| Author | Message | ||
     Milar |
I kind of remember some owners who competed in Iron Butt events on their Ulysses. 1. How did the Uly work? 2. What mods did you do? Thanks! M  | ||
| Squidbuzz |
I have completed a Saddle Sore 1000. No mods, just straight up. | ||
| Flynuly |
I have done a couple but I'm no expert. Uly works fine for me. I've added a fuel cell (5gal), PIAA lights, large windshield, russell seat, Garmin 2610, Autocom, and some other farkles here and there. My best advise is to do a long day in the saddle and figure out what bugs you the most and fix it. Repeat as necessary. Sign up for a rally (when you think you are ready) but just ride for the miles of smiles and meet some great people who are as sick as you are.  | ||
| Hughlysses |
Check the Iron Butt Rally's site; somebody actually completed the last Iron Butt Rally on a Uly in 2007. You might get some ideas from his bike. I do recall reading that the Uly rider showed up for the rally with an aftermarket exhaust. He failed the maximum dB test by the largest margin ever recorded (!) and had to change back to a stock muffler to compete. | ||
| Bienhoabob |
I've completed multiple Iron Butt events on my '06. Modifications: Parabellum windshield w/ Palmer brackets Moto lights Tourtech hand guard extensions HVMP bar ends GPS/Radar detector ProPad installed in seat 5 Gal. Tour Tank Heated grips Fender extensions Memphis Shades lowers I think that's it. Longest timed event = ButtLite 4 ( 7 days, 7000 miles, similar to Main 11 day IBA rally) Longest straight mileage event = Sunrise to Sunset ride. ( Eastport, Maine to La Push, Washington St.) 3,460 miles in under 70 hrs Pros: Smooth, reliable (one exception, fuel pump wires broke on last Great Lakes Challenge ride after 1869 miles in 32 hrs.) Good mpg Fun to show up with only Buell, (now that Jeremey brought a Beemer) Cons: Wind/rain protection Kickstand to long. (I abandoned some bonus locations because couldn't get KS down for a photo shots. Very Frustrating.) Future mods = CB radio to talk with other bikers while riding. Overall summary: The Uly is a good choice, but be prepared to give up protection from the elements to the full fairing riders. | ||
| Bienhoabob |
 Here's a pic. of my LD Uly | ||
| Atoms |
"russell seat" eh? I generally don't have any issues on long rides, but after 4 or 500 miles my butt does get a bit sore. I'll have to look into that. Or some beads or something... I already do the bicycle shorts thing - which really does help a bit. | ||
| Milar |
Would I be wrong if I said: "unless you chose to go with a full fairing bike like a Gold Wing or BMW RT, the Uly is as good as it gets?" M | ||
| Davidxt |
Which tank is it you've got on your bike? looks like a nice fit. Had a look on the website but couldn't see a 5 gallon. is it not the 4 Gallon Deluxe Tour Tank? | ||
| Cpilot |
Just did a Saddle Sore 1000 this past June. The Uly worked excellent. My mods were: - California Scientific windshield - Rox Risers - HID aux lights - Vista throttle lock - GPS - Air Hawk seat cushion Since I have added the Palmer Cruiser Pegs which would have been great to have had on the ride. I am now ready for next year... Colorado Classic 1000. | ||
| Discochris |
Not yet, but since the majority of my riding over the last 6-7 years has been IBA rides/LD events (I also rode in the 2006 Butt Lite as Bob did), I bought my Uly XT with the intention of using it as such. I've added a new Garmin 478 with XM and touratech mount, my Gerbing heated jacket controller, and a J&M 2003 CB/Audio system on mine. I have the 3.5 gallon Tourtank cell from my old bike, but I haven't plumbed it yet. I may or may not run aux lighting - I'm actually pretty impressed with the dual highbeam modification, and I ride up to Northern Wisconsin in deer country a lot. I don't mind the small fairing, coming from a fully faired Concours. I don't really think I want to add another windshield at this point. Still undecided on the seat. The size and width is perfect for me, but it's a little sore on the tailbone. The only other for-sure addition will be a Kaoko throttle lock. | ||
| Rwven |
Two weeks ago today I rode my Uly 705 miles in 13 hours (woulda been 12 but a took a very leisurely breakfast stop) and arrived feeling pretty fresh, I think I could have gone another 6 hours with little difficulty. A friend and I are planning to do one this autumn. | ||
| Bienhoabob |
Davidxt, It's a 5 gal. Tourtank must have changed the selection over the years. Doesn't look like it's currently offered. 5 is a little on the overkill side. IBA rules state that you must stop for gas at a maximum of 350 miles. When I did the Sunrise to Sunset event. I was riding between 320-335 miles between fill ups. Usually I still had around 2 gal. left in the frame. Milar, lots of Wings, St1300/1100, Kaw Concours, Yamaha FJRs, Beemers, some Harleys. Lots of good bikes out there. The big 11 day rally starts this coming Monday,24th. Check out www.ironbuttrally.com. They usually post daily updates of the event plus riders names/bike. | ||
| Discochris |
You can probably find a 5 gal from a racing shop. That's actually where I bought my 3.5, and custom ordered it with a vent line at the top. I ordered the non-vented cap from Tourtank though, to comply with the rally rules for the BL. | ||
| Armymedic |
Just rode 850 miles from San Fran to SLC, UT in 12 hours flat. Comfy, fast ride my Uly. Could have easily gone much longer. | ||
| Flynuly |
 This was the set up I ran during the last rally. Tank hinges behind the seat to access the fuses etc. under it. As Bienhoabob said 5 gal is overkill but it is what I ran/had on the FLH so $0 for the swap. Discochris- How do you like the 478? My 2610 has been taking me out to sea (blue screen of death) more and more often lately so I'm looking for a replacement. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Flynuly, Tell us about that seat. Comfort, Cost, from where? Monkey butt is always the enjoyment limiting factor of any long trip. | ||
