| Author | Message | ||
     Kpfetz |
Hi Guys, I have an 08 Uly with close to 5000 miles on it. I'm in Phoenix,AZ and the temps are over 105 almost every day in the summer. I'm getting disheartened by the engine heat that has made riding this bike a chore rather than a pleasure. The frame gets so hot that I can't touch it without riding gloves and the seat is so hot that I spend part of my ride standing on the pegs to try and cool off my butt. I've ordered a sheepskin for the seat but haven't received it yet. I hope that will help. I sent an e-mail to Odie to get info on his heat blankets but he hasn't responded after 2 weeks. I'm considering wrapping the pipes to try and keep my right leg from burning. When I bought this bike I thought it would be my last MC (I'm 65) but now I think I'll be trading it in unless I can solve this heat problem. If anyone has any suggestion or comments I would be glad to hear them. I know this isn't the usual e-mail found in Badweb praising the Uly but part of the reason I bought it was because of all the good reports on this forum. Pete kpfetz | ||
| Longdog_cymru |
Hi, I don't have any answers to your questions about heat, but I can assure you that even in cold and wet UK my Uly gets hot, uncomfortably so at times. I did read in a British magazine called American V, there was a product on test from nightrider.com that is supposed to increase the fuel/air ratio from 14.7 to 13.8 and this is supposed to decrease engine heat to more acceptable levels. In the magazine article, it stated that the product was aimed at HD and Buell owners. I have read the article on nightrider.com and it doesn't mention Buells, but I thought I might email them and find out. In the meantime, here is the link if you decide to explore this option yourself. http://www.nightrider.com/parts/ | ||
| Ulywife |
Pete - try Odie again. His computer had a nasty virus, so he may not have gotten your message. | ||
| Ftd |
Pete, I live in Orlando and have an '06 ULY. I feel your pain. Three things have pretty much solved or reduced drastically that issue for me. 1. Remapped ECM from American Sport Bike (being an 08 I don't know if he can help you) 2. Right side scoop 3. Reflective tape underseat and on a home made cardbd shield that directs air down away from underseat area Frank | ||
| Hughlysses |
Pete, There are several other easy things you can do to help the heat. One of the easiest and most effect is to apply heat barrier tape to the inside of the frame on the right side of and behind the rear cylinder head. I used aluminum HVAC tape but a better solution is to use adhesive backed insulated reflective material, something like this: http://www.heatshieldproducts.com/heat_shield_mat. php You can find similar stuff from several on-line sources as well as NAPA dealers. This keeps the right-side frame rail much cooler. Most people say that switching to synthetic oil makes a measurable difference in the heat output. Other steps you can take are to have your pipes Jet Hot coated; American Sport Bike offers an exchange service where they send you pre-coated headers, you swap them out and send your old headers back in. I used Odie's heat blanket but shortened it so that it stops just short of the ECM. This keeps the battery and ECM cool but still allows air to flow out of the side vents. I also moved the rear brake reservoir out from under the seat, mounting it on a metal extension from the footpeg bracket (sort of the like the mounting location on a Buell tuber). This provides a much larger air opening from under the right side of the seat. | ||
| Buelldualsport |
Pete: You might want to verify that you have the latest download from Buell. This seems to assist with the heat, as well as a slow speed surge that some of the 08s have experienced. The heat shield material is also a great idea, along with Odie's blankets. Also, do you have the add on/accessory heat deflector panels that are in the Buell P&A Catalog? Good luck and keep the group advised of your solutions. Buells to Alaska ALCAN 5000 2010 | ||
| Johnboy777 |
I purchased and installed this with good success - but in Ohio, we only get into the low 90's or so. http://www.thermotec.com/adhesive-backed-heat-barr ier.html . | ||
| Red_chili |
I also moved the rear brake reservoir out from under the seat, mounting it on a metal extension from the footpeg bracket (sort of the like the mounting location on a Buell tuber). This seems like a very sensible idea. Got pix? | ||
| Bienhoabob |
We are not alone. Read this thread: http://forums.delphiforums.com/MCTourer/messages/? start=Start+Reading+%3E%3E I've also recently been in a number of Patriot Guard parades and escorts on hot days. All the Harley boys were complaining about heat from their bikes. Many of the Harleys were cutting out completely. We are sitting inches away from an air cooled engine. When it's 105 degrees outside, there's not all that much a person can do about it. | ||
| Bobmcc |
Pete, If you haven't blocked the slit between seat and frame on the right side, then do so and see if that helps. I glued a strip of rubber to the seat but some thick adhesive-backed weatherstrip glued to the frame would've been easier and probably just as effective. It made a huge difference for me. 105+, huh? We get that, like, never... But it's a dry heat, right?  | ||
