buell ulleyses, anyone here got one

**Quasievil** · 12th February 2006, 21:21

I took one for a test ride a couple of weeks back, loved the concept, I fired it up and took off , all seemed cool and fun then I hit the open road, the bike is as settled as a tyre with smacks of oil on it, fucken horrible.
It was twitchy and the front was unsettled to say the least, I thought the tyre pressure was wrong I checked it and it was at 32 psi no problems I continued on my trest ride and that convinced me this was not a bike for a touring or a sport or a anything aspect. It was a shame but a gimmic is what it is, maybe ok for something just not sure what maybe a 1200 cc city comuter if ya need one. forget it and get something else with a stable front end, thats my view

**Bonez** · 12th February 2006, 21:33

Has a NZ BOG Chapter been formed yet?

**Big Dave** · 12th February 2006, 21:33

Originally Posted by Quasievil

I took one for a test ride a couple of weeks back, loved the concept, I fired it up and took off , all seemed cool and fun then I hit the open road, the bike is as settled as a tyre with smacks of oil on it, fucken horrible.
It was twitchy and the front was unsettled to say the least, I thought the tyre pressure was wrong I checked it and it was at 32 psi no problems I continued on my trest ride and that convinced me this was not a bike for a touring or a sport or a anything aspect. It was a shame but a gimmic is what it is, maybe ok for something just not sure what maybe a 1200 cc city comuter if ya need one. forget it and get something else with a stable front end, thats my view

It took ages to tune the suspension.
You can get it pretty good - not perfect - I'm going to change up the fork oil shortly - only place if feels a bit skittish now is on the freeway when solo.
The way it corners makes up for it.

**Quasievil** · 12th February 2006, 21:40

Originally Posted by Big Dave

It took ages to tune the suspension.
You can get it pretty good - not perfect - I'm going to change up the fork oil shortly - only place if feels a bit skittish now is on the freeway when solo.
The way it corners makes up for it.

corner speed above say 120kmph is horrible, sure Im used to a high performance race type bike 636, quite a different animal but I was really dissapointed with the poor handling of the bike. I could watch the front tyre whilst riding and it was all over the place. I felt it was not particulary safe and could easily get out of control at any speed above 120 in a corner.
I was disappointed as the concept of the bike is great, awesome in fact, just the reality of Buells offering was less than satisfactory. I have ridden a GS1200 BMW completely capable in comparision and certainly more road worthy and the GS would be the Buell ulysess target would it not? I think they missed

**Quasievil** · 12th February 2006, 21:42

Originally Posted by Big Dave

It took ages to tune the suspension.
You can get it pretty good - not perfect - I'm going to change up the fork oil shortly - only place if feels a bit skittish now is on the freeway when solo.
The way it corners makes up for it.

Actually based on you knowing alot more about them I will rest and assume I was riding a dog, it was the road and Sport Demonstrator, maybe they fucked up the settings or something like that.

**Big Dave** · 12th February 2006, 22:06

Originally Posted by Quasievil

Actually based on you knowing alot more about them I will rest and assume I was riding a dog, it was the road and Sport Demonstrator, maybe they fucked up the settings or something like that.

Entirely possible - if they are wrong it is horrible.
I've had it out with experienced riders on 955i's with 30 more horses and more than held my own through the twisties on the back of how confident i am with the bikes handling.
The 'skittish on the freeway' was helped by taking the sail of a screen off it too.

Are USD forks 'cartridge forks' already - because some gold valve emulators is what it feels it could do with - and they are pretty cheap and fixed the front end on my trumpets.

**HenryDorsetCase** · 13th February 2006, 10:05

Originally Posted by wil2

tell me i'm wrong!!

You arent wrong. I have gone/am going through the same thing. My Lotto ticket didnt come through (What the hell's up with that?) on Saturday though so I am waiting for a bit.

Another bike I never thought I would seriously consider, but which now gives me warm fuzzies is a new Triumph Bonneville.

and 2/3rds the price of the Buell. $13k (for black on black) brand new plus ORC.

and its a Triumph.

**Big Dave** · 13th February 2006, 11:55

Quasi - I have max rear preload and a bit extra damping on the front - i also pulled the forks back through flush with the top clamp - rather than the inch and a half that they are std.

On the back of your comments I took it for a burn out to Clevedon just now to check - see if I should have made more of it in my article. I've ridden the new triumph scrambler, my tbird and the XB12X this morning so have good comparisons.

The Buell is 'not as settled' as the Triumphs is a good description, but with proper setup it's OK. It's so tall, short wheelbased and steep raked that it's never going to feel dead on the road like my Trophy used to or a flat out sports bike. It's compensates with the other stuff it can do.

**rogson** · 13th February 2006, 13:28

Originally Posted by Big Dave

..........Are USD forks 'cartridge forks' already - because some gold valve emulators is what it feels it could do with - and they are pretty cheap and fixed the front end on my trumpets.

I think "emulators" are the spring loaded valves RaceTech and others offer to replace the crude orifice hole on low-tech damping rod type forks. I'm not aware of any USD forks that are damping rod type. RaceTech offer a different line of products for cartridge type forks (traditional and USD) that they call "gold valves".

**enigma51** · 13th February 2006, 13:55

im quasi its a great commuter and the breaks are awesome but it looses grunt quickly and at a quicker pace (+/- 100 -> 140) it feels a bit "loose"

**Big Dave** · 13th February 2006, 14:20

Originally Posted by enigma51

im quasi its a great commuter and the breaks are awesome but it looses grunt quickly and at a quicker pace (+/- 100 -> 140) it feels a bit "loose"

Yep - i bought it because of the way it goes between 100 and 120 - which is where I want to ride. it will do 200, but I dig the way it hammers around the 35kph posted corners at 100.

I don't give a rats about over 140kph performance any more. I don't do track days and I don't like walking.

Tyre pressures have to be spot on too.

**enigma51** · 13th February 2006, 19:40

Originally Posted by Big Dave

Yep - i bought it because of the way it goes between 100 and 120 - which is where I want to ride. it will do 200, but I dig the way it hammers around the 35kph posted corners at 100.

I don't give a rats about over 140kph performance any more. I don't do track days and I don't like walking.

Tyre pressures have to be spot on too.

If i get to a stage where i want a more comfartable ride (more upright) the buel would be on my short list

**wil2** · 13th February 2006, 20:56

Originally Posted by Big Dave

Yep - i bought it because of the way it goes between 100 and 120 - which is where I want to ride. it will do 200, but I dig the way it hammers around the 35kph posted corners at 100.

I don't give a rats about over 140kph performance any more. I don't do track days and I don't like walking.

Tyre pressures have to be spot on too.

i'm with you on the speed thing i really want the torque thing now on nice roads with regular 2 up riding. i have owned blades,gsxrs, and 2 hayabusas i have done the speeds and now i just want to enjoy motorcycling for what it is to me, a hobby. everyone rides differently so they will look for different things in a bike and therefore will criticise a bike if it doesnt do what they, as an individual want. i could easily say a gsxr 1000 is crap becouse the pillion seat is no good for touring.

**Big Dave** · 13th February 2006, 22:18

Originally Posted by wil2

i'm with you on the speed thing i really want the torque thing now on nice roads with regular 2 up riding..

Exactly where the bike excels. It is really happy with a passenger and co-pilot claims it to be the most comfortable bike she's been on.
She also likes the seat back thing for when i get in that 'wheelie mood'.