Buell Test Ride

[FelixLeiter]

Well, all the Street-Rods were booked up at the local Harley/Buell dealer factory Demo Day today. So, I took a Ulysses out for a boot. Wow, it has soft suspension. I felt like I was riding one of these:

[jayb]

Yeah the Ulysses has longer travel and softer suspension, because its made to go offroad- well like fireroads and stuff.

I would like to try one of those Street rods though. But I'm sure its pretty scary in the corners though.

-Jay

On 2006-06-05 04:12, jayb wrote:
Yeah the Ulysses has longer travel and softer suspension, because its made to go offroad- well like fireroads and stuff.

I would like to try one of those Street rods though. But I'm sure its pretty scary in the corners though.

-Jay

Buells are extremely sensitive to suspension adjustments. More so than any other bike.

Don't waste your time on a Street Rod, you'll be seriously disappointed. There's a dealer here in Minnesota that's blowing out brand new Street Rods for $12,995. They handle slightly better than the V-Rod.

[jayb]

On 2006-06-05 05:43, MrVvrroomm wrote:

Buells are extremely sensitive to suspension adjustments. More so than any other bike.
[/quote]

Agreed 100%

Once you get it dialed in they are sweet handling....though lacking the power of a modern bike. But I still love my 97 S1.

But I'm not sure how well you could get the Uylesses to handle. I mean they HAD to compromise the suspension to make go on and off road.

Still trying to find a nice used black 05 or 06 S3. I've owned a ton of bikes, but so far the Buell is at the top as far as fun to ride bikes. I'm hoping the S3 will take over that spot.

-Jay

[cheapbastard]

On 2006-06-05 07:23, jayb wrote:
I've owned a ton of bikes, but so far the Buell is at the top as far as fun to ride bikes. I'm hoping the S3 will take over that spot.

-Jay

don't worry, it will!!! :-D

[TrackerOldGuy]

Jayb, just make sure you get the fun,fastest BLACK one

[scratch]

That long-travel, soft-ish suspension can be a good thing in some situations. I took a Ulysses for a test spin a few weeks ago and rode it through a curve with a pretty good bump in the middle that always makes my S3 bobble a bit. The Uly tracked over that same bump with much less drama. But I'm not trading in the S3 on a Buell - instead, I'm getting my suspension upgraded this week with new springs and valving.
I actually liked the Buell quite a lot. The only functional criticisms I can level against it are the severe motor vibes at idle and the super-tall saddle.

[tekmoe]

Agreed 100%

Once you get it dialed in they are sweet handling....though lacking the power of a modern bike. But I still love my 97 S1.

But I'm not sure how well you could get the Uylesses to handle. I mean they HAD to compromise the suspension to make go on and off road.

Still trying to find a nice used black 05 or 06 S3. I've owned a ton of bikes, but so far the Buell is at the top as far as fun to ride bikes. I'm hoping the S3 will take over that spot.

-Jay

don't fool yourself. i owned an 04 xb12s and i can honestly say, my 06 s3 surpasses it on every level. and btw, it's black.

[JVS1670]

Just test rode a V-rod last week and it is scary when you get near triple digits. Feels like it flexes and gets loose, power was real good for a harley though. They won't get my 18k anytime soon, salesman couldn't believe I wasn't impressed.

[R100Pilot]

Buells intrigue me. Wonderful innovation - stupid choice of motor.

I was doing a sound gig Saturday night at a local club, and a couple of Harleys had taken up residence out front, engines all glowing with those li'l neon thingies (I think a little blue neon under the tank to highlight the engine would look cool on an S3). Along with 'em was a Buell.

I wanted so bad to go home and get the S3 and park it right there in the middle of 'em, just for the hell of it. Saw the guy take off on the Buell. No helmet. Drunk. Go figure.