needing advice!!

[ccdirtrider05]

i currently have an '06 ss and a few dirt/trail bikes. have ridden crotch rockets in the past but fell as though i am getting older (and wiser?)

im SERIOUSLY considering buying into a dualsport type "adventure" bike.. obviously, it would be a Uly if i stay in the buell family.

Im looking into ANY and ALL input from those out there who OWN and RIDE these type bikes. differences, preferences with WHY, and benifits one way or another.

the type of riding im looking to do and things i want
-80% pavement and highway. to and from destinations
-15% dirt/fire roads, access roads, etc(2WD roads)
-5% off road, wide trail, 4WD roads. having fun and getting back in somewhere (within reason, of course )
-2-up riding with the wife until she is good enough to get her own!, otherwise camping, gear, that kind of stuff
-highway speeds without having to pray for tail wind or 'fred-flinstone and pedal faster' ive grown to love the 1200 torque and balls on the low end rather than top speed
- obvious suspension to handle said riding types
- DEPENDABILITY and ease of fixing most problems.(the simplicity of the buell is something ive come to respect)
-service and availability
ANYTHING someone wants to chime in on would be greatly appreciated.. thanks everyone!! safe riding

 

[ccdirtrider05]

Also.. the bikes im leaning towards

Ulysses 12x or 12xt.
BMW 1150GS/1200
triumph tiger
V-strom
super tenere
ducati multistrada
ktm 990

 

[wolfo68]

I'd say the 12X or XT, I've ridden both and fell in love with them immediately. The height is good on both, with a dual purpose tire it would probably handle a decent incline offroad.

 

[Alien]

I've owned 27 bikes. 4 of them Uly's. It's the most practical and versatile bike in the world. It gobbles highway miles, handles twisters like a dream and soaks up dirt and gravel roads quite well.

A bike like a DR650 will handle trails much better and a GSXR will take twisters like nobodies business. A Goldwing will cross the country via interstate like a champ. But if you want to be able to taste it all, put yourself on a Uly & never look back.

Get the X.

 

[snrusnak]

I don't have a lot of experience with the type of bike you're looking for but will chime in because recently I was sort of forced in to a situation to rent a triumph tiger for a day. It was a really nice bike. I really liked it at first and it was great all day. But as soon as I got back on my buell at the end of the day I literally said to myself in my helmet "holy shit this is fun". There's just nothing as fun as a buell. I'd stick with the Uly...

 

[go cytocis]

im SERIOUSLY considering buying into a dualsport type "adventure" bike..

Well, all I can say is you're making one of the best decisions of your riding career!

After almost 20 years on slab, I got into dual sports and it's opened up a whole new life of motorcycling challenges, skills, & passion for me. Also, the streets are becoming so overrun with squids & cops that getting off-road is a refreshing change from all that. It's also great to be able to keep exploring a road after the pavement ends.

I started out on a KLX250, also rode the KLR650, DR650, XR650, Tiger 800, GS1200, & now I own a G650x.  

Based on your anticipated 80/20 mix, without much really gnarly single-track, I'd estimate that any of the bikes on your list would work. Regarding the Uly specifically, however, along with the GS1200, you'll find them a handful if you get too far off road. Don't get me wrong, the Uly can go off-road, but it's got its limitations:
- Weight: anything much over ~300lbs off-road becomes tougher to control & pick back up.
- Gearing: you want much lower gearing off road. It's easy to swap a chain & sprockets but not as easy to accomplish on a belt drive. Also, while torquey, the XB motor isn't particularly smooth-reving at lower off-road speeds when you want precise throttle control.
- Turning radius: the XB chassis easily has the largest of any bike I've ever ridden.
- Limited knobby tire choices: the 17" wheels aren't supported by many knobby tire manufacturers.
- Low ground clearance: the Uly sits higher than other XBs, but it'll still get hung up on relatively small rocks & logs.
- ZTL front disc: it's larger & more damage-prone than a smaller brake.

Having said all that, their are certainly solutions to all the above issues but if you are planning to really get off-road, I believe their are better choices. 

It's no coincidence that 650 singles dominate the category; they're simple, torquey, light, narrow, and capable of highway speeds.

 

[bbletterin]

I agree ,650 is way to go for off road. I have a uly, great all around bike, but any serious off road is not going to be much fun. Dirt roads, street, 2-up riding the uly is the stuff. Getting into single track, hills that one requires true dirtbike skills are not recommended. Been a dirt
biker all my life and now ride a uly and love the bike, but now want second bike like 450 or 650 endure for off road play (miss the motocross bike). 80% of your request can be done on a uly, but deep woods is going to be difficult!

 

[user_deleted]

"which is best" is always the proverbial can of worms debate. i could tell you that i'm 60 years old...have owned over 500 bikes since i was 12 and own between 15-20 bikes at any one time.....and out of the 4-6 buells in my shop the Uly is what i gravitate towards.
i can also tell you a scenario that is rarely taken into consideration by questions such as yours: dealership availability because eventually you'll need one if nothing more than to purchase parts or repair assistance.
bottom line: bmw....ducati....ktm....triumph dealership access sux.

 

[06xbss]

You could just put some duel sport tires on your Ss.............. Only sits about an inch lower then a X or XT and would be a cheap, easy way to see if Buell is the route you want to go. I also have a '06 Ss.....I live on a dirt road in the mountains and have gone down some roads I shouldn't have with street tires. It's no dirt bike but I don't have any complaints.

