| Author | Message | ||
     Miles_before_i_sleep |
I'm a Road King rider that is looking hard at the GS, KLR and Uly. I want to start making Alaska, Canada, Mexico trips and want maximum reliability. I want this Forum to talk me into a ULY. Prefer to buy USA made if I can be convinced the ULY will be as bullet proof 400 miles north of Fairbanks as either the GS or the KLR. | ||
| Michael1 |
Well, it could. Some are, some aren't. Mine has NEVER let me down on a long out of state trip. It's the short in state trips that it does. For me, I still take the trips, just make sure I carry spares. Major Spares: Belt Clutch Cable and cable restraint Rear Wheel Bearings (with removal and installation tools) Tire Plug Kit Full Tool Roll (homemade, not a kit) AAA Plus with RV/Motorcycle towing This has helped prevent and advert any disaster, since I've had things go wrong. I've been left stranded due to rear wheel bearings and a broken clutch cable. Not any more. The bikes made trips up to northern Canada and down to Georgia without an issue. I do plan on long trip (Alaska or down to Texas/Mexico way) here in a year or two. I have NO hesitations taking it. I have a friend on a GS that has had issues. All bikes do, it's just you have to be prepared for it. And after awhile, you learn what you need. LOL. | ||
| Froggy |
The motors themselves are bulletproof. Read the New Uly Owners section, it covers the common issues with the bikes. Biggest things to worry about are the belt and wheel bearings. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142 838/442053.html?1238017122 Other than that, they suck up tires fast and have a tendency to attract deer. Demo one, then pile on the miles.  | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
If you go with the KLR650, you'll be bringing an extra chain anyways, right? At least when the belts go, they don't kill the engine cases. The KLR650 is cheaper and lighter so perhaps that's the main advantage here. | ||
| Freak |
i had an 07 klr, nice bike for the money but the uly is a lot better all around bike. you wouldnt be happy with the lack of power from the klr take it from me. i have an 06 uly , bought it used put the new belt and wheel bearings on it and no issues to this point. i have a few friends with the bmw gs and 2 of them are getting rid of theres for one reason or another. you wont be sorry if you go with the uly. | ||
| Etennuly |
I do not fear riding my Uly anywhere. It has had its share of problems, but never left me stranded. I usually pack a roll of masking tape, electrical tape, tire plug kit, can of fix a flat, a variety of hand tools a cell phone and charger, maps and GPS so I know where I am. I don't get into carrying spare parts. I leave them at home, they could be overnighted if necessary. If I had a problem somewhere, it is likely I wouldn't have all the tools I needed anyways. The BRAN is a good idea. One time the Uly tried to keep me from going on a trip. Simple wire wore through near the ECM. Drove me nuts for a few hours, moved it around with out pinpointing it, so I made the trip without a problem and found and fixed the little bugger when I returned. From East Tennessee thus far I have ridden to and back: Wisconsin, Western NY., Pennsylvania, Florida 3 times, Alabama. In all kinds of weather. Always made it home, twice in 'limp mode'. Once for a fan that quit 600 miles out, and once for me being busted up after a fall on a demo bike at a track. All I need is time off from my business, proper funding, permission from the wife, fresh tires and oil, and I would ride it anywhere. Common sense, study what can go wrong, know the symptoms, and what the fix is. Having a buddy back home with access to BadWeB has for me, become one of the most essential comfort tools. With this, the BadWeB, you have friends all over the World who will reach out to help a fellow Bueller. Ya can't beat that anywhere on any other brand! | ||
| Bienhoabob |
To some,(one) this is bragging, but it is not intended to be. My 99 Road Glide had a breakdown on almost every LD ride I did on it. I traded it in on an '06 Uly. Uly accomplishments: All IronButt certified. Ride around Texas = 3,115 miles under 70 hours, Buttlite IV = 7,000 miles in 7 days, Instate Wisconsin SS 1000 = 1,000 miles in under 24 hours, 2 Minnesota 1000 rallys = 1,000 miles in 24 hrs, Sunrise to Sunset = 3,560 miles in under 72hrs. Cape Fear 1000= 1,000 miles in under 24hrs. Plus all the miles getting to and from the rally/events. My only troubles have been two loose rivets on timing cover and one burnt out low beam. I did change the belt at 30,000 miles as well as the rear wheel bearings. Front bearing is still original. I signed up for another IBA event in July and will be doing a flower sniff'in ride in June to Montana/Wyoming. The Uly has been rock solid and I wonn't hesitate riding it anywhere. | ||
| M2nc |
