| Author | Message | ||
     Buewulf |
I rode off Sunday morning with the intention of burning off the half-gallon or so of two-week-old gas in the tank and filling it with fresh fuel... Except I just kept riding after the fill-up... And riding, and riding. With no destination in mind, my 30-minute task ended up as a 12-hour, 500+ mile jaunt. What makes the Uly cool? Well, that you can ride it for 12 hours straight without a break for thing. I would also unwind some twisty (by SE Texas standards mind you) back roads, drift the rear through miles of curvy, hilly (again, SeTex standards) gravel roads, do some real off-roading on some Jeep and ATV trails, meander calmly though some old, country farm roads, and tolerate the superslab most of the way home to hasten my return before too late an hour. Versatility: that's what makes the Uly a great bike. And contrary to my normal MO, I actually paused to take a few (very few) pictures which I'll post up later. I also took some video of the off-road sections to share with you guys, but, unfortunately, all I had was my cell phone mounted to the handle bar via a Cell Buckle. So the camera angle is terrible, and you couldn't watch it without Dramamine due to the vibration. So I won't bother posting that, but I promise to bring the Go-Pro next time. | ||
| Froggy |
Your bike must be defective, I've never seen any XB run cool, regardless of fan operation, comfort kits, and other doohickeys. | ||
| Buewulf |
Haha! I didn't say it "ran" cool. I had to stop and let it cool off even during some of the slower off-road stuff. | ||
| Buewulf |
So this is the approximate route out. I say approximate because I didn't really pay much attention to where I was going, but this is the best I could from memory of town names I passed through and roads I could remember. Most of the off-roading took place in the Sabine National Forest area. I didn't see the trails on Google Maps. I ended up in Natchitoches, LA. From there, I took the superslabs back home.  | ||
| Buewulf |
So this is what we call a curve in this part of Texas. Sad but true. However, the speed limit on this and most of the roads I was on is 75 mph, so these bends can be quite entertaining at just under go-directly-to-jail speeds.  | ||
| Buewulf |
After enjoying some near triple-digit sweepers, I saw this wonderful little sign that read "State Maintenance Ends 1000 FT." It led me to this:  It looked innocent enough, but even this main trail was pretty challenging with some deep and wide washouts traversing the length of the trail, two fallen trees, some muddy and sandy areas and a lot of deep ruts from 4x4's keeping things interesting. I was woken up shortly into this when I blasted through a 12" deep washout about three feet wide that nearly threw me at about 25 mph. Most air I've ever gotten on the Uly by far. I couldn't tell the obstacle from the tree shadows until I was right on it. Note to self: remove sunglasses before state maintenance ends. | ||
| Buewulf |
There were lots of little trails that spurred off from the main trail, and I think I went down all of them. Here the Uly is striking a pose as we get underway.  | ||
| Buewulf |
And another view. You can see the trail we are about to take off to the left. License plate obscured to protect the guilty as this may or may not have been part of the national forest.  | ||
| Buewulf |
Yeh, I went around that. I encountered quite a few of these muck pits.  | ||
| Buewulf |
End of the line, and the Uly still looks clean as a whistle. I attribute this to rider skill.  | ||
| Buewulf |
Back to the main trail. Sights like this make me tear up.  | ||
| Sagehawk |
I read in the book of life that you did not invite me . Gonna remember that buewolf. On the other hand, any luck on ecm repair? | ||
| Buewulf |
I get back on the road and soon cross over into Louisiana which was hell since the speed limit wen from 75 mph to 55 mph. I almost turned around, but I saw a sign for Natchitoches, the oldest city in Louisiana. I had never been there, so I tolerated the walking pace for the next 45 minutes and was glad for it. Nice stop.    The slab all the way back isn't much fun, but overall a great way to spend a Sunday! | ||
| Buewulf |
I read in the book of life that you did not invite me " Haha. No hard feelings, I hope. This was not a planned trip. I was supposed to be changing the brake pads, cutting grass and installing a water heater on Sunday. I just kept telling myself, " one more road... another 30 minutes on the bike won't hurt. I have plenty of time to do the honey-do's." Next thing you know, I was in Louisiana. It was a good ride. We should make it together one day. | ||
| Etennuly |
You have come across the best way to ride a Uly. My most awesome riding days have never been planned. They say it is the journey not the destination.....I'd argue that, because I always set my destination from starting a ride as my couch.  Good on ya for getting out there on a whim and getting it done!  | ||
| Uly_man |
"Your bike must be defective, I've never seen any XB run cool, regardless of fan operation, comfort kits, and other doohickeys". My 10 bike DOES? Not rode the bike past 85F but even at that the frame/ gas tank stays cool, the headers seem no problem, the engine cases are cool enough to touch even if only for a short time and traffic is fine as well. Unlike my 06 bike which was like sitting on a small volcano. | ||
| Jstav2012 |
Wow! Great pics from our "neck of the woods!" What seat do you have? I rode for about 60 miles on Sunday, and the low seat I have is kind of uncomfortable. I bought it used, and I think somebody modified it, looks like they added some heat shielding material, but removed foam. I have a tall seat, but I'm short, so I need the lowered one. | ||
| Buewulf |
Hey, jstav! That seat was advertised as a low seat on ebay. Just got it a couple of weeks ago. I used to have a low gel seat that wasn't terribly comfortable. I like this one much more even though I can't say for sure if it is shaped differently. I would say my new one is a little taller, but that may be due to the fact that my old seat was sagging pretty badly which is why I had to replace it. | ||
| Big_island_rider |
Difference between a young biker and an old biker. A young biker picks a destination, an old biker picks a direction. Not calling you old Buewulf. Around here your choices are either left and right or clockwise and counter clockwise.  | ||
| Turf_moor |
Uly man, I reckon my 06 Uly runs cooler on Repsol 20W50 mineral oil than using the standard H-D stuff. I live in a hot country too. | ||
| Danair |
After 37 years in Cali, I'm throwing in the towel and moving back home to "free America". That would be Gustine, TX. The 2 Uly's will be the 1st things unpacked. Anyone near give me shout. I am no longer blessed with my very own personal grief dispenser (wife) so I too can now go for a *30 minute* ride. And if you want, you may use my pool deck to sight in whatever wild pig medicine you may have. | ||
| Danair |
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| Buewulf |
Welcome back, Danair. Gustine is certainly within striking distance. | ||
| Sir_wadsalot |
Lol nice write up! |