 

[firebolt830]

I always like to see when people pose a "Which bike is better?" related question on a brand specified message board. I think the best way for you to figure out which bike will match your riding style is to test ride the top 3 or 4 that grab your attention.

Also, not trying to attack anyone but some of the points supporting the choice to get a Uly don't really add up. (which supports the original point of asking a question in a place that would most likely have biased responses, (some times they are merited though... I do love my buell))

i can also tell you a scenario that is rarely taken into consideration by questions such as yours: dealership availability because eventually you'll need one if nothing more than to purchase parts or repair assistance.
bottom line: bmw....ducati....ktm....triumph dealership access sux.

There really isn't any dealerships for Buells anymore.... Sure, Harley Dealers are supposed to carry parts and perform service on the bikes for the next couple year by law. But, the few times I have tried to bring my bike in for service or get parts each dealership has mentioned that they typically wont service buells and getting parts is very limited... I also live in a bigger city, Chicago, so access to any of the above mentioned dealerships has never and will never be an issue for me.

 

[go cytocis]

"which is best" is always the proverbial can of worms debate.

Yes it surely is, but here's a simple litmus test that might make the decision a little clearer for the OP:
Which Dual Sport Motorcycle?

 

[ccdirtrider05]

i greatly appreciate everyones input on the topic.. i have dirtbikes for the knarly single track, but having to ride it on the road 100 miles to get to the trail sucks ass and trucking it up just isnt as much fun..

i can also tell you a scenario that is rarely taken into consideration by questions such as yours: dealership availability because eventually you'll need one if nothing more than to purchase parts or repair assistance.
bottom line: bmw....ducati....ktm....triumph dealership access sux.

the two hairy davidson dealers nearest me SUCK... i get nothing but attitude and looks from up-turned noses about buell parts with the EXACT "we dont do THOSE motorcycles.. that brand is not made anymore." mostly, the folks who work there are just wanna be d-bags who are better suited to push chrome and wear leather.

I always like to see when people pose a "Which bike is better?" related question on a brand specified message board.

Couldnt help this one (sorry ) i feel there are very few people , on this board especially, that are SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO brand name whore-ish that they have ONLY owned buells, and will only own buells for the buell sticker.. there are quicker, faster, better handling, cheaper, easier to maintain, less problematic and better suited bikes for most EVERY scenario.. i like buell for what it is, unique, different, and a gremlin filled B!T*H. I plan to do test rides before a purchase of anything but outside percpective and thoughts based on experience mean alot to me.. someone who has a lemon can post alot of shit. and someone who is paid to give a review may be a tad biased. just sayin.. ive had NOTHING but help from 90% of the people on this board

 

[ccdirtrider05]

Quote:
"which is best" is always the proverbial can of worms debate.
Yes it surely is, but here's a simple litmus test that might make the decision a little clearer for the OP:
Which Dual Sport Motorcycle?

you sir... get a big high five [up][up][up] yet another valid point many dont consider.. but if i had pics of where ive put my SS here in colorado.. well, honestly.. you would probably just laugh and smile! ha

ya buy a bike to have fun, not strait up abuse it.. I have more fun on dirt roads with my SS than i do polishing the wheels. although washing mud off is relaxing

 

[Rkuly]

I have both xbxt and klr 650. Have taken the klr places that I wouldn't think of trying with the Buell.
Just sayin

 

[ccdirtrider05]

no doubt that a KLR would go many places.. but on the highway, riding 100, 200, maybe even more miles to get to the trail... on a KLR.. would suck.. i rode a 650 and they are nimble but couldnt see dealing with the highway miles for very long.. taller stance and lighter work for you on trails.. but against you at 75mph with a side wind..

 

[Rkuly]

Your'e right, Klr is no fun on the highway or really no fun in strong crosswinds. I have quite a few good Klr roads near me so I don't do the highway much. If I wanted to ride some forest service roads that are in the distance I would truck it. I know some wont like that...lol

 

[go cytocis]

riding 100, 200, maybe even more miles to get to the trail... on a KLR.. would suck

A KLR is definitely not as comfy as most of those bigger adventure bikes on your list, but certainly do-able on longer stretches of slab. Perhaps it's because my first dual-sport bike was a 250 (which truly did suck on the highway), that I now find a 650 quite acceptable on slab.

A local guy who does RTW rides, and who has both GS1200 & DR650, describes highway riding on the DR as "easy" once it's been rejetted and given taller final gearing.

 

[BuellyBagger]

BMW 1150GS/1200
triumph tiger
V-strom
super tenere
ducati multistrada
ktm 990

The Ulysses has one point that sets it way ahead of all of these (IMO)... Price: you can get a damn nice used Uly for peanuts

 

[user_deleted]

you can get a damn nice used Uly for peanuts

really? let me know where the peanut priced creampuffs are cause i'll buy them all day long.

 

[BuellyBagger]

Maybe its this area they're pretty cheap when they come up for sale here. 9months ago or so there was one in Percival Iowa in nice shape with 13kmiles aftermarket exhaust and new tires asking 3800. I thought that was pretty cheap... I dunno maybe its not I bought mine new so I payed out the butt (pre-fire sale of course).

I will admit the pickens have gotten slimmer...