| Author | Message | ||
     Baybell |
I sold my last bike in 2002, a BMW R1150GS and I can’t remember why? I have always ridden bikes and suddenly I got uninspired, bought a ragtop car and forgot all about bikes…until I spotted the Ulysses. I have since trawled through every website, forum and magazine and I can’t figure out what attracts me to this machine? So much so in fact that I test rode one last week and these are my impressions…bear in mind I had an 1150 GS which I thought was astonishing, perfect, unique (zzz)…etc: • Where does the ignition key go…why is it there? • It’s a tall bike - (I’m only 5’10) but it’s no beast and easily manageable. Fantastic elevated position when out on the road. The seat is easily the most comfortable I’ve sat on. My missus was pillion, she thought it was very comfy too and thought the tail piece was ingenious and she felt secure under acceleration. • Vibrations – Is it bolted together OK? at idle it shook like nothing I’d ever ridden before. Yes it did smooth out but it depends on what your perception of smooth is… • Mirrors – what do they do? They shook too much to see anything. • Front end dive – whoa…what was that, my BM never did that! • Fan Noise…is it broken? What a racket! Its not that warm so why is it on? • The switch gear looks crap…everything else looks OK, why is it so naff? • Lots of plastic bits…Oil Radiator cowl, intakes, everywhere…BM’s don’t have that much plastic? • Oil Radiator…why is it there?...sticks out a bit…is it vulnerable in a crash? • Gear selector linkeage looks a bit complicated, could it break if it fell over? • Back to vibrations…felt it through the bars and pegs; would this send my limbs numb after a few hours riding? Does it get better when the engine is run in? • Clocks…why’s the clutch cable running infront of the odometer? • The engine is lumpy, surges a bit around the midrange…not particularly fast…pulls well, but the demo only had a few hundred miles on it…maybe it will get better, or will it simply pack-in? • Where did that hour go? Better head back to the shop. After the test ride the sales assistant asked me what I thought it?...different, I said, very different. I am impressed and confused so I thought I’d think about it and maybe test ride a 1200GS. I haven’t got round to testing the GS…I still spend hours pouring through the forums and websites for the Ulysses. Can someone please tell me what is attracting me to this bike? It’s not perfect that’s obvious, a GS probably is…so why haven’t I test ridden a new GS then? Anyway, not sure what the point of my thread is but if someone can offer me an explanation to my obsession with the Ulysses then I’d appreciate it. Also, maybe you’d care to comment on my points listed above. I want a reliable bike that I can spin down through Europe on…will the Ulysses, with its quirks, get me there and back? By the way, the Steering lock didn’t bother me, in fact I didn’t notice it at all and only after reading the forums realised it was a shortcoming, but it still doesn’t bother me. I think the innovative features such as Mass centralized exhaust, fuel/oil in frame and front rotor are cutting edge...and what makes the Buell stand out from the crowd. Here in Britain the Ulysses is only $800 cheaper than a 1200GS – nothing in it really. Did I mention the bike looks really good? | ||
| Cataract2 |
You know, I can't figure out why I do this. Ah well, gotta help out people I guess. Anyways, here goes. • Where does the ignition key go…why is it there? I have no idea. My XB9SX is that same way, but you know what? I like it there. I just works. • It’s a tall bike - (I’m only 5’10) but it’s no beast and easily manageable. Fantastic elevated position when out on the road. The seat is easily the most comfortable I’ve sat on. My missus was pillion, she thought it was very comfy too and thought the tail piece was ingenious and she felt secure under acceleration. I haven't test rode it yet, but from what I've read and heard. It seems EVERYBODY just loves the comfort of the seat. • Vibrations – Is it bolted together OK? at idle it shook like nothing I’d ever ridden before. Yes it did smooth out but it depends on what your perception of smooth is… I've never had a problem with parts shaking off. I found that the vibs were noticeable when I first bought the bike, but after riding it for some time they just seemed to go away. That or I got use to them. • Mirrors – what do they do? They shook too much to see anything. Well, there are aftermarket mirrors that help reduce the vibs to where you can see better. I found that over time I just learned how to see through them. Sadly, you can see the car, but details on it you can't. • Front end dive – whoa…what was that, my BM never did that! I've been told