| Author | Message | ||
     99savage |
Have not ridden for 20 years & never rode anything bigger than 500cc. (Recently took/passed basic riders course) For the kind of riding I liked to do - long trips down - county roads - seasonal roads - fire breaks - the Ulysses seems ideal. Anybody have an opinion on relearning to ride on a Ulysses? Would it be best to start w/ a Blast? p.s.: Thanks for the opinions received to date - you are the best. Now a silly question, since sissy bars are no longer fashionable, what do you lash your hunting & fishing gear to? (Message edited by 99savage on November 10, 2008) | ||
| Thunderbox |
You will be fine with a Uly. As long as you are not too short in the leg. It will not get you into trouble like some bikes will. Just use your common sense take it easy and enjoy the living hell out of it. I bet it will be the best bike you ever owned or ever will. | ||
| Wbrisett |
The question is, did you feel comfortable on the MSF course? If you did, you should be fine. I took nearly 17 years off riding, then hopped right on a BMW RT and rode it 700 miles back home. But before taking a break from riding, I had nearly 10 years under my belt. The Ulysses isn't the most ideal bike for a beginner mostly due to the seat height/width. While the bike is a bit on the heavy side, I don't feel that factors into things as much as your inseam on this bike. The bike has a ton of torque, so just make sure you understand that and don't gun the accelerator or you'll find yourself up on one wheel faster than you ever thought you could. Those things said, I don't think it's a bad bike to get back into things with. But you do have to feel comfortable riding. That's true with any bike though. Wayne | ||
| Svh |
I went straight from the MSF/Riders Edge course to a Uly XT. First real streetbike and I have had no problems with it. Mine takes a bit of coaxing to get up on one wheel so don't let that scare you off. I have ridden for the last 15yrs offroad though it is mostly different. The weight of the beast is the hardest thing to get used to and the obnoxious steering lock on my XT which if you get an 08 or newer X you won't have to worry about. Get it and have fun. We all know you will | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
My first street bike is the Uly. I rode dirt bikes when I was younger, but never street. I took a 16 year break from riding, took the MSF course, and got the Uly. Respect the bike and ease into it, and it will be fine. The Uly is one of the most forgiving motorcycles around. I've been riding for 2.5 years with the Uly. | ||
| Wesman |
The Uly comes with a built in sissy bar / back rest .... but you knew that ....right? | ||
| Ejc |
The Uly is my first true street bike as well,(DR350 prior). I only road dirt bikes in my youth. You'll be fine. The more you learn to lean the bike, the less the steering lock will be an issue. | ||
| Ejc |
I forgot to mention, I do an annual fishing trip to Canada each year. The last two years I rode the Uly. collapsing a/o multipiece rods make it happen. Although, I must confess, the one piece musky rod and mothership tackle box go up in my buddy's SUV. | ||
| Hooper |
How did the MSF instructors and students hear each other over the fan?  I'll be taking the Experienced Rider course one of these days, probably on the Uly, and am girding myself for the inevitable hazing about the fan I'll take. But what else is new? It's a better bike than theirs! | ||
| Scooter808484 |
I was in your position and I relearned on a Road King. Uly would be much better than that.... IF your legs are long enough to touch. | ||
| Svh |
Hooper a lot of people ask if my bike is still on, as I am sure we all get. 100% so far when I explain why it does that they say "what a great idea". Slightly annoying yes but I am used to it and most of the time I am walking away from it when it comes on anyway. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
"What's that noise?" "It's the cooling fan. It's circulating coolant." "Oh." End of discussion. It's a fan folks. It ain't like it's a birth mark or anything. If that's the worst ridicule you have to contend with, you've got a pretty sweet life. | ||
| Midnightrider |
Get a Drummer. It'll drown out the fan. I took the Beginners and the Experienced MSF courses and the Total Control course on the Uly and there were a couple questions about it but no hazing. | ||
| Reepicheep |
My favorite answer for the "whats that noise" question is: "That is the sound of the oil in my head *not* turning into sludge... why is your bike so quiet?" | ||
| Johnboy777 |
