| Author | Message | ||
     Dr_greg |
1. Preface. Please bear with me on this. I have been an '06 Uly owner since October 1, 2005. I purchased '06 Uly S/N 044, on which I put 55,400 wonderful miles. THIS was the most satisfying bike I had EVER owned, covering over 50 years of riding everything from a BSA Bantam 125 to a '59 Triumph TR6, '67 Suzuki X-6 Hustler, '69 Honda CB750 (sandcast, of course), to an '86 Honda VFR750 Interceptor, '92 Ducati 900SS, '00 Aprilia Mille ... dirtbikes, of course: '92 KX250, '00 KLX 300. You get the idea. I am 62 years old; 5-9, 155 pounds. The Uly was very reliable except the rear spark plug blew out at 55,200 miles. I repaired it myself using a Time-Sert kit and---in the process--did a top-end overhaul at the same time. Well documented on this forum with lots of pictures. On December 6, 2008 the Uly and I hit a deer at 72 mph; totaled him and knocked me around a little bit. I found another '06 Uly (S/N 564) with 9,000 miles and currently have 23,000 miles on it. I kept S/N 044 as a "parts bike"... I thought I had found the bike that would last me forever; the news of Buell's demise was very frustrating. Another orphan bike (Aprilia?)...and I had been counting on this one. So I started thinking of other bikes. The BMW R1200GS (I felt) was the nearest direct replacement, but---my doG---those things are expensive. KTM 9xx series too dirt-oriented; reliability in question. V-Strom...no way. And so it went. Hemmed and hawed for a while, but finally decided I had to take the R12GS out to see for myself. Reviews of the GS by media were overwhelmingly positive; owners' reports a little more mixed. I had seen the notorious "EWS immobilizer" failure up-close and personal for myself on Forest Road 76 at ADVrider.com WestFest 07 in New Mexico. The GS had to be trucked out to dealer for resurrection. Mrs. Greg forbade me to get one on that basis. 2. The '09 R1200GS SE First of, kudos to Jim Johnson, General Manager of Sandia BMW Motorcycles in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Jim---whom I didn't know before this---tossed me the key to the nearly-new GS SE and said "...take as long as you want..." Jim, if I buy a new BMW if will be from you folks. Anyway, the "SE" is an R1200GS with some "GSA" bits; wire wheels, computer, etc. Doesn't have the big fuel tank, though. One to a dealer, apparently. Here's a picture of the Uly and the GS after I arrived at Sandia BMW.  One thought that struck me is that the comparison between the appearance of the Uly and the GS is kinda like in "Star Wars"...comparing the spaceships of "The Empire" to "The Rebels." The Empire ships are really high-tech, whereas the Rebel ships are kinda old and rounded, a little dingy. That's how I see the Uly v. GS appearance. This is VERY subjective, however. Mrs. Greg sees it exactly opposite. YMMV. I think the R1200GS is a gorgeous bike. More on that later. 3. Home to Dr. Greg's Garage. After leaving the dealer, the first stop was to my garage (about 6 miles), where I (1) showed the thing to Mrs. Greg and two of my boys, and (2) weighed it. BTW, the clutch (hydraulic) was adjusted to engage farther away from the handlebar than I like...that would come back to (almost) bite me later. First, the weight. I weigh on a bathroom scale F/R (very accurate), here's the results (written on the wall of my garage):  So the GS is about 40-45 pounds heavier. I really can't remember if I weighed the Uly with the cases on or not (don't think so). But the GS is definitely heavier...that point will be made again later, too. Secondly, I wanted to see if I could turn it around in my garage (something I do every evening). The '06 Uly steering lock is so limited (yes, I know I could fit newer triple clamps) that turning it around is a major PITA. And I ride it EVERY DAY (I don't have a car...Mrs. Greg has the '02 VW Golf TDI Diesel) so I use the Uly for everything. Well, indeed the GS is easier to turn around---in that it has more steering lock---but MY doG it is a BIG, BIG, MOTORCYCLE!! I'm sure I would get used to its, um, heft...but it was a little intimidating. As for a GSA...ya gotta be kidding! Remember my relatively small stature here... A few more pictures in the driveway...    This windscreen was aftermarket; I left it set in the "low" position. It worked well.  BMW "Vario" cases...probably not my choice.  Look at how much space the muffler removes from the left side case. Someone oughta show the Panzerheads where to locate a muffler so's it doesn't do that...  4. Off on the Ride... First stop is the gas station to fill the beast up. Upon flipping up the gas cap, there was a small orifice leading down into the tank. I guess "new" filler nozzles fit in there, but I kinda prefer just a big ol' "hole" leading into the tank.  