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bmadson
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  		   Posted 3/25/2008 10:07 AM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.

Buell's first touring motorcycle takes the Ulysses moniker to the road with American air-cooled V-Twin muscle. Check out MotorcycleUSA's 2008 Buell Ulysses XB12XT - First Ride

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GAJ
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  		   Posted 3/25/2008 1:02 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Other than the heat and the brakes sounds like a pretty good package.

Really like the idea of the flip up passenger backrest; all ST's should have such a feature.

This might be the "other" bike to compare to the Norge.
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Desmolicious
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  		   Posted 3/25/2008 1:59 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Nice review, a couple of points/questions...
The instrument panel is really lacking. Even the Ninja 250 offers more information than that! Any bike can be outfitted with a 12V plug for a few bucks by visiting powerlet.com. The Buellyses looks like a nice ST bike so it really needs a full complement of instruments.
Has the lock to lock turn of the handlebars been improved like on the latest Ullyses (the dirt road version)?
Have the headlights been improved? Good headlights are essential for a touring bike and the complaint by Buell owners on the previous models was that the lights truly suck.
When the side bags are removed, are there big ugly brackets left (like on my Duc)?
What kind of range do you have with the bags on? Aerodynamics must be much worse, and combining a 4.4 gallon tank with no fuel gauge...
How does this compare to the Buell TT? They seem quite similar with the TT having longer travel suspension.
Umm, that's all !

Børk! Børk! Børk!

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asg21
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  		   Posted 3/25/2008 7:10 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
The current issue of the British mag "Superbike" has an article about the Ulysses - it's titled "Is this the worst bike you can buy?" and the answer (in the tester's opinion) seems to be yes.
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sfarson
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  		   Posted 3/25/2008 7:20 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Don't think I've come across any review from any magazine in the UK where they didn't pan the Ulysses big time. Interestingly, they have a rather warm heart towards the Firebolt.
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snowscum
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  		   Posted 3/25/2008 7:29 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
"New 47mm front forks replace the previous 43 mm forks. Secured with a new triple clamp design, this new front end improves the torsional rigidity of the entire chassis. Fork flex is reduced during hard braking for improved stability and feedback.

Steering sweep lock-to-lock is increased to 74 degrees from 54 degrees to reduce the turning radius in off-road low-speed maneuvers. New off-set triple clamps maintain the 23.5 degree rake and 4.8 inch trail.

Heated hand grips are now standard equipment on the 2008 Ulysses. The grips are rated at 18 watts per side on the High setting and 11 watts per side on the Low setting.

New air guides positioned on the tail section of the Ulysses deflect engine heat away from the rider’s legs.

Modifications to the 1203 Thunderstorm V-Twin engine enhance performance, reduce maintenance, and allow a new redline of 7100 rpm (see separate Thunderstorm release for details)."
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louemc
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  		   Posted 3/25/2008 8:48 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
I'm sure that collectively somewhere, there are a few riders that wouldn't want anything else. So for them I'll shut my pie hole.

 Focus the forces, Be The Force

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YellowDuck
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  		   Posted 3/26/2008 6:55 AM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Congratulations to MCUSA. This is one of those rare occasions where they actually scooped Motorcycle Daily - albeit by one day. Still, not bad!

One thing I will say about Buell...they are a lot nicer to Canadians than the Japanese are! A Firebolt 12R costs $1000 less than a GSXR600 up here. Price on the bike reviewed here is only $1000 more in Canada than in the US. What's that, 8%? Price differentials on Japanese bikes are more like 25%. Pisses me off.

The idiotic price differentials are enough of a pet peeve of mine, that they would actually play into a purchase decision if I were in the market at the moment. Not saying I would buy a Buell for that reason alone (!), but it would be a factor.

Cynicism is what passes for insight among the mediocre - Joe Klein

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Desmolicious
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  		   Posted 3/26/2008 7:21 AM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
sfarson said...
Don't think I've come across any review from any magazine in the UK where they didn't pan the Ulysses big time. Interestingly, they have a rather warm heart towards the Firebolt.


What are their complaints? Why so different from the USA press opinion?
They like bikes like the Firebolt and Lightning, and let's be honest, the Ulysses is just a variation on the theme...

Børk! Børk! Børk!

