| Author | Message | ||
     Alleninwv |
To make a long story short....... Dang...pics are too big!! I have been contemplating moving up to a more "road-worthy, adventure touring" bike (i.e., I'll take asphalt long distances to get to the dirt/gravel roads.....no single track here), and the Buell is on the short list. I ran across one today that has 1,412 miles on it, looks like it's never seen any part of it on the asphalt other than the rubber, and the price seems great ($6,988 before TT&L). But I do have some questions for the Uly fans..... 1) Is a lower seat available? I swear the thing seems taller than my KLR! 2) How comfy is it for a passenger? I used to think the XB12X was a solo-seat bike, but today I see that it's just different colored fabric 3) Can the 12X take luggage racks? If so, can someone point me in their direction? I am about to order a pair of Pelican 1550s for my KLR, but I bet they could work on the Uly too! 4) Along those lines, if I have a passenger, what options do I have for strapping a tent and sleeping bags across the back? 5) Windshield options? Most importantly.... 6) Anything I should look for in particular while going over the bike prior to possible purchase?? The guys over at ADVrider pointed me here. I appreciate any tips/advice/info you have. | ||
| Froggy |
Yes, two in fact. The 2007 and newer bikes have a lower seat, and there is a seat in the accessory catalog thats a little bit lower than that.
Better than most other bikes.
Oh you must be looking at one of the slower orange bikes.
There are many options, two different sets from Buell directly, and other aftermarket ones.
Make her hold it  Assuming you have the luggage you could strap it to one of the cases. 
Yes two windshields from Buell including the one already on it, and then many aftermarket choices too. Adjustable brackets are recommended so you can get the right angle to minimize noise.
A lot of little things have changed over the years to resolve little issues. Keep an eye on the posts on this board and you will learn all you need to know. | ||
| Froggy |
Is this a dealer? I have been seeing new bikes with full 2 year warranties going for about that. | ||
| Thrux181 |
I had a 08 KLR 650 because I was envious of the other riders in the area that could ride on road and off. However, 9 out a 10 times I would end up taking my Triumph Thruxton out because, like you, to get to the good dirt I had to ride great paved roads to get there. Got the Ulysses and have not looked back. The only major change I made was the XB9 conversion. It gives me more confidence in the dirt. Have since sold my Thruxton as well. I have to low seat on mine. To me the seat height on the Uly feels a tad lower. But I feel more secure on the Uly. I quess it is because of the weight distribution. I need to take my wife for a ride on it, then maybe I could sell the Electra Glide too. | ||
| Alleninwv |
Froggy....it's at a local Suzuki dealer. Used bike, 1,412 miles, traded in for an ATV. Thrux...I literally felt like I was higher up on the Buell than my KLR. And for the record, I love my '06, but it won't do well riding two up. I'll have to check on this XB9 conversion thingy. I can't see myself on any road worse than....well, the Dalton Highway? The roads around Monument Valley? That sorta thing. | ||
| Froggy |
Don't worry about the XB9 Primary conversion. It is for the people that do a lot of off roading, it shortens your gearing so you use the clutch less at low speeds. You got a KLR, which will blow away the Uly off road. The 06 Uly has a seat height of 33.1" (laden), while the 06 KLR is 36" (unladen?). It is possible the suspension on the KLR is sinking more so it feels lower when you are on it. | ||
| Ulyrider2006 |
-Take a look a the rear tire. the bike should hve dunlop d616's. I got a whopping 3500 miles out of mine. some get more miles, some get less. -I can attest to the fact that the bike rides great 2 up. my wife had never ridden a motorcycle before and I got her on it for a non stop 3 hr ride through the mountains. her only complaint was the triple tail as a backrest. she said if I accelerated hard she would be pushed against it and the metal insert would dig into her back. - knowing that you ride a klr.....you'll love it. I rode dual sport and motorcross as a kid, this is the only bike that fit. | ||
| Alleninwv |
I should point out I've only ridden my KLR for one season. I got hooked on "adventure touring" last May. Only now am I realizing that I may want the capability to carry passengers. LOL Who said sportbike guys get all the girls?? Anyway, I got it simply because I felt it'd be better on gravel roads and such..but after taking it to Maine and back, I see that it may be overkill for the "off roading" I intend to do. I will do a lot more pavement getting to the places I want to see I think. Froggy, maybe it's just the seat. I actually have a Corbin 'dished' saddle on the KLR so that should put me in the same area as the Uly. For the record, the competition with the Uly is an '06 Aprilia Caponord. | ||
| Hmartin |
Word is the Caponord is just an expensive V-Strom with less of a motor. In contrast, Uly owners generally wear full face helmets to hide their insane grins. That's the bike you want. | ||
| Tipsymcstagger |
Don't worry about the XB9 Primary conversion. It is for the people that do a lot of off roading Or have to occasionally ride in traffic.  | ||
| Alleninwv |
Well, my concern with the Uly is simply this....I'm not all into carving up curves or speed. I enjoy riding, but to me the cool part is being "in" the places you are travelling, unlike a car. I wonder if the Uly isn't just "too much bike" for me. As for expensive, the same dealer had a DL650 for $7,299 before TT&L. The dealer in MD had '07 Capos for $7,999. I can't imagine the DL1000 for being much less than that and quite frankly, I find the VStroms (of either size) butt-ugly. LOL | ||
