| Author | Message | ||
     Funkychateau |
I've been shopping for a bike that is set up primarily for taller riders, and the local Harley dealer pointed me at a Ulysses. We're supposed to go for a test ride this Saturday morning, weather permitting. My inseam length is 38 inches, and my last bike was a 1998 Honda Valkyrie tourer (run over from behind on the expressway in November, by an illegal alien with no license or insurance). Before that, I had a 1980 Yamaha XS1100G. I felt that my legs were too "doubled up" on the Valkyrie, despite it being a large motorcycle. The XS1100 felt pretty good, but they don't make 'em like that anymore. I can stretch out on a lot of cruisers, but I'm not fond of the "sit-up-and-beg" riding position using forward foot controls. I prefer having my feet under me to keep some weight off my ass on longer rides. I'm also uncomfortable on most of the play racers and crotch rockets. Even if they have a decently-tall seat, the pegs wind up being placed so high that my knees are still doubled up. Most of my riding will be around-town, 50 to 100 miles at a time, and about 75% on the expressway. I'll take a couple of longer trips each year. Other bikes I am considering are the Suzuki V-Strom and the Kawasaki KLR650, and maybe the new BMW 800 twin. Plus whatever else I may discover in looking around. The Kawasaki seems to fit my body and legs best, but it's probably the least highway-capable bike of the bunch. I have several questions, and hopefully there are enough Ulysses owners online here to supply comments and help me determine if this bike is appropriate. I'm an older, experienced rider, and have been licensed for 40 years. I want reliability, rideability, and serviceability. It doesn't have to do a 10.5-second quarter or go 150 MPH. 1. Do you find that the Ulysses is set up best for a taller rider? 2. This appears to be a Sportster engine, although with higher output (100 HP). Are there other changes, to the bottom end and/or transmission, to handle the additional power? Or is this thing over-stressed? Does it use the standard hydraulic-lifter valve train? 3. How difficult is the Buell to service? I like to do all my own mechanical work, for peace of mind. How in the heck do you lift this bike? I have a frame lift that I bought to work on my Valkyrie, but the Buell's bottom side is just a round exhaust cannister. Surely you don't remove the exhaust just to use the lift? Or try to somehow balance the bike on the pipe? How much disassembly is necessary to look under the primary cover? 4. Are you limited in braking ability by the short wheelbase? In my opinion, if the bike's rear wheel leaves the ground in a panic stop, you can't use full braking force without risking a flipover. 5. What about aftermarket luggage? The Ulysses has not been around very long, and since I've never seen one on the street I assume there aren't that many sold. Does this mean that there may not be many choices when it comes to buying accessories? 6. Finally, what is a "good deal" on this bike? How much is a reasonable discount off list, for a cash buyer, on a new 2008? How about a new 2007? Thanks and regards, Marty | ||
| Gsilvernale |
The 2008 seat is an inch and a half shorter than the seats on the 2006. So getting a 2006 seat may give you more leg room. I am 6'2", and the Uly fits okay. But thats along way from a 38 inch inseam. Motor is significantly reworked, its solid and is not overstressed. Almost all of us do our own Maintenance. Buy the manual. No valves to adjust. Just simple adjustment of clutch and primary chain. The standard exhaust is a jacking point. Front brake is easy to modulate. You can do a stoppy, but thats true of just about any sport bike today. They sell about 4000 Ulys a year. Check elsewhere on this board. Luggage choices does not seem to be a problem, all though there are not as many choices as for a BMW Adventure. Good deal would be $11,000 - without bags or tax. |
