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Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

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


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 2 Dec 2008
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To Buell or not to Buell
As a life long Harley Davidson man i have always been happy to stick to the roads and ride my Big Twins all over the US and Europe and even South Africa. I now have a real urge to a bit of sensible off roading - so no RTW or darkest Africa or Asia - but i cant bring myself to give up the HD brand. and get a GS1200. I have read a few reasonable reviews of the Buell Ulyssees, and i was wondering if anyone had any views to convince me to buy or not. I will be riding one up and probably on 2-3 week trips max.
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Old 2 Dec 2008
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having just made my first post - i saw the link to numerous similar ones - i will check out their thoughts - but will probably still get one anyway!
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  #3  
Old 2 Dec 2008
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I don't know about the Uly as a whole, but one thing that does not make sense to me is the combination of a belt drive and offroading.

I think mud and dust will wear that out much faster than a chain...
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  #4  
Old 2 Dec 2008
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Instead of committing yourself to a bike, why don't you sign up for some off-road bike courses which probably offer a 250cc or smaller bike to ride on dirt, then you can see if you truly see yourself enjoying riding that kind of terrain. IMHO it's a big switch from riding a harley to offroad even gentle offroad.
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  #5  
Old 3 Dec 2008
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IanPS, welcome to the site.

If by sensible off roading you mean gravel and dirt roads I'd stick to a Harley Bobber of some sort. The Ully is quite tall and from my experience all that extra suspension is wasted on normal tracks. Even knobbly tyres are really only of use when it gets muddy. A low seat height means you can use your legs to keep the bike up and "paddle" through. On a recent off-road jaunt this guy kept up no problem on road tyres. In fact I followed him some of the way.



here's the link to the full ride report...

Doc Gets Dirty in the Dales: The Tan Hill Meet - XT225+250 Rider's Group

It just proves what you can do on an ordinary bike. If you fancy a Ully and have the legs for it go for it.

I've been on gravel in Norway and been passed by 2 guys on Buell sports bikes. I've even seen a V-Rod there so it's possible for sure. If you want to get serious though get a 250 trail bike. Tyres and weight make all the difference off road.
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Old 3 Dec 2008
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By all means give the Uly a try. It's a very cool bike
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Last edited by mollydog; 26 Mar 2009 at 21:16. Reason: pic
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  #7  
Old 4 Dec 2008
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I've ridden the Buell Uly quite a few times. I can't get used to the tremendous vibrations - it's far worse than even a badly balanced Guzzi. It's been back and forth to the seller a number of times as they too think it seems a bit too vibey, but they can't find anything wrong - so everybody now assumes this is the way it should be. The electrics was dodgy, with the headlights suddenly dying then coming alight again for no apparent reason. The injection seemed not up to par, with it spitting and spluttering on low revs. It also burned the voltage reglator. If I didn't know better I'd think it was an old Guzzi...

Would I get a Ulysses? No. Especially because it's too road biased. Wherever the Uly goes, any old Hog will go. But also because it seems to have too many issues. This was a 2006 model. Buell may have sorted it all out by now for all I know. However, I'm not convinced. But then again: I'm riding Guzzis thinking they are the greatest machines ever built, so what would I know...
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Old 4 Dec 2008
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Buell's do shake at idle but as soon
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Old 4 Dec 2008
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No experiences of the newer Buells, but i was seduced by a Thunderbolt (a Cyclone with a larger seat and a touring fairing...). I saw myself as a convert to the HD/Buell lifestyle after a solid diet of Jap 4's. 8 months later i'd had enough of things going pop or wearing out at a horrific rate of knots, so it went to be replaced by an sv650. The vibes and noise (via a Supertrapp...) were fantastic - a real feature of the genre, and sorely missed. But as a dependable touring bike - perhaps not for me. A most emotive machine wih astounding brakes/suspension.
and , to
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Old 4 Dec 2008
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I think you're talking about the Tube framed
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  #11  
Old 5 Dec 2008
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I have to admit I really like the Uly, two things kept me from buying one for a trip to Alaska. Price and fuel tank capacity. I demoed an 07 and thought it was a blast to ride, very comfortable, and handles very well. I have an 02 Harley Road King, and other than checking for normal aging or cracks you really don't have to touch the belt between tire changes, and it has seen a few gravel roads. I ended up buying a used Suzuki 650 V-Strom for the upcoming trip, but if finances allowed in the future I would love to add a Uly to the garage. Buell has addressed the turning radius issue on the 08 models so they turn tighter. And yes as Patrick says, the fan is still rather noisy.
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