There was exactly 4,320 miles on the odometer when I filled the GS up. Recorded that in the iPhone. My route is out I-40 to what's called "South 14" although it's now NM 337. Quite twisty initially, it straightens a little as it winds down towards Mountainair, NM. Elevation is from 6,000 to 8,000 feet. It was an absolutely GORGEOUS Indian Summer day...temp in the high 60s. I usually take pictures while I ride, but with no tank bag and a throttle which closes when I release it (I removed the return spring on the Uly) I really can't do that. So you'll have to imagine the pinon pine country and high plains of central New Mexico... 5. So, How does she Handle on the Pavement? Well, pretty darn well, actually!! The "long" front end didn't bother me AT ALL. Kinda gave me a feeling of security, actually. On the interstate the GS felt more planted than the Uly, although the latter is plenty stable. I think the bars on the GS are a little wider; the riding position is supremely comfortable (just like the Uly). On the corners---I had the ESA (Electronic Suspension Adjustment) set to "COMFORT" (hey, I'm and old guy, and used to plush Uly ride)---the darn GS is a REAL BLAST!! People that say it's way inferior to the Uly must have ridden a different bike than mine. The GS seems to "arc" into corners, and in a strange---but pleasant---way, seems almost to anticipate my needs as it begins to lean almost before I push on the bars. Once committed to a line, it is VERY STABLE and holds the line perfectly. I can hustle the big GS through a set of twisties just as fast as the Uly. I know; I did, since I had a rare "clear road" coming back towards I-40. 6. Some pictures down at Mountainair, NM. My turnaround point (roughly 180-mile ride) was at Mountainair, NM. Specifically at the Shaffer Hotel, where I was sorely tempted to stop for lunch (it was time). But I didn't want to spend too much extra time, so I didn't. But I snapped a few pictures against the wall of the Shaffer Hotel: A beautiful bike (IMHO):  This seat was just as comfortable as my '06 Uly standard seat, which is the best I've ever had. Amazing.  I love mechanical things, and it was delightful to look down while riding and see the cylinder heads...  Again, I love the mechanical stuff, which is largely HIDDEN (even more with the Comfort Kit) on the Uly:    6. Other Things... Windscreen: There are many aftermarket screens for the GS (like everything else; that's one advantage of the bike). This screen brought the wind up near the top of my helmet (my Laminar Lip on the Uly brings it just above the bottom) but there was a little more turbulence. Still very comfy, though. Brakes: The Telelever largely eliminates "dive" on braking. The dive never bothered me that much (just showed me the suspension actually "works"...unusual for us lightweight guys). But---more importantly---there was not a HINT of "standing-up" under front braking in a corner. The Uly still has some of that characteristic. And it's NOT NICE to run unexpectedly wide in a turn. Engine: Plenty of power. Hard to compare with the Uly. Everytime I needed to pass, it was easy to do. Let's just say both bikes have "adequate" power for their intended use. Oh yeah, the vibration on the GS was MUCH LESS than on the Uly. I have never been bothered by the Uly vibration, but the GS is smoother, hands down. Transmission: A little vague going from neutral to first, but never missed a shift. A little more of a "snick-snick" gearbox than the Uly, but I've never missed a shift on the Uly either. Pretty much a draw. Suspension: Leave the ESA set on "COMFORT" and I'm happy! I'd be a little concerned about the GS I would buy (without ESA). I don't think the "normal" GS suspension is as adjustable as the Uly. The Showa components on the Uly pretty much spoil you for anything else. Like I said after buying it, the only thing I changed on the Uly was the handgrips. And THAT'S unusual. Instrumentation: Oh yeah, the GS SE has the "computer," which gives you readout of average speed, fuel consumption, temperature, and some other stuff. I wouldn't get the "computer" on a bike I'd buy, because most of that stuff is taken care of by my GPS, or other stuff. Also, the "temperature" was flat wrong. It stayed on 69F most of the ride, when I damn well knew it changed. The $40 analog thermometer on my Uly is accurate to within 1 degree, and easier to read as well. The fuel gauge seemed to be reasonably accurate. I have read that typical GS fuel gauges are way off, but maybe they've improved. What else? Hmmm...oh yeah, THE WEIGHT!!! As I was leaving on my ride, I stopped to adjust my "sunshade" (I'll start a separate thread for that...an excellent winter riding aide). When I put the sidestand down and leaned the GS over to the left, it went over a little farther than I expected. I adjusted my sunshade, then tried to get the bike off the sidestand. Ughhhh, Hungghhhhh, UNMGHMH!!!! My limited weight (155 lb) was marginal for getting the GS vertical again. If it had been loaded for, say, a camping trip (my absolute favorite form of moto-activity)...no way. If it had been a GSA instead of a GS...no way. The sheer MASS of the bike was a little much for me. I've probably forgotten something, but it's late and I'm hungry... 