| Author | Message | ||
     Chadhargis |
Has anyone read this compro? GS v. KTM v. Ulysses I wanna know what bike they were riding and calling a "Ulysses". There experience was VASTLY different than mine and most other articles I've read. They said it was hard to find neutral on the Ulysses. Well, I happen to teach MSF basic rider courses, and if they need help finding neutral, I'd be happy to help them because I have no problem with it. Snicks right in for me. They said the suspension wasn't good. HUH?? Put DOWN the crack pipe and step away. What are they smoking?? They said there was too much heat. I ride an '06 with no heat mods and I've never noticed the bike being any hotter than anything else I've ever ridden, including a BMW GS I owed where hot air flowed across the cylinders right on to your legs. Brilliant design for keeping the rider cool! NOT! They ranked it last in every single category. I just don't get it. Did they actually RIDE a Ulysses?? Yes, I can see them ranking the engine last, even though the liquid cooled, 4 valve KTM made less power....but the rest of the bike shines over the other two. It was the lightest bike in the compro. Wears standard sized tires. HAS to handle better....trust your butt to a skinny tire up front, but not me....thanks! Just really shocked at how they could berate the Ulysses as bad as they did. It's a damn fine bike. | ||
| Arcticktm |
I have not received it yet, but am surprised if they faulted the suspension. I think suspension and handling are the 2 traits that make my '06 Uly worth keeping. No issues finding neutral either, though the trans is not up to typical Japanese or Ducati level of smoothness. As for heat - I totally understand those complaints. Heat management is not good at all on my Uly, and my BMW (cruiser model, but still the boxer engine) is a far cooler bike to ride on a hot day. The seat on my Uly is still unacceptably hot, even with Odie blankets and my latest aluminum foil and tape seal job added to it (which did help a lot). | ||
| Froggy |
I look at this the other way, I feel that nobody else's has the feel like Buell does. You KNOW that it went into gear. I would occasionally not fully put my Suzuki into gear because it was always a guessing game if it went in. | ||
| Curly |
you know, Buell always seems to get a bad rap no matter what swag it is or which model ther're riding. i think they can't get over the it's different factor long enough to appreciate it. as for me, i would'nt trade my uly for six hondakawayamasukis. keep puttim down, i like not seeing one on every corner. | ||
| Dr_greg |
Guess I better come out of my shell and testride a KTM. I rode a 12GS and didn't like it much compared to the Uly. Maybe I'd like the KTM better. But then it's back to valve adjustments, chain lubing, water pump failures...no thanks. I'll take belt failures at 50K miles any day!  | ||
| Wbrisett |
As in anything, there is always some truth in things. When I first got my ULY, I also had issues finding neutral. As the transmission got broken in, it has become easier, but occasionally it still becomes an issue. I do find that rocking the bike forward a tad, lets it fall into neutral. Heat... In temps less than 90 degrees, it's tolerable, with the record 100 degree days we've seen this summer, the heat issue has become more of an issue, particularly when driving around town. On the highway at speeds over 50 MPH, the heat isn't a problem. I also put on the Odie blanket and that has helped a great deal. Now the suspension is a different matter totally. The Buell suspension is probably the best suspension system I have ridden on, and beats my BMW RT suspension hands down (although I don't have the latest ESA style suspension). But all that being said, we like our bike, erm, no we love our bike, so we're always going to disagree with people who write negative comments about it. But, I tell this to people every day, if I had to sell one of my bikes, I would sell my BMW RT and keep the Buell Ulysses. It's just more fun, and more versatile. Wayne | ||
| Tipsymcstagger |
They said it was hard to find neutral on the Ulysses. Well, I happen to teach MSF basic rider courses, and if they need help finding neutral, I'd be happy to help them because I have no problem with it. Snicks right in for me. When's your next class Chad? Of all the bikes I've owned, this one is the most difficult to get into neutral. 80% of the time...no matter how light the touch...I kick through neutral into second gear. The other 20% of the time, I try for neutral, get nothing, have to bang down to first, try gain, and repeat the process several times. On my previous Bandit 1200, I never had one bit of trouble with this. Tipsy | ||
| Jlnance |
As to neutral, if I'm sitting still, sometimes I have problems, as tipsy said. But if I'm rolling, it's a snap. Standard procedure for getting gas is to put it in neutral, hit the kill switch, and coast up to the pump. I've never had any problems doing this. | ||
| Dick_stilton |
80% of the time...no matter how light the touch...I kick through neutral into second gear. The other 20% of the time, I try for neutral, get nothing, have to bang down to first, try gain, and repeat the process several times. +1 on that Tipsy - I get the same on my Uly 06 but I can live with it for being, overall, IMHO the best bike in its class out there. BMW GS? Common as sh**e and who wants to ride a common bike? Not even A**** H***** and he was a Honda Man!  | ||
| Chadhargis |
