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Cerk26
Posted on Tuesday, July 05, 2011 - 10:19 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Hey all,

Just picked up a 2008 Ulysses XT Saturday...after years on sportbikes and then on sport nekkids I finally finished the progression to comfort and usable power. During the first ride at length on Sunday I found myself thinking "what the heck have I been doing all of these years!?"

This thing is a grin machine...no more aching back after the rough Chicago area highways, no more sore wrists or cricked necks...and finally, I get to actually plan my dream rides instead of just dreaming about them.

The bike just turned 10k and is bone stock. I've got to dial in the suspension yet for my weight (I'll try the factory recommendations to start, but it handles pretty damn well already) and want to grab a Special Ops exhaust, a K&N and an Erik Buell Racing ECM.

Any and all advice for a new Buell owner looking to get the most out of this Ulysses for many years and many miles to come is greatly appreciated.

Looking forward to getting to know everyone...
Tom
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Fltwistygirl
Posted on Tuesday, July 05, 2011 - 10:44 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Welcome!

The Uly does it all and does it well.

For the 08, the rear wheel set up (bearing) can be iffy. If you can upgrade to the '10.

Our '09's get better and better. We have an XT and an X. Hubby, a beemer and triumph guy, loved my XT so much he jumped all over the opportunity to add another Uly to the stall. Just turned 24K on the XT, and she is my fav bike ever. I take a deep breath and smile every time I get ready to ride.

Welcome to the madness and great resource of badweb.

Enjoy! BeLinda.
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Gunut75
Posted on Tuesday, July 05, 2011 - 10:49 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Welcome! First! If you don't have one, get a service manual. It will be your new best friend. All the in's and out's of the maintenance, and how to do it. Welcome to a fantastic affliction. Cheers!
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Cerk26
Posted on Tuesday, July 05, 2011 - 11:02 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Yep, a service manual along with the comfort kit are also on my shopping list.
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Whisperstealth
Posted on Tuesday, July 05, 2011 - 11:06 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Welcome! You'll grow to love your Uly more and more. The bike really does get better as the miles pour on.

You'll most likely want to do the breather re-route as well. The board is a fantastic resource with lots and lots of info. You'll love it here. : )
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Cerk26
Posted on Tuesday, July 05, 2011 - 11:12 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Good stuff, and thanks for the warm welcome all...I'll have to wind up the search function here in the next few days and start laying out a game plan for the mods.
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Electraglider_1997
Posted on Tuesday, July 05, 2011 - 11:21 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Welcome aboard to the lunatic asylum.
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Dutton
Posted on Wednesday, July 06, 2011 - 12:00 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Welome,Lots of great info here.
enjoy your uly!


Ride safe,D
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Pontlee77
Posted on Wednesday, July 06, 2011 - 12:07 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Welcome from across the ocean, the Uly is a great bike turned over 30k miles and running every day better, you can make as many mods as you desire but keep in mind the bike doesen't need to much to be different, the uly forgives some riders mistakes, not as others.

Have fun and ride geared up.
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Johndb
Posted on Wednesday, July 06, 2011 - 12:07 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Congrats on the bike, Tom! I love my '06 Uly, and recently did a 1650 mile trip that included some of the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Smoky Mountains, and Deal's Gap, with a 50 MPG average. The bike performed flawlessly, and is getting better mileage and running better than when I got it at 1100 miles a year ago (of course, I added the Erik Buell Racing ECM a few months ago). I'm in Crestwood, IL, about 25 miles southwest of Chicago.
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Cerk26
Posted on Wednesday, July 06, 2011 - 09:15 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Hey John, yeah I'm in the SW burbs as well! Wave if you see a really nice lookin' black '08!

I'm starting to plan a trip I've talked about for years, touring the Civil War battlefields all over the east...PA, MD, VA, SC, TN, NC...should be awesome!
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Reepicheep
Posted on Wednesday, July 06, 2011 - 09:53 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I like the 1" Rox risers, and the 1125CR mirror / signal assemblies from American Sportbike (which take some creativity to mount).

A GPS is nice as well.

Your XT has heated grips already, right? Those are also fantastic, and add months to the riding season.

I think the XT already had the comfort kit as well, that's also nice.

