| Author | Message | ||
     Leoallafila |
I'll give my personal opinion on the bike, based on quite a few miles put under my belt on other motorcycles. Looks: I really like the way it's different, it's not entirely pretty, but it's definitely special and eye catching Chassis: I enjoy the original suspension a lot, it responds to tweaks very well and in general it has a really good handling. If anything I noticed a tendency of the bike to get "airborne" on the crest of hills, I have found myself with both wheels slightly off the ground in fast "up and down" sweeps in the Virginia backroads. The bike is not very stable at highway speeds, there is a little bit of "nervousness" but that is compensated with a "I'm ready for a corner now" attitude that makes the bike really fun. Engine: its definitely different than the rest, I think it has some pros and some big cons... The pros start with the look and sound, continue with the smooth delivery and on-off transitions. The cons are vibrations, limited (very limited...) power-band and rider perceived heat. Call me heretic but I've wondered what this bike would be like with a japanese engine in it... It would probably loose a lot of charisma, but it would also ride better IMHO. All and all I really enjoy it. I have not experienced any problems with stalling and sputtering that I have read a lot about, but I am also a little worried about all the glitches this bike seems to be prone to. For now I have only filled the 77 connector with dielectric grease and secured some wires around the bike that I felt could be moving too much rubbing against the engine or the fairings. I am also very torn between keeping the original (too quiet IMHO) exhaust or install something that will give it the right voice: it seems that the torque down low that I really appreciate on this unit will be lost with an open pipe... Are there any pipes with a nice sound that will not make me loose torque down low? Happy to hear anyone's thoughts about my first impressions  | ||
| Froggy |
Are you still running the stock Dunlop D616 tires? They have a tendancy to do whatever the hell they want at highway speed, especially if they are worn.
Read the American Sport Bike exhaust shootout. Pretty much everything except the Jardine and D&D have good low ends. The Race pipe has a bit of a dip in the middle, and the Micron has the best power band of all the tested pipes. The Drummer is the best bet for good low end power without any other sacrifices. | ||
| Court |
>>>The bike is not very stable at highway speeds, there is a little bit of "nervousness Try relaxing your grip a bit. These, largely, unfaired bikes with fairly aggressive geometry, tend to transmit a good deal of wind from the rider to the bars through a tight grip. Be mindful ( in the interest of protecting myself from a lawsuit - ) that I'm not saying "let go" (trust me, it's happened) but to, if you need to, make certain you don't have a death grip on the bars. S1 Lightnings were a good example of this. | ||
| Leoallafila |
@ Froggy: yes I still have the Dunlops that might explain it, but I also believe it has a lot to do with the short wheelbase. GREAT info on the exhaust shootout. I know I want a special ops now since it retains the exhaust valve and saves my precious bottom end torque. @ Court: could very well be, but it's hard to relax the grip when I'm holding on like a human parachute: I am 6,4 and I NEED to do something about the wind protection, any speed above 50 is just a struggle on my chest and shoulders... | ||
| Froggy |
Not really. My 1125R and CR have the same 54" wheelbase, and is rock solid even at speeds the Uly could never achieve. | ||
| Carbonfibrebob |
Another choice for retaining bottom end. I've had this on for a couple of weeks and am very happy.   | ||
| Whisperstealth |
6'4"? Hows the weather up there Do some research on windscreens. Lot of different options on screens and brackets. Or sit on passenger seat and get low! lol | ||
| Mnviking |
I'm surprised that you're having a hard time at high speeds. Being 6'6" myself this is by far the best handing bike I've ridden at high speeds. Although with the OEM hardbags attached crosswinds seem to push her around a bit. (FYI I have the stock windscreen/fairing) Maybe you're bike is the wrong color. I know the black ones like to go faster than the other colors  | ||
| Leoallafila |
Mine is black! :P What about the Hawk modified exhaust? | ||
| Royintulsa |
If you have to hold on to the grips to keep from getting blown off the bike you might want to think about leaning into the wind more. Do to an arthritic neck I experimented with windshields and helmets and came to the conclusion stock wind screen and Arai helmet. The same amount of wind is going to hit you and the Buell extra tall windshield just made more wind hit just below the chin and up and made my problem worse. I also used the Cee Bailey's extra tall and it hit my face mask with too much force. I found helmet choice was the biggest factor, and the right lean angle made the ride very comfortable. The only motorcycle I have that provides full wind protection, waist up helmet and shoulder to shoulder is my BMW with a Cee Bailey screen. For me, it was no air blast at all, or spread it out over my upper body, I never could see a solution on the Buell for no blast at all. | ||
| Blake |
>>> any speed above 50 is just a struggle on my chest and shoulders... I'm 6'-3" and don't notice the wind until over 70 mph; not a bother long term until over 80 mph. Get yourself a nice snug fitting leather jacket. | ||
| Mnviking |
found helmet choice was the biggest factor, and the right lean angle made the ride very comfortable. Agreed completely. I ride with a SHOEI, makes all the difference for my big skull. | ||
| Pontlee77 |
bard end weight and that nervous front end will disappear | ||
| Ratbuell |
