| Author | Message | ||
     Snackbar64 |
Why would Buell design and market a bike that every potential Buell customer could not get on and ride? I understand that some riders are too short to ride some of the bikes. But to sit on the Uly comfortably flat footed requires someone to be six foot or better. How could the sales be brisk on a bike that many cannot ride? There is someone out there who is vertically challenged that can ride every buell, but the Uly. I would imagine that a number of the vertically challenged probably like adventure touring also. Isn't he completely missing this customer base? Automakers make cars we can all drive if we can afford them. Why not use the same ideology? It is disheartening to read the rave reviews concerning the technological marvel that the Uly is and know deep down unless you are reincarnated as SHAQ, you'll never experience it. Am I the only one here who feels treated as a step child by Erik and company? | ||
| Aeholton |
I'm 5'10 (with my boots on) and ride a Uly. I don't believe you need to be 6 ft or better. Who said you must be able to flat-foot a bike in order to ride it? | ||
| Bosh |
Most ADV type bikes have high seats. It's necessary for the required ground clearance and long travel suspension. You'll find many tall folk gravitate towards that type of bike. You can't really make a product that will fit everyone. For instance there are very few cars that I can sit up comfortably in without my head rubbing on the roof. Just something I have to deal with. You know what I mean? | ||
| Chris02 |
I feel your pain snackbar as I have a 30" inseam and have to "tiptoe" ,however, I don't think it's a matter of discrimination against us short legged people. The reason it's tall is just a byproduct of the long travel suspension that is required for the adventure part of the equation. I believe all of the duellsport/adventure tour bikes out there are in the same height range as the Uly. I rode a 1200gs before I bought the Uly and it was every bit as tall. My DRZ400s duellsport is as tall. 06 KTM 990 Super Duke 33.6" 06 BMW 1200gs 32.3" low setting 06 Triumph Tiger 33.1"-33.8" 06 Ducati Multi 33.5" 06 ULY 33.1" -w- standard comfy seat - not sure what it is with the low seat but it seems to be working ok for me. The stock seat on the 07 is 31.8 and I'm sure a bit lower for the low seat. Buell designs there motorcycles using practical and logical concepts and not necessarily following the trends of other manufactures so if and when a truly low seat option is available in the adventure touring market, I bet Buell will have his name on it. Until then I'll just keep truckin along with 2X4's strapped to my feet. | ||
| Whodom |
It's also worth noting that Buell AFAIK is the only manufacturer to offer "low" models of at least some of their motorcycles. | ||
| Brad1445 |
I like the tall seat height of the 2006. I also do dirt bikes you get used to and appreciate the position. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I have a 32" inseam. I can't flat foot the Uly. I either tip toe or do the "tick tock" lean. The difference between bikes and cars is that cars have adjustable steering wheels and seats. Bikes do to, but to a much lesser degree. You buy a lower seat or handle bar risers. I look like a monkey humping a football when I ride a sport bike. It just doesn't fit. I bought the "sport bike" that fit me. I don't complain about the sport bike not fitting me. I just pick something else. | ||
| Teeps |
Go and test ride a BMW HP2; then reconsider your rant. I haven't been able to touch the ground flat footed on dirt bike in over 30 years. What's the problem? | ||
| Asdf |
Buell now builds bikes to fit folks of nearly all inseam sizes. Buell should be applauded for this. The Buell CG is for shorter folks. This model was created by shortening the suspension of a "Standard" Buell. Short legs cannot accommodate longer travel suspension and higher ground clearance. Seats, handlebars and pegs can be changed to fine tune ergonomics. Some folks here have even changed Tail Sections to improve ergonomics for themselves. The "Standard" or "Main" models in the Buell line are for intermediate sized folks. "Standard Legs" can accommodate "Standard" suspension travel and "Standard" ground clearance. Seats, handlebars and pegs can be changed to fine tune ergonomics. Some folks here have even changed Tail Sections to improve ergonomics for themselves. Buell built the Ulysses, with longer travel suspension and higher ground clearance, to fit taller folks. Longer legs can accommodate longer travel suspension and higher ground clearance. Seats, handlebars and perhaps at some point pegs, can be changed to fine tune ergonomics. Trojan has changed Tail Sections on their racing Uly to improve ergonomics for their rider(s). Should taller folks not have bikes built to fit them? | ||
| Lovehamr |
SB64, I'm neither short nor small by most measures and I love my 12X. I've been in lust with Buells for some time but could never get over the feeling that when I was on one I looked like a monkey F*****g a football. Your rant would be the equivalent of me whining about the Blast being to small for larger riders. If the bike isn't comfortable for you then don't buy it. That's why I don't have a Lightning. It's really that simple. Steve | ||
| Roadrailer |
