The Ulysses is slotted to be my next bike but I heard some rumors that have me holding back. I searched and came up with nothing. The rumor is that they start to fall apart when they get higher in mileage. Belt failures, oiling issues, bearings falling out, stuff like that. Whats the scoop?[confused]
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Ulysses long term high mileage problems
- Thread starter gsxr1k
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Builtdesign
Well-known member
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- May 12, 2009
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Over time you will have to replace things (such as belts) same as any bike. But bearings falling out, come on. Every make and model comes with its own ups and downs.
These 'rumors' you are hearing of are most likely the same people that say Harleys always break down and leave you stranded on the side of the road.
Though the one down side that most will agree is that they burn through oil more than other bikes. Especially during break in.
Other than that, with proper maintenance they are excellent machines.
Are you looking at the XB12X or XB12XT ?
Here's a really good review of the X:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
BTW Welcome to the Forum!
These 'rumors' you are hearing of are most likely the same people that say Harleys always break down and leave you stranded on the side of the road.
Though the one down side that most will agree is that they burn through oil more than other bikes. Especially during break in.
Other than that, with proper maintenance they are excellent machines.
Are you looking at the XB12X or XB12XT ?
Here's a really good review of the X:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
BTW Welcome to the Forum!
Rays
Well-known member
Welcome to the forum gsxr1k - it depends what you consider is higher mileage I suppose but I have an '06 12X that has 99,775km on it (a hair short of 62,000 miles) that is still in pretty good nick. I am on my third belt and have changed the front wheel bearings once and the rears twice. It did burn a bit of oil during running in but burns no more oil now than it did at 20,000km.
At 100,000km I'm also going to do steering head bearings and swing-arm bearings - whether they need it or not.
The '06's have a list of known niggles that can largely be addressed with relatively little cost and a few hours work - Voltage Regulator connector, fuel pump wiring to name two.
I also have an '09 XT with 8,500 kms on it and that has had zero issue so far. I can send you a summary of the maintenance life of the '06 if you want. If you are prepared to do a little TLC from time to time these are great bikes.
I have had a lot of bikes over the years and the Uly is my absolute favourite - I prefer the '06 but the '09 is a close second.
At 100,000km I'm also going to do steering head bearings and swing-arm bearings - whether they need it or not.
The '06's have a list of known niggles that can largely be addressed with relatively little cost and a few hours work - Voltage Regulator connector, fuel pump wiring to name two.
I also have an '09 XT with 8,500 kms on it and that has had zero issue so far. I can send you a summary of the maintenance life of the '06 if you want. If you are prepared to do a little TLC from time to time these are great bikes.
I have had a lot of bikes over the years and the Uly is my absolute favourite - I prefer the '06 but the '09 is a close second.
Rays
Well-known member
As I mentioned in the maintenance document I sent you the 3 bearing wheel was introduced in 2010.
The 2008 & 2009 models still have the 2 bearing arrangement.
I have purchased a 3-bearing wheel for my '06 because the original wheel was damaged by the dealer removing the original bearings but have yet to fit it.
Mind you, my '06 has just on 100,000km on that wheel.
This set-up is something of an overkill with much larger bearings as well as seals outboard of the bearings as per most other bikes. I would be very surprised if anyone has problems with this design.
The 2008 & 2009 models still have the 2 bearing arrangement.
I have purchased a 3-bearing wheel for my '06 because the original wheel was damaged by the dealer removing the original bearings but have yet to fit it.
Mind you, my '06 has just on 100,000km on that wheel.
This set-up is something of an overkill with much larger bearings as well as seals outboard of the bearings as per most other bikes. I would be very surprised if anyone has problems with this design.
strawberrys
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 26, 2010
- Messages
- 285
Gsxr1k,
Buy now, trust me you will love it... They are so easy to work on!
I have the 09 XT.
straw
Buy now, trust me you will love it... They are so easy to work on!
I have the 09 XT.
straw
They changed the bearings type in 2006. The old ones had black seals and new ones have orange seals.
Buells work fine high mileage. Go to advrider and check it out. Somebody had 100k plus MILES on their bike. Belts, bearings and such are just part of maintenance of any bike.
No valve adjustments, no chain to lube... love that.
I assume you know about the "character" they have, i.e. lots of vibration at idle and some heat on your right leg.
None of that bothers me. Love the torque, the sound, handling, comfort etc. Great bikes... buy it and I think you'll like it.
Buells work fine high mileage. Go to advrider and check it out. Somebody had 100k plus MILES on their bike. Belts, bearings and such are just part of maintenance of any bike.
No valve adjustments, no chain to lube... love that.
I assume you know about the "character" they have, i.e. lots of vibration at idle and some heat on your right leg.
None of that bothers me. Love the torque, the sound, handling, comfort etc. Great bikes... buy it and I think you'll like it.
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