I have 3.5 years and 41,000 miles on my Uly. You can look at my profile for a play by play since the bike was new. I need to add another headlight bulb to it from my last 1200 mile trip. The bike has proved to be very reliable. While the Uly has rear wheel bearing and belt issues, with spares and the right tools, you can replace them pretty easy on the road. I did replace my belt after it broke but in my case it gave me about 9K miles of warning. I would replace a belt every 30K miles. The KLR has the doohickey problem in the motor and the BMW has final drive failures, both well documented on the web and show stoppers on the road. The Uly has its idiosyncrasies too, but most are minor, pretty well documented and pretty easy to fix. I would not be afraid right now to ride my bike coast to coast and take regular trips away from home on it. | ||
| Jphish |
You can perhaps preempt the bearing issue by changing out the NTNs for the newer KBCs. I have an 06 KLR that I carry spare chain, clutch cable & shifter. Did dohickey swap already. I would only carry a spare belt & bearings for the Uly. All that aside - It's the RIDING experience not the breakdown inconvenience that we are pursuing. I use the KLR primarily in Baja & about 50% dirt riding. It gets the livin crap beat out of it. Very reliable old mule. The Uly is simply a much more comfortable, powerful, better handling, enjoyable machine to travel on and very capable "adventure" bike. It will take you to Inuvic and back with confidence. Just watch out for the big brown furry fangy things. | ||
| Bculy |
I have an '06 KLR and the '08 Uly. The two biggest fun factor bikes around. I don't have to tell you the strong points about both bikes. The less road you ride, the better the KLR looks and visa versa. You can't go wrong either way. I make my decisions on who I'm riding with and of course the roads. You have to take it slow and scenic to ride the KLR from Texas to Canada and Alaska, that's for sure. It'll cruise all day long at 80 or even 85, but it isn't a comfortable 85 like on the Uly! Happy deciding! | ||
| Tginnh |
Except for the occasional spark plug blowing out the head.  | ||
| Rekrab |
My 08, Most of my miles have been two to five wk. trips. Avg miles 3k to 6 k. I now have thirty + on my Uly . One set rear bearings, rear rocker box leak, and of course tires. Belt, brakes, all original. I'm on the road now for a 4000 mi. run . I ran up lots of miles on HDs.The last one a 05 RK. And the Uly has been more fun, and more comfortable. It may be a HOT bike to ride sometimes , but it's the coolest one on the road ! | ||
| Miles_before_i_sleep |
Great feedback guys. I'm having a hard time finding any significant reasons why the Uly wouldn't be the best choice. I know they're a blast to ride, I've done 2 demo rides on an '06 and an '08. Any of you doing big miles with a pillion, and how do they fare? | ||
| Echo15 |
The most comfortable pillion quarters in the biz (according to the wife & girlfriend... just a friend... really). | ||
| Svh |
Test rode twice and didn't buy yet? Better man than I. Lol you will enjoy it and really the reliability with anything can be hit or miss. One could last for years without issue and the next off the line could be a lemon with no fault to the assemblers. It happens. Buy the one you like to ride the most. | ||
| Pso |
I make long road trips. Buell has upgraded the connectro that connects the VR to the rest of the bike. That was a problem so get the $19 upgrad kit, simple swap with a pair of crimping pliers. The newest belt is supposedly much better, I swapped out my used one (I prefer to call it prestretched), so I can do a roadside swap if need be, which with a Uly is relatively easy. Also the folks at Buell have upgraded the whel bearings, I have a set in my garage, vey inexpensive, and will swap them out when I next change tires. I traded up from an 01 GoldWing and find the Uly much more comfortable on long rides. My only concern for a planned trip next year which is going to be East to West in remote Canada is gas tank range, but I am sure I will find a work around. I would get the Uly again without a doubt, every year is beter than before but in slow well thought out increments. No more TPS resets etc. | ||
| Ronmold |
Opposite of Bculy, I had an '08 KLR and bought an '06 Ulysses. Loved the KLR, but could not carry wife & me very well. Rode the Uly a few times after bringing it home then I hopped on the KLR and until then never realized how anemic it was, seems you just have to work harder to keep the KLR at speed on the slab, You get used to the robust power very quickly and the gas milage isn't much different between the 2, although that 6 gal KLR tank makes it seem like it is. Better wind protection on the KLR but I put an aftermarket screen on it as I will do on the Uly when Madstad gets more brackets in. I wanted to keep the KLR but money being tight and no room to keep 4 bikes I had to let it go.  | ||
| Miles_before_i_sleep |
