| Author | Message | ||
     East_coast_carlos |
Looking for some unbiased input. I'm 44 and a novice rider with 2 yrs experience and currently have a used 250ninja. I've been looking at the ulysses or the xb12 long. I'm going for a test drive on Thurs. -am I asking too much to go from a 250 to 1200? -I really love the look of the xb12 and would love to have my wife join me on that but there doesn't seem to be much wind protection (any aftermarket solutions?). All feedback is welcome | ||
| Smcnamara |
Carlos, I wouldn't say moving between those two bikes is too big a jump provided the following is true: 1) You are not an idiot. 2) You play attention to point #1. You are dealing with a much bigger and heavier bike, with much more of both horsepower and torque. That being said, the XB12 lump is an extremely friendly engine and very easy to ride. For the Uly, you'll want to make sure you are tall enough to be comfortable with the height, and based on your question about wind protection along with your plan for 2-up riding, I think the Uly probably makes a lot more sense than the Long. There are some aftermarket wind-protection options, but if that's a major concern, you might want to reconsider what you are looking at. The Lightning based Buells (which I feel loosely includes the Uly) are basically streetfighters, which means minimal fairing. If you are looking for a shielded-from-the-elements ride, you might want to consider something else. Personally, I don't think you can beat the current crop of Buells for pure sh*t-eating-grin enjoyment, but would hate to see you disappointed due to thinking it's something it's not... Good luck, and let us know how your decision goes. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
A used M2 might be a better intermediate solution. (cheaper too!) | ||
| East_coast_carlos |
Appreciate the feedback  . I understand I can get a lower seat option on the Ulysses (I'm 5'8")...or I may just get the one I want (XB12Scg) instead of agonizing whether my better half may or may not come along for a long ride (she is still on the fence but would like the option). Want to keep her happy too! | ||
| Angelwild327 |
test rides are ALWAYS a good thing!!! let us know what you think | ||
| Kuuud |
The Scg is not NEARLY as comfortable as the Ss. At least put a stock seat on the cg. If the wife goes along at all, look at the Ss. One ride on the cg and she'll never get on the bike again! With a good helmet and a Laminar Lip on the flyscreen, wind protection isn't too bad. I have a 12X with the low seat and I'm 5' 11''...I'd think about an Ss if I was any shorter (esp since there are now Buell bags for the Ss). Just my $.02 Bret | ||
| Court |
Carlos: I would suggest you take a close look at that used M-2. My reasons are as follows:
Just some thoughts. . . . read the part about 2-up riding again. | ||
| Blake |
Definitely test ride, then test ride with passenger. Let us know what you decide. | ||
| Old_man |
Carlos, At 5'8", even with the low seat, the Ulysses may still be too high for you with a passenger aboard. The cg would probably be most comfortable for you. (experience and height) The Ss might be a better choice for you and your passenger (there is aftermarket wind protection available) But the best thing to do is to try them all, if you can. | ||
| Ulywife |
Carlos - too many similarities here not to chime in. 1 - my husband (M2nc) is also Carlos 2 - he's also 5'8" (29" inseam) 3 - also in his 40's, riding only for the past 3 years 4 - we live 90 minutes from the east coast of NC 5 - we have a 99 M2 6 - we also have an 06 Uly Carlos has a M2 and the Uly with the low seat. The M2 is a great bike. We picked it up for ~$3,000 2 years ago. We've ridden it 2 up for a BRAG event last October. This was my first all day ride and I did enjoy it. I do recommend the corbin seat for 2 up riding, as the stock seat I always felt I was going off the backside. We have the Ventura Bag system from American Sport Bike (sponsor here). While this is not to be used as a back rest, it still gives the sense that I'm not going off the back of the bike and we have plenty of storage for extra gear while riding for the day. Carlos has taken the M2 to Daytona Bike Week with the Ventura bag system and had plenty of room for his stuff for 3-4 days. The Uly is a great bike as well. While it is more comfortable for me as a passenger, I still worry about how much footing Carlos has when we're not on even ground. He is on the balls of his feet with the low seat, tippy toes with the stock seat. As someone here has stated, it's easier to drop a $3,000 bike than an $11,000 bike. Around here, I refer to the M2 as the "girlfriend" and the Uly as the "wife". From the rider's perspective, they have different personalities. As Carlos says, the M2 has more "soul" and a lot more fun to rip the twisties. While the Uly does a good job on the twisties, it's more tame. As others have said, test ride and take your wife as well. The Uly was the first bike I rode on before we actually purchased it. The others came home first, then I decided to ride or not. Regardless of what you buy, you will find great information and friendship here on BadWeb. Best of luck on your search. (Message edited by Ulywife on July 18, 2006) | ||
| Roadrailer |