Fatty: ""It's a fan folks. It ain't like it's a birth mark or anything. If that's the worst ridicule you have to contend with, you've got a pretty sweet life."" Oh yeah, sure, that's easy for you to say ... everyone knows you're a Hard A$$ But what about us sensitive types? Hmmm? Okay, I'm a sensitive guy, in touch with my feelings, I admit it. And being ridiculed about my fan hurts my feelings too - and truth be told, sure, I watch Oprah, and damn proud I do (I really do love her book club too ... boy, she's so insightful). But look, that's just me - that's how I roll! . | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I do all the laundry in our house. I consider the washer and dryer power tools. I'm a hard ass.  | ||
| Bertotti |
The Uly was my first big street bike and the first bike after about 11 years off. Just remember, don't grab a handful of brake like you used to on some of the rice burners. Damn scary when I did that. | ||
| Florida_lime |
What do you think is the number 1 point made during Buell demos at places like Daytona ? "These are not like the brakes on your Harley" !  | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
How would they know? They never use the front brakes.   | ||
| Froggy |
They mentioned the front brakes last time I demoed a Buell, but it must of been because there was a Road Glide rider taking an 1125CR out on demo. | ||
| Caddypat |
i have a 30 inch inseam,had a 15 yr break,bought a uly after a 5min demo and have had nothing but fun since. i did finally lower it 2inches this past june and i like it better except when i drag my right toe. wakes you right up.have fun pat. | ||
| Danger_dave |
It's impossible for me to say without watching you ride something. I personally believe the Uly is a much better expert's bike. | ||
| Sekalilgai |
tough decision there! A demo should help but unlike spouses, bikes are not necessarily a get one-for-life proposition...at least that's how I rationalize my bike-aholism (my Uly is never leaving tho!). And so if the Uly demo doesn't sit well with you, or if you come away a little intimidated ... go craigslist yourself a a Blast or GS500 or something similar. Once you get your sealegs back, this wild bunch will still be here. 'Intro bikes' are reasonably priced, readily available and will tolerate the odd overconfidence-fueled exuberance stunt (never happens to me)while the Uly might show you what the sky looks like. FWIW my re-entrant bike was a 700+ lb sport tourer (ST1100) that I had to tippy toe on. A wonderful ride for sure but the first few rides had a touch more 'pucker factor'. Just a thought... | ||
| Tginnh |
If you really will be doing most of your riding on gravel, maybe a KLR 650 or something similar would be more appropriate? A friend recently purchased one and likes it a lot. Comfortable enough for him to take to Canada for 2000+ mile trips and great for trail riding. I believe I read somewhere that the Uly is 90% street and 10% off road. Sounds about right to me. | ||
| 99savage |
Thanks guys (assume you are all guys)! You convinced me and "Seklilgali" nailed it, ain't married to it if it don't work out trade down. Have skeeter long legs. That is one reason considering Ulysses in preference to say Triumph scrambler. (Comfort ain't hi on my priorities) Next step find/demo one in the winter and be ready for spring. If it does work out & get to make the trips I want will have to get a multi jointed fly rod & break top rifle. w/o sissy bar can't figure out where to lash double jointed rod & the 99. Thanks again. | ||
| Ourdee |
I got back on in March of this year. I came from 750 or smaller bikes and had rode year round for 11 years. ( Water belt, dessert, snow belt, England, Nev., In. ) I was off the bikes since 87 when I got too deep into abusing substances. After being clean for 14 years I decided to get back on 2 wheels. I bought a 28 year old Honda XL500S with 6000 on the clock and proceeded to put another 6000 on it. A couple of months back I got the 08 XT and have put 2000 on it already. Best bike I've ever had. If you go for a demo ride and it feels funny, get back on it for 10 miles and it will feel like home. Yep it will stand up if you twist it, and the rear comes up if you ham fist it. But you can overcome that. | ||
| 99savage |
Thanks for the help guys (assume you are all guys - would like to meet the woman leggy enough to ride a Ulysses - HooHa!) Went & did it - Got a 06 @ Schaeffer's, Orwigsburg, PA The learning curve a bit steep Low gear not very low - Seems strange 103HP & have to feather clutch Too much road salt to do much riding right now. Thanks again. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Just take it slow and easy. You'll get used to the first gear. If you want to lower it, eventually you can get the 9 primary gear swap which will lower all the gears about 11%. I think you'll enjoy it! |
