| Author | Message | ||
     Timbscg |
For the past couple of years I’ve owned the Ulysses, my riding has all been local and regional (day trips of 250 miles or less). This summer, I intend to change that and take some significantly longer trips. I’ve been searching BadWeb and would like to directly ask the question here: What accessories do you all recommend for the XB12X?...Mostly pavement riding with an occasional fire road. I have a full set of hard cases and comfort kit. Here are a few questions… Driving lights – What kind? PIAA, or not? Which product? HID lights – What is required? Just a bulb, or a lighting assembly? Recommended product? Throttle lock – What about Kaoko? Does it work? Other options? Best seat pad?…Sheepskin or other Best aftermarket wind protection? Best GPS? I have an unlimited budget (just kidding). All ears…Thanks! | ||
| Etennuly |
Well I can tell you from the perspective of having a proper wind blocking windshield, dubbed the BAW, it will lead to being too warm in the summer months. I take it off for some fresh cooler air to flow over me. Find your best fit in helmet and tune the ride for little or no buffeting. I found a Garmin Nuvi 550 works well. It is waterproof also. I use the stock high '06 seat with an Airhawk pad after about the first 300 miles. Alternating seating position is much more effective than a pad. Throttle lock. I haven't found a happy place there yet. I have the High and low both on at high beam position. I cannot spell HID, so I did not go there. A lot of lights will luminate the front of the bike better, but they will not help you see much better. I installed two bright amber LED lights into my hand guards to help the visibility deal. They come on with the headlights. | ||
| Ejbeert |
I am very happy with the madstad and memphis shades lowers i have on my 06x and happy with stock o6 seat and garmin novi 550. Having said that I always take a map,sometimes make a route sheet and tape it to tje tank; 1970 enduro rider style in a gallon size baggy. | ||
| Zac4mac |
As Vern, I rigged my lights so both are on in "High". PO put a set of PIAAs on, not sure which model, they are BRIGHT. Also added to the handguards on top. A set of Palmer brackets put the large windshield in a great wind-blocking position. I run a Baldwin seat with a gel-pad inside, VERY comfy.  Z | ||
| Hughesatron |
grip warmers and the touring screen mounted higher like zac4mac's. | ||
| Ronmold |
This throttle lock works great on my Uly! http://www.2wheelride.com/throttle_pro.html | ||
| Mnrider |
I'm running DDM hids in 35W 4500 color. Easy to install and great light output. Google DDM Tuning to check them out. | ||
| Biffdotorg |
I installed the Universal Vista Cruise and it works just fine for me. There are a few write-ups on it. I always have my throttle-rocker installed as well though for when I don't want to lock it. I have used my Lowrance H2O in the past years, but this year I will be using my iPhone with nav apps and the Ultimate Add-ons waterproof case with touch sensitive membrane. Good luck! | ||
| Beached |
Running American Sport Bike's HID conversion with both lights on on high beam. Absolutely no need for driving lights with these flamethrowers. California Scientific Windshield. A lot less buffeting than stock. Decent size and keeping the wind away from your body in the deserts reduces your raisination rate. The larger screen on the Garmin 650 makes it easier to read. | ||
| Uly_man |
PIAA Extream lamps a very good but a set of modern slim line type HIDs are better and cheaper these days. Both with the high and low beam on mod. Garmin 550 or the 650 if you want to splash lots of money. I have a 550 but a map and a cheaper sat nav is just as good. Tall screens dont work for me as they just put the wind in my face. I found the right helmet stops buffeting on my Uly. I have a std screen and OEM low seat and can ride at 100+ with no problems. Its what works for you as would seat comfort. Its not a one size/fit all thing. | ||
| Timbscg |
Thanks for all the great information! The Go Cruise looks interesting and a cheap solution. I'm also wondering which Memphis Shades work best. And I need to do some research on the lights. Thanks! | ||
| Buelldualsport |
We are interested on input for heavy bar ends. Want to use the Stock hand guards, so open to suggestions for keeping the Uly hand guards and dampening vibs. Thanks Cheers | ||
| Mikef5000 |
