Buell Ulysses?

[Viggen]

Ive got too many cars and a Discovery that is built to go into the woods and want to trim the heard a little bit. That being said, I would love to have a bike to ride around town/ commute on and have the Disco fulfill the bad weather/ weekend trip duties. I need a bike with a more upright seating position and have always liked the dual sports for ability (this will probably never see any sort of off road but the roads around here are TERRIBLE!) and the seating position. Now, I know Buell is officially gone but I also know that they are/ were as subsidiary of Harley. The prices for low mileage Buells are all over the map since there is a bit of uncertainty right now. I found an 07 XB12X with 5k miles for about $5k (my budget). Thats not too bad a deal for a seriously nice bike. A nice twin for the price of a single cylinder BMW. The question: is a Buell worth the risk? They seem like the Saab of the bike world. Great products, expensive to buy with value that drops like a rock right after purchase.

 

[T.Low]

FWIW, an acquiantance of mine loves his. He rides local commutes as well as long camping trips. He talks about it being great on the mountain twisites. He is tall and it fits him well.

Sorry i can't be more specific, but I will tell you that the guy is generally very analytical and critical.

 

[08whitex]

I have a buell lightning 1200. I love that bike, it is a blast to ride and everyone loves it

 

[Payback]

I used to own a Firebolt. It was a great bike, and I had a lot of fun. I wouldn't worry too much about Buell being gone because the engine was just a hopped up sportster engine. They're still making parts. That being said, like all harley's, the engine is based on 1950 tech and vibrates like crazy. Things are going to break/rattle loose. Just part of the bike. I don't think I'd want to take a Buell off road, but it sounds like that's not part of your plans.

Do you have any specific questions?

 

[dirtysouth]

That's a whole lot of bike for $5k. I had one and loved it. Granted it will vibrate like crazy at idle but was as smooth as any other bike going down the road. Comfort wise, it was probably the most comfortable bike stock. It is a tall, heavy bike, but I had no problem with on gravel roads or commuting with a 30" inseam, deep sand on the other hand sucked. Because of the short wheelbase, you need to dial the suspension in per the owners manual and it will handle like a dream, if you're off on the suspension setup, it will handle horrible.

Speaking of comfort, I did 1500 miles on mine in 25 hours. :bike_rider:

 

[corbinwelter]

I work for a Harley Davidson shop and we were a large Buell dealer. My own personal opinion; I would never ever buy one. For $5k you are in the ball park range for a much better designed bike. Why pay that money for a bike with 1940s technology. If you are on a budget, for $3k you can buy yourself a KLR650 which although is a single, will still give you plenty of enjoyment and keep some change in your pocket for mods or gas. That is what i did and do not regret it one bit. Yah Sportsters use the same drivetrain, but its the other parts that worry me.... electrical, frame components, brakes. Buells are unique but thats not always a good thing. Buells do vibrate very badly, i would suggest riding every bike in your budget and see which one you like best. Everyone has their own opinion.

 

[Payback]

I work for a Harley Davidson shop and we were a large Buell dealer. My own personal opinion; I would never ever buy one. For $5k you are in the ball park range for a much better designed bike. Why pay that money for a bike with 1940s technology. If you are on a budjet, for $3k you can buy yourself a KLR650 which although is a single, will still give you plenty of enjoyment and keep some change in your pocket for mods or gas. That is what i did and do not regret it one bit. Yah Sportsters use the same drivetrain, but its the other parts that worry me.... electrical, frame components, brakes. Buells are unique but thats not always a good thing. Buells do vibrate very badly, i would suggest riding every bike in your budget and see which one you like best. Everyone has their own opinion.

Solid advice.

 

[MarcFJ60]

Best deals going . . .

I'd recommend swinging by your local Kawasaki dealer as 2009 models are being sold dirt cheap right now.

You can get a Versys for under $5K.
You can get a ER6N for a couple hundred less than that.
And I've heard deals on KLRs for like $4K.

I wanted to like the ER6N, but my legs were too bent when I sat on it (and I'm only 5'8").
The Versys would be a very good bike for the what you're looking for and is A LOT of bike for the money right now.

Just make sure you get the bike YOU want.

 

[Viggen]

I'd recommend swinging by your local Kawasaki dealer as 2009 models are being sold dirt cheap right now.

You can get a Versys for under $5K.
You can get a ER6N for a couple hundred less than that.
And I've heard deals on KLRs for like $4K.

I wanted to like the ER6N, but my legs were too bent when I sat on it (and I'm only 5'8").
The Versys would be a very good bike for the what you're looking for and is A LOT of bike for the money right now.

Just make sure you get the bike YOU want.

Im 6'4" with very long legs so I guess the only "fit" issues would be that the seat height is too low. Ill definitely look around and find the one that best fits me. I never considered a KLR or any bike like that as they look too much like dirt bikes to me. Something like a Versys though, is pretty attractive.

 

[dirtysouth]

Im 6'4" with very long legs so I guess the only "fit" issues would be that the seat height is too low. Ill definitely look around and find the one that best fits me. I never considered a KLR or any bike like that as they look too much like dirt bikes to me. Something like a Versys though, is pretty attractive.

If you want a solid bike that will soak up the dirt roads or broken asphalt better than the Ulysses, look at a 2006 or older Triumph Tiger. Super smooth 3 cylinder engine, plenty of power on tap, great range, and a 3 position adjustable seat for you tall guys. You should be able to find one with bags and other accessories for your price range.

 

[RedDog]

I moved quickly on mine shortly before Christmas soon after I heard the announcement. $6,000. off CDN list price. I haven't regretted it for a second. Fantastic machine.

 

[f_skinner]

I have owned many Buells and still own 5 of them. The Uly (next to the Blast) is the best seller and there is a reason for that. I have been off road and toured the highway on mine. Never any problems. The ONLY probelm with owning any Buell is the dealerships but if you learn to do you own work you will not have to worry about that. There are a few great Buell dealerships in the country unfortunately they are hard to find. I would look at the badweatherbikers dot com web site for more information and support for anything you want to do to the bike.

I rode Harleys for 30 years and in 1997 when I rode my first Buell riding became fun again. Never will I go back to a Harley.


Buy the Buell, stay away from Harley dealerships and shops and learn how to do your own maintenance and the bike will not let you down.