| Author | Message | ||
     Cavi |
riding home on my Uly today, I was stuck on something, i read a lot of the posts in this forum. Many of which are people that are not quite happy with one or another feature of their Uly. Most of the time this leads to a Mod of one sort or another. Most of the time there are alot of good comments and suggestions, but unveriably there is that one person that chastizes the person for wanting to Mod the beloved Uly. Now this does not bug me persay, but it got me thinking. I am one who has done many mods to my Uly. First off, I will say that I love my Uly, for what I bought it, to ride to and from work and to do some longer rides. This is not the first bike I have owned, I currently own 3 dirt bikes and still have a SV650 which I refuse to sell, it is fantastic for track days, and outhandles my Uly any day for track purposes. But for what I bought the Uly it is hands down better than the SV. My whole point comes to the fact that the Uly or any other bike for that matter is designed with a specific purpose in mind and a specific rider in mind. That purpose is as wide as the manufacturer can make it but it will never be perfect except for that person that fits the exact design specs of the bike. To give a good comparison i will talk about a Honda CRF250R, it is a dirt bike designed for Motocross, it is sprung for a rider of about 140-160 lbs. If I buy the bike to ride trails, will it work? Yes, it will even though I am riding trails and I weigh 240. It will still be able to ride the trails with me, and even work well if the last bike I rode was a little Honda 50. But for it to work properly for me on the trails I need to change the springs to the correct ones for my weight, and revalve the suspension for trails not motocross. The difference will be night and day. I do see many people buying bikes and not setting them up for themselves, and if they are the type of person the bike was made for then great it will work great, if not they are buying a 10000 bike and not using it to it's full potential. for me that does not make sense. Next, the Uly was designed to be a "sport Adventure" according to the Buell advertisers. So it was designed with a large ground clearance, while this works fine for tall people it might not be so good for others who do not reach the ground. In my case I do not plan on riding off road, except for a ocasional dirt road, so swapping to a lower suspension is a fair compromise, i do loose 3/4 of an inch in ground clearance, but I gain the ability to touch the ground. Since I ride 98% of the time on pavement it is a good tradeoff. Next, the windshield, personally if I had to ride with the stock windshield I would sell the bike as it placed the wind on my forearms and made me almost shake the bike. With the ZG windscreen the wind is what I consider perfect. Exhaust, many of us change the exhaust. Reasons are either better sound or better performance. Personally I wanted better sound and to smooth out the initial power, with the race muffler, 07 air box, race Ecm and K&N it did all that. Trade off, slight loss in gas milage. To me it was worth it. Anyway, i hope those of you who dismiss mods, or that feel that those of us who do Mods should get a different bike , or feel we do not like our bikes, now might think about why we are modding our bikes. Lastly, look at Moto GP two Honda riders, Nicky and Pedrosa, both of their bikes roll out of the factory the same, but by the time they hit the track they are very different, they are made to fit the rider and his stlye. Why should we not do the same? I personally mod all my bikes and cars to do what I want them to do better. | ||
| Gotj |
Amen, Brother! I have had many thoughts along the same line but I was posing them as "What makes a Uly a Uly?" Many comments to Uly modifiers is to offer up another Buell model. That's a false choice because of the Uly's many unique characteristics/features. 1. Most important, I think, for many people is the seating position. The Uly's "cockpit" is unique. The seat/footpegs/handlebar ergonomics are unique in the Buell line. 2. Two-up capabilty for long-distances. 3. Serious luggage racks for serious bags. 4. Wind protection. In my case it was the cockpit that got me on a Uly. So I did some lowering for my reasons and still had the seating configuration I was looking for. I still have the plush Uly suspension with less travel in the rear and the same travel up front with dropped triple clamps. Going the TT route is pretty cool too but I got 1.35" of lowering for about $200. | ||
| Crusty |
No bike is perfect as delivered from the factory. They all can be personalized to make them better for their owners. Hell, half the fun of ownership is the personalization process. Little by little, my bike is getting better for me. Set your bike up the way YOU want it. It's your bike; make it even more yours. | ||
| Cycletlh |
