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2006 Buell Ulysses

Friday, 18 August 2006

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Happy Hacking by Mike Emery ~ Photos by Wayne Davis

Maybe I’m Americanized, because after getting the call from Uncle Erik (Buell) to come ride the newest edition to the family, the Ulysses, my first thought was early 1900's, heavy cast iron boat (chortle). However, I too easily dismissed my European and educational roots because this particular Ulysses reference was towards the Greek mythology kind. So, heavy boat anchor or wandering Greek hero and conqueror of all?

The introduction was held in the original mile high club, Denver, Colorado. The extreme elevation (hey, I live in Florida) played havoc with the 45-degree 1203cc motor. The location probably showed the confidence that Mr. Buell has in his product, especially with the air, or lack of it, sapping the horsepower, quoted as much as a 20% deficit as claimed by some race teams when visiting Colorado-land for AMA duties.

I’ll start with the obvious focal point the motor, I mean let’s face it, you’re either a fan of the Harley V or you’re not, it’s a big lump, true, but it’s not your typical Milwaukee motor. The fact is, the Buell motor is surprisingly effective after the massaging received by Mr. Buell. We know it’s not a 14,000RPM screamer, never will be, but it’s got grunt. Ignoring factory claimed, I suspect this thing probably makes mid 80's in ponies (although it felt like 65 in the high country) torque is suitably beefy though and if past experience of the breed counts, I think it’ll be surprisingly high for its class. I wish they would reduce some of the flywheel on this motor, because a little faster pick up in revs wouldn’t hurt anyone.

This year the factory has made significant improvements in the gearbox design. On Buell’s past, you had to be firm and precise on your gear change, especially when riding angry - this has been superbly addressed with a total redesign that features a racer style dog ring and helical cut tranny which was both smooth and quiet - The Ulysses also has a reconfigured clutch mechanism too that lowers the lever pull by some 22%, obviously this is a fatigue buster and I still had enough grip strength left over to hold my drink come days end. I never missed a drink.. I meant shift, all day.

The rear wheel is also tied into this affair with a newly redesigned and lightweight belt from Goodyear. Incidentally, that "old-tech" air-cooled, two-valve V-Twin passes 2008 California emissions standards without a catalytic converter.

The Italian-made frame has seen some mods that compliment this and all the other models in the Buell line up. That frame, sometimes criticized for being a little cramped, has been pulled and massaged for ‘06. That, combined with a modified air intake (over the tank, instead of through the frame) sees a major upside of a higher capacity gas tank err, frame tank. The swingarm has also been stretched two inches and restyled. Weight is similar to the bigger Suzuki V-Strom at around 500lbs wet and with that bike a reference for the class it’s a case of soul verses sterile. What the Buell might lack in beans it way makes up in character. Make no mistake, this bike will become EB’s biggest seller, it does nothing wrong and a bunch of important things right.

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