G oog le BadWeB | Login/out | Topics | Search | Custodians | Register | Edit Profile


Buell Forum » Big, Bad & Dirty (Buell XB12X Ulysses Adventure Board) » BB&D Archives » Archive through August 04, 2013 » Long Ride Impressions « Previous Next »

Author Message
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Krabykarl
Posted on Tuesday, July 23, 2013 - 10:21 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Just got back from an 1800 mile ride over 4 days (with 4 days of visiting friends in between) going from central Maryland to eastern Missouri and back.

The 08 Uly ran great. Not a problem not even a hiccup. Only issue was when I installed the comfort kit I never got the ECM flashed. After 2 days of blistered right leg I stopped at Surdyke HD http://www.surdykeharley.com/ in Festus MO for a flash. 1/2 hour shop time and about an hour later (I did have to run around with the service writer trying to explain exactly what I wanted)the fan now runs while riding and my leg is cool. First he told me Harley was going to charge $160 for the download. When I went to pick the bike up he informed me it was a free download. I guess they could have ripped me off. Nice place, they have a little museum in back. Some cool old cars, old Yamaha dirt bikes, an old Triumph, BSA, an RD350 (would love to have one of these)and Harleys of every vintage. Anyone in the St. Louis area I can recommend them based on the lack of pain I suffered.

Rode I70 from Columbus to St. Louis. What an ugly road, beat up, constant construction and nothing but wall to wall 53' boxes. I swear one could walk the distance from truck to truck. Don't get me wrong I don't mind trucks we have to move the freight but that was ridiculous.

Came back across the KY parkways and I64 east of Lexington. Much better, few trucks smooth road and only saw 1 cop the entire 400 miles of KY roads.

Monday, was to be WV twisty day but there were predicted thunderstorms so I pressed on the big roads. I79 from Charleston WV to Fairmont WV is the best interstate east of the Mississippi. Just my opinion but have yet to find anything better. All asphalt, fast sweepers, light traffic, no cops (that I saw or more importantly saw me), few trucks and fantastic scenery. Only downside is this hot summer has buckled the asphalt. Hitting a buckle at 85 in a fast sweeper is a bit scary. They have milled some down but they have buckled back up. My strategy is to ease down the hills and power up. In all my years of driving I have yet to see a cop set up radar going up hill. The 1203 Thunderstorm torque is perfect.

Got off at Fairmont WV to run US50 east to Winchester VA. Stopped for gas and lunch on a nice sunny day. Got 4 miles across the first ridge and here come the rains. Suited up and pressed on. Going down 9% grades around hairpin turns in the pouring down rain is a clenching experience. Put up with that crap for about 80 miles till I hung a left turn at Keyser WV and joined the big road in Cumberland MD. As soon as I got back on the interstate the sun came out and I baked in my rain suit.

Stopped to de-suit and hydrate and noticed I had 80 miles on this tank and 80 miles to go. I have read on the forum these bikes have 160 mile highway range so I decided to give it a try. Get this, the reserve light came on as I turned onto my street!

Overall:
I averaged 42mpg.
The valves were rapping when I got home for I was pushing it pretty hard the home stretch. I'm not afraid of some hot valve rap. Have had plenty of pushrod motors and have felt that with the rocker mass and different metals there will always be changing clearances.
Need, bar risers. Not much just an inch for I'm not tall (5'9"). My neck hurts a bit.
This bike is a blast on the highway. I can not say how many Harleys and touring bikes I blew past. Of course the touring bikes would pass be back for my ass is only good for 100 miles before a stop. Fast turns 80 mph around bends and not a head shake. This is with the Madstadt up high enough to ride with facesheild up, suspension kind of soft and loaded bags.

All that torque for top gear roll ons yet it will wheelie off the line with no problem. Go ahead try to slap the smile off my face. Won't work.


Bugsplat
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Etennuly
Posted on Tuesday, July 23, 2013 - 10:50 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Well there ya go! A ride report. Awesomeness!

Uly's will have your jaw sore from grinning inside your full face helmet for long periods.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Krabykarl
Posted on Tuesday, July 23, 2013 - 10:55 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Here are photos. Not much of the Uly. I was with a Nova group, I parked the bike at a hotel and jumped in an old hot rod. If you click photo details on the right you can see location and date. https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/104548971946973 407266/albums/5902112836100044657
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Buellerxt
Posted on Tuesday, July 23, 2013 - 01:13 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Thanks, Krabykarl. The Uly is a special bike, for sure.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Fltwistygirl
Posted on Tuesday, July 23, 2013 - 06:17 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Nice job on the ride report krabykarl and glad to hear it was problem free. I believe most are.

Now that our voltage regulator issues seem to be sorted thru, we hope to post some badweb worthy rr's as well with our ulys.
B.
« Previous Next »

Add Your Message Here
Post:
Bold text Italics Underline Create a hyperlink Insert a clipart image

Username: Posting Information:
This is a private posting area. Only registered users and custodians may post messages here.
Password:
Options: Post as "Anonymous" (Valid reason required. Abusers will be exposed. If unsure, ask.)
Enable HTML code in message
Automatically activate URLs in message
Action:

Topics | Last Day | Tree View | Search | User List | Help/Instructions | Rules | Program Credits Administration