You guys are getting me all spun up, wanted to pay off my Road King and the Wife's Street Bob before jumping into a 2nd bike for myself, but you are causing my patience to dwindle. What bad economy, you only live once right? | ||
| Petereid |
If you buy it now you might be personally responsible for ending the recession  | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
I have a sneaking suspicion that Buell will offer a water cooled ULY type bike later this summer. That is one good reason that I am trying not to get myself hot and bothered about the 1125CR. I haven't even demo'd it...yet. I rode out to my Buell dealer and had no sooner gotten off the ULY when when one of the ULY riding mechanics walked up to me. He said that I just had to demo the CR because it it quite the bike according to him. He loves his yellow ULY of which he was telling me dyno's at 86 hp on their in-house dyno. Anyways, it seems that Buell likes to introduce new bikes on a timely basis so as not to appear stale. I was lusting over the XR1200 until I actually rode it and found that it is too small and my ULY seems stronger. Personally I don't really need the power of the 1125 but I want the extra fuel, the 6 speed and I think Buell would really hit the nail on the head with a Rotax ULY type bike. I'd be satisfied with 110 rear wheel ponies and 90 ft-lbs of tq. | ||
| F_skinner |
What makes seems more likely; changing a very successful platform (like the Uly) or taking the 1125 frame and motor and changing the bodywork and some ergos to make a Sport Touring bike? I am betting the Uly (I like the air cooled motor and it seems to work great) stays the same and the 1125 is turned into a sport touring bike with lower pegs, higher bars and hard bags and maybe a bigger front fairing different bodywork. Mine will be Quicksilver Metallic in color. | ||
| Rwven |
1125ST I'd like to see it retuned for better fuel economy. Put the Uly seat and triple tail on it. The bags off the XP (with a bit larger side cases). | ||
| Froggy |
Yep they make 40L versions of the Outdoorsman side cases, they snap right on too. | ||
| F_skinner |
You bet, I think the basics are all there. I would like to see something that can compete with the Kawasaki Concours. Maybe a little smoothed lines than the Uly, but the big comfy seat like a S3 or Uly. Of course the adjustable windshield, functional body work etc... | ||
| Froggy |
F, I said the same thing about a year ago, and I was told that power goodies, fairings, and the like are the opposite of Buell's minimalistic ways.F, I said the same thing about a year ago, and I was told that power goodies, fairings, and the like are the opposite of Buell's minimalistic ways. | ||
| F_skinner |
Froggy, I have never been able to guess the next move by Buell. Here is my logic: In 1997 I bought a S1 - in 1998 the S1W was released In 2007 I bought a XB12X - In 2008 the 1125R was released In 2009 I bought a XB12X - In 2010???? I know it is not logic but it is my luck. A Sport Touring bike without all the bells and whistles would be nice to. As long as it is functional I am good.  Time will tell. | ||
| Etennuly |
You asked about two up. The wife and I have done many short trips, overnighters, and a trip to mid Indiana for a three day weekend. We are not of the lighter persuasion. I also found that we tend to pack about twenty five pounds or so in each of the bags. I do ride slower two up(right around the speed limits), if for no other reason than to enjoy the scenery. We prefer the back roads to the slabs. It has been an awesome bike for this. I have an Air Hawk seat pad and she has a gel pad. We don't get them out until we need them, but they do insulate the butt from the summer heat that magnifies and intensifies the Uly's own. I rate it real good for two up.  | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
One thing I love about traveling two up on my ULY is the knob under the seat on the left that you can mess with as you drive. no tools, no removal of seat, no kneeling.... | ||
| Froggy |
What? I heard you love kneeling..... | ||
| Jre |
Well I just happen to live in Alaska, and my Uly, has yet to leave me stranded in the bush, or anywhere for that matter. I take my Uly everywhere my old XR650L did. Granted not as fast, but she gets me there. And to just piggy back other people on this post, belts and Rear Wheel Bearings. I have yet to have any issues yet w/either, but good insurance over the long haul. These Uyl's hold true to their names. I to was a former H-D owner and thought my bike was comfortable, no, I had become comfortable w/being uncomfortable. My daily commute is about 100 miles, my summer rides reach into the 3-400 range and not once have I had any soreness or had any notion to change the stock seat. If I could get my pic's sized right I will post some of the nastiness my Uly has taken me over. I would recommend aluminum panniers over the plastic ones, their extremely tough , cheap on the wallet and well built(HappyTrails.com)compared to the Buell bags, my 2cents worth..... |
