Assuming similar mechanical condition, keep an '06 or an '09?

[motoguy]

I bought a pair of Ulysses a while back. A runner '06 (40k miles) and an '07 with a bad crank. Both are clean. I've been riding the '06 until the fuel pump went out. Parts are here but I haven't had time to replace them. I love the bike.

I bought a running but aesthetically beat (theft recovery) '06 XB12SS to supply a low mileage (15k) good motor for the '07 Uly. I'll be able to use the '06 throttle body etc and should be able to bypass the '07 issues in one fell swoop (crank, unavailable TB, TB butterfly pin breaking, etc), which will mechanically turn the '07 into an '06 Uly.

I picked up a clean '09 Uly yesterday (25k miles). Needs some TLC but I have high expectations for it. I also picked up a wrecked '09 XB12R a few weeks ago. So now I have spare engine / driveline parts for an '08-'09 bike as well.

I'm going to do some mix and matching and put together a "keeper" bike. I'll probably end up selling the 2 other Ulys once I've gone through them and made sure they're in good mechanical condition. I'll be selling one for sure, anyway. Then I'll part out the donor bikes (06 12SS and 09 12R) and the '07 engine.

Having these options in hand...I'm curious. What are thoughts on the two platforms (06 vs 09) as it relates to long term parts availability, keeping on the road, etc? If you had the ability to choose either (assuming comparable mechanical condition), which would you choose? I have an ex-Buell tech friend who likes the '06. He states there's more parts cross-over available (back to the '03 if needed) than the later, 3 year only 08/09/10 generation. For that reason he likes the pre '08 models. I understand that the more the lineage matured, the further they got from their Sportster based roots, with the 8/9/10s being the furthest from them all. However he also left Harley world right before the 8/9/10 generation, so he doesn't have hands-on wrenching time with them. That may be part of his bias.

Maybe it's a largely academic question, but now that I have the options in front of me I'm curious for input from those who know them better than I do. I've got until the spring to tinker with them and figure it out.

 

[Cooter]

Build the best bike.
There are no parts supply issues. Don't put Sportster parts on any of them please. Every time a Buell part gets scarce some people panic that the sky is falling and buy all the ones they can find, most people do nothing until they actually need it and so far the aftermarket and worldwide enthusiasts have filled the small gaps very effectively.

Nothing wrong with the pre-'07 bikes and they'll run perfectly fine with the slightest attention and care.

The biggest change for the '08-up bikes was a better Fuel Injection system (better resolution and IAC, CPS), and also oiling/crank upgrades that resolved a very small amount of issues with the early ones.

 

[34nineteen]

Inspect and take the oil pump and drive gear from the 07 to the 06 (if they are in good shape).

 

[motoguy]

Build the best bike.
There are no parts supply issues. Don't put Sportster parts on any of them please. Every time a Buell part gets scarce some people panic that the sky is falling and buy all the ones they can find, most people do nothing until they actually need it and so far the aftermarket and worldwide enthusiasts have filled the small gaps very effectively.

Nothing wrong with the pre-'07 bikes and they'll run perfectly fine with the slightest attention and care.

The biggest change for the '08-up bikes was a better Fuel Injection system (better resolution and IAC, CPS), and also oiling/crank upgrades that resolved a very small amount of issues with the early ones.

I noticed the '09 XB12R has 8 piston front caliper, but the 09 Uly (early 09, Jan/Feb build) has a 6 pot front caliper. I thought all the '09 bikes would have the 8 pot caliper.

 

[Cooter]

I used to think that too, the City-X kept the small brake too so IDK?
Either way EZ R&R swap on to the bike you want to keep. Don't forget to also swap the brake master.

 

[motoguy]

Inspect and take the oil pump and drive gear from the 07 to the 06 (if they are in good shape).

Thanks for that info. I’ll do so. Any other parts from the 07 engine that should stay on the 07? I planned to do a full “drop and swap” with the engine, intake, etc. I plan on ordering another set of intake gaskets and doing the “engine rotation” maintenance items during the swap as well. Rocker box gaskets, intake gaskets, vent valves and O rings, plugs, etc.

