| Author | Message | ||
     Anonymous |
Sorry for all the cloak and dagger, but to protect the guilty, the names of the innocent have been changed. This comparison is between the Ulysses and its Italian counterpart, henceforth referred to as the Italian Sport Utility Bike, or ISUB. So, why call it the ISUB, and not the Mult.......D'oh! Google. I'm trying to make this post GoogleProof, just in case the owner of said ISUB gets bored one day and decides to Google "Uly vs 'insert the name of my bike here'" And, for you clever folks playing the home edition, if you know who I am, please keep it to yourselves, otherwise, this BadWeb member may never be able to "come out and play" again! 2006 Uly vs 2006 "ISUB" Uly: '07 airbox/ECM and Scorpion Syncs -1203cc, aircooled, 103hp mfg claimed ISUB: Ohlins suspension, and Syncs -992cc, aircooled, 95hp mfg claimed I have ridden my Uly along side this ISUB many times, and was always wondering how the ISUB felt to the rider along the roads of N GA. The other day, I had the chance to take the ISUB up to the N GA mountains to see for myself. I will preface everything with a note that the Uly and ISUB have always run neck and neck when they have gone to romp around the N GA mountains. Part 1 (a familiar stretch of pavement): After lunch at T.W.O., in Suches, GA, 4 bikes headed North on US19/129 up to the top of Neel's Gap. The line-up included the following -an SV1000, heavily modified -a 1250 Bandit -a liquid cooled Italian bike -the ISUB The ISUB felt very well planted in the turns, and I could have passed the lead SV1000 in the turns. I was, however, freaked out when my boots kept touching the ground. On the Uly, the pegs are so high that this is an infrequent occurrence. On the ISUB, my feet touched down at least 6 times on the climb to Neel's Gap. I had to make a very conscious effort to keep my feet tightly inboard on the ISUB. Suspension: The Ohlins suspension on the ISUB worked exceptionally well in the smoother corners, but felt a little overdamped in corners with pavement anomalies; the tires did want to drift outwards in rough corners. And, yes, I spent a couple of hours dialing in the ISUB's suspension before this trip to N GA. The Uly's suspension in these same spots feels a little soft in comparison, but nothing that cannot be offset through some dampening adjustments. However, and this is a big however, through corners with rougher pavement, the Uly's wheels feel more planted. Power: The heavily modified SV1000 never really pulled away from the stock ISUB in the straights, even when it was apparent that he was rolling on the throttle pretty hard. I have always found the ISUB and the Uly to be neck and neck when rolling on in the straights. Part 2 (the longer way home): Even though I told one of the guys that I'd follow him back towards Atlanta, as we were passing the "rock pile" at the intersection of US19 and GA60, I just had to give him a honk and a wave, and head back up GA60, and beyond. I'm sure my partner-in-crime understood. It was time to really wring out the ISUB, as I probably won't get another chance like this. Gas up at Dale's at GA60/GA180. The ISUB has the world's worst "low fuel" indicator; this is a known issue that seems to have been corrected in the 2007 models. Heading north, towards Blue Ridge, GA, I quickly came upon some cruisers who, while well above average, were just going too slow in the corners, and made a very, very annoying point to roll WOT in the straights. After it became apparent that they were deliberately trying to keep me from going around them, I had to double-time it in the available straights to move around them. -a note to folks who have nothing but open-road ahead of them, and then suddenly notice someone in their mirrors: it means the person in the mirrors is already moving much more quickly than you are! I think the polite thing to do would be to kindly let the quicker party pass, and then show them how manly you are by staying on their tail... Because of set-up issues, I couldn't bring my GPS with me, so I do not have apples-to-apples GPS files to compare corner speeds. Conclusions for Part 2: While the ISUB feels faster, a couple glances at the speedometer tells me that I wasn't hitting the corners any faster than my Uly. The ISUB did require more shifting than the Uly. Part 3 (ISUB vs Corvette): While heading back towards suburban ATL, I couldn't resist the right turn at GA2/GA52 in Ellijay. Notice that as I'm trying to "head home", I just keep getting further and further away from Atlanta... ...which brings me to the seat... Comfort: The ISUB has the mfg's "touring seat". It's like sitting on a patio stone. Score one for the Uly seat. While you never notice the seat discomfort of the ISUB while in the twisties, it becomes horribly uncomfortable on straight highways. Cornering: Cresting