that once you set the suspension up the front end dive lessons. Others on here might be able to expand on that. • Fan Noise…is it broken? What a racket! Its not that warm so why is it on? This is a fun one. That fan is suppose to come on under these settings. fan on fan off Key on 220C (428F) 180C (356F) Key off 170C (338F) 150C (302F) The fan is used to cool the rear cylinder while running. When you turn the bike off it's used to cool the read cylinder down quickly so you don't cook the oil in the head. It's noisy, I know, but it will run less over when you get more miles on the bike. • The switch gear looks crap…everything else looks OK, why is it so naff? Eh, I guess this is a matter of opinion. I never felt the switch gear looks like crap. Looks that same as what's on the jap. bikes. • Lots of plastic bits…Oil Radiator cowl, intakes, everywhere…BM’s don’t have that much plastic? Weight saving? I dunno. • Oil Radiator…why is it there?...sticks out a bit…is it vulnerable in a crash? I can speak from experience. I went down on the left side, where the oil cooler is at, and all that was damaged was the oil cooler scoop. Cooler itself was ok. • Gear selector linkeage looks a bit complicated, could it break if it fell over? Same side in the crash and my linkage is ok also. • Back to vibrations…felt it through the bars and pegs; would this send my limbs numb after a few hours riding? Does it get better when the engine is run in? I rode on a 4500 miles trip. Did up to 700 miles a day and never ran into any problems of my limbs falling asleep due to vibrations. • Clocks…why’s the clutch cable running infront of the odometer? I'll have to test ride it to answer this question. Someone else might be able to. • The engine is lumpy, surges a bit around the midrange…not particularly fast…pulls well, but the demo only had a few hundred miles on it…maybe it will get better, or will it simply pack-in? Not quite certain on what you asking here. Can someone please tell me what is attracting me to this bike? It’s not perfect that’s obvious, a GS probably is…so why haven’t I test ridden a new GS then? I think this right here would be more of an opinion. I feel the XBX is perfect, but anyways. Only you know what draws you to it. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Cheap plastic is bad. Good "plastic" is good. And I believe some bits on the Buells that look like "plastic" are actually a carbon fibre technology (one designed to work well rather then look good). | ||
| Milar |
I can't imagine anyone who lived with a BMW complaining about vibration, surging, mirror shake or odd controls. BMW's are famous for these. IF you lived with your old GS, you can certainly live with the Buell. Your issue with fork dive is legitimate. The telelever eliminates that. Any other adventure tourer with a long travel suspension will have some of it. Both the R12GS and the Uly are great bikes. Ride 'em both and listen to your heart. M | ||
| Chadhargis |
The GS is about $4000 more here in the US. When you look at the two bikes, the only advantage I can find is the GS has a six speed tranny, and the telelever front end to lessen the dive (but it removes feedback). I owned an 1150GS for 13,000 miles (13 months). Got rid of it because ti had a pinging problem that even a top end rebuild couldn't permanently fix. | ||
| Brad1445 |
You have way to much free time. | ||
| M2nc |
I've never been on a BMW before but the GS was my favorites from the peanut gallery. I wanted one until I saw the Ulysses and here the price difference is $4400 dollars. I just took my Uly in for its 1000 mile service so here are my opinion to your observations. • Where does the ignition key go…why is it there? I agree. My M2 and CB750 have the ignition on the console where it belongs. I have to drive the Uly more to hope to get use to its key position. • It’s a tall bike - (I’m only 5’10) but it’s no beast and easily manageable. Fantastic elevated position when out on the road. I'm 5'7" so I had an issue with the height of the bike too. Then I sat on one and realized the same thing, very manageable. I am looking into the factory low seat and the Corbin seat to make the situation even better. The ride height is just about perfect when I'm riding two up. I have a concern with a lower seat though. If I lower the seat will I loose that comfortable leg position and would it be worth it? The seat is easily the most comfortable I’ve sat on. My missus was pillion, she thought it was very comfy too and thought the tail piece was ingenious and she felt secure under acceleration. Very good seat. I have a Corbin on my M2 and I have been testing it against the stock seat on the Uly. Though she says that both seats are comfortable, the wife prefers the Corbin. Also I