| Author | Message | ||
     General_ulysses |
Not sure if everyone has already seen this, but here's an interesting article from legendary writer Peter Egan of Cycle World. Turns out he's owned a Uly for years and really likes it. https://www.cycleworld.com/peter-egan-very-long-te rm-buell-ulysses-adventure-touring-motorcycle | ||
| Giarcg |
It was this very article that lit a fire under my butt to try and then buy my Uly. | ||
| Steveford |
I may have put a few more miles on mine than Mr. Egan did but he's right, it's the comfortable old shoe that always fires right up. | ||
| Etennuly |
I loved his description in the original article with their 06 test bike after he had been riding it a while. "It feels like you could lean this thing until your elbows drag" We we found that not only enlightening, but accurate. As far as comfortable as a good pair of shoes..... Still looking for those shoes. | ||
| Tleighbell |
Since he was so right about the Uly, I am tempted to follow his advice and pick up a 93-97 Ducati 900ss which was the subject of another article of his. Smart guy. | ||
| Falloutnl |
What did he have to say about the 900ss? (it certainly is pretty) never mind, found it  https://www.cycleworld.com/1991-1997-ducati-900ss-is-used-motorcycle-you-need (Message edited by falloutnl on March 12, 2019) | ||
| Sharkguy |
It's funny, I just picked up a 2016 Bonnie T120 in October and he has one also. Saw his article on it after I bought mine. | ||
| Tleighbell |
so how about a review on the Bonnie, with Buell comparisons of course? | ||
| General_ulysses |
I think Egan likes the newer classic Triumphs. Here's a cool clip of him discussing a desert sled version of the Scrambler. Unfortunately, the hipster douche he's talking to ended up ripping off a bunch of customers who paid for the motorcycle they're discussing - yet never received. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unaRkye1OBk | ||
| Sharkguy |
Tleighbell, kind of hard to compare them. The T120s torque feels similar, especially when launching. It's also very laid back feeling like the Uly can if short shifted. There are 6 gears and I rarely come out of fourth on the T120 on back roads. It begs to be driven in a laid back manner but will rip if you want to. Almost as smooth as the Uly but a bit more viby at the top of each gear. Glass smooth at idle and not shaking your fillings out. Comparison pretty well ends there, Uly is hands down more comfortable and ergonomic. The suspension sucks compared to the Uly. But the Uly, to me anyway, is the most comfortable bike I have ever owned. That doesn't include engine heat though, which sucks on the Uly in Florida heat. The T120 has electronic cruise control, ABS, and traction control, and two riding modes; rain and road, all electronic read outs are easily scrolled through from the handle bar switch gear. Uly is tall, I can't flat foot mine, T120 is easily flat footed but weighs probably 35 pounds more than my Uly. Uly is actually easier to push around the garage or driveway. T120 has a center stand.The T120 has spoked tubed wheels which have already proved to be a problem as I got a disposable razor knife blade in my tire a week ago that necessitated a tow truck ride home. Uly is tubeless. I am in the process of converting the T120 to tubeless. I get 45 to 50 mpg on the Uly, 55 to 60mpg on the T120. I'll defiantly be keeping the Uly, It's my go to touring bike. I don't know if I could do a 600 mile day on the T120. I know I can on the Uly. The T120 is great for short rides locally and weekend get aways. I'm going to have to address the T120s suspension soon. After riding the Uly it really is ••••••. I think the new 1200 scrambler would be a better comparision to the Uly then the Bonnie T120. They are more closely matched as far as purpose. | ||
| Falloutnl |
Thanks for that write-up. I have to say, after watching this very funny 44 teeth review: https://youtu.be/t5kDoSFkfXI - I have gotten kind of interested in the new Speed Twin. Seems like it might be kinda similar to the Buell experience in some ways, at least in the ways you described. | ||
| Sharkguy |
Falloutnl, I haven't gotten the chance to ride the new Speedtwin, but I'm sure the description he gives is spot on. The motor has loads of torque and feels similar to the Uly. That's what sold me on the Bonnie. I'm sure my T120 wouldn't handle as well as the Uly or the speed twin. I've already scraped the peg feelers here in Florida. There is no way I could do that here on the Uly. That older guy in the video is a character! Well spoken though. Sounds like triumph got it right on the Speedtwin. He is right about their attention to detail. I would say they rival or surpass HD in that department. | ||
| Falloutnl |
For sure, the details on the Triumph bikes look excellent. | ||
| Tleighbell |
Thanks for the write up sharkguy. I kind of feel the urge for some shiny new thing but can't think of anything that could possibly replace my Uly. | ||
| Ourdee |
Augment not replace. Keep your Uly. You will miss it. | ||
| Tleighbell |
Agree 100% Ourdee. Already lowered it to suit my stumpy legs. Probably Ohlins fork internals and shock this spring, ZTL2 with radial master and EBR disc to be installed, lower bars, Pazzo levers after that. then exhaust and a tune, waffling between Drummer and Buelltooth ST. Plus the $$ i don't spend on a new bike i can spend on nice gear and travel. and beer.  | ||
| Ourdee |
I have an EBR disc on this bike too. I have found there is not a noticeable difference in performance over stock, but it looks neat. | ||
| Tleighbell |
Looks neat, is good enough for me. i think the benefit is supposed to be that it is less susceptible to overheating. I am not going to be using the front brake hard enough on the street to worry about it. | ||
| Ourdee |
You would want to upgrade the caliper if you were. | ||
| Gobadgers |
I took a picture of my Uly at the same intersection that Peter did with his Uly in the article.  Peter brought his Uly to Chaz Aagaard's Buell cookout last year. It was a great time. Chaz took this picture. Peter is 4th from left.  |