| Arcticktm |
I doubt the Uly will be too much for you, as long as you can get comfortable with one of the seat options for height. It is a great 2-up bike. I put on the Buell cases (the original Hepco Becker Journey ones that are HUGE) and my wife on back, and we are good all day long, for as long as we can get away for. Suspension is excellent for 1 or 2, if you just follow the manual for proper set up. You will even likely get better MPG than your KLR, or at least about the same. On the pavement, you will make your KLR look 20 years old (because it kinda is). If your idea of off-road is really dirt/gravel roads, you will be fine on the Uly, with a reasonable tire choice. If you are serious, I would call Buell customer service with the VIN and see if the bike is up to date on recalls (sidestand, Bank Angle Sensor). Dealer would normally do this, but you said it was at a Suzuki dealer. Buell's take a little more knowledge to get the most out of, and they have more "character" than most. However, if your other choice is an Aprilia, then that is kind of irrelevant. The Buell is easier to gets parts and help for than the Aprilia, just on dealer network and web forum support alone. Break out your negotiating skills and see what you can get them down to! | ||
| Dr_greg |
I paid $6,923 for my "replacement" '06 a couple months ago (9,900 miles; no warranty) so I feel the price is in line. --Doc | ||
| Armymedic |
I think the Uly would be an excellent choice. I sold my Vstrom this last fall and found a good low mileage 06 with luggage for a little more than what you are looking at. Great bike two up. The passenger has a lot of room back there. I liked my Vstrom but it was way too easily blown around in the wind. I love my Uly. Rock solid. Torquey and powerful. Loads of character. Give it a test ride and that should sort out your decision easily enough. | ||
| Alleninwv |
Alas.....looks like it's not to be. My decision to get divorced a couple of years ago still haunts my credit (never EVER keep a house or vehicle in your name if you intend to let the ex keep it). No Uly for me at the moment. I appreciate the info though. What I've read here makes it appear to be a winner. Just need a low seat and some bags! LOL Thanks again! | ||
| Alleninwv |
Oh, if anyone is looking, this particular Buell is located at Thornhill Suzuki, near Danville, West Virginia. 866-369-4276. Ask for Shawn. | ||
| Froggy |
Sorry to hear that, good luck to you! Also if you are thinking of Buelling again in the future, let us know first! Several Badwebbers are selling their bikes and would be a prime pick vs some random bike nobody knows the history of. | ||
| Alleninwv |
Eh, I knew the risks I took when I made my choices. LOL I think it's safe to say when the KLR gets paid off and/or sold, I'll be looking at Buells a lot more closely. I'll be lurking here for certain.  | ||
| Greenman44 |
+1 on the allowing the ex to keep a vehicle in my name. I have a good credit union that works with me on motorcycles and stuff like that. Sorry to hear about your worse luck... | ||
| Cyclonedon |
Just purchase the Uly and ride! I made one major mistake with my Uly purchase, I test rode one in August and didn't purchase one until May 25th! That's a lot of missed fun riding time that I'm never going to get back! So don't make the mistake I did! | ||
| Crusty |
never EVER keep a house or vehicle in your name if you intend to let the ex keep it Been there. Done that. The good news is that it only takes seven years to get your good credit rating back. The better news was that I was no longer married to that @#$%^&*. Hang in there; when the time is right, you'll get your Uly. | ||
| Alleninwv |
The house was sold, so that's one thing in my favor. She's gotten waaaaay behind on the vehicle, but hopefully she'll pay it off soon. It hasn't helped much when trying to finance, but so long as it doesn't get repo'd, I should be able to recover. I financed the KLR....crazy rate, but still....gotta do me some good besides giving me a fun bike! | ||
| Skinstains |
Get the Uly, the folks here come from all sorts of motorbike backgrounds and they all say the same thing..."this is by far the best bike I've ever ridden". Sell something or steal something do what ever needs doing just make sure you get a Buell. | ||
| Hooper |
There should be a BadWeb page for personal life advice and all that. I got a ton of great input when I started thinking about popping the question to my girlfriend, and what to do about the ring thing (i.e., ring versus 1125 CR versus both). She's a good woman - dropped me off at the dealer yesterday to pick up my Uly after its 12,000 mile service. I ended up having a good conversation with a GS rider and his buddy who was thinking seriously about a Uly. The strongest argument I can ever tell a potential buyer is this (which is what I told him): "I love this thing. I have four bikes right now, and I have my eye on a few others for the future, but I will ALWAYS have a Uly." I forgot to tell him about the fan and the summer heat. | ||
| Hardlya |
To paraphrase another Badwebber: "You go for a ride on most motorcycles but with a Ulysses you go on a date!"  | ||
| Skinstains |
Bikes beat brides all day long every day !!! | ||
| Skinstains |
Think about it...why would anyone want to aquire something you have to consult with or ask permision of before you do something/anything ??? I just don't get it. | ||
| Hooper |
Her family is rich, Skins!  |