I'm teaching class this weekend.  Adjust that primary chain (could be too loose or too tight), and come on down. I'll show ya how to kick that pig in neutral. If I can teach a newbie how to put a Honda Nighthawk in neutral (which is damn near impossible), I can teach anyone how to pop a Uly in neutral. Heat? Again...what heat? Every motorcycle I've ever had was hot in traffic. And my FJR would absolutely COOK you. I had the flu once, and got stuck in rush hour traffic on a 95 degree day on my FJR and I nearly passed out. Had to pull over and stop, and when I put my arms down to my side, sweat poured out the arm holes. | ||
| Tipsymcstagger |
I'm teaching class this weekend. : ) Adjust that primary chain (could be too loose or too tight), and come on down. I'll show ya how to kick that pig in neutral. This weekend...hmmm. I'll be at the Hancock, NY rally on my new-to-me '03 Dr-Z 400! Changed the oil and primary fluid yesterday. Primary was well within tolerance. Tipsy | ||
| Iugradmark |
Unfortunately, these kinds of reviews matter to the buying public and therefore to us as they impact sales, support, spare parts availability, and after market product development. The heat issue (and fan noise) have been mentioned by nearly every reviewer since the bike was launched. I'm surprised that Buell has done so little to try and fix the issue. Many of the heat ideas tried out on this board could have been done at the factory and taken this issue off the table but there has been an almost stubborn denial of the problem. The early FJR's had huge heat issues but within a couple of models, Yammy had completely reworked the air flow and most will say it is now fixed and you never hear the mags beat on it any longer. | ||
| Chadhargis |
Actually, I can't remember the last review I saw on the FJR except for the "clutchless" version. At least the Uly is still being reviewed, so I guess that's good. I guess every bike is different. I've never had an issue with my tranny, or engine heat, and the suspension works great for me (especially since I tossed on the Wilbers shock and fork springs!). One thing I've noticed about Buells is that they are "finicky" bikes. If you take the time to sort out what amounts to silly little issues, they reward you. But if you just complain about the issues, then you end up thinking the bike is a POS. I'm sure the neutral issue is something really simple. My Gixxer required a new shift star and heavier spring to give me the shift quality I wanted as Zooks are notorious for having delicate transmissions. But, $125 later, I have a slick shifting, Gixxer and I'm having no issues. Just a matter of looking at things from a logical point of view. There is a reason why a bike does what it does. It's just a machine after all. | ||
| Davolous |
I have had trouble with my Uly wanting to skip neutral while run and not moving. The heat don't bother me in Ohio. Sometimes the gas tank gets a little warm, but that just lets me know its time to fill it. Sometimes I wish I had a Goldwing and a street legal Dirt bike, but I think my Uly is the best middle ground for me. The thing I least like about Buell is the standard attitude HD dealers greet Buell riders with. I did finally find an amazing Buell dealer in Oh (which is Biketown in Youngstown). I suggest them to any Buell rider. | ||
| Packdog |
I sometimes have problems finding neutral too and it seems to be getting worse over time - even when the primary is adjusted correctly! As far as suspension goes, I do think it is different than most other bikes I've ridden. Sportbikes generally feel really tight and firm, other bikes seem really squishy and wallow through turns. The Uly is "just right" for me - I just took the time to set it up the way I like it. Other bikes I've owned I had to modify to some degree in order to get it the way I wanted. Heat, yeah it's hot in different places than all the other bikes I've ridden. They were just as hot, just not under the seat and on my inner thighs. Other bikes cooked my calves and feet. Just another way that my Uly is "Different in Every Way." | ||
| Brakes2late |
My 06 is a breeze to drop into neutral both moving and stopped but shifts through the gears like a truck....Sounds more like a large variation in manufacturing or assembly. They all seem to be different in one way or another? Quality control? Either way I don't give a crap...I love my Uly. | ||
| Petereid |
I love my XT but I have an elusive neutral as well. As for heat, around here in Ontario it isn't bad but I was in Branson, MO and in the 100+ temps I was roasting my nuts on those Ozark twisties.....but was still smiling the whole time | ||
| Miamiuly |
My 07 can be a little picky about neutral but not a big deal by any means, nothing compared to my old yz125 with no neutral light of course. Heat, yep my zx10 is hot, my 900rrs were hot, my zx11 tried to roast my legs with boots on. I think in comparison my fzr 600s felt cooler- steel frame ya know. Smaller but high strung motor. I remember getting caught in that down-poor in Daytona 2003?,( as shown on American Choppers when they had to hold the tents down and the Daytona 200 was run on monday due to rain.) Anyway the temp dropped drastically with the rain, Florida rain is often HOT. As I was freezing my butt off, I remember wishing that I had brought my 900rr rather than the fzr. That aluminum frame would have warmed me nicely. If I am totally honest, my 900rr broke me of wearing shorts on a bike, used to burn my knee when setting into a turn. (I was still indestructible in 1994 I guess, but I still wore helmet, gloves and timberlands at least. Plenty of road rash from skateboards and bmx anyways.) (Message edited by miamiuly on August 08, 2008) (Message edited by miamiuly on August 08, 2008) | ||
| Dynasport |
