Buell Ulysses XB12X
Discussion
y2blade,
Seriously, get on the ukbeg website and ask for comments - you're guaranteed loads of abuse but you'll get some honest views too.
The belt system is a major source of debate - no need to adjust, no lubrication required, zero maintenance but you're stuffed if it snaps. The newer XB range doesn't have a cassette gearbox, so if there are any gearbox issues its a full engine strip. A few have had probs as early as 15K - others have racked up huge mileages without any probs.
A beam frame that doubles as the petrol tank is a questionable idea on a supposedly off-road bike: dink the frame and its history. Well, not quite, you can use filler etc but no one with any sense is going to weld up holes for you.
Don't get me wrong, I love my Buell to bits - one of the biggest "grin factor" bikes available. The only real prob I've had with mine is the front disc warping at 10K (TADTS).
Living anywhere near Manchester is a distinct advantage (home of Maz, the Buell god). Southampton comes second best (Yoffi will usually work out the best deal available anywhere).
Dave
Seriously, get on the ukbeg website and ask for comments - you're guaranteed loads of abuse but you'll get some honest views too.
The belt system is a major source of debate - no need to adjust, no lubrication required, zero maintenance but you're stuffed if it snaps. The newer XB range doesn't have a cassette gearbox, so if there are any gearbox issues its a full engine strip. A few have had probs as early as 15K - others have racked up huge mileages without any probs.
A beam frame that doubles as the petrol tank is a questionable idea on a supposedly off-road bike: dink the frame and its history. Well, not quite, you can use filler etc but no one with any sense is going to weld up holes for you.
Don't get me wrong, I love my Buell to bits - one of the biggest "grin factor" bikes available. The only real prob I've had with mine is the front disc warping at 10K (TADTS).
Living anywhere near Manchester is a distinct advantage (home of Maz, the Buell god). Southampton comes second best (Yoffi will usually work out the best deal available anywhere).
Dave
Buelligan 984 said:
y2blade,
Seriously, get on the ukbeg website and ask for comments - you're guaranteed loads of abuse but you'll get some honest views too.
The belt system is a major source of debate - no need to adjust, no lubrication required, zero maintenance but you're stuffed if it snaps. The newer XB range doesn't have a cassette gearbox, so if there are any gearbox issues its a full engine strip. A few have had probs as early as 15K - others have racked up huge mileages without any probs.
A beam frame that doubles as the petrol tank is a questionable idea on a supposedly off-road bike: dink the frame and its history. Well, not quite, you can use filler etc but no one with any sense is going to weld up holes for you.
Don't get me wrong, I love my Buell to bits - one of the biggest "grin factor" bikes available. The only real prob I've had with mine is the front disc warping at 10K (TADTS).
Living anywhere near Manchester is a distinct advantage (home of Maz, the Buell god). Southampton comes second best (Yoffi will usually work out the best deal available anywhere).
Dave
whats/whos "Yoffi" ? Seriously, get on the ukbeg website and ask for comments - you're guaranteed loads of abuse but you'll get some honest views too.
The belt system is a major source of debate - no need to adjust, no lubrication required, zero maintenance but you're stuffed if it snaps. The newer XB range doesn't have a cassette gearbox, so if there are any gearbox issues its a full engine strip. A few have had probs as early as 15K - others have racked up huge mileages without any probs.
A beam frame that doubles as the petrol tank is a questionable idea on a supposedly off-road bike: dink the frame and its history. Well, not quite, you can use filler etc but no one with any sense is going to weld up holes for you.
Don't get me wrong, I love my Buell to bits - one of the biggest "grin factor" bikes available. The only real prob I've had with mine is the front disc warping at 10K (TADTS).
Living anywhere near Manchester is a distinct advantage (home of Maz, the Buell god). Southampton comes second best (Yoffi will usually work out the best deal available anywhere).
Dave
only just got my registration through for the Buell site...i've put up a couple of posts
Thanks
bimsb6 said:
try www.ukbeg.com
ive joined up and going for a meet-up tomorrow nightsee whats going on
thanks
Buelligan 984 said:
Wot he said.
(Yes, and they are lots of fun but its still a Buell: Blissfully Unaware Everything's Leaking or Loose.)
