| Author | Message | ||
     Smack_doogle |
A little background. I've been riding for about 8 years. Have had many bikes (+10). Over the last 4 years the VFR bug has got me. I've had 4 different Honda V4's. I currently own a '93 VFR750 that is my only bike. I have restored it from trash and it will never leave my garage. I have owned a 2004 XB12S in the past. Great bike but not for sport touring when you're 6'3" Anyway, I'm currently deployed (woohoo Navy) but when I get home in Aug. I want to get something that I can tour with the Mrs. with while retaining good street handling and a little off road ability. The Ulysses seems like the ticket. I'm really trying to avoid something similar to the VFR since I already have that. Is the Ulysses different enough to justify owning two bikes? I realize I could just buy a 6th gen VFR with hard bags and call it a day but in the event I do find a dirt road I want to traverse, the VFR wouldn't do very well. Here's Miss '93. I like to show off. She's a lil modified but not much. Great single passenger tourer/commuter.  | ||
| Uly_man |
Thats a real nice bike Smack_doogle and looks near new. It seems like you know your bikes, how to fix them (are those Yamaha front brakes) and the XB bike so I will not go into what you already know about bikes. "Is the Ulysses different enough to justify owning two bikes?" For me it is not. And thats because all you need, more or less, is the Uly. Ok put it this way? For road riding/handling its 10/10. Pillion 10/10. Your Mrs will love it. Touring 9/10 as its not a "fully" faired bike. Off road is something I have not tried so I can not comment but "rubber" seems to be the main issue. | ||
| Tootal |
I had five bikes at one time but due to the cost of plates, insurance etc. I whittled it down to two. I've got the Geezer Glide for long highway trips and the Uly which will do anything. The Uly will cruise interstate speeds all day long but you will be beat up by the wind a bit. The twisties are it's specialty, even two up. I'm 6'4" with a 37 inch inseam. I set mine up with a tall seat and lowered pegs and it fits me better than any other bike I've owned. Off road is limited by tires but I've been through a few Jeep trails in Colorado and it did just fine. Stay away from deep sand and mud and you're good. Thanks for your service too!  | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Tootal has got the right idea. I've also got a bagger and ULY and probably should only have the ULY since I never ride the bagger but keep paying the license and insurance for it. The ULY handles like it is on a rail and the bagger is like a barge on the Mississippi. Bottom line, if you are like me, you'll end up having a favorite and the other will become an unnecessary expense and also be in the way. | ||
| Reepicheep |
I'm 6'2" and finally sold the 9sx (which I loved) to get the Uly (which I also love). I'd say yes, they are different enough to justify two bikes. The risk is, aside from sound, that the Uly may actually do everything the VFR does but do it better. So the VFR would be ridden less and less. That might not be bad though, that's a beautiful VFR, and like a fine whisky perhaps it should be enjoyed in little sips and last a long time. You won't use it often, but when you do, it will be lovely. Then the Uly can be what it was born to be, a ride every ride hard put away wet day in and day out do anything bike. | ||
| Buellerxt |
That's a gorgeous VFR!  The Uly? A very SPECIAL do nearly everything bike. Best of luck. | ||
| Motorbike |
Your Honda is very nice. You need to just keep that one and buy the Buell, even if you never ride the VFR again. Years ago, I had a 1976 Honda CB400F, which I thought was the greatest bike ever (hey, it was my first street bike OK? ) and then I bought a new Honda 750 Sabre in 1983. I was planning to keep both and ride whichever one I was in the mood for. I never rode the 400 again so I sold it. I really wish I would have kept it now. A CB400F in pristine condition is worth big bucks today. Oh well, live and learn... | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