The Uly is one of those bikes that many different types of riders of different sizes purchase all with a different use in mind. Most of those riders are only familiar with their type of use so others mods seem strange to them. Your dirtbike example is a good one. Riders of all sizes and shapes have been modifying dirt bikes since before there were dirt bikes. Since most people modify them this is the norm. With only 800 miles in my first week of ownership I already have parts on order to modify my 07 Uly so it will work better for my intended use which is probably different from many others. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
My bike is the Joan Rivers of Uly's. If my bike had ears, they would meet in the back of it's head. Far be it from me to slam anyone wanting to mod their Uly. There are some mods,though, that are the equivalent to strapping on a third tit or moving the eyes to the arm pits. When opinions are requested, I will voice my "concerns". (The B.A.W. is the equivalent to installing basketball sized bolt ons. We know how Etennuly likes his women!  ) | ||
| Radegast |
The Buell literature may say "Sport Adventure", but I'm convinced that it was designed for one purpose ... to make me smile. No mods to my bike yet, but you guys rock on!! I've done over 3000 miles in 6 weeks of ownership, that's a lot for me. Mine is closer to 99% road, but to be able to run down a dirt road every once in a while is a good thing. | ||
| L_je |
To all of you: phhhhhewwwy! Only my mods are acceptable. ...which consist of -big strips of Yellow 3M Diamond Grade on the front and rear of the saddlebags -DualStar heated grips -heated vest/jacket hookups out the wazoo -scratches, lots of scratches | ||
| Birdmanrh |
I don't really have an issue with what someone does with their own bike and honestly I think bikes should be sold without springs and shock. That way at the time of sale they could be sprung properly. Where I run into issues is when someone comes along and states that the manufacturer built the wrong bike and that they should have done this and that. Usually they bought one bike and are trying to make it into a completely different bike. These people usually sell the bike after extensive modification and bashing and buy another bike. It is not exclusive to the Uly and exists regardless of brand or type of bike. | ||
| Fastmag |
Ft_bstrd whats wrong with a third tit? If two are good three are better. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
 Sometimes too much is just TOO MUCH! | ||
| Bosh |
What's wrong with three????  | ||
| Hooliken |
Being the same ilk as the author of this post I couldn't agree more but would like to add a couple of things. I have owned many, many motorcycles over the years and can honestly say that I cannot recall any of them that I did not have to do something in the way of mods to. From my wee IT125 to my 06 softail. I know that the height of the Uly is an issue with many but I see it like this. Can't us of a taller stature have at least one bike to call our own. I love nothing more than a good sporting motorcycle but got sick of looking and feeling like a gorilla on a tricycle. I finally found a bike that seems like it was made for ME. But there are still a few things that need to be changed to make it the Perfect bike. I wouldn't put much stock into the mod naysayers. We probably would not have Buells to ride if it were not for the incredible volume of add ons that the new Harley riders buy. Now if we could just get Harley to give the Buells the love they deserve in the dealerships. | ||
| Ftd |
Maybe we should all cleanse are souls by having a ULY farkle confessional. I'll start, from a bone stock ULY I have added: Lightening front fender Moved horn Headlight rewire Buell tall windshield Traction grips Vista Cruise throttle lock Aprilla mirrors Tank bag KN filter Drummer catch can Drummer exhaust Cut up air cover Direct link Map Side bags Underseat bag RSS Black chin spoiler center piece Dang, I feel better now. Frank | ||
| Etennuly |
Woah! Yehaw! I live in East Tennessee and I'm thinking I like THREE!!! Is that an expensive mod? Where can it be done? Any recommendations on size availability? Who has done it? Does it affect gas mileage? Oh man! I gotta get that farkle!!! | ||
| Wildwilly |
Two sides to this coin - Those who knock mods and those that knock NO mods. Had a 883 Sportster with NO engine modifications. This was unacceptable to almost every 883 owner I met. I was told I didn't like to go fast, yet I kept up with everyone in the tight turns. As Zig Ziglar says, "No one kicks a sleeping dog!" If you are going to to do anything, someone will knock it. Best bet is to not give a F##K what people think. | ||
| Onemanclan |
"SLIGHT" rant? I'd like you to tell us what you really feel... | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Do you really want a list? Moved horn HID Kit R Wheels 06 Low Seat Vest Harness Camera Mounts Race ECM Race Pipe K&N Filter 07 Airbox Luggage Kit (split with ChadHargis) Precision Engineering Clamps ProTaper Bars Gel Grips Polly Heaters HVMP Bar Ends Symtec Grip Heaters Rizoma Mirrors Handguard removal Tank Decal swap Tank Slapper Kit New Front Fairing New Shifter linkage Special OPS heat barrier Planned Mods: CRG or Pazzo levers Suspension work #13 install (track day) Front blinker shortening | ||
