| Author | Message | ||
     Iugradmark |
Just picked up my new to me 2007 Uly and rode it home. The bike had about 300 miles on it and I had to ride it 300 miles to get it home. The first 75 were done using the Motoman break in method. This was not ideal way to do it but my only choice so I did the throttle on / off loading the bike in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gears. The rest of the trip, I stayed on two lane roads and varied my speed and gear choice. While not the perfect way to do a breakin, I am hoping that I get the benefits of the approach. A few comments about my impressions of the bike: Suspension - I have never owned a bike that handles the bad roads we have in CA better than this bike does. You have to ride the bike to believe the way it absorbs road irregularities. Front end dive is something I'm not used to having ridden BMW's for the past 20 years. It will take some relearning. Mirrors - Already have the Tuono mirrors coming but having looked at the most recent threads, it sounds like this does not solve the clarity issue. Can someone confirm whether the bar end weights will solve the fuzzy mirror issue? Seat - Very subjective area but for me the seat is just OK. I will probably look at changing it for longer hauls. My rear seems to prefer the more bucket style seats like Corbin typically makes so perhaps I need to give that a try with this bike. Windshield - Another area where everyone needs something a bit different but I am getting a fair amount of blast on my helmet. Tried holding my hand on the shield to see what difference that makes and didn't see much change. Also would like to have a bit wider coverage for when things are a bit cooler. Is the Zero Gravity wider as well as taller? Handlebars / Grips - BMW spoils you with heated grips so will probably add those before long. I would also like to add some sort of throttle lock. Does anyone have heated grips, throttle lock, and the heavier bar ends on their bike all at the same time? Any issues with that? I feel like the hand guards could have been designed to offer more hand protection. Horn - New Mercedes sedan almost took me out as it changed lanes without looking. Hitting the horn did nothing as the big Benz is probably too quiet for the stock horn. Are there any simple replacements for the horn? Seems like a strange place to skimp on cost. Buell no worse than other manufacturers. Brakes - Probably the biggest dissapointment to me. Front is OK but not as powerful as I was expecting. On the street (which is where this bike will live) I tend to only use front brake but must say the rear brake doesn't seem to do much at all. I saw a thread about how to seat in brake pads and hopefully I am not too late to try this method. Fan - Not looking to start any wars here but will be buying right side scoop. I cannot believe how much the fan is on and how loud it is. I wear ear plugs but this is just not something I want to live with. Rode in 50 / 60 degree temps for part of my trip and the fan never came off of high speed. That seems very odd to me. Bags - I don't have any yet. I like the stockers (not the price) because they look good to me and hold helmets. I'm not sure I can get used to the amo can look of the aluminum bags. Lots of postings about broken latches on the Buell bags even by people that have been careful. Does anyone know if H.B. is working on an improved part? What tools do you need if you have to change one on the road? If I buy the factory bags, maybe I'll just resign myself to carrying around extra latches. Thanks to this board for all the pre-buy help and ongoing info. Cheers, Mark | ||
| Pso |
Hi Mark Welcome. I have the heated grips that insert into the bars. They work great and they are a very clean install. good instructions on this web. I also have the bar end weights, heavy and the tunno mirrors no blur now. I do not have a throttle lock so cannot answer that question. Now is the fun part-personalizing your bike. | ||
| Aeholton |
Congratulations on the new bike!  | ||
| Muppet |
Congrats, you'll enjoy it. The Stebel Nautilus horn fits right in the front panel without moving too much and will scare the crap out of any Merc driver. Here's mine: | ||
| Bobmcc |
Hi Mark. I'm a new '06 Uly owner as of March with 2k+ miles of perspective. (This is also my first post so hello to all the BadWebbers.) Handling: I'm coming from 90K miles on a FJ1200 and I'll agree with you 100%. Not only is the Uly 150 pounds lighter but the CG feels like it's at my ankles instead of my knees. I set the suspension full soft and it still handles great. Seat: My Uly came with both the stock and low seat so I can speak to both. After a month on each, they're both comfortable. The low seat is better for my 5-10, 32" inseam and (in faster-than-black orange) looks cooler than the stocker the way the two colors are cut. Stock has me on tip-toes; low seat on the balls of my feet. Windshield: At my height I like how the Buell tall windshield reduced buffeting on my head and shoulders at highway speeds. If I wore a leather jacket instead of textile the shoulder buffeting probably wouldn't have been as annoying. Grips: I installed HotGrips with a variable heat controller. I have no prior heated grip experience. Install was clean and easy. The optional var heat (pulse-width modulator) was a waste of money for me. Max heat is not enough for temps in the 30's but fine above that. Maybe the basic hi-lo-off switch would've been better. Brakes: The front was weak but gained power after break-in. I can chirp the front wheel with two fingers when I'm careless. Fan: I hate the noise but as others have noted, the run time decreases with break-in, and with earplugs I don't hear it on the road. I'm running Amsoil now, too. With temps in the 50's it doesn't come on for me in 30 miles until I have to slow for Boston traffic. When I don't hear it I get distracted waiting for it and wondering where it is, like a mosquito in the bedroom. If not for the fan, I'd have nothing but praise for Buell. Bags: I have the Buell cases... occasional use, good looking, no problems. In summary, most fun, baddest bike I've owned (and a thank you to Jake at Manchester HD for a great sales experience!) Enjoy! Bob | ||
| Treadmarks |
