| Author | Message | ||
     Homeslice3 |
Just got back from a 6K tour of the Rockies/Cascades on my 2001 Moto Guzzi Jackal. Had a blast.. Had a mechanical issue along the way and realized it time to trade up for a newer bike - love my goose, but finding a dealer in Southern Utah and getting a part (spokes) nearly killed my trip... I has planned on getting a Breva this winter, but now I'm thinking I need to expand my choices.. I've been wanting to go with an American bike and love the looks of the Uly - but I'm probably too short (5-8' / 190). I was wondering if I can mod the CityX bike to do some long term touring - mostly want to add some hard bags, a tank bag and a decent seat, heated grips. Other than that, commuting, and two up day trip with my wife and I. (she's 5-5' 120) I have really no interest in dirt riding, though taking the bike on some of the fire roads in the Rockies would have been cool. I'm wondering if anyone has thoughts on the CityX for touring, or the ULY for us height challenged guys. | ||
| Jlnance |
I think the Uly is the better bike (compared to CityX) for what you want to be doing and the roads around you. I know people do ride 2 up on the CityX, but I think it would be uncomfortable for the passenger. Your wife is quite small, so it might work though. My friend M2nc is 5'8 and he does not have problems with the Uly's height. But you'll have to sit on one to see. (Message edited by jlnance on August 18, 2006) | ||
| Ulywife |
M2nc's inseam is 29". He has much better control (in my opinion) with the low seat. He still mounts the bike by stepping on the left peg. From a passengers point of view, I prefer our Uly to our M2. I know it's not a City X, but I don't think another Buell gives the passenger the room and comfort that a Uly does. And you can't beat the storage with the bags. He also uses the Ventura bag when he's traveling alone if he doesn't want the full set of bags. | ||
| Brat |
There's been discussion on this forum somewhere about modding a CityX by adding the Uly seat/back section. you'd then get the comfy seat and be able to add bags! | ||
| Javadog |
In the future I am confident it will be possible to lower the Ulysses a couple of inches for those who don't use theirs as a dirt bike. I plan to do this eventually and don't expect to lose anything for the riding that I do. Then all I have to do is to get some decent lowered footpegs and a windshield that actually works. | ||
| Chris_in_tn |
I too have ridden Guzzis for the last several years. I love them. I sold my 03 Stone to get the Uly. I was always concerned when I was on a trip that if something broke, my trip was most likely over, as you know, parts can be very difficult to get. Buell's parts are much easier to get and much cheaper. For what you want to do, the Uly sounds to be a better choice, however, I would be concerned with the height issue. I am 6'0" and do not touch the ground fully with both feet. I would suggest you try one out. Some shorter guys don't seem to have a problem with it. I believe it may have a lot to do with riding experience. The CityX is a cool bike too, but I do not believe it would make a good tourer. There is no provision for hard bags or a decent windshield. | ||
| Lorazepam |
the lightning long is close to a Uly but a different tail section. I think it may be worth a look. I know the light bracket will work on them. | ||
| Homeslice3 |
I don't ride with a windshield now, so I don't think that's a problem - I DO need plenty of storage for my tent/clothes and so forth and after a long trip with a RevPak touring bag, I'm ready to go to hard luggage with compartments. Does lowering the bike via the suspension alter it in any way (ie the factory warrenty or the ride itself)? I'd be willing to have the dealer set it up for me this way if it's possible. I'm going to head up to the Seattle dealer next week to sit on the Uly and test out the height/comfort. | ||
| Javadog |
Be sure to try out the '07 low seat. My understanding is that the bike cannot be lowered by the stock suspension-it is set up according to the weight of the rider and any other heavy things he or she may have with them. | ||
| Dragon_slayer |
Homeslice3, the City X does not have the bigger frame/fuel tank of the Uly. The Lightning Long does and would make a better long distance bike. BTW, I loved my Guzzi too! The Uly is a good bike to own after a Guzzi. | ||
| Brotherbuell |
Homeslice, The '07 Uly or the '06 with the low seat is very close (.4") to the seat height of the CityX. I think the Uly provides a lot more flexibility and utility as well as an extra 300cc's. | ||
| Homeslice3 |
Well, I just sold my Jackal about an hour ago, gonna get down to the dealer to look at the Buells next week. I'm thinking it's either going to be the ULY or one of the lightening longs - which seems to have more room. Can't wait to ride an American bike. I'll miss the Guzzi though. b | ||
| Dragon_slayer |
Oh hell, tell the dealer to order in pizza and clear his schedule. You are coming in to test them all and then decide!  | ||
| Debueller |