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OhioSteve
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  		   Posted 3/26/2008 6:11 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
At times the OEMs ignore the needs of the dealers, and that's a mistake. In the nineties HD made every dealer learn all about Buell. Then they gave those dealers a terribly unreliable product to sell. Nowadays the product is much better, and (due to the strong Euro) the product is cheaper than its competition. However, the dealers have a "once bitten twice shy" attitude. At a typical HD dealership, you see one dusty Buell in the corner...that's about it.

I am the foremost expert on my opinion.

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Racer1
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  		   Posted 3/27/2008 8:04 AM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
I just have never seen the appeal - I have ridden a Firebolt (on and off the track - NHIS) and a couple of earlier Buells and to me (a Brit who lives here, loves it, but doesn't necessarily have quite the same flag waving, buy American, listen to Springsteen, drive a pick-up truck kind of mentality) I just cannot see any reason to buy one - almost at any price.

Admittedly I have only ridden Harley engined versions, but they all felt compromised, shaky, unrefined and as if I couldn't really rely on them to get me across the country without a problem. There are so many astonishingly competent Italian, German, Japanese and British rides in every category, that don't use tractor engines, I'm not sure why anyone would bother - apart from the aforementioned flag waving tendencies...

Seriously - if you can't think of a few better engineered, more rounded, reliable, proven and sophisticated bikes that are direct competitors to the Ulysses, you just aren't thinking!

A Harley engined sport bike or adventure tourer is like a dog walking on it's hind legs - you don't expect it to be good at it, you are just impressed that it does it at all....
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satyride
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  		   Posted 3/27/2008 1:57 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Although I am a pebble in H-D's shoe, even though I own a couple and have my love of 2 wheeling to thank in a major way to the Motor co. I am none the less impressed with Eric B. and his true grit. I met him as we were doing the Titan deal and his triumph ( no pun) over adversity is to be admired as no one at H-D was really in his corner totally committed the way he was in the 1990"s. Now with Rotax, perhaps his dreams will be completed . I don't ride one but I "feel" for the marque and it is a "Chevy to the levee". American pride is not a bad thing IF it is well placed and not blind.

THE SATYR makes the/ and lives by the ....RULES...his own

Post Edited (satyride) : 3/27/2008 10:01:01 PM GMT

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GeoffG
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  		   Posted 3/27/2008 10:39 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Racer1 said...
Admittedly I have only ridden Harley engined versions, but they all felt compromised, shaky, unrefined and as if I couldn't really rely on them to get me across the country without a problem. There are so many astonishingly competent Italian, German, Japanese and British rides in every category, that don't use tractor engines, I'm not sure why anyone would bother - apart from the aforementioned flag waving tendencies...

Interestingly enough, Buell sells more bikes overseas than it does in the US...they seem popular in Australia, have a cult following in Japan, and the largest market of all for Buell is Europe (in spite of, or maybe because of, the fact they are sold there right alongside Ducatis, Aprilias, Triumphs, etc.--it's only in North America they are restricted to Harley sales outlets).

Keep in mind--Buell's assembly plant may be in the US, but most of the parts are imported (on my bike, the frame and swingarm were made in Italy--by Verlicchi and Brembo respectively; the brakes are Japanese--Nissin; the body panels, engine, and driveline are American; various other parts are sourced, likewise, from around the world.)

I am not an American, yet I own a Buell, and love it. Perhaps if I was concerned about lap times, I'd want something a bit more racy...but the Buell is fast enough in the twisties, has proven stone reliable, and is a ton of fun to ride. What more do ya want?
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Racer1
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  		   Posted 3/28/2008 4:56 AM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Thanks Geoff - that's an informed and intelligent first hand response and makes me think maybe I judged too harshly and quickly...

I admit that most of my sports bike riding is at the track and I tend to do "apples to apples" comparisons to my track-only prepped R6 - braking points, stability over ripples and bumps, drive out of corners and high speed stability... On the road I ride a CBR1100XX which does duty as a sport tourer, commuter and provides the occasional burst of lunacy. Neither of my bikes are in any category that Buell is aiming at, and maybe some of my HD prejudices are showing.

I am willing to stand corrected re. the reliability factor and I appreciate your considered input... Maybe I should have assessed the bike for what it was and not what it wasn't... Probably one reason I don't test bikes for a living, but I do have the capacity to admit when I may have been wrong! Not the bike for me, but I will try to avoid painting with such a broad brush in future...
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GeoffG
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  		   Posted 3/28/2008 7:57 AM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Wow, Racer1, I am impressed as well. Who says we can't have an intelligent, informed discussion on this board? ;-)

As the boys from Monty Python put it, "An argument is more than a series of contradictions."

