| Author | Message | ||
     Kennywiz |
So... After many, many years of riding, I actually need a bike as a daily commuter during the hospitable seasons in Michigan. I've owned many different types of bikes, from sport to tour. My last two bikes were a Gen2 FJR and an Aprilia Falco, (LOVED this bike). Sold the FJR because the wife didn't want to ride with anymore and the Falco because it really didn't make sense as a quiet daily driver. I say quiet because I leave for work at 6am. I'm looking BMW. RT or a GS but good God just about every BMW owner thinks they're made of gold and $3k above KBB and NADA is a fine price. Then I read a post somewhere about a Uly. The writer spoke very well of the bike. Questions: How loud is the bike at startup and idle? (compared to say a BMW R1200 boxer) Vibration. I've read several reviews noting full chassis vibration at lower RPMs. I test rode an older Buell something or other once and I thought the bike was gonna vibrate itself off the stand. During the ride, I could feel vibration through the bars and my butt scaling the RPM range. It is that bad? Rear cylinder. Every Harley guy I've ever spoken too noted their rear cylinder not getting enough air and the overheating was causing premature wear. Is that an issue here? Size. I'm 6'4" and 290lbs built like a football player. The other reason I sold the Falco was I looked ridiculous on the bike and felt so. Thoughts of the Uly? Thank you for your time. | ||
| Reepicheep |
The uly works well for us big folk. The Uly with stock exhaust an intake isn't objectionably loud. I has a different character than many bikes, deeper, but it is pretty quite. It vibrates at idle, but at just about any kind of operational RPM for riding, it is (IMHO) very smooth (unless your isolators are broken or something). The vibration that does get through has a nice character... kind of a "bump bump pause" cycle like a galloping horse. It grows on you and I miss it when I am on a different bike. The pre 2008 XB12 motors had some crank / oil problems that made some (but not many) fail sooner than they should have. 2008 and up had a better oiling system and a bigger crank bearing on one side which seems to have fixed it. On the old Buells the rear rocker box gasket would always go sooner than the front, but the new design on the XB seems to have done a good job of addressing that as well (at least on both the XB's I have owned). | ||
| Nillaice |
6'1" here and a set of bar risers makes the uly fit me like a glove. i love mine and its quirks. if you get one, it will grow on you | ||
| General_ulysses |
I'm 6'2"/200 lbs and my Uly fits me really well. Although even for me, it sits a bit high with the stock "tall seat" (the 06's had a taller seat than the later bikes). It has a plush and comfortable ride due to its long suspension. The front brake can be a bit grabby and it pulsates, a common problem. Apparently replacing the disc and/or pads will fix it. The bike vibrates, especially at lower rpm, but smooths out nicely at highway speeds (around ~3k rpm). It still has some vibes, but overall its really tolerable and even desirable in my opinion. It makes you feel like you're riding a real motorcycle that hasn't had all the character designed out of it. The bike really has balls and tons of torque too. It feels fast and the front end will come up on you like a motocross bike if you don't watch it. Between this and the plush, yet great handling, suspension puts a smile on my face every time I ride it. The bike is quiet with the stock exhaust/muffler. In fact, it kind of sounds like a John Deere tractor. But that's one of the reasons I like it, actually.  Only downside is that the Uly is known for a variety of glitches and common maintenance complaints (and 07's are known for bad cranks). And dealer support is becoming pretty much non-existent (Buell going under in '09). So if you really use the bike for touring far away from your homebase, you could find yourself out in the middle of nowhere with essentially no dealer support. This is the primary reason why Buells are so affordable nowadays. I personally just ride my bike around a 100 mile radius or so (usually less than 50) so I don't worry about it much. But if I did do serious road tripping, it would be a factor to consider. Good luck... | ||
| Buewulf |
1) Compared to a 1200cc boxer, the Ulysses with stock exhaust is notably louder at startup. However, it isn't loud enough to irritate the neighbors. All of the aftermarket cans I have heard are very loud, so you'd want to make sure the one you buy comes with a stock exhaust. 2) It vibrate like a mofo at idle but smooths out nicely above 3K which is where you'll be riding most of the time. There is an ever present, minimal vibration, but it is more of a low frequency thrumming that, as another poster noted, has a visceral appeal that is pleasant. If the thrum of your Falco didn't put you off, the Uly won't either. 3) I have never heard of any premature wear to the rear cylinder, but the rear rocker box seal is a somewhat common failure point. It is a minor thing but no fun to fix. 4) I need a crane and operator to get on my Uly, so it should work great for you at 6'4. I am sure you will want the "tall seat" and some bar risers if the bike doesn't already come with those. | ||
| Kennywiz |
Thanks all!!!!!!! I've cruised the classifieds and IM'ed a couple. Looking for an 08 preferably less than 25k miles with cases. Can't find anything local that I could try. Anyone local to SE Mi? | ||
| Evileye |
I have an 06 in the fast orange color for sale here in northern lower MI | ||
| Kennywiz |