7. Conclusion. I really, REALLY, REALLY enjoyed riding the R1200GS SE. It is an amazing machine. I did not ride it off-pavement: Sandia BMW had told me they didn't want me to, so I didn't. I'm sure it would handle off-pavement equally as well as the Uly, so that would not be a deal breaker/maker. So is the GS enough better than the Uly to make me part with beaucoup $$$ that I don't even have? Not right now. BMW has some promotions, but the price is way out of line for me. My Uly is paid for, I have a "parts bike," and I still enjoy riding him. If I had unlimited financial resources, I might well go for the BMW R1200GS. It was MUCH more enjoyable than I expected, and handled MUCH BETTER than I was led to believe. But realistically, with $$$ realities, I'm pretty much forced to stay with the Uly. And that's not a bad thing. 8. Coming Back to the Ulysses. Stopped at the same gas station and filled the beast up: odometer showed 140 miles and it received 3.216 gallong. Well, I don't know the accuracy of the odometer, so I'll take EXACTLY the same ride on Saturday on the Uly with the GPS so I get an accurate reading. However, we all know that the cost of fuel is an insignificant cost of motorcycle ownership. Hmmm, I wonder how the insurance of the GS compares with the Uly? Didn't check that one out. As far as range, probably pretty close. I routinely get 200 miles from the Uly (light rider plus steady throttle), and probably similar from the GS. One thing in favor of the GS is that it has a knock sensor, and can thereby use regular fuel. I've had to run regular fuel in the Uly (no ill effects) but we don't have a "knock sensor" (except when we're waiting at a stoplight at idle). When I got back on the Uly to ride home I forgot about the clutch engagement, and just about did a wheelie (I don't do wheelies) in the parking lot. Once I got calibrated again, the Uly felt well, pretty mechanical. In a way, the GS is like the Uly with a thin coat of rubber over everything. All the controls are just a little bit more "soft" (and not in a bad sense...think "comfortable"). The Uly is more of a machine. Ironically, I feel that the GS LOOKS more like a machine, but the Uly ACTS more like a machine. 9. Afterword. When I returned the '09 R1200GS SE to Jim Johnson, he was most humble. Boy, that attitude of that BMW dealership is an example to the rest of them out there. When my son (I was still injured) rode the Uly that I now own (pictures on this forum), he had to go with a salesman on a prescribed route. Even though I was there, and was a previous customer. Fie on Thunderbird H-D/Buell for that! Kudos to Sandia BMW!! Well, the ADV bike market continues to grow, with the impending release of the Ducati Multistrada 1200. With my Ducati heritage (2V engine, though) I'll be looking at that one intently. For the meantime, though, I'm happily back on the Uly. At least until the next spark plug blow out! --Doc | ||
| Itileman |
Enjoyed your report. A lot to be said for a paid for bike that you enjoy and can wrench. | ||
| Desertdweller |
as always, a very informative post. It came at a good time to because I almost went to the BMW dealership today to explore options as my uly has been in the shop for 5 of the last 7 weeks due to a mysterious "Vapor Lock" problem that they cannot fix. Price is the ONLY reason I did not go there today, I knew I would just be teasing myself. I like my Uly but I am loosing faith. I hope to be on the road with my Uly never looking back soon. I want to love her again! Thanks for taking the time and being honest as usual! | ||
| Jwnsc |
With BMWs I learned a long time ago you get the most bang for the buck by picking up a used one that is still under warranty. Since the warranty is 3 years/36K miles, you've got a decent window. All of my Beemers, except one, have been used with no regrets. Last year when I needed a bike to do a 21-day, 11K mile trip to Prudhoe Bay and back, I found an '07 RT with 1800 miles for $5K less than new, 300 miles away. The average BMW rider is over 50, takes good care of their stuff and usually farkles the hell out of what they buy. With the intro of the dual overhead camshaft HP2 motor on the 2010 GS, they'll probably be a bunch of 2007-2009 GSs posted on the Adv Rider Flea market, IBMWR Marketplace and BMWMOA Classifieds websites. | ||
| Fung |
thanks for the real world report! very insightful. | ||
| Snakebreak |
You should really look into the BMW 800. It is not such a hog, and is better off road. The seat is not very comfortable for really long rides. In my opinion the 1200 is a bad compromise in every way. It is very top heavy, and bulky. | ||