"No it isn't!"

"Yes, it is!"

"No it isn't!"

"Yes, it is!"

"No it isn't!"

"Yes, it is!"

"No it isn't!"

"Yes, it is!"

"No it isn't!"

"Yes, it is!"...



It is true, on the racetrack the Harley-based engine Buell uses is at a disadvantage...for all that in FX testing some years ago they were carrying higher corner speeds than any of the 600s, they simply cannot keep up on the straights. And yes, there were some reliability issues with the racebikes eyes

But as a streetbike, it just works...even though most of my previous riding experience involved Japanese I4s, I'm loving the 'Bolt. I'm willing to admit, however, that they certainly aren't for everyone (and I do find the press reactions odd...the Euro press--and public--seems to appreciate the Firebolt, while it gets panned in North America; meanwhile, the Ulysses has gotten some great press from US mags, but European journalists don't seem to like it.)
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Desmolicious
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  		   Posted 3/28/2008 9:50 AM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
The thing that's really sweet with the 08 Buells (excluding the 1125) is the almost lack of maintenance required. Hydraulic valves, timing for 08 does not need to be adjusted, belt drive. All you need to do is change oil occasionally, add gas, and go. And maybe let a torque wrench look at some of the bolts once in a while...

Børk! Børk! Børk!

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Mojav
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  		   Posted 4/7/2008 7:01 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Admittedly I have only ridden Harley engined versions, but they all felt compromised, shaky, unrefined and as if I couldn't really rely on them to get me across the country without a problem. There are so many astonishingly competent Italian, German, Japanese and British rides in every category, that don't use tractor engines, I'm not sure why anyone would bother - apart from the aforementioned flag waving tendencies..
 
Racer1,
Well, I'd have to guess you don't like old Brit bikes either. If ever there was a bike that would shake your teeth out, fatigue crack parts off, have random electrical failures, leak oil (!), require carb syncing every other day, it was my beloved 1978 Bonneville. After 40 years of bikes (over 60 now) including top contemporary Italian, Japanese, German bikes it's still the funnest and prettiest bike I've owned. My little Sporty is kind of fun too tooling through the desert and on sandy mountain roads. I've ridden several old BSA and Triumphs that were a hoot, and they barely have what you could call power (or brakes). I'm not a track guy, never will be. But I've ridden the rotten mountain roads out here in the west practically forever. I'm not saying a R6 wouldn't be fun on them but I can tell you it's simply impossible to ride it anywhere near it's capacity (without dieing). That's where torquey somewhat mellower bikes can be much superior. You call it a tractor engine but remember the HD 45 Vtwin has an fantastic racing legacy. The Buell HD engine isn't the living end but if it's anything like my 80HP Sporty, it grows on you. Oh, and except for a horn switch failure nothing has gone wrong with my Sportster in 11,000 miles. 

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murkylogic
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  		   Posted 4/14/2008 8:27 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
It's amazing how these Buell articles seem to dig up the Buell love vs hate debate every time. The funny thing is I find myself on both sides even after riding a Buell Uly.
Buells aren't for every one but they do bring out passion.  I don't see nearly as much passion from "so many astonishingly competent Italian, German, Japanese and British rides in every category".   After a couple of years I felt the same way about my Kawasaki as my refrigerator.  So I sold it.  I don't think I would lose the interest as fast with a Buell.  Maybe it's time to visit the HD store for a test ride and see where my love/hate scale falls now.
 
(side note: Since I'm out shopping for a new ride....  If anyone from Honda, Suzuki, Kawi reads this forum, then you should know test rides sell motorcycles.  Test sit only policies leave motorcycles on the show room floorsmilewinkgrin
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GAJ
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  		   Posted 4/15/2008 8:18 AM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
You need a KTM.

(No, I don't own one, but they sure have "attitude").
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Geoffrey
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  		   Posted 5/3/2008 4:10 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Nice review. The XB12XT sounds like a solid bike. Only thing I don't like is the hoover looking exhaust. Looks like a skid plate. Does the aftermarket offer any alternatives?

'94 BMW K1100RS
'05 HD Ultra Classic Electra Glide
 

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