Fort Mountain, I came upon a Corvette. The car in front of him, kindly pulled into a turn-out, at which point, somebody must have called "fight on", because he took off. All too often, these types of sports cars are just "mobile impediments to fun" when you are on a motorcycle, because the operators pilot these 3000 pound wastes of steel like minivans... not this guy! I had to push it fairly hard to keep the guy in view through most of the corners through the descent down Fort Mountain. There was no way I could have passed him even if I wanted to. Once we made it down into Chatsworth, I wanted to take a look at my tires, just to see how gummed up they were; this was more curiosity than concern. However, at a traffic light, I was able to see into the guy's car, and could tell that this guy had a lot of non-standard instrumentation...his car was pretty heavily modified...and he was heading back towards Atlanta at the light...hey, you gotta head home at some point, and this was as good a time as any. WOT: So, now I was following the Corvette down US411. When the road opened up to 4 lanes, the guy downshifted, leaving a dense cloud of il-combusted fuel behind him...time to give chase, I guess! Despite his jump, I was able to reel him in up until the 110-120mph mark, at which point he probably had a good 10+ mph of separation...I had a lot of faith in this guy's radar detector(s). We repeated this chase scenario a couple of times. The ISUB can scoot in the straights, not like an I4, but I seldom have the need to run down Corvettes at triple digit speeds. Where is a Gixxer when you need one? A squid on a Gixxer could have embarrassed this guy in the straights. The Uly can also scoot in the straights. Every time I've ridden with the ISUB, they've always been neck and neck into the triple digits. Conclusions du Jour: Both the Uly and ISUB will get most any job done. At speeds that keep you out of jail, they can hang with just about any bike, and maybe allow the operator more enjoyment in the process. The Uly can get you from A to B just as quickly as the ISUB, but in a more mellow fashion, if that makes any sense. When the going gets rough, the Uly is the better planted bike. The ISUB does offer sexy Italian cache, but seriously, who has time to talk with chicks when there is ridin' to be found? Only an escapee from a state mental hospital would ever call the Uly sexy. Random descriptors applicable to the ISUB: -chattery -smooth, yet buzzy? -rev happy -a riding experience at a "higher frequency" Random descriptors applicable to the Uly: -comfortable -shaken, yet smooth? -forceful -a riding experience at a "lower frequency" Ok, I’m done. If anybody has made it this far, please fire away with comments/criticisms! | ||
| Bertotti |
Nice review thanks. | ||
| Hypermoto |
What in the HELL is a ISUB!!!!!  | ||
| Crusty |
Only an escapee from a state mental hospital would ever call the Uly sexy Obviously, you ride a black Uly. | ||
| Bosh |
Ha! I love this part ULY Descriptor: "shaken, yet smooth?" Great comparison, I've never ridden a ISUB but it was on the top of my list before I bought the "ASUB". Both great bikes IMHO, maybe someday I'll have both. But for now I'm REALLY enjoying my "lower frequency" 12X. As far as chasing down a fast sports car on a twisty road (when driven by a competent driver) I've found they just have too much traction in the corners for a bike to really keep up. I've chased a Ferrari through the canyons on my sport bike once and that car / driver combo was just wicked fast. Yes, its easy to catch the average joe and his Corvette... I'm talking about the REALLY fast driver / car combos. | ||
| Bosh |
Ohh yea... have to comment on this: "The ISUB does offer sexy Italian cache" Yes, she does have a nice A$$... but that NOSE... Well, just leaves something to be desired I guess. (Message edited by bosh on August 19, 2007) | ||
| Treadmarks |
What in the HELL is a ISUB!!!!! +1 What is an Isub? | ||
| Tootal |
That was a nice read and very accurate. I know the roads you speak of as my friend lives in Ellijay and I have to ride Fort Mountain to get to his house, damn the luck!! I have the Uly and a GC. The GC needs ridalin. It's in explosive mode at all times! Frantic, it tries to loft it's front end for no reason at all! It's engine snaps to attention and makes beautiful music but when it all boils down it's speedo isn't going any faster than the Uly. The Uly is easier to ride than the GC but they are both a hoot. | ||
| Anonymous |
ISUB...Italian Sport Utility Bike http://www.brightcove.com/title.jsp?title=11114673 76 [it's like one on the left, only it's last year's model, and its got Ohlins] | ||
| Bosh |
What in the HELL is a ISUB!!!!! +1 What is an Isub? Shhhh.... were not allowed to say Multi$trada in this post, it's a secret.  I=NOT indian, SUB = Sport Utility Bike. (Message edited by bosh on August 19, 2007) | ||
