| Author | Message | ||
     Chad_nc |
I have a friend that has an 09 XB12XT that he wants to get rid of. It has around 18k on it and knowing this guy without seeing it, the bike could pass for new. I have a 2006 V-Strom that I traded from this same guy that he wouldnt mind having back. I know the Buell is worth more, we have that part handled. Anything I should look for when I am looking at the bike? I am aware of issues with the front forks, ECM, and rear wheel bearings but not sure how to check them for possible future problems. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Get the 2010 wheel with the 3 larger bearings and outside seals. Good to go. Hopefully you are the type that can do your own bits of maintenance without relying on dealer mechanics. If not then you might want to think twice. My son and I love our 06 and 07. The handling on the ULY is way above any other bike I have ever owned and I've been riding since 1969. | ||
| Hughlysses |
We're with you on ECM and rear wheel bearing issues, but there are no issues with the front forks that I've ever heard of. Just make sure the ECM is not cracked (caused by the seat pressing down on top); cracks show at the 2 connectors. Best fix is to relocate the ECM to avoid the problem; search here for threads on the subject. Like EG says, the only sure fix for the rear wheel bearings is the 2010 rear wheel. Otherwise, keep a close eye on the rear wheel bearings- look for signs of rust at the seals and rotate them by hand any time you have the rear wheel off for a tire change. Some people have no problems, but when they fail they can fail with little warning. | ||
| Reepicheep |
That's the almost perfect Uly. You have the ultimate evolution motor oiling system, and the bigger crank bearing. You would not have the 2010 three bearing rear wheel... you could upgrade to it, but I didn't. I just watch the rear bearings carefully and pack spares on any longer trip. I also slightly enlarged the tensioner holes to eliminate some perceived binding at extreme suspension travel. Some people have trouble with them, but others have 20k+ miles on the two bearings with no issues at all. I respect the VStrom for what it is, but believe the Uly would be a HUGE upgrade. | ||
| Svh |
The only real problem I have heard with the forks are the steering head bearings and the infamous "click" (note to self still need to fix that). Otherwise a few seal issues but not much. You will enjoy the bike a lot more than the Strom I am guessing. Everything stated above is great advice. Hopefully you can do all the maintenance. Pick up a service manual and you are all set especially with the "brain" trust here on BadWeb. | ||
| Bcmike |
I have an 09 XT since new with over 20K now, have kept a close eye on all components and never had a serious problem. I think the XT is less prone to rear bearing failure since it is the sport-touring model and sees far less off road use, if any. | ||
| Chad_nc |
I can do most maintenance myself. The other two Uly's I owned I never took a wrench to. Went to look at it yesterday and it has the black seal rear wheel bearing. I think the fork seals is the issue I was thinking of. The ECM has been taken care of by putting spacers under the seat. Has been race tuned. 13,xxx miles and looks good. The guy just put tires on it. He is giving me one hell of a deal because the Strom I have I got from him and he wants it back. I don't put many miles on the bikes, only 4000 in the 3 years I have had my current bike. Hope to pick up my new2me Uly tomorrow. Pics will follow  | ||
| Uly_man |
"I think the fork seals is the issue I was thinking of". Are they leaking? | ||
| Chad_nc |
No they seals are not leaking at all. I was thinking the Uly's had a problem with them leaking. I could be very very wrong!! I ended up getting the bike. It is a very nice riding XT, with a Jardine exhaust that I will have to get used to. I am used to stock sounding exhausts. It is also going to take me quite a while to get used to riding a Uly again. The height is about the same as the Vee, but the position and the handling and powerbands are totally different. The Vee in comparison took much more effort to steer going down the road, and much less effort to steer pushing Anyone know of a place to get a triple tail bag or any other Buell stuff for the Uly other than parts? (Message edited by chad_nc on January 11, 2013) | ||
| Afsoc_commando |
Check your e-mail... I am right down the road and do have items for sale. Save the shipping hassle... Todd | ||
| Tootal |
If you're going to take your Uly on back roads with dust, grit and the like then I would put some Fork skins on it. I never had any seal leakage until I was riding rather aggressively on some Colorado back roads. When I removed the dust covers there was grit up in there and that wiped out the seals. Here's what I put on: http://www.dualsportwarehouse.com/MOOSE-FORK-SKINS -LONG-48MM-04060012.htm | ||
