| Author | Message | ||
     Hughlysses |
A lot of people ask this question- "What was changed on the 07 (or 08 or 09) Uly?" Here you go: Basic model year changes: 2006- First Year for XB12X Ulysses. Colors- Midnight Black, Barricade Orange 2007- New standard lower seat, Pirelli Scorpion Sync tires replace Dunlop D616 tires, dual-rate front fork springs, revised airbox cover (better flow), improved oil pump. Colors- Midnight Black, Barricade Orange. 2008- Buell 25th anniversary insignia, 47 mm vs. 43 mm forks, steering lock increased from 54 degrees to 74 degrees by new triple clamps and offset forks, heated handgrips standard, air guides added below seat to deflect engine air, redline increased from 6800 to 7100 RPM redline, new engine oiling system, new EFI system (TPS resets no longer required), new timing system (timing adjustment not required). Colors- Midnight Black, Barricade Orange, Thrust Blue. 2008-1/2- XB12XT introduced. ~1.5 inch lower seat height, street-tuned suspension, taller windshield standard, Pirelli Strada tires. Colors- Midnight Black, Thrust Blue, Racing Red. 2009- improved drive belt, improved footpegs, XB12XP Police model introduced. Colors- Barricade Orange, Thrust Blue. -------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------- Details of changes from Buell.com news releases: 2007 Model Year Changes New Seat Design For 2007, the Buell Ulysses is a better fit for more riders, thanks to a new seat shape that’s both narrower at the front and lower overall. Seat height is reduced by 1.3 inches, to 31.8 inches. Seat comfort and durability is further enhanced by the elimination of seams on the side of the seat and an improved coarse texture. New Tires Another change for 2007 is a switch from Dunlop D616 to Pirelli Scorpion Sync tires. Through testing by Buell it was determined that when fitted to the Ulysses, the Pirelli tires deliver better pavement performance and similar performance on unpaved roads, thanks to an aggressive, open tread pattern. Tire size is unchanged, at 120/70R-17 front and 180/55R-17 rear. New Fork Springs and Airbox Cover Revised front fork springs improve handling and rider comfort, while a revised functional airbox cover optimizes air flow potential without affecting intake noise. [Not listed here- improved oil pump with increased scavenging capacity. See post below for details.] 2008 Model Year changes Significant changes to the front suspension and steering, plus powertrain enhancements, improve the performance of the 2008 Buell Ulysses XB12X, an adventure sportbike designed to carry its rider beyond the end of the pavement. The Ulysses features long-travel suspension, higher ground clearance and more aggressive tires that allow it to explore the roughest roads with confidence. But when the pavement is smooth and twisty, Ulysses performs like a flickable, agile sport motorcycle, propelled by a 1203 Thunderstorm V-Twin that is a bottomless pit of pure torque. Innovative features and accessories make Ulysses a comfortable, capable long-distance traveler or commuter. The versatile Buell Ulysses can take its rider where ever the road is headed. New 47mm front forks replace the previous 43 mm forks. Secured with a new triple clamp design, this new front end improves the torsional rigidity of the entire chassis. Fork flex is reduced during hard braking for improved stability and feedback. Steering sweep lock-to-lock is increased to 74 degrees from 54 degrees to reduce the turning radius in off-road low-speed maneuvers. New off-set triple clamps maintain the 23.5 degree rake and 4.8 inch trail. Heated hand grips are now standard equipment on the 2008 Ulysses. The grips are rated at 18 watts per side on the High setting and 11 watts per side on the Low setting. New air guides positioned on the tail section of the Ulysses deflect engine heat away from the rider’s legs. Modifications to the 1203 Thunderstorm V-Twin engine enhance performance, reduce maintenance, and allow a new redline of 7100 rpm (see separate Thunderstorm release for details). The instrument panel styling is refreshed and the tachometer reflects the new 7100-rpm redline. A commemorative Buell 25th Anniversary graphic with Erik Buell’s signature is placed on the handlebar clamp. New color: The 2008 Ulysses XB12X is offered in a new color, Thrust Blue, in addition to Barricade Orange and Midnight Black, each with Magnesium Tone wheels. Thunderstorm Engine changes: Buell continues to develop its Thunderstorm V-Twin powertrain in 2008, with significant enhancements that boost engine performance and reduce required maintenance. The Buell Thunderstorm is a modern air/oil/fan-cooled V-Twin powertrain utilized in the Buell XB motorcycle platform that includes the Firebolt, Lightning and Ulysses model families. Two versions of the engine are offered. The Thunderstorm 1203 displaces 1203cc and produces 103 horsepower at 6800 rpm and 84 ft. lbs. of torque at 6000 rpm. The Thunderstorm 984 displaces 984cc and produces 92 horsepower at 7500 rpm and 70 ft. lbs. of torque at 6000 rpm. Both are tuned to deliver a broad, flat torque curve that makes abundant power available to the rider at almost any speed, reducing the need for downshifting and providing strong acceleration in any situation. Both engines feature electronic fuel injection and dry-sump oiling. The Thunderstorm 1203 is equipped with the Buell InterActive Exhaust system, which utilizes a valve in the dual-chamber muffler that is controlled by the ECM and adjusts exhaust flow according to riding conditions to smooth torque delivery and optimize engine power. For 2008 the Thunderstorm 1203 redline is increased to 7100 rpm from 6800 rpm, giving this engine an even broader powerband, and riders the ability to accelerate longer and downshift at a higher rpm. The rpm redline of the Thunderstorm 984 remains 7500 rpm. For 2008, the following changes have been made to both the Thunderstorm 1203 and the Thunderstorm 984 * The timer