Well, I don't have the ownership experience you guys do, but from an outsider's perspective this is what I have noticed. Last time the Buell demo truck came through here I rode pretty much every Buell they had at least once. I found the transmissions to vary greatly from bike to bike. Some popped into neutral easy as pie. One I could only sometimes get into neutral and ended up just using the clutch till I shut her off. As for heat, I haven't ridden the many bikes some of you have. But in my limited experience the Uly does put out more heat than my HD or the 1200GS I test rode. Living in Florida I much prefer a bike that doesn't radiate lots of heat onto the rider. As far as modifications to get a bike "right" for the individual, I agree to a certain extent, but a magazine is not going to sort out a bike and do mods on it for a test ride write up. They may adjust suspension settings, but I can see them putting on aftermarket parts or doing much in the way of adjusting primaries and the like. So, maybe the bikes are finicky and need to be sorted out. Maybe Buells QC is not what it should be. Whatever, the cause, as long as Buells put out heat and have finicky issues that impact the bikes the magazines are reviewing, Buell is going to continue to get trashed in the media. Just look at the articles on the 1125. It seemed that most of the writers wanted to like it, but they had to report the charging issues, the FI issues, the heat, and so on. Like the reviews or not, I don't think the writers are making the stuff up. | ||
| Slowride |
Just my 2cents.... Dealing with my Uly neutral issues have resulted with me doing the following. Adjust the primary chain just a little tighter than what the SM recommends. This has enable me to find neutral quiet easily. Funny side affect of this is, when I start losing the ability to find neutral I know it is time to adjust my primary chain. | ||
| Lost_in_ohio |
Guess I don't even think about finding neutral anymore. Just kinda happens when I get off the bike. | ||
| Mainstreamer |
"Heat? Again...what heat? Every motorcycle I've ever had was hot in traffic. And my FJR would absolutely COOK you. I had the flu once, and got stuck in rush hour traffic on a 95 degree day on my FJR and I nearly passed out. Had to pull over and stop, and when I put my arms down to my side, sweat poured out the arm holes." I offed my Uly this spring because I was not prepared to face another summer in SW Florida riding a toaster oven that gave me 2nd degree burns on my right thigh while wearing 'proper gear'. I never had a heat issue with my M2. Me thinks Buell should be re-thinking the frame design of their current line. Several reports of rider leg blistering on the 1124R are reported on this site. My '06 FJR does not have any heat issues, only a little warm on my left ankle. My Daytona675 puts out a little hot air under the seat but not enough to be an issue. This is not from the under seat exhaust but from the engine/radiator. My air cooled Duc 1000DS PS LE, has no heat to speak of. I spend time of a number of MC forums and can not recall any other heat issues that compares to those of the Buell with gas-in-frame design. | ||
| Buelldualsport |
Mobil 1 Synthetic cured any Neutral issues we had on the previous Buells YRMV | ||
| Cityxslicker |
I have said it before and I will say it again, Why the hell can corporate not send out a crew with the bike to show them how to ride it? Obviously they need a primer on what Buell is... Shiate they cant even find Neutral. I dont see that as a reflection on Buell but more of a statement back on the rider. Its right where its supposed to be, between First and Second. or Quit your biatchin, it'll start in gear  | ||
| Sprintex |
Well, read the Uly 10,000 mile ride report in Motorcyclist this month. Not to glowing. He did like the the seat and really wanted to like the bike. | ||
| Red_chili |
No neutral problems here. Heat problems helped by Odie's blankets, RSS, and adding the '08 deflector on the right side. Heat problems completely neutralized by fixing the fuel and timing mixtures - no worse than any other bike I've owned, and better than most. I think the frame design is actually fine, but the EPA puts Buell in a tight spot with the Thunderstorm motor. Not that I would know... just MHO. Anyway, just put on a thousand pleasant miles with my wife on her Beemer and my opinion of the Uly is confirmed. Best bike I've ever owned, and any troubles have been minor. Mods are cheaper than any other I've owned. Few are required. But then, I come from the time when the marketing slogan for Norton was, "Takes an average man and makes him a mechanic!" So what do *I* know? | ||
| Tootal |
+1 on the correct primary adjustment for finding neutral. I have found taking a hot engine, finding the tightest part of the primary chain and adjusting it to 1/4" will give the best shifting into any gear. I just noticed mine was not shifting as well and checked it and sure enough it had stretched a little. I reset it to 1/4" and all is well. Red Chili, it was nice to meet you and your bride in Durango. How did two Ulys end up at the same hotel? Same restaurant? We hid from you in Lake City!! Just kidding.  | ||
| Fubar |
Previous reviews of the Uly by MCN were terrific. No idea where they got half the stuff they said this time. I'll still subscribe, but they lost more than a few objectivity points with me. | ||
| Danger_dave |
Well if it's any consolation my 'Kiwi Rider' editor had his first open road ride on a Uly last month. (I've been doing it all). His comments. 'Gee - I owe you an appology - you are absolutely correct Big Dave - what a wonderful bike'. MCN - are you on drugs? are you sniffing glue??? Bad suspension? - three words - You F*ckin' MORON. | ||
| Danger_dave |
Wonder if they'll quote me? |
