2008 Buell Ulysses XB12XT Review

gbrummett said:

That's that same old crap from Laguna Seca about the preproduction models!!!

HELLOOO!!! I want a real road test of the production 1125r and a dyno run!

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Did I claim otherwise? If you've found another mag/online pub that has a street review with dyno, than by all means, post it.

HELLOOO!! I don't work here!

Sofas? Not for me. You need to get a portable cot. They disassemble into a nice small package and are much more comfortable than a conventional sofa. Plus, you can assemble the cot in the garage in order to be closer to your new bike.

I may have to spray paint my cot KTM orange in anticipation of the new 690SMC hitting the showroom floor.

The XT is THE Buell I've been wanting them to build - the long distance capabilities of an Ultra but with handling capabilities for those of us not yet eating dinner at 5:00 at Lubys and spending Friday nights watching Matlock.

Now that the Uly is available with a realistic seat height, I bet Buell sells a bunch of 'em.

Darrel,

I wouldn't say it has the LD capabilities of on Ultra. That's a huge stretch. For starters, you can move around on the FLH to reduce leg problems and monkey-butt.

But the XT does offer an alternative to the other Sport Touring bikes out there.

But (to no ones' surprise), I'd rather have a Tiger than the XT. And I'm not letting go of my Sprint ST anytime soon.

On my rush to my wallet, I forgot about the Tiger. Thanks for reminding me. The Tiger has a better motor anyway, one that does'nt have to run at 110 percent of it's capacity and was'nt designed in 1957. The Buell dealer reminds me of when I bought my 72 Norton and the dealer had to move 10 lawnmowers to get to it.

Looking at your avatar, shouldn't your handle be MGclay (or claygoose)?

Although I prefer the Triumph (and I assume you're poking fun), your assessment of the Buell isn't fair. It really is a nice bike, and Buell and HD have developed a fine machine.

Other than the angle of the jugs and they both have pistons and rubber tires, I'd say there isn't a heck of a lot in common between the latest bikes and their "1957" progenitor.

12er said:

I loved the 90's tiger, though the last gen was a design nightmare to me. Looked like the designer spooned a blob of clay on the frame and said Voila! That or sneezed on the bike (the lime green paint scheme added to the sneeze factor). Though upon further reflection I came to the conclusion their intent was to rip off the GS. Unfortuanately if your going to make something as beautifuly ugly as a GS you better have cylinder heads sticking out the sides.

The new Tiger is a step in the right direction but to me looks like a jacked up new FZ1 when rolling towards me on the road.

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Funny thing about the FZ1 is that if you put luggage and the right tires on the last generation's it'd be as good an Adventure tourer as any of them.

seruzawa said:

Funny thing about the FZ1 is that if you put luggage and the right tires on the last generation's it'd be as good an Adventure tourer as any of them.

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The ah, FZ6 works pretty-good in that respect as well. Though ground-clearance leaves a bit to be desired "offroad" - the exhaust is all sorta bundled-under the engine. Makes for a good bashplate though. For one or two bashes, anyway...........

I like the Uly, I test rode one when they first came out with it and was pretty impressed. I wouldn't mind one at all, once I get some bills paid I just might buy one.

sarnali2 said:

I like the Uly, I test rode one when they first came out with it and was pretty impressed. I wouldn't mind one at all, once I get some bills paid I just might buy one.

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I was grinning like a fool (or grinning as a fool?) after my demo ride on the Uly, just cant /dont want to get used to short shifting. Hit the rev limiter at least 10 times in a half an hour ride. "Theres got to be another 2k of revs in there somewhere" my wrist kept telling me.

Congratulations!

The_AirHawk said:

The ah, FZ6 works pretty-good in that respect as well. Though ground-clearance leaves a bit to be desired "offroad" - the exhaust is all sorta bundled-under the engine. Makes for a good bashplate though. For one or two bashes, anyway...........

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You have joined that select group of .00001% of AT riders who have actually been off of the pavement.

12er said:

I was grinning like a fool (or grinning as a fool?) after my demo ride on the Uly, just cant /dont want to get used to short shifting. Hit the rev limiter at least 10 times in a half an hour ride. "Theres got to be another 2k of revs in there somewhere" my wrist kept telling me.

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I noticed that too, just when things were starting to move along it kinda' petered out. I could live with that I guess, the real issue was the way too tall seat height and what seemed like about 15 degrees of turning arc in the forks. I had a hard time turing around on an albeit narrow two lane road without hopping on one foot and slipping the clutch like a newbie. Other than that I really liked it.

Do Ya Punk?

As a former 2005 XB9SX Buell owner who loved the bike when it ran, hated it when it didn't and cursed it and rode something else, when it was in the shop for two weeks at a time; you have to ask yourself a question, do you feel lucky? Huh? Do ya?

In 35 years of riding motorcycles, with 9 bought new, I NEVER got such wacky performance from service departments like I did from Glendale HD & Calif HD.

A new top end is not expected at the 5000 mile mark. Neither are the oil leaks after they've fixed it. Again and again...

Too bad it was my last motorcycle, would have liked to have saved that honor for a ZREX, or a nice 'Busa.

Matt,

Let's say, "your last >two-wheeled<" motorcycle.

Unless those Segway guys come up with a gyro-stabilized ZRex or 'Busa.

And don't give up hope! There may be a couple million stem cells in your future...

sarnali2 said:

I noticed that too, just when things were starting to move along it kinda' petered out. I could live with that I guess, the real issue was the way too tall seat height and what seemed like about 15 degrees of turning arc in the forks. I had a hard time turing around on an albeit narrow two lane road without hopping on one foot and slipping the clutch like a newbie. Other than that I really liked it.

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I can flat foot the big Uly, but the 12 point turn was annoying getting out of the stealerships parking lot.

now if only ....

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2008 Buell Ulysses XB12XT Review

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Now if they'd drop the mill (suitably retuned) from the 1125 into the UlyssesXT (and perhaps some of the styling cues) I'd REALLY have to consider getting one....

I always liked the Buell styling and said that if they ever built one for guys over six feet tall, I would buy one. Well, when the Ulysses was introduced I found my next bike. I sure am glad I waited to get the revised '08 (with no TPS resets and improved turning radius). Fits like a glove!

12er said:

I can flat foot the big Uly, but the 12 point turn was annoying getting out of the stealerships parking lot.

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Just wondering, how tall are you?