| Author | Message | ||
     Leoallafila |
Didn't really find a presentation subforum so I guess I'll use this one to introduce myself as well. My name is Leo(nardo) I'm from northern Italy and I have relocated to the US because of a pretty girl! We lived in Alaska for 8 months (don't ask...) and about a year ago we drove all the way to Washington DC (visiting California in the process, a month long road-trip!) where we have finally settled. I got a project GSXR1100 that I brought back to life last winter (it had stinkbugs nesting on the inlet valves of cylinder number 2, true story...), finished about 2 weeks ago, took it for a 200 mile spin, hated it, sold it last night. Then I was "rich" for almost 10 hours because this morning I bought an almost brand new (1000 miles) 2006 Ulysses. Military guy bought it new, got deployed and never really got to use it. The bike sat in a heated storage unit for the last two years. It just got it's first service at a HD dealership (where they did 2 recall too I believe) a week ago. Went do test it today and LOVED it. I cannot wait to go pick it up in a couple of days. I have found so much great info on this forum, it's very well structured and it just looks like an awesome place to spend some time. I do have a couple of questions right away that I did not find an answer too lurking around here: 1) is it possible to modify the stock exhaust and "open" it and give it the "proper" sound? 2) my bike does not have the bags or frame for them, are the OEM ones still available for purchase somewhere or are there better/cheaper options? 3) The bike did get the 1000 miles proper service from a (ex) Buell dealer, so I know the fluids and stuff are good, but what would you suggest I check/do to the bike before starting to ride it to prevent that kind of problems that make you go: "oh I wish I knew about this when the bike was new, I could have done XXXXXXXX and it would have not happened.". That's all for now, sorry about the long rant!!! | ||
| Froggy |
Welcome and congrats! 1 - Yes, look at the standard Drummer exhaust and Special Ops exhaust, both of them are stock mufflers that have been reworked giving you what you desire. 2 - I've heard mixed things on if the OEM bags are still available or not, possibly just the entire package is discontinued but the individual pieces would be available. Personally, I would go with an aftermarket setup as the OEM bags have less than spectacular latches and like to leak. 3 - Change the fluids. That is my rule when picking up a new to me vehicle, I don't care if the guy said Elvis personally changed the oil last night. Take a glance over the new owner info link at the top of the BB&D, it has the most common things already listed, that way you can check out the bike for any minor things that need fixing, specifically the 77 connector | ||
| Hughlysses |
Hi Leo, congratulations on your "new" Ulysses. +1 to what Froggy said. Also check the "Beasts" forum at www.advrider.com. Several guys there have installed aftermarket luggage on their Ulys. Here's the link to the New Owners section Froggy mentioned: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142 838/442053.html?1238017122 About the most troublesome thing on the 2006/2007 Ulys has been the "77" connector; a connector from the voltage regulator to the battery that is located behind the transmission sprocket cover. Buell offers a better replacement or some people just cut out the connector and splice the wires. There's a thread about it in the New Owner's section. | ||
| Mnviking |
Leo, First congrats. Sounds like you were blessed with the new scoot. 2) I bought OEM bags/mounts from a dealer in Flint, MI about a month ago. Love them, but I really had to work to find them. If you contact your local Buell/HD dealer in DC they can bring up a list of the dealers around the country that still have the OEM bags in stock. The dealership in Redding, CA had them but wanted too much for them so I went with the ones from MI. The bags and mounting framework are sold as a set. So you can't just buy one or the other. Once you have the mounting framework, almost any Hepco-Becker bag will work on your bike. Congrats again, enjoy the factory installed perma-grin.  | ||
| Etennuly |
Congrats on obtaining a great bike. You can modify the original muffler to make it sound awesomely great. I had a Buell City X and put the Buell Race Pipe on it.....loved the sound. I was doing some other research on my Uly and installed a right side tail pipe by cutting a hole in the muffler and welding it on. IMHO it sounds as good as the race pipe did, and it is not too loud for long trips. | ||
| Argentcorvid |
if you really want the original bags and can't find any, these are the same side cases, and this is the top case. The only thing different is the logo. The more difficult part will be finding the brackets, though. | ||
| Reepicheep |
For what it's worth, I went to a louder pipe on my 9sx. It was fun for about a month... and then became as annoying to me as it no doubt was to everyone around me from the start. Went back to stock and never regretted it. If you are a big guy, 1" handle bar risers are nice. | ||
| Tankhead |
I drove across the country with a Drummer pipe on City-X. God I miss that bike. Now having the Uly and riding mostly 2up I probably will not be returning to the Drummer. However, the Race ecm from Erik and the elves along with the city-x primary switch will be the mods that I will mostly likely get to within the next couple of years. Congrats on the new bike. | ||
| Leoallafila |
thanks to everyone! I will go pick it up mid week, I can't wait! | ||
| Uly_man |
