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Will, Tony, Chris, and I went to Ray Price H-D today hoping to test ride some Buells this AM. The only Buell available for test was the KLR-talll Ulysses, which has a seat height of around 35". I'm certain we would have all immensely enjoyed riding the Buell Lightning, which is almost as awesome as my bike, but it wasn't meant to be. None of us felt comfortable taking on the fiduciary responsibility of test riding a bike we have to jump to get a leg over and have to stretch to get down a tippy toe, so... Will went on a test ride of a V-Rod with Tony following. He said it burned his leg, so he returned after FIVE MINUTES on the bike. Chirs should have coached him more, since he knew that would happen. In good faith, I attempted to test ride the only available bike that didn't have forward controls, a Sportster 1200 with lots of "screaming eagle" add-ons (exhaust, intake, etc). The bitch would not start so the test ride was canceled. I was patient and waited about half an hour for the salesman and a mechanic to render the vehicle operabIe. That didn't happen.
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Sportbike: 1995 Yamaha Seca II
Quote:
Originally Posted by ApolloCreed
In good faith, I attempted to test ride the only available bike that didn't have forward controls, a Sportster 1200 with lots of "screaming eagle" add-ons (exhaust, intake, etc). The bitch would not start so the test ride was canceled. I was patient and waited about half an hour for the salesman and a mechanic to render the vehicle operabIe. That didn't happen.
Reminds me of one time I went with my brother when he wanted to test-drive a Pontiac Fiero at Chris Leith Chevy in Wake Forest. He was all ready to go, except no one at the dealership could figure out how to disengage the parking brake. That test drive never happened, either.
I would have taken the Ulysees out for a spin as I actually like the looks of them (er...atleast the ones that had full luggage on it), except there's one problem. I can't touch the ground....AT ALL.
I somehow managed to climb on it, but even with it on its side stand, and me sliding over to the left side, the tip of my boot still wouldn't touch the ground. That thing has to have atleast a 35 inch seat height (and a wide seat to boot).
As for the VRod....that has to be the worst time I've EVER had on a bike. I think I'd rather crash on my bike, than ride safely on that one again.
Here's the problems with it:
#1 - The BIGGEST problem. The front cylinders exhaust is litterally in the way of the forward control. My leg rested on the exhaust...just above my calf. After 5 minutes, it was burning. After 10 minutes, I couldn't wait to get off. 15 minutes later, I brought the POS back. Oh, and it DOES have a heat shield covering the actual pipe, but it does NO good.
#2 - It's engine (Over 1100 CC's) makes power ALL WRONG for a cruiser twin. Redline is somewhere between 8.5k and 9k, and it doesn't start making any real power till right around 5.5k - 6k rpms. On top of that, it's geared super fucking tall, so first gear is good for what felt like 70mph. Absolute garbage. A cruiser twin should make GOOD power from idle to around 6k. At 6k, it was just getting started.
#3 - This is minor, but still. Cruisers are generally made for shorter people, so I shouldn't have ANY trouble riding one, right? Wrong! The foward controls were so far forward, I had to tuck the tips of my boots under the shifter and rear brake lever so my feet wouldn't fall off the pegs. Again, absolute garbage.
Keep in mind guys that I actually like HD's, and was sorta in love with the V-Rods. Now, you couldn't GIVE me a VRod. HD must have just designed this bike to be their "Best looking garage ornament".
Such a disapointment. I wanted the bike to be as good as the hype when HD first released it. Sadly, it's not even close.
The VTX (1300 and 1800) I rode a while back are better bikes in EVERY way, and the 1800 would run circles around the Vrod.
Just checked the Buell sight, and it said seat height is 31.8 inches. I'm calling bullshit on that. Take the wheels off the bike, and it might be close to 31.8.
My bike has a 31.9 inch seat height (stock), with a taller, wider than stock seat, and it's no problem for me
Unless the Ulysees' seat is 4 foot wide, their data isn't anywhere even close to being right.
That's horse shit. I could BARELY get the very tips of my toes on the ground when I was sitting on that thing and my inseam is about 31"!
Quote:
Originally Posted by TRaGiK
Just checked the Buell sight, and it said seat height is 31.8 inches. I'm calling bullshit on that. Take the wheels off the bike, and it might be close to 31.8.
My bike has a 31.9 inch seat height (stock), with a taller, wider than stock seat, and it's no problem for me
Unless the Ulysees' seat is 4 foot wide, their data isn't anywhere even close to being right.
Test rides at Ray Price HD
In good faith, I attempted to test ride the only available bike that didn't have forward controls, a Sportster 1200 with lots of "screaming eagle" add-ons (exhaust, intake, etc). The bitch would not start so the test ride was canceled. I was patient and waited about half an hour for the salesman and a mechanic to render the vehicle operabIe. That didn't happen.
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