| Hughlysses |
This seems like a very sensible idea. Got pix? Here's a thread on my relocated rear brake reservoir: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/show .cgi?tpc=142838&post=941497#POST941497 I've been running this way for over a year now with no problems. I did have to tweak my mounting bracket very slightly as it would barely scrape the swingarm under full compression. I saw another Uly at March Badness this year with the same mod but never found out who it was. I also sealed the opening on the right side of the frame above the rear rocker cover using HVAC tape. That helped too. (Message edited by Hughlysses on August 25, 2008) | ||
| Red_chili |
Very nice, thanks. Also makes checking the rear brake fluid a snap. | ||
| Strokizator |
Pete, I live in Fresno where it's over 100 right now. Once temps get this high it doesn't matter what you ride. If it doesn't have a roof and A/C it's going to be miserable hot. The Uly's not much worse than others (all engines make heat and it goes somewhere, just ask the FJR owners) but one thing you can do while cruising around is to just stand up on the pegs for a short distance. Otherwise leave the house early and get your riding done before noon. That, or wait until November. I've ridden a lot bikes and I don't remember any of them being fun at 105 degrees. | ||
| Joe_solo |
I have a fiberglass Right Side Air Scoop from American Sport Bike. http://www.americansportbike.com/shoponline/ccp0-p rodshow/9160F.html Installed it on my 07 Uly - thought it made the bike run far to cool. Live in Canada @ N53 - W133. Where I live is just too cool to make use of this product. Looking to sell it at a reasonable discount, pm me if interested. | ||
| Bartimus |
Pete, I'm in Phoenix also, and have an '08 Uly. I'm experiencing the same issues you are, I usually ride my Harley or S2, keeping the ULY for early morning rides into the mountains, or just waiting for winter to come along. I FEEL YOUR PAIN... I've sent an email to Odie, and am still waiting for an answer... | ||
| Ulykan |
Don't expect dramatic decreases in heat. I have an 08 Uly and bought Odie's heat shields expecting miracles or a least a big decrease in heat. Much to my disappointment neither happened. Odie offered a refund but I declined thinking some reduction was better than none. Also the seat heat is less of a problem now. Eventually I'm going to wrap my headers as that's another less expensive method. I'm told that ceramic coating the headers helps but I'm not going to sacrifice riding time and expense to go that far. We have heat in Kansas too but so far nothing like the desert. Good luck. Bob | ||
| Ulykan |
One more thought, I find the stock 08 seat to be really low besides being uncomfortable. I have a Saddlemen Saddle Gel pad left over from my Sportster and put that on the seat which gave me almost another inch of height and seemed to give a bit more relief from the heat. Since the original 06 seat is higher to start with and supposedly more comfortable I ordered one. Once installed I'll report back to let you know if that helped. | ||
| Ulygirl |
Pete, I also live in Phx and ride an 08 Uly. In fact, I commute on it, up and down I-17 every day! I also ride a Heritage, and sometimes take that bike to work. Regardless of the motorcycle, it's just plain hot on a bike in the Valley of the Sun. But please don't give up on this bike. I've also made the primary mods to my Uly that the guys talk about: 1) Ceramic coated my headers (out of commission only 4 days total) 2) Right side air scoop (Reply to "Joe Solo" above for a good deal on his) and 3) Odie's underseat heat blanket (Odie communicated that he's having serious computer problems...he's around, just give him a chance to fix his computer.) At the next earliest opportunity I'm planning to line the inside of my frame with the heat reflective material. And tomorrow afternoon, I'm off to my dealer to have the 08 download programmed into my ECM. After that, it's just a matter of being a motorcyclist in the desert! For what it's worth, I also owned a Honda ST-1300, which I thought was one of the finest bikes on the planet -BUT- If you thought the Uly is hot, you gotta try rush hour on I-17 on that baby ! That bike was so hot, I sold the Honda and replaced it with the Uly. Hang in there and try some of the mentioned mods. I think you'll be glad you did. | ||
| Jphish |
Ulygrl is RIGHT - Ive got an '03 ST and that sucker is a HOT ride. Took it to Hells Canyon last summer...thought I had an engine fire or ran out of coolant. Happy to say Neither was the case. The Uly is no worse than the liquid cooled V-4 in that Honda. Plus don't try takin the ST for a spin on a washboard dirt road - you'll get a lesson in applied physics ! | ||
| Mark_weiss |
