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Buell Forum » Big, Bad & Dirty (Buell XB12X Ulysses Adventure Board) » BB&D Archives » Archive through May 25, 2012 » Needing a pep talk, or something. « Previous Next »

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Archive through March 15, 2012Mikef500030 03-15-12  11:10 pm
Archive through March 09, 2012Nittanyxt30 03-09-12  10:34 pm
         

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Nukeblue
Posted on Friday, March 16, 2012 - 08:15 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

some sort of dunlop. very greasy & soft
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Mikef5000
Posted on Friday, March 16, 2012 - 01:12 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Dang! I think my buddies favorite KLR tire is Shinko 700; good dual sport tire that pulls close to 10k miles.

Tire options with the Uly were so limited it was easy. With these new tire sizes, I have every option under the sun. Needless to say, I'm a bit flabbergasted.
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Nukeblue
Posted on Friday, March 16, 2012 - 01:41 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

you got your dual sport. if it were me i'd keep a more road type tire on it. like those scorpion trail's

edit: yep those are the exact shinko's he just got. good to know

(Message edited by nuke-blue on March 16, 2012)
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Mikef5000
Posted on Friday, March 16, 2012 - 05:24 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I believe the Scorpion trails in this size are single compound (unlike in the Uly size), and they don't last near as long. The Conti Trail Attacks are comparable (as in, street tread, but 'adventure' durability) and they last a true 10k.

If the Scouts last a true 10k though... Then why not add the off-road-ability?! But they vibrate a lot on these bikes apparently.

And then there are the shinko 705's. A good (smooth) dual sport tire, that'll last about 4-5k miles, but at less then half the price of the other choices.

Aaaarg.
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Mikef5000
Posted on Saturday, March 17, 2012 - 09:20 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Well, I'll keep this to my thread since it's no longer necessarily Buell related...

I'm leaving tomorrow for the vacation that spurred my Uly going back into the shop, and the eventual purchase of my new Yamaha. If you're interested, here are the trip details:
http://www.mikef5000.com/2012-southern-ride.html

And here is the live satellite tracking while I'm gone:
http://Mikef5000.whereamiriding.com
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Luftkoph
Posted on Saturday, March 17, 2012 - 11:39 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Hey Mike talked to you last year in the duty free shop at sault ste marie,don't let that sweet lookin yammie get filthy dirty lookin like your uly was.
good luck ride safe
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Mikef5000
Posted on Saturday, March 31, 2012 - 02:32 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Here's my Ride Report for those interested!
http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=776527

I was rushed, so it's not my best writing, but it tells the story!
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H2opatrol
Posted on Sunday, April 01, 2012 - 08:56 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Sounds like a good loop Mike, I may try it when I get some down time. Thanks for the RR!
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Mikef5000
Posted on Wednesday, April 04, 2012 - 07:43 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

A quick update...

It was a countershaft bearing that exploded in the uly.

They're replacing all the roller bearings throughout the tranny.
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Motorbike
Posted on Thursday, April 05, 2012 - 09:45 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Mikef5000, thanks for the Ride Report. Sounds like it was quite a good trip overall. That Yamaha must be a pretty good machine.

Now, back to the Uly. Did they have any idea what caused that? Is it common? Was there moisture in the primary/trans fluid? Thanks.
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Mikef5000
Posted on Thursday, April 05, 2012 - 11:28 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

They had it completely apart in the fall, so chances are it wasn't put back together right. But it's also possible their work had nothing to do with it. I'm not really sure.
What I do know, is I went to change the primary fluid after only 1000 miles and it came out like brown milky water. So yes, there was moisture in there.
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Mikef5000
Posted on Friday, April 20, 2012 - 07:36 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I'm back... Uly is supposed to be ready next Thursday (4/26) barring any more surprises.

The guy that's working on it seems extremely meticulous and passionate. I haven't had the heart to tell him it's going to be for sale as soon as I get it back. Every time I come in he goes over everything he's cleaned, how he's double checked everything, and how he's doing way more than necessary so I won't have any more problems.

Here are some current shots of the freshly cleaned and oiled guts:






The bearing just to the left of the gear is the one that exploded:



This big hunk of metal is apparently a specialty tool for aligning the shafts when installing the cases. I asked if the problem could've been from when the put it together last fall, he said he didn't know and didn't want to talk bad about anyone, but to put it together right you need this tool, and they didn't have it till he ordered it last week.