| Jphish |
Hey Doc - Thanks for the frank review. Your impressions & mine are very similar. I like the 1200GS - it has alot of attributes & relatively manageable for us 'little people' (as long as you don't park it on a kickstand side downhill slope) the GSA is WAY too much of a 'Beast' for me! I will further the test of my buddys f800GS shortly (as soon as our monsoons abate) and report back. I think Jwnsc comment about the new DOHC 2010 models is spot on - there should be some prospective 'deals' on 07-09s in the not to distant future. Used is the way to go. j | ||
| Froggy |
They are sweet!  I want to own a GSA one of these days.  | ||
| Tootal |
Hey Doc, thanks for the ride report. I've ridden GS's before and they are a unique machine. Now that you have more or less decided to keep the Uly for now you might consider that 08 tree exchange. Although some have given the dimensional changes and claimed that it wasn't enough to justify the time and $$$ I would just say they need to ride one and give me the same answer. I would do it again in a heartbeat! If your doing any off road then the XB9 primary is huge. I know you like the lower rpm at highway speeds but my bike at 4000 rpm is smoother than at 3400 rpm. I mean if your going to keep it then tinker on it so you don't get bored! That way we can all have some interesting reading!! | ||
| F_skinner |
I thought I had found the bike that would last me forever; the news of Buell's demise was very frustrating. Another orphan bike (Aprilia?)...and I had been counting on this one. Dr Greg, how many times did you rely on a dealer network to do maintenance or anything else on your bike??? Just curious, you are a lot smarter than I am but I would say your logic for buying another bike to replace the Uly is faulty. You do still have the parts bike, yes? Now, if you start looking AGAIN in 6 months I am coming down there. } | ||
| Rcf2 |
Great report, thanks Doc! Waiting the comments on the Saturday drive on the Uly. | ||
| Medic24 |
Great report Doc. I was thinking about getting a Uly. Guess the BMW would be my second choice also. Keep us posted. | ||
| Dentguy |
Thanks for the great write up Dr_greg. Nice pics too. Saw an F 800 GS on the road this morning and an Adventure this afternoon. 800 looked good, but I like the 1200's better. For all you GS bashers out there, this was sent to me. Enjoy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaB40TLQE8M | ||
| F_skinner |
Dentguy, I do not think anyone was bashing the GS. At least not what I saw. It is a great bike. I had a chance to ride one up Pikes Peak a month or so ago. My friend and I switched bikes. My friend really liked the Uly but he said "I felt weird on it" that was funny because I thought the same thing but I think it was easier for me to adjust to the feel and the power band. I do not know why but I do ride a lot of different bikes. I do not really like switching bikes because it is much like switching wifes or girl friends. They may be fun to ride but it takes you a while to get used to them. All in all, the thing that I liked about the Uly I also like about the GS, big bags, plenty of power, good on the dirt roads and just plain fun to ride. That being said, I would take a R90 over the GS any day of the week. I think, having met Dr Greg, that no matter what he rides it will get a lot of miles and we can count on him for an honest assessment. Frank | ||
| Dentguy |
Dentguy, I do not think anyone was bashing the GS. Oh I think there was some GS or BMW bashing in Dr_greg's original (before road test) thread, but I wasn't pointing any fingers at anyone. I was just referring to any GS bashers out there in general. No harm was meant. Just poking a little fun with a funny video. I think, having met Dr Greg, that no matter what he rides it will get a lot of miles and we can count on him for an honest assessment. No doubt about that. (Message edited by dentguy on November 07, 2009) | ||
| 4_pete_sake |
I am sorry, but that video is so hilarious I am crying.... just what I needed today.... oh my... what a gas.... Cheers- I LOVE MOTORCYCLES...... enough said | ||
| F_skinner |
referring to any GS bashers out there in general. Roger that. The vid is funny!} | ||
| F_skinner |
referring to any GS bashers out there in general. Roger that. The vid is funny! | ||
| Snakebreak |
I am a 1200GS basher. I do like some BMW bikes but that is one I have ridden on the road, dirt,etc and I do not think it does anything great. It is better on dirt than a Uly, but that is not saying much. The KTM 990 and the BMW 800 are way better. It is not a good sport touring bike since it is top-heavy. It is a jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none. If your Buell fails buy the Ducati, it is the closest thing. | ||
| Dr_greg |
Howdy all, Indeed. And Mrs. Greg has well made me aware of that. And I like wrenching on the Uly.
