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M2nc
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 - 01:31 am: | 
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In 2005 I was looking for a bike that I could take long rides, have room for a passenger, hard bags and handle pavement very well. At the time I had a CB750 and the M2. The Honda was dependable but loved to ride the M2. The M2 has had only one consistent problem, it likes its fluids on the outside. I've had several trips with pics on Badweb with the M2 oozing fluids. I wanted dependability of the Honda, with soul of the M2.
At the time several bikes could fit the bill but none were Buells. There was a new left over 2002 Kawasaki ZZR1200 at the local dealer that really got my attention but the dealer wanted almost sticker for what was a three year old bike at the time. We could not come to terms, so I moved on. By the spec sheet and look, the Tiger 955 was leading the pack, with the Vstrom and Honda ST filling the remaining podium spots. I really liked the BMW 1200GS, but it was too expensive. The Duc Multi was too ugly and really did not know a lot about KTMs, but seem too much dirt for what I needed. After sitting on the bikes the order changed. I sat on the Triumph and it seemed too tall. I sat on the Vstrom and it felt too tall. I sat on the ST and it felt right, so the Honda sprung to the top looking hard at a Maroon '05 ST.
During the summer of the '05, I decided to wait and see what was coming from Buell. I heard rumors that they were going to come out with something more than Color and Graphics for 2006, and decide to wait for the new year model announcement. When the official word of the Uly came out I was glad they had something that two could ride comfortably, but after my tests of the Tiger and Vstrom, I figured it was going to be too tall also and the ST was back on top.
The first Uly hit eastern NC in September of 2005 and several C3'ers went to look at it. 1313 took a picture of himself on this first bike with what looked like his feet a half a foot from reaching ground. I think I posted after seeing the picture something to the tune of 'Honda it is!' One day I was out riding with friends and we ended up at the dealership. I walked over to the Uly and liked the look. It fit the bill, but what about the height? I sat on it and even though I was on my toes, I could reach. Remember this was before the low seat, so here I was on an original '06 seat and could reach. I was excited and called Ulywife. That day we test drove the bike, first time by myself and then again with her on the back. I felt I could handle the height. I bought the bike in early October and now 78 months and 56,000 later, it is by far my favorite motorcycle, though the M2 is still my heart. The handling, comfort, reliability and utility of the the thing is just unmatched by anything for the buck.
Today I am having the same problem I had in 2005. Though the Uly is still in great running order, probably the only person here with as much time and mileage on the original rear wheel bearings, it is approaching seven years old and maybe not now, or even this year, but over the next two to three years I will need a new bike. Triumph has two bikes that interest me with the 800 and 1050 ST. The 2012 Duc Multi is a much better looking bike than in 2005. The Beemers are still awesome. The Honda ST is still around, but the FJR and Concourse 14 look like better options. The Ninja 1000 and FZ1 also seem like possibilities, but maybe if I wait, EBR will come out with the Uly replacement I am looking for. |
Tootal
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 - 11:40 am: |
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While waiting for my new 1991 FLHS to finish up it's 1000 miles service the dealer asked me if I'd like to ride the Buell RS1000. Now this was an iron head four speed fully faired bike with a huge front caliper. Being bored I said why not. I had to slip the clutch all the way through the intersections it was geared so tall. When I finally got out of town I went into my first corner. Holy crap, I just looked at the turn and I'm leaning already!! I hit the interstate and that low end torque was amazing. I couldn't believe this was a sportster engine between my legs. As impressed as I was I just couldn't afford a new bike. Now fast forward to the tubers and I was impressed with the Buell's but they were just too tiny for my 37" inseam.
I started reading about dual sports and having a dirt bike background I thought I might enjoy one. After reading an article in Motorcycle Consumer News on the Cagive Gran Canyon I went out and bought one. This had the Ducati engine in it and it was a hoot but only for short trips. It was a tall bike but still didn't fit me that well. It also took a lot of concentration to ride it correctly. A fast revving short stroke engine with a grabby clutch makes for a machine that is ready to pounce in a heartbeat! After about 2 hours on it and I was ready for a break. I then read an article on the Uly so I stopped by a Buell dealer and test rode one. It felt so slow but when I looked at the speedometer I was flying. The difference between the Uly and the Cagiva was night and day. The Uly was much more comfortable for me and was so easy to ride. I waited another year but finally bought one. I rode both bikes side by side for a while and decided the Buell just fit me better and was just as much fun so I sold the Cagiva and have become a real fan of the Buell.
After finding this site and making some new friends it's been more than a machine. |
Windrider
| | Posted on Friday, May 18, 2012 - 01:08 am: |
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UOD. Ulysses Obsessive Disorder. Only cure is to buy one. |
Redtail
| | Posted on Friday, May 18, 2012 - 03:18 am: |
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Went to ride and buy a used Tiger. The dealer said it was sold I said AMF and dropped by HD on the way home saw her high strung yellow a$$ on the used bike row and said to myself let's see how this monkey skins.
