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Hughlysses
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 15, 2013 - 02:41 pm: | 
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Dr_greg- there was a guy on ADVrider in the Beasts forum looking at upgrading from his Uly to a Multistrada. I suggested he contact you as a great source of comparison info. If you haven't heard from him, I'm sure he'd appreciate a post in his thread at ADVrider. |
Buewulf
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 15, 2013 - 05:11 pm: |
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Advoutlander,
I tend to plan my routes on the Uly based on proximity to people I know who own trailers, so I understand where you are coming from.
Should you replace the Uly with something like a DR or KLR, then make sure that you place little to no value on street performance. Those bikes are a lot of fun in the dirt but offer zero fun factor on the street (unless you SM your DR). A DR or KLR gets pretty wheezy ascending Monarch Pass on Hwy 50, too.
If you are going the used bike route, buy a cheap DR650 (I've seen decent ones as cheap as $1800 lately) and keep the Uly. You'll learn pretty quickly whether or not one of these ancient one-lungs will float your boat or not. If not, then you could sell the DR for what you bought it for or ditch the Uly if the DR has what you need.
If you are looking at new bikes, I was (and still am) very tempted by the Husqvarna TR650 Terra. The engine is much livelier than the Sertao you test rode, and the Husky is much less expensive. In fact, it only costs a few hundred $ more than a DR or KLR and is light years ahead of those bikes both in respect to power and refinement. The Strada is the streetier version of the Husky, but it still has a 19" front wheel should you want to get dirty. Test ride one if you are lucky enough to have a dealership nearby. Now that KTM owns Husky, though, I hear the TR650 line will be discontinued after the 2014 model year. That is why I am on the fence about getting one: I am not sure I am ready to own two obsolete bikes. |
Madduck
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 15, 2013 - 10:33 pm: |
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I downsized to the Honda NC700X. So far I am very pleased. |
Reepicheep
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 - 07:52 am: |
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I finally saw one of those NC700X's in the wild... nice looking bike, seems like a great "small bike" alternative to crank out miles commuting. Great fuel economy, honda 100k+ reliability, not that expensive, all around practical.
How expensive are the tires? |
Sagehawk
| | Posted on Thursday, October 17, 2013 - 12:30 am: |
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Just curious, what is new price of the 660 tenere where they are available? That looks cooler than many I've seen in states. With the history in europe, they are bound to be reliable, I would think. |
Buewulf
| | Posted on Thursday, October 17, 2013 - 11:00 am: |
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The Tenere 660 is fairly expensive. Close to $9500 when I lived in Europe, through I'm sure that included VAT tax. It is one of those bikes that has been around forever like the KLR except the 660 get modernized periodically. So I would suppose it is a pretty reliable machine. |
Bigme007
| | Posted on Thursday, October 17, 2013 - 11:05 am: |
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Ive been a Uly owner for about 2 weeks. Owned many other bikes. Most recently a Tiger 800 (prior Vstrom 650). I currently also own a DRZ400 and a Ural Gear Up.
As a new Uly owner I (sorta) knew what I was getting into when I bought it. The rear wheel bearing issue and the camshaft problems on some 07's, lack of afermarket parts and fading oem (HD) support/parts.
Until I actually owned the Uly and started posting up here with questions (mostly trying to learn more about the bike), did I start to question my decision. 
Seems to be much negativity about reliability.
Some recent quotes from owners (past and present) I found funny:
"once you work out the problems its a great bike"
"once its fixed it stays fixed"
"I tend to plan my routes on the Uly based on proximity to people I know who own trailers"
In spite of the overwhelming feeling that I now own a problematic, unreliable horse that is past his prime and the vet recommends putting sleep, I'm keeping mine and I would still buy it today.
Why?
It is MUCH, MUCH more FUN the the Tiger 800 or the Suzuki Vstrom and has more personality than both combined.
- The DL650 is a great, reliable bike that will not let you down. It is also nerdy (the gen 1 bikes very much resemble a large scooter)and generic feeling.
- The Tiger 800 is mostly sterile and also generic. Not too mention the "whirling" sound made my the triple. I called mine the "whirly gig". Wasnt a big fan. (maybe just didnt work for me?)
- DRZ400 (and most other true dual sport bikes) are great for off-road and can be quite a bit of fun on road (flicakable). But at the end of the day, they are exactly what they are designed to be - small displacement thumpers.
Its too soon for me to have any real opinion about long term (or even short term) reliability of the Uly - I do know that there is also alot of passive-aggressive sarcasim among Ural owners (myself included) in regards to reliability. I also know that I have abused my Ural quiet a bit with no side effects. In other words, in spite of the warnings, ive logged 10K plus miles on the Ural thru winter snows, rough two tracks, etc and had no issues (other than self induced from over torquing bolts - lesson learned). Most fun you can legally have !!
I have to wonder (and hope) if my experience with the Uly will not be the same?
It does indeed suck that the Uly has gone the way of the Buffalo, mostly cuz now I wonder what two wheeled devil will ever replace her when that time comes 
Whatever you decide on, its likely you will find yourself comparing it to the Uly and coming up short in when it comes to "personality" and "character".
Of course these are the words of a NEW owner. I may feel diferent if she leaves me on the side of the road.
Good luck in your search finding a replacement that wont leave you thinking about the hot, troubled stripper you picked at a bar 
(Message edited by BigMe007 on October 17, 2013) |
Buewulf
| | Posted on Thursday, October 17, 2013 - 12:12 pm: |
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"Of course these are the words of a NEW owner."