have to say that over long distances you start to notice the seams on the rider's portion of the seat. The tail section works great. I have a Ventura bag on the tail section now while I wait for delivery of the hard bags. • Vibrations – Is it bolted together OK? at idle it shook like nothing I’d ever ridden before. Yes it did smooth out but it depends on what your perception of smooth is… • Mirrors – what do they do? They shook too much to see anything. After coming off the CB750 and getting on the M2 I though to myself, Why did I get this thing! The bike shook so bad I could not make out anything in the mirrors but shapes. After a year I get on the Honda and ride it for an hour and start yawning. The shaking and barking of the M2 have become fun to me. It's the flaws of the bike that give it its character and the M2 has it in spades. The Uly does not shake as bad as the M2 as XB have been designed to reduce that 45° V-2 rattle. To me the Uly is quiet and smooth, but not too smooth to make it boring. If you are like me, the character of the bike is something you will grow to love. It is an acquired taste though. The Honda is now up for sale. • Front end dive – whoa…what was that, my BM never did that! The bike is set up too soft from the factory. Remember that the bike's suspension is fully adjustable. Increase preload and compression damping and the dive will be reduced. Remember though that Buells are top ten stoppers, so allot of stopping power in that one rotor. • Fan Noise…is it broken? What a racket! Its not that warm so why is it on? The fan is programmed to run more during the break in period. So later the fan should only come on as engine temperature increases and when you first shut off the engine. P.S. The M2 does not have the fan so it still bothers me too. • The switch gear looks crap…everything else looks OK, why is it so naff? They have been like that for some time, I never really paid it much attention. • Lots of plastic bits…Oil Radiator cowl, intakes, everywhere…BM’s don’t have that much plastic? Weight! The Uly is a heavy XB at 425lbs dry. BMW is proud of the new GS1200 dry weight because they got it just under 500lbs. Also look at were the weight is. According the MC News the Uly out handles the BMW everywhere but on dirt, that is because total mass and where it is. The bike when pushed hard really becomes a part of you. • Oil Radiator…why is it there?...sticks out a bit…is it vulnerable in a crash? I have seen several XBs down and have never noticed anyone say they took out the oil cooler. The Uly has the frame pucks so they are the most outside point. That is not to say that it is impossible, but no more than any other part of the bike. • Gear selector linkeage looks a bit complicated, could it break if it fell over? Better than they use to be but still trying to get back from the Harley orientation. The new transmission shift beautifully though. • Back to vibrations…felt it through the bars and pegs; would this send my limbs numb after a few hours riding? Does it get better when the engine is run in? I haven't had that problem. I've ridden the M2 this year to Daytona (600 miles), Atlanta (450 miles) and Cincinnati (650 miles) and have not felt what you are talking about. Remember the M2 shakes more than the Uly so I would expect that the shake would affect me less. So far I have ridden the Uly only up to 180 miles in one day and I was more comfortable on it than the M2. • Clocks…why’s the clutch cable running infront of the odometer? Not at my height but yeah, I can see it will be in someones way. • The engine is lumpy, surges a bit around the midrange…not particularly fast…pulls well, but the demo only had a few hundred miles on it…maybe it will get better, or will it simply pack-in? I haven't noticed a surge in mid-range but so far have not been particularly impressed with the Fuel Injection over the carburetor on the M2. Off idle operation is not what I would like but after that the bike is smooth. I've asked the dealer to work on the off idle operation of the bike during its 1000 mile service. Torque curve on the these bikes are flat and level until about 5000rpm when the top end kicks in and the bikes moves along nicely. It has active exhaust so I do not know if the valve in the muffler is what you are feeling. The Uly will not out drag a super sport but will run toe to toe with the new GS, 100hp for GS versus 103hp for the Uly. • Where did that hour go? Better head back to the shop.