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M2nc
| | Posted on Saturday, June 23, 2012 - 11:27 am: | 
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Interesting thread. I love my Uly, but have come to the conclusion that over time the bike is going to be harder and harder to own. This October the bike will be seven years old and probably over 60k miles by then. It has been a good one, unlike some, very reliable only needing parts like tires, oil, spark plugs, light bulbs and those caused by operator error. Heck the thing still has the OEM original rear wheel bearings, just check on a recent rear tire change.
I find there are new bikes out there that were not on the market when I bought the Uly. That is good. The problem is that there are no real Uly replacements for me. There are many bikes that do somethings as well or better than the Uly, but a direct replacement is hard to find. I am glad to see some of you have had luck finding a bike you like as much or better than your Buells.
Here are some of the factors I am looking for out of a Uly replacement.
In order of importance...
Cost (Top end $13k, have a family and can not justify more)
Dealer support (Ulywife insist she wants for me for future Transcontinental voyages, plus living away from a major market center)
Touring capabilities (Luggage, range, long range comfort, wind protection)
Handling (Sport bike like)
Two-Up comfort (Uly best bike in its class for this, tough to find in some of the others)
Character (Buells ooze this and ended up getting rid of my CB750 because it lack it)
Fuel mileage (I like getting mid-40s mpg avg with 60+ mpg best out of the Uly)
Power to weight around the Ulys (4.5lbs / HP ...Dry weight to crank HP, or better)
Weight (No more than 50lbs more than Uly, preferably less)
Off-Road Capable (I am not a single trail rider with the Uly, have done it but not the bike for it, just would like comparable abilities)
As you can see, this priority list knocks out the big contenders from BMW, Triumph and Moto Guzzi. Though the first two makers have smaller displacement bikes that may be a better fit, The Tiger 800 for instance. I have thought about splitting the Ulys many traits into two bikes, Sport Tourer and Dual Sport. That way I can focus the bikes more and get what I want. |
Towpro
| | Posted on Saturday, June 23, 2012 - 11:58 pm: |
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I went for a ride today with my buddy with his new Multistrada. man that thing is nice  .
And the sound of that V twin is sweet. of course it walks away from my F800, it has 2X the HP.
(Message edited by towpro on June 24, 2012) |
2kx1
| | Posted on Sunday, June 24, 2012 - 08:12 am: |
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The KTM pictured above is the closest out there as a replacement. |
M2nc
| | Posted on Sunday, June 24, 2012 - 04:28 pm: |
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The KTM Super Moto T is exactly what I find with most candidates for a Uly replacement. In some areas this bike is spot on, in others its a complete miss.
Price - Fair - $13,999 Bit high for what you get.
Dealer Support - Good enough
Touring Capabilities - Fair, very comfortable for one from reviews but range and stock luggage poor.
Handling - Spot on excellent
Two-Up Comfort - Fair, For a day ride at best
Character - Good, next to a Buell about as good as you are going to get, based on 990 Adventure I test rode.
Fuel Mileage - Poor, low 30s mpg avg, with 25mpg low and 39mpg high, not even close. It's highway mileage is slightly worse than my Uly's stop and go traffic mileage.
Power / Weight - Excellent with sub 4lbs / hp
Weight - Good, Slightly less than the Uly.
Off Road - Fair, poor with stock tires, but switch to same as Uly and should be comparable.
Probably keep looking. |
Buewulf
| | Posted on Monday, June 25, 2012 - 07:22 pm: |
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Since your original list has been disqualified, I'll have to put my vote in for the Yamaha SuperTen. I think it fits your criteria best.
Cost - I bet you could haggle one down to 13K.
Dealer Support - Doesn't get much better.
Touring Capabilities - Absolutely.
Handling - I didn't get the chance to really evaluate properly on the test ride. Felt good though.
2-Up - Can't say for sure, but it is spacious and cushy.
Character - It's no Guzzi, but it is no sewing machine either.
MPG - Magazines and forums report in the 40's. That is as good as you'll get unless you go with an F800.
P/W - Don't know what Yamaha claims for the crank. Felt more powerful than my Uly for sure.
Weight - It is heavier, but it honestly doesn't feel like it. You should ride it before you write this one off.
Off-Road - Don't know, but at least as good as the Uly is a safe assumption. |
Madduck
| | Posted on Monday, June 25, 2012 - 10:30 pm: |
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Yamahe ST can be had in MN for 12,500. They are readily available also. |
M2nc
| | Posted on Monday, June 25, 2012 - 11:21 pm: |
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Agreed. The Super Tenere is in the running. I like several things about the bike like better range, more accessories, dealer support, electronics and more off road capable. At 110 crank horsepower it has a seven more horsepower and probably a wider power band than the Uly. Also with 270° crank, it thumps so it has plenty of character.
