Assinine Trip Across The Country

[right$pecial]

And so it was spoken: I am a dumbass. So, I made arrangements to buy a Buell Ulysses because I sold my V-Rod and refuse to go without two wheels, but I got locations mixed up somehow and instead of flying out and driving it home 900 miles through the plains I will be riding 1500 miles through the Rockies. Now instead of dwelling upon the fact that I made a fundamental mistake, one of the kind we men must never admit to, I have decided to embrace this ridiculous journey as a vacation. After this I'm confident I will be able to report back to all of you on whether or not the Uly is truly as comfortable and as good in the corners as its' press release states. It turns out that I am spending just as much money on this bike, due to the trip, as I would have on a more expensive though comparable one much closer to home, so; I have in effect saved no money which diminishes any clever pride I may have had for finding a good deal in these crappy economic times. I've borrowed my sister's camera as I have misplaced mine (this really made her want to lend it to me by the way) and will take pictures and let you all know whether or not I am alive sometime next week.

Notice that I didn't post this on the motorcycle forum because it is an idiotic mistake that I refuse to admit to over there.

[MYCAR47562]

lol that's great... so you have to ride a bike your not fanalier with 1500 miles... wow

[right$pecial]

lol that's great... so you have to ride a bike your not fanalier with 1500 miles... wow

I know. Last summer I rode an older Buell from Atlanta Georgia back here to Oklahoma 12 hours after a hernia surgery. I did that one in a day and half and this one is only like 500 miles more so probably two too three days total if all goes well. At least this time I know to bring my ipod and some sunblock. I did plan the route to go by as many Harley Davidson/Buell dealerships as possible and wrote down their numbers in case shit hits the fan, but that will only work the first day and after that I'll have to hold up for a couple of days.

[Remphoto]

Ulysses is great and fun bike. Should be comfy on trips too.

[gtrman66]

Sounds like it was a Fruedian error. You wanted a trip through the Rockies. I'm jealous. Have a great ride.

[TaxmanHog]

Congrat's on the new ride & adventure, you still made out, the bike at the right price for you & a trip to remember it's acquisition.

Be safe riding through unfamiliar territory, I did the same when I got my Vrod, rode it back to Mass from Mentor Ohio, granted I had it planned to a T, had my share of surprises along the way!

Looking forward to the pic's

[right$pecial]

Well still alive and well. The freaking bike is amazing. I put on 1700miles and am not the least bit sore. No issues, other than some with the airlines and camera issues. I'll throw the few pics I got up after I develop my disposable camera. Got to see a lot of Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Idaho, and unfortunately Kansas and the Oklahoma pan handle in order to get home.

[Remphoto]

can't wait to see pics. Like to hear more about bike and trip.

[MYCAR47562]

Sounds Like Fun

[right$pecial]

can't wait to see pics. Like to hear more about bike and trip.

Well the bike is the easy part and I feel safe to say that I can comment on anything other than reliability since I haven't even had it for a week yet, however; it didn't leave me stranded, nothing broke, it did not leak or use any fluids and got great mileage.

Comfort: Well I was serious when I said that the bike did not leave me sore in any way. My back, wrist, knees, etc felt fine in the saddle and even after a couple of 700ish mile days. I wasn't even tired after a long day, I just don't like cruising at night because my night vision sucks. The little windscreen did an adequate job of deflecting wind and I only experienced minor helmet buffeting in the very worst of conditions. Somehow the design of the frame, coupled with the frame pucks kept my jeans fairly dry even going through horrible rainstorms. A couple of guys on crotch rockets even asked me how I managed to stay so dry during a stop in Wyoming. The bike does put off a fair amount of heat on the right side and while this is annoying in hotter climates, I found it very nice during the cooler segments of the trip and was grateful for the heat. And I might add that the bike only really vibrates the saddle/grips while at a stop...at speed my hands never, never got numb or felt uncomfortable in any way. The older Buell I have vibrates like mad and can actually walk itself backward on the side stand; this bike does not do that.

Suspension: Again very comfortable on even the worst of roads and I had everything dialed in, thanks to the fully adjustable suspension, to be stiffer for performance reasons. I literally left the highway once doing 60 popped over a bump on the side of the road and transitioned to gravel without even slowing down; the bike didn't even flinch. It also helps that you can stand straight up on the pegs just like a dirtbike. Several times I left gas stations and cafes by simply driving off the curb rather than taking the sometimes hard to find exiting pavement. Oh and did I mention that you can lean the thing into almost any curve at ludicrous speed on the pavement. It handles the curves very well. Also, tracked very well in the rain.

