potential new Ulysses owner

[rico05]

Hi all,

I'm looking into getting myself a Buell XB12X Ulysses (06) this weekend (I live in the UK by the way). The main thing I want to check are first of all if it's too tall for me (I'm 5ft10"), which I'll find out when I will test the bike. But I was wondering if you folks could tell me what they're like to keep. What's the reliability like? Do they mind bad weather? What do you use your bikes for, adventures, commuting, for fast fun on twisty roads?

Cheers,

Rico

 

[StarWolve]

I have a 2007. If you're 5'10", you're going to want to lower seat. I'm 6' tall and can flat foot with the low seat, but prefer the tall (stock) seat.

Upkeep isn't that bad - keep a spare belt in your bags, and the tools to change it. The engine is fairly bulletproof, no major issues to maintain. I run scorpion trails for tires, and they perform well in wet weather. (I have PP3's on my Firebolt, and those work well in the wet, too.) My Uly is my swiss army knife - It might not do everything well, but it can do everything. I commute, get groceries, ride mountain twisties, and ride trails with my Uly. It's not the best off road, but it will keep up with most KLR and V-Strom riders well enough. It's also the most comfortable bike in my stable for riding with a passenger, according to my girlfriend. And I've actually strapped a dog carrier on the back seat and taken my dogs on the bike.

Common upgrades are lighting (the stock headlights aren't that great), exhaust (I recommend a Drummer - I run them on both my XB's), and the rider comfort kit. I've also modified the handguards on mine, since the stock ones don't really offer that much protection, and also added the stock XT right side switch housing and heated grips for winter riding.

Overall - if I could only own 1 bike - it would be a Ulysses. (Thankfully, I've never been in that situation, and can choose between a few others in the garage!)

 

[go cytocis]

The main thing I want to check are first of all if it's too tall for me

A common false assumption that street riders have of Dual Sport or Adventure bikes is that they are 'too tall'.  As street riders, we have a natural tendency to feel comfortable with being able to plant both feet flat on the  ground.  

On the contrary, riding these bikes should be thought of as riding a horse. You want to be high up with feet firmly in the 'stirrups'. The rider becomes much more reliant on balance & weight transfer to keep the bike upright, rather than getting a foot down. In fact, there's a saying, "the second you contemplate putting a foot down is the same second that the bike goes down".

As an example, I have a 32" inseam and my G650x has a 36.5" seat height, a full 1.5" higher than a Uly. There is no hope of me getting even one foot down flat on that thing, let alone both of them, but once I got used to it, I had no problems with it.

In short (pardon the pun), you'll be fine on a Uly.

 

[rico05]

Thanks for the advice. I used to ride a G650x-country, so I should be alright then! The bike has the wide seat which I thought might make things a little trickier for me, but I know I can buy the smaller seat (hard to get here in the UK though I think). I am also a little concerned about reliability, as I have to do all of my mechanics out in the street instead of in a garage, but at least it looks like there's a good forum for support!

Common upgrades are lighting (the stock headlights aren't that great), exhaust (I recommend a Drummer - I run them on both my XB's), and the rider comfort kit. I've also modified the handguards on mine, since the stock ones don't really offer that much protection, and also added the stock XT right side switch housing and heated grips for winter riding.

The lighting upgrade has been done, and there is a remus exhaust installed. It also has the free spirit tensioner, and a top box (not utilising the multifunctions flap I don't think).

Is the bike maintenance work generally easy or a pain in the ar*e?

 

[Bandit13]

I am a shade under 5'10". I have an 06" Uly with an 07" seat as it is a bit lower, came that way from po. No issues. Bike kicks ass, luv it

 

[StarWolve]

Is the bike maintenance work generally easy or a pain in the ar*e?

No worse than most other sport bikes. You will have to remove a few things to "Rotate the Engine" (Search for it on this site, there are plenty of tutorials) when you need to access the rear cylinder, but for the most part, they're fairly straightforward to work on.

I would highly recommend getting a set of stands for the bike if you plan on doing your own work. I have a set of Pit Bull stands, and they work very well. If you have a space in your garage where you can install a chain hoist, or have access to an engine lift, that is very useful for lifting the bike without stands.

 

[go cytocis]

Is the bike maintenance work generally easy or a pain in the ar*e?

Not especially, but one thing to unique to Buells to keep in mind is that you'll need to assemble a kit of both metric and imperial tools.

 

[BuellyBagger]

I've done all the work on my uly (aside from the paint) in a ramshackle shed or in the drive way with cheap hand tools from Walmart. Examples: installed exhaust, saddle bags, replace tps, diagnose failed ecm and replaced, changed oil, breather reroute, steering damper, replaced left side parts after wreck and led blinkers/mirrors. So for simple stuff, yeah they're easy to work on

 

[Rkuly]

If the 06 has the stock seat, it will seem very tall at first. I have an 09 and even with the lowered stock seat I couldn't get both feet flat on the ground (5' 11') I ended up buying the "tall" seat as I hated the way the stock seat pushed me fwd. Just don't try to do too much moving about when seated and not under power and you should be fine. Not a whole lot of routine maint req. I have a cycle jack and made a cradle to fit the muffler for tire changes, easy once you get the rear axle broken loose. The rear spark plug can be "fun" but really so far working on the bike has been enjoyable. I think the factory used red locktite on some of the fastners though, first time off can be a pain. Living in the UK you will like the right side thigh warmer.

 

[Alien]

They are awesome bikes. Very easy to maintain, extremely reliable if taking care of and they certainly don't mind bad weather. Here's mine after a trip through the snow and salt. This ride was taken from the Northeast United States in February down the East Coast to Florida. I encountered a lot of snow in the Northeast and one full day of riding in torrential rain once I reached Florida. The bike never hiccuped once. You're going to love it.

 

[go cytocis]

Here's mine after a trip through the snow and salt.

[up]

Real motorcycling ain't about polishing chrome while you wait for the sun to shine!

 

[BuellyBagger]

Real motorcycling ain't about polishing chrome while you wait for the sun to shine!

Aw, but mine so enjoys sun bathing

 

[JacksdaddyNC]

I am 5' 8" and my 2009 Buell Ulysses, is perfect.(30" inseam), I owned a 2011 Triumph Tiger 800, before selling it for my Uly..Tiger 800 was too whiny for my blood. I love my Uly, and its V-twin Rumble. Happy Buelling. !

 

[JacksdaddyNC]

 

[Tbone]

Yes, I am 5'7" with a 33.5" inseam and have an 09 XB12X . The bike came with a stock, not lowered, seat. The PO also gave me a lowered stock seat. The bike also came with a 190/50 rear tire which I think is slightly lower and wider than the stock tire. I test rode the bike and loved it exactly as it was, but my wife said she would not ride on the back until I lowered it for her. So I threw on the lowered seat and told her it was lowered, w/o telling her that the passenger part was the same height. All was well, then I tried a stock size rear tire 180/55. The stock rear seemed the same until stopping on gravel covered crowned black top, had to do a lot more foot work two up with my wife mounting/dismounting wanting to stop and take pictures of flowers, butterflies, birds, etc... So I will not use a stock rear tire again. I always ride with boots and with any tire or seat I have been able to get 2 feet on the ground, not always flat footed, but enough to control the bike in most situations. With a lower seat, 190/50 rear tire and boots on I can flat foot without a passenger on the back. I also weigh 200lbs so I think that helps. The geometry is perfect for me.