| Author | Message | ||
     Volume_eight |
So i just put a deposit on an 06' XB12X with 3k miles on it. Im going to fly to KY next week to pick it up then ride it back to NY. Im excited! Ive been looking for months at dual sport bikes and finally decided to go for this one. Im planning to take it cross continent and through every country in the Americas within the next couple years to put together a documentary... So you'll be seeing alot of me on here i would imagine as ill have plenty of questions throughout the planning period. More importantly, im happy to be a part of the badweb forums! If you have any tips or advice as far as what to check for when i pick the bike up i would appreciate it. Also, the bike is basically bone stock so ill be needing bags, pegs, windscreen etc so would love to get some feedback from people who have taken this bike to Alaska, Argentina or even their backyard. Thanks! Charlie | ||
| Ratbuell |
Awesome, congrats! If you need a waypoint on the way to NY, we're about 40 minutes off I-95, west of Baltimore. www.buelloffrederick.com. Stop in and say 'hi'  Oh...and ENJOY THAT ULY!! | ||
| Volume_eight |
Thats funny, i was just looking at your website before posting this and i will DEFINATELY be stopping by as im planning to visit some friends in Fred MD. Can anyone give their real world opinion as to whether the 06 is a problematic year for the Uly and if so, just how bad is it? | ||
| Ratbuell |
Mine's an '06. Definitely...um...not pampered, shall we say? Hell, I don't even *wash* it. Haven't had an issue yet. I replaced the rear wheelbearings at 5k (tire time) because for $24 or whatever it was, it was worth it to me as preventative maintenance. Other than that, all I've done is ride, change oil, ride, wear out / replace tires, ride some more, and add farkles. Getting ready to ride it to Buelltoberfest III on Thursday, actually, for a weekend of abus...er, "riding fun". LOL. | ||
| Pontlee77 |
I've had mine with out any major problem just had the BAS repositioned, the upgraded pin of the side stand and had to sort out the common failure of the ground cables, either than that the bike rides like a champ (with it's mods even better) | ||
| Cyclonedon |
Volume eight, you may end up with the same problem I've had with my 2006 XB12x, about this time of the year the weather starts turning cold and the riding time diminishes! but other than that, no problems what so-ever! Congrats on the new bike! btw, today is the 29th of October and I haven't drove my car once this month. I did go out and start it last weekend to make sure the battery was charged and it would still start. | ||
| Ourdee |
Uh, I hope my jeep still starts. I need to start putting stabil in it at fill ups. | ||
| Volume_eight |
You can call me Charlie Im actually looking forward to getting some studs and/or knobbies and using the bike in the winter. I was going to ask for recommendations in this regard but after i search it thoroughly here first. I want to get used to riding in inclement weather since ill be taking the bike through Alaska, the Rockies and the Andes etc. Everything i am doing now is to save up for this trip, it means everything to me and i am willing (and excited) to ride through whatever nature throws at me. Im fairly certain that most of us here on this forum enjoy testing the limits, no? Again, any recommendations about equipment that may help me acclimate to winter riding would be extremely useful! Charlie | ||
| Jphish |
Are the states east of the Rockies a month ahead of the rest of us ?? You get to spring earlier. I'm moovin. | ||
| Paralegalpete |
I purchased the Tourmaster Heated Vest. It may be the best bike purchase yet. I road for a few hours today in the cold windy drizzel and I was toasty warm. The nice thing about the tourmaster is that the controller is included. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Heated clothes ROCK. I have a HD / Gerbings dual thermostat, running a heated jacket liner and heated gloves. Cool weather (above freezing), I'm good with the heated grips. Cold weather (freezing to zero) gets the heated gloves. Jacket liner is on just about any time under 50ish. Best money I've EVER spent on motorcycling. | ||
| Itileman |
Congrats and I'm envious. Make a copy of the BRAN link on the menu page for your trip. It's a list of Badwebbers who will help you out on the road if you ever need assistance. | ||
| Volume_eight |
Nice, this is all really good to hear. Last time i rode in snow was last fall and it was about 20 degrees when i got caught in a freak whiteout/blizzard riding up I-81 through the Appals in TN/VA. The best part was that I was on an ill-equipped cruiser where the fairing didnt completely cover the handlebars, so i would have to use the engine to keep my hands warm. I would have warmed them both at the same time but i was caught between tractor trailers almost the entire time with a 30mph headwind and even on an 850lb bike, i was geting tossed around like a ragdoll. I will definately look into some heated clothes! BTW- Joe, will you be around on thursday next week? I think ill be in town then. Let me know and ill come say hi! | ||
| Stevem123 |
Hey Volume_eight, The only major problem to look for in that 06 is the "77" connector. It is a two pin connector with large wires that connect the voltage regulator to the battery. The connector was revised in later years. I just removed the connector and hard-wired using some good electrical wire clamps and heavy insulating tape. This can leave you stranded with low battery and it can take out the regulator as well. My 06 has been fairly trouble free since I did that. BC Steve | ||
| Volume_eight |