Engine: This is no V-Rod and one would be disappointed if they tried to directly compare the two, however; this setup is probably better suited to this type of motorcycle. It revs down low with loads of torque to get out of any bad situation in any gear and accelerates very, very well. I do miss the rush that came when the V got up past 7k rpms, but I also have to respect an offroad tour bike that can pop a power wheelie in the first two gears if one were so inclined. In other words you can be well over 100mph when merging onto the feeway much like the V, it just takes an extra couple gears to get there since the initial gear is fairly low. And it shifts very smoothly unless you are on it in stop and go traffic where things start to get a little warm. Also, my slightly modded exhaust coupled with the race ecm sounds terrific but does not drive me batty like the CFR used to.

What takes getting used to: The bike sits high and at 5'10" I'm either on my toes at stops or flat footed on one side. I also, as mentioned, look ridiculous mounting the thing. The key placement is weird and I had to put the key in before mounting the bike in order to find it...Also I'm used to the V-Rod's key fob so I almost left the key in the ignition several times only to catch myself and go running back to the bike. And that's it...everything else is perfect and I can even forgive the seat height since anything else would compromise the performance of the bike.

Everything else: The triple tail and convertible luggage rack/sissy bar is truly innovative and I used it to strap down a backpack, a net with other gear, and bags of memorabilia I picked up along the way; every bike should have one of these things and I honestly thought it was a gimmick when researching the bike. I feel confident that after adding some hard luggage and heated grips this thing will be the traveling/camping zen bike no matter what time of year. Did I mention that it has two outlets for heated clothing, gps, or whatever you want to use. There's even enough room for a nicely sized toolbag under the seat.

And at the ridiculously low price of only 6k for a low mileage 06 I'm pretty sure a lot of you who are more financially stable than myself could add one as a second bike and keep the V without sweating it too much. Excellent, excellent motorcycle which does everything very, very well so much so that it's hideous looks grew on me completely in only a couple of days.

[MYCAR47562]

glad your happy with it

[gtrman66]

Hmmmm, my little wheels are turning. I looked at the Uly on Sat. The ADVERTISED price is $8250. I owe $8 on the R and the KBB is $8500 trade in. Could I possibly trade the R in on a new bike with warranty and not go any deeper into debt? The Uly is sweet. How are you liking it Rightspecial?

[Remphoto]

Roy, if you can get 8000+ trade on an r you'll be getting quite a bargain. R's on ebay with low mileage are barely fetching that. At end of last season ulysses were selling new for 10000 so the price seems decent. Of course some on the other site are reporting 6000 on the buell sport bikes.

[gtrman66]

There are 3 R's on craiglist locally. 2 at ~$9500 and 1 at a dealer for $12,500. Maybe they bottomed out and started to rise a bit?

[Remphoto]

There are 3 R's on craiglist locally. 2 at ~$9500 and 1 at a dealer for $12,500. Maybe they bottomed out and started to rise a bit?

I hope you are right. I plan to sell mine in the spring (at least that's what I told my wife). At this point I would be happy to get $8000 out of it.

[right$pecial]

Well to answer your question....I've been putting about 1000miles a month on the uly where I only put about 200miles/month on the vrod. I've found that the Uly's comfort goes a long way. Anyway, if you're serious then keep in mind that Buell is finished, for now, and Harley dealers are giving some serious discounts on all the bikes. 8 grand for a new Uly sounds good.

[gtrman66]

http://www.longhornhd.com/

XB12X $6995
XB12XT $8250 (the one I want)

The sales guy on Sat said they were definitley willing to deal. Harley still owns Buell, so they have to support it for 7 years in parts. A lot of the engine is still a Sportster, so parts should be around a long time.

[right$pecial]

http://www.longhornhd.com/

XB12X $6995
XB12XT $8250 (the one I want)

The sales guy on Sat said they were definitley willing to deal. Harley still owns Buell, so they have to support it for 7 years in parts. A lot of the engine is still a Sportster, so parts should be around a long time.

Misconception there. A lot of the engine was still sportster in the tube frame era, now the internals are very different to the point where the platforms don't share much in common. In any case I've loved the Uly like no other bike I've ever owned simply because it does so much so well. I will get my Cyclone back at some point and I still want to pick up a CityX and a CR so I'm either optimistic or ignoring the 7 year part commitment(hoping that the aftermarket takes up some slack after that). The XT is nice because it comes with the luggage and the heated grips, but see i they'll throw in a 2010 rear wheel if the bike is not a 2010model(better wheel bearings).

