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2006 Buell Ulysses

Friday, 18 August 2006

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Buell Ulysses

2006

Other "Buellisms" are still apparent, the front brake for example, is still the single sided perimeter style, that offers unsprung weight saving and to some extent style points. That front end also enjoys a small and stylish (Buellish?) two piece cockpit fairing with an easily removable (for cleaning or to fit a larger one) windscreen. That cockpit also houses the tach and speedo and a power outlet for GPS or the available XM radio duties - the underseat storage area has a similar power outlet. That familiar exhaust location that takes mass centralization to the literal sense is still there as well “It’ll take a beating too,” say’s Mr. Buell, so don’t be concerned with its lack of underside protection.

It was also pointed out to us in very colorful grafts that 35% of America’s roads are unpaved. This bike was conceived to take advantage of that percentile. We traveled up some Pikes Peak style roads that twisted and turned like a proverbial gravel strewn roller coaster. The tires equipped on this bike were a 208 compound with an aggressive cut tread to be now known throughout the land as the Dunlop 616. With the bike enjoying a 50:50 weight bias, the handling behavior on the above-mentioned gravel roads, was exemplary, with no one replicating a Dunlop 919 en route to the crest.

I got a chance to back to back the XB and the Ulysses. Personally I felt I could go just as fast on either, however, when the road gets unruly (especially dirty or bumpy) instead of a pucker up on the XB, the Ulysses just makes you grab more gas. Just like a supermoto, more gas equates to more grins. I have to stress this bike is not perfect by any means, and my biggest grouch is the lack of steering lock. Multiple U-turns for photo shooting had me cursing the limited lock, I even fell over doing a U-ey and managed to pin my boot under one of the Buell’s generous frame sliders. I never damaged myself or the bike, although I think Roadracing Worlds, Steve Atlas, might have strained a stomach muscle laughing at me or maybe his back lifting the bike off me - bar steward!

All in all, this Ulysses impressed - I wouldn’t be too quick to judge this bike - it’s easy to take a first glance, assume they stuck some long suspenders on it, then went for a long liquid lunch - nothing could be further from the truth. The little factory that could have listened to the consumer (and journalist), gone through the bike addressing issues of concern and applied some mechanical upgrades (and with no apparent band-aiding). When discussing this bike with other riders, I’ve noticed that the most vocal people of this engine brand have never really experienced this motor outside of following a cruiser down their favorite highway so keep an open mind and go grab a test ride.

Like Ulysses, I suspect Mr. Buell is both clever and cunning, and this bike is the Trojan horse of the adventure tour category - ignore it at your peril.

Mike Emery

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	Air/oil/fan-cooled, 4-stroke, 45° V-Twin
Bore and stroke	3.500 in. x 3.812 in. (88.90 mm x 96.82 mm)
Compression Ratio	10.0:1
BHP	103 hp @ 6800 rpm
Torque	84 ft. lbs. @ 6000 rpm
Fuel system	49 mm down draft DDFI II fuel injection
Lubrication	Dry sump with an Oil Capacity of 2.5 qts. (2.4 L)
Final drive	Goodyear Hibrex drive belt with Flexten Plus technology
Overall length:	85 in. (2158 mm)
Overall width:	35.1 in. (892 mm)
Overall height:	52.4 in (1351mm)
Saddle height:	33.1 in. (841 mm)
Ground Clearance	6.75 in. (171 mm)
Wheelbase	54.4 in. (1381 mm)
Trail	4.8 in. (122 mm)
Steering angle	23.5°
Suspension FR/R	43 mm Showa® inverted fork 3-way adjustable with 6.51 in. (165 mm) of travel - Rear Showa fully adjustable with 6.38 in. (162 mm) of travel
Brakes FR/R	6-piston, fixed caliper, 375 mm single-sided, inside-out, stainless steel, floating rotor - Rear 240 mm stainless steel, single-piston, floating caliper, fixed rotor
Wheels/Tires	D616F – 120/70R-17 - Rear D616 – 180/55R-17
Tank Capacity	4.4 gal. (16.7 L)
Weight:	425 lbs. (193 kg)
Load Capacity	452 lbs. (205 kg)
Colors	Barricade Orange, Midnight Black
Price:	11,495

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