Welcome Mark and Bob. The more you ride the Uly, the better it gets! Play with the suspension adjustments carefully, a little tweak makes a big difference. I like the corbin seat for comfort, but durability and customer service needs some improvement. Lyndall gold brake pads make a big difference once bedded properly. I can't believe no one mentioned how poor the lights are from the factory.  | ||
| Roadrailer |
Muppet, The air horn looks great! Was it hard to wire up? | ||
| Thelumox |
congrats. odd that your fan runs constantly at hight speeds, especially at those ambient temps. i'm in florida and the fan only comes on when i shut the bike off. i stay out of the right side scoop debate, but i do have one. the front brake does get better, as for the rear brake; this is a tall, short wheelbase sportbike so it's not going to help much when braking hard. windshield; got the standard, tall, and large from calsci. i'm back to the standard short. (a fool and his money you know). anyway, enjoy the new bike. | ||
| Orangeulius |
I second the motion to adjust your front suspension. I firmed mine up and the diving is non existent. I use the 07 seat when riding with my wife and the 06 stock when riding alone or on long hauls. Best investment? Race ECM and Buell race muffler. Awesome. Enjoy! | ||
| Florida_lime |
Congratulations Iugrad... I recently picked up my 07, so a few comments. Suspension - It works very well, and yes the front fork dive/travel takes some getting used to depending on your past experiences. I set my suspension with the manual before I even rode it, I'm still playing with the forks to balance handling and comfort, but without TOO much dive under hard braking. Mirrors - I have several bikes, so I happen to have a set of Tuono mirrors to try out (attached to an 07 Tuono  ), but I really haven't had time to switch them out yet; I've been working 12 + hour days since I picked up the Uly. I hopefully will get a chance this weekend, but I did notice my stock right mirror is MUCH clearer than my left, so maybe there are 'better' stock ones out there depending on your luck. Seat - I don't have a problem with the seat, but since I'm tall enough, I've got an 06 standard seat coming (Thanks Ulywife!) to try out for the longer trips. Windshield - it's a naked bike, but I do have a Zero Gravity on order, it should be in soon. I doubt I'd ever go bigger than that (sorry Etennuly !) Handlebars - I've had heated grips before on a Triumph Sprint ST; I wish the factory would put out one as an accessory. There is a wide variety of choices aftermarket, however. Horn - like you said, no worse than other manufacturers. Brakes - not bad, but I'll go to Lyndall's before long. Fan - doesn't bother me, jury is still out for the scoop.  Bags - My factory bags came in today! I like the looks of the stockers, and I need the helmet carrying capability. I'll give them a try (insert delicately closing bag icon here !) They will be put on next week before I ride up to N.C. The board here is one of the best, even if we don't always see eye to eye ! (see right side scoop wars for an example) (Message edited by florida_lime on June 08, 2007) | ||
| Florida_lime |
Orangeulius said : Best investment? Race ECM and Buell race muffler. Have you heard what the Buell race exhausts are going for now ? I'd be doing this mod if it were as easy as stopping in at your Buell dealer. I don't want too loud, so I'm not sure if I want to go the route of Special Ops or Drummer, as nice as they are. | ||
| Firstbatch |
definite +1 on the Stebel Horn. Simple install and it is horn that will make you proud. RSS scoop immediately reduced fan run time for me....Put the Lyndall pads on last week and that is another simple mod that produces much improved performance. Don't hesitate to put the Lyndall Golds on right now. Never heard a Buell Race exhaust, would have liked the option but of course they are no more....recent eBay listings have then going in excess of $500 for the pipe. Drummer is a great pipe that provides better low end grunt but the orientation of the pipe on the Buell will have the the much improved sound bouncing off the pavement and back under your full face helmet. Without ear plugs it would wear you out. I really like the pipe! Without a doubt the Uly is one fantastic motorbike that gets better with every mile | ||
| Etennuly |
Windshield choices are tough. There is no place you can test the different ones that are on the market and hand back what you don't like. We have a good forum for that here but, everyones outlook for windshields is their own opinion based on what works for them. With so many variances in height, arm length, seating angle, desires, and needs, it would be impossible to be a supplier that made the majority happy. So I say make your own windshield. It isn't all that difficult to instill your ideas of what it should be. If you aren't happy with what you've got, modify it until you are, or until you have to scrap it, or just put it away until next winter!  | ||
| Gotj |
"There is no place you can test the different ones that are on the market and hand back what you don't like." That's true for testing the whole range of windshields but California Scientific provides instructions on how to mount their windshield so that you don't damage it. If you don't like it, send it back. Not quite what you described but at least you don't have to keep what doesn't suit you. I'm not affiliated in any way with CalSci but I think they deserve credit for their policy. | ||
| Tstone |
Iugradmark, I just brought my Ulysses home a month ago and this is my first post - so here goes. Suspension: Mine was way off when I brought it home. Adjusting the static sag made the biggest difference. Mirrors: Mine are stock Seat: Mine's stock. I might buy a low for long hauls. windshield: I really like my Buell tall. It seems just right to me. Handlebars: Jury is still out on the stockers. Horn: It's much better than the bike I traded in. Brakes: It took my rear a long time to seat. They both seem fine fine after 1200 miles. Fan: I knew about it coming into the purchase - so it doesn't bother me at all. Bags: Not yet Good luck. I hope you like yours as much as I do mine. | ||
| Pso |
Muppet and/or Firstbatch-could you please be a little more specifc about the Stebel horn install? Or if you posted instruction on the board could you send directions to the post? Thanks | ||
| Iugradmark |
I would also like to see some photos / instructions on the horn install. Too much traffic here in CA. Mark |
