My last bike purchase (a really low mileage BMW K1100LT that stood for a long time and had a bunch of issues I needed to fix) isn't working out as well as I thought it would. Guess that years riding newer bikes have spoiled me.
The easy button would be to get an R1100GS or R1100R, but I keep seeing Buell Ulysses in my budget around here, a reasonable number of them with low miles on them, too. Ergonomically they look like they'd work for me, too, but I'm concerned about the spares situation. Does anybody have any insights on that?
Not directly related to Buell but...
One of my customers has a HD Street Rod. These used the same USD forks that the Buells used.
The HD shop we took it to for a fork seal problem had some issues getting the seals because they aren't Harley parts (what they told me).
This could be an issue with the shop or with the parts supply chain but it seems like you may not have any luck getting parts from a Harley dealer.
I wondered about this, too. Only, I want a steel framy Cyclone in the worst sort of way. They're occasionally around cheap.
As far as I can tell any replacement parts I've ever needed have been readily available at HD dealers or online. As well several specialty Buell parts suppliers exist online.
No problem between new and part outs you can get parts.
Thanks, that sounds better than I expected.
I'm trying to look at a couple of local bikes first (a Guzzi and a Triumph Tiger), if those don't work out it's time to travel to look at some Buells.
Buy the 'Guzzi, it'll change your life.
If you've got questions about them, shoot me a PM. I've done a lot of work to my Stelvio and I can tune the fuel injection in these bikes.
That's good to know.
I've owned several Guzzis in the past, but never a fuel injected one. Always liked them and I'm kinda keen on this one but it'll require the seller to get back to me first...
Link to the ad
I will be looking at the Triumph later today, I've owned a 955-engined one before and I really like it, but I'm not sure I want something quite as large as a Tiger. Problem is that I'd really like something a little more normal roadstery, but my ergonomics requirements with the busted knees and all that really vote for the SUV version of motorbikes.
Edit: Mr Guzzi Seller got back to me, I'm going to look at the bike later today. I'm actually rather excited about it.
Can't beat the ease of maintenance on a Guzzi.
My friend has a Breva 750 and he's pretty happy with it.
That's the early 4-valve motor, check to see if it's had the roller tappet conversion done. If not, it will be some bucks to convert if it's not under warranty.
Have a dealer check the VIN to be sure.
The '09 uses a different ECM than what I'm used to. The guys at Guzzitech should be able to set you up with anything you need.
Well, I like it. A lot. Only concern is the seating position, namely the knee angle. I did find some lowered footpegs but they're only lowering the peg by 1" and I'm not sure that's enough.
I'll think it over for today and probably check with the owner if he knows about the roller tappet conversion. He did mention it's had about $2k worth of work done very recently so it might well be that it's had the conversion done.
The biggest issues I saw when I was working for Harley were a shortage of fuel injection and electronics parts which all seemed to crapping out.
Megasquirt the Buell and you're done with the problems. The Megasquirt system I have on the Sportster was designed by a couple guys for their Buells, basically throwing away everything that wasn't necessary to run a Sportster. That was before Microsquirt was out. Today I'd just get one of those.
I have 41k miles and counting on the 1125CR I rode to work today- I have never had trouble getting parts for it, but you WILL have to order online and do your own work unless you have a very special local dealer. I get my aftermarket parts straight from the suppliers, a surprising number of companies make stuff for these bikes, OEM stuff can be a bit trickier. If you run into something you can't find, a google search will typically turn up a thread on one of the Buell forums where they figure it out for you.
That's one hansom Goose