 

[motoguy]

The 2009 XB12 X platform better in all regards than the 2005-2007 X platform.

After spending some time on my '07, I think the turning radius / lock-to-lock issue alone might make the 08+ worth it. I really enjoy taking my Uly down dirt roads and some of the neat areas off of those roads. But the seat height combined with that narrow turning radius really makes off-kilter situations a bitch to deal with.

 

[pb5172]

I hate that steering lock on my '06 Uly. Can it be removed and still driven safely? The narrow turning radius makes it a real pain sometimes.

 

[34nineteen]

Are you referring to the "lock" that locks the steering in place when the key is set to LOCK and removed?
or are you referring to the limited amount you can turn the forks from left to right?

The first one can be undone. My bike had a Japanese ignition switch retrofitted to it, and the steering would not lock at all


If you're referring to the second instance, you'll need to look into the forks and clamps that support that. IIRC, it was only on the later X models, not the XT (my 08 XT has the same sucky turning radius). The forks are easy to spot as the front axle position is offset from the center of the fork legs.
Like this :
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2565540508...F0oP0YooahT5kOZ-rSPgqSMt7qepNnfYaAmUvEALw_wcB

 

[Kurlon]

(my 08 XT has the same sucky turning radius)

Ducati's from this era think the XT's turning radius is just fine, stop talking about it...

 

[34nineteen]

I put an aftermarket steering stop on my R3 track bike. She needs a lot of room to turn when you can’t lean, like making a turning around in the paddock. CoOter rode my bike once at a trackday and was all “WTF!”

 

[motoguy]

Timely thread! I just got the '09 from the original post up and running last week. New exhaust gaskets, studs, nuts, intake seals, Time Sert rear spark plug hole, cleaned injectors, cleaned throttle body, new injector o-rings and filter baskets, new PVC grommets, front exhaust bushings, new trans breather tube, etc. Not a huge deal, but the first time I've ever dropped an engine on an XB. I learned a lot and I'm not nearly as intimidated for the next one. I still need to learn an easy way to lift the frame / front end / subframe up off the engine though. I'm making that process look like a comedy sketch.

Bike seems to run like a champ now. Prior owner stated it would stutter and wouldn't rev out past 4k. I think that may have been due to the exhaust leak and / or the boogered rear plug threads (and loose plug). Either way, I put about 15 miles on it after the repairs (loops on our semi-private road) and it feels great. That steering lock is a BIG issue on the '09! So much easier to whip it around in tight areas now! It's got a stock exhaust and actuator on it. Compared to my Drummer equipped '06 it feels like a stealth machine!

I've got the salvage 12R on the lift now. Going to pull the engine from it and swap in to the '09 XT (likely failed pinion shaft key...rear cylinder exhaust valve tapped the piston and no cam / timing movement in the engine now). Once I get the XT up and going I'll have to determine which I like best...the '06 X, the '09 X, or the '09 XT. Having wanted a Uly for so many years I'm thoroughly enjoying learning / working on them and having a few.

After the XT engine swap is done I'll pull the low mile engine from the '06 Lightning Long and swap it into the '07 Uly with the (suspected) rod knock. I'll probably just sell the '07 at that point. There's nothing it really has to offer that isn't covered by the other 3. Not sure if I'll rebuild the bad '07 engine and put it back in the LL or just part the LL (and bad engine) out at that point. I'd like to put the 12 R parts on the LL frame and make a long-framed 12R. I'd definitely want to put higher bars on it though. I love the ergos of the Uly and at 48 my VFRs feel the same way GSXRs USED to feel to me! Aside from the looks (I love the look of the R bikes) I don't really think it has anything to offer over a Ulysses.

I took my daughter out for a 140-ish mile ride on one of my old VFRs yesterday. The Uly has just spoiled me. I'd rather have been on the Buell. Not only the ergos, but the lack of having to rev the bike out, torque to pull out of the corners, and even they way I've come to love sitting "on" the Buell vs "in" the VFR.