How tall are you snackbar? I've said it before and I'll say it again: I'm 5'9" with a 30" inseam and have no major issues riding the Uly with the standard seat. The biggest obstacle to overcome is the notion that you must be able to flatfoot a bike in order to ride it. It is simply not true. Besides, bike manufacturers simply can't make all bikes fit all people. | ||
| Fubar |
Give me a break... I have coveted Buells since they first came out but, before the Uly, I was just too stinkin' big for the other models. Same is true for most cars. Us mutant-sized guys have far less choice than you regular guys. Buell is *not* crazy. Just trying to cover all the bases. | ||
| Riderbob |
Is this rant a joke or what? I'm 5 ft 6 in and 29 in inseam. I've not dropped my Uly or had any problems I couldn't anticipated, even with my wife on the back. Yes we laugh because she is short and has to scurry up the bike to her pillion. But hey she says its worth the climb. I only have to be aware of my surroundings - as anyone should. All I can say is find a curve and all is well in the world on my Uly. | ||
| Bad_karma |
It's about opportunity not guarantees. | ||
| Brat |
I thought the CityX was the Uly for the vertically challenged, just don't ride two up! | ||
| Brucelee |
All "adventure bikes" seem to be built along the same lines, quite tall. I assume this is to allow folks to forge those streams? If you are short, there is the XB, no? | ||
| Snackbar64 |
Hello guys, I am 5 ft 8 and have a 29 inch inseam. I didn't believe that it is possible for me to ride such a bike without being able to get my feet on the ground. But I see that some of you are similar in height. That said, I would trade the Firebolt in if I could be as comfortable on the Uly. When the bike was first introduced the guys at the dealership had one on the floor and told me If I was not a six footer to forget it. | ||
| Dragon_slayer |
Snackbar64, I am 6' and can not stand "flat footed" on the Uly either. Guess what? I do not care! I love the ride and sitting position!  Seriously, you shorter riders need to tell Buell what you like about the Uly so they can design a model for you. And quit  to us taller riders about the bike. | ||
| Chadhargis |
"Why would Buell design and market a bike that every potential Buell customer could not get on and ride?" Been trying to figure out that for years. All of Buell's bike were FAR too SMALL for me until they made the Ulysses. At 6'5" with a 36" inseam, it fits me well. I could still use some more legroom though.  The BMW HP2 is one hell of a great bike. Would love to ride one! No problem flat footing that bike either.  | ||
| Stretch67 |
On the contrary, I'm tickled shitless that somebody is finally building a bike that fits me. I'm 6'7" with a 37" inseam, and with the exception of the new BMW GS, every other bike I've ever ridden makes me look like a spider monkey f*cking a rollerskate. Kudos to Buell for building a grownup's sportbike. (Message edited by stretch67 on August 13, 2006) | ||
| Pso |
All the bikes that I have ever had-Yamah Seca, Kawi-Concours, Gold Wing. I have always felt my legs cramp afte a few ours in the saddle. Needed highway pegs or per lowering kit to be able to stretch out. I have 32" inseam and find finaly a seat peg ratio that is comfortable all day. Thus for me at 6' even I finaly have a bike that fits well. | ||
| Ikeman |
I'm 5'8" with a 29" inseam (I'm guessing here - I buy 30" pants and they tend to bunch up at the bottom). I sold my last bike in 1996 and other than a borrowed ride every now and again I didn't ride for 10 years. I can just touch the tips of my toes at the same time with the rear preload cranked all the way down. I just put one foot down when I come to a stop and even then I'm only touching with the ball of my foot. Which foot I put down depends on the angle of the road and whether I'm facing uphill, downhill or level. I ride quite a bit with my son on the back (about 150 lbs.) and other than noticing that I'm holding up a little more weight I've had no problems. The only thing that I absolutely can't do is paddle the bike backwards. If I need to back up I dismount and walk the bike. With all that said - if the 12Ss or the CityX could be had with a set of hard luggage I probably would've gone that route. Regardless, the more I ride the Uly the more I like it. Even more so with the Conti Road Attacks I just mounted up. | ||
| Lorazepam |
5' 10" here, and I dont have a need to flat foot the bike. Guess if you have ridden cruisers all your life, it could be an issue. I usually hang a cheek off the side when stopped. I am usually in motion on the bike, not sitting and "posing" on it  | ||
| Thunderbox |
Snackbar64 said "Why would Buell design and market a bike that every potential Buell customer could not get on and ride? I understand that some riders are too short to ride some of the bikes. But to sit on the Uly comfortably flat footed requires someone to be six foot or better. How could the sales be brisk on a bike that many cannot ride?" They already did it with the smaller XBs. I and many others could not comfortably ride one of those so they made a bike for bigger people and you want to know why they excluded you. Well that's because it's your turn to be excluded we already had ours. I am 5'10" with a 30" inseam (no low seat either) and so far I have had no problem with the Uly. 2 up 12500 kms and no height issue. So get over it and lets go for a ride. (Message edited by thunderbox on August 15, 2006) |
