| Author | Message | ||
     Swordsman |
My brother in law just got his full license and it totally enamored with the XT. He's been riding since he was a kid, but just got around to finishing the paperwork and taking the test. Anyway, he's wanting a bike that he and his wife can tour on, but wants a V-twin and loves the Buell performance over the other H-D offerings. I say more power to him. However, I have NO experience with carrying passengers, or being one. My father in law, who turned me on to Buell in the first place, is convinced the low, stiff back pad of the Uly will suck the life out of a passenger if going any further than a trip to the store. Also, with such a short wheelbase, how is the bike going to handle with ~170 lbs perched on the back end? ~SM | ||
| Mike_dinger |
Really, it depends on his height. It he's shorter than 6', the XT might suit him better. If he's at least 6', he will better foot the ground, which is highly important, especially with 2-up. The increased travel on the suspension and ride height will also be better suited on the X. As far as the backrest concerns, my wife likes it just fine. There is also a gel pad that can also be attached to the backrest. Lastly the backrest is not that stiff. It has a fair amount of flex to it. If the passenger is wearing a proper riding jacket, there shouldn't be any problems. Handling is great, it's the throttle he will need to be gingerly with! Suspension adjustments are you friend, and they work wonders with a passenger! | ||
| Rwven |
My wife finds the Uly to be very comfortable for the passenger. Buell makes a gel pad for the backrest but it's not really needed, the beavertail is actually quite flexible. The fact that the backrest is attached to the bike frame and not to a topbox makes it more comfortable also. | ||
| Hotrod54 |
I have had a Uly X for almost 2 years. My wife has ridden with me for the past 11 years on everything from a HD dyna, to an electroglide, and she prefers the Uly to all of them. The passenger seat is wide with good cushion, the backrest with gel pad works very well, and the foot pegs are in a good position for her. As far as handling, with both of us on the bike we are on the upper side of the gross weight capacity, so I run the suspension pretty stiff, and the bike handles just fine. | ||
| Riding_tall |
Best bike I've ever ridden for two up riding. The seat is very comfortable for both me and my wife, motor has the power for two up riding, suspension handles the extra weight just fine and is nicely adjustable. Before I got the bike I had the same thoughts about the short wheelbase but in actual riding it handles a passenger very well. The ability for comfortable two up riding was one of the main reasons I got the Uly and it has worked as well or better than I had read about. well nuff typing .. off to go riding  | ||
| Muppet |
Best bike I've had for both solo and 2-up and I cover about 15k miles a year on tours. More comfortable and more room for the pillion than a GS,VFR (Interceptor) and K1200S, more than enough power and the handling fully loaded is still great. That's on a standard Uly, but I imagine the XT would be just as good. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
My wife finds it very comfortable. The back rest is very comfortable. | ||
| Ironhead1977 |
If you need long range comfort for the wife to ride get an ultra classic. If she is going to ride 300 or less miles a day with you the XT is a good choice. Solo, the XT is good for as long as you can stay awake. | ||
| Ratbuell |
My X handles great with a passenger on the back. My wife is an excellent passenger, so that may help (105+, 2-up on the S2 at Road America if that's any indication...and she didn't even pee herself!). Having ridden both the X and an XT, I can safely say the XT will be even better 2-up than the X. From a drivers' perspective, the passenger is basically transparent if you set the preload correctly. The only thing she says is I need to get a taller windshield - she actually likes the backseat of the S2 better because we're lower to the ground, and that super-sexy fairing gives the perfect bubble around us...but if I "have" to, I'll spend the money on a bigger screen for the UlyX  She's also been riding in a 3/4 helmet, I'm sure once we get her a fullface (and get rid of the lift factor of all that wind coming up her chin and trying to pull the helmet off the top of her head) it'll be better. | ||
| Caddypat |
my wife likes ours just fine. together we are about 490lbs and over 60 yrs young. i did end up lowering ours 2 inches.did wonders for my back pedaling. hope you join the crowd and enjoy. pat | ||
| Etennuly |
The only problem I have seen two up is that my wife and my daughter tend to fall asleep. With all three bags on they say they feel comfortable in their "zone". The seat is fine for them as long as we take a break at about 60 to 70 miles, even if it is just for a few minutes to get off an stretch their legs. I feel that with passengers that is about right for me to, as I usually move around on the seat a lot on longer rides because my knees stiffen up. | ||
| Ulyranger |
Best 2up bike I've ever ridden. The wife says she could take a nap back there. Her jacket has a pad in the lower back area and the beaver tail is flexible so not an issue. I've offered to purchase a gel pad but she says it's not an issue, very comfy back there...........but I wouldn't know first hand. As others have said the suspension adjustability is key as well, really making the bike suit solo sporty riding and 2up touring a matter of a few tweaks with a screw driver and wrench. Tell 'im to go for a test spin, then he's all done. He'll have to have it............. | ||
| Slaughter |
Too bad you're so far from Hals. Not sure which other dealers actually rent Buells but Sunny and I rented the ULY from Hals for Homecoming and after a few long-ish trips (well... 150 miles isn't really long) - she really said it was better than anything she'd been on the back of. For me, I'd rather she was riding her own bike but renting TWO would have been pretty danged pricey! Handling was predictable. I stiffened up the rear so it felt about right but we never really pushed it. I'd have to say that the Uly with the bags was a really great bike for 2-up riding. Never rode it solo except in the parkig lot and once up to Hal's to get a rainsuit (barely 2 miles) If I didn't already have the trusty S3, I'd be seriously considering the Uly. (and I've got kinda longish legs but with the low seat, it was pretty easy - but I'm also used to dirt bikes with long travel so it didn't feel strange) | ||
| Seanp |
My wife and I just finished about 3,500 miles in 11 days on a regular 12X. We did some 300 mile days, and a few 500 mile days, with one 700+ mile day. The bike handles great with two people and three bags full of stuff, probably about 450 total pounds. We rode two-up (with empty bags) for the parade lap at homecoming, and the bike felt pretty good through the turns, with the guy behind me saying that he was worried I was going to drag a bag on the ground as much as we were leaning. After two straight weeks of riding, both our butts were ready to get off the bike, but I think the only bike that would be more comfortable would be a geezer glide or a goldwing. (Message edited by seanp on July 09, 2008) | ||
| Nevrenuf |
what everyone else is saying plus my wife even thinks there is more room on the xt than the ultra. i know i can get more stuff in the xt's bags than the ultra. for the super slab, it's not bad but if i had some kind cruise control and some audio it would be a great ride.(need to be able to let go of the throttle once in a while) as far as handling, you can be as aggresive as you want to be with a passenger. no regrets what so ever on the purchase. | ||
| Adrian_8 |
My wife likes the ULY better than my Superglide...we have the zip on gel pad for the triple tail that supports her back..my ULY is a good two-upper...If you are tall enuff..The XT should be no diff.. (Message edited by Adrian_8 on July 09, 2008) |
