Anyone Ride the New Buell Ulysses XB12XT?

[Rusty Pig]

I have to say, this is a fine looking bike. It looks sporty yet fuctional plus, the bags are designed not to scuff when I throw my stout little leg over it and almost miss the bag... Never been a big fan of the V Twin though.

Anyone ride one??

 

[Zorlac]

I rode the original XB12X last year and liked it enough to own one if I possessed sufficient toy funds.

It handles quite well, loads of torque, a way different animal than an inline four, just couldn't get used to the lopey idle though and the SERIOUS fan made quite a bit of noise.

 

[HotRodZilla]

I'm gonna +1 most of what Zorlac said, espcially about the loud fan. The bike has loads of torque and is a LOT of fun to ride. The pegs are up high, so you can really burn through the corners if you're into that. When I rode one, I still owned my VTX, so the V-twin lope didn't bother me. Like Zorlac, if I had the money, I would have one in my garage.

 

[dhalen32]

RP:

I own an '06 XB12X and wish they sold this lower XT model when I bought it since I have very short legs. The bags are going to scuff when you do kick them but they are pretty tough and since they are not body colored it just seems a little more acceptable to look "abused". The rear cylinder cooling fan is loud and the engine dances around a bit at idle but it is a very comfortable and fun bike to ride.

I use it more in the summer as it's weather protection is skimpy when compared to the FJR. I have done some light off-roading and the bike did well for it's size and weight. It can certainly do things the FJR only dreams of when it comes to fire roads and other non-paved surfaces. The lack of a liquid cooling system, no valve adjustments and a light and simple final drive make it a low maintenance "gas and go" sort of bike. It also gets exceptional gas mileage. This is useful since premium fuel is a must or it pings quite a bit.

Except for the engine it is a very innovative design. As an Engineer I find it a very creative machine with it's fuel in the frame, oil in the swingarm, underslung exhaust and rim mounted front disc brake. However, it is not as smooth, fast or long distance capable as the FJR. If you have the means I think you would enjoy an '08 XT. The revised '08 engine features an improved oil pump drive system, revised ignition system, automated TPS resetting and a feature for clearing flooded cylinders/fouled spark plugs to keep you away from the dreaded H-D service network.

Dave

 

[zenwhipper]

I rode the XB12X in 2006 during a test ride. I really liked the looks of the bike and was sure it was going to be my next bike. The killer was the vibration from the motor. Not the potato, potato, potato at idle and stops, but the higher frequency stuff through the pegs and the bars when at speed. It also felt like its effective riding RMP range was narrow... from 2K to 4K. This seemed wierd to me. Now I know a lot of people love them and Eric Buell is a very out of the box thinker and Buell is very innovative.

my .02

Scott

 

[protondecay123]

I rode the XB12X in 2006 during a test ride. I really liked the looks of the bike and was sure it was going to be my next bike. The killer was the vibration from the motor. Not the potato, potato, potato at idle and stops, but the higher frequency stuff through the pegs and the bars when at speed. It also felt like its effective riding RMP range was narrow... from 2K to 4K. This seemed wierd to me. Now I know a lot of people love them and Eric Buell is a very out of the box thinker and Buell is very innovative.
my .02

Scott

+1 Dat for the most part.

I rode the 07 XB12X at Sturgis last summer.

If you think the FJR is buzzy above 4K, ride this thing and think again. I remember reading the MCN long term test about the Ulysses and they mentioning how many things vibrated off the bike and I understand why now.

I thought that the RPM range was actually pretty good esp. low range. It felt good to 5.5k or so. It redlines at 6.5K IIRC.

It had excellent braking, though not light years better than the FJR. And it could really stick a curve. If it wasn't for the vibration I would really consider this bike for a back up ride.

I'm 6-3 and the ride height was up there for me. I could not flat foot both feet at the same time.

My next test ride will be KTM 990 Adventure.

 

[Slow Ride]

My next test ride will be KTM 990 Adventure.

I have a friend who traded a KTM off for the Buell.

The biggest thing was working on the bike, this required

taking the gas tanks off for a lot of the service and that

entailed removing over 35 bolts.

Chuck

 

[Rusty Pig]

Any complaints about the strong engine compression during off throttle? I rode a Ducati ST4 the other day and had a tough time with the compression breaking. It was hard to ride smoothly. I just assumed it was a trait of a big twin.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Any complaints about the strong engine compression during off throttle? I rode a Ducati ST4 the other day and had a tough time with the compression breaking. It was hard to ride smoothly. I just assumed it was a trait of a big twin.

It is a trait of twins that goes along with booming torque in coming out of corners. After a couple of rides you it becomes normal to use the engine to slow, rather than the brakes.