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Boixb12
Posted on Sunday, July 22, 2007 - 12:52 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I currently own a 07 1200R Sportster and am seriously considering trading/selling it for a Uly. I really enjoy the Sportster, but after test riding a Uly this weekend, I'm thinking maybe that's the direction I should have gone. If any of you guys have gone from a Sportster to a Uly, I would really like the hear your opinions on making such a move. I've searched this website for such a discussion, but didn't find any, so if there is one please point me in the right direction. Thanks.
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44mag2
Posted on Sunday, July 22, 2007 - 05:58 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I went from a 2004 sporty to a 2006 ULY. No comparison. The ULY corners better, accelerates better, gets better gas milage and is more than capable on very rough terrain. I took my sporty on a few gravel roads, and it was horrible. The ULY handles fire-road and jeep trails pretty well. The sporty is a nice bike, but the ULY is better. The sporty was a glamorous chrome machine with an emphasis on fashion. The ULY is a performance machine with an emphasis on engineering and innovation. I am an engineer, so I value function WAY above fashion ... therefore I prefer the ULY. Get the ULY. You will not be disappointed.
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Onemanclan
Posted on Sunday, July 22, 2007 - 07:58 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I had a 2003 Sporty that I traded in for my Uly...I rode off road as a kid, enduro in high school, and borrowed street bikes whenever I could. When it was time to purchase my own I didn't want too big of a bike. The Sporty was fine for a while. I was WAY too tall for the bike (6'2"), but it felt ok to ride. I test rode a Uly for a full day because of the rave reviews after it's introduction. I was totally hooked. The next time I got back on my Sporty I swear I thought something was wrong with it. The steering felt VERY heavy. I ended up test riding many Uly type bikes (just to make sure) and ended up buying my 2006 black model with all the luggage. I've put some mods on it, but not too many...

On a sour note. I'll refer to my very first post on BadWeb "Slow Speed Stutter". Mine has it bad. After it's 1000 mile service (and the famous TPS reset) it seemed ok for a while. About 1500 miles later it came back. I can't tell you how embarrassing it is to leave a stop (especially leaving "Bike Night") and have the bike stutter and hesitate. Sucks. I'm sure I'll get plenty of suggestions regarding this gripe, but I've looked at everything. Am I supposed to get a TPS reset every couple of months? Serious flaw in my eyes. It may be the thing that gets me to trade it in.

Look for my other post regarding how long my dealer has taken to get the latest recall done on my bike...MONTHS...

Thanks for letting me vent!
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Electraglider_1997
Posted on Sunday, July 22, 2007 - 08:24 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

My wife owns an 07' XL1200R and that is mostly because she is too short for a ULY. My wife, son, and I rode to Troy, Wisconsin and the Sportster got 50 mpg and it is brand new so I don't know if I could claim it gets better gas economy but the ULY wins in handling hands down. The Sportster is a fine bike but it is completely different from the ULY. The 1200R can go places but the ULY was intended to take you where ever your heart desires. For one reason or other the Sportster's mirrors are rock steady and blurFree at any speed and that cannot be claimed by the ULY. Funny thing about that is the ULY is very smooth at highway speeds compared to the rubber mounted XL1200R. Sportster has 1" handlebars and shorter stalked mirrors and they are clear viewing.
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Davo
Posted on Sunday, July 22, 2007 - 10:46 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I went from a Sportster and a Ultra to a Uly. For 16 months I rode the Uly and rarely road the other two bikes. It was quicker and handled better than the XL and was more comfortable than the Ultra (for taller people). I loved the Uly but I sold it and now I ride my Sportster and Ultra more often. If you only have one bike the Uly is the way to go. It is an awesome motorcycle.
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Cityxslicker
Posted on Monday, July 23, 2007 - 02:51 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

2005 XL883R 7000 miles, purchased new 02/2005
2006 XB9SX (short ULY see profile) 12000 miles, purchased new 08/2006 Guess which one gets out of the garage more often ? No comparison, the Buell is my work horse, corner carver, commuter and dirty ridin bike. The sportster is now just the sunny day rider.
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Old_mil
Posted on Monday, July 23, 2007 - 10:59 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I've owned both...the Uly will be faster, lighter, and handle better. It'll also be a lot taller...but if you can handle the height, it's the best bike out there. I'm 5'8" with a 29 inch inseam and though it takes a bit of work when standing still, I can manage a 2007 (not the 2006, though).
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Kc69xlch
Posted on Monday, July 23, 2007 - 04:53 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

i have had numerous sportsters. all were a blast to ride, but none could compare to the exhilaration i feel whenever i ride the uly. passenger comfort is also much better from what i am told. the main reason i bought the uly is because it has the heart of a sportster. i know it will last and be a joy as long as i can ride.
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Packdog
Posted on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - 04:57 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I had a 2006 Sportster - 1200 Low.

After paying the Harley tax - changing the air cleaner, pipe, and rejetting - I felt that the bike was making adequate power and was happy with it. I was never able to get the suspension working well for me though. Even with Progressive shocks the rear end was just never right. Putting RaceTech "Gold Valve Emulators" in the forks helped the front end out incredibly.

Then I test rode the Uly and got it. It is a night and day difference from the Sportsters. Even though it is based on the Sportster engine, it is smoother, higher revving and much more powerful. I've kept mine stock - I haven't felt the need to try and add any more power.

The handling is totally different too. In part this is due to the suspension. The components of it are completely adjustable. The sportster had only rear preload, so I was a bit intimidated about setting up the Uly, but the owners manual had a great chart to get it set up. Going by rider weight, it tells you exactly how to set everything up. After I did that it was nearly there, but I did a little research and ended up clicking the fork rebound up one click to make it perfect.

Going through twisty back roads is effortless compared to the sportie. I never really felt like it was a chore to ride the sportie until I took the Uly out. After getting used to the Uly, it seems as if I have to manhandle the sportster on the backroads.

I couldn't bring myself to let the sportster go though. I kept it for slow cruising, but found myself riding it less and less. Sadly I wrecked it a few weeks ago and I won't be replacing it. I have everything I want in the Uly. For me it really is just "a better sportster" especially for utilitarian use. I'm a daily rider - commuting, shopping, riding for fun, etc.
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Ozarkdennis
Posted on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - 03:22 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I traded my 2006 XL1200C in on my Uly after a 10 minute test ride. Do it!
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Boixb12
Posted on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - 05:19 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Thanks for all of the replies. I was pretty much hooked from the test ride also. What I'm stuck with right now is the beating I'm going to take on the trade. I have my Sportster for sale on Craigslist and may give that a few weeks before I consider the trade. There's also a Badweatherbiker member who is selling his 07 Uly w/bags in the classified section that sounds like a pretty good deal. What to do, what to do. Thanks again.
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