cover is eliminated, as the engine is now crank timed from a new crank position sensor, which eliminates the need for manual timing, reducing maintenance costs. The ECM actively monitors and adjusts timing based on driving environment. The new sensor makes 30 reads per revolution, compared to the previous two reads per revolution, for more precise control of fuel mapping and timing to conditions. More Robust Crankpins- * The size of the crankpins is increased to 1.50 inches from 1.25 inches. Oiling System Upgraded * A higher-output oil pump supports oiling to the new crankpin area. The new pump is driven off of the crank, a design based on the Buell XBRR production racing motorcycle. * A new eight-row oil cooler offers enhanced cooling performance. * All oil line ends are now equipped with Jiffy-tite fittings. New DDFI 3 ECM (Engine Control Module) * A new ECM with increased computing capacity. * DDFI 3 actively controls and monitors the TPS (throttle position sensor), IAC (idle air control), and timing. DDFI 3 automatically zeros the TPS and adjusts fuel metering for smoother idle, eliminating service intervals and reducing the cost of ownership. * A new progressive throttle cam and new throttle cables provide smoother throttle input from stops, and less rotation to full throttle [Not listed here- Throttle body/intake manifold changed to one-piece assembly. Bolting arrangement to heads revised for easier access. See post below for details.] 2009 Model Year Changes Improved Drive Belt – A new Veyance Hibrex drive belt with Flexten Plus technology, based on the belt developed for the Buell 1125R, has increased strength and durability. Improved Footpegs – New black footpegs have an aggressive sawtooth pattern for optimal foot stability in all conditions and riding positions. New Ulysses Police model – The Ulysses Police XB12XP is designed for use by government agencies in situations requiring travel on paved and unpaved roads and the agility and performance of an adventure sport motorcycle. It is equipped with police-specific lighting, a larger top case and more-compact side cases, and other special equipment. (Message edited by Hughlysses on March 12, 2009) | ||
| Froggy |
Do you have details of the 2007 oiling upgrade? I have seen conflicting info. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Froggy- here's a screencap from the "Harley-Davidson University Technical Forum 2007 Model Year" PDF showing the oil pump changes:  They increased the diameter of the gerotors, then made the "feed" gerotor thinner and the "scavenge" gerotor thicker. This gives it about the same feed capacity as the earlier pump, but increased scavenging capacity. My guess is they did it to keep oil out of the crankcase better to minimize oil consumption. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Here's the info on the 2008-up intake changes from the "Harley-Davidson University Technical Forum 2008 Model Year".   | ||
| Hughlysses |
2009 updates: New belt on XB models New clutch cable free play specification on Ulysses® models. 0.140” to 0.180” 3.55 to 4.57mm Evidently this new free play spec applies to all Ulys that get the updated clutch cable bracket. (Message edited by Hughlysses on August 01, 2009) | ||
| Hughlysses |
2010 updates courtesy of Kozy: Fuel pump and fuel pressure sensor similar to the 1125 models. The front & rear turn signals have changed to a new style bulb turn signal. 30mm rear wheel bearings- 3 bearings and dust seals. -One bearing on the brake side and two bearings on the sprocket side. -New tools are required to remove and install these bearings. Axle & Wheel hub changes due to the new bearings. A front O2 sensor has been added. Wire harness changes -Addition of fuel pressure sensor wire and front O2 sensor wire. LED tail light(JST connector) [Note- all Ulys have an LED taillight, not sure this is applicable] Updated oil check procedure New fan strategy driven by speed and temperature Battery tender connector built into harness XB12X & XB12XT New fan shroud Right hand air scoop Cosmetic header cover | ||
| Danair |
What is an updated clutch cable bracket? | ||
| Froggy |
http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/show .cgi?tpc=32777&post=1278709#POST1278709 Pictures and details there  | ||
| Octopusenvy |
Gday Uly riders, just a quick message from NZ (down under but not Australia)...about to buy a 2005/6 Uly, im a current xb9 rider for 4yrs. Lots of upgrades in teh 2008, but hard to find here, and silly expensive. Am i REALLY better off spending heaps more and waiting for an 08 for all the changes? As a guide-- 2005 Uly stock: 7500nzd (6200USD) 2008 Uly stock: 10000nzd (8200USD) both these are for used prices, around 20,000kms or 14,000miles. cheers for any advice  | ||
| Hughlysses |
There's nothing wrong with an earlier Uly (first model year was actually 2006) for a good price. To put it in objective terms, the 2008-up is better, but ~32% better? Probably not. | ||
| Harvey_mushman |
Octopusenvy, Are the prices really that high in NZ? I've been thinking of shipping my '09 Uly there for an extended vacation. Maybe I should leave it for my brother. | ||
| Octopusenvy |
Hi Harvey! sorry it took so long to reply! I ended up with the 2006 Uly, and am loving it. Have done some mods, added carbon scoops and hugger, brighter H7 bulbs, heated grips, etc. The prices for Ulysses are high, AND there are very few for sale if any. Bring your 2009 in and I will buy it, and sell mine. Seriously. And myself and the other Buellers will be happy to show you around our amazing roads!  | ||
| Octopusenvy |
And so the conclusion to this is, yes I bought the 2006 about 2months ago and have been loving it...BUT a great guy has decided to part with his 2009 XB12XP in Wisconsin and I am going to look after it now once i ship it to NZ! Even has 2010 wheels/bearings, and definitely the only XP on our roads here. Thanks for all the advice, I am sure my 2006 will find a good home also.  |