I wonder what happens when Buell finally (hopefully) starts selling the AX model that is a Buell perennial vapor bike. Will it then replace the spot in our garage and hearts? Will it be lighter than the ULY but 1/2 again as powerful? Will it be able to smoothly motor along a under 10 mph, under 5 mph? Will it be able to boldly go where no Buell has gone before? | ||
| Dmcutter |
Maybe it will, but if it costs as much as a Multistrada it will still be a vapor bike for most of us. I had an 83 V45 Interceptor many years back...I bet the Uly has a shorter wheelbase. I know back to back my ZX10R didn't handle any quicker than the Uly, except it did have half again as much power so things seemed to happen faster on it. | ||
| Smack_doogle |
Thanks for the info and advice. The VFR is staying for good. I found it in someones yard a year ago where it hadn't moved in 6 years. It was in very rough shape. The guy had no plans for it so he offered to deliver it to my house for $250! I was going to part it out but I gave it a chance. 9000 miles later she's a runner. To much time and effort invested to sell. The front end is off a 2005 Yamaha R1. Tremendous brakes, great forks, very light front wheel and it bolts right up with CBR929 triples. The 12X and 12XT do tick all the boxes. I'm assuming the 2010 models are what I should be looking for since they have the desired upgrades? | ||
| Mnrider |
Great looking VFR. Any Uly will work for you with the comfort for two and great road manners. | ||
| Mhevezi |
Smack, All the Uly's are good bikes, but the later models, '08+ definitely are better, with some key upgrades. Look for a 2010. '10's are like honest politicians- I've heard of them, but never seen one. If you can find a 2010- buy it. Period. Best of the lot. BTW- freakin' awesome VFR! | ||
| Tootal |
'10's are like honest politicians- I've heard of them, but never seen one.   | ||
| Smack_doogle |
Thanks again! I'll keep my eyes peeled for a '10 Uly. I have some time before I get home in Feb. so no real big rush. | ||
| Ratbuell |
I have an 06 Uly. A 95 S2. A 98 S1W. A 98 S3. An 01 M2L. And an 09 CR. Used to have a 96 FLHP. I love all of them...sold the FLH about a year after I got my Uly (it has all three bags) because I didn't need the insurance/license payments anynore for a bike I didn't use. They're all great motorcycles...but the Uly is easily my "go-to" bike, regardless of whether I'm doing a 3 day loop from DC, around Lake Michigan, and back...or a straight-thru run from DC to FL...or a weekend in the mountains...or an afternoon in the woods on fire trails just for kicks...or the daily slog to work where I may need to stop at the grocery on the way home. They all get plenty of use...but the Uly definitely gets the most. For what you're looking for...focus on the X as opposed to the XT. Any year will do - I love my '06 and wouldn't trade it for a '10 if someone offered. The only "production" upgrades I did were progressive rate springs in the forks, and a recent change to the '10 rear wheel. Plenty of farkles...but nothing that makes it into a later year bike. Not a damn thing wrong with an earlier model if you can find one for the right price, with the right history (good care). You do have a beautiful VFR, that would be tough to part with. And thank you for your service. Go Navy! (dad's Cmdr. USN-Ret, Korea) | ||
| Uly_dude |
I want you to get the Uly Smack Doogle! You sound like you have a penchant for working on bikes. The Uly will seduce in this way. Also, I'll bet that within a yr of buying the Uly, you're honda will just collect dust. At least that's what happened to mine - and I still have her! | ||
| Zac4mac |
Smack - I'll add my 2¢ to this. Keep the VFR(even tho I have a grudge with Honda and will never own one), you've done a fine job with her. Beautiful machine. Add the Ulysses. I have an 08 1125R(Loretta) and an 09 Uly. The Uly is my daily rider with 30k+ miles, I got it in 2010 with 12k on the clock. Loretta is the first 1125 delivered to a private owner in Colorado. You don't get a title, you get a Certificate of Origin - I have only gotten one other, a 1986 Fiero SE. Still have it too.  The Uly is my "pick-up" and Loretta is my adrenalin fix. The two fill my needs for now. I think I have the universal fix... YMMV  Z |
