Last summer, Black Bear owner Nigel Darken decided to write a report for this website about his new XB12XT Ulysses.
And then we thought, well hang on, why not keep a regular diary recording its performance highs and lows to give an honest and informed account of this new model.
So, the Buell Diaries were conceived and here's Nigel's latest installment. Scroll down to read Parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.
The Buell Diaries - Part 7: Final part
You may have heard that Harley-Davidson have shut down production of Buells. Very sad, many of us here ride Buells and are enthusiastic about the marque. My initial reaction was to get one of the 2010 models which I will keep for a long time as a personal bike, the last in the line so to speak, so my current Ulysses XT is in the showroom for sale.
I am very fond of this bike having done quite a few miles on it with many good memories. It's always been reliable and enjoyable to ride and has been used in all weathers as a real workhorse (see the picture below). The only failings in 14,000 miles have been a battery, and rear wheel bearings, (this weakness is resolved on later models), it has returned good fuel consumption figures and has got smoother and sweeter as the miles have clocked up. I would say it's just starting to feel run in. Full details are in the used bike section of the website.
The Buell Diaries - Part 6: Rural England
Well the miles have racked up, the bike has just had a good going over in the workshop - the 15,000 mile service, another set of tyres and new brakes, the wheel bearings have been replaced as well, (on the earlier models these are worth keeping an eye on as the seals were not as efficient as they should be. Not a problem now as they have much beefier bearings and better seals).
It's also had a good clean! I have to admit to being a rider rather than a polisher! No chance to get abroad so far this year so no evocative photos of rural France, but here's one of rural England which is just as nice!
The Buell Diaries - Part 5: A year old
The last update was, in fact, at the 10,000-mile service which was done early at 8,500-miles in the winter. Bearing in mind how busy the workshop gets in early spring and summer, yes, even the boss has a problem getting his bike booked in!
Well, it's now late May and the bike is just a year old. It's been in regular use except for darkest winter and now has 11,000 miles on the clock and is just starting to feel run in. It just gets smoother all the time. Cruising around 80-100mph (obviously on derestricted roads abroad!) is particularly comfortable, slow-revving and stress free riding with plenty in reserve should I need it. And with a comfortable riding position I could sit on this bike all day (and frequently do!).
I did say I would report honestly warts and all and I have just had a failure! The battery died, simple as that! A new one under warranty soon had me running again and other than an exhaust actuator switch which failed (didn't affect the running and only noticed by the engine fault light coming on) when almost new, there haven't been any other failures or problems.
One thing I have noticed is that by using the higher grade fuel it runs smoother and more economically. The professionally polished exhaust pipes look much better than the standard finish and clean up a treat with chrome cleaner. And despite my neglect and regular riding, the conditon of the bike remains cosmetically excellent.
Future upgrades planned are for aluminium panniers and a more efficient front fender. Other than that, it's just about perfect for my style of riding and usage. Another trip to France and perhaps the Isle of Man is planned for later in the year, so the next update will be in the autumn.
Part 4: 10,000-miles & great fun!
Nothing too exciting to report, no trips other than the commuting, no failures or problems at all, in fact! It's just had the 10,000-mile service and the third set of tyres. The Pirellis are probably the best tyre I have used in the wet, very confidence inspiring, but after 3,000 miles they do go 'off' a bit, white-lining etc.. so it's worth changing them early. It's a small price to pay for such grip and handling.
A few cosmetic alterations are planned - professional polishing of the exhaust pipes as the stainless tends to dull with the heat and this will help them retain a high gloss finish with minimal effort, and powder-coating of the silencer which tends to get all the weather tucked under the bike, so this will improve the look considerably.
As this bike suits me so much I have decided to keep it for at least another year - we have a number of trips in mind so the miles should rack up nicely....
PART 3: 'a tRIP TO FRANCE, AGAIN!'
I have been using the XT for the daily 80-mile commute this summer and in September went to the Isle of Man to attend the Manx Grand Prix. It was a brief visit with a good ride through the Cotswolds and Shropshire to the ferry at Liverpool, just one day on the island and then back the next day.
