| Author | Message | ||
     Paochow |
For all of 2005 and the beginning of 2006, I was set on buying a KTM 950 Adventure. My friend had one, and despite his fear of driving it down anything more than a gravel road (didn't want to drop it and scratch up a $12K ride), insisted it was a great bike. Read some reviews, and it was agreed that was a great off road focused adventure bike. Already had a DRZ-400S though and felt bad enough laying that one down in the desert a bunch of times. After a few longer rides with my friend, I discovered that the KTM, as good as it was off road, might not be all the street bike I was looking for. Tried a BMW 1200GS at a rally in MX, and while I liked it, it had that appliance feeling that my old CBR 600F4i had, plus a new one was pretty far out of my price range. Then in March 06 I ran in to a guy at Best Western in Alpine, TX, riding a Uly cross country with a few Gold Wingers. I had read a few reviews previously, but hadn't really given the bike much thought as the horror stories of early generation Buells were still stuck in my mind. This guy raved about the bike, let me sit on it and play with it, and recommended I check out this forum. Thank-you for take the time to let me check out your machine. So, I've been lurking on this forum for the last few months, soaking up as much info as my water on a rock brain could absorb. After printing out a bunch of Uly reviews and forum posts, researching and talking about it so much that my wife knew all the specs, she finally said go buy it she was sick of hearing about it.  So after a bunch of haggling yesterday, I took home a 06 orange Uly. Riding it home last night, I had a huge grin on my face. The bike feels like it was made for my 6'2" frame. Seat fits me great, and I have plenty of legroom. Handling is awesome, sharper than most standards, but no where near as nervous at speed as my other ride, a DRZ-400S. The suspension is firm, but does a great job of soaking up large road imperfections. My biggest concern buying it was the motor as I'm not a huge Harley fan, and have owned my share of high revving 600cc sportbikes in the past. Wow-was I wrong to be concerned. The bike is a torque monster, I (somewhat) accidentally lofted the front wheel over a few rises in the road, in the middle gears no less. Passing required opening the throttle, no rapid downshifts needed. Took it on a few quick rides today totaling about 100 miles. Took the wife on a two-up ride and her smile is a big as my permagrin.  I'd just like to thank all at this site for the wealth of info you have put down for future Uly owners. Definitely helped me make my decision. BTW: Changed the oil/filter and tranny fluid last night @ 30 miles, as didn't want the metal floating around for a few hundred more. Glad I did as the tranny bolt was covered in shavings. Made sure to torque the bolts to only 14 ft/lbs, however in doing so still managed to crush the o-rings, enough so they can't be reused. Does anyone know what size o-rings from the local hardware store will work for the next change, or do I need to try to order some from my Harleys in the front, Buells in the back corner dealer? Thanks | ||
| Aeholton |
Congratulations on the new Uly and welcome. You bought the faster color, too! I can't remember the size on the o-rings, but they carry them at ACE Hardware. I have just under 15K miles on mine now and still find excuses to run out for something just to get in another short ride. These bikes are great, even though we gripe about little things on BadWeb every once in awhile. | ||
| Paochow |
I figured the orange should hold a speed edge.  Gripes about the little things aren't necessarily a bad thing, they show people enjoy riding their bikes, rack up the miles with them, and tinker with them to find out what can make them better. If you read some of the thousands of DRZ posts on thumpertalk you would see the same thing. Riders enjoying their bikes and making them better. (Message edited by paochow on July 30, 2006) | ||
| Rkc00 |
Congrats on the new Uly. I have just under 12K miles on mine now and like Aeholton still find excuses to run out for something just to get in another short ride. Have to go get some ice cream for desert. I think I will take the Uly. By the way you got the slower color. Mike Long Island, NY 06 XB12X Black of course | ||
| Xbimmer |
Congrats, you're gonna love it!  I'm a newbie Bueller too but I've racked up 6k in 3 months on my XB12X and aside from the few consistent problems we discuss here (and I've done a good share of whining) I've never considered this machine less than what I expected. In fact, it's more. My brother is a newer KTM offroad convert and raves about his 400's 60-70 mph dirt capabilities. I applaud that, but I hate dirt and 2 weeks ago somewhere between Idaho Falls and Boise I was cruising an unpaved 20 mile section of State 20 and loving every minute of it at 45-50 mph with full bags and seatpack. Maybe beginner's luck I didn't dump it in the gravelly sections but it proved to me that Erik and Co. did their homework in that department. I bought it for crappy roads, not roads that move around under you. On the twisties it handles far beyond my capabilities to push it to its limits and I'm fine with that. Saw a guy at the Rock Store this morning with a dealer-plated '07 with the Pirellis scuffed mostly to the edges... let me sit on the new seat (I'm SOLD!) but was in a hurry so I couldn't pick his brain much. The more I ride and learn this bike the better we get. I've only ridden a passenger twice, my 18 yr old daughter, once when the bike was just past 500 mi, again today at 6k. After a few k miles under my belt on the Uly this trip today with a nearly six-foot young woman on the backseat was fantastic. The more you ask of this bike the better it answers! Less nimble of course, but the engine ignored the extra weight and the bike felt like it was on rails in turns. My dealer is great, Buell from what I hear addresses the problems, our machines are unique. Welcome to the fold! (Message edited by xbimmer on July 31, 2006) | ||
