| Author | Message | ||
     Ninasguy |
I have an opportunity to get an 09 Uly with 317 original miles for $8000. Sounds like a good deal but I'm concerned about getting it due to all the problems reported on the Uly forums. Do all Uly's have issues or or is it only the people with bike problems that use these forums? Anyone out there have a troube-free bike? The bike is very appealing but high repair bills are not. Any help or suggestions will be appreciateed. | ||
| Skifastbadly |
Grab it. If you want something with no problems, buy a Honda. That's a good price for a year that's mostly sorted. Remember, online forums are largely places where people need help, I've never posted here "Everything's fine, no problem." One redeeming feature of the Uly is it's pretty easy to work on. Take my word for it, I oughta know. Have you ridden it? Ride it. Then your heart will know. | ||
| Ninasguy |
I appreciate the advice. I guess I've been spoiled with both my other bikes being kawasaki's. Done nothing to them but ride them and change the oil + tires and keep riding some more. But the Uly looks awesome, sounds better, and will probably take me anywhere I want to go. My hesitation is that I'm not a good wrench and I don't have extra money to pay harley mechanics. But man this bike is UNIQUE! | ||
| Thejosh |
All bikes have their quirks......especially HONDAS. I got rid of a Honda because it was starting to fall apart. I don't think I have seen a worry free bike. I have a small shop and work on all my buddies bikes, Hondas, Kawi's, Suzuki, and BMW. What I personally like about Buells is that they are easy to work on. I'd say scoop it up! From my experience, if you keep up with the routine maintenance, that bike should treat you right. | ||
| Djohnk |
I think if you don't like wrenching buy the bike and ride it for a few years trouble free, then sell it. I love my Uly ... you may end up willing to pay to fix it instead of selling it. If you take good care of it, you can sell it for a good price later. All bikes eventually have problems here and there when they get older. I definitely agree with you that if you don't like working on the bike it would be expensive taking it to a Harley dealership. I bought my Uly with high mileage and have had several problems, but did the repair work myself. I probably would hate the bike if I would have had to pay the Harley dealership $$$$ to fix it. | ||
| Rwcfrank |
My 08 Uly has never left me stranded or needed repairs beyond regular service. I bought it new in March of 2008 and have ridden it at least once a week and usually 4-5 times a week. I like it more now than when I first got it. | ||
| Balloyd66 |
+1 on what everyone's said! Strap that beast under your a$$ and you'll never forget that first ride! Still after 15k, every time I get on, I have an ear-to-ear grin. And you'll always find plenty of helpful advice here. Best of all, IT'S AMERICAN! | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
06 owner and my son has an 07. Love these bikes. All motorcycles need loving care. I've had more problems with Hondas then I've ever had with the Buells. If you think that you'll never have a worry then stay away from motorcycles in general. They all need an owner with the service manual on the shelf ready to be accessed. That's just the way it is as a motorcyclist. My take anyways. Makes for a more self sufficient person the way I see it. Dealers are a place to buy the parts that you'll install or use for fixing the bike yourself. One thing about the Buell: It's the first bike that I've modified with parts I've built or modded myself. Never done that before. Really have enjoyed doing that. | ||
| Desert_uly |
You are saving 3-4k over what many others paid for a new and semi-unique motorcycle that has character and reliability, handling, comfort, touring capability, etc...for $8000. BUY IT!Someone else will if you don't. | ||
| Uly_man |
