Buell XB12X - is price right and other questions

[sradek]

I have never ridden a buell before and I am not a HD fan, but the Buell Ulysses (aka XB12) caught my eye. Clearly, the FJR is great for LD touring, but I am looking for something lighter ... not decided yet if I want to sell the FJR.

A local private seller has a 2006 Ulysses (XB12X), black, 600 mi. Selling for $6500 with the optional low seat. Bike's title shows purchase in June 2007, so a year old out of showroom ...

In the past, I have tested out the Suzuki V-Strom 1000, and want to try the BMW 1200GS for comparison (though I am not inclined to plunk down lots of cash for the expensive GS ...)

I test rode this Ulysses today and it was a blast!

Is $6500 a good price? (No farkles included :-(

Other questions (for those who have exp with this model and Buell in general)

1. Does the bike normally shake like that below 2000 rpm? (I have owned a V-MAX, so I have some idea about shakes ... but handling on the buell was great, unlike the V-MAX)

2. Do the optional sidebags and top case make the bike unstable at highway speeds?

3. I felt the brakes not as strong as the FJR's ... is this your experience or something is wrong here?

3. The exhaust headers are totally discolored on this bike. Is this normal and can they be brought into original shining state?

4. What useful accessories did you start with? (yikes, I love gadgets and gizmos!)

Thanks!

 

[Kaelaria]

1. It's a Harley. YES lol

2. No more so than other bikes.

3. See #1

4. See #1. Part 2 - Harley makes them look good by adding outer shields to hide the discoloration. Adds weight, and on some models saves your leg from burning. Otherwise, cosmetic.

 

[SPORT]

Might want to find out more about the heat issue and a fan that stops working...can't remember why now.

I think it was fixed in '07

 

[kurt]

$6500 is a screaming deal on that bike.

Other questions (for those who have exp with this model and Buell in general)

1. Does the bike normally shake like that below 2000 rpm? (I have owned a V-MAX, so I have some idea about shakes ... but handling on the buell was great, unlike the V-MAX) Yes. It smoothes out considerably above 2000 rpm's

2. Do the optional sidebags and top case make the bike unstable at highway speeds? Nope. Can't even tell they are there

3. I felt the brakes not as strong as the FJR's ... is this your experience or something is wrong here? They seem fine to me. The softer suspension and susequent front end dive makes them feel weaker though

3. The exhaust headers are totally discolored on this bike. Is this normal and can they be brought into original shining state? All Buell pipes discolor like that. Some have had them ceramic coated which looks great.

4. What useful accessories did you start with? (yikes, I love gadgets and gizmos!) Powerlet, GPS bar risers, taller windscreen

The heat issue is easily resolved with a $23 part my fan has never quit on my 2006.

 

[dhalen32]

Sradek:

I happen to own a 2006 Ulysses in addition to my 2006 FJR. I have put about 10,000 miles on it in 14 months. Answers to your questions:

1. The engine does shake a bit at idle and low RPM. Keep the revs above 3000 and it is actually pretty smooth.

2. I just have the side bags but have not experienced any instability at speeds up to 100 mph. I don't remember ever having gone faster than that. They will reportedly go about 130 mph flat out.

3. The brakes are good but I agree they don't seem quite as powerful as those on my FJR.

3. Discolored headers is normal. They have no chromed covers or are they double walled as on a Harley cruiser. Some people polish them but most of us let them disclolor. The ugliness is worst right at the cylinder head as you might expect.

4. Mine is completely stock except for some power connections for heated gear and a battery tender. It also has a "heat blanket installed under the seat and deflectors snapped into the frame openings under the seat in an attempt to keep my butt from roasting when the temps get into the 90's here in Nebraska.

I have both the low and standard seats. The standard seat is cooler for me; placing me further away from that rear cylinder. The fan mentioned in another reply is controversial. It howls when the cylinder head temperature reaches a certain value so that it runs almost anytime you shut the machine off. It usually does not run when the bike is in motion. The fan's primary function is to keep oil in the cylinder head from "coking" when you shut it down. This is similar to the issues that first generation turbocharged cars faced with bearings that developed clogged oil passages due to overheated oil. You want that fan to work so it is worth riding it long enough to trip it's thermal switch. It normally runs on high speed for about a minute and then shifts down to low for another minute or two after it is good and warm and you shut off the ignition.

A good resource similar to this forum is badweatherbikers.com You can contact me if you have any further questions. I really like both my FJR and my Ulysses. The FJR is for longer trips when I need better weather protection and the Buell is my daily commuter. It has bigger bags than the FJR, is much lighter and gets much better fuel economy. However it does require premium fuel. I liked the Buell so much I bought another totaled one for a track bike.

You happen to live near one of the best Buell dealers in the country; Liberty Buell. Good luck if you decide to buy it.

Dave

 

[sradek]

Thank you all for your responses.

The only concern I have is how the bike was broken in. From my test ride I didn't hear anything out of the ordinary and since I am new to Buells I probably wouldn't notice anyway!

The other (minor) thing is that the owner replaced the muffler, but says he doesn't have the original (claims to have left it at shop). He replaced it because he liked the sound of it (ok), but why he doesn't have the original? anyway, this itself is minor, but is he hiding something else?

The bike is being sold by a private seller (not a dealer), else I would ask for warranty for peace of mind. I will contact Liberty Buell and see if they can check the bike and give me a warranty if they say it's good and I purchase ... they should be willing (with some money of course) if they know their bikes - right?

dhalen32: The fan's probably controlled by a thermostat ... can the thermostat be turned low so the fan comes at lower (than bad) temps? Also, the fan could be wired for manual on-timer-off ...

