Ulysses XT first impressions

[steve.m]

Kick this thread off on the good foot with a resounding HELL YEAH!!

the xt is a blast!  I'm loving riding this bike more and more.  

Pros:  comfortable - big firm seat with a nice butt stop to keep things in check when the front wheel comes up

ergonomics - Perfect, no other words needed

Powerful - Buell didn't lie when he said his bikes devour corners.  the low end on this thing is unreal.  I haven't gotten too heavy on it since i'm still in break in, but the roll on at 70 in 5th is damn good.  anything out of a turn is just smooth acceleration.  you really have to be mindful of the throttle on this thing.  it's really lively anywhere over 3500 rpm.  

Smooth - I haven't found any miserably buzzy harmonics like i have on EVERY other bike i've owned.  cbr loved to numb my hands somewhere in the range of 7k rpm (if i remember correctly) and anything over 70mph would shake the pegs on the nightster like a DA sander.  There isn't a single spot in the rev range that i've found to be uncomfortable.  The "fairing" does an admirable job of keeping the wind off my chest, and (being a taller guy) puts turbulent air right over my shoulders.  Helmet's full in the breeze, and my helmet sucks, so wind noise at 85 is pretty loud.  Haven't taken it much north of that mark yet, again, break in...  

handling - haven't really been able to get into any curves yet since i'm in a grid happy city, but the little run i do to keep my riding interesting in town was a blast.  unfortunately, i was comfortably going 70 through the curves.  need to keep my throttle happy grip from making my driving record any worse than it is already.

appearance - love it or hate it, i'm into the funky weirdness of the thing.

cons:  Ignition positioning - whatever lefty fu*king engineer put the ignition switch on the left side of the FAIRING should be punched in the face.  Even if that engineer was Erik Buell himself.  There is absolutely NO easy access to the switch while sitting on the bike and no visual of it either.  I feel like a retarded ostrich getting the key in there because of the way i have to contort my arm around the bar to get the key in there.  Did i mention I'm right handed?  Never could shoot a basketball lefty, why this ignition has it's location in the most god awful spot imaginable, i have no idea.  

heated grips - $%^#*!@$ these suckers get HOT.  I'm sure someone out there needs to be able to boil water with their handlebars, but i'm not one of them.

appearance - love it or hate it, the front end kind of looks like an X-files alien with the tall screen

other section

dealer supplied a DELICIOUS chocolate cake for purchasing the thing.  This is cake 2 for me since i got the nightster from the same guys.

dealer has incentive program that i'm a member of.  all purchases earn you ten cents on the dollar.  i now have over 800 bucks to drop on new gear and farkles!!

[sagerat]

Glad you're liking the Uly.  Any heat issues?  I test rode it twice here in the High Desert and the rear cylinder just about cooked my right thigh.  Related question, has the cooling fan kicked on yet?  Thing sounds like an F-4 Phantom with the twin afterburners kicked in.

Agree the bike is an absolute hoot in the corners.  If it hadn't been for the heat the noisy fan there'd be one in my garage right now.  If the prices fall too much more, there might be one, yet.

I'd agree that the windshield did a great job of providing protection (I'm 6'1" on a good day) and the ergos are fantastic.  

I like the looks of the XT as I was big fan of Crow on "Mystery Science Theater 3000" and the Uly bears an uncanny resemblance to the plucky Crow.  

[kendenton]

Glad you're liking the Uly.  Any heat issues?  I test rode it twice here in the High Desert and the rear cylinder just about cooked my right thigh.  Related question, has the cooling fan kicked on yet?  Thing sounds like an F-4 Phantom with the twin afterburners kicked in.

More like has the cooling fan turned off yet?    On my rental I don't think it ever stopped in 500 miles.

Smooth - I haven't found any miserably buzzy harmonics like i have on EVERY other bike i've owned.  cbr loved to numb my hands somewhere in the range of 7k rpm (if i remember correctly) and anything over 70mph would shake the pegs on the nightster like a DA sander.  There isn't a single spot in the rev range that i've found to be uncomfortable. The "fairing" does an admirable job of keeping the wind off my chest, and (being a taller guy) puts turbulent air right over my shoulders.  Helmet's full in the breeze, and my helmet sucks, so wind noise at 85 is pretty loud.  Haven't taken it much north of that mark yet, again, break in...  

Except at idle of course, where it blurs your vision  

And I agree 1000% on the key placement.  I'd love to listen to an engineer defend that placement (as I prepare to punch him in the face).

Kidding aside, congrats on a very interesting bike.  I really liked my rental, it was a bike with a lot of character.

[steve.m]

it runs cooler than my cbr, fan's not as irritating as the cbr's was (actually the tone sounds a lot like a C note, maybe B#).  guess folks just don't bitch as much when they're smug about top end performance.

[sagerat]

Being a southpaw and a guy who's owned a BMW airhead and still has a Ural, the Uly's key is located in the proper place.  

[2DFlyer]

Happy trails.  The XB12R was rated by a brit mag as THE best handling bike of all time.  The S was number 8.  The Uly comes from great stock so top notch handling, even for something tall enough to look down on SUV drivers, is a given.  Congrats!  Bonus points for the color.

[Prubert]

Watch the rear wheel bearing on the belt side between 5-15K miles!!

[Darkrider]

Where are the pics?  

Congrads.  Great bike.

Tom.

[steve.m]

somewhere on this thread http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,45782.75/topicseen.html

My understanding was Buell resolved the bearing issues for the 09 models, but thanks for the warning.  Not gonna seize up right?

[Mastros2]

Congrats again steve.  I agree with your +'s/-'s 100%.  F the key placement but great engine.  I have the X so no heated grips.  Just bought Gerbings gloves though...

