| Author | Message | ||
     Wbrisett |
OK, so I still need to put a lot more miles on the Ulysses, but now that I have nearly 300 miles in the saddle, I wanted to post my initial thoughts on these bikes. I've had the RT for a couple of years now and put on a ton of miles, both on the highway and in the city. I've logged upwards to 14 hours on the saddle and pushed the bike well over the speed limit in the desert of New Mexico. The 3 hours I spent on the Ulysses is so far the longest ride I've put on her so far, but still thought this might be insightful. The Buell is a dream on the road, it's light, the center of gravity while a bit higher is easy to maintain while riding. But, you better have a high inseam or you'll be on your toes the entire time you're at a stop light. The BMW sits lower and most people don't have to worry too much about the seat height (although I do know a few people who still do). In the city, I find the Buell's heat nearly impossible to deal with after a while. My right inner thigh is on fire, and the heat deflectors that I bought seem to help a little, but not a lot. I'm ordering a set of heat blankets from Odie and hopefully that will solve the problem for good. OK, so what about the ride? Well, there is a certain smoothness in the BMW boxer engine that you just can't escape. I love the feel of the Ulysses when above 3K RPMs, but below that, it's a bit jerky. Try to go a steady 15-20 MPH and it really feels like it's jerking you as go. On the BMW, it's as smooth as can be. However, raise your RPMs to above 3K and all is well. Since I bought this bike more for city riding than touring, that really could be an issue. On the highway, I'm spoiled. I've been surrounded by an adjustable fairing for so long that I forgot what its like riding a naked bike. I find that at highway speeds, riding the Ulysses is a bit tiring, but most of that is because I'm having to work at holding on, whereas I don't feel the wind on the BMW. I rode my BMW RT today for the first time since I bought the Ulysses, I immediately had to see what was wrong. It simply felt like I had lead attached to the bike. It felt so much heavier than the Buell; and it is by slightly more than a 100 lbs, but it really felt clumsy. I had a hard time getting use to having my turn signals on each handlebar again... who would have thought that... but overall, I really felt like the RT needed to go on a diet. The Buell is an awesome bike and I'm sure once I add a taller windscreen, I'll have even nicer things to say about it. Right now, I rate the bike an 8 on a 1 to 10 scale. With most of the points being deducted by the heat and wind issues that I've been spoiled by on the BMW. I'll update this thread as time goes, if people want. I'm sure I will change my mind about a few things later on. Wayne | ||
| Strada |
Hi, Wayne, if you've been used to an RT, the taller screen will not work for you I think. I had exactly the same issue with mine and this was the single biggest issue with the bike. If you need info' on a solution please email me. | ||
| Bross |
I'd definitely like to here your opinion as you get more miles on the Uly. I'm like you and have been riding my RT for a couple years and just haven't been able to make the jump to the Uly, yet. One reason I'm still riding the RT is because it lengthens my riding season by months. Living up here in the frozen north, I absolutely have to have all the protection and electricity the RT has. It lets me ride in minus celcius temps comfortably. But, we're moving this summer to a warmer climate and I can't wait to get a "naked" bike again. We just picked up Jodie's new Bonneville last weekend and I rode it home for her and it made me miss riding a simpler bike. I love riding a bike without a windshield, so once we get settled, it'll be either a Uly or a Scrambler. PS Nothings going to protect you like the RT, with the shield up it's like riding in a d@mn Buick.  (Message edited by bross on March 17, 2008) | ||
| Jlnance |
Try to go a steady 15-20 MPH and it really feels like it's jerking you as go. Thats a very common complaint. I am told that switching the primary gearing to the one from the CityX will fix that problem. It lowers the gearing by 11%. (Message edited by jlnance on March 18, 2008) | ||
| Ejiii |
This might sound odd but you might try installing a new set of spark plugs to resolve the jerky slow speed driveability. I have been a tech for a long time and new bikes get started and stopped a bunch before they ever leave the dealership. Even though the plugs will look like new they do get "coked" over. I have fixed a lot of complaints like yours with fresh plugs including the 2500rpm jerks on my own 2008 Uly. I went with the Pro-Series plugs. If it works great, if not it's inexpensive and pretty easy to do so you won't be out much. | ||
| Maximum |
The "maximum" heat blanket set from Odie will take care of the heat of the inner thigh, without a doubt! And Jlnance is right...get the 9 primary kit from American Sport Bike for less than $200 and you will love the Uly's city performance. A couple easy fixes and you'll be set! | ||
| Dbahm |