| Chad_nc |
It is very unlikely my Uly will see any off road. It might see some dusty dirt or fire roads but that's the extent of it. So far so good with the riding and getting used to riding a Uly again. The power compared to the V-Strom is much different!! Hard to believe 200 cc's makes that much difference. | ||
| Arry |
Congratulations on your new Uly! I love hearing comparisons, by new owners, with their old bikes. So, if other things come to mind, about the Uly/Suzi, let us know. | ||
| Chad_nc |
I started looking for luggage as soon as I considered the deal of getting the Uly. First thing I knew I wanted was an underseat bag. I went to Ebay and bid on one, ended up getting it. The mail came today. Took it out of the shipping box, went to put it under the seat and I found out I already had one! Now I got two.... As for comparison, the only thing that was about the same with the two bikes is the weight. Difference is the Suzi weight is up a little higher. It also had a smoother ride and softer seat. This Uly seems lower than the 09 XP I had for a short while and also lower than the X I had for a few months in 08 before doing some serious damage on a high speed get off(about 50mph). It does feel good to be back on a Buell though. No matter what bike I end up with, I keep looking at Uly's. Why is that???? | ||
| Byrdock |
"No matter what bike I end up with, I keep looking at Uly's. Why is that????" Because it's hard to beat it. And it get's in your soul. | ||
| Timberwolf |
Chad, the XT is lower than the X and the XP | ||
| Chad_nc |
Timberwolf, that probably explains why I like riding the XT more than the other two. Just seems to fit better. Starting to farkle it up a little. The underseat bag, and just bid on a Zumo, got a few goodies coming in the mail like gloves(my other Buell gloves are worn out), and hoping to meet up with another Bad Webber this weekend to buy a tank and triple tail bag. After that I should be set for at least a little while. | ||
| Chad_nc |
Thanks to Afsoc_commando I now have a nice triple tail bag and a tank bag that are in new condition. Now just to wait for the Zumo to come in and get it installed and I will be ready for a trip across town or across the country(which probably will not happen lol). With the three hard bags, the triple tail bag, the underseat bag,tank bag and the handlebar bag I think I got all the storage I can handle now | ||
| Chad_nc |
I have a question for you guys. I got a Garmin Zumo for my Uly. I bought an XM antenna for the Garmin, and have no idea where to mount it. Any ideas? Any of you guys ever mounted one to a Uly before? | ||
| Reepicheep |
Not sure what the XM antenna looks like, but you can put an external Garmin GPS antenna right on top of the front brake resivior... err... reseiovrar... err... thingy that holds the front brake fluid with Velcro. Fuss with it long enough, and Alex Prior will walk over, laugh and hand you a piece of very nice adhesive plastic velcro stuff to hold it there. At least that was my experience.  | ||
| Chad_nc |
The XM antenna is the Garmin external antenna I was talking about. It is about 2.5" round, with the base that has two screw holes. I know 3M has some pretty stout velcro that is plastic. Just gotta find a place to find it now... | ||
| Reepicheep |
Mine (non XM and for Quest) is about 1.5" square and about 3/4" thick, so it is easier to mount. | ||
| Turf_moor |
I have a Ulysses. It is an 06 first registered in 08 in England. I now live in Portugal and am waiting to reregister it so I am using my 'main' bike all the time, a faultless Suzuki B-King. But you know what, I cannot wait to get the Ulysses back on the road as I prefer it. It's the power delivery and the handling. | ||
| Uly_man |
"I got a Garmin Zumo for my Uly. I bought an XM antenna for the Garmin". You do not need it. My Zumo even works inside and picks up the signal real fast. Or at least mine is fine. "It's the power delivery and the handling." For me its KISS. "Keep It Simple Stupid". The "Simple" bit is a normal frame/suspension system but one that works VERY, VERY well. The "Stupid" bit is the bikes, more or less, basic maintenance needs. I do not see the need, or want, many of the "bits" they fit to bikes these days. Its like ABS? Its only good for dry/wet conditions and no good in the snow/ice. And in the wet/dry you should have the, basic, riding skills to not need it anyway. There is way to much crap going on with bikes these days. The next thing is you will only be able to ride a bike with all CE riding gear and have to fill in a "pre-ride" log, like an aircraft pilot, before you even start the bike? Yes you may laugh but both of these have been "put up", with other things, by the EU people. |