right, ill definately take care of that then... no recall on it at all? Thanks Steve! BTW - are the touratech guards (Oil Filter/Exhaust etc) worth the money? Anyone have experience with them? | ||
| Armymedic |
Congrats on the bike. Last Oct. I flew 800 miles and rode new 06 back. I had the rear spark plug start going in and out on the way home and since replacing it, I've been trouble free. A great bike. | ||
| Tginnh |
V8 - what a find! An 06 with 3k on it. Congrats. I didn't notice anywhere in this thread a pointer to the Uly new owner info. You'll find the most common issues and remedies there that owners have encountered. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142 838/442053.html?1238017122 | ||
| Jlnance |
Can anyone give their real world opinion as to whether the 06 is a problematic year for the Uly and if so, just how bad is it? Welcome and congrats on the Uly. There are no issues with the 06 that do not have solutions. And even w/o the solutions, it's a good bike. Visit the link above and it will give you the scoop. But to give you a rundown: - Get an 2010 wheel/axle, this will fix the bearing failures. ($400) - Get the kit for removing the 77 connector ($20) - Pull the fuel pump and reinforce the wiring. | ||
| Hooper |
You mentioned Touratech parts...I will vouch for the handguard extensions - the stockers just don't cover enough in rain and cold. Palmer Products (an advertiser and participant on this site) also sells extensions. I'm sure you'll be adding heated handgrips too...the Buell grips I added work GREAT. Grab some sort of tall windshield - the Buell tall works fine for me, but you may need something more serious for what you're planning. Lots of advice on BadWeb for that. My '06 has 13,500 miles over the last 3+ years (it shares my time with a bobber) with no problems. Still the coolest bike on the road and the only one that really turns heads when you ride into a dealer lot or rider event (i.e., they're rare). Every time you ride it will feel like the first time (without the surprise at how tall it is). | ||
| Ratbuell |
Charlie - I don't work Weds/Thurs, but I should be back by then from BT3. I hit the road tomorrow - still mapping out my route, got three going right now, and even though it's the longest (by nearly 3 hours) I'm leaning towards riding Skyline Drive / BRP instead of just surface 2-lanes But yeah, I should be around on Thurs. Drop me a PM, we can hook up for a ride or 2 | ||
| Sayitaintso |
Ratbuell.... you may wanna rethink the BRP part. I was up there last month and there were sections closed for repairs and they sent you on fairly sizable detours (20-30 miles) to only move you 5 miles further down the BRP. or you can just plan on some extra time Also when you get down toward Ashville (mostly between little switzerland and Ashville) the road gets to be in bad shape with crater sized potholes right in the middle of the turns. Good part though is that most holes were marked with day-glo orange paint so you could see them early enough to adjust your line and miss them. That said..... its a beautiful ride and will be going back next year. | ||
| Babired |
Charlie, buy small replacable parts that you need for travel or regular riding. Most of the times you have to order Buell parts and wait for them to come in. I bought some TourAtech stuff and the Oil cooler guard is nice and I have used it once during instructor training for Lee Parks All I can say is if you lay the bike down for some reason the oil cooler guard WORKS! I had the side stand plate but in extreme leans it can screw you up. I rode to Georgia and Colorado this year on the Uly and I love to travel with this bike. K 2007 Uly XB12X | ||
| Dr_greg |
The '06 is the BEST!! Have put 70,000 miles on two of 'em (first one totaled on a deer at 55K miles) and couldn't be happier. --Doc | ||
| Volume_eight |
Ok, alot to go over here. First off, thanks for all the feedback, its really comforting to hear what you guys have to say. Jim im gonna have to save up for that 2010 wheel but the kit for the 77 is spot on. Is it worth getting the "comfort kit" for the heat on the right leg? Hooper - Im thinking of getting the moose racing handguards, any experience with these in the snow/rain? Are they adequate and if not will any others cover up enough in bad weather? Joe- Ill PM you... too bad i wasnt picking up the bike this week  Bab- Ive heard of people replacing the pin in the stand in conjunction with the TT plate. Im most interested in the exhaust guard but for $250 im looking for some positive words before investing in that. Nuff said, i wont start talking about the anxiety selecting a set of bags is giving me! (ahem... Gobi?.. cough.. cough) Thanks again guys and only six days left till i meet my new solemate. | ||
| Volume_eight |
oh and Greg, thats alot of miles! I hope to catch up to you one day... | ||
| Ulynut |
Come on out on the Headless Horseman run. It's right in your neighborhood, and a great way to make friends with your new bike.  | ||
| Ulynut |
Sorry, here's a link... http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/406 2/498308.html?1253714530 | ||
| Volume_eight |
The run looks cool Uly, i should be able to make it, thanks! So im looking into hitting the Dragon's Tail Wednesday after i pick up the bike but there predicting t-storms in that area the day i would head through... Im about to search for it on here, but what kind of raingear do you guys recommend? I always ended up melting mine. | ||
| Sayitaintso |
V-8 I've always had good luck with FroggToggs (Road Toggs). Its gonna be real hard to melt them on your new uly.... at least it has been for me. | ||
| Dcc46 |
charlie congrats on finding one, i hope you got the faster black color or you may be in for a small let down after riding mine. =) drop me an email when you get back and we can go for a ride. dave |