He replaced all the roller bearings in the transmission, as well as the countershaft itself.
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Motorbike
Posted on Saturday, April 21, 2012 - 10:23 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Wow! Thanks for the update. I hope I never see the inside of my XT like that. Thanks for the pics. Now I know what these things look like inside.
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Mikef5000
Posted on Wednesday, May 02, 2012 - 08:19 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Hello again friends. Another Bi-Weekly update...

Uly's bottom end is put back together. They ended up replacing all roller bearings and seals throughout the entire bottom end. Supposedly going to finish the install Saturday, and testride and clean it Monday. They're going to give it a full detail (generally a $250 thing so I'm told).
(Tuesday will be 2 months they've had it now)



Also closing in on the 2 month mark... My time with the Super Tenere! I'm constantly reading the stellar off-road reviews on the thing, so the time finally came and I had to give it a shot. It still has street tires... but so does my buddy on his KLR, so we headed out to try some backroads and easy dirt/gravel. "No creeks or mud" I told him...

I lied.

Not intentionally, but we kept ending up in places like this:









And my personal favorite:



This was done intentionally! Had to manually slide the bike from the embankment that became slick, down into the creek that was solid.

Never went down, despite getting into... well... that stuff you see above! In fact, never really had a close call! The bike is sure-footed like I never dreamed possible! The thing does AWESOME off-road! Can't wait to get some K60's on there:


Of course, then I should get a skid plate and crash bars... but still need luggage... and HID's are in order... arrrggggggg
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Natexlh1000
Posted on Thursday, May 03, 2012 - 12:15 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

+1 on skidplates for your new bike.

I cringe seeing where they chose to put your oil filter.
"kick me!"
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Mikef5000
Posted on Thursday, May 17, 2012 - 11:30 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

She's back!









To tell the truth though... my ride home was disappointing. The front brake is still brutally warped. They were going to try to replace it under warranty, but I guess that fell through. And the handling is simply poor; I'm fighting it to get it to lean much at all, and trying to push it becomes scary. The tires don't look that bad, but I guess they are. I know they're closing in on the wear bars, and they're flat spotted in the centers, but jeesh, it's really not enjoyable to ride. I don't want to put money into it just to sell it, but man, after nearly 3 months in service (this spring alone, plus 2 months last fall) you wouldn't think it'd need $600 worth of stuff just to sell it. (I know, I know, tires shouldn't count, but regardless).

I'll do some back to back riding and comparisons later, right now I've got stuff to do!
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Reepicheep
Posted on Thursday, May 17, 2012 - 02:16 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

What would you sell it for "as is"? How many miles? It's a 2009, right?
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Jk651
Posted on Thursday, May 17, 2012 - 02:45 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Mikef5000 - So I have been riding a TDM850, sort of the predecessor to the Super Tenere, I think. I have always loved Buells, and when I bought my TDM I was looking for a Uly, and couldn't find one in my price range, and the TDM came along at a price that was well under my budget, so I snapped it up. Two weeks ago I came across a Uly that was right in my price range and I agreed to buy, I should be picking it up this weekend. Everyone says that Buells are reliable, but then I keep reading posts like yours, and about bad voltage regulators, and the 77 connector, and oil leaks, and cooling fans, and wheel bearings, and on and on. My Yamaha has 44,000 on the odometer, uses no oil, has no leaks, it's smooth, quiet, handles good, it's not fast but it has enough power to do what I need it to do. I understand your urge to keep your Super Tenere. I almost passed at the Uly, but my wife encouraged me to buy it. I have the TDM for sale right now, but I'm pretty high on my price. I don't need to sell it right away and I figure that if I don't like the Uly I can flip it and make 3-$400 on it. The Uly looks cool, and sounds cool, but after a bike as refined as the TDM, the test ride on the Uly was almost a letdown to me. I do think that I will grow to like the Uly, I think I want to try a high seat, and maybe raise the handle bars a bit. But any ways, I just wanted to let you know that someone on here understands your preference for the Super Tenere.
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Jk651
Posted on Thursday, May 17, 2012 - 03:02 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

When I say I have always loved Buells, I should add that I have never owned one, and had only rode one once, an xb9 about 6 years ago for about 15 minutes. I've loved they way they look, especially some of the tube frames. They sort of make me think of American muscle meets Ducati exoticness.
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Mikef5000
Posted on Thursday, May 17, 2012 - 03:30 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

They just called me and apparently the front brake issue was lost in communication somewhere. The service manager is checking to see what he can do for me about it.

