Kudos to the Buell website!

[SWriverstone]

I've been doing some research into a possible replacement bike for my VFR/KLR combo. I'm looking for one bike to do (almost) what both of these bikes can do, and the Ulysses looks like a top contender.

Because I didn't know much about the Uly, I went to Buell's site, and wow! I'm a professional web designer (for a living), and I was VERY impressed with the Buell site—far superior (IMO) than any other major brand's site.

I've been amused by the fanatical devotion of Buell owners to Erik Buell and the brand, and having browsed their site, I see why. I was extremely impressed with the fact that Erik Buell is all over the site, mainly in all the video clips of him explaining the innovative features of the bikes. Regardless of what he's like in person (and I hear he's a good guy), I have a lot of respect for any one individual who is willing to stick their neck out in a big way—not only by naming the bikes after themself...but by so publicly standing by their bikes. This is FAR more than anyone from the Jap makers or even Euro makers like Ducati are willing to do—with those, it's just "the faceless, impersonal factory name," no real person behind it (at least not someone who is willing to stick their neck out like Erik Buell is).

Furthermore, I have to say that after watching Erik explain things in the video clips like why they put the exhaust bottom-center, I was SOLD!   Maybe I'm a dupe, but it's a testament to how powerful a "real person" can be when they explain the why's and how's of the bike.

Heck, based on the power of the website alone (and of course many enthusiastic recommendations) I'm ready to go find a Uly to test ride. Even being able to test ride one is a big plus, since almost every Jap-bike dealer has a flat-out ban on test rides.

Scott

[Sport-Touring]

[keystonejenks]

Than you better hope you never meet the guy in person! I met Erik Buell at the AMA Races last year, talk about a super nice guy.   He intentionally scared the living beejeezus out of me by almost running me over with a scooter. Jumps off laughing saying, "If you would have seen the look on your face!"

He then proceeds to chat with me for 30-minutes about motorcycles and racing. Cool dude.

[ninaudchief]

It is really cool to know that your riding a motorcycle that is the result of a persons pursuit of their dreams.
Buells are really unique and captivating to ride.
I got bored with MotoGuzzi and Ducati, Buell got me passionate about street riding again!
I got this great 2001 S3 on CraigsList!
Happy Buelling!

[roadrailer]

...one of us...  

Ride it, you'll be surprised. I was really skeptical of Buell at first (and I don't think I'll ever be as fanatical as Buellers), but I've been totally thrilled with my Uly.  

[TheCloser]

Resistance is futile...join us!  

[Hickey]

I have every intention of test riding some Buells at the AMA races in Wisconsin next weekend.  The company does things differently than everyone else and I respect that.  What I want to see is if I actually enjoy riding the bikes.

I've heard that Mr. Buell himself (or at least someone in the know at the company) posts on BadWeb sometimes.  Dispelling rumors and answering questions.  If true, that is another very cool thing about Buell.

[Prubert]

I have every intention of test riding some Buells at the AMA races in Wisconsin next weekend.  

Cool, See ya there!!

[Kootenanny]

I've never met Erik Buell, but everything I've read about him makes me think he's a kind of "Renaissance man."  Not only is he a racer, tuner, builder, and an innovative engineer, he's got the business acumen to actually build a company and get his motorcycles into production--not an easy task, just look at Dreer, Fischer, Roehrich, Czysz, even Britten; none of these (and many others) have been able to accomplish this as yet, at least not even close to the point Buell has.

And, on top of all this, the guy's a musician (plays in an amateur band--I've heard they're not bad), as well as an instrument maker (he's made guitars for at least one professional rock guitarist, that I've read about), and he also holds patents in a number of fields (some having nothing to do with motorcycling at all).

So yeah, I don't mind at all having this guy's name on my bike...and of course, it doesn't hurt that the bike is amazing to ride...

[Mastros2]

If you hurry, you can get a free (yes free) messenger bag with your demo.  You might be surpised on how much abuse that muffler (and the rest of the bike) can take too!  See below...
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=195881&highlight=Buell+Ulysses

[tankhead]

Hey Scott,
Well you rode my City-x for a short time that day.  The Uly has more grunt.  Farkle it up with Kevin Drum's Drummer exhaust, score the race ecm, and you will be set.  
Last Sept I met Erik at Rahway NJ Liberty Harley and Buell.  He signed my frame and I spent some time talking to him.  Everything you see on the videos are exactly what he is like in person.  He is just as passionate about guitars as he is about bikes. He was telling me that the night before he was holding a $100,000 guitar. He really seemed like a great dude. The guys from the rock bank Queensryche stopped in for an appearance and were rolling from concert date to concert date on two Uly's.  I ended up escorting the band with three other guys back to AC for the show.  We stopped for gas on the parkway and just shot the shit. They were also very appoachable and unpretentious rock stars.  Needless to say they gave me free tickets to the show and backstage passes after the show.  It was a great day and absolutely sold me on the Buell brand.  I knew I had bought something special and will be a faithful owner for many years to come.
Here is the thread from Badweb I am in the blue shirt with the hat on.
http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/discus.cgi?pg=prev&topic=37&page=222794

[bomber]

it's ALMOST a shame that Mr Buell is so technically accomplished, as he is the best, by far, advocate for the brand -- it's really hard to fake enthusiasm, and this guy's got it by the bucket-load!

the Buell Factory does a great job of relating to and caring for it's customers -- being part of HDI is both a blessing and a curse, as most things are, but, if you find a dealer/parts source, it can be a great experience . . . .

great bikes, great people -- can't ask for much more than that!

[Hickey]

Anybody know if ABS will be an option on the Ulysses for 2008?

[JamesG]

This is FAR more than anyone from the Jap makers or even Euro makers like Ducati are willing to do—with those, it's just "the faceless, impersonal factory name," no real person behind it.

Because Erik is the only company namesake that is actually alive?  
But yeah, he is a super nice, super enthusastic-about-bikes, guy.

[jschmidt]

Pretty much just like the harley site huh? AFA the personality, the founders of all of the other brands are dead, but again you'll find the same sort of WillieG devotion at HD. Its a succesful formula.

[Kootenanny]

AFA the personality, the founders of all of the other brands are dead...

Czysz, Roehrich, and Fischer, to name three, are all still alive...but none of 'em are in serious production yet.

John Bloor is alive, but I don't hear the Triumph guys talking about him--AFAIK he's not really involved in the design of the bikes, he's more the money man with strong business sense who was able to pull Triumph together (after he bought the name...)

As for the Big Four, well I dunno...I understand Soichiro Honda was an engineer and racing enthusiast, but I know next to nothing about the other Japanese makes...Yamaha was an instrument maker (their emblem is a tuning fork), and Kawasaki Heavy Industries...well, they make everything from motorcycles to excavators to ocean freighters...

[naustin]

If you think the website rocks, what about Homecoming?  What other manufacturer invites every owner back to the factory for Tours, Lunch with the factory employees, technical seminars, VIP passes to the race track for the weekend, etc. etc. etc.   Don't miss Eric and the Thunderbolts (Did you know Eric fronts a rock band and builds his own electric guitars?) too!  Yeah.  

[Clive]

This thread is starting to get a serious Bill Brasky feel to it.

 

[Kootenanny]

I had to google Bill Brasky, but...yeah!  

Now, if Bill Brasky built motorcycles, wouldn't you want one?

[Prubert]

Anybody know if ABS will be an option on the Ulysses for 2008?

Nope, not offered.

[Rogue]

Anybody want some Buell Coolaid?