| Author | Message | ||
     M2nc |
There is an old joke that says if newlyweds put a dollar in a jar every time they have sex for the first year, then start taking a dollar out every time they have sex after that, the jar will never get emptied. Today it has been eight years and eight months with the Uly. Some may or may not know that I have used my profile page to track all repairs to the Uly over the years. Discussing the replacement of the OEM rear bearings I looked at the log of repairs and noticed that my mileage over time has waned. According to the log, I put 19,600 miles in the first 18 months of ownership, or over 1000 miles a month. In the last three years of ownership I have only put 12,000 miles, or one-third of the first eighteen months rate. I can tell you its not because I like the bike any less today than eight years ago. A recent trip to the mountains rekindled my appreciation for what Buell created in the Uly. It's just life. The kids are older with activities, college aged child and trying to pay off debt getting ready for the next two to go to college. I need not whine looking at all some here have gone through, just saying it's a little sad. | ||
| Etennuly |
My average mileage dropped off a lot more than yours. When business fell off from 2011 on, I haven't put 1000 miles on it in three years! It hit 59,500 and dragged on for ever to cross 60,000. I think it is at 60,400 or so now. Still runs and rides pretty much like it was new. Ready to go anytime. This is not because I don't like to ride anymore, but my focus has changed from enjoying certain parts of life to survival mode as well as my body parts falling off enough to make riding uncomfortable at times. HD killing the brand didn't help, as most of the good riding party/meet/camp-outs stopped or slowed. My kids are all grown an napping is more important to me than it ever was. Heck if we do get fired up for some more Buell type events I will probably be looking at obtaining a class C camper to haul my bike to where I can ride. Tent camping is fading from my interests. I have let other interests infiltrate my time that the Uly had wrapped up. I am into my off road Jeep thing and the Corvette autocross has really eaten my time the past year. I am old enough now to know my interest in things run in cycles. This is my third round of playing with Vettes, the Uly has been my second round of street bikes. The off road thing has been around with me since I was new, either buggies, trucks, Jeeps, or bikes. Before I know it I'll be hunting again. Fishing has been pretty good lately. But mostly the problem is that it takes me 10 hours to do in my shop, what it used to take me 4 hours to do. Some parts of aging suck! What the hell??? I've had my Uly eight years this month? Sure doesn't seem that long. (Message edited by etennuly on June 01, 2014) | ||
| Court |
I used to ride between 1,000 and 3,000 miles a week in 1995. I've ridden less than 50 miles the last 3 years. A situation now being remedied. | ||
| Ratbuell |
A situation now being remedied. That sounds like something we need to remind you to tell us sometime...once you're allowed to talk about it (if history does, indeed, repeat itself...  ) | ||
| M2nc |
A situation now being remedied. I like the sound of that. Vern - I wish I could say that I have replaced riding motorcycles with some other past times, but I can't. | ||
| Motorfish |
I feel your pain, guys. I bought my Uly new in 2006. The first new bike I ever bought after 22 yrs of riding street bikes. I got married in `08, new house `09, new son `10. In `11, I had to rebuild the engine at 17,000 miles, as the crank was out of round and ate the oil pump drive gear. The bike is now a money pit, which I may never get rid of. In `12 I suffered a severe knee infection, which took me out for 6 months, and I`m still not 100% right but functioning. I still get up to Laconia NH every year for a few days, and a few afternoons out locally. I really hope my knee will let me get back on my dirt bike, I really miss that. I`m not whining or complaining, just saying that life can get in the way sometimes. I hope to pass my passion for bikes onto my son. It`s all good. | ||
| Pontlee77 |
the first 4 years of my uly i was riding around 10K kilometres per year after that it has gone down to half of that, and my recent crash, will have me with out riding for quite a long time, maybe not worth repairing the Uly, part it out, and look for the bike that will fill in that space, an X1, some may say is less comfortable, but for the riding i do it fits me better. | ||
| Ulyful |
