Buell XB12x potential buyer👋

[KYMountainman]

Hello all,

I'm new to the forum as well as possible Buell ownership. I have a chance to buy an Ulysses in need of a few minor items at a good price. Currently 30k on the odometer. My question is there still good parts and aftermarket support for these bikes as it pertains to keeping them on the road? I sold my Vstrom a couple years ago and would like to get another v twin bike such as this. Plus the Pan America is ridiculously priced, so I figured this would be the next best thing. Mechanical work and repairs don't scare me at all, I've been doing it my whole life. Any thoughts would be appreciated, thanks!

 

[Cooter]

Welcome to the forum!

You've been a mechanic your whole life so this should be easy for you . They are very dependable bikes that put up with a TON of abuse. Don't forget how old it is. Parts that get hit the hardest from age are things like the fuel pump, battery, switch gear etc.

With only a couple exceptions, parts are very easy to find and interchange as well. Lots of threads on typical things to look for when buying. Have fun!

 

[KYMountainman]

Hey, thanks for the reply!

 

[Kurlon]

These bikes have WAY more character and charm than a Pan Am despite lacking when comparing ultimate terminal velocities between the two. The Pan is a very capable bike, I'm ashamed to admit I'm going to miss the hill hold brake... lots of other little things that make going distance easy but.. ride it then jump onto an XB and it's like going from a modern fast sedan to an older slower muscle car. I say that having owned both...

Also, the first time you do a wheel change on an XB then go back to the Pan Am you'll be wondering WTF HD was thinking with that pig iron axle, non captive spacer pile mess compared to the XB's light simplicity.

 

[Barrett]

Hello all,

I'm new to the forum as well as possible Buell ownership. I have a chance to buy an Ulysses in need of a few minor items at a good price. Currently 30k on the odometer. My question is there still good parts and aftermarket support for these bikes as it pertains to keeping them on the road? I sold my Vstrom a couple years ago and would like to get another v twin bike such as this. Plus the Pan America is ridiculously priced, so I figured this would be the next best thing. Mechanical work and repairs don't scare me at all, I've been doing it my whole life. Any thoughts would be appreciated, thanks!

Sir: During the past 20 years I have owned 8 assorted Buell Ulysses's from 2005-2010 model years. During this same period I have owned 4 Suzuki V-Stroms. I no longer own any Ulysses's but still own a 2021 V-Strom 650XT and a 2022 V-Strom 1050XT. Bought both new.

General consensus of opinion and I concur is that the Suzuki V-Strom 650XT is the greatest production motorcycle ever made.

Buell Ulysses is a great motorcycle. They are very reliable once sorted...reasonably simple to maintain and repair....maintenance parts are fairly generic and will always be readily available. Example is the oil filter which is precisely the same as the 2007-2018 Toyota Yaris 1.5L filter. Get my point? They are spacious with excellent ergonomics for the average sized rider.

At 30,000 miles accrued this Ulysses will need expert attention paid to things such as F&R wheel bearings...drive belt condition...tensioner pulley bearings...cables checked and lubed...entire braking system serviced...oil pump drive gear inspected....breather system checked and cleaned...probable fuel pump serviced...complete maintenance and fluid changes...primary/clutch pack/cable adjustment performed.

If the price is right and you feel confident in your skills to perform the above then buy it with the understanding that it is substantially inferior in all regards to a late model 650 or 1050 V-Strom but, for what it is, the Ulysses is a very nice motorcycle with a fabulous exhaust note.

 

[34nineteen]

Here are some 1st time owner "Buell hacks"

1. Download a free service book at buellmods.com
2. Disregard the torque rating of the oil drain plug bolt. Just go snug and maybe a little more for good luck. If its too late, you can get timesert kits on Amazon.
3. Barrett is Chuck Norris.
4. You will want to pick up a Buelltooth bluetooth adapter and a copy of ECMDroid (Android ONLY!-No IOS version) in case you need to do some diagnostics. There is a "free" way to pull codes, while it would have been cool for 80's tech... it sucks... but it does work.
5. Since these bikes have been out of production for going on over 15 years, most of the aftermarket players have given up on us. A lot of the cool stuff is gone... colored body panels, Buell "Race" mufflers, etc. Some stuff is available and every now and again some desirable rare part shows up.... but you have to be diligent AND lucky. There was some guy on FB not too long ago who wanted to get rid of his uber-desirable factory "race" muffler for something louder and cooler. "Sure buddy, I've got this Jardine thats really loud!"
6. Barrett is Chuck Norris.