} Yeup. You start to dissect the bike. Like you said, its not perfect but you find yourself riding mile after mile with a grin on your face. I call it soul, and that is what makes a Bueller tick. Some things I have noticed about the bike. Ride quality is outstanding. One of the best balance bikes that if the suspension is dialed in right, the bike will give you touring bike ride with the best sport bike handling. The little wind screens works good at 85mph on the interstate passing trucks. The tires are great for gravel on the road but definitely not off road tires on soft sand ruts off the beaten path. Good ground clearance. I have to keep one eye on the speedometer. You do not feel the speed. If you have been on a tuber, the bike feels smooth enough to operator in sub-2000rpm range. If you are coming off something else you may think its shaking lose from its moorings. Overall, I have not regretted getting the Uly. The bike is easy to operate, gets good gas mileage, goes anywhere and has enough power to get me into trouble. So far the perfect bike for me. | ||
| Cataract2 |
Who, me? Nah, just can't do anything today because of a hurricane. | ||
| Fadboy |
Bikes are like women, you have to be attracted to them in the first place, and then its the character that keeps you riding them (bikes). The BMW is an attractive bike but once you've ridden it its boring and you dont really want to go back there. I rode both bikes in one day to do a back to back comparison, and the BMW dealer told me that next year the Buell will have dropped a couple of grand in depreciation but the BMW will hold its price. I slept on it then purchased the Buell the next day (I still dont know why)it was just down to the Character of the bike. | ||
| Chadhargis |
"Buell will have dropped a couple of grand in depreciation but the BMW will hold its price" Guess that's good to know if you plan on selling your new GS when you get bored of it!  | ||
| Thunderbox |
BMW has a poor rate of depreciation here. I guess that is probably caused by the fact that the nearest dealer is over 300 miles away. Isn't that great. Even with the small number of Buell dealers you never have to go that far to get service here. | ||
| Court |
>>>>"Buell will have dropped a couple of grand in depreciation but the BMW will hold its price" Excellent! . . . what would you give me for my BMW? Bought it a couple years ago for around $8K, put less than 1,000 miles on it and I'm getting 3,800 for a trade.....er, I would have. At that price, I am willing to ignore the surging and EFI issues and keep it for a spare for visiting friends. | ||
| Thunderbox |
Hey M2nc do you find the Uly feels like it has less power down low than the M2 did? I also have noticed that you have to watch the speedo as the bike is going a lot faster than you think it is. | ||
| Blake |
"The fan is programmed to run more during the break in period." That would be news to me. Please confirm/verify. What may be happening is that a new engine runs hotter and thus causes the fan to run more frequently. "the BMW dealer told me..." Right. Always trust a salesman to provide accurate unbiased analysis of his competition. LOL. | ||
| Chadhargis |
Sort of breaks the #1 rule of sales. Never run down the competition. Instead, sell the advantages of your product. | ||
| Madduck |
When I look at my R1200RT in the garage I think of selling it due to the comlexity. I will not keep it after warranty is up. ESA, canbus, FI, cruise control, heated seats and grip. Parts replacement cost will destroy its value as a used bike. Riding it is a true joy but its not a long term "keeper". This is the last "modern" bike I ever buy. May get a "street glide" in 06 just to get one with a carb. | ||
| M2nc |
Thunder, Yes, the M2 feels stronger down low, but the Uly has it hands down over 5000rpm. The thing is the M2 power curve is constant, where the you feel the Uly hit 5000rpm and the bike really starts to march on. Also, the Uly is smoother, quieter (still has the stock exhaust) and the little wind screen helps keep the wind off. I do not realize the speed I'm carrying into the curves. The Uly is almost numb in comparison to the more visceral M2. I still have to get use to the tall bike leaned over. When you slide off the side of the bike in a curve you realize you have a long way to go to get to the ground. I still have to get use to the thing. I've ridden the M2 15,000 miles and the Uly 975 miles, so to say I'm more comfortable pushing the M2 is an understatement. That is not to say the Uly is not capable. On a couple of hair pin 10mph curves by the local airport, I found myself exiting the curve at almost 50 mph and I have no chicken strips left on the tires. Blake, Maybe this is the dealer pulling my leg, but I was told the fan was programmed to run more during the break in period. I have noticed that the fan quit running as much after 500 miles. | ||
| 1313 |
What may be happening is that a new engine runs hotter and thus causes the fan to run more frequently. That's where I'd put my money. 1313 |
