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Buell XB12X (Ulysses) Buell XB12X (Ulysses)
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Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



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  #16  
Old 8 Jul 2010
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Honestly, I've not had a chance to really experience any buell beyond the blast(which is a complete ad utter pile of vibrating crap suitable only for making your lady orgasm, and not much else)

honestly, their V twin bikes are built with a sportster 883 and 1200 motor essentially, and as such have INCREDIBLE low rpm torque from idle up, and the HD engine is pretty bulletproof with regular maintenance. long as you change the oil in em regularly, and dont expect them to rev to 12k, you're good.
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  #17  
Old 27 Nov 2010
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I currently own one and am thoroughly impressed with it (as a road going bike with off-road capabilities). However, I'm planning a trip through Central and South America and I keep hearing that the forged wheels (in particular the small front) will just get eaten right off the bike on some of the legs of the trip. I really want to find a way to make the trip work on the Uly because I love the thing but also don't want to have a more arduous trip purely because I wanted to go with my "best friend" rather than a burly old work horse (like an Africa Twin or some GS).

On the flip side though I also hear about people going RTW on full blown tourers and Harley's so who knows. Guess I just have to keep asking questions until I'm satisfied one way or the other.
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  #18  
Old 28 Jan 2011
RIP: 5/3/21
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Location: Onalaska, Washington, USA
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Not sure if you have left on your trip yet but thought I would add my 2 cents. Been all the way south on a XB12X (50,000 miles so far, 23,000 south of the boarder and 8000 in Australia, great bike but has its limits. I have had no problems with cast wheels mentioned above. So far two drive belts (carry a spare), clutch bearing, kick stand bolts (if yours has only two bolts machine block and switch to three bolt), and wheel bearings (fixed in 2010 I have been told, if earlier change every other tire).
Buell did everything I thought I wanted to do, but when I got down there I found there were some really great places up dirt/gravel roads and the wide rear tire floats up on gravel. I put it down four time but not sure I wouldn't have put down others brands as often for other reasons.
If I had it to do over would take a bike better on gravel and dirt if for no other reason just to try something different. Hope to head to Africa next year and will trade bikes before I go.
Any bike will make it (met a guy on a WWII Harley 45 who had be out 20 months). If you like the Buell go for it.
RJT
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  #19  
Old 28 Jan 2011
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Posts: 89
Buell
Hi mate,
I have a pair of buells, xb9r which i track and ride it hard and change the oil and i bought my partner a xb9s which has done 3000 miles approx and has 4 sets of rear wheel bearings as you cannot adjust the chain. Buell is a great bike if you can fix them easily but rear wheel removal is ummmmm difficult. If you go for the buell talk to the guys at Trojan Horse they race in the thunder class and really know there stuff. If you want any tech help drop me a mail.
steve
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  #20  
Old 4 Feb 2011
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Location: London
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Ulysses
I was at the Buell dealership I had gone to for the rear wheel bearings to be renewed in se England. Black Bear, I forget the town, and my attention was attracted by a well worn looking Ulysses on the forecourt, complete with Metal Mule panniers festooned with S Ameria stickers. It turned out the guy who owned the Buell had bought it off a guy who'd ridden it from Alaska to Ushaia in southern Argentina. He'd experienced no problems whatsoever. The model was the 07. Mine is a 06 1st registered in 02/08. Their great bikes.
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  #21  
Old 4 Feb 2011
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Correction
tHEY'RE NOT THEIR. dAMN COMPUTERS. i PREFER A PEN IN MY HAND
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  #22  
Old 6 Jan 2012
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Location: Seattle, WA - PNW, the Motherland
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Thanks for all the replies! I have since also picked up a 04 KLR and farkled it out quite a bit and am thuroughly pleased with my choice. I still have the Buell and still love it for what I use it for but I wanted something slightly less conspicuous and something that would perform better off road since I definitely like to get off the beaten track.

I would have replied earlier but I'm just now becoming active on these boards (HUBB, ADV, KLR.net, etc) and hadn't worked out getting email replies. You'd think that as a youngster this tech stuff should have been bread into me already but apparently not.

Haven't left yet but I'll be heading to Alaska in June (swinging by Dust 2 Dawson meet up first) then heading South to Argentina in the fall. Soooooooooo excited. Thanks for the first replies to some of my first (and I'm certain not my last) posts here in the overland motorcycling world!
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  #23  
Old 4 Feb 2012
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I have still got my Ulysses (formerly Lagos Nick) and use it daily down here. I am planning to ride from here to Japan, via Siberia and Vladivostok, but I have to say I wouldn't trust the Uly to make it...although it probably would. A new belt and recent headrace, wheel and swingarm bearings and a service and, who knows? It's only about 8500 miles from here and the road isn't bad. The grunt means it's not tiring to ride long distance. But when you talk to people who really know XBs (as in a mechanic I know in Manchester, England) and read owners' forums, you start to have serious doubts.
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  #24  
Old 13 Dec 2013
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Thumbs up jimonabuell butts in ...
Buell XB xt 2009. Last model.
My ownership of a last model I have done nothing in 40tho ks! They have an extra wheel bearing, also a 'comfort kit',an extra fan cooling exit duct fitted Stock. I like stock, so find a 2009. Its all been done at the factory. Ok?
Panniers @ Top Box free! HEPCO so Gobi’s fit. Racks are solid.
Fuel: Touring 220-240 Kms= 17-18 ltrs. every tank. Bike pluss 250 kilo load @ 120kph Low grade. Oil filter $16? Ebay. Brake Pads just order my first 2 sets (40th ks) $100? EBay.
The muffler IS the jacking point x2.
197kilos and approx. 100Hp think about That?...a Tourer with a Gp frame is not a Dirt bike! But, saying that better in the dirt than my old Bm Gs 800, 1100, 1200.
Last of all, loaded panniers I can Lay mine on its side and 'through' it up by one Handle Bar. Dont need to turn around bumb on seat and all that. Oh, I'm 54yo! jimonabuell. gone...

Just popped back in nearly 10 years on that Buell now. Yes services etc In 10 years Not one problem NOT one! "Just rode it like I stole it" is in the Buell Ownership manual btw! jimonabuell Outback Aus. The dirtiest ugliest Bike and Rider in the world. lols.
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Last edited by jimonabuell; 11 Sep 2018 at 07:35.
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  #25  
Old 19 Dec 2013
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Location: Lagos, Portugal
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Hope you like it. It's certainly the most comfortable bike I've ridden long distance (London-southwest Portugal return). A lot better in that respect than my old BMW R1100GS (1995-2010) or my KTM950ADV (2005-2007, written off). Not bad on fuel and mine, at least so far, is reliable. It has had a Free Spirits belt tensioner, an airbox mod and a grease nipple to help the gearbox output shaft. The only other mod has been an A&E air filter.
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