| Author | Message | ||
     Pinball |
I have an XB12 and love it! I have a full on dirt KTM XC300 ,and love it! But I`ve just been bitten by the Dual sport bug , and need some serious answers from those who know! I will be riding dirt highways, fire roads and fairly rough deactivated roads ( Trails??) and need to know how capable the Uly is off road. I`ve test ridden them on the street and they are great, but they won`t let ya take in the dirt. Yesterday I rode both the BMW GS 1200 and 650Dakar and thought they were great. If I were to chose one of those it would be the GS 1200. It was stable and fast and felt good on the dirt. It also hauls ass on the road and rails corners. How does the Uly compare to those and any others you might be riding. Any input would be greatly appreciated!! | ||
| Itileman |
Rider skills being equal and above average, a stock Uly won't keep up with a GS off road. You can gear the Uly down, but wheels & tires are the major difference. I wouldn't put a Dakar into this comparison as it's a much different bike and I don't think you'd be real comfortable at ten hours down the road. As far as the GS goes, it's priced accordingly. You could bring the Uly up a few notches with a chain conversion and by squeezing a TKC80 on the rear. There are some options for the front, but you still will have a 17" wheel. | ||
| Panhead_dan |
Mine does not like deep sand or mud but takes me through anyway. I have rode it up and down stairs too (whatever thats worth). Never rode a GS or KTM so I can't say how they compare first hand. From what I hear, the KTM would be the most dirt oriented of your 3 choices, followed by the GS with the Buell being the most street oriented and therefore the most fun.  | ||
| Growl |
I think the Uly is well suited for very rough dirt roads but not much beyond that... I do it all the time... yesterday however, the belt broke while riding 2 up on very rough terrain... my wife and I had to hike 7 or so miles out... | ||
| Chopped_burban |
Just my $0.02 but the comment about the 17" front wheel I think is the key. I love my Uly, but I'm also hoping that with some of the other 17" front wheel dual sports that are out there will be more rubber choices coming. Also with the 17" wheel, mathematics dictate and face plants confirm, it's easier to get over obstacles with a bigger wheel. Since you already mentioned the BMWs, have you considered the F800GS? They're nice too, capable, and cheaper than the 1200. Although, you'd have to sit on one and see if you like the seat. It's a little firm for some peoples taste. | ||
| Od_cleaver |
The dual sport bug bit me as well. Tops in my decision was weight. I wanted a bike that I could easily pick up on dry ground and one that I had a chance at picking up in the mud. I bought a Suzuki DRZ400S. It weighs in at ~325# wet. I still own the Uly. | ||
| Rsh |
The Uly is a dog in the dirt. In a dirt environment anything other than a groomed dirt road the Uly struggles. It is also way to fragile. A mild dump can leave you with a dented frame, snapped off foot pegs and levers, and handle bars that bend like butter. | ||
| Strokizator |
Keep the XB12 and get a KTM 990 Adv or even a Superenduro. They'll spank the GS off road and stack up pretty well to the Uly on road (Uly has the edge there IMO). If were 10 years younger a 300 two stroke with electric start would be awesome. | ||
| Datsaxman |
Jokes: Jumbo shrimp Military intelligence 500 pound dirtbike Love the Uly, but it's not a good dirtbike. At all. Unless you have never ridden in the dirt before. Then it might be pretty good. $0.02. | ||
| Andrejs2112 |
Not a dirt bike. I tried. It will handle dirt/gravel roads just fine. I bought a KTM 250 XC W to take care of the off-roading. | ||
| Catalan42 |
I love the Uly for sport touring with some dirt roads/trails (90%/10% type of usage). I have a KLR 650 for the other side, 10/90% side of things (basically a dirt bike you don't have to trailer!). Alan | ||
| Eulysses |
One of our Badwebbers took that BMW riding class and they did some off road manuevers and the Uly shined over the GS in all situations. Granted you gotta watch that 17" front wheel if you are used to a 21" in the dirt. Euly | ||
| Redbuell_really_gives_you_wings |
I find it hard to reach any level of confidence while riding on dirt roads. The smallish front wheel and the rake seem to be at odds with practical dirt riding comfort imo. | ||
| Bosh |
I actually think the Uly will stack up fine against the R1200GS. The main difference is tire selection and head tube angle, not so much wheel size IMO. The Uly is lighter and more nimble than the 1200GS so I think it would be better in some situations (smooth single track or narrow stuff) The BMW would have the edge if things get slippery. Uly is much less expensive to crash as well. That said, neither one of those bikes is a "dirt bike" (by my standards anyway). I'd be looking at the BMW F800GS if I were you. | ||
| Chopped_burban |
I probably should have mentioned the same thing Od_cleaver did, I too have a DRZ400S for when I really want to play off road. But, it sucks for trips of any length. As I read it described once, the seat is about as wide as dental floss. DRZ400S was my first bike and I still have it. Sturdy little bike, takes being dropped well, cheap to fix due to the large aftermarket support. Dirt cheap to by a used one anymore. Definitely not for long trips. Love my Uly. | ||
| Reepicheep |
A side note, but how is the maintenance on those KTM 300 two strokes? They look pretty cool. I have a KDX-200 (bored to 225 now) and love it, but they don't make 'em anymore, so the KTM's are the nicest closest fit. I just wonder if they are tuned to the degree where I am replacing pistons every 10 hours or so. I'd rather a 50 or even 100 hour bike before tearing into it (recreational riding). The KDX with a nicisil replate and a weisco forged piston gives me that... | ||
| Pinball |