My advice to you all with waning riding opportunities/interest is join a riding club. Even if the club only does a weekly 60-90 minute local dinner ride (restaurant destination), the ride and accompanying camaraderie gives you something to look forward to, and someone to share your passion with, and soon you ride more frequently. The company and shared stories rekindles the interest in making riding a priority once again. I completely understand the "no time" thing, as I have 3 grade school aged children at home with a social life busier than my own, but I do make it out at minimum 3-4 times a month to escape and go "riding with the boys". Plus, the once/twice a month weekend and/or week-long long-distance trips folks put together gives you an excuse to tell the family that you need to get out on a long trip for a few days. | ||
| Sagehawk |
Ive only been in one streetbike club that worked for me before it went belly up. The nbots were not a club with rules, regs, outside influences, or officers. I managed a ride every coupla months but all day long. Fine for me but wife got antsy. Generally 10-12 hours, with 350-400 miles. Other clubs seem to have patriotic or religious strings that dont fit for me. Summed up, the kid in the honda commercial----- but mister, all i want to do is ride! | ||
| Etennuly |
Ulyful, what you mention is what BadWeB members do.....did......a lot. A great club with no membership qualifications, no dues, no fees, and the only known rule is not to be a douche canoe. Just like minded idiots in search of good fun. One of the few groups that my wife, and the wives of many others, feel comfortable with us being gone for a few days of fun at a time. You feel a sense of pride a satisfaction in riding the "new best hotrod HD" ever made. And then the pride was stabbed in the back, not only in the way the closing was handled, but in the way the dealerships(a lot of them) went back to their roots with nothing but bad things to say about our machines. It is harder to be the proud owner of an awesome, beautiful machine that the manufacturer so proudly and publicly promotes as a mistake. More than once I have heard HD's best(service writers and mechanics) call the Buell a piece of junk. No matter who it comes from the insults affect how I feel about my bike, that was my hard earned money that bought what I still feel is the best motorcycle ever built. IMHO they are/were to dumb to 'get it'! | ||
| Discochris |
Same here. I bought my first real bike in 2002 - a 1997 Concours, and I put almost 60,000 on it before I sold it in 2009 to get my 2008 Uly. The Uly had about 5000 on it, and I put another 15,000 on in my first two years, but since then I've only done about 3000 miles. I don't even know if I rode 1000 miles last season. Part of it was having a kid in 2011, which makes it tough to get away, as well as moving into a different house, which has been a bit of a money pit to say the least. The move was largely to eliminate what had been a horrible commute for both of us, which also cut my commuting miles. I still ride to work three times a week or so, but instead of 50 miles round trip, it's about 15, which is good time-wise, but less riding. (I do often sneak out for a nice hour-long ride over lunch some days). I used to do a ton of Iron Butt stuff, distance rallies etc., but after a couple of breakdowns on the Buell, I've been less enamored with it as a traveling bike, and a lot of the people who I used to do that sort of thing with have gotten out of the sport. I love the Uly for what it is - it's an extremely fun bike to ride, but I'm skittish enough about reliability, especially because of the shut down, that doing a long multi-state trip makes me nervous, but with house and child, I can't justify/afford getting something else. | ||
| Cyclonedon |
I ride my 2006 Uly pretty much daily in the summertime but only on short rides to work and back. I never get any distance riding on it like I had planned on when I bought it. I only have just under 42,000 miles on it now but I still enjoy riding it. I rode it to East Troy last Thursday to tour the factory, great ride, saw lots of Buells along with the new EBR's. I still want to take it to Sturgis and out West sometime, but I doubt it will be this year, maybe next year! | ||
| Trevd |
I used to have a Honda ST1100, from 2001-2008, put 50,000 miles on it in the first 5 years, then had a baby and put hardly anything on it for a couple of years before I realized that it was being wasted just sitting in the garage. Sold it, bought a Harley Super Glide to enjoy rides of an hour or two at a time, but quickly realized that I didn't like scraping the pegs around many corners. Bought the Uly in 2009, had another baby in 2010, and have only managed to put 14,000 miles on the bike. I've noticed that kids really tend to put a damper on riding time... | ||
| Buewulf |
