Buell Bliss

[Sock Monkey]

Originally Posted by Hughlysses

Hell, if they'd just not tried to AVOID selling Buells things would have been much better. I remember going to the Atlanta IMS show in early 2006, I was looking at a Uly with my wife when a salesman from the local HD/Buell dealer comes up and says "They're OK, but you should look at this HD Barcolounger; it's a much better bike."

+1

I had the same experience when I went shopping for a bike to replace my BMW F650GS Dakar. Walked into the local HD/Buell shop (Livermore, CA) and there sat a Ulysses, off in the corner. What a GREAT looking bike! There were no less than 4 sales people standing around the showroom with no one else in there, and not one bothered to come over and even talk with me. They treated the bike like it was diseased, staying as far away from it as possible. I finally walked over and asked one of them what they could tell me about it, and their reply was "I don't know anything about it, I sell Harleys". I turned and walked out. A few weeks later I bought a new BMW R1200 GS......

-SM

[Mr. Canoehead]

Originally Posted by Sock Monkey

+1

I had the same experience when I went shopping for a bike to replace my BMW F650GS Dakar. Walked into the local HD/Buell shop (Livermore, CA) and there sat a Ulysses, off in the corner. What a GREAT looking bike! There were no less than 4 sales people standing around the showroom with no one else in there, and not one bothered to come over and even talk with me. They treated the bike like it was diseased, staying as far away from it as possible. I finally walked over and asked one of them what they could tell me about it, and their reply was "I don't know anything about it, I sell Harleys". I turned and walked out. A few weeks later I bought a new BMW R1200 GS......

-SM

+1 - I felt like I was in one of those Star Trek episodes where someone has moved to another dimension. I could see all the sales people but I seemed to be completely invisible to them (and this is in the head office showroom of the Canadian Harley importer, Trev Deeley). If the importer's staff won't sell the Buells, what is the chance that the average dealer will?

When I moved over and sat on a HOG, I immediately became visible to the sales guys. When I said that I was actually interested in the Buells and not the Sportster, I instantly became invisible again.

[Bobmws]

Originally Posted by Sock Monkey

+1

I had the same experience when I went shopping for a bike to replace my BMW F650GS Dakar. Walked into the local HD/Buell shop (Livermore, CA) and there sat a Ulysses, off in the corner. What a GREAT looking bike! There were no less than 4 sales people standing around the showroom with no one else in there, and not one bothered to come over and even talk with me. They treated the bike like it was diseased, staying as far away from it as possible. I finally walked over and asked one of them what they could tell me about it, and their reply was "I don't know anything about it, I sell Harleys". I turned and walked out. A few weeks later I bought a new BMW R1200 GS......

-SM

Originally Posted by Mr. Canoehead

+1 - I felt like I was in one of those Star Trek episodes where someone has moved to another dimension. I could see all the sales people but I seemed to be completely invisible to them (and this is in the head office showroom of the Canadian Harley importer, Trev Deeley). If the importer's staff won't sell the Buells, what is the chance that the average dealer will?

When I moved over and sat on a HOG, I immediately became visible to the sales guys. When I said that I was actually interested in the Buells and not the Sportster, I instantly became invisible again.

I'll wager their disinterest was because they didn't see the potential of $5-10K sales of after market chrome & clothing with your Buell purchase.

[stoney4vida]

Originally Posted by Dirtysouth

You'll have plenty of room to work with. I mounted 1520's on the Uly that I had, using the HT mounting pucks and the stock racks. I miss that bike.

Outstanding DirtySouth . That's what I wanted to hear. thanks

[Algarve Nick]

The Ulysses is by far the most comfortable fun bike I've owned or been on. It is a way better tourer than my GS or KTM 950 Adv was and shed loads more fun. I'd love to take it on my fortcoming se Asian trip but I'm not a mechanic. Incidentally I wouldn't go on a modern BMW or a KTM!!

[996DL]

Don't hold back, tell us how you really feel.

996DL

[hooliken]

Originally Posted by stoney4vida

Started a thread with this ? but wanted to quiz the Uly guys here. I want to use Pelican cases ( 1520 or 1550 ) on my Uly. If I buy Happy Trails pucks and put on Pelican cases will they mount up to stock Ulysses rack ?

The one I just picked up has the HB factory set up on it. I have a set of 1550's with a SW Motech setup on the KTM. I understand the factory KTM Gobi's will mount right up to the existing Buell racks. The 1550's on the KTM are awesome.....the factory Buell stuff is so-so.

[pike]

I've got my 05 VFR for sale now and am looking at some Ulys. I missed the seating position on my old dl650 but want a bigger twin for more power. Had a guy wanting to trade a 09 Uly for my bike plus $1500 and I passed but this thread makes me reconsider. Thought about a dl1000 but don't really like their looks.

[Hoppalong]

Originally Posted by Mr. Canoehead

I could see all the sales people but I seemed to be completely invisible to them

You were smart not to buy and then deal with the parts people. I wasn't.

My experiences with three different HD dealers (trying to find one that didn't treat me like sh!t) has really soured me on HD.

I'll cheer when the last of the EasyRider generation gay-pirates no longer ride and HD goes belly-up. Good riddance!

[Sharkguy]

When I first got my Uly (I bought it second hand from CL) it was still under warranty. I decided I would take it in to the dealer for a fueling issue I was having. The guy behind the counter who was writing up the ticket asked me "so when you going to buy a real bike?" I held my tongue because after all they were going to be wrenching on my bike. Suffice it to say I won't be going back to a dealership if I can help it.

[Sock Monkey]

Originally Posted by Hoppalong

You were smart not to buy and then deal with the parts people. I wasn't.

My experiences with three different HD dealers (trying to find one that didn't treat me like sh!t) has really soured me on HD.

I'll cheer when the last of the EasyRider generation gay-pirates no longer ride and HD goes belly-up. Good riddance!

The dealership makes a huge difference. I see from your sig that you're in the Sierras. I've been to Mitchell's in Modesto several times (rented bikes from them) and they were great. Even though I rode in on a different brand and wasn't buying from them, everyone in there treated me well and didn't give me any of the typical HD attitude. If you haven't been in there and are interested in a HD, I'd recommend stopping by.

-SM

[cbig]

Never got into the Uly. Too high up and awkward for me to maneuver side to side. I think a xb12ss is a great, comfy road bike. This is my third Buell, over 110k miles on 'em..if you run into one, buy some soft luggage and call it done!

[rwcfrank]

I bought my Uly new in March of 08 after a short test ride. The delaership was awesome (used to be Faultline fFremont now moved to Oakland). Every time I get the urge to change bikes I think about what the Uly can do the other can't. All of the other bikes I have considered Concours 14, Busa, KTM 990 etc all come up short in one category or another. I then go for a ride and my desire to swap is gone instantly. I will by a Multistrada in 3 years when I retire unless the new KTM is that much better, but I will keep the Uly.

[Lornce]

I really like this bike.

Excellent roomy ergos, firm well-shaped seat and fine suspension quality make for an extremely comfortable ride.

Killer Buell chassis and healthy torque-fat motor are icing on the cake.

[Sock Monkey]

Wonder what the new AX is going to look like now that Erik is back up and running, this time with no restrictions.....

-SM