Reepicheep, PM sent!

Jk, you'll love the Uly. They are awesome machines. My paradigm shifted towards off-road, and I put lots of hard miles on my bikes... so I need the parts/support more now than ever before. The issues with Buells are (normally) small and easy. The 77 connector; home fix for a couple bucks. The wheel bearings; replacements can be cheap. Folks are working on cheaper VR fixes, although I haven't seen this to be a hugely common issue.


I wish mine had decent tires so I could do an accurate handling comparison with the Tenere. I know the Buell is drastically more capable (the Tenere doesn't have the lean angle), but I want to know the difference in the feel. You know, mass centralization and all, versus, sheer mass.
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Rdkingryder
Posted on Friday, May 18, 2012 - 08:34 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Mike, the handling will come back with new tires. Mine did. I commute on mine and tires were flat in the center. Of course since my Uly was down a year for an '08 crank change, I forgot how it handled. Last month I started riding it to work and it handled like a steam roller. I was pretty disappointed that my 1983 Suzuki handled better. I changed the tires and it's like a new bike. you may be able to get in on the great deal on Pirelli Diablos from Cycle Gear, $189 for the set.
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Mikef5000
Posted on Friday, May 18, 2012 - 11:29 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

WOW! $189 for the set, and free shipping. I'd really be stupid not to jump on that deal I think. Thanks!

Also, the dealership is replacing the front rotor under warranty. Hopefully it's not back ordered. And huge props to Farrows Downtown Columbus for bending over backwards for me.

Sooooo. I should cut my losses and buy the dang tires and sell the bike as 'ready to ride' for the season.
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Rdkingryder
Posted on Saturday, May 19, 2012 - 11:22 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Mike, no problem. Oh, I'm gonna borrow a picture of your '08 crank to compare to the 07 crank I removed from my engine in a thread I have going.
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Rdkingryder
Posted on Saturday, May 19, 2012 - 11:58 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Oh, I just noticed something on your crank, it doesn't have the brass oil pump drive gear. Is it supposed to, or is yours an update? Mine had the brass one.
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Mikef5000
Posted on Saturday, May 19, 2012 - 01:37 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Mine, being an 08+, has a completely different oil pump than yours.

I completely forgot about the 07 crank issues. I would've asked if you needed any specific details had I remembered. Sorry!
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Rdkingryder
Posted on Saturday, May 19, 2012 - 01:41 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Mike, you put those tires on and you'll be rethinking the sale of the Ulysses! It'll handle so much better. That tenner looks so much larger than the uly.

(Message edited by Rdkingryder on May 19, 2012)
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Mikef5000
Posted on Saturday, May 19, 2012 - 02:04 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Well I almost feel bad about it... But I just got that set of Pirelli Diablo tires for only $164.99 shipped. A simple google search paid off with a $25 off coupon code that worked on top of the hell-of-a-good deal on the tires themselves and free shipping.

rn25off is the code, but you didn't hear it from me.
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Wolfridgerider
Posted on Saturday, May 19, 2012 - 02:50 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Wish I needed a set....
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Jk651
Posted on Saturday, May 19, 2012 - 02:58 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I wish I had to money to snatch a set up right now. I go and pick my new Uly up tomorrow, and it has almost new street tires on it. If I hadn't just spent all my money on the bike, I'd order a set just for when the street tires wear out.
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Streakbot97
Posted on Sunday, May 20, 2012 - 10:03 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

How do these tires compare to the scorpion syncs or trails?
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Wolfridgerider
Posted on Sunday, May 20, 2012 - 10:32 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

How do these tires compare to the scorpion syncs or trails?

they don't. They are a street tire and what came stock on XB's when they quit using the Donflops
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Mikef5000
Posted on Sunday, May 20, 2012 - 11:13 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

They actually should be comparable to the sync. They are considered a sport tire, so grip is aplenty, but life is less (~5000 miles is reachable, but some kill them much quicker). The trail is in a whole different class, given that it's actually rated for off road (a little bit at least) So it's heavier duty. It's also dual compound, so last longer. But the trails are nearly double the price.
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