After the test run I had to have her. Now I am cursed like a bite from a vampire! |
Spicerack
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2012 - 12:55 am: |
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i first saw a buell in 2001. i was considering getting my first street bike ands found a blast with 100 miles on it at the yamaha shop. it felt perfect and i loved the look. i was contemplating buying it when my Ram suddenly needed $2000 of tires, so forgot about the bike for a while. 2006 rolls around. i finally decide i want a motorcycle so buy my first street bike, a 1977 yamaha xs750. what a heavy beast. it was a truly awful bike so i decided to get something a little more modern. a friend had an 06 uly which reminded me of the blast i had been enamored with. i headed up to the buell shop and got a great deal on an ex riflers edge blast. it was so simple. i loved it. it wasn't long before i wrecked it though. i was about ready to go get another blast when the girlfriend said "why don't you get something bigger?" [she is a keeper] i decided to get a city x. headed back up to buell shop but they didn't have a 9x. they had a uly though, and my riding buddy [10 year old daughter] loved the rear seat. i went for it [arm still in a sling with broken collar bone] and as soon as i was healed hopped on. the difference in power from the blast was almost pants wetting. my very first shift to 2nd produced a wheelie and i had to pull over to catch my breath. shortly thereafter i was playing on all the logging roads in the mountains of western oregon. i loved that i could play on these roads and the twisties on the same bike. after a while i decided the logging roads were best left to the truck and that i was a street biker only. with 25000 on it i had been considering trading it off and getting a street triple, something i can flat foot. last weekend though i changed my mind. a friend of mine with a uly and i had a chance to ride the Diavel for an hour in the twisties. 20 minutes in i was DONE. except for acceleration that bike had nothing i liked about the uly. i was in pain for the last half of the ride, not being able to slide around at all. i hobbled back to the uly for my hour ride home and fell in love with my buell all over again. it is so darn comfortable, turns without even trying, and just feels right. i have decided i don't need a triumph after all. that bike is here to stay. |
Aussiexbox
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2012 - 03:19 am: |
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I owned a Honda CBR900 Fireblade,and found it uncomfortable on my wrists,so I then got a Honda ST1100 Pan Amercan tourer,and quickly worked out I was neither old enough or grey enough to be riding one,so I had seen the ad in one of the bike mags here that was of the Uly on a ridge top above the clouds from memory,and said yep,thats the bike for me,so I rang a mate who was a dealer,and arranged a trip to demo it,I was on it no more than a minute around the block and came back and said get it ready for me,never looked back ,and won't ever sell it either,it'll go to my eldest daughter when she gets her black licence. |
Tleighbell
| | Posted on Saturday, May 26, 2012 - 10:17 pm: |
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Took my first real ride on my new (to me) 06 Uly today, after getting through the importation red tape, setting tire pressures and setting up suspension for my weight as per the manual. Had an XB9S a few years ago and absolutely loved it until it got crashed and then stolen. Wanted something a little more sensible and responsible, the Uly seemed to fit the bill but I was worried whether it was Buellish enough, especially after a couple of short rides around town.
First corner of my test route today I was hooked. I just cannot believe how well this big tall bike handles, It is just fantastic. Different from the 9S but still completely a Buell. I have never had such a feeling of confidence on any bike. Chicken strips are gone on the right, still about 1/4 inch on the left (most of the turns are rights on my route).
Once again, thank you Erik for making such a beautiful, and thoroughly enjoyable bike. |
Xbrad9r
| | Posted on Thursday, June 14, 2012 - 07:58 pm: |
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As you can tell by my Badweb name, I did not start out on a Uly (and actually never had an XB9R). After owning several various bikes I saw a new 2005 Firebolt XB9R at the dealership in Myrtle Beach when I was there on vacation. I thought it was incredible and almost bought it. After lurking on here for a little while and giving myself the name you see, I did some classified shopping and tried to buy a 9R, but never found one that wasn't abused or close to where I live, so I ended up buying a new leftover 05 XB12R at a dealer about three hours from home. I loved that bike with the exception of two-up riding and the fact that I am 6'6" tall and at times thought that I looked like the ole elephant riding a peanut.
Fast forward a couple years and after selling the Bolt, I test drove a Uly to get one of the slingbags they were giving away and was hooked. I began looking for a used one and ended up finding a black 2006 at a used car lot that the guy had bought at a repo auction and had been riding daily himself. That bike lasted until my oldest son made it to driving age and I had to sacrifice it to get him something to drive.
