| Author | Message | ||
     Mhevezi |
I won't have a Buell in my garage. With EBR going under my confidence in parts availability has dropped and my worry on reliability has jumped. I have LOVED owning Buells (have had two- one brand new off the showroom floor!) and been proud to ride an American bike. But lately I've had some issues and have been shopping for a replacement. When my 2008 XT refused to start at the gas station this week- that was it. Time to make the change. Motorcycles are emotional, and it was a tough decision, but I really want a reliable bike with a good dealer network above all else. I had been looking at the MG Stelvio, the new Aprilia Caponord Rally and the Yamaha FJ-09. All great bikes with different pluses/minuses & since cost was a factor, I went with the FJ-09. My demo ride went well, I fit on the bike, the motor has lots of character and for the price- you get a lot of tech. I sincerely applaud Eric for all he's done for motorcycling and I can tell people that he was the inspiration for Yamaha placing the exhaust under the motor (whether it is true or not). I don't know what Eric's next move will be (if any) but I will be hoping he rises once more. Good luck to all you Buell faithful- my '09 M2 still remains one of the most fun & comfortable bikes I have ever owned and I wish you all the BEST! Keep the Rubber on the Road!  | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Nice looking bike but your Buell parts availability worries are unfounded. Your Yamaha will have most parts that will only be specific to one model year and that usually means expensive parts. Most of the ULY parts are the same for all ULY years and Harley will be supplying those for some time and then someone else will. I've got 50,000 miles on my ULY and I worry not one bit about parts being available. I'm looking forward to riding an electric bike and hopefully Harley will eventually provide that. Again, that Yamaha looks like a really decent bike. | ||
| Phelan |
The FZ-09 looks like a killer bike. Grats. On the other note, EBR made and supplied very little for Ulys. Pretty much just ECMs. Thus EBR in receivership really should have little to do with a Uly oner's confidence in the bike IMO. Harley and others have parts and parts galore still available, an will for years still. BTW I have 72,000 miles on mine and still going strong. Last note, not to be a jerk, but it's EriK. I only correct it because too many people say Eric. | ||
| Fotoguzzi |
how does the suspension compare, don't all the mags say the FJ needs to be upgraded? my Uly suspension works fantastic right from day 1! | ||
| Ourdee |
You will miss the XT. | ||
| Cyclonedon |
I looked at one of those yesterday at Country Thunder and the Yahama guy said it turned 109 HP. Should be a fun bike to ride! | ||
| Mhevezi |
Dang, why did I type Eric? I should know better. My bad there. ERIK did some cool stuff for motorcycling, no doubt. Everyone has their comfortably with parts & service and my threshold has been crossed. Cleaned up the XT today & took it down to the park to get some photos for the ad- it wouldn't re-start. *sigh* I had to hike back to the house and get the jump pack. Anyways- I'll take it in, and see what the heck is going on. Feels like the charging system is not charging. As soon as the battery is juiced (on the charger now) I'll check the stator output. As for the FJ. Well, it ain't no Buell, but it's pretty comfy. I'm only at 90 miles, so I really can't rip on it too much. When I get some more miles on the FJ I'll post up on how it compares. Been scrubbing the new Dunlops in on Skyline, it handles nice. The stock saddle is covered in very grippy material. If you like to move around during spirited cornering- it's kind of annoying. Its dry weight is 462, but it feels SOOO much lighter than the Uly. Even while riding. The suspension on the Buell is just, well, for lack of a better term- magic. Such a great blend of smoothness and cornering attitude. I have already looked into improving the suspension on the FJ, but I'll wait to do anything until the suspenders are fully broken in. I REALLY like having the external preload adjuster on the Buell and I hope someone offers one for the FJ. The handguards on the FJ are more for looks than anything useful (I have the Tourtech extenders on my XT). I like how they look and will either buy a similar extension or fashion one myself. The gauge cluster on the FJ is awesome! I wish it had an analog tach, but there are two screens and tons of info. Nice to have trip miles, fuel level, the time and the ambient temp- all right in front of you. I've got some bags on order and a few other do-dads. I'll get some miles on the FJ soon and give her a proper thrashing. | ||
| Arry |
I'm sure your new bike will be stone reliable, being brand new, and you can't go wrong with a major brand jap bike (I hate to admit). Thanks for your initial impressions, and hope you'll post more as you get some miles on your new ride. Also, when you sell your Uly, make sure to steer the new owner our way (BB&D). | ||
| Jcbikes |
If I would ever sell my Buell, that is the bike I would buy. Good choice. Rode one and loved it1 | ||
| Firemanjim |
Martin, bought a FJ myself-- 10,000 miles in 5 months so far. Love it---it does need some suspension help but adjusted well is ok. It is speed limited to 115mph-- found out at Weds night drags--- but there is flash available for the bike. Got my seat redone by fellow Bueller here,Baldwin saddles and am very happy with it. Added heated grips, a Givi tail box,RKA tankbag and some running lights.Did a Power Commander 5 before there was any software available to tune the bike so eventually want to go that way. ABS, traction control, 3 ride modes-- waht is not to like! | ||
| Ourdee |
Fix the XT and save it for later. I'll be here in a couple of years saying,"I told you so". | ||
| Trevd |
I've missed every single bike I've ever sold, starting with my first street bike, a Honda XL350 that I sold when I was 18 years old. When I do sell the Uly, I'm sure I'll miss it as well, but I don't think it will be unique in that regard. | ||
| Sharkguy |
Interested in one of these as well. How's the vibration at speed? Thanks. | ||
| Timinnc |
Sharkguy, if you mean over 30? Like buttah. In all seriousness, my 06 X is very smooth as soon as you get above 2000 rpm. This bike is a joy to ride at any speed but anything above 50 it is very smooth. Now I have never ridden anything but a V twin. My X replaced a Virago 750 and that's the only other bike I have ridden. I got it about 3 or 4 months ago with 48k miles and it runs great. All that to say, "at speed" it is smooth. | ||
| Mhevezi |
Sharkee- Well, the FJ is not as smooth as the Uly at speed and the Uly is not as smooth as the M2 I used to have. Erik really did great things with the Evo twin. Is the FJ unreasonably buzzy? Not at all. In fact, without a headwind, it's quite nice. But there is more corseness at 5k over the Buell. But the FJ accelerates with verocity. It really has a gem of a motor. I am very happy with the FJ, but the Buell wins in suspension sophistication and smoothness down the highway. I think the FJ will be a great bike with a little suspension work. As it sits, it is very good. My Buell just sits now, as the VR is dead. | ||
| Arry |
Thanks for continuing with impressions of your new ride. Sounds like, in many ways, it's almost as good as the Uly.  | ||
| Mhevezi |
Thanks guys- and with the new VR in place, I checked the voltage output, took her for a test spin and she is 100%! *cue tissues* http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/mcy/5151848029.htm l | ||
| Uly_man |
"Well, the FJ is not as smooth as the Uly at speed". Blimey thats scary for a Jap triple? "But there is more corseness at 5k over the Buell". Even MORE scary. I doubt you will ever make this bike handle like a Uly at any cost. It is not just about the suspension components but the whole design of the bike itself. | ||
| Sharkguy |
Mhevezi, thanks for the info. I have been following others impressions on this bike. I need to take one for a test ride soon. I'm interested in the FJ and also the new Triumph tiger. | ||
| Fotoguzzi |
seriously check out the Tiger before you buy the FJ | ||
| Portero72 |
+1 on trying the new Tiger. I just bought one! |