All excellent suggestions! This is such a great website! Good to see you today, Wayne. | ||
| Wbrisett |
Denny, likewise it was nice seeing you. By the way, it took them a while, but they finally found the stow-and-go bag in the back.. I installed the deluxe tank bag yesterday and love the design of the unit. Already has nice rubber grommets where I can run all my power and cables (in two locations). Nice bag, large price though.  | ||
| Bross |
Nice bag, large price though You never bought the BMW tank bag for your RT did you? :wink | ||
| Hooper |
I rented an RT last year for a ride from San Francisco up the coast to Ft. Bragg, California, east through the mountains to Clear Lake, south through wine country, and back to San Francisco. Though I really enjoyed the RT and found it much roomier than a K1200GT I rented in Denver later that year, I found the engine to be uninspiring. I felt that "lead weight", and it wasn't the steak dinner I had the night before. It just felt like a much smaller engine than the Uly's. That said, I LOVED the RT's fairing, heated handgrips, and motorized windscreen. The bike got lots of attention too - people thought I was some high-roller. I got rained on in Napa and Sonoma the whole day, so it was great for that weather. It was fun in the twisting roads along the coast, but just lacked the "soul" or "cajones" that I feel like every bike should have at least a little bit of. If I had to choose, and money was no issue (and I couldn't choose the RT, sell it, buy a Uly, and pocket the difference), I'd get the Uly again. If I needed to choose a big, long-haul sport-tourer, I'd take the RT over a Electra Glide Ultra Classic, but that's only because I'm in a sporting time in my life (and I already have a Hog for around town). Of course, next weekend I'm renting an Electra Glide in San Francisco and going down to Big Sur, but that's because I'm bringing my girlfriend and she thought the back seat looked comfier. Probably is. And it's SO American... Man, it's fun to daydream and compare bikes when you're supposed to be working... | ||
| Road_thing |
Glad you enjoyed the trip! I didn't know I even had a motorized windscreen... rt | ||
| Hooper |
Dude, I rode you like I rented you... ...thanks for staying upright. This is the CA and CO trip I mentioned, and my Uly before I beefed it into a deer at 55mph about 6 weeks ago, hit the pavement, and got up with a cut on my leg, a sore arm, and some sore ribs. The Uly should be back in business very soon.      | ||
| Bross |
Quoted by Hooper "...I found the engine to be uninspiring..." You did rev it above 5000 didn't you? I find the RT quite docile below that but a lot more fun in the 6-7000rom range, love the sound there as well. I know the RTs no Uly but it wheelies quite easily in 1st, 2nd and even 3rd.  | ||
| Hooper |
You know, you might be right...I've ridden various bikes for 4 years now, and only beginning to realize that, to get the true experience from many of them, you really need to keep the RPMs high. So often we're convinced that we need to cruise low to save gas and keep the temps down. How much fun is that?!?! Great post, Bross... Either way, that RT is a gorgeous piece of machinery and architecture... Oh, and here's another possibility for why I found the BMW a bit sluggish during my trip through northern CA...  (Message edited by hooper on March 20, 2008) | ||
| Erz |
Another ex beemer guy: Got off a R1150R about a year ago and onto a ULY. I love the torque of the Uly and I love the sound. The beemer was nice but you had to wind it up to make it go. The Uly by 4000 is makin PLENTY of steam. Only thing I liked better on the beemer was no leg heat. | ||
| Atoms |
The only thing I miss about my RT was the particular purr of the boxer at speed. It is a beautiful sound. Well that and the euro flip-out auxiliary lights. And the glove boxes. And all that protection in the rain or cold (but not most of the time when it was not breezy enough) and the center stand, and the fact that at 200 miles I had to START thinking about my next gas stop.  (Message edited by atoms on March 21, 2008) | ||
| Jkelly |
I have fond memories of my RT. Put tons of miles on. Great weather protection, range and comfort. ABS. Many compliments. The comfort really opened up with a +4 windshield and Day Long seat.  | ||
| Daveymac |
Heres mine  | ||
| Hooper |
That is the slickest trailer I've ever seen! | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Tell us more about that trailer...What'd you think of it? http://www.singlewheel.com/ http://www.uni-go.com/ http://www.tailpullers.org/content/trailer_index.c fm | ||
| Wbrisett |
I find it interesting that so many BMW people now ride Buells. I took care of the wind problem with a california scientific windscreen, now all I have to do is fix the heat issue (after my trip to Georgia on the Uly), and I think I'll be as happy on it as I am on my RT. Truth be told though, I still love the turn signals on the BMW, they just seem much more logically laid out on the handlebars. Want to turn right? press the button on the right side of the handlebar. Want to turn left? Press the button on the left side of the handlebar. Seems logical to me. Wayne | ||
