Future Uly with 1125 Motor?

[Rogue]

The Buell XB fans was put in there for a distinct purpose.   Buell found that rear cylinder temperatures get nighty high even after engine shutdown, resulting in reduced engine life because the rear cylinder fails first.  In order to equalize the lifespand of each cylinder Buell put the fan in there to evacuate stail, hot air.  The design of the perimeter frame surrounds the rear cylinder so heat becomes even worse in that area.  So I'm quite glad the fan is there to do a job.  It's loud because it moves a lot of air!  Even the 1125R has a similar fan when things get hot back there.  

[BlueRidgeKat]

Your only complaint was the fan?

Fan, heat, vibes and no where near the wind protection of the Strom or at least not for my size and riding position.

Just into quiet and smooth I guess. Dont even like aftermarket exhaust. Pulling up on a bike and stopping and it still has the fan whining and everyone looking at you like WTF is just not the kind of attention I care for. I expect a fan to make a sound but not that kind of one. Maybe the one I tried had a problem that made it louder than most.  

Yes, the bike has alot of +'s that you mention but again, in any comparison I have seen it is always last or near last and its always because of the engine. There must be reasons for that.

Like you said everyone likes what they like.

[Rogue]

Well, Buell sales have been steadily been going up since the introduction of the Ulysses.  For a while, they held steady at 10k units a year.  For a company with no more than 17 engineers, it's a flea in H-D's elephant.  But that is pretty darn amazing for the company's size.  Moto Guzzi for example would be hard pressed to sell 10k motorcycles this year. 

Some people just prefer certain things over others.  However, there are enough to keep the business growing at Buell and most of their bikes have the Thunderstorm engine.

BTW, Cycle World just did a quick review of the most updated Buell Lightning Long and they gave it good points. 

Bottom line is, the Thunderstorm is a different kind of engine that requires a different riding style. 

[Thunderbox]

Fan, heat, vibes and no where near the wind protection of the Strom or at least not for my size and riding position.

Just into quiet and smooth I guess. Dont even like aftermarket exhaust. Pulling up on a bike and stopping and it still has the fan whining and everyone looking at you like WTF is just not the kind of attention I care for. I expect a fan to make a sound but not that kind of one. Maybe the one I tried had a problem that made it louder than most.  

Yes, the bike has alot of +'s that you mention but again, in any comparison I have seen it is always last or near last and its always because of the engine. There must be reasons for that.

Like you said everyone likes what they like.

Unlike many people I don't purchase my bikes because some speed demon thinks it's fast enough for them.  I buy my bikes because I like them and they put a smile on my face.  Having said that I guess it would be accurate to say I bought my Uly for the engine not dispite it.  Those who look down on the Thunderstorm because it doesn't produce 150 hp are the same people who at one time questioned the need for 83 Hp when the Kawasaki Z1 first came out in 1972.  I don't really care that some staff person at Cycle World doesn't like the Thunderstorm.  

Here is a quote I use often because it says it all as far as I'm concerned.

Relatively few riders are lucky enough to discover that there is a lot more to a lifetime of motorcycling enjoyment than just going fast. Those who do... become "motorcyclists".  The rest just happen to be riding a motorcycle.

Nuff Said

[chornbe]

Unlike many people I don't purchase my bikes because some speed demon thinks it's fast enough for them.  I buy my bikes because I like them and they put a smile on my face.  Having said that I guess it would be accurate to say I bought my Uly for the engine not dispite it.  Those who look down on the Thunderstorm because it doesn't produce 150 hp are the same people who at one time questioned the need for 83 Hp when the Kawasaki Z1 first came out in 1972.  I don't really care that some staff person at Cycle World doesn't like the Thunderstorm.  

Here is a quote I use often because it says it all as far as I'm concerned.

Relatively few riders are lucky enough to discover that there is a lot more to a lifetime of motorcycling enjoyment than just going fast. Those who do... become "motorcyclists".  The rest just happen to be riding a motorcycle.

Nuff Said

 

 

[R Doug]

IMHO, I'm not reading that people don't like the Thunderstorm because they can't ride fast with it.  It's fast enough for me, I can ride at "the pace" and even above it w/ that motor.  

As previously stated, it has nothing to do with power (or speed). I just don't like the way the motor accelerates (and I don't mean drag racing, just accelerate), idles, and goes through the gears when in the twisties at a pace (not hair on fire).  

I'm not meaning to offend anyone who likes the motor at all.  I can see where someone would like it.  All I'm saying is it's not the ideal motor for me.  

[chornbe]

Pretty insulting post, Doug. No wonder you have 6 ignores!  