| Davo |
As best that I can tell with a ruler the inside diameter is 7/16" and the outside diameter is 9/16" and yes the body of the "O" ring is about 1/16". Sorry my mic is hiding some where in the garage or I would be more specific. HD part # 11105 for tranny and oil plug. cost aprx. $.95 each at my dealership. | ||
| Wademan |
Congrats Paochao! I am oh so very jealous at the moment. Do you mind me asking what you got it down too OTD? I am in the shopping process right now for a ULY also! | ||
| Jlnance |
do I need to try to order some from my Harleys in the front, Buells in the back corner dealer? Nope, just give DaveS a call. | ||
| Sound_uly |
Hi Paochow, I too considered the BMW but the price and lack of wow factor had me back out looking for the elusive perfect bike. I actually only came across the Buell by accident when stopping at one of the local bike shops that I had been to once before... except now it's a Harley shop??? Atmosphere was certainly different  and I was a bit confused but back in the corner I see this really cool Orange (which means fast) unique looking bike! My first sight of the Uly! Wow... Cool... Unique... This bike spoke to me (or maybe that was the voices in my head)  so I began the research phase. The bike sounded like it was the perfect bike for my needs so finally, after long deliberation, I went and test rode one. Now here is one of the major drawbacks to this bike... After the test ride I just couldn't quit smiling  , that damn bike is just soooo much fun. I literally bought the bike (not the one I test rode, it was one of the slower black ones  ) on the spot. That was in May, I now have just over 1K miles on it and I can't get rid of this stupid grin. I call it the Uly grin... the only time I see it is when I look in the mirror or meet up with another Uly rider... can't get rid of it, I'm warning you now. Congrats and I hope you have as much fun on yours as I am having on mine. Ride safe,  Ron, Seattle Area | ||
| Xbimmer |
Wademan, I'll bet dealers will be trying to move '06 Buells in their inventory asap. My local dealer has knocked several hundred off a School Bus they got in shortly after I took delivery of mine 3 months ago, it's still there although they somehow sold their lower-performance Black one. Find a dealer within a reasonable distance with a new '06, insist they do the 0837 Sidestand Recall before you take delivery, buy it and rejoice.  I'll bet if it's on the floor you can haggle it down quite a bit. I paid MSRP and regret nothing. Except for the real bugs some of us address. Fixed soon I believe. | ||
| Jmhinkle |
I just bought mine on the 14th of July and got a killer dealer I think. I love the bike almost completely. I'm one of the few that gripes about the seat. Not because of the height, but because of the squareness and seams that bother my legs a lot. Other than that, I love every minute of it and live on it as much as possible. I do keep a close eye on the sidestand as the repair parts have not come in yet. I'll be hauling mine cross-country this week to do some OH/WV riding with my brother. Welcome to the perma-grin club, Paochow. | ||
| Pso |
I picked mine up the first week of July. got it for MSRP but had them throw in the hard bags (side and tail)without charge, plus dealers cost for lowere seat and larger screen. Got first 1000 sevice for free and the final for the deal was the free hat that got tossed into the deal. I bet if I had held out for three more weeks I could have gotten a better deal. On the other hand I put my wing 01 wing on the board and sold it for 1,000 less than I paid for it 4 years and 37,500 miles ago. Might not have happened if I had waited for three more weeks. Seems like sometimes the confluance of events just works out . O well I am satisfied and thus to complain would mean that I am not grateful for all the riches that I have recvd. Paul | ||
| Paochow |
Sorry it has taken me so long to reply, we have been hit by some bad flooding in El Paso, so I haven't been busy patching leaks and draining the yard. I managed to ride my DRZ today (-got completely soaked) and found that I was very fortunate compared to the others in the region. Here are a few pics (click to enlarge)             Thank's for the details on the O-rings Davo and Jlnance. I'm still waiting for the replacement sidestand bolts as well, however I won't be taking out the Uly back out until (if) the rain stops. After what I put the DRZ through today, numerous 2+ft deep water crossings, boulder fields, and that was just on the street  As for price, I ended up at $10K with discounts plus sales tax/license fees. Several of the other dealers I had been to were selling used models for this price so I'm very happy with it. Now if only it would stop raining  } (Message edited by paochow on August 01, 2006) |