Dave
Not true!(Yes, and they are lots of fun but its still a Buell: Blissfully Unaware Everything's Leaking or Loose.)
Dave
I used to own an XB9R and the only problem I had with my bike was a warped brake disk due to a seized calliper. It could happen to any bike and it was fixed immediately under warranty without question by the chaps at Thames Valley Harley.
To be honest though, the engine isn't exactly ideal for a city. It's got a lot of torque so very hard to control at lower speeds.
If it's a bike for the city you are after, I'd got for a Suzuki Bandit or better still, a Honda Hornet. Really forgiving and good for the open road also.
The Buells sound awesome and are fantastic bikes. I loved mine to bits, but it's a fun bike for the weekend. If that's what you're after, then go for that.
If anything, just head down to your Harley dealership and get a test ride. It's free and you can try out the whole range! Enjoy!
y2blade,
Hi again. I'll be in Leeds tomorrow so won't make the DG20 meet. Have an extra burger for me!
Beanbag - I think you may have taken me a little out of overall context. I've had my XB9R for 5 years, since new. They are great bikes but they do (or at least the early ones did) have a few probs.
I'm surprised to hear your disc warped due to a seized calliper - most just warp anyway (did you diagnose the calliper prob or was it TV HD who told you that's what it was?). As I said above, TADTS.
The original exhausts rot to nothing in front of your eyes. HD B UK now offer a free camcoat service for all new owners (not that they admit any probs with the original can of course).
Then there was the exploding wheel bearing recall, the snapping sidestand recall and we've still got the decaying front fork problem:
Of course, we all have to say it as we see it and I'm really glad to hear you had no probs with yours and that you enjoyed it (why did you sell it BTW?).
I would still say "get one" but I can't honestly say they are perfect,
Dave
Hi again. I'll be in Leeds tomorrow so won't make the DG20 meet. Have an extra burger for me!
Beanbag - I think you may have taken me a little out of overall context. I've had my XB9R for 5 years, since new. They are great bikes but they do (or at least the early ones did) have a few probs.
I'm surprised to hear your disc warped due to a seized calliper - most just warp anyway (did you diagnose the calliper prob or was it TV HD who told you that's what it was?). As I said above, TADTS.
The original exhausts rot to nothing in front of your eyes. HD B UK now offer a free camcoat service for all new owners (not that they admit any probs with the original can of course).
Then there was the exploding wheel bearing recall, the snapping sidestand recall and we've still got the decaying front fork problem:
Of course, we all have to say it as we see it and I'm really glad to hear you had no probs with yours and that you enjoyed it (why did you sell it BTW?).
I would still say "get one" but I can't honestly say they are perfect,
Dave
beanbag said:
To be honest though, the engine isn't exactly ideal for a city. It's got a lot of torque so very hard to control at lower speeds.
Hmmm......now to me that's what makes it such a great city bike.......
Not to mention the noise for annoucing ones presence to idiot drivers.......
Perhaps it's just I'm so used to torquey V-twins and find revvy 4's just so tedious....
Buelligan 984 said:
y2blade,
Hi again. I'll be in Leeds tomorrow so won't make the DG20 meet. Have an extra burger for me!
Beanbag - I think you may have taken me a little out of overall context. I've had my XB9R for 5 years, since new. They are great bikes but they do (or at least the early ones did) have a few probs.
I'm surprised to hear your disc warped due to a seized calliper - most just warp anyway (did you diagnose the calliper prob or was it TV HD who told you that's what it was?). As I said above, TADTS.
The original exhausts rot to nothing in front of your eyes. HD B UK now offer a free camcoat service for all new owners (not that they admit any probs with the original can of course).
Then there was the exploding wheel bearing recall, the snapping sidestand recall and we've still got the decaying front fork problem:
Of course, we all have to say it as we see it and I'm really glad to hear you had no probs with yours and that you enjoyed it (why did you sell it BTW?).
I would still say "get one" but I can't honestly say they are perfect,
Dave
Hi Dave!Hi again. I'll be in Leeds tomorrow so won't make the DG20 meet. Have an extra burger for me!
Beanbag - I think you may have taken me a little out of overall context. I've had my XB9R for 5 years, since new. They are great bikes but they do (or at least the early ones did) have a few probs.