[Jeb]

Misconception there. A lot of the engine was still sportster in the tube frame era, now the internals are very different to the point where the platforms don't share much in common. In any case I've loved the Uly like no other bike I've ever owned simply because it does so much so well. I will get my Cyclone back at some point and I still want to pick up a CityX and a CR so I'm either optimistic or ignoring the 7 year part commitment(hoping that the aftermarket takes up some slack after that). The XT is nice because it comes with the luggage and the heated grips, but see i they'll throw in a 2010 rear wheel if the bike is not a 2010model(better wheel bearings).

Are you talking about the Buell CR? It is a nice looking ride! I wonder if they jam you on the insurance like a straight up jap sport bike? I just got my rate jacked up on my CBR1000 RR and it really stung! They went up 200 per year at Geico! I raised hell but they only dropped it 65.00 so it is still 900.00 per year for one damn bike! I have never had a ticket or a wreck! I hate getting jammed because of other people's behavior! Sorry for the rant! I love the Uly!

[right$pecial]

I assume that the Buell Cr will be considered a sportsbike even though the uly is considered a standard. Kind of makes me wonder if the XB9 CityX is considered standard or sport.

GTRman, I almost forget but American Eagle has a used 12X for 5999 and I bet you could talk them down from there based on the going rate for new bikes. Of course then you wouldn't get the warranty or luggage so it's probably not worth it unless you could get them into the 4k range.

[MYCAR47562]

What's Up With All Of Yall Abandoning The Rod?

[Remphoto]

What's Up With All Of Yall Abandoning The Rod?

It's called having a wife. You'll understand soon enough.:rofl

[gtrman66]

Both my kids decided I can't trade. They thought the Uly was repulsive. I'm cool with the Rod, but if this cold rain keeps up, I might have to get a car.

[MYCAR47562]

I Put Angel On My Parents Ultra Classic Last Month And About An Hour In She Was Complaining Saying She Wished We Would Have Taken The Rod... Lol I Wasn't Expecting That

[right$pecial]

What's Up With All Of Yall Abandoning The Rod?

I'm not abandoning. I'll get her back one day, I just didn't like it as my sole bike not being a cruiser guy and all.

[gtrman66]

I am lucky to have a geezer glide and R. I find myself taking the GG about 80% of the time lately... partly because it handles better in the rain. A car is definitely on my mind, but finding a dealership to take a bike in on trade might be a problem (and giving me blue book so I can pay it off).

[right$pecial]

I am lucky to have a geezer glide and R. I find myself taking the GG about 80% of the time lately... partly because it handles better in the rain. A car is definitely on my mind, but finding a dealership to take a bike in on trade might be a problem (and giving me blue book so I can pay it off).

I have to admit that lately it feels like Louisiana around here, but the rain's got to stop some time and you live in one of the best year round riding areas. If I had it to over again I wouldn't have spent all that money on a car...maybe a grand on a ten year old Ranger that would rarely move...but what I have in my car could have saved the V-Rod and I would still have the Uly.

[gtrman66]

I test drove an 08 Mazda 6 (hated it) and an 06 Ford Fusion SE (loved it). Both were about $12k and they will give me the final numbers on the R tomorrow. Not thrilled about losing the R, but to be able to take my kids places when Kathy has the van sure would be nice.

[Remphoto]

I test drove an 08 Mazda 6 (hated it) and an 06 Ford Fusion SE (loved it). Both were about $12k and they will give me the final numbers on the R tomorrow. Not thrilled about losing the R, but to be able to take my kids places when Kathy has the van sure would be nice.

I liked my 2006 Fusion SE (4 cylinder/auto). Put 49000 miles on it absolutely trouble-free. Very nice steering, handling/ride balance. Only negative was the 4 cylinder engine was a little noisy under hard acceleration (which was often the way I drive). Also came with a 5 speed auto rather than 4 speed auto on many competitors which was nice.

I rented an 08 Mazda 6 and disliked it, too. The widest turning circle I've ever seen in a smaller car. Had to back up half the time to get into parking spots. Also seemed tinnier than its platform-twin, the Fusion.

[gtrman66]

This one has a V6 and 44k miles. Leather, power, 6 Disk CD/MP3... really nice ride.

[MYCAR47562]

Hey Gator Why Not Save The R And Get You A Little 1000 Dollar Pos That Can Get You Around Town?

Oh And By The Way I Love That You Don't Have A Car Im Hopeing I Have That Choice Soon

[gtrman66]

Cause $1k pos cars tend to break down a lot. My wife's minivan just turned 100k so it would be nice to have a dependable back up vehicle.