My next motorcycle?

[garylspolar]

I owned an R1200C cruiser for all of two months, sold it recently. Previous was Yamaha FJR1300ABS, and before that, an R1150RA. I am going to wait until next year to buy another, as my soon to arrive son will be my hobby this fall.

I believe I've narrowed the choice down to two (three):

1. Buell Ulysses
2. Used R1150R, or new R1200R

Anybody here ridden the Uly? It's getting rave reviews, and I've taken a spin myself. Torque everywhere, and mucho fun to ride.

[dwayne]

I owned an R1200C cruiser for all of two months, sold it recently. Previous was Yamaha FJR1300ABS, and before that, an R1150RA. I am going to wait until next year to buy another, as my soon to arrive son will be my hobby this fall.

I believe I've narrowed the choice down to two (three):

1. Buell Ulysses
2. Used R1150R, or new R1200R

Anybody here ridden the Uly? It's getting rave reviews, and I've taken a spin myself. Torque everywhere, and mucho fun to ride.

Gary, the only problem I have with it is the belt drive, not a fan. Canadian Biker did an article on the Buell Ulysses XBXB12X, it didn't fair well. Not well at all. In fact one of the testers wanted to bring the bike back to the dealership, ASAP. The editors could not figure out why this bike was getting rave reviews. Here is a quote from the article:

“… Not that it [Ulysses] doesn’t have good things going for it, but basically we had to conclude that this as an idiosyncratic motorcycle best left in the hands of only very expert riders who might also have a taste for unpredictable behavior”

-John Campbell, Canadian Biker Magazine
from the June 2006 issue (issue #222), page 40

Here's another quote:

"The bike's steep geometry enables it to feel fairly nimble (for its size) during low speed maneuvers. However, this geometry combined with a rider placement that seems radically high ultimately compromises higher speed stability. Translation: the bike does not convey a sense of stability even at highway speeds, ultimately and substantially affecting the rider’s overall confidence”

-John Campbell, Canadian Biker Magazine
from the June 2006 issue (issue #222), page 41

http://www.canadianbiker.com/

Oh, and how is this for forshadowing, the article is titled: 'Long Road Ahead'

(it's published, so it gets an underline)....

[R4R&R]

I'm seriously considering a Buell for my next ride. While it couldn't replace the versatility of the roadster, I love them!

Make mine a lightning, XB12S.

[dwayne]

I'm seriously considering a Buell for my next ride. While it couldn't replace the versatility of the roadster, I love them!

Make mine a lightning, XB12R.

From what I have read, have fun with that, and I'm sure you'll have no problem offloading it on eBay for a song.

[johno]

You bunch of traitors!!! BMWs rule.
Wait and buy the R1200R.
One of the bike mags in Aus tested the Buell Ulysses, and did not rave too much about it.
Stick with Beemers.

[DJ Downunder]

The Buell is ok if you're a hobbit or smaller...I'm 6'4"..I sat on one and it felt like a mini bike.

I got sent an invertation only last week to test ride a new Buell..I went in and asked for a Uly...they said they didn't have one..and will get back to me.

I hope they ring soon..I'll test it..and take pics for you...

DJ

[big papa]

I rode a Buell a few years ago. It put a big smile on my face. Too bad my wife told me it looked like I should be carrying it instead of riding it. I think they are cool. My dealership is taking $2k off the K1200R, that may sway me to dump the Rock.

[R4R&R]

From what I have read, have fun with that, and I'm sure you'll have no problem offloading it on eBay for a song.

I've been eyeballing e-bay for those. I wouldn't buy a new one, definitely used. There are too many out there with low miles and low prices.

[Capt. Blackadder]

My dealership is taking $2k off the K1200R, that may sway me to dump the Rock.

Which dealer is that... Victory?

[big papa]

Yep, they said they had 9 in inventory. Sale is thru July.

[garylspolar]

Dwayne:

I think you are telling me something I already know. Buells don't have all the kinks worked out, and they don't exactly have legendary reliability. My next motorcycle will most likely be another Beemer, a used R1150RA.

I'll be looking shortly after January 1st, 2007, so if anyone is planning to sell, keep me in mind.

[dwayne]

Dwayne:

I think you are telling me something I already know. Buells don't have all the kinks worked out, and they don't exactly have legendary reliability. My next motorcycle will most likely be another Beemer, a used R1150RA.

I'll be looking shortly after January 1st, 2007, so if anyone is planning to sell, keep me in mind.

Gary,

I think that the Moto Guzzi Beveri (sp?) would be a better bike. Nothing wrong with a Beemer, but I would try something a little different.

[DJ Downunder]

Gary...have you considered the new Moto Guzzi Griso?

DJ

[garylspolar]

Yeah, Griso... nice! The Guzzi's make their power just at slightly higher revs, however, and don't have as fat of a power/torque curve. Or so I've read... And I do love being able to slam on the brakes after zoning out like an idiot- ABS is nice for that. Refresh my memory DJ, what was your opinion of the Guzzi you rode vs the R1150R?

[DJ Downunder]

Yeah, Griso... nice! The Guzzi's make their power just at slightly higher revs, however, and don't have as fat of a power/torque curve. Or so I've read... And I do love being able to slam on the brakes after zoning out like an idiot- ABS is nice for that. Refresh my memory DJ, what was your opinion of the Guzzi you rode vs the R1150R?

Gary...just blipping the throttle the Guzzi spins up quicker than the BMW..the sound is great.

The bike feels lower and seems to hug the road..it's a very grunty engine..even more so than the BMW...and I couldn't get it to surge.

It's not a high reving engine..I hit the rev limiter a few times trying to wheelie (unsucsesfuly)..it likes the lower revs.

It had much better throttle response than the BMW..and that sound...mmmmmm...so good.

The handling was very good..the forks are great..I didn't notice any real front end dive under braking..brakes are great.

The bars and pegs felt spot on for me..the pegs are maybe a little further up and back than the RR..and I liked it.

I didn't feel like I was catching a lot of wind in the chest..even though it had no screen...there is one available.

One concern is parts,service,reliability...maybe there's no need for concern...but I looking for excuses not to trade up.

My Roadster felt like a comfee old shoe...with two flat tires...(the steering felt heavy)...btw..I just checked my tire pressures and they were low..

The bike feels and looks very cool...and it's Italian...it's worth checking out.

DJ

Oh yeah...there was one bad thing...

There was an annoying slack in the rear drivetrain when powering on and off at low speeds..but that can be avoided..buy the way you ride it.

[garylspolar]

Thanks DJ! Too bad the local Guzzi dealership closed... although, servicing can be an excuse for me too put on another couple hundred miles. Hydraulic lifters, so no adjustment? Servicing might not be that bad.

[Joe Rockster]

DJ, I saw the Grisso in persona here in the USA at New Hampshire's Seacoast Cycle in Derry. I asked the owner to crank it for me, and I have to say that it WAS a SWEEEEEET sound. The exhaust is MASIVE.

I didn't ride it though. Glad to hear an oppinion.

Joe

[DJ Downunder]

Gary..bummer that you don't have a local dealer now.

I asked the owner to crank it for me, and I have to say that it WAS a SWEEEEEET sound. The exhaust is MASIVE.

Joe...you're right..the stock exhaust is huge..and ugly IMO..my local dealer took it off and put a Staintune on..it looks much better and sounds better.

You can just see it in this pic.

DJ

[Joe Rockster]

Well, I still like the original though.

[garylspolar]

Canadian magazines bashing the Buell XB12Ss as well? Just wondering. They finally got rid of the gold rims, and gave the 2007 a stealthy look, blacked out... looks fantastic.