Buell Ulysses

[sfarson]

Perhaps just to have a post here in the Buell forum, can note I sold a Night Rod Special back in June for an '09 XB12X. No issues with the V-Rod. Perhaps time for a change after owning an "A" for four years and the "DX" for over two.

Used to ride an M2 Cyclone. What a sweet head turning thang.


Zero problems except for sore jaw muscles from all the grinnin. Sold it in a moment of weakness and have missed the brand. With all the curvy Rocky Mountain roads nearby, and an abundance of dirt roads in every direction... well, the Ulysses is delivering the goods!

Can definitely tell I'm astride one of the finest handling bikes I've ever swung a leg over. Can see why the Buell XB was recently voted the best handling bike of all makes/models in a recent UK poll/survey. The first time I hit a set of curves I'm well acquainted with my dull senses were zapped with the revelation of how intrinsic the Buell is when the road starts to bend. Maybe my aging bones increasingly have an interest in riding down that stray dirt/rocky road, wondering what is down there, hesitant to make the journey on the big twin. Another Ulysses bonus -- any road... fair game. Plus it comes with heated grips, luggage options, power sockets, a rockin engine, excellent suspension and stock exhaust, an ~ $11K price tag, etc. etc.

Anyway, after almost three months of taking it many places, I give it a hearty thumbs up. Many at dedicated Buell forums ride it far and hard. If looking for a sporting / dual sport capable bike, perhaps something to complement your H-D, put this on your short list.

At the top of Pikes Peak three weeks ago with light snow falling...


On the Gold Camp Road at Cathedral Park...

[Badassbrutus]

Man Is that a dual sport? I like it its high and you can put some killa meats on it.

Snow is comin Damn!! cool pics.

[gruss]

NICE BIKE !!! me want one.....

[EZE RIDER]

Thanks alot Steve. You had to show me that didnt you?

Fantastic photos by the way!

[jdlangdon]

Originally Posted by sfarson

the Ulysses is delivering the goods!

I test rode a Ulysses at Harley demo days and all I can say is holy f@#$. I'm 6 foot and I couldn't touch both feet to the ground but what a ride.

The dealer told me to hit every dump in the road and either my aim is off or this bike has wings cause I never felt a thing.

The two things I did not like about this bike, and it may have just been the demo, were that the front brakes were very touchy and that I found it handled really bad a low speeds and low rpms. The deal told me to keep the engine at 3500rpms and I found this difficult to do around town when trying to ride in a pack but on the highway, look out! This thing has some serious power. Not for the weak of heart.

I would have loved to get that sucker up on the back (gravel) roads to see how it handles off-roading but it was not permitted during the demo ride.

If I were in the market for a dual purpose bike, I would differently consider the Ulysses.

A little word of advice that I wish someone had of told me. If you get a chance to demo the Ulysses, bring some clean underwear, you'll need it.

jd

[EZE RIDER]

After visiting the web site it really does seem like the perfect addition to the stable. Eric Buell the designer of the Harley Davidson Touring line is one sharp cookie.


http://www.buell.com/en_us/bikes/adventure/XB12X/

[sfarson]

Ed... It is a fantastic bike. Took a break from the book today and took it on a 200 mile spin through canyons and up high. What a hoot. Bought a Buell bag that slips over that backrest/luggage rack thing and it sits on the passenger seat for when I want to travel. Dang, with that thing I could travel across the country. Short or far (220+ mile range), on or off road, sweet Thunderstorm engine, sweet stock exhaust note, and inexpensive. And don't get me started on what happens to the size of your grin the first time you take it through some curves. IMO, it would be an ideal V-Rod companion. To be sure, it doesn't float everyone's boat, and that fan comes on more than it should. But the latter is the only wart I can think of. Most dealers are quite liberal with Buell demo rides.

[TheBoss34]

Great pictures! How did you manage to get the timing so perfect???

[sfarson]

Ha!!! Those are great! Gotta show my wife. That's my bride on the Ulysses. Barely escaped with my life!

[Motive]

I've had your DX as my desktop before, before I started spending all day on forums, and ended up "meeting" the dude that owned the bike I had a picture of. I'd never get rid of my DX, but you've piqued my interest in the Buells. Glad you enjoy it....keep taking nice pictures with your bikes, I need new wallpaper