| Author | Message | ||
     Xr1200xb12 |
I purchased a used 07 Uly with under 10K miles. I took it home, changed oils, HD Synthetic, replaced air filter with K&N, replaced both plugs, installed two new tires, HID headlights, and a few carbon fiber bits to enhance the appearance.. First ride I discovered the stator/regulator connector had been eliminated and the charging system quit and I walked 4 miles, (no cell Service). Wiggled some wires and installed a voltage meter and no issues since with the charging system. First nice day this spring I rode to work, Check engine light came on. Code 36 high amps cooling fan. It is at the dealer now being repaired. Bottom line, I purchased the bike to be my touring platform and now I am afraid to leave home afraid to get stranded. I have read post's regarding failed belts, bearings, things I would not expect from HD/Buell. Should I be concerned? | ||
| Red450 |
While I don't have an answer for your electrical question, I did buy a high mileage 06 last year and it had some issues. These bikes are super simple and easy to work on and there is a wealth of knowledge here. You'll get it squared away and that fear will dissipate. My bike suffered a lot of weird issues, it turned out to be a bad TPS. Switched it out the night before my first multi-state trip. All models of bikes have issues and there are tons of satisfied Ulysses owners out there who have never had a problem. You just don't see them making posts about how great their bike is running. Treat the bearings like any other service item and buy a spare belt, install it and carry the old one. | ||
| Froggy |
Yep, the 07 is the worst possible year to buy for touring purposes. They have high chance to have a crankshaft failure due to a defective crank installed at the factory. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/384 2/648773.html I would sell it and get something more reliable for touring like a 2010 Ulysses or a 2008 1125R. | ||
| Xr1200xb12 |
Thanks for the quick response. The bearings have already been changed once due to failure, I have the workshop manual and enough mechanical skills to get in trouble. If the crank fails on a trip i will sell it for scrape and buy an airline ticket home. Any Uly riders in WV? Near Charleston? | ||
| Uly_man |
The Uly is not an ideal touring platform and while you can, like most bikes, that was not what it was designed for. Run it around for a while to iron out any problems before any long runs. Have fun. | ||
| Tootal |
I've taken my 06 on three long two week trips and many shorter ones. It had a few issues up front and what I learned is the replacement parts are much better than the original. It's like the OEM guys were all working against a deadline on the original bikes and they had a few bad ones get out! I've had to change the stator, voltage regulator, intake seals and the muffler valve actuator. Those have been the only failures. I've done a lot of other changes but none of those actually failed. Do as mentioned above. Replace the belt and carry the old one as a spare. (A lot easier to install on the side of the road, in the cold rain!) Get the voltage monitor and install on the dash, or in the dash depending. Go ride the crap out of it! It will do anything you want up to deep sand or mud! | ||
| Reepicheep |
"High chances" is kind of an overstatement. There are more crank failures than there should be, but in several years we haven't found that many actual failures, and we have been looking really hard. And several have cleared the 80k to 100k miles marks and are still running fine. | ||
| Whisperstealth |
Can't speak to an 07, but my 09XT as been awesome and is very tourable! I am now dealing with a fork seal issue and have delt with other problems, but over all the bike has been very realiable. 45K miles and it still runs great. I've been on multiple 2000+ miles round trips and have not been stranded once. Get the kinks out of it and ride the sucker! | ||
| Xr1200xb12 |
I will work the bugs out. I love the ride/suspension, the bike came with the hard bags, plenty of storage for weekend runs. I live in West Virginia, so excellent riding is near at hand. Thanks for the upbeat responses. This is my second Buell, owned a ST3 when they were carbed. Never had an issue with it. | ||
| Reepicheep |
I keep a "jump kit" with a set of new rear wheel bearings and new spacer, one new bag latch, a spare belt (bought new and put on at 20k miles and kept the old one). When I am going further then I would want my wife or neighbor to have to drive to bail me out, I throw the jump kit in the side bag "just in case". Two "Operators Tube #1" are great things to stash tools and parts in as well. Different people tuck them different places, lots of good options. http://www.agrisupply.com/manual-canister-large-wi th-neoprene-seal/p/67670/ |