Another Phoenix Metro 08 Uly rider here. That seems to make four of us. Probably need to have a get together. The ECM update does not help heat radiation. It certainly does help fuel consumption. 1. Odie's blankets work very well. They block the heat leaks from the airbox/seat interface and insulate as well. 2. Ceramic coating exhaust helps. Things still heat up, but it takes longer to get uncomfortable. Jet Hot/HPC is here in town (I-10 and Elliot). Turn around was 10 days. 3. Thermotec? Just added it. Two days of riding, the frame is still hot. The right side no longer seems hotter than the left side though. Mark in Arizona | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
The new 09' 1125R bikes have a layer of aerogel insulation encased in aluminum and this has been applied to the inside of the tank frame. Apparently it is being offered as a kit for the 08' 1125 bikes. I was told that the engine would have to be rotated down to apply the kit on the 08' 1125 bikes. How thick this sheathed aerogel is I have no idea. Maybe this kit could be cut to work on the ULY but not sure. What is aerogel? http://www.unitednuclear.com/aerogel.htm Just think how energy efficient your house would be if the space occupied by fiberglass was instead packed full with aerogel granules. | ||
| Arcticktm |
Odie's blankets helped on my '06, but were not the solution I had expected. I have added to them with homemade sealing using aluminum foil and duct tape. Pretty it ain't, but sealing that gap between the frame/seat was significant. Heat on my legs and the frame is no longer a problems for me with the plastic snap in deflectors (on the '08's already) and the above sealing job. I nearly always wear riding overpants, so that makes the hot frame less of an issue for me. The seat still gets too warm, especially if you have to slow down through town. I plan to get a bead seat or other pad, or something. I think the taller '06 stock seat helps, but I still think the seat heat is unacceptable, and makes me ride my BMW or KTM when it gets in the upper 80's and I may be in traffic. This is a hot bike for warm climates, no matter how many excuses we come up with as Buell owners. FYI, the FJR fixed their heat problem a couple years ago. I don't think we will be so lucky, so we need to fix it ourselves, through this forum. I will admit that if I still lived in Florida, I might have put the Uly up for sale by now. Just being honest. I am in this for the thrill of the ride, so I am not brand loyal if it comes at the expense of the ride experience. | ||
| Chadhargis |
I had an '04 FJR and that bike was so hot it would "boil" the fuel in the tank. It was a real crotch cooker. Riding the Uly is like sitting on an ice cube compared to an older (pre-fix) FJR or Goldwing. I was sitting in rush hour traffic on a Goldwing once, and I was so hot I got light headed. That bike wins my award for beging hot. No airflow around the rider combined with 1800cc of engine is HOT! I'd have to say that other than my BMW RT...which had the best heat management of any bike I've ever owned, the Ulysses is not any worse that anything else. Well....my scooter is cool as a cucumber...the engine is well below you encased in plastic and is only 125cc....so you feel no heat on the scooter. A great commuter. | ||
| Red_chili |
Last night when looking at rerouting the air like above, I realized I could accomplish the same thing by removing the large blanket. No change in heat - of course it wasn't hot before. After riding back from dinner with my wife, she complained about the heat from her new-to-her XB9S, and her fan ran a looooong time. Mine did not. Tellin' ya, anyone with an '07 and prior Uly can have a decently cool running bike... | ||
| Miamiuly |
It would be nice (but expensive) if someone made the sub-frame rails out of carbon fiber. They wouldn't transfer the heat from the main frame or retain heat from the rear head. Alternatively, some covers over the same rail (where the uly badge is on side) could help. I know that is where I sometimes really feel the heat when I have my right leg down at a stop. | ||
| Iugradmark |
It is very disappointing that Buell hasn't added the frame protection at the factory. The heat issue has been pointed out in every review of the bike. Kudos for this thread as it has been an honest discussion of the problem. | ||
| Svh |
Just picked up an issue of Road Runner at the supermarket that has an XT on the cover. 2 negatives were the heat and stiff transmission. Fixes to both seem easy. Nice mag too first time I have looked at it. | ||
| Edgydrifter |
Road Runner is my personal fav. After their Publisher/Editor-in-Chief died in a riding accident in 2005, I wondered if the magazine would fold or continue. I'm pleased to say that under the direction of his wife it's doing just fine and is still as good as ever. | ||
| Choyashi |
My Valkyrie was a nut roaster in the city. Heat poured out from under the tank of my water cooled CB-1000. The heat from my Ulysses only bothers me when I stop moving. When I move, my right leg is cocked out, because I rode a Sportster so long..... thus no heat problem there! What I want is better gas mileage and a back brake that can lock that baby up!!! | ||
| Echo15 |
'06 Uly: I wrapped the pipes (solid improvement) and added underseat blankets. These two mods made it tolerable in Tampa heat. |