Thanks but really want an 08+ Thoughts on this one? http://www.cycletrader.com/listing/2008-Buell-Ulys ses-XB12XT-111656297 | ||
| Reepicheep |
My thoughts on that one are is if that price is real, and includes the bags, you better hurry and buy it if you want it. It won't last long. That is an XT though, not an X. It has a pure sportbike suspension instead of the long travel, and sits an inch or two lower. A buddy of mine rode one at Mid Ohio and was giggling like a little girl at how much fun it was to ride on the track... and one of his Honda buddies that couldn't stand to be slower low sided a demo 1125R trying to keep up with him while he was on one of those XT's. So lower to the ground, but a serious wolf in sheeps clothing in terms of handling. | ||
| Uly_man |
"It has a pure sportbike suspension instead of the long travel, and sits an inch or two lower". The "X" has just as good handling. One of the things many people do not understand is that a Uly can be set up for any type of work. In my case I have set it up for fast road work but even with that I can cruise in comfort as well. The handling on a Buell is amazing and NOTHING like any other bike I have had. For road work I would say it is close to perfect but as with many things in life you need to know the difference. A bike is NOT a "plug and play" device and needs to be set up for the individual user IE Suspension, pegs, bars, levers, tire type/ pressures, etc. I find it can take me 3 months to set up a bike the way I like it but thats just me. | ||
| Kennywiz |
I did it! Just put a down payment on an 08X with less than 5k miles and loaded with farkles. Just trying to work out a reasonable shipping quote. I'm really excited to see if what everyone says is true. First time I bought a bike unseen. thanks!  (Message edited by kennywiz on March 12, 2014) (Message edited by kennywiz on March 12, 2014) | ||
| Buewulf |
Congrats! Hunt around for a service manual. Well worth the money. | ||
| General_ulysses |
I read a lot about these bikes before buying one. I didn't get a chance to really ride it before taking delivery. But once I got on it for the first time and really had a chance to become acquainted, it definitely met with my expectations and then some. The power and torque and plushness and handling along with that cool tractor sound is a winner. | ||
| Kennywiz |
Here's the bike I picked up for less than the listed price. I can't wait! Still trying to get a reasonable shipping rate to SE Michigan. http://www.ebay.com/itm/2008-BUELL-ULYSSES-XB12X-L OTS-OF-EXTRAS-ONLY-4885-MILES-/231176539710?_trksi d=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&nma =true&si=ngmvM5KSOyHOpXMSv2f6W2ONds4%253D&orig_cvi p=true&rt=nc | ||
| Woodnbow |
That's a good looking bike Kenny... Looks like he bought it, farkled it and then parked it for the most part. I don't get that  but YOU really scored!! | ||
| Kaikoura |
Ride it like you stole it! | ||
| Fotoguzzi |
nice but that chrome sound system looks out of place. best to relocate under your workbench. | ||
| Kennywiz |
absolutely or trade for a black one or just take it off anyway. Doubt I could hear it at 70+ | ||
| Callawegian |
Great find! I agree with others and park the sound system under the workbench. There is nothing sweeter sounding than a Buell V-twin. | ||
| Woodnbow |
Mine's running a Drummer can and with my SMH10 headseat banging some sweet road tunes I'm good to go!  | ||
| Froggy |
Actually, the EBR V-twins sound nicer | ||
| Fotoguzzi |
positively looks better w/o the muffler but it probably works best with the stock muff.. | ||
| Callawegian |
I do have the butterfly valve removed to get more attention while it is warming up. | ||
| Nillaice |
Shipping quote?... What's wrong with catching a one way flight and riding it home? | ||
| Kennywiz |
8hr drive and a little too winter still. A Flight, a hotel, gas, and meals = a reasonable shipping rate. I was looking at another bike in NJ and the shipping quote was $270. That's what I'm trying to get here, and its a shorter trip. | ||
| Kennywiz |
Uly arrived today! I set up the suspension per a couple of articles. Set it up for 320lbs because I am close to 300 and would rather play safe. However, the fornt end feels squishy. I ran the front preload all the way counterclockwise then 4 full turns clockwise. Did I do this backwards because the front end feels like its gonna wash put at any point. Or Is it because I'm coming of a sportbike, sport tourer,and test riding many BMW products? The vibration is fine except at idle. I feel like my man bits are gonna vibrate off. 2800 and above are smooth. If I can figure out the front end, this will be a usable daily driver. If not, it's up for sale. First impressions are its a good bike but not the end all be all of bikes. I would LOVE to ride this bike with the water cooled BRP plant! (Message edited by Kennywiz on March 30, 2014) (Message edited by Kennywiz on March 30, 2014) | ||
| Fotoguzzi |
Geewiz Kennywiz, you gained 10 pounds in that deal. rode mine today for the 1st time since November .. holywiz it was fun!  | ||
| Fotoguzzi |
if the Corbin seat doesn't work out I have a "tall" Buell seat I would trade with some cash for it.. | ||
| Griffmeister |
Maybe you need to soften the rear preload a little, might be transferring too much load to the front? Or, like you say, maybe you just went the wrong way on the adjustment. Spend some time with the manual and a screwdriver, you should be able to get setup just right. Sure looks nice (other than the speakers), and has some nice extras, too. Plus blue's the best color.  | ||
| Rayycc1 |
great looking bike! |