| Madduck |
I personally prefer the symetry that the two in front impart, if a third was to be added may I suggest one in back for when she really just needs a hug. | ||
| Paochow |
Is she related to the girl from Total Recall? Big supporter of mods here. The Uly was very good stock, but mods made it pretty close to perfect for me... I only really mod the bikes I plan on keeping for a while. I'm still working on the mod portion of my website, so in the mean time here is my profile list.. Race Exhaust, Race ECM, Race filter Magnacore wires Iridium plugs VDSTS Factory Hard Luggage 3 bag set Dark Horse Moto Race Axle Sliders Dark Horse Moto Fork Sliders Throttle Rocker II Cee Bailey +2.5" Windscreen American Sportbike Carbon Fiber Right Side Air Scoop Buell traction hand Grips 07 Progressive Fork Springs Handlebar Clamp bar riser Sylvania SilverStar Bulb Polly heater grip heaters 07 Airbox Xenon Depot HID Low Beam PIAA 1100X's Stebel Compact Air Horn Touratech Footpegs Touratech Shifter Touratech Front engine guard Touratech Oil filter Guard Touratech Lower engine guard Touratech Oil cooler guard Buell Deluxe Tank Bag Buell Underseat bag Tusk Hand Guards w/spoilers (Message edited by paochow on June 13, 2007) | ||
| Jackbequick |
All those additions/mods and not one GPS receiver in the crowd? I'm wondering if you all are so busy working on the bikes that you never go anywhere. Jack (just joking of course!) | ||
| Lorazepam |
I have a 2610 on mine. Heated grips Bags race kit hid low beam driving lights BMW sport grips ZG screen tank bag for trips | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
How could I forget my DHM sliders front and rear. SKULLY, I AM SO SORRY! I also have the tank bag. | ||
| Bosh |
Pretty stock here: TouraTech hand guard extensions Superwhite 100w bulb high beam 55w low. Cee Bailey +2.5" windshield 8mm magnacore wires Platinum plugs Buell side luggage Ohh yea.... GARMIN GPS! | ||
| Crusty |
Mine's almost stock: Buell (Hepco & Becker)bags & case '06 Low seat Pegasus airbox protector Jet - Hot coated exhaust Traction grips Aprilia Tuono mirrors Prototype Bazootie Planned changes: HVMP bar ends Polly Heaters Tinted Zero Gravity windshield some sort of throttle lock | ||
| Etennuly |
All those additions/mods and not one GPS receiver in the crowd? I'm wondering if you all are so busy working on the bikes that you never go anywhere.  The Uly is so capable and so ridden, I'm trying to get lost on it, but somehow it always finds its way home. It doesn't seem to matter to me if it takes an extra 500 miles to do it! Lately my favorite kind of ride starts with a 'direction' followed by several 'that looks interesting' and has a few 'wrong way' and 'dead end' things thrown in. 400 miles later the permagrin will last for days.  It seems to me that riding for fun with a distinct plan induces stress therefore reducing permagrin. A while back I inquired about a handle bar mounted compass and I was ridiculed without mercy. The flaming indicated that I should mount a GPS because no one uses a compass and a map any more.  All I need is the compass and I'll leave the map at home. | ||
| Lorazepam |
As long as you mount the compass high up on the BAW, I dont have a problem with it. | ||
| Etennuly |
Dammit! I'm still amazed and hooked on the idea of three! Yawwzerzzzz. Even if she is retarded I still like that!! Three...who wooda thunk it...leave it to Ft_b to come up with that picture. Three....good gawd! Retard with three!...huh!!!  | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I can't claim the picture. That is Bosh's doing. I knew of it's existence, but couldn't lay my hands on it. What is intoxicating about that picture is the woman's face. Yes the tri-mammary configuration has it's charms as well, but even if she showed up with none, five, or ten she would be acceptable. I don't know if it's the southern soccer mom look or what, but she is fetching! Now, her thread mate above her head? What the hell was she thinking. Did they have a silicone sale by the gallon? | ||
| Etennuly |
Face? She has a face? I'll have to go back up, I didn't see that. Man, you gotta be able to estimate better than that, you know those things are a minimum of five gallons!! | ||
| Paochow |
I've been holding out for the v9 maps before I pick up a Zumo. I borrowed a friend's Ipaq with bluetooth GPS for a 3200 mi California trip, but still ended up using maps more often that GPS. | ||
| Captain_nartman |
I've Done Bloody Heaps.. Moddin is the Best Part of Ownin the Ugly. I BET None ofya ave Black Enamled the Front Rotor Bolt Heads? heehe SEXY ay!  N x | ||
| Crusty |
I like that! It's a small touch that adds a lot of class. | ||
| Captain_nartman |
Cheers Bloke! I Gotta Agree. I was Originally Just Touchin up the Rivet Heads I'd Used on the Touratech hand Risers, as the Bolty Option sucked (2 fixin Points aint enough I reckon) As ya ee here:  Anyway, I ended up Doin All the Bolt Heads on Chin etc that 'were' Black, but had faded n Scratched.. Looks Like a New Bike! As ya say, Little Detail does Big Effect. N x |