I'm surprised to hear your disc warped due to a seized calliper - most just warp anyway (did you diagnose the calliper prob or was it TV HD who told you that's what it was?). As I said above, TADTS.
The original exhausts rot to nothing in front of your eyes. HD B UK now offer a free camcoat service for all new owners (not that they admit any probs with the original can of course).
Then there was the exploding wheel bearing recall, the snapping sidestand recall and we've still got the decaying front fork problem:
Of course, we all have to say it as we see it and I'm really glad to hear you had no probs with yours and that you enjoyed it (why did you sell it BTW?).
I would still say "get one" but I can't honestly say they are perfect,
Dave
Crickey! You've had your fair share of problems with your XB. I had mine for just 1 year and sold it to get a better car for work which I totally regret. I'm totally surprised about the fork problem! They are made by Showa so not necessarily a Buell problem, but I expect they would be replaced out of good nature by the dealership if that happened within 5 years. My Buell came with a 3 year warranty which was fantastic so I was quite lucky in that respect.
I also had the full XB race kit fitted (which should be standard), so I had no problems with the aluminium XB race can.
I would however say the oil used to leak as the metal connectors on the hoses expanded and contracted during cooling. Not such a bit issue as the engines drink so much oil anyway!
I think compared to Jap bikes, the Buells have far more character and simply a better feel. The handling is spot on if you lower the forks by half a notch and replace the Dunlop 207U's with some decent Pirelli Corsas (or Diablos in the days when I had the XB9R), and of course tinker with the suspension.
But best of all, it's the smile you get when you work your way up the five speed gearbox and feel the bike doing it's job.
I took an XB12S Lightning up Grossglockner in the Austrian Alps (2600m) this May and it was nothing short of amazing.
My old Buell XB9R - I took this photo on the demo ride just before I put down the deposit for her!
Here's the Buell XB12S Lightning I rented to go up Grossglockner right at the start of the run....
y2blade said:
the more i read the more i want one
thanks all
Perhaps you shuld try to get up to East Kirkby this Saturday for the Buell V-Twin festival, Buell will be having the whole range available for test rides I understand.thanks all
Lots of Buell's, Ducati's and even Vincents as well.....hmmmm,Vincent's
aeropilot said:
y2blade said:
the more i read the more i want one
thanks all
Perhaps you shuld try to get up to East Kirkby this Saturday for the Buell V-Twin festival, Buell will be having the whole range available for test rides I understand.thanks all
Lots of Buell's, Ducati's and even Vincents as well.....hmmmm,Vincent's
I came back with the biggest grin and simply said, "how much!?". Put a deposit down for her and that was that!
then i did the stupid thing of selling her for a BMW 323i Coupe. Biggest automotive mistake I've ever made and I'm still regretting it. Argggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
beanbag said:
aeropilot said:
y2blade said:
the more i read the more i want one
thanks all
Perhaps you shuld try to get up to East Kirkby this Saturday for the Buell V-Twin festival, Buell will be having the whole range available for test rides I understand.thanks all
Lots of Buell's, Ducati's and even Vincents as well.....hmmmm,Vincent's
I came back with the biggest grin and simply said, "how much!?". Put a deposit down for her and that was that!
then i did the stupid thing of selling her for a BMW 323i Coupe. Biggest automotive mistake I've ever made and I'm still regretting it. Argggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
DockGate20 southampton from 18:00....see any of you lot there?
Edited by y2blade on Wednesday 18th July 08:59
y2blade said:
DockGate20 southampton from 18:00....see any of you lot there?
Was talking to a fellow HD rider about them the other day, he was quite complementary about them, his ex-girlfriend uses them for servicing her Dyna Lowrider.DockGate, Thames Valley Harley and Silverstone HD dealers all owned by the same company.
aeropilot said:
y2blade said:
the more i read the more i want one
thanks all
Perhaps you shuld try to get up to East Kirkby this Saturday for the Buell V-Twin festival, Buell will be having the whole range available for test rides I understand.thanks all
Lots of Buell's, Ducati's and even Vincents as well.....hmmmm,Vincent's
we are going up on friday and staying overnight .all welcome i'll be the one on the faux white lightning (borrowed from the mrs )Edited by bimsb6 on Wednesday 18th July 21:37
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