I don't ride nearly as much as I used to. A lot of it had much to do with moving from Colorado to Houston, TX. I thought the lack of a winter would make for more riding, but traffic, heat and just a general lack of interesting roads nearby turns a 2-hour therapy ride into a chore. I really have to be gone all day to make a ride worthwhile, which is a tough thing for me to commit to with two young kids wanting to spend time with their dad on weekends. Commuting is out of the question with the traffic here. The Uly has been a joy always awing me with how versatile it is but has also been quite unreliable (darn thing is out of commission right now in fact), so I am also reluctant to take it on any long excursions that take me too far from the garage. So that eats a couple thousand miles out of my riding year as well. I have considered more and more seriously lately of giving up street riding altogether in favor or dirt and track only. Both are safer, and the kids will soon be at an age where they could join me on the trails. I figure I could make do with a small displacement dual-sport for the dirt so that if I ever do get the urge to go on a mototrip, I'll have the license plate and blinkers to be able to do it. | ||
| Dr_greg |
Don't get old. After retirement---so I could ride more---I've been sidelined by one health problem after another. Currently at unknown stomach ailment...had to cancel my June 13 RawHyde Adventure course. Docs have no idea. My mileage this year will probably be absurdly low. Not from lack of desire or time... | ||
| M2nc |
Riding club? Like say C3. Just like my mileage the posts on the C3 page have waned as well. Of the original five of us, two have moved away. Several have sold off their Buells for the next adventure, be it a new bike, kids, auto sports or something else. We have always been a spread out group that gets together a couple times a year to ride and at least a few of us got together last month for a ride in the mountains. The biggest problem I have is finding riding partners that are like minded. As I left work today, there were several bikes in the parking lot, mostly Harleys. Several of those guys really know their stuff and have in years past rode great distances. Most though are part of the me too club. All look at me like I have two heads when I ride in on a tall short bike in full gear. Past the bikes and the riding attire most would not like riding with me. Like the movie says, its all about the curve. I do not hammer it on straightaways. I would rather avoid the ticket. But when the turn comes up, move over, I'm coming through. It's completely backwards to most who ride around here. I have a few friends, some on this thread, that I have cut through some of America's best roads wheel to wheel, but it's hard to find other like minded riders in the sea of chrome. So I ride to work from time to time and wait for the few rides a year where I can get to one of the other Badwebbers I know to dust of the Buells. | ||
| M2nc |
Dr. G. I hope you get to feeling better. I've always enjoyed reading about your adventures and am ready for the next installment. | ||
| Ulyful |
Didn't know there was so few riding clubs out there. I've been lucky I guess. I've been a charter founding member and President (twice) of a very active riding club at work (I work for a company with +50,000 employees located within a 100 mile radius of where I live). It's an all-brands riding club (from Harley Heritage Softails to Goldwings to Honda Magna's to BMW S1000RR's). We take anyone on two wheels, though 99% of the riders are capable of keeping up at least +5 mph posted speeds on the interstates for extended rides (or they get left behind or they have to meet us at our destination). The primary activity is a weekly 60-90 minute dinner ride on winding two-lane country roads to a restaurant/bar destination, then we all go our separate ways home. We do have bylaws, officers, monthly business meetings, etc. to keep people from turning the club into their own personal pet project and keeping it serving the majority of the members. Members can get as little or heavily involved in the business aspect of the club as they desire. It has worked wonderfully, even through 20 years of tremendous turnover and industry downturn. It's a formula that works well in my opinion because, most of the members are local. It could work on a state by state basis, but it's difficult. Multiple lifelong friendships, and even one marriage (still intact) has come out of the club. I say if you are inclined to put together a Badwebber ride only once or twice a year, keep doing it. You'd be surprised what can grow out of that. As more and more people hear about it, these things grow, connections are made, and before you know it, they're happening weekly. Don't let all the negative Buell publicity or dealer sour grapes about the brand sour you from being proud of your rides. Riding clubs are REALLY about the riding and shared experiences. The ribbing and chest-pounding about brands still goes on in our club, but in jest. At the end of the day, everyone goes home with their bellies full, a smile on their face, and a feeling that they they were lucky to have gotten out on their motorcycles that day with friends. | ||