ECC, if your wife is at all interested in riding with you, be sure to let her sit and/or ride on every bike you consider. My wife and I did just that, and it ruled out a lot of bikes I was considering (Vstrom, FZ1, FJR). Of course, that's also how I ended up on the Uly (and a wife who now loves to ride), so it worked out well in the end. The Uly is hella comfortable for both rider and pillion; I don't think anything else in the Buell line up comes anywhere close in two-up comfort. YMMV. FWIW, I'm 5'9" with a 30 inseam, and have no issue handling the Uly with the stock seat, either solo or fully loaded two-up. Yeah, I have to be a bit more careful when stopping and parking, and backing the bike up while seated is harder to do, but by far the biggest obstacle to overcome was the notion that you must be able to flatfoot a bike in order to ride it. It's simply not true, for me at least. Again, YMMV. I agree that a bike does handle differently with a pillion, but I don't think that's a major obstacle either. I treated it it just like I did when I started riding: Took it slow, practiced in parking lots whenever possible, and gradually built up my speed and lean angle. I barely even notice my wife on the back any more, except for the occasional squeals. | ||
| Midknyte |
FWIW - I went from a Honda VTR250 (similar to your 250 Ninja) to the XB9R. The ergo's are close and make for a pleasurable transition. The 9R/S is only what, 10% down on hp from the 12? 2 up's were entirely possible on the VTR as well. Anyway, as the pilot in the equation, I really like how the R handles with a passenger. It's a little cramped for them possibly, but you can put the Lightning low pegs on the passenger posts (gaining about an inch there), and I'd suggest one of the touring pillion seats (gaining comfort and about another inch in height there). Whatever your choice (9 or 12, R or S), you are going to have GOBS more torque and power that you are not accustomed to. Yes, it is a smooth and linear powerband, but you need to get used to not having to downshift into turns like you do now for example. You are also going to have much stronger / effective brakes compared to your 250. Getting spooked and grabbing a fistfull in a turn will be dissasterous. Remember that you are going from a forgiving, learning machine to a performance oriented machine. Plan to spend a full season BY YOURSELF on a new bike before taking on a passenger (this applys on any bike change). I would not suggest a transition to the Uly if at all height challenged. | ||
| Court |
>>>>Plan to spend a full season BY YOURSELF on a new bike before taking on a passenger That, to me, would be a hard and fast, non-negotiable. I used to do some 2-up BattleTrax demos for Buell and I am convinced few folks realize how MUCH different it is. Before Vickie and I ever went anywhere together on a bike, we spent some quality time in a parking lot. I wanted her, before the first "real world" mile to know:
M-2 | ||
| Newfie_buell |
Go for a used M2 or my personal favorite S1 (just rule out any passenger) or my second favorite S3. I have both the S1 and S3 and I find that my S3 is a tamer version of the S1. The S1 is snappy and bites back, the S3 is quiet and reserved and takes a passenger quite nice. I like the girlfirend/wife reference that Ulywife made, its right on the money. As as Court pointed out, MOTORCYCLES BRAKE, ACCELERATE AND HANDLE MUCH DIFFERENTLY WITH 2 ON BOARD. I'd say you will find a S3 State Side in the range of $3,000-$5,000.00 | ||
| Newfie_buell |
Here are the differences  | ||
| Diablobrian |
two up riding also requires some quality training time with the passenger. They won't like it most of the time but you really have to lay down clear guidelines about how to be a motorcycle passenger. A good passenger 1) keeps their feet on the pegs at a stop. 2) hold onto the rider, not the bike. 3) leans with the rider. forward, back and side to side. 4) does not try to sit straight up in the middle of a curve (this is VERY important!) 5) does not drape themselves on the rider. your arms will get tired supporting their weight too. 6) wears at minimum as much gear as the rider, except in the case the rider has a full suit, then they should be wearing at least a RIDING jacket and jeans 7) gets onto and off of the bike on command smoothly and quickly. Practice getting on and off the bike together, in full gear, before time to ride. work out a system of signals between you for emergencies. This should make you both happier and safer in the long run. | ||
| Barker |
Had a 2002 M2. It had the large seat, my wife still says that is the most comfortable bike we have ever owned. We are saving up for a Uly! I picked up a dropped 02 m2 w/ 3200 miles for $3400. If you demo the uly start on the low seat. Then if you fell you can handle it, try it with the standard seat. | ||
| Xb9er |
Hey buddy glad to see your finally looking for the best bike in the world. I recently went from a cbr 600 to a x1. Love it. You mention about the wind factor. Compaired to my cbr I feel no wind resistance on the buell. As far as going from a 250 to a 1200. They're only as fast as you make them, if you feel you cant handle a 1200, there is always the xb9. Just my $.02, happy to see you're going to join the madness. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
I know! The wind blast actually helps on a long trip: I find that the wind holds me up and takes the weight off of the bars at about 75. I love my X1. 69,000 miles and counting..... | ||
| Jlnance |
Hi Carlos, Welcome to BadWeb. You'll like it here. If you've actually ridden the Ninja for 2 years, you have the experience you need for any of the bikes you mention. If the Scg is the bike you really want, you should get it. The Uly is great, I own one myself. But if your heart is somewhere else, you'll be disapointed. Of course you'll be in a better position to evaluate this after your testride. Also, assuming you've been riding for 2 years, I don't think you will find a passenger a big deal. Have you asked your wife if she wants to learn to ride? You'll soon have 2 bikes. |