Brian, I live in western WA also. I've owned mt Uly since Oct and absolutly love it. There are alot of great riding opportunities within a very short distance for such a bike. PM me when you get your new Buell. I'm always looking for people who like to explore local twisties/gravel. I toured the Canadian Rockies last month and am ready to go on some more tours before the weather changes. (WA,OR,ID,BC) P.S. Downtown H/D-Buell has about 6 '06 Uly's. They might be willing to deal on them. | ||
| Ulendo |
re: touring / 2 up on a cityX - GF says the pillion actually isnt bad, and we've done up to 5 hours at a time 2 up. I've done solo camping runs to calgary ( from kelowna) without a problem, strapping a tent, bedroll, and duffle across the top of the pillion & saddlebags. passenger + luggage is the challenge - I know the manuals all say 'dont', but the GF and I have managed the stock buell saddle bags+her on the back: its tight, but doable with a small passenger ( I specifically leave the lugage ON when I have my kids on the back, as it helps secure them in place). Longer runs with passenger are almost impossble, as a 'top' bag behind the passenger would cover the tail light, and you cant carry enough gear for 2 in the saddle bags+tankbag. I've got my custom rear end (fitted for custom hard bags, and moving the tailight right to teh back) almost complete, and hope to post pics by the end of sept....dont know if you're interested in having someone fabricate something similar or not, but as an FYI, it IS possible. as a note regarding rough road/off road use, I use my cityX hard on forest service roads / gravel roads / light enduro stuff, and for a short rider, the lack of saddle height can be the difference between a 'near miss', and 'dumping' the bike. 3 times in 3 months I've had it pitch over hard while 'off road': in all cases, the Uly would have done the same, and I dont think I could have rescued even one on the higher bike - not to say skill level, or experience is the same for everyone, but definitely something to keep in mind if you plan to run backroads. brotherbuell - not sure where you got that info on the seat heights, but its a lot more than 0.4". I'm 5'4", with a 28" inseam, so saddle height was a critical factor to me...I tried an '07 last time I was in for a service ( to see if I'd be swapping up to a Uly in the future), and its still quite a bit higher than the stock cityX, let alone my cityX with the low seat. Debeuller - if you get up into the BC okanagan, shoot me a message, and we can hit some of the local runs. ( I'm in kelowna, right smack in the middle of the prime 'destination' BC rides: kettle valley, hope-princeton, westside road, highway 6.....) (Message edited by ulendo on August 22, 2006) | ||
| Debueller |
Ulendo, I just might take you up on that offer. I really enjoyed the dirt roads and free ferries on the back side of Arrow lake. I hear there is an abanded RR grade somewhere in B.C. I'd really enjoy a guided tour of that. Send me a PM if you are familar with that. Long distance riding season is is getting in short supply now. I definetly will be in B.C. next year. (unless you know anything about the RR grade...I might be interested sometime in Sept.) BTW, I remember the Hope-Princeton road from last month...it's etched in my mind, it was awesome. | ||
| Ulendo |
DeBueller - the route you're talking about is the Kettle valley railway ( KVR). I run a portion of it on a regular basis ( chute lake) that, coincidentally, is the are that was burned over by the OK mountain fire in '02. many (most) of the trestles are still under repair/rebulding, but portions of the route are just gorgeous. if you want some photos to whet your appetite, go take a look at advrider, under the pics, and trips section, there are several current threads about the area. Idaho peak /trout lake was a portion of the BC big traillie ride this year, and hwy 6 connects needles to vernon. ( infamous? its sort of BC's equivalent of the Dragon - the big traillie ride got held up for a few hours while 2 sportbike riders were airlifted out!!) like I said, drop a note if you're up this way, and I'll see what sort of a route I can work out. ***gonna be ~ a week till I can do a run though - I shredded my rear tire last weekend going over part of the KVR, and it'll take a few days to get a new one in | ||
| Brotherbuell |
brotherbuell - not sure where you got that info on the seat heights, but its a lot more than 0.4". Right from the Buell website, under "Specifications". Seat Height: XB12X: 31.8" XB9SX: 31.4" | ||
| Ulendo |
<shrugs> I've sat on both, and the cityX, I can get a foot down, the '07 uly I cant....the '07 is definitely lower than earlier models, and the issue could be seat shape, but even sitting side by side ( as they are at my dealer) it looks more like 1.25-1.5" still. ( the '06 they still have on the floor looks to be at least an inch higher than that, which would be continuous with last years model specs of 34"+ seat height. ) fwiw, the cityX rated seat heights were 'way off' when I measured mine, too. I think they must measure them with preload set to max or something, so ymmv, as the saying goes. one of those things you have to sit on and try, I guess. | ||
| Debueller |
Ulendo, I'll PM you next week. |