| Bosh |
http://www.brightcove.com/title.jsp?title=11114673 76 Ok, what is a "Mul-ie-srada"  | ||
| Anonymous |
Bosh is a smart man, a very, very smart man. When the regular operator gets back, there may be some explaining to do about the odometer readings. I, however, am not that smart, and didn't see the easy $ substitute for Multi$trada. Come on, how dumb do you have to be to think you could easily out-corner a well-pilotted Vette, right? | ||
| Anonymous |
Yeah, I'm sorry that I couldn't find a version of that video with English subtitles! D'oh! | ||
| Florida_lime |
"Anonymous", What happens if your wife sees the mileage difference ?  (if this is who I think it is) | ||
| Chadhargis |
Why the Anonymous posting. Let's see....someone who rides around N. Georgia and has a Uly and Multistrada in their garage. Yeah...I think I know who it is. | ||
| Windrider |
Great Post. Your observation "When the going gets rough, the Uly is the better planted bike. " confirms Buell's claims that the ZTL wheel/brake design and belt drive decrease unsprung weight and keep the rubber on the road. And yes, the Uly is not sexy, but it is ugly in such a good way. And something went seriously awry in Italy when they put the front of that ISUB together. | ||
| Royintulsa |
You forgot to mention, the Ducati is butt ugly, however, the dealer always greats you with a big smile. | ||
| Red_chili |
You also forgot to mention that there is nothing like a free breathing Duc at full song... but perhaps the corks are still in the champagne. That said, the Multi $trad o something is perhaps one of the ugliest Duclings I've ever seen... | ||
| Old_mil |
Personally, I think the Uly is a better looking bike than the Multistrada...now the Ducati Hypermotard...that's one fine looking machine. | ||
| Hooliken |
Sold my ISUB to buy a Uly. Best decision I have ever made. Excellent write up about the comparison. I will concur with just about everything. A good driver in a vette should be able to hand any bike its backside in the corners. There was a heads up test in Cycle World\Motorcyclists\Sport Rider (cannot remember which) between a vette and a full on track bike. The vette turned better lap times due to is ability to carry more corner speed due to its very superior contact patch area. | ||
| Rick_a |
I care not about the Multistrada. I'd like to see how the Uly compares against the Hypermotard. Now that's a comparo. | ||
| Dgunther |
I'll have to show my neighbor this post. He has a Uly and a ISUB too.  | ||
| Gotj |
I too have a 06 Uly and 06 Multi$trada 620. I like the Uly and love the MT$. The MT$ feels about 10 mph slower than the Uly, i.e., at 70 mph on the MT$ it feels like 60 mph on the Uly. I believe it is a combination of better wind protection and less vibration. I had about 2,500 miles on the Uly when I test rode the new MT$ 1100S at a demo day and then later the 620. I bought a 620. I'm not sure if I would go with the 1100S over the Uly though. | ||
| Windrider |
Rick_a, The memo that launched the Uly's design said to create a "touring Motard". The Uly matches that description nicely. You will not be touring on the HyperMotard. No 2up accommodations, no luggage, pain producing seat, and no wind protection. If you want a full on Motard bike, the HyperMotard is THE machine. But if you want to do more versatile things with the bike like touring, 2 up riding, some occasional forest service roads, etc, the Uly is MUCH better suited and makes a much more rounded mount. If you can only own one bike, it is really hard to beat a Uly for all around versatility and maximum fun. | ||
| Khelton |
"The memo that launched the Uly's design said to create a "touring Motard". Perfect description... | ||
| Dgunther |
"The memo that launched the Uly's design said to create a "touring Motard". Perfect description... +1 That's exactly how I've been describing mine! | ||
| Anonymous |
A proper test of the ISUB would have enlisted the help of DGunther on his Uly. Unfortunately, I do not know where he lives.  Some people are describing the ISUB as "butt ugly". However, I find the butt end to be one of its more endearing features. And, when piloted by its normal operator, that's about the only view I ever see of this Duc! When the normal operator of the ISUB finds this thread, my a$$ is gra$$. ______________________________ Riding into work today on the Uly, I was quite surprised at the smoothness of the engine above 2.2k. The Uly also seems to make less of a racket, even with the '07 airbox mod. Oooh, and the seat! Oooooh, the seat! I really do think the 54" vs 57" wheelbase is noticeable in tight suburban turns. That back end of the Uly really seems to kick out with liberal application of throttle. | ||
| Ryker77 |
which has the better headlights at night? MPG? |
