| Author |
Message |
    
Uly_man
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 12, 2012 - 02:45 pm: | 
|
It is very unlikely that the bike will be setup for your weight/ride style. You only need to know that it can be.
The core thing to know about buying a bike is the condition, history, price and the the owner. The first three are clear enough but the last one is the NEED TO KNOW one. It works along the lines of how they treat anything else they have.
Do not be cheap about the price. It is worth paying a little over the book price for a machine with a good history and owner. But there is no perfect math on this. I never buy on the first "look see" no matter how good/cheap it is. I got this from my step father who used to call it the "rose tinted eye glass" syndrome. Or whatever you might call it.
The "cash in pocket" thing is real old stuff. If he/she is a honest seller it is worth treating them in the same way. |
Ninasguy
| | Posted on Saturday, September 15, 2012 - 10:26 pm: |
|
Well, I finally got to ride the Uly today. It certainly is different from any other bike I've ridden. I liked it but the heat on the right side was more than I expected during the short 7 mile test ride. Can't imagine that will be much fun down here in Florida. The bike doesn't have the comfort kit installed, I'm sure it would help some but probably not much. Now I just have to make the decision. He didn't lower the price so $8,000 it is if I decide to go through with it. I did love the ride but still have that hesitation about buying a bike from a defunct motorcycle company. |
Thejosh
| | Posted on Saturday, September 15, 2012 - 10:42 pm: |
|
The comfort kit makes a huge difference in my opinion, not only does it keep the heat down on the right side via the scoop and heat shield, but the fan is less likely to come on after a short ride. Well worth the investment I think. Not sure if I'd pay $8k though. |
Nillaice
| | Posted on Saturday, September 15, 2012 - 10:53 pm: |
|
yeah, the comfort kit will help.
it will not completely solve the heat issue, but defiently help.
8k is still a bit much IMHO unless it has been very well taken care of. like Uly_man said; condiotin, history and the ownwer. |
Ninasguy
| | Posted on Saturday, September 15, 2012 - 11:48 pm: |
|
condition is great, 324 miles after my test ride. Owner had back surgery not long after buying it, that's the reason for the low miles. He did crank it weekly, kept it on a battery tender and rode a little every month. 8k is a good bit more than I want to pay but cheaper ones have a lot more miles. I also have the opportunity to get an '09 Versys with 76 miles on it for 5k, but I would spend a thousand putting bags and new tires on it. Still trying to decide the best deal and long term ride. The looks and long distance capability of the Uly keep luring me back to it. I have to decide by Monday. |
Bdrag
| | Posted on Sunday, September 16, 2012 - 05:20 am: |
|
Ninasguy
Mine has the comfort kit and Special Ops heat blankets under the seat. My suspension is stock and not chopped. Go take a look at my thread and ALL my spares and add ons and PM me, maybe we can work something out.
http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142 838/692680.html?1347324231
BDRAG |
Reepicheep
| | Posted on Sunday, September 16, 2012 - 08:59 am: |
|
With the comfort kit and mesh riding pants, I've never even noticed (much less been bothered by) the heat on the thigh.
Without the riding pants it does get warm. Not sure why it makes such a difference, the riding pants are fairly breathable.
Not an issue for me. Whenever I feel it, it's a good reminder that I'm being a ••••••• for riding without all the gear anyway. |
Teeps
| | Posted on Sunday, September 16, 2012 - 11:37 am: |
|
Monday deadline; what happens Monday? |
Ninasguy
| | Posted on Friday, September 21, 2012 - 10:02 pm: |
|
I finally did my test ride on the '09 Uly, but it was only about eight miles and it was along Hwy. US 1 which is a perfectly straight road on the east coast of Florida that runs along the beach. So, I really don't know anything about what the bike will do.
I did enjoy the torque but I am trying to decide if I want to deal with the heat issue. Even on such a short ride I felt a good bit of heat on my right leg...I don't know how bad it would be during the summer.
I'm also concerned about there not being any kind of warranty and these bikes being known for electrical issues.
The owner would not go lower than $8,000 so I asked for a week to decide. I would have to finance about $6500 and I hate making payments. I do love the thought of owning the bike but I'm a slow buyer. |
Erwin8r
| | Posted on Saturday, September 22, 2012 - 02:02 am: |
|
Ninasguy, I'm a die-hard "liter bike guy," coming off a long line of crazy, smooth HP bikes. And a few hot twins (3 TL1000R's, a Tuono, and my Mille Factory)--then I got my first Buell, and XB12STT. It was weird at first, and I didn't know what to make of it. But it was wonderful on the bumpy, slick roads of Seattle... Before I learned to appreciate it, I traded it on an XB12Scg (I knew I was beginning to love the Thunderstorm engine at that point).... and promptly went about converting it to an SS (Penske rear shock, SS front end, etc.). Stupidly, I sold that bike in order to get a Guzzi (another wonderful bike, but very different) and have lamented its loss dearly (too dearly)... so, in spite of the many cool options out there, I've bought another Buell...  I bought Carbonfiber Bob's '08 with 35k on the clock, and am eagerly anticipating its arrival.
You will love this bike. Even in the crazy summer heat (I've been in the Los Angeles area since June) with temps regularly over 100, and humidity at a crazy all time high, my Buell was on point--intruding heat has never been an issue for me (granted, it would have been less obvious in Seattle). And the handling--wow. The SS suspension soaked up bumps like they didn't exist. I could wheelie and almost jump off railroad track berms, and it laughed at silly potholes and cracks. Lcoally, there are some nice, tight twisty canyons, and my XB would just rail through them, turning almost telepathically, with seemingly unlimited lean angle, and sweet thundering torque coming off the corners...
If you buy the Uly, you'll know what I mean after a few hundred miles...
The bike is supremely easy to work on. And remember that although "Buell" no longer exists, many techs comfortable working on Sportsters can work on these things. Unique service "details" are covered comprehensively in these forums, and other than the frame/swingarm, there are very few parts "unique" to Buells that cant be covered by the aftermarket.
My .02 |
Teeps
| | Posted on Saturday, September 22, 2012 - 11:23 am: |
|
I would not finance the purchase of any product in which the manufacturer is out of business.
And, since you do not have cash for the purchase; you have no "hand" in which to deal with the guy.
His game, his rules.
You will notice the heat, and because you are fixated on it; "it's" going to bother you.
I ride 99% of the time with leather racing pants and never notice heat. When I do wear blue jeans, like yesterday to observe the Space Shuttle, I noticed the heat, and it was mildly bothersome.
Otherwise everything, Erwin8r and others have mentioned is pretty accurate...
Good luck either way. |
|
