A good friend of mine is selling his 2009 Buell Ulysses with only 4500km on it (his father bought it when Buell was shut down and rarely rode it).
I took it for a short test ride and other than vibration at idle I found the power to be very comparable to the CB1100. BUT - I found the Buell entirely more comfortable than my CB1100, it felt like the pegs were about 1" lower and the seat is superior in every way compared to the CB1100. The Buell's suspension was also better.
As it was a back injury that led me looking for a more comfortable bike (I rode for the first time on the weekend since mid-June as my back has been in a serious flare up) I am seriously thinking about buying the Buell and selling my CB.
Anyone out there have personal experience with the Buell Ulysses?
I own a 08 Ulysses. Yes, the Buell has better suspension and better handling. It is also much lighter in weight, no valves to adjust, and no chain to deal wither either. Also has electric grips and two electricasl plug-ins for gadgets/heated gear. The Hp to weight ratio is better too. Mine dynoed in at 98 hp. I ride my Buell almost every day; the CB is rarely ridden. I would love to have an 09, or better yet...a 10 model. Only problem I have had is the front engine isolator had to replaced ($125). The Uly purrs with Redline 20w-50 synthetic in both the engine and tranny. If price is right I say go for it. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.
Sorry to divert the thread briefly, but how do you like the Bandit, aschem? They no longer import them to Australia.
I just bought it last month and I only have around 175 miles on it. I really like it. Suspension is OK, added fork springs and fork brace which helped the front end in turns. The rear shock is good and brakes are good--but nothing like the CB's. I purchased Hepco Becker pannier mounts and luggage rack and a taller windshield. It is my new "sport-touring" bike.
I like the smoothness of the engine, HP is pretty good, and the torque is excellent. This is probably my last brand-new bike that I will own. The dealer marked it down to $7,100 OTD, In the US, I think they stopped importing in 2011; they brought it back for one year in 2016, and it did not sell in large numbers so they dropped it in 2017.
Thanks for the info achem, you certainly haven't highlighted any downside. How many miles do you have on yours? The price would be equivalent to $4700usd, I've been looking online but prices seem to be all over the place.
It will hurt me to sell the CB1100 as I still believe it is the best looking bike ever built and while it is definitely an improvement pain wise over my '08 Nighttrain the Buell is that much better. For the most part I gave up form over function years ago, it serves no purpose for things to look good at the expense of comfort or usability.
I have roughly 17K on it. I just sold my XB12Stt and I put 12K on it. The XB12ss and Stt are more sporty yet very comfy if you put risers on the bars. One issue some riders had with the Uly was the rear, 2-bearing wheel would go out (wheel bearings). Some riders solved this by purchasing a 2010 3 bearing rear wheel.
I think the air-cooled Buells look awesome, especially the early models.
By no means was I trying to insinuate that Buells are ugly, quite the opposite - I love the XB series. When Buell was shut down in Oct '09 I was out of the country, when I got back my local dealer told me they sold their last new 1125CR for $6500 (Cda and US $ were pretty much on par at the time) I told him to find me one but he scoured the country and by that time they were all gone, mostly bought by collectors (like my friend's father) who thought they would be worth big money someday.
I do feel that CB1100 is better looking (I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder), I have it parked in front of my store/restaurant most days and the people that it draws is unbelievable. People from my small town stop by to look at it all time and tourists of all types love it.
I have to go into the city tomorrow so I am going to borrow the Ulysses, it is about an hour round trip not counting whatever city riding I'll do so I'll know when I get back if I am making the switch.
Thanks again for the info aschem.
Yeah, the Cb is sexier than the Uly for sure. Suspension settings are very important on the the Buell. Fortunately, the Buell owners manual has the "correct" settings listed based on riders weight.
It's a Buell U(g)LY
As a Adventure bike with delusions of off-roading it, it's big and unwieldy in loose gravel (at least as my off road skills go, but I can and have ridden a KTM 990 adv quick off-road). It was a fail as as all purpose adv bike..
That said, if I found one for a good price, I'd buy it.. Everything above is true, but it's a phenomenonal tourer and backroads bike. The one I road was great on exploring back roads that while paved might be rough.. My 990 had more power up top and was more flickable at speed, but the U(g)LY with the torque down low was far easier to use and maybe a bit more fun
Forgot to mention that I have a XB12Xt not an X, and I don't do the "Adventure" thing. I basically ride all over E. Idaho and W. WY/N. UT. I've ridden an X, and I believe that the XT handles much better than the X model on back-roads due to the difference in suspension. The XT is also very nice. for two-up riding.