| Hooper |
I didn't dig the third, separately-located button on the right handlebar that you have to push up on with your thumb to cancel either signal. Shockingly, I think Harley-Davidson gets it right: press the left turn signal on the left grip to turn left, press it again to cancel, and the same way on the right. Press them both and you get your hazards. I still prefer the Japanese/Buell switch, with one switch for both directions and an integrated cancel button. The BMW buttons are definitely prettier... | ||
| Coolice |
Add myself to the ex-RT list, owned 3, K-75RT and 2 R1100RT. I agree the fairing and seating was good. Just not the "grin" factor of the Uly (ORANGE FASTER) I have rode the Uly in 28 degree weather with heated vest, very do-able. Heated grips would be nice...... Like I have said, until you ride a Buell for several hours straight and a couple long trips, you just can't find a bike that does it all really good as the Uly. | ||
| Luftkoph |
I looked at a lot of bikes when I decided to up grade from my 72 /5 i mean a lot of bikes multistrada not enough passeneger room,H D not enough corner room,v strom like kissing your grandmaw, nice but not very stimulating,BMW getting to tech for there britches and the closest dealer is 300 miles,the rocket III had me looking but its too one dimensional dont think it would look to good on a gravel and sand road,but that uly had me going back to the dealer looking over and over at it till I bought it. maybe its because they are a little bit modern and a little bit rough around the edge with a lot of soul } | ||
| Towjam |
Another former RT owner here... I had an '06 RT - probably the most comfortable bike I've ever owned with regards to weather protection and heat management. (Being a boxer, there is NO engine heat radiating up to the rider.) In one of the dumbest moves I've ever made, I traded it for an '06 ST1300 and after only a few hours on the ST, I knew I had totally screwed up. This is me on delivery day....  ...hopefully I'll have a similar picture to post of me on a spankin' new Uly XT in the next couple of weeks. | ||
| Wbrisett |
..hopefully I'll have a similar picture to post of me on a spankin' new Uly XT in the next couple of weeks. Good luck with that. They seem harder to find than any bike I've ever wanted. I can't quite figure out if Buell simply didn't make enough of them, or hasn't really started making them. Initially I was told my dealer would have one in two weeks, but when press, it became "we're suppose to get one, but I can't promise that." Of course then he made me a deal on the '07. Wayne | ||
| Daveymac |
http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/show .cgi?tpc=142838&post=1100168#POST1100168 EG: Its a Uni-Go Took a long time to get, after order was placed (3 months). The company was sold to the US distributer, quality not the same as the old NZ version. BTW Im still the owner of that RT & trailer + 06 Uly Pulls easily, corners with the bike, don't even know its there, even 2up. (Message edited by daveymac on March 22, 2008) | ||
| Towjam |
Good luck with that. They seem harder to find than any bike I've ever wanted. I can't quite figure out if Buell simply didn't make enough of them, or hasn't really started making them. Initially I was told my dealer would have one in two weeks, but when press, it became "we're suppose to get one, but I can't promise that." Of course then he made me a deal on the '07. The XTs have started shipping and are in some dealerships now. But there was some recent glitch in the production schedule and as a result, my XB (originally scheduled to ship 3/19), is still showing as "released to plant". My dealer sent me a note yesterday saying they'd gotten a fax from Buell on Thursday saying something to the effect that "...they are finally getting back on schedule and expressed their apologies for the delays on all the models." | ||
| Dbahm |
Hey Wayne. Our first XT was scheduled to ship the 17th of this month, which means we should see it this coming week. I'll keep you posted. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Pretty neat buy pricey. http://www.schoolhousemcacc.com/shopping_cart.php? osCsid=11059514e31e2ae9ed7c9e69d7b04881 | ||
| Wbrisett |
Our first XT was scheduled to ship the 17th of this month, which means we should see it this coming week. Thanks Denny. I'll be in Georgia with the other Hellbuellies. But really the only thing the XT has on it I didn't end up adding to my '07 was is the heated grips. Wayne | ||
| Daveymac |
Pretty neat buy pricey. Yea 'bout $3200.00 shipped to my door.  | ||
| Jmhinkle |
If your right leg is on fire, the blankets and deflectors won't help. It's the frame itself due to the rear jug being so close on the right side and you should look into the heat deflector that Treadmarks installed on the inside of his frame to help. | ||
| Luftkoph |
Heat is a problem for sure,this winter I've lined the right inside and the front inside of the frame with thermo tech and wrapped the header pipes and odies heat blankets,now have to wait another month or so for the snow to melt and give her a test. |