I may contact you guys if I have more questions.

Sradek:I happen to own a 2006 Ulysses in addition to my 2006 FJR. I have put about 10,000 miles on it in 14 months. Answers to your questions:

1. The engine does shake a bit at idle and low RPM. Keep the revs above 3000 and it is actually pretty smooth.

2. I just have the side bags but have not experienced any instability at speeds up to 100 mph. I don't remember ever having gone faster than that. They will reportedly go about 130 mph flat out.

3. The brakes are good but I agree they don't seem quite as powerful as those on my FJR.

3. Discolored headers is normal. They have no chromed covers or are they double walled as on a Harley cruiser. Some people polish them but most of us let them disclolor. The ugliness is worst right at the cylinder head as you might expect.

4. Mine is completely stock except for some power connections for heated gear and a battery tender. It also has a "heat blanket installed under the seat and deflectors snapped into the frame openings under the seat in an attempt to keep my butt from roasting when the temps get into the 90's here in Nebraska.

I have both the low and standard seats. The standard seat is cooler for me; placing me further away from that rear cylinder. The fan mentioned in another reply is controversial. It howls when the cylinder head temperature reaches a certain value so that it runs almost anytime you shut the machine off. It usually does not run when the bike is in motion. The fan's primary function is to keep oil in the cylinder head from "coking" when you shut it down. This is similar to the issues that first generation turbocharged cars faced with bearings that developed clogged oil passages due to overheated oil. You want that fan to work so it is worth riding it long enough to trip it's thermal switch. It normally runs on high speed for about a minute and then shifts down to low for another minute or two after it is good and warm and you shut off the ignition.

A good resource similar to this forum is badweatherbikers.com You can contact me if you have any further questions. I really like both my FJR and my Ulysses. The FJR is for longer trips when I need better weather protection and the Buell is my daily commuter. It has bigger bags than the FJR, is much lighter and gets much better fuel economy. However it does require premium fuel. I liked the Buell so much I bought another totaled one for a track bike.

You happen to live near one of the best Buell dealers in the country; Liberty Buell. Good luck if you decide to buy it.

Dave

 

[dhalen32]

Sradek:

It is very common to replace the mufflers on Buells. Some owners like that Harley sound coming from a sportbike. It depends which aftermarket exhaust is in place as to what happened to the original muffler. If it is a Drummer or a Special Ops pipe then the owner would have sent the pipe to these vendors. If his dealer did the work it is not unusual for them to keep the take-off parts.

I don't know if the fan is controlled by a cpu or a simple thermostat. I do know that you want it to run to prevent oil degradation though. Those folks at Liberty should be able to answer your questions. I'm sorry I don't have more first hand experience with them to refer you to a specific individual.

2006 Buell's came with 2 year, ulimited mileage warrantys. If it is still valid you should be able to just transfer it to your name. Warranty starts when the bike is first sold/titled.

Dave

 

[sradek]

For what it's worth ... I am having a hard time deciding if I can still keep my FJR!! :-( I love it for the LD touring (potential that I haven't yet exercised fully) and the farkles that I have bought and not yet installed (shame on me being so lazy).

Anyway, I don't have much space in my garage/drive-way to accomodate two bikes. So, though I like this particular buell, I am still not sure if I want to complicate my life. Too many damn choices and too little time. Women ;-)

I am going to take the FJR for a LD tour to VA next week ... maybe it will "come to me" in deciding.

Any thoughts or wise-cracks are welcome.

Sradek:It is very common to replace the mufflers on Buells. Some owners like that Harley sound coming from a sportbike. It depends which aftermarket exhaust is in place as to what happened to the original muffler. If it is a Drummer or a Special Ops pipe then the owner would have sent the pipe to these vendors. If his dealer did the work it is not unusual for them to keep the take-off parts.

I don't know if the fan is controlled by a cpu or a simple thermostat. I do know that you want it to run to prevent oil degradation though. Those folks at Liberty should be able to answer your questions. I'm sorry I don't have more first hand experience with them to refer you to a specific individual.

2006 Buell's came with 2 year, ulimited mileage warrantys. If it is still valid you should be able to just transfer it to your name. Warranty starts when the bike is first sold/titled.

Dave

 

[Tim05fjr]

sradek,

You can get lots of information from the people at www.badweatherbikers.com ,

. I am also a member there. I have a '03 XB9S Lightling.

I have header wrap on my bike to cover up the discoloration, it also helps keep the heat from your leg. ( Looks cool too. You don't want the factory muffler either. Big, heavy, and much too quiet and restrictive.

Good luck, you won't be sorry.

And It's not a Harley, it's a BUELL !!! There is a difference.

Tim

Oh, and keep the FJR too!!!!

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

<snip>.....You don't want the factory muffler either. Big, heavy, and much too quiet and restrictive.And It's not a Harley, it's a BUELL !!! There is a difference.

[sarcasm]Erik Buell is smart -- but, he don't know nothin' about exhaust. Big, heavy, and restictive (doubt it?) are bad.... but, too quiet is just intolerable!

They may be different -- Hardley and Buell; but, they're alot the same when it comes to making noise from a V-Twin.... :angry:

Apparently neither one can run with mufflers -- one wonders why they even put them on at the factory....?[/sarcasm]