Now, jump ahead to today and I am back on here because I just went to a bike shop that has traded for a black 08 that I saw in the local newspaper ads. I went by and looked at it earlier today and got Uly fever again. Keep posted, I may be back on two wheels again soon if I can work out the $$$ with the dealer. Fingers crossed. |
Cyclonedon
| | Posted on Friday, June 15, 2012 - 11:51 am: |
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Test ride!!!
After taking a test ride, I knew it was the motorcycle I just had to have. |
Pkforbes87
| | Posted on Sunday, June 17, 2012 - 12:18 am: |
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In early 2007, I was looking for my first bike. Unlike most 20 year olds, I was looking for something small, slow, and cheap. I was mostly looking at used Ninja 250s on Craigslist but ended up riding a friend's and even with no two-wheeled experience, was bored out of my mind. Long story short, I couldn't find a lot of other beginner bikes that I was happy with, and ended up buying a brand new 2007 Blast in April. I rode that thing everywhere! Working 2nd shift at Offutt AFB at the time, I'd get off work between 10 and 11pm, pick a direction, and ride until I needed gas. Turning around and burning another tank on my way back to the barracks usually resulted in me being back by sunrise in time to get some sleep and do it all over again.
By the end of June I was getting the idea that for the kind of distance I was riding, a physically larger bike would be much more comfortable. With limited knowledge of motorcycles, I looked for the only thing I knew - another Buell. I ended up finding a lightly used 2000 X1 on Craigslist, no picture and the ad described the bike's color as orange and purple. I remember thinking that I would hate the colors, but this was the only non-Blast Buell I could find within 1000 miles, so I went to check it out. Another long story short, I instantly fell in love with the Molten Orange / Nuclear Blue color scheme and then even more in love with the glorious exhaust note snarling out of the Vance & Hines muffler, so I rode it home. Soon after, I sold the Blast to a friend who I believe still owns it. (I've always kind of regretted selling that bike)
Fast forward to March of 2009. I was still riding the 2000 X1, and almost finished rebuilding a 2002 X1 that a few know here as "Betty". I ended up in Joplin, MO at an event at Cycle Connection HD/Buell including a stunt show, demo rides, and Erik Buell showed up to give a short talk and some Q&A about the "Trilogy of Tech".
Demo rides.. oh my, how I love demo rides. Usually not out of an interest in purchasing, but an interest in learning to appreciate the subtle pros and cons that each make/model have to offer. I'm pretty sure I rode every Buell model that day, but the ones I remember are the CR and XT. The CR lofted the tire in 3rd gear when I decided to crack the throttle open, so I enjoyed that but figured that a bike like that would kill me. I actually hesitated to ride the XT, I had always thought of it as being a much heavier and sluggish feeling motorcycle reserved for older riders. After a while, the XT was the only bike available for the next group demo so I climbed on just to keep riding. Wow, I instantly loved it. A bit tall compared to what I was used to but comfortable, nimble, torquey.. I loved it! But.. I didn't have any money, so I put the XT in the back of my mind and started saving my pennies for a time years away when I could afford a new Uly.
Fast Forward again to October 15, 2009. I watched wide-eyed (and a bit teary) as Erik Buell explained to the world that Buell was no more. I was worried that this meant that time had run out on my quest for a Uly - with Buell being shut down these bikes are sure to raise in rarity and value, no way I can afford one now, right? That afternoon I called Forman Brothers HD/Buell in Stillwater, OK to ask about their inventory and current prices. Much to my surprise (if not an absolute act of providence) they informed me that every one of their Buells had already sold that day except for a red 2009 XT, and that I could have it for $7500. I told them I'd be there in the morning with a truck. So.. October 16, 2009 I picked up "Silver" with 7 miles on the clock!
Silver is the single greatest motorcycle I have ever owned. I'm lucky enough to have collected a handful, usually no more than two of which are running at any given time, but Silver is the one that I'd want to keep around if limited to only one. I can't remember where I was reading it, maybe the Cycle World article on Buell just a few months after their demise, but someone said that the goal when designing the Ulysses platform had been a "touring motard". I'd say that description pretty well explains why we all have such a grand time zipping around all over the country on these joy machines. I love Silver to death, and God willing will be riding this motorcycle for years to come - 100k or bust! |
Mnrider
| | Posted on Sunday, June 17, 2012 - 08:17 pm: |
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I always thought the tubers were cool so when I heard HD was buying into Buell I ran down to the local HD dealer to ask if they were going to handle Buell,I got a firm "NO".
Every year I would go to the IMS and sit on a Firebolt and dream.
In 2005 a friend who worked at the HD dealer said Buell is making a dual sport then I saw it in the mags and knew it was for me.I had an SV650S at the time and in 2008 was ready to buy.
I found a new left over 06,sold the SV and been living happily ever after since |
Hooper
| | Posted on Saturday, July 18, 2015 - 11:39 pm: |
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Well, I've still got mine... |
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