| Author | Message | ||
     Kars |
Howdy folks. Got back into riding last year and (not sure what I was thinking) bought a cruiser, a triumph speedmaster. I love the triumph even though it took a long time to get used to placing my feet foward. I come from a sporting and dirt backround, everything from riceburners to ducati. Not into the high rpm rockets, prefer usuable power. Absolutely love the ride and motors on the ducati's but not the cost of ownership. Rode my buddies monster and loved it. Not going back to full sport, need something with more standard ergos for my aging body. Then I found the adventure rides and am convinced that is what I want/need. I commute, do long solo rides, tours to Colorado, Virginia and WV visiting family and just multiday joy rides with no destination. Few hundred miles a week minimum. I love the grunt of the ducati and buell twins. I have looked at triumph tiger, multistrada, Uly, BMW and KTM. Test rode the multistrada and tiger soo far. I will see a good amount of dirt roads in WV and Colorado. The ktm seems too dirt oriented in ride and looks, I just want to get through the dirt. The multistrada has zero dirt claims but has the outstanding handling and motor ducati is known for. Just was not into the tiger, though it's a sweet ride. Have not been able to get a test ride on the big beemer ot the uly. I know I am asking at a buell forum but what is your opinions? Why is the ULY the best choice? I am leaning towards the ULY or beemer right now but am not counting out the duc. Thanks | ||
| Debueller |
Because of rider and passenger comfort, dealer network, middle of the road price, ease of maintence, fun to ride, great exhaust note or keep it quiet with the stock can. I could go on....... | ||
| Snub13 |
Hi Keith. You'll most likely get a slightly one sided point of view from this crowd, myself included. Anyway, I looked at the same bikes that you list as well as the V-Strom and Caponord. The conclusion that I came away with is..... GET THE ULY!!!! The BMWs' are great bikes but expensive and it's not easy to do your own work. Ducatis' are awesome but the valve adjustments are needed way too often. As you stated, the KTMs' are too dirt oriented and lack any real passenger provisions. I really wanted to like the Triumph Tiger but the styling was more than I could take. The V-Strom and the Caponord were both very cool and capable but the dash/wind screens were very...for lack of a better word, "plasticy" or chintzy. The Uly is easy to work on, reasonably inexpensive, made in the USA, has real world ergos and power and is a very exclusive group. It also has "go anywhere" capabilities. Just remember that the BLACK ones' are faster and you will be fine! Good riding and good luck in your quest. It only took me ten years to decide on the Uly, Thank God for Erik Buell! | ||
| Jim_sb |
Hello Snub, Be careful with the "made in USA" mantra. If you'll notice on the '07 Ulysses it now says "Buell" only. The words "American Motorcycles" are gone. The rep told us that is because Buell no longer meets some percentage requirement to be considered made in the USA. Just repeating what I was told. But we do know that many parts (frames, hard bags, etc.) are made overseas. It would not have changed my purchase decision, just an indicator of the ongoing globalization of production. Jim in Santa Barbara | ||
| Bosh |
Low cost of ownership. Replacement parts are relatively inexpensive Handles almost as good as the Multistrada on the road. It'll run circles around a GS. Handles better than a Multistrada on the dirt. Incredible long distance comfort. Lots of passenger room and comfort. Side cases are volumous due to exhaust location under frame. Lots of torque, fun and character in the motor (not unlike the Duck). No valve adjustments EVER! Belt drive is the way to go. You need to feel it!!! Very good reliability (better than Ducati or BMW IMHO). Most fun you'll ever have on a motorcycle. Other than that they suck. | ||
| Kars |
Thanks so far guys. I know it will be one sided but that is what I want to hear, the passion of why you love your bikes. I have read all the reviews and checked the bikes out. I still need to test ride but so far the ergo's feel great and I love the look and the vtwin low rpm grunt. Sorry snub am leaning toward the orange, though I have not seen a black in person. | ||
| Kars |
Thanks Bosh, good answer. The belt drive and the motor are very strong points in my decision. Rode one of the other buells last year, don't remember which but loved the motor and handling. And fun is what it's all about. On the cruiser I feel like I should cruise down to the local bar and park it for the day. I find myself scraping tarmac on a simple mellow cruise. The bike is fun.....for a cruiser. Handles much better than others I've ridden but not quite my speed. Guess I thought I was getting too old, LOL!} | ||
| Pso |
All of the above, plus I think the folks at Buell care about the bikes, the technology, the rideing and the customers. They did respond very quickly to the side stand issue. Plus I have been getting lots of support from this board and members if you look at my thread "From best to Worst ..." Best bike that I have owned Paul | ||
| Ka5ysy |
Check out my test ride report: http://www.dualsportridersoflouisiana.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1557 | ||
| Teeps |
Your story (first paragraph) nearly mirrors my own background and experiences. Here's why I bought the Ulysses: 1200cc V-Twin power (103 HP claimed) not sure from where, wrist pin, crank or rear wheel. The golden treatment on the exhaust headers. Fuel Injected (jury still out if this is plus or minus) Oil/Air and Fan Cooled. No Valve Adjustments. Belt (final) Drive. Looks Different; the wife says Uly looks weird, she liked my VTX1300 better. Absolutely NO BLING!!!! = less cleaning more riding... First Class Parts, small details counts like stainless brake lines, nyloc fasteners, etc. Top Shelf FULLY ADJUSTABLE Suspension, Front & Rear. Only thing I don't like about the bike is the Shrieking of the cooling Fan, it's loud. The fan noise could be a deal breaker for some. Make sure you ride the Ulysses at least 10 miles to make the fan turn on. So you get an idea of what listening to it hour after hour will be like. Of course you can wear ear plugs like I do. | ||
| Crusty |