It falls short in on-road handling with taller thinner tires and lazier geometry. At 575 lbs wet without bags, its 95 lbs more than the Uly. That would put its power to weight ratio about a 1/2 pound per horsepower more than the Uly so acceleration would be hurt slightly. Price is also about $1500 out of range, a sale price would be needed or maybe a slightly used one. I also wish it had a switchable ABS for dirt. |
Dr_greg
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 26, 2012 - 10:54 am: |
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Just got back from a 4,440-mile trip on my 2010 Ducati MTS1200S. Now have over 20K miles on the Duc (and 12K on my first one before the hoarfrost) and both have been completely troublefree.
Yes, pricey, but I hadn't seen one discussed here so I'll chime in.
Of course I still have my '06 Uly! Never sell it.
--Doc |
Mikef5000
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 26, 2012 - 11:13 am: |
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Ok, I can't let that one slide.... In response to your Tenere assessment:
Handling is pretty fricken great, where it lacks is overall lean angle. The taller skinnier tires to me allow you to throw it around more (quicker leaning). Get one in the twisties and you will not be disappointed (unless you're running a race pace, in which case you will wish for more lean angle available).
Acceleration, one way or another, is not hurt by the weight:
Perhaps it hampers down a bit once you near the triple digit speeds, but who buys an Adventure Tourer to go freeway racing?
They're negotiating a lot on price right now. Mid $13's is normal, $12's are not unheard of.
And finally, ABS. It works really well. Reportedly the best in the industry. I've ridden mine off road A LOT, and never once has it screwed me up, but it has saved my bacon on numerous occasions (still running street tires, means I'm using Traction Control and ABS constantly). But all that being said, it would cost about 3 dollars (for a switch and 5' of wire) to add your own ABS switch.
To expand on Beuwulf's answers:
2-Up - My girlfriend likes it more than the Uly, and we've done several 300+ mile days. She said the seat is softer and she has more room.
MPG - I average in the mid 40's for city riding, high 40's for highway, and low 50's on country roads. This is directly comparable to my Uly.
Off-Road - Way, way, way better than it should be. I've taken this thing (in stock trim) on the most difficult roads I know of, roads that are challenging on my 300 pound dual sport, and it eats them up. I have no excuse for it, it makes no sense, but it works.
Buell knows how to build a light bike. Yamaha knows how to make a heavy bike feel light. |
Uly_man
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 26, 2012 - 11:26 am: |
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"Ok, I can't let that one slide.... In response to your Tenere assessment." Nor me? I had a 1989 Super Ten 750 with 70,000 miles on it. With some basic work, mods and good rubber it would handle well and climb walls. It also did 120mph plus. |
Pontlee77
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 26, 2012 - 11:46 am: |
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All gets down to on where you plan to use it, if dirt or road, 1 or 2 up...... |
M2nc
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 26, 2012 - 11:51 pm: |
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Mike, nothing to let slide. Like I stated in my first post, I am glad some have found their Uly replacement.
As for on pavement performance you have ridden both, would you say the Super Tenere accelerates and handles as well as a Uly? That would be interesting to see for myself, just saying. 
I have no doubt that the Super Tenere would be able to do just about anything the Uly can on the road. The difference in raw performance would not make a difference 95% of the time. That is why all out performance is not the top priority for a Uly replacement. The Uly is not the fastest bike out there, just fast enough considering its other strengths. The KTM listed above would be a better bike for that. What I want out of a true Adventure Bike is diversity.
Cost is something that is key for me. From what I have read, the Duc is the best Uly replacement. It handles, has room for two, and acceleration tops all others in the class. But at $20g it's a no starter. I just can not justify that for a bike when there are others out there for so much less. Also the dealer network is weak in the US. Two top priorities for me that just puts the Duc on the shelf. The BMW R1200GS fits in that category as well.
I did not buy the Uly for gas mileage, but have gotten use to 48mpg average. Best was the day Webe and I both topped 62mpg at the same time on a tank of gas. That was not a one time event either. Two-lane highway riding has several times left me with the thrill of wondering if the fuel light was burned out as the trip meter passed 200 miles and the light not lit. This would hurt the Duc and the KTM, though the BMW is strong here.
Luggage space is another issue. On our August trips to West Virginia, I have three 40 liter hard bags, plus another 40 liter soft bag and a 20 liter tank bag full. Those little bags on the KTM just will not do. The Super Tenere is better, but not up to the Uly's luggage space. I know I can buy others, but that is just added expense.
Thanks for the in put, I do not need a replacement today, but have started looking now to see if I can find a suitable replacement when the time comes. It took me almost two years to land on the Uly and I passed on it the first time I read about it. I've been looking at the Sport Touring segment as well as the Adventure Bikes. I have a couple strong possibilities there too. |
Bienhoabob
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 27, 2012 - 11:46 am: |
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Suzuki has entered the adventure touring arena too. They have a 1000 and 650 Strom adventure model this year. Triumph also has an adventure model.
Lots of choices. |
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