Handling can be greatly affected by suspension adjustment. Set yours for your weight. Twitchy tells me you're too nose-down, reduce rear preload and lert the rear sag some and you'll lose the nervous turn-in feel. Despite what Froggy says, the 616 is not a bad tire I run 38/42 psi in mine and have for 22k on my 06 with no issues. Do we need to hit the Dragon again, froggy?  I'm also 6'4", and torso position is important. Slide back off the airbox and 'brace' your body against the wind. Rotate your hips forward. I run a Cee Bailey in the winter and no windscreen in the summer. Enjoy the Ulysses...even if it is black. You can't win em all | ||
| Towpro |
Ill 2nd (or 3rd) the 616 not being a bad tire. And they are cheep enough you don't need to run them until they are bald to get your money out of them. I feel most motorcycle front tires are shot long before the tread levels force replacement. And you get used to the power band after while. It's kind of like driving a diesel, Shift soon and early and it will pull great. Edit: Forgot to mention the heat is manageable. Add the complete comfort kit, and work on filling that gap where the RS where the seat meets the frame. I had some weather strip foam in there to stop the heat from coming out and hitting the inside of my leg. Also, in the owners manual is a chart that shows suspension setting for your body weight. check all your settings and set them to what is in this chart. Then make adjustments if you feel it's necessary. Owners manual can be downloaded at top of the menu for this forum. (Message edited by towpro on April 13, 2011) (Message edited by towpro on April 13, 2011) | ||
| Leoallafila |
I appreciate all the suggestions. I have a top of range helmet and I always wear my Alpinestars leathers. I also know how to position myself on the bike, I have some miles under my belt I do NOT want to have to lean into the air, a reason why I wanted to get this kind of bike is so that I can sit comfortably with my back straight. It has not been thought out well in the wind protection department, but I've seen a number of possible modifications to it so I'll play with that a little bit. A final thought I forgot about would go to the gearbox: CLUNKY is an understatement. I hope it has to do with the fact that it still needs to break in. On the other hand the clutch is a breeze although it tends to "grab" a little bit too much. But in the end what makes this bike a winner, other than it's character flaws is the grin factor: it's just fun fun fun to ride! | ||
| Etennuly |
Clunky is how both of my new to me Buells were for the first eight to ten thousand miles. After that, fresh oil in there at about every 6,000 keeps it smooth and easy shifting. At 55,000 it is smoother than ever. Ride it like a diesel is pretty accurate. You cannot watch the tach to shift the lower gears because the upper half goes so quickly. It seems to work better by sound and feel, anticipate don't wait. If you start shifting at 5000 it will be at 6000 before you can get it done. Windshields range from nothing to everything. At 6' 240 I prefer the stock windshield for all but cold winter riding and Florida Love Bug season. That Dunlop front tire with the central groove will make it wonder more than you think it would, also re-torquing the steering head bearings after about 5000 miles seems to help. | ||
| 7873jake |
Just a suggestion: Some of the transmission clunkiness can come from a loose primary adjustment. Each time I adjust mine back in to spec, I go "oh, yeah, there's the smoothness I was missing." It isn't Japanese smooth but it does improve with miles and the proper primary chain tension. If it ever feels too clunky, find a '70's R-series Beemer (R90 or R75) and ride it for an hour. When you get back on the Buell, its transmission will feel soo much better. | ||
| Sprintex |
Heck ride an early BMW oil head if you want transmission clunkiness, my 97 R1100RS I had made my Guzzi's seem smooth shifting. | ||
| Towpro |
Some (including myself) noticed better shifting after installing Amsoil 20w50 motorcycle oil. Sprintex, on the BMW's you have to "pre load" the shifter, then they shift perfect. Before you pull in the clutch, lift your foot and start to move the shifter up until it hits the resistance, pull in the clutch and continue to move your foot through the rest of the way. K bikes were that way also. | ||
| Leoallafila |
Or they could just make a gearbox that works | ||
| Scooter808484 |
I found that replacing the D616s on my 2006 got rid of all that nervousness at highway speeds. Somthing about that open strip right down the center of the front tire. | ||
| Nsbuell |
Hey Leoallafila, I'm in sort of the same boat, just got an 06 Uly although mine isn't new (40,000 kms). I have some of the same first impressions as you although this is my second Buell (had an 03 XB9R) so it's not entirely new to me. The handling/suspension is definitely it's strong point, the power characteristics of the motor are fine for me although I do have the stalling/sputtering problems you mentioned...need to look into a fix. I also find the gearbox very clunky...even more so than my Firebolt was, but on the plus side the clutch pull is much lighter than the Firebolt. I'm not sure about the wind protection yet, it's not bad but not ideal. I may go for a tall windscreen and see how that works, I'm only 5'-10" so I'm not sure if it'll help much or put the air blast directly on my helmet. Overall I'm happy with the bike but it could be better in some areas for sure. | ||
| Kublak |
I had Odie rework my pipe this winter, absolutely worth it. Power is good, sound is good, work is top notch, and you retain the exhaust valve and stock chin spoiler mounts. For the price and end result I've been grinning since it went back on the bike. A few techs at my servicing dealer run Special Ops as well and gave it high marks. |