Alright I'll throw my input in here: DDM tuning 55 watt HID in the low beam, OEM halogen in the high beam (for flashing). If I were to do it again, I'd probably just throw an HID in the high beam too. You'll lose the ability to flash the light, but you'll gain light output. No need to change the housing, but you'll want to run relays to the bulbs so you're not pulling power through the OEM wiring/switch. Get a 10 second delay relay for the low beam, and a standard relay for the high beam. 4500 lumen is the brightest and whitest light option. I have generic Walmart/Autozone fog lights with DDM HID bulbs in them, but they hardly get used with the 55w HID low beam. Plus I try not to tour at night, and they're too bright to use in town. With my new bike, I've decided that auxiliary lights are not necessary; just extra weight/electical strain/wiring. Good HID headlights put out enough light for my needs. Throttle lock: I've used the Kaoka, but was not impressed, activating and deactivating it was awkward, and at times simply difficult. I use one of these on my uly: But I've recently seen a few of these and am impressed! Super simple and effective: I stuck with the OEM tall windscreen, with the adjustable Palmer brackets. It works. Probably not the best possible outcome, but better than OEM, and good enough for me. I played with some home-made memphis shades. I didn't notice any difference at all, so I took them off. I tried the bead seat cushion, but ended up using an Alaskan Leather Sheepskin Butt Pad. I have, what some have called, no ass, and those beads found my pressure points almost immediately. It was not good! I know some folks that swear by them though! But anyway, the Sheepskin helps, they have one specified for the Uly, and I went with the short-haired cheaper (2nds) version. I'm cheap, so I went with the Garmin Nuvi 550 gps. It's basically your simple automotive grade nuvi, but it's waterproof. It doesn't have near the features of the Zumo line, and the powering mechanism (mini-USB) isn't near as durable as the zumo's cradle, but it does what I need. If you're planning to link computer maps with gps maps, you need to go to the Zumo. If you're just going to use it to get back from being out and lost, or to get from point A to point B to point C, then the Nuvi is a cheaper alternative. (Oh wait, you said unlimited budget! Garmin Zumo 660 or 665!) | ||
| Marks3tbillet |
I have the Kaoko, think it is the nicest throttle lock out there. I also use Palmer windshield brackets and a Zero Gravity windscreen. The adjustability is nice to figure out the best wind protection for your height,etc. (Message edited by marks3tbillet on April 21, 2012) | ||
| Schwara |
For bar ends, I've tried both Knight Design and extra heavy HVMP. I like the design and look of the Knight better, they look more stock, but the HVMPs are quite a bit heavier so they damp more vibes. Once I went to the HVMP I didn't go back. I wish I could get the design from Knight in the size of the HVMP, but back when I was looking I couldn't find anything like that. Both are good products. | ||
| Schwara |
I also have the 1st throttle lock shown in Mikef's pics ... it was on the bike when I bought it. Seems to work OK. I use it pretty much every time I'm riding more than 30 minutes. At some point I do need to tighten it though as it slowly slips over time. I can keep it in place with two fingers though. It hasn't annoyed me enough to do anything about yet obviously. | ||
| Buelldualsport |
Thanks for the update on the Bar ends and the throttle lock, Be Safe | ||
| Glenn |
Hi, I just bought one of the locks that Ronmold recommended here for $19.95 including shipping. http://www.fasteddysports.com/?page_id=3&product_i d=876 | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
The HVMP bar ends are available powdercoated black as an option now. Just shoot HVMP an email and they'll let you know how to order that option. | ||
| Mnrider |
 The Palmer products bar ends work great with the stock hand guards. | ||
| Etennuly |
I've known a couple of guys to buy the bar ends for damping vibrations who got a lot more out of a new front engine mount. It seems to have been their cause of the vibrations. | ||
| Uly_man |
You will always get some vibs through the bars. You do not get the nasty high rev vib of a 4 on these bikes though. The trick is to get the right weight for the bike. I used these (alloy) without hand guards and the vibs were less.  Foam grips work well on bikes (used them before) and Grip Puppies are said to go over Buell heated grips. Cost though. | ||
| Sharkguy |
I tried the grip puppies for awhile and they do work. However, they made the grips a bit too large for me on this bike. I took them off and placed them on my klr where they work well. | ||
| Tiltcylinder |
The "go cruise" throttle lock is the best two dollar piece of plastic I ever spent twenty dollars for. Tried bar end styles and the ones that mount to the switch housings... this is hands down the simplest and easiest to use. Goes bike to bike easily, fits in a pocket when you're away from the bike. Won't break itself or anything else in a tipover/ getoff either. | ||
| Orangeulius |
I have added only a few farkles to my new black 08 XT. I traded an orange painted Madstad from my 06 X for a flat black one. I updated it with a smoke colored Zero Gravity wind screen. It looks much better than the clear screen I had and really finishes the black theme. I had foam grip covers on my 06 but they got funky over time and were a little too big. A buddy of mine gave me his BMW grip buddies. They are awesome. For me they cut down on the fatigue. My last farkle will be the comfort kit. Besides getting lower gas mileage than my 06, the 08 is really toasting my right leg. Damn those mesh Olympia riding pants. |