What the Guys have said Leo, the brake fluids as well, and even though someone has gone over the bike I would check yourself that all is ok. I am sure you know what can happen with bikes. The basic bike is sound enough but a few easy mods make it a great bike. As far as exhausts go you may want to think about a Remus. It is lighter, SS so it will not rust, fuels fine with a OEM ECU map and a used one is as good as a new one. It also has two sets of baffles which allow for three sound/fueling levels. The first is much like the normal sound, the second is a nice twin sound and the third is VERY, VERY loud. The thing is that you can choose which you like and change them at will in 2 mins. Something you can not do with most exhausts. The main thing to look after is the engine/gearbox because the cost of repair can write an XB bike off. A 1000 mile engine is not run in yet. It needs 4-6000 miles to bed in. It will run hot, it will use a little oil, it may idle a bit lumpy but it gains more power/less vibes/smoother running once it has. Keep the revs down to start with, change the oil/filter every 2.5k miles and check that the gearbox output shaft is oiling ok. Also be aware of the steering lock on a 06 bike as it can catch you out until your used to it. | ||
| Mnviking |
Also be aware of the steering lock on a 06 bike as it can catch you out until your used to it. First time I turned the bars all the way in a parking lot, just about dropped her. Good call UlyMAN. | ||
| Tootal |
If you want a little more sound for cheap you can remove the cable from the exhaust valve actuator, (under the air box cover), and then take an electrical eyelet for a 16-18 gauge wire and crimp it lightly around the cable with the eyelet past the knob. Pull your valve open and see which screw for your actuator lines up best and remove it and screw your eyelet there. You can use the fine adjuster to get more or less slack. You might lose a little low end but the sound is nice for the cost of an eyelet! | ||
| Leoallafila |
I rode the bike tonight for a 50 mile trip, not the warmest outside, but a new bike under your butt is the warmest feeling in the world. I love it so far, the mad bu(e)ll disease it has at low rpms doesn't bother me at all, it's the most wheelie and stoppie happy bike I've ever had, I love the handling and general "quick" feel. However I feel that the rear brake is really weak and hasn't got much feel to it, I thought it might be because it's only got 1000 miles on it and I believe the original owner might have not used it much... Think it will get better? Also at 2000 rpms my instrument cluster get the shakes and rattles very loudly, I've tried to hold it with my hand from different angles but could not find what exactly is making this sound. It feels like it's plastic against plastic... Wonder if someone has had this issue before? Saturday it's supposed to be •••••• weather so I'll spend the day taking care of the little upgrades the bike needs to be reliable and Sunday I'm going to put as many miles as I can in the Virginia back roads. Thank's everyone for the welcome and for the suggestions! | ||
| Froggy |
It needs to be broken in per directions in the owners manual. Basically, use it and it will eventually bed itself. | ||
| Catalan42 |
Hi and congrats! I bought a 4K miles Uly last year, also a 2006. Tires looked like new, but were very slippery! Even if the tread thickness is like new (should be at only 1000 miles on yours), the rubber hardens over time and loses over 1/2 of its ability to grip the pavement. Be careful until you replace the tires! You may even wish to put on some new rubber and not worry about the old, hard tires anymore. I have been using the Pirelli Scorpion Trail tires for 11K miles and really like them.  | ||
| Leoallafila |
actually tires have a silica component that will create a layer of crystal like substance that will cover the outer parts of the tyre (an oxidation basically, it can be seen sometimes in the form of a dark blue color) protecting the compound, once the tire reaches operating temperature again it goes back to "normal". What damages tires is not so much time but exposure to heat/cold/sunlight. | ||
| 7873jake |
Check under the fly screen for the rattling noise if you are having trouble isolating it in the instrument cluster. For one, the horn makes contact with the fly screen and causes noise. | ||
| Leoallafila |
Great tip! I'll do that. | ||
| Uly_man |
The 06 bike came with OEM Dunlops (not said to be good) or with Scorpions (as my bike had) as an up-grade and are quite a good all-round road tire. Corsa 3s do not suit the bike but PR2s are just great and even I can get 10k out of them. Luv them. At 2k miles my bike had no "feel" from the rear brakes until I changed them to SBS pads and now they are fine. In fact very good. Good feedback, power, control and I am still on them at 15k. You do not need to use them much but its nice if you do. As I said a few good mods help. For me they MUST be front and rear pads, rubber, fork oil (slightly heaver) and proper suspension set up. You will find the results to be outstanding. | ||
| Leoallafila |
It was the horn vibrating against the front fairing, bent the support slightly away from it and we're good! Took it to go have lunch with my wife in downtown DC... Sitting in traffic was painful, other than that I do not have any complaints about the tires and after adjusting the suspension settings for my weight as per the manual it absorbs every asperity of the asphalt just fine while retaining great feedback while cornering. I love this thing. | ||
| Dr_greg |
I'm a little late to this party, but congratulations on your new bike. My two '06s (#1 hit a deer at 55K miles) have given me almost 90K miles of very satisfying riding. With the exception of a few niggles, my '06s have been bulletproof Enjoy! --Doc |
