | ||
| Tginnh |
Hooper - nice T. I'd like to think FZ would have rode a Uly... | ||
| Hooper |
Yeah! My friend made us those custom Zappa shirts with the "Phi Zappa Krappa" logo on the back. Frank was the man, but I bet he'd have plenty to make fun of motorcycle riders about! Heck, "T*tties 'N' Beer" is about a "motorcycle man"... | ||
| Jaybirdxb12x |
Tootal nice 2002 I have never spent time ogling a new beemer in a parking lot but love to see a nice 2002 or m30 m3. the only thing better is running down beemers through off rams in a heavily loaded econoline E250 | ||
| Tootal |
Thanks Jaybird. I replaced the 2002 with an e30 M3 and still have it. It's not for sale!! I'm with you about the new ones although I did get the chance to drive a new M3 with the V8. WOW! It comes with this second lap belt to keep your hardware out of the steering wheel... and you need it! Too much money but still very cool. I don't drive it much but since gas prices have fallen and the temps are cold maybe it needs firing up. It seems the Uly has been the ride of choice all Summer!! There, aren't you glad I brought this back to two wheelers!!  | ||
| Choyashi |
Had a BMW R850R in '95! The Judge gave me $3,500, and said I had to give the bike back to BMW. They didn't want it either! My Buddies '08 GS feels like your on a Goldwing, the front sticks out 3 feet. He swears by it, even after having it in the shop 4 times.I sued BMW after the third time. BMW dosen't care. Hell, they are to cheap to be in all the IMS shows this year! But, Kymco has scooters there. The only thing good BMWish is "ATGAT"!!! That's because BMW riders are so old, they would die before their 'road rash' healed!!  |