Thanks for the replies. I really appreciate the input!! I have an `o4 XB9 that blew apart, so I put an `06 12 engine in it ,and my wife also rides a Blast so I know all about the parts availability issue. My bike fell over idling and broke a lever, footpeg,mirror and scratched almost everything on that side, so I am concerned about tip overs. I`m sure that with the places I ride that it`s bound to happen so I am keeping that in mind.Also the frame is a weak point as well. I am going to keep my bike XB so I`ll still be able to "act up" on it and with my KTM I can still vent (therapeutic) out in the bush. So I need something that is fast and stable and durable on and off the road so I`m leaning towards the BMW. I like the power of the gs1200 but I think I`ll try the 800 before I purchase anything. Reepicheep, My `08 KTM has seen mostly hardcore technical,single track and 5 wicked awesome days in Moab and I havn`t done a thing except routine maintenance ! | ||
| Bzrider |
i tried the 800 but even though on a scale i is lighter it seamed more top heavy with the engine being mounted higher i think but i just might be me .the good thing is bmw lets u ride with no hassles | ||
| Timmyo |
What about the Moto Guzzi Stelvio 1200? V twin with similar horsepower and torque to the Buell. If I was in the market, it might be one to consider. I saw one in person a couple of weeks ago and it looked pretty smokin! | ||
| Andrejs2112 |
A side note, but how is the maintenance on those KTM 300 two strokes? They look pretty cool. I have a KDX-200 (bored to 225 now) and love it, but they don't make 'em anymore, so the KTM's are the nicest closest fit. Easy to maintain, Gas and oil and go! Rebuilds are a piston and rings. $150. Four strokes? Not so cheap. If you want the best woods bike the 300 KTM is hard to beat. | ||
| Towpro |
On stone roads the Uly does real well. Even when we hit a road where the top 1/4" was slime mud I still felt secure. We went down one road that was really was a dirt road that went down over layers or rock. I was running brand new Dunlops and had no problem. But I have a lot of dirt experience. If you do test ride an F800GS, see if the parts guy has a BMW comfort seat he will let you try. It is kind of like the Uly seat where the passenger sits a little higher. I bought the comfort seat with mine. I have never even sat on the stock seat that came with my bike. But even my new bike will be limited to stone/fire roads. These bikes cost way too much to take down single track. I have dirt bike for that. | ||
| Catalan42 |
I rented a BMW F650 (800 cc...go figure) on vacation for a week last year (road version). Engine was OK, handling fine, but the long, square-sided, rectangular seat was killing my backside after just 30 minutes. Worst seat I've ever sat on...! I would not recommend one for long distance riding.  Never ridden the other beemers. | ||
| Tootal |
The secret to off roading (jeep trails) is to get your speed up. The Uly will float over rough terrain at speed but going slow sucks big time, like when your stuck behind jeeps!! The XB9 gearing is a big help when it gets steep or in higher elevation. (10,000+) I had an absolute ball riding Colorado, both on and off the road. I do have dirt experience so I'm sure that makes a difference. I always tell new riders to get a dirt bike and learn how to fall down! | ||
| Captain_lou |
A little info from an XT lover. Myself and three other bikers 2 on KTM's and one on DR decided to do the TAT (trans america trail). As a pre-trip break in we decided to do the TWAT (trans wisconsin adventure trail). Keep in mind the idea was to use bikes we rode to the trails, no trailering. At the end of the TWAT the Buell and it's rider were still in great shape. The other three guys were exhausted and would probably have purchased a trailer for the trip back from Lake Superior had the opportunity presented it's self. As for the TAT, the Buell and myself were the only participants. I did 1000 mi. of the TAT this year and planning on continuing next year. I was also the oldest guy on the trip at 63. Buell is a great dual sport. | ||
| Panhead_dan |
YES!!!!! | ||
| 05mxdiesel |
The wheels tend to bend pretty easily, so what for rocks and potholes. I am on my second bent wheel. I would love a spoke conversion. | ||
| Mattmcc00 |
I took the BMW off-road class. Here is the link to that write-up: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142 838/563616.html You will notice that the ULY was a real performer at less than 1/2 the cost! I can also follow that up by saying that i drive across the Trans-Labrador highway (over 1 week of gravel), and I whizzed by several GS riders throughout my trip. Granted that doesn't mean much, but still that's what happened. Some parts I drove 140km/h some parts 80km/h, depends on the gravel conditions. I had a TKC80 on as a rear, and a MT-60r pirelli as a front. I still run the pirelli to this day in the front. | ||
| Mattmcc00 |
the stelvio is for shorter riders. I didn't find it comfortable on my 6'3" frame. | ||
| Sprintex |
Well it's no KLR! | ||
| Tootal |
What the Uly excels in is it's ability to do many things well. If your going dirt riding by all means go buy a dirt bike. If your just going to ride the twisties then get a different buell or any crotch rocket. The Uly will allow you to ride long distances, hit the twisties and take on a road to nowhere while never leaving one saddle. Off road is not it's forte but it does a damn good job of it considering how well it does everything else. I have a dirt bike and a trials bike and they will go places the Uly could only dream of but I wouldn't want to ride either of them on a long trip. Variety is the spice of life and the Uly can make that happen. Put it this way, you can skin a deer with a swiss army knife. It might not be the best knife for the job but it will do it. A skinning knife would be better but you're not going to open that bottle of wine or loosen a phillips head screw very easily with it. |