[R Doug]

It wasn't intended to be insulting (seriously).  I'm just trying to point out that everyone has different tastes in bikes (and in this case, the motors).  

Regarding the ignores, I think it takes one to know one.  

[chornbe]

It wasn't intended to be insulting (seriously).

Wait... I *hope* you realize I was kidding.

[R Doug]

Wait... I *hope* you realize I was kidding.

I thought you were.  

BTW... I have 6 ignores because I was in a thread whining about having one.  So, out of spite, some STN pranksters added a few more to my profile.  You on the other hand...    

[chornbe]

You on the other hand...    

Right... I legitimately piss people off (apparently).  

[R Doug]

Na, some people are too thin skinned.  

[Bueller]

I have nothing against the Helicon motor, it is just that I can't see it as practical in an "Adventure" bike.  An issue that ends all issues is the size of the pods.  They protect the cooling system from stones and stuff unlike front mounted radiators, but you still need to get between trees

Those who are passionate about their adventure bikes will disagree when I say that the the best off road touring bikes in the world are air cooled.  The Uly is on the fringe of that because it is still a road configuration tourer, it is the Buell definition of an an Adventure bike.

I haven't ridden an 1125R since the last re-flash, but those I have ridden have not matched the pull of the XB in the 2,500 to 4,000 rpm rev range.  An off road bike needs torque without revs, and the Uly as an adventure bike does as well. An off-road bike that revs to 10,000 RPM is not something that appeals to me.

I like a sport tourer and the Firebolt is great.  My next bike may be an 1125R because it is a logical next step.  If my passion were the Uly, I would want the Thunderstorm motor.

 

[st ryder]

...Those who are passionate about their adventure bikes will disagree when I say that the the best off road touring bikes in the world are air cooled. ...

Only the adventure bike poseurs would agree. *Real* adventure bike riders put only water in their rads in case they break down or become disabled otherwise while trashing up and polluting the *real* backwoods/desserted areas, and have to drink it to survive.     (JK, JK)

[BlueRidgeKat]

I'm not meaning to offend anyone who likes the motor at all.  I can see where someone would like it.  All I'm saying is it's not the ideal motor for me.  

Same here. I have tried out two of them (Lightning & Uly) and they just didnt seem to be for me.

Honestly, I wish Buell all the success in the world. I would love to see a time come when they out sell all the big four Jap brands combined, not sure that would ever happen but I'd love to see it. Hell I have even bought a Buell T-shirt "Buell American Motorcycles". I hope one day to find the right Buell for me to go with it.

[surfsup]

i like the t'storm mil just fine - i decided against the ullyXT because of lack of weather protection - otherwise it was about near perfect for an A/ST bike as you will find today.

[2DFlyer]

I bought my Uly for the engine not dispite it.

AMEN brother.  AMEN.  Different stokes - I just happen to prefer mine under square.

[Kootenanny]

Honestly, I wish Buell all the success in the world. I would love to see a time come when they out sell all the big four Jap brands combined, not sure that would ever happen but I'd love to see it. Hell I have even bought a Buell T-shirt "Buell American Motorcycles". I hope one day to find the right Buell for me to go with it.

Hah!  I have a Buell motorcycle, but no T-shirt!  (although I know the one I want, sadly no longer printed--see below.)

Actually, I kinda prefer that Buell remain the size it is.  Currently, Buell sells every bike they make.  Grow much bigger than they are, and they'd have to "tool up" multiple production lines and introduce more automation, and move closer to the industrial conglomerates that rule the bike world.  Plus, on a more selfish note, I kinda like the exclusivity I get from riding what is pretty much the ONLY Buell in my area; the rarity makes it an exotic.  And hey, who would I have to argue with on riding forums if everyone had a Buell?

[nanbil]

And hey, who would I have to argue with on riding forums if everyone had a Buell?

I don't think you'll have to worry about this anytime soon...

[atypical1]

Relatively few riders are lucky enough to discover that there is a lot more to a lifetime of motorcycling enjoyment than just going fast. Those who do... become "motorcyclists".  The rest just happen to be riding a motorcycle.

That's a pretty fucking elitist post there isn't it? Just because someone doesn't like the T'storm motor we are less of a motorcyclist than you are? I hate that motor too but that doesn't really matter does it? I mean there's a bike for everyone and we all prefer something different. Beside that, it isn't about whether or not the motor is fast enough because it is. I just don't like the "feel" of it. But, again, we all have preferences.

The same arguments that you're discussing here with the Uly are being discussed over on the Duc forums regarding putting the water cooled motor in the Multistrada when it gets a redesign too. What's nice about the 1125 motor is that it gives people another option to choose from if you don't like the T'storm motor.

james