The beautiful Isle of Man scenery
The bike was comfortable and fun and returned an amazing 60mpg! I admit I wasn't belting it, but was making good progress nevertheless. A Corbin seat has replaced the original which I found uncomfortable, but I would recommend these bespoke American seats. They look good and definitely improve the long distance comfort and we can supply them to order. Other 'mods' include high intensity Xenon bulbs and a right-hand air scoop to cool the rear exhaust and cylinder more effectively.
We have just returned from another 2,000-mile trip around France with some friends, taking in some of the most outstanding motorcycling scenery in Europe. As usual we were well loaded and two-up. Some of the riding was demanding on the bike and rider alike with many twisties, hills, rough roads and sweeping smooth mile after mile bends with virtually no traffic!
More picturesque scenes in France, ideal touring country.
The Buell is perfect for this type of touring. The handling is exemplary, the brakes powerful and progressive and the power mighty and smooth. It is also comfortable for both on board. The top case, tank bag and side cases provided ample capacity and the inner bags work well when unloading at the hotel. Obviously, she never missed a beat despite heavy rain at times.
Current mileage is nudging 7,000 miles so it's just starting to loosen up nicely! The bike was properly serviced by Jon, our Buell specialist, at 5,000 miles when new tyres were fitted ready for the French trip.
Part 2: The Daily commute
Following the holiday in France when the Buell was brand new I thought it may be interesting to record my ownership impressions over a period of time.
My daily commute involves a round trip of 80 miles and after the first service at a belated 2,000 miles, everything started to loosen up nicely and now with over 3,000 miles on the clock, the Buell is smooth and running beautifully. The sticky gear change is relaxing and the cooling fan cuts out sooner now that the motor is starting to run cooler. Makes you realise just how tight they are when new.
We have fitted a Free Spirit Belt Tensioner, which reduces tension on the drive belt pulley and the likehood of damage to the belt should debris become trapped, and also an engine breather modification kit which improves fuelling at low speed. The surging when moving slowly in traffic is now negligible.
Fuel consumption has improved to 55mpg, which is not bad for a 1200 and, no, I don't ride that slow! There are no failures or faults to report and the uncomfortable seat I complained about has at last 'broken in'!
I am really used to it now and love riding this motorcycle. It ticks all the boxes for me - great handling, brakes and power, but practical and comfortable too.
I'll write my next report in the autumn following another two-up trip to France!
Nigel and his XB12XT outside Black Bear's showroom
part 1: Arrival of the buell and straight off to France!
Black Bear owner Nigel Darken took delivery of a new Buell Ulysses XB12XT just prior to a planned motorcycling trip to France in May this year. Here's his review of the bike and how it performed!
"The bike came in the day before the off, so there was no time for running in or a first service. It was just straight out of the crate and off to the boat with my wife and a ton of luggage on board!
Filtering through a clogged M25 in the rain wasn't fun, but the rest of the trip down to Carcassonne in southern France, onto Nice and then back over the hills to Calais a week later saw superb riding through beautiful countryside - and on almost deserted roads! Motorcycling doesn't get better than this, despite the rain a lot of the time.
And the bike? Well, it was just great. My wife said it was without doubt the most comfortable bike she had ever been on. Supple suspension smoothed the rough rural roads and the foot rest position was perfect. From a rider point of view, it handled with precision, was light to flick around, even loaded up, and inspired confidence even in the poor conditions. This was helped by the excellent and 'grippy' Pirelli Diablos.
Fuel range was OK at 160 miles before the light came on, but with big gaps between petrol stations in rural France, another 50 miles in the tank would have been good.
Those wonderfully powerful and controllable brakes were put to good use on the mountain passes and the only real negative on this new Ulysses as a whole was the rider's seat, which I found too hard. But this is easily remedied.
The XT didn't miss a beat in 2,200 miles, only requiring a top up of oil - not bad for a brand new bike under harsh conditions. But the overriding impression is of an extremely practical and enjoyable tourer which is great fun to ride. And with the lower seat height it opens up the bike to shorter riders as well. All in all, well done Erik!
Nigel's new XB12XT delivered an enjoyable ride through France
The long mountain roads stretch ahead
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