The biggest reason to get a Buell is how much fun they are to ride. The grin that comes with riding a Buell is worth the price of the bike alone. One other reason to buy one is the level of Customer Service. I have never seen any manufacturer go to the lengths that Buell does to do the Right Thing. I strongly urge you to take a test ride. If that doesn't convince you, then I don't know what will. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Make sure that your test ride is on a bike with some miles on it. The bike does take a longer than average time to break in completely. Parts are CHEAP! (Costwise not manufactured). Upkeep is very low. Oil changes are easy and quick. The engine is simple and low tech, but the package is cutting edge. It's the best of both worlds. The suspension is fantastic. The comfort is outstanding. The seat is legendary. It is unique. There aren't any bikes that ride like it, feel like it, look like it, or perform like it. One commonality is that every owner (even the ones that have had fans die) will tell you that you can not erase the grin on your face when you ride it. And in the end, isn't that what you want in a motorcycle? PS You REALLY need to see the black before you buy a "bus"!  | ||
| Xbimmer |
Me too with everybody above!  I am constantly being approached about this bike as I pull in and bring it to a stop wherever, engine and whatever shaking and loping (sometimes fan shrieking!  ). Q #14 on the survey asks me whether I bought it for the attention... that thought has never occurred to me for anything I've ever bought. Seems this bike gets its fair share though. And I do like describing the unique attributes to inquiring minds wanting to know. I still have a soft spot for Beemers but there's nothing they offer here that will replace my Uly. Two days before I signed I hit them up again, asking when the F800 would be available. Got sort of a snooty response in the negative then made my decision. Minor problems, but no regrets. Oh yeah, I think the reason I see only School Bus Ulys wherever I go is because the Black ones haven't gotten there yet. Draw your own conclusions. (Message edited by xbimmer on August 29, 2006) | ||
| M2nc |
All the bikes you have listed are great. I really like the Tiger and that 955i motor. One day a BMW may be in the stable next to the Buells. I really like R1200 either RT or GS. Those bikes are awesome. The V-Strom is a smoking deal for a competent bike. I will not try to talk you into any one of them, because each as its own advantage. So why the Uly. 1. Fun factor - The combination of short wheel base, relative light weight, low end grunt motor and the extreme geometry of the bike including the trilogy of mass, make it one of the most fun rides out there. 2. Ergonomics - Though most of these bikes on the list are comfortable, the Uly is one of the most comfortable bikes I have ridden. I have personally ridden from Indiana to Eastern North Carolina in one day, via every mountain road I could find in WV & VA. 720 Miles in one day and four hours of mountain roads without getting off the saddle. 3. Passenger accommodations - My Wife and daughter love the Uly's Pillion and neat Triple Tail backrest/rack. 4. Optional Luggage - Though the latches are weak and can break if you attempt to force the latch, the three bags have a 122 liters of room. Add the large Buell Tank bag and a Ventura 45 liter bag that a perfect fit over the triple tail. 5. Off road capable - It is not a dirt bike, but with the low torque motor, it will ride dirt roads well enough. The 17" front wheel do not make easy use of sand or deep gravel, but the bike will climb sharp grades, deal with mud and hard pack very well. 6. Maintenance Free - For me, I have 13,000 miles and the bike has been serviced at 1,000, 5,000, 10,000 miles. I changes the D616 to Pirelli Diabo Stradas for better mileage. Though I did break one latch on the side case luggage, I have not had to pay for anything on the bike due to failure. Dropped the bike twice and had to cough up a couple hundred dollars in parts to fix it back up, but no failures that I had to pay for. 7. Purchase Price - The bike is not as cheap as the V-Strom but the V-Strom does not match the features on the Uly. Its less than the others on the list. 8. Dealer network - It's a love hate relationship between Buells and their HD dealers. But the network is across the country enough to be able to find one relatively close no matter where you travel. More support from the dealers than you will find from the competition short of the Suzuki. What the Uly is not... - It's not the fastest. - It's not the best handling (though close). - It's not the most stylish. (but Unique) - It's not the smoothest (Its a Harley and it will shake, we like, but you may not) - It's not the coolest (Air cooled and the rear cylinder is concealed by the frame. Its hot on the seat in the summertime. Insulators available) All the bikes on your list are great. Go test the BMW and the Uly and if the Uly is for you, it will call you. | ||
| Chinook |
====>S.E.G.  | ||
| Daves |
I think you should come to Wisconsin and ride one home. Go visit the factory and meet some of the people that make Buells great bikes  | ||
| Kars |
Thanks all! Fun factor is my number one priority. Usability is my second. I am scheduling a test ride for the Uly and Beemer. Not too into the suzuki looks but love the cost and reviews. May test it too. | ||
| Coolice |
The Uly is a great bike, try it you'll like it.(ORANGE is faster)  And DaveS can set you up! As well as the rest of the sponser Buell dealers here on Badweb. | ||
| Trapper |
Kars, I have more than a little experience riding motorcycles, having started out on dirt bikes in the early sixties. More currently I have ridden my Harley Ultra from upstate NY to Southern California to visit family. I then took a little ride through the canyonlands, four corners region and about the Rockies. I love to ride! I have more than a few Iron Butt Rides under my belt and plan on getting more. This Spring I decided to get a new bike and after considering how I like to ride and where, I narrowed my choices down to two. Either a BMW GS or a Ulysses. One morning about two months ago, I visited my BMW dealership and test rode a GS. Then that afternoon, so the results would be fresh in my mind, I went to a HD/Buell dealership and took out a Ulysses for a test ride. I went on paved roads as well as dirt/gravel, out on the interstate and then through some two laned twisties. That afternoon my mind was made up. I bought the Ulysses. I have been putting more than a few miles on it, as I have ridden it almost daily. I love it. It is FUN. |