The Uly has certainly worn me down over the years, though despite the negativity and angst I often fire at the bike, I do really like it. I can assure you any other bike that has caused me half this much trouble would have been long gone by now, yet the Uly remains. I have come to the decision that I need to put a second bike in the garage so that I'll have something to ride when the Uly is down or to use for trips where breaking down needs to be a very unlikely scenario. I believe I will enjoy the Uly much more under that circumstance. And even now I am considering buying another XB pr 1125CR because they go for so cheap and are so much bike for the money.
I know my second bike should probably be something Japanese, but I keep coming back around to the idea of another Buell. I mean seriously: I routinely see 08's and 09's (XBs and 1125s) go for between 4 and 5K. That has to be the best value available in the motorcycle market, new or used, despite the quirks and reliability issues.
When it is all said and done, Buells are cool. They aren't the fastest, or the prettiest, or the best handling or the most reliable bikes out there, but the formula does make for one of the funnest bikes to ride on public roads. |
Shagg1970
| | Posted on Thursday, October 17, 2013 - 01:56 pm: |
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I have owned my Ulysses since new in 2006. with no major issues and never has it left me stranded(knock on wood). Thew wort Issue I had was an intermittant engine light and bucking at low throttle but open it up it would run great. It was the throttle position sensor going bad. replaced it myself and all is well. Get ecm spy and a cable and a factory service manual and they are easy to work on. JUST ENJOY THE RIDE. |
Britchri10
| | Posted on Thursday, October 17, 2013 - 02:09 pm: |
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I have owned my XP for two years. I bought it from another badwebber w/18K on the odo.
I'm just now getting to 28K on it.
The bike has never broken down on me or left me stranded.
I do most of my own maintenance and it is the cheapest bike maintenace-wise I have ever owned.
It's not a garage queen. I commute on it most days.
I like its looks, power, durability and uniqueness.
I think most people post here when they have a problem. That's why there seems to be a lot of negative stuff on the board.
I'm keeping mine, thank you & I am very happy to own it.
Chris C |
Dmcutter
| | Posted on Friday, October 18, 2013 - 08:26 pm: |
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I was really leaning heavily towards a Ducati Hyperstrada until I saw the MV Agusta Rivale. Both are 800 cc give or take with 110 and 125 hp respectively, and less torque than the Uly but a whole lot more than a Versys. Both pretty pricey, though. Now I am in love with the new KTM 1290 Super Duke R in touring trim...not downsizing except maybe for weight, but 102 lb-ft and like 75 lb-ft as low as 2500 rpm. That's the only one that really trumps the Uly, but again, the price will be more than 2x what I paid for my Uly. Bottom line, I am in love with the torque and the comfort and I just don't want to spend as much as it would cost to get something markedly better. |
Natexlh1000
| | Posted on Friday, October 18, 2013 - 08:46 pm: |
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How about lighter still?
http://www.ossausa.com/motorcycles/ossa-explorer-2 80i/
I want one of these so badly.
Ultimate commute weapon. |
Twobuells
| | Posted on Saturday, October 19, 2013 - 10:58 am: |
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To keep the miles low on my Uly and save it for trips, I bought 2012 Yamaha WR250R to have some fun in the dirt and to use back and forth to work.
I was getting 70 MPG but I added a FMF muffler and Fuel Controler and now get 58~60 MPG. Fun bike all of 30 HP
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Twobuells
| | Posted on Saturday, October 19, 2013 - 11:06 am: |
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I thought my Uly was tall, the WR is 3" higher
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Xdigitalx
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 22, 2013 - 10:17 pm: |
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I been looking too,... for a replacement...(maybe) I sat on a Hyperstrada today... way to small for my reach. (Big difference compared to the Uly) Beautiful bike though too small.
Tiger Explorer seemed huge at first but I guess that's normal for those bikes. Tiger 800 seemed more Uly-like (just the seating position) I liked the feel of the Monster 796 too.
I have yet to try the KTM 990 SM T, but I wonder how it would compare to a Uly in size/power/ride? Looks great on paper.
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Skifastbadly
| | Posted on Thursday, October 24, 2013 - 01:02 pm: |
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Well, Xdigitalx, as it turns out, my neighbor has an 990SMT and we've swapped on rides. I have ridden the TEX, the Tiger 800, the GS1200, and the S10, and among them only the SMT comes close to the Uly in terms of torque, handling, and fun. I would say the Uly has a wee bit more torque but the SMT has a much better transmission. If I were to consider another bike it would be the SMT.
I must also state that while I wouldn't take the Uly on a 3000 mile trip again, my confidence is growing. No major problems in the last two years and I ride every weekend. |
Buewulf
| | Posted on Thursday, October 24, 2013 - 02:27 pm: |
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The SMT is superb. I love that bike. Definitely a fast pass to traffic school. I'd like for my next bike to be more dirt-worthy than the Uly. Otherwise, the SMT would be on the top of my list. |
Sperz1
| | Posted on Friday, October 25, 2013 - 08:12 am: |
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I've ridden all over the SE on my Uly with minimal problems. 31k on it and it's my daily driver.
But for offroad stuff a second bike is the way to go!
 |
Dmcutter
| | Posted on Friday, November 01, 2013 - 09:08 pm: |
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The new MV Agusta Turismo Veloce will be released Monday. They let out a teaser video yesterday...simply gorgeous. At 125 hp it is not mondo powerful like a Multistrada or 1190, but I bet fully kitted out with electronic suspension adjustment, bluetooth, etc, it's going to be Multistrada Pikes Peak edition money. I would be afraid to take something like that on a gravel road, though. The Uly is just so thrash and bash by comparison. |
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