I have been using these forums for about five years. It is true many come for help but many will also share what they find and do with others. This one is the best bar none. The bike mechanicals are strong and can be fixed by any bike shop as long as they are aware of the bikes few quirks ie wheel bearings. No need for HD and the last place you want to take it anyway. The big problem is the bikes engine electrics which can be VERY hard to trace/fix. I have had two bikes. Both mint and with a perfect history. The 06 (1500 miles) came from a ex Buell salesman and the 2010 (2500 miles) was supplied by the UKs best Buell dealer. They breakdown the bike and anti seize all the bolts and axles and fix all the little things needed on these bikes before selling them. And they both still broke down. 06 bike - two belts, front bearings, earth frame fault and head earth (I think) fault. 2010 bike - front bearings, O2 sensor and sidestand sensor. I still have a slight r/h fork seal leak and had a loom break in the head stem. As you can see you can have faults. If you can do nothing yourself I would buy a aftermarket warranty (read the paperwork carefully) and a breakdown service/cover. If a belt breaks and you do not have one with you the bikes dead on the road. As far as buying the bike goes it should run with no problems. No flat spots, surging, stable idle etc. And no ride NO buy. Best of luck. | ||
| Ninasguy |
Lots of good advice and I've definitely seen that this is the site to go to for information on fixing the Uly's problems. The current owner of the bike has not let me ride it yet but I do like the "no ride, no buy" advice. I'm meeting him again on Monday about the bike, I'll post again when the Uly is mine. | ||
| Uly_man |
Ask yourself lots of questions? One, for me anyway, would be why a three year old bike has only 317 miles on it? That would not even cover pushing it out of the garage. Something smells bad to me. It could be a great bike though. If unsure pay for a pro to look over/test it. If the owner says no walk away fast. | ||
| Marc |
Ninasguy, Check it out, then buy it!!! Funnest and most useful bike I have ever had. I have an 06 uly with 40k miles and a new 09 uly with 5k miles. I bought the 09 with 1k miles from a gentlemen who was too short for the tall uly. Check your 317 mile uly out with a friend who knows bike and you should do fine. I have had many fabulous journeys on my uly's and hope you have the same. | ||
| Bdrag |
Ninasguy I have had my 09 since new and have had very few issues that were not a result of my own doing. The only issues I have had was the fact the dealer / factory never installed the front axle pinch bolts and a few muffler clamps have broken but that was from my muffler swap. THATS IT! almost 13 K, rain, cold, heat and I have been 100% happy. Oh and broke a head light bulb. BDRAG | ||
| Portero72 |
I have an 09 w/ 46k on it and would jump on that deal. Have had a few issues with the bike, but nothing to outweigh the fun and adventure it has provided me. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Dang... that is a great price for what is effectively a brand new 09 uly. Lots of great updates by 09... | ||
| Griffmeister |
Damn that sounds sweet. Given the opportunity I'd buy it in a second. I've had just a few issues with mine but nothing that would be considered to be that bad. The bike has too much thrill factor to even think about something else. Can you get a test ride? If the bike "talks" to you, you're hooked. | ||
| Zac4mac |
Buy it I have an 09 Uly I bought with 12k miles for $6k. It now has 28.7k miles. 100% trouble free, commuting every day, even rode to Homecoming in 2010. Oh yeah, I snapped a belt one day chasing Prairie Dogs... nasty little vermin. Zack | ||
| Nillaice |
you are asking about a motorcycle on a forum ... let's say for instance that %75 of all buell riders know of THIS forum. %75 of THOSE come around when nothing is wrong with thier bike. some will use this as a source to get answers and never be heard from again. %75 of THOSE actually stay and make positive contributions to the forum. some just use this for sales/purchases %75 of THOSE actively read/post in this forum/section and will see your thread. you can do the math, but only those who still ride/own them AND have either a very good or at least a mildly bad experince will have the motivation to respond. i would caution you against any motorcycle that you actually intend to ride if it has a limited production run, poor reliabiltiy, or poor service/parts support. that being said: of recollection; there have been a few 100,000 mile uly's on here with light bulbs, drive belts, and wheel bearings bieng the failed parts mentioned. the XB line had a 7 year production run ('03-'10), with the following production #s XB9R & XB12R Firebolt 17899 XB9S & XB12S Lightning 15184 XB9SL Lightning Low 1513 XB9SX aka "XB9CX" Lightning CityX 9632 XB12Scg Lightning 5561 XB12Ss Lightning Stretched 7013 XB12STT Lightning Super TT 1755 XB12SX Lightning CityX 860 XB12X Ulysses 7432 XB12XP Ulysses 137 XB12XT Ulysses 1911 and (worstcase) all those complete bikes make for alot of spare parts and pieces on ebay when some SQUID wipes out and gives up on motorbikes. my (biased) advice to you; take a good look at it, then for a test ride. if you like it; buy it, and we can help you figure out the rest. | ||