I liked the Scorpion Syncs on my XB9SX, and they do a remarkable job off pavement (for a sportbike tire), but for the road the Michilen Pilot Road 2's I just spooned on are SOOOOO smooth and handle SOOOOOO nice. I suspect they give up some dirt / gravel performance, but I have a KDX-200 to scratch that itch.
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Ratbuell
Posted on Wednesday, July 06, 2011 - 10:03 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

The comfort kit only came on the 2009 and 2010 bikes, but it is available as a retrofit kit.

Welcome to the madness! Think carefully about the SpecOps pipe. If you're planning longer rides...think VERY carefully about it. I had a drummer on my Uly for about a year and a half, and anything over 2 or 3 hours made my ears ring for the rest of the night. As great a pipe as it is, I finally pulled it off and went back to a stock pipe, with an Erik Buell Racing ECM to match. I've never been happier with the bike. No drone, no ringing ears, just sweet torque and long days in the saddle.

Set the suspension. "It handles well" will be replaced by "oh my god". Start at the book settings, for the XB line they're pretty darned close. The 1125s were rock-hard at book settings, but the XBs are nice.

Have fun!!
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Etennuly
Posted on Wednesday, July 06, 2011 - 10:29 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Welcome to what could have been the most popular bike in the World over the next ten years.

Grin factor is big on the Uly.
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Fltwistygirl
Posted on Wednesday, July 06, 2011 - 10:35 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Ratbuell-
We added the comfort kit and got the reflash on both 09 Ulys. Think it was standard on the 2010's.

Comfort kit was worth it, especially in hot weather. Riding pants are still a helpful heat barrier, even in cooler weather (50's during the MN summer) with the comfort kit. Helps alleviate the dreaded "Uly leg" (the lovely heat rash that appears when I make the stupid decision to not wear the riding pants).
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Metaldude
Posted on Wednesday, July 06, 2011 - 10:51 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I've been really happy with my breather re-route modification. Once I got the catch can installed and saw just how much water and crap is getting dumped into the airbox, I was very happy I did that mod. It works much better for those short, urban trips.

The other mod I love is the Aprila mirrors from American Sport Bike. Not only do they look very nice, but the're much more functional (very little wobble and you can see around your elbows). And inexpensive to boot.

The Uly is a grin machine! Have fun!
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Teeps
Posted on Wednesday, July 06, 2011 - 11:28 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Another thing you're experience here is a lack of snippy remarks to your questions and concerns.

This board is nothing like a cruiser or sport bike forum. Much more learned thinking goes into posts.

Cheers to you and the new bike.
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Mnviking
Posted on Wednesday, July 06, 2011 - 11:43 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Congrats. You'll be receiving your complementary straight jacket in the mail.
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Cerk26
Posted on Wednesday, July 06, 2011 - 11:59 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Thanks for all the replies everyone!

Man I just don't know if I can continue to muffle that engine...hopefully the sound won't bother me too much on longer rides. I never was bothered much with aftermarket pipes. Maybe I'll have to start carrying my earplugs with me again? About the Aprilia mirrors, it's ironic because I just sold a Tuono to go to the Ulysses!

I've got Dunlop Qualifiers on the bike now with plenty of tread left for the rest of this season and likely most of next...depending on saddle time of course.

If I may ask, what is the breather reroute? What is it's function?
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Reepicheep
Posted on Wednesday, July 06, 2011 - 01:09 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Tuono mirrors work well and mount easier (AFAIK), but the CR mirrors have integrated signals way up high. Very bright, very visible, very modern looking. Some work to install though (nothing big, remove handguards, get a long bolt, and a short spacer, and add some wire and two bullet connectors).

Oh, and a HID is a nice switch when you burn out your first headlight. The 35 watt kits are not a lot more expensive than a new bulb, and will last longer and are a little brighter and have a nicer color. I just wired it directly into the low beam feed, so my high beam is still filament and works as stock.
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Cerk26
Posted on Wednesday, July 06, 2011 - 01:46 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Is the sponsor section of the board here the best place to get a hold of Special Ops in your experience? I sent an email over the weekend and haven't heard back yet. I know he's busy with other things and this is just a side gig for him so I don't want to be too big a bother...but I'd love to get that pipe fitted!
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Reepicheep
Posted on Wednesday, July 06, 2011 - 03:59 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Odie (Special Ops) works out of his garage in his spare time. So temper your expectations about responsiveness accordingly... he will get there, but he will get there when he gets there. : )

It was a good pipe and he did good work, but add me to the list of people that had one, enjoyed the novelty for a month, and then decided that I am tired of annoying the people around me (and myself) with a loud exhaust. Had no trouble selling it, and went back to stock, and have been happy ever since.
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Motorfish
Posted on Wednesday, July 06, 2011 - 04:06 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Welcome! And good luck with your new ride. The knowledge on this board is huge, and just about attitude free.
Ride well.
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Cerk26
Posted on Wednesday, July 06, 2011 - 04:47 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Yep, I've read most all of Odie's website and completely understand...so no worries there.