| Rwven |
I've had the Uly out twice this year. Once for a run around the "block" after I changed the oil and once to commute to work. My KLR 650 has turned into my daily ride (I've done some multi-thousand mile back road touring on it too) and I picked up a 2000 Yamaha Royal Star Venture that's been filling the long distance two up bill. Anyone interested in a 2008 XT with 46,000 miles on it? | ||
| Etennuly |
Ulyful, it seems you missed the Buell party. From early '06 to late '10 we rode together in incredible group weekend meets. We had Marchbadness, Homecoming, Buelltoberfest, Buells in the Alps, the races at Daytona, West Virginia Buell Rally,(these are just the events I could reach from East Tennessee) and so many others that I was invited to but just could not cut away any more time for. On top of this were the frequent 400 mile Saturdays, with the local Buell guys that happened very frequently. It was truly an amazing time with some of the best riders(and people in general)that I have ever met. It was frequently said that when a hundred or so of our Buell friends got together, it was like a family reunion with cousins that you had never met or had not seen in years. It was really an amazing time. Sometimes totally unannounced, that Buell fella, the CEO of Buell, or some of the Buell Royalty here would show up. More often than not with great Buell swag to hand out just because they cared about us. Many of us opened up our homes for campers and half way lay over parties on the way to some of the events. Sometimes that was as much fun as the Buell event itself. The folks would usually meet up from neighboring cities to ride to what ever event we were headed to. More than once I did 400+ miles of the fastest twisted up, permagrin inducing, Uly riding, just to get to the Buell event. I believe that is why there are so many steadfast BadWeBers hanging in here.....hoping to rekindle that comradeship for each other and Erik Buell and his EBR motorcycle company as we get Erik's new version of what we should be riding. For many of us, it is so thankfully without the cloud of HD holding him back. For us adventure/road riders the AX will be the key. | ||
| Ulyful |
Etennuly, Yes, I am late to the party, but trying to make up for lost time. Just bought my first Uly in Sept. 2013 ('06 X with bags--3k miles). Barely got 500 miles on it so far (it shares time with another MC). Still personalizing it with comfort add-ons and smoothing out as many rough edges as I can. I'm not a serious canyon-carver, but I do like a turn or two or 113. My club is bringing 15 people to Western NC/Eastern Tennessee the first week of July--Dragon/Cherohala/Blue Ridge/Smoky's. REALLY looking forward to that. Did it in '11 on a '07 Fat Boy. Plan to have ALOT more fun on the Uly this time around. | ||
| Etennuly |
I guess I am fortunate, East Tennessee is my backyard. If you enjoyed it when you rode it on a Fat Pig Peg Scraper you will love it on your Uly. You will just have to learn to ride near the speed limits on the straights(where radar is;Dragon)and the corners will be yours. If your riding buds are still on antiquated equipment(you know  ) not to worry, just ride your ride. You can wait for them at every third overlook; Cherohala. Don't worry about being late to the party.....I am too! I have only been into Buells since early '05. There is a rich history of Buell and BadWeB well before that. I got lucky in that I joined in at probably the most expansive time.  | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Dr_Greg, Get yourself some kefir grains and make your own kefir. Probiotic drink that'll refresh your gut flora biome. Especially if you've recently ruined it with antibiotics. kefirlady.com is where I got mine. Great stuff. | ||
| Dr_greg |
Thanks for the tip, EG, but I doubt that would help. I go in for Abdominal CT Scan Monday morning. I just hope it isn't stomach cancer. Maybe gall bladder, but ultrasound said that was OK. My stomach sounds like a failed chemistry experiment. Never heard such noises. Plus a lot of, uh, discomfort. Sorry, everybody else...not trying to derail this thread. Even though I'm now on the GSW, I still follow BadWeB BB&D faithfully...I had so much fun on my '06 Ulys. --Doc |