| Flynuly |
Seat is a Russell Day Long http://www.day-long.com/ . Picked it up used here on the badweb; seller was my height, weight and inseam so the seat is as if it was custom made for me. Leather center insert and vinyl sides. Some would call it ugly, butt when mine is on it I call it perfect. I would pay full price and wait in line for it.  Like windshields, oil, tires etc your opinion may very. | ||
| Edgydrifter |
A healthy dusting of baby powder in my "briefsters" (half-boxer, half-brief cycling-style underwear) and a shaggy sheepskin seat pad (originally bought for my cruiser but also fits the Uly perfectly) are my Anti Monkeybutt. | ||
| Discochris |
That's a nice looking setup. I had a Russell on my old bike and absolutely loved it. The 478 is great. I did a lot of research, and for the price and features, it was the clear choice. It's not dumbed down like the Zumo, it has XM capability which was a must-have, it has a voltmeter (didn't want to have to install a separate one) and the refresh rate is just amazing, especially coming off of a Quest. They're not cheap, but definitely worth it. | ||
| Dpb |
Beads from www.beadrider.com make a BIG difference. | ||
| Firstbatch |
+++++1 on the Garmin 478. Fantastic unit with lots of usable features and a screen that is a 10/10. Bought a factory re-furb from Getfeetwet.com for $455, added the XM antenna and the NEXRAD radar package from XM Wx and headed out west for a 6000 mile trip. The NEXRAD saved my butt numerous times on the trip out west and back from Virginia. Nice to be able to quickly re-route around a red/yellow cell that pops up in the summer. If you happen to have a boat it is an added bonus since it is really a marine chart plotter and comes withe G2 Blue Charts for all the coastal waterways as well as the the CityNav 2010 NT maps.  | ||
| Court |
Tim: That is a stunning set-up. More detailed photos please. Will the Zumo 550 do Nexrad? Court | ||
| Firstbatch |
I'm Kevin, at least last time I checked  The 480 is mounted on a short RAM mount using the left mirror post. Tried the Aprillia mirrors but just really like the visibility of the bar ends which as a bonus frees up the the mirror mounts for other goodies. Unfortunately Nexrad does not work with the Zumo.....why they left that functionality off the ZUMO I have no clue as it makes perfect sense to be able to survey the weather with radar when you are doing short or long distance riding. Some folks don't seem to mind riding in rain but I avoid it whenever it is possible and practical. Sometimes the wind before or after the red cells is very dangerous. GPSMAP 478 gives you wind data too When I was in the middle of Wyoming a storm came up and the the straight line wind that was quartering out of my right side was so fierce I had to ride on the shoulder for awhile to avoid being whipped into the oncoming lane. No one was one the road at the time mind you but it was still scary. Some pics        | ||
| Milar |
Firstbatch, what is that windshield? M | ||
| Firstbatch |
Mike, it is a ZG tinted screen with the Palmer/Strada brackets. Works well and low noise/turbulence. I might want to try one of the bigger "barn-doors" for cold weather riding but for 3 seasons the ZG works fine. Adding the Memphis Shades Lowers made a dramatic improvement in turbulence reduction in the cockpit for me. | ||
| Davidxt |
"I'm Kevin, at least last time I checked" Dont think he was talking to you, flynuly's name is Tim  | ||
| Firstbatch |
Doh..   | ||
| Pso |
I do not do Iron Butt rides but will ride cross country and also go for ten day rides w/ two friends every year, plus 4 or 5 day rides three times per year. I have the 376C Garmin w/XM and NEXTAD weather. On several occasions riding with friends able to skirt around storm cells that crop up. Also in WVa. Tn. mts, able to skirt around mt.'s to avoid weather. Great unit for trafic reports, weather, routing (GPS), volt meter, and locations of places. I also have a CB radio,and Escort radar detector(all sound equipment through Autocomm unit)and Eytomic (sp) ear buds (I have found that the ear buds are one of the items that have increased my ride time ability remarkably. Clear communication at low sound level and absolutly no fatique from wind sound). Hiway pegs from Strada (great design but not sure of engineering, weld on front cross bar broke, reweleded and also strenghened weld on other side)which helps on stretching out legs. Aircushion seatpad, covered w/sheepskin, tourtech hand protector extensions, strada w/shield brackets, PIAA driving lights, electric grip heaters (poyheaters), rapid connect aerostich electric vest, throttle rocker and BMW grips. Also mesh outer clothes for ability to transition weather well, and technical undergarments to wick away moisture and also for overnights able to wash and dry same night. A water jug to keep hydrated and protein bars for energy. | ||
| Hangetsu |
Hey Firstbatch, Are those the Madstad or Palmer brackets you have there? I also have the ZG tall windscreen, but a little adjustability would be nice. (Message edited by Hangetsu on August 24, 2009) | ||
| Firstbatch |
Palmer.....setting the angle at 45 deg seems the best for low noise for me and then you have 3 positions to choose from for height. Pretty effective. At 73" I like the low position. | ||
| Skinstains |
I don't know the milage but I have come from Elkhart Lake Wisconsin, through the Upper Peninsula into Michigan to Newark N.J. as well as from Limestone Maine to Newark N.J. in one sitting. I don't wear filters wich may be why I have no problem with the hind quarters. Those highway pegs would be nice. I think. The only mods I have are a race can, Baja-Designes Hid's, and a ZG tall screen on Palmer brackets. Uly's rule ! (Message edited by skinstains on August 25, 2009) |