The absolute BEST RIDES I HAVE EVER HAD have been on the Uly. Have faith. You WILL love her (mine is a him) again.
Yes, I agree. If seduced by the GS bug I will follow your wise advice. Thanks for the input. Back to the Uly... When examining the Uly in the garage this afternoon I noticed the darn front tire (Sync) was really worn. It was the tire on the bike when I bought it (14,000 miles ago). Well, I had a set of Distanzias waiting, so I thought I'd mount 'em today and do my Mountainair ride on Sunday. So I did: Put this guy on the back  and this guy on the front  The Distanzias are my FAVORITE tire of all time on the Uly, so...I suspect after my ride tomorrow I'll have completely forgotten about the GS. Which is a shame, since it's an amazing motorcycle. But not for Dr. Greg at this time. I've had too many wonderful miles on the Uly, and I know it inside out, and I have this "parts bike." What more could I want? I kinda feel like I've wasted much of your time. But I was honestly ticked off at Buell's demise (still am) and I guess the "GS attraction" was my reaction. But I'm "OK" now. Thanks for accepting me back into the Uly fold. --Doc | ||
| Eulysses |
We all sin...repentence is the thing. | ||
| Dio |
What kind of mileage do you get from these Distanzias? | ||
| Froggy |
I am sorry Dr G, but this was the first thing that came to my mind after seeing your photo above:  I am still jealous, I want to ride the GS bad! Brapbrapblubblublbubeberber | ||
| Hooper |
That episode of South Park was outrageously hilarious. | ||
| Dentguy |
"If your Buell fails buy the Ducati, it is the closest thing." Funny you say that Snakebreak. My Uly failed when I hit a deer and I bought the Ducati. I know she's not for everyone, but here she is. It's a great bike.  I do have an itch for something different. I'm just not sure what. Maybe another Buell to go with this. Hope my Multi pic in a GS thread on a Buell site doesn't bother anyone. (Message edited by dentguy on November 08, 2009) | ||
| Jphish |
Ducati 'Bother' us ?! Gee...No. Given the circumstances, all of us have to be open minded about alternatives. I plan to keep the Uly, but bear in mind we got 'studebakers Hudsons & Packards now (try to get parts for a silver Hawk, Hornet or Clipper lately?) - with an HD parts network that was marginal... even when it pretended to support Buell. So Doc's test ride report is just the kind of data we need to make informed choices down the road. If the rain ever lets up here, I'm going to do 100 mi on my pals f800 this week. Let you know what i find. j | ||
| Jphish |
Hey Doc - ya got the 'arrows' on the Distanzias goin the right way...but whats that claw hammer for ?? Inquiring minds... | ||
| Xpchandler |
The direction is correct. Doc, what about the 160 on the rear? I assume that is a tried and tested width for the Uly? BTW, I greatly enjoy your write-yp. | ||
| Idaho_buelly |
"Hope my Multi pic in a GS thread on a Buell site doesn't bother anyone". Absolutely does not bother me!..Love all bikes..That is a great looking bike BTW....Tim | ||
| Dr_greg |
I get around 5,000 miles from a rear Distanzia; double that from the front. And I am quite easy on tires. That's because the 120/70 and 160/60 only come in the "SuperMoto" compound, which is nice and sticky. And wears quickly. Let's see, I used the hammer for---trying to remember here---frankly, I'm stumped. Dunno. The 160/60 is the largest Distanzia size, and fits fine on the 5.5-inch Uly wheel. Looks fine mounted, too. It is very slightly smaller in diameter. Sometimes the bead needs "encouragement" to seat (circumferential pressure on the tire using ratcheting tie-downs) but this one seated just fine on its own. I once dropped a SuperMoto bike through the twisties on the Distanzias. They're excellent on pavement, and have some tread for non-pavement surfaces. Don't wear that well, though. Finally, they're not that expensive. I like 'em. Did the same ride this afternoon on the Uly that I did on the GS. Used my GPS to measure distance to compare mileage. '09 BMW R1200GS SE mileage: 44 mpg '06 Buell Ulysses mileage: 55 mpg And---if anything---I was riding the Uly harder than the GS. The Uly is a great bike. And with a new pair of shoes...man I was havin' fun in the corners. I'm glad I'm keepin' him. --Doc PS. As long as we're allowing Ducati pictures, here's my '92 Ducati 900SS. Note the "Dr. Greg" tailpiece.  |