| Teeps |
You can probably do better than $8000. I spoke to a guy recently that gave $6800 (so he says) for a '09 Ulysses with 650 miles. The bike had the accessory bags, windscreen, race can & ECM, and other mods. | ||
| Ninasguy |
I did get permission to ride the bike so I'm planning to do that on Friday. No way I would buy it with out riding it[I've only done that when buying a brand new bike.] So, since the bike is a 2009 with 317 original miles on it, is there anything in particular I should listen for or be aware of on the test ride? I currently ride an '01 kawi ZR7S sport standard that has a high revving inline 4, so a v-twin sport adventure is completely new and I have no idea what to expect. | ||
| Ninasguy |
I'm going to try to get it less that $8,000 but it does look like it just came off the show room floor. Has side bags, "tank" cover, low seat and original seat, plus the owner is 5'5 so he changed the rear shock to lower the bike but he still has the orignal. All for the $8,000 price. I am curious as to why the airbox cover does not have the buell logo on it, just plain black. I guess the decals are optional. | ||
| Thumpthump |
He probably de badged the tank. Does it have the top case also? | ||
| Thumpthump |
I only paid 8k and change (plus tax and prep...) for my 09 XT when it was brand new. I'd offer a lot less for a semi-new 3 year old bike with NO warranty. | ||
| Ninasguy |
No top case on the bike. I don't think I want the top case anyway. I offered $7500, he said $9500, then he came to $8000. I'm not showing my excitement for this bike...kind of making him wait. Hopefully, he'll come down to at least $7500 when it's time to do the deal...All depends on if I fall in love after riding it. | ||
| Bdrag |
Ninasguy Before the test ride make sure there is air in the tires and since it was owned I hope the bikes settings on the suspension are close for your weight. I got my bike deliverd to the house at 9pm. I rode over to the gas station a block away and the bike was a total pig! Got to the gas station and the right blinker had fallen off. SHIT! Hangin by a wire. Fixed that, gassed it up and rode home and did a quik look at the manual and set the bike up as it said to. Aired the tires up from the 10 lbs of air that was in them to 40 front and rear and WOW! Its was night and day. SO check a few simple things out before you ride and if it handles like a fat girl at a twinkie eating contest and a six pack, air up and set. HAhahaaaaaaaa. If it falls through call me about mine. BDRAG | ||
| Pnw_uly |
Make him wait - - the bike selling season is ending, so it's obviously turning to a buyer's market (at least for the next 6 months). . . Just make sure he has your contact info and tell him to give you a call when he's ready to let it go for $7000.00. . . Sounds like a pretty good deal though... | ||
| Ninasguy |
Bdrag, thanks for pre-ride checks, I'll make sure I have my tire gauge, compressor and I'll print the settings from the knowledge vault and have them with me, I'm probably about 25-35 lbs heavier than the seller. | ||
| Ninasguy |
pnw_uly I'm in florida so our season never really ends, but I told him to list it on cycletrader to see if he could get his original asking price of $9500 because I'm certainly not paying that price. I don't believe he'll get anything more than what I'm offering so he'll probably come down some eventually. If he sells it, I can always fly to Texas or Colorado and get one and ride it home...The Uly is an adventure bike after all. | ||
| Teeps |
If you are comfortable giving $7k for the bike. Then take that amount with you. After the test ride if you are still interested in the bike. Show him the money and tell him that's all you HAVE to spend. If he says no; then walk away. This tactic has always worked for me... |