I've done multiple 500 mile days.  Yes I am tired but not sore/in pain.  It (X or XT) is a great touring bike.  The fan does run in the summer months but doesn't run until I shut off the bike (why?!?!) now.  I wear earplugs so that issue is resolved.

[Prubert]

Bearings were fixed with the 2010 models, they added 3 bearing to the rear (2 on the belt side) and bigger bearings.  

Until this year, there is still problems with the rear bearings on the belt side wearing out on some bikes.  

I went thru 2 sets, 1 at 16K and then the final set at 21K.  

Just keep it mind and think about replacing them with tire changes.

Enjoy the Uly, I had fun on mine!!

Later.

[steve.m]

The fan does run in the summer months but doesn't run until I shut off the bike (why?!?!) now.

Engine's nice and broken in, reduced friction, less heat.  Makes sense in my mind.

Bearings were fixed with the 2010 models, they added 3 bearing to the rear (2 on the belt side) and bigger bearings.  

Until this year, there is still problems with the rear bearings on the belt side wearing out on some bikes.  

I went thru 2 sets, 1 at 16K and then the final set at 21K.  

Just keep it mind and think about replacing them with tire changes.

Enjoy the Uly, I had fun on mine!!

Later.

When they fail, is it a vibration issue?  Do they get noisy?  I assume this will be covered under warranty and they'll likely fix the problem with the new/additional bearings.

[jim williams]

cons:  Ignition positioning - whatever lefty fu*king engineer put the ignition switch on the left side of the FAIRING should be punched in the face.  Even if that engineer was Erik Buell himself.  There is absolutely NO easy access to the switch while sitting on the bike and no visual of it either.  I feel like a retarded ostrich getting the key in there because of the way i have to contort my arm around the bar to get the key in there.  Did i mention I'm right handed?  Never could shoot a basketball lefty, why this ignition has it's location in the most god awful spot imaginable, i have no idea.  

It's such a lame place for an ignition switch, I'm surprised the aftermarket hasn't come up with a solution of some sort. It's almost like Buell put it there just to be different. Agree with everything else though!!!!

[whodom]

Bearings were fixed with the 2010 models, they added 3 bearing to the rear (2 on the belt side) and bigger bearings.  

BTW- you can upgrade to the 2010 rear wheel and axle for about $400; less if you sell your old parts.  The wheel, bearings, external seals, and new axle come packaged together.  The new axle is hard-anodized (black) which should prevent the corrosion issues that have occurred as well.  The sprocket and brake disk fasteners are one-use and are supposed to be replaced.

I got a 2010 rear wheel for my 2007 XB12X from American Sport Bike and will probably install this afternoon.

[Prubert]

When they fail, is it a vibration issue?  Do they get noisy?  I assume this will be covered under warranty and they'll likely fix the problem with the new/additional bearings.

For me, the bike felt as if I was riding in a cross wind, the back would start to shimmy.  Just inspect for the tell-tale grease coming from the back seal.

Yes, they are covered under warranty.  The 2nd time mine failed Buell was in-between different versions of the bearings, so it took a few weeks (almost a month?) for the new ones to come in.  I think they have stockpiles now.

I agree, it would be a good idea to upgrade to the 2010 rear wheel now and keep the original for a hot spare.

[JTM]

I must say it was a good chocolate cake  
Unfortunately I haven't been able to ride my new XT much because of work, once November gets here that should change. As a side note it was interesting to have a sales person at a Harley dealer that rides scooters and Jap bikes.

[whodom]

When they fail, is it a vibration issue?  Do they get noisy?  I assume this will be covered under warranty and they'll likely fix the problem with the new/additional bearings.

The bearings were actually improved in two stages.  2006-2008 and early 2009 Ulys came with wheel bearings made by NTN (China) with orange seals.  In mid-year 2009, they changed to bearings from KBC (Korea) with black seals.  These bearings have improved (stiffer) seals and grease which is less hygroscopic (more resistant to water intrusion).  In 2010 they redesigned the whole bearing setup to basically make it abuse-proof.

First thing to do is check and see if you have orange seals or black seals.  Black seals aren't a guarantee you won't have problems, it just means you have the latest bearings available.  Bearings are covered under the 2-year unlimited mileage warranty.  The best thing to do is make a habit to check them before each ride.  If you see signs of rust streaks coming from the seals (rust on the small part of the outer bearing race in the hub of the wheel is normal) or metal bits or if the seal looks like it's been wallowed out, your bearings are about to go.  The most important thing you can do to preserve them is carefully follow the shop manual regarding the torquing technique for the rear axle when changing tires.  

I just finished installing the 2010 rear wheel on my 07 Uly this morning (of course the aftermarket Koyo bearings I had installed in the old wheel 2 years ago were still flawless!).  Hopefully that's the last time I have to touch it for a long time.  

[Mastros2]

Whodom,

Do you still have the parts number for the Koyo bearings, front and rear?

[chornbe]

the xt is a blast!

No it isn't. It's a Ulie. The Blast was dropped from the line up. Are you sure you're riding the bike you think you're riding? I think you're confused.

 

[whodom]

Whodom,

Do you still have the parts number for the Koyo bearings, front and rear?

I don't have the Koyo number, but the fronts are 6005 2RS and the rears are 6006 2RS sealed ball bearings.  You should be able to find them at most industrial bearing suppliers.

Just so you know, people have tried lots of brands, including Koyo, SKF, and the various OEM bearings and all of them have failed at one time or another.  AFAIK no brand has been 100% immune.  This seems to indicate failures may have as much if not more to do with installation technique as the bearings themselves.  OTOH some people have had 2006 Ulys with the original NTN orange seal bearings that lasted ~30,000 miles without an issue.  

Hugh