Planning on getting the suspenders dialed in this evening and then promptly ridding the rear tire of its previous owner's chicken strips
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Johnboy777
Posted on Wednesday, July 06, 2011 - 05:03 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Hi Cerk26,

I'm pretty much the go-to person here for all things Uly. Please feel free to tap my wealth of knowledge at any time. From adding EG's temp gauge, to putting on 2010 decals, I've pretty much done it all, and then some.

Welcome aboard.

.
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Cerk26
Posted on Wednesday, July 06, 2011 - 05:40 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Hey John, thanks as always for the warm welcome...I can very much tell I'll enjoy it here.

You know one of my first thoughts with the bike I bought was a repaint of the "tank" cover...it's black, and appears to have baked the stock badges a bit. I'm thinking of having it repainted here at our in house shop at work (I work for a large construction company)and having him run in the new Erik Buell Racing decals under the clear coat. I'm hoping that's not blasphemy, but I dig the new look badging and feel it still pays proper homage to Mr. Buell.

I'm sure I'll have lots of questions as I get going here...as I mentioned, my first plans are the comfort kit, a K&N along with the Spec Ops can and an ECM. Does the race ECM work well enough or should I try and get my hands on the pipe specific maps available from Erik Buell Racing?
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Teeps
Posted on Wednesday, July 06, 2011 - 07:57 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

With regard to the exhaust system. Do not modify the original muffler. Get one off the used market and modify it.
That way, when you've had enough noise. The stock muffler is there waiting to be returned to it's rightful place.

Don't ask me how I know..,
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Cerk26
Posted on Wednesday, July 06, 2011 - 08:45 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Sounds good to me...now how often do the Drummers or Spec Ops pipes come along on the used market?
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Tootal
Posted on Wednesday, July 06, 2011 - 09:09 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

You could just wire your stock exhaust open just to see what it sounds like. If you take off the air cleaner cover, to paint, you will see the actuator for the muffler. Remove all screws and remove the cable from the actuator. BE SURE AND NOT ROTATE THE ACTUATOR TO REMOVE THE CABLE! This will break the unit! I took an electrical wire eyelet and mildly crimped it on the cable and attached it to one of the screws then adjusted the cable to fully open the muffler. It just lets it speak with a little more authority!!
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Pdento
Posted on Thursday, July 07, 2011 - 12:19 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Welcome to the wonderful world of buell. Your going to love owning it.
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Ratbuell
Posted on Thursday, July 07, 2011 - 01:04 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

BeLinda - I couldn't remember if it was OEM on the 09, or only the '10. I knew there was a different kit for the '10 with the front O2 sensor...

And I added it to my 06. Love it.

I also added, after going back to stock exhaust, an Erik Buell Racing map for my ECM. Stock muffler, K&N filter, '07 style open airbox, no other changes.

Highly recommended. To say the least.

I do run CR mirrors, WITH my handguards (just space 'em up with washers and longer mounting bolts, and they clear) as well as 1" riser spacers on the bars. Factory accessory heated grips. Mounted driving lights to the turn signal holes since I have signals in the mirrors now.

The Uly is a "swiss-army-bike".
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Reepicheep
Posted on Thursday, July 07, 2011 - 01:47 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)


quote:

BE SURE AND NOT ROTATE THE ACTUATOR TO REMOVE THE CABLE! This will break the unit!




LOL! I wondered why my Uly got louder after the accident. Never looked at it running with the airbox off to see if it still works or not.

Pulls nice and hard and runs smoothly regardless, it's just got a really nice snort now at low RPM.
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Cerk26
Posted on Thursday, July 07, 2011 - 09:46 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Finally got around to taking some pics...got the suspension dialed in to the factory suggested settings, will take it for a test spin this weekend



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