Buell Ulysses and shorter riders

[Shaggy]

My father in-law wants a Buell Uylsses for some reason and I don't care enough to argue with him or talk him out of it. He is concerned that the bike won't fit him well. He lives in a rural Northern California and can't travel to look at the plethora of bikes for sale in the greater Bay Area. He's asking if I can go look at a Ullysses for him. I'm not the best barometer for bike fit, since I'm 6'4".

He is 5'9" with a 31" inseam. Has anyone with similar body dimensions ridden or owned a Ulysses that can tell me whether they found the bike too tall for their comfort? Cycle-Ergos.com shows a pretty comfortable riding position, but he's worried about being able to control the bike while stopped without it toppling over on him. He knows how to ride a motorcycle, but doesn't have a ton of street riding experience and he's in his 60's.

I'm not looking for advice on other bikes that may fit him. Just want to know people's experience with the Ulysses and whether it might actually be too tall for him.

Thanks in advance

 

[Rob]

I'm 5'7 and 32" seat height is the edge of my comfort zone with bigger bikes and googles says it's got a 30.7" seat height.

I've never owned one tho.

 

[dittoalex]

Get the XT.

Buell Ulysses XB12XT - First Ride. Finally, A Long-Distance Adventure-Tourer For Short People @ https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/buell-ulysses-xb12xt-first-ride/

 

[Kornholio]

Just out curiosity, assuming he'd open to others, what would suggest instead, Nick?

 

[auntiebling]

Jaloppyshoppe has a uly, loves it as I recall.

Tall. Tractor engine. Sounds like a good fit for rural roads

 

[Kornholio]

https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/buell-ulysses-xb12xt-first-ride/

103 BHP? Seriously...? :nchantr

 

[davidji]

I have a 30" inseam and I was fine on a XB12X Ulysses.

If your FIL prefers lower bikes there's a lower version of it, XB12XT.

 

[Gary856]

I've been looking for an Ulysses XB12X for a while now. When I sat on an '09, I was surprised that it felt 1" or more lower than my '08 R1200GS and '07 KTM 950SM. Easily flat-foot it; I thought it would be taller. I'm 6' with 32" inseam, 172 lb-ish.

 

[Jalopyshoppe]

Jaloppyshoppe has a uly, loves it as I recall.

Tall. Tractor engine. Sounds like a good fit for rural roads

I'm actually on my 3rd over 150k miles.
34" inseam. It's tall, but the low seat helps. The XB12XT is lower still, and the bike carries its weight very well. There's a lot to that Erik Buell "mass centralization".
Personal recommendations:
Upgrade to the 8 piston front brake kit from St Paul Harley. It's fantastic.
Buy an EBR race ECU. Worth every penny and fixes fueling holes that were there for noise and exhaust emissions.

I love my bike. I replaced a one with 70k because I found a great deal on a lower mileage one, and the one I sold is still in service as a commuter from Rio Vista to Sac.

 

[CDONA]

I was looking to buy one, tested a couple @ different venues.
A little bit taller than the Hyper I did buy, both need tip toes, no flat foot.
I just couldn't get past the fan on the rear jug
I'm 5'10" 30" inseam

 

[FreeRyde]

Ulysses XT with the low seat option (you can still find them NOS on ebay)
Great bike, kinda miss mine, sometimes.

The one thing I could never get over was the horrible wind buffeting. Didn't matter what windscreen I slapped on there, it was just awful.

 

[two wheel tramp]

^ That sure is a nice looking wee.

 

[ValkMan]

I'm 6'1" and it was a hell of a swing over. The Kickstand mount is weak, learned that after going to peg mount up. Would not advise without him fit checking for himself. GREAT BIKE though!!!!!

 

[Jalopyshoppe]

I'm 6'1" and it was a hell of a swing over. The Kickstand mount is weak, learned that after going to peg mount up. Would not advise without him fit checking for himself. GREAT BIKE though!!!!!

FWIW, the 08/09 bikes have a revised kickstand. My 06 suffered kickstand wise, but my 09 has no issues, nor did my previous 09.

 

[buellistic]

If it hasn't been up graded to the 8 bolt stator rotor!
It will leave him on the side of the road eventually...

 

[buellistic]

It's a mess

 

[Shaggy]

Thanks for all the input.

I ended up buying it for him. The front suspension was a little wonky. The forks bottomed out under hard braking at anything above 25mph. Not sure if it’s just under sprung for my 225lbs ass, or if the forks need a rebuild. For the price, it was a reasonable risk to take. Got the bike for $2500.

I was a little surprised at how compact the bike was for being an “adventure tourer” style bike. My MTS1200PP makes this thing feel like a scooter. Super short wheelbase and in Erik Buell fashion, the mass is all very well centered. It fit in the 6.5ft bed of my truck with the tailgate closed. My R6 doesn’t even do that!

My father in law said parts are available for fork rebuilds, so that’s gonna be on him.

 

[Jalopyshoppe]

Thanks for all the input.

I ended up buying it for him. The front suspension was a little wonky. The forks bottomed out under hard braking at anything above 25mph. Not sure if it’s just under sprung for my 225lbs ass, or if the forks need a rebuild. For the price, it was a reasonable risk to take. Got the bike for $2500.

I was a little surprised at how compact the bike was for being an “adventure tourer” style bike. My MTS1200PP makes this thing feel like a scooter. Super short wheelbase and in Erik Buell fashion, the mass is all very well centered. It fit in the 6.5ft bed of my truck with the tailgate closed. My R6 doesn’t even do that!

My father in law said parts are available for fork rebuilds, so that’s gonna be on him.

My 06 was the same. A fork rebuild will fix it. I bet seals are blown and there's no oil.

Welcome to the lifestyle.

 

[davidji]

Got the bike for $2500.

Nice. He's gonna have fun with it. Pics? What year?

 

[FreeRyde]

The springs were soft for my 150lb frame... Look into getting some thiccer springs!