USA Travels on two wheels
Discussion
Hello, since there is no readers bikes section, I am going to make an ongoing post here on the various bikes and bike stuff I get up to.
Many years ago growing up in England I never had an interest in motorcycles. I course Terminator 2 with the Fat Boy was probably the bike I wanted.
I remember walking into a Triumph/Honda dealership in Bolton around 2004 and looking at the bikes. I remember seeing a yellow Triumph Daytona 955i that was stunning. I took the brochure home put it on the shelf and nothing came of it.
A few years later I moved to the USA and then the great recession hit and petrol prices went nuts.
I was looking for a way on how to save money at every opportunity. At that time there really wasn't many economical cars you could buy.
So I started looking at electric bicycles, which were awful then. That evolved into scooters which the
evolvedd into dual sports (Enduro) motorcycles.
I learned that I could get 90 U.S. MPG from a Suzuki DR200 which I ended up buying and learned to ride on.
At the time I had no idea about adventure riding. It was just a means to get to and from work. Then the pleasure of riding really got out of control.
What I found was in the states there are so many places you can ride off road, unlike the UK where everything is gated or closed off. So I spent around 2 years on that until the next bike a 2008 Buell Ulysses XB12X.
More to come.
Many years ago growing up in England I never had an interest in motorcycles. I course Terminator 2 with the Fat Boy was probably the bike I wanted.
I remember walking into a Triumph/Honda dealership in Bolton around 2004 and looking at the bikes. I remember seeing a yellow Triumph Daytona 955i that was stunning. I took the brochure home put it on the shelf and nothing came of it.
A few years later I moved to the USA and then the great recession hit and petrol prices went nuts.
I was looking for a way on how to save money at every opportunity. At that time there really wasn't many economical cars you could buy.
So I started looking at electric bicycles, which were awful then. That evolved into scooters which the
evolvedd into dual sports (Enduro) motorcycles.
I learned that I could get 90 U.S. MPG from a Suzuki DR200 which I ended up buying and learned to ride on.
At the time I had no idea about adventure riding. It was just a means to get to and from work. Then the pleasure of riding really got out of control.
What I found was in the states there are so many places you can ride off road, unlike the UK where everything is gated or closed off. So I spent around 2 years on that until the next bike a 2008 Buell Ulysses XB12X.
More to come.
The Suzuki DR200 is an excellent dualsport. It only weighs around 290lbs so its easy to pick up when dropped. Mine was very reliable and nothing on it failed. Parts are cheap and easily available. Maintenance was very easy and everything is easily accessible.
It's biggest downside is the lack of power. It was screaming at 65mph and struggled on the interstate on anything other than flat ground. For non motorway use the bike is ideal for trail riding.
I really wanted a Buell Ulysses XB12X being an American adventure bike. I just think its a fascinating motorcycle. I found one in New Mexico.
I rode the Suzuki 380 miles down I-25 in mid winter from Colorado Springs, Colorado to Albuquerque, New Mexico. Altitude is around 5500-6300ft, so the little DR200 was down on power, I was maxing out at 55mph and it was brutally cold.
The trade was made. However I regret trading that bike in now I think about. Once I get back to the mainland United States I plan on buying another dual sport due to a change in lifestyle. The Honda CRF300L Rally makes the most sense.
My Buell Ulysses XB12X was a 2008 so it had the most significant upgrades of its timeline. Jumping from a 200 to a 1200 was like night and day. The fuel in the frame was made by Brembo in Italy. Oil in the swing arm. Outer perimeter brakes. Erik Buell did a great job on the Harley Motor. My only complaint was in the higher rev range, the torque would just go flat. For day to day riding though it was perfect.
The Xb12x is belt driven and I never had a problem with it off road. Many complaints about the vibrations are unfounded on the 2008+. I rode a 2006 and that shook a lot more.
I really enjoyed my Buell ownership. It was really visceral. The only reason I sold the bike was due to Harley Davidson announcing they would no longer manufacturer Buell parts.
I purchased that Wolfman Rainier tank bag in 2013 from the factory in Longmont, Colorado, and its still being used today. I'm about to replace the map pocket on it as the clear section has aged.
That folding backrest was a great idea. I also installed the OEM Buell padded backrest cover. Nowadays all of those Buell OEM accessories are very rare and expensive.
The TKC80's were a gamechanger riding off road. Yes the 17" wheel didn't help. The wheels were manufactured by Enkei and were strengthened over the regular XB series wheels.
![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/XxX7sc5p.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/MQsghjhu" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/MQsghjhu.jpg)
The Xb12x is belt driven and I never had a problem with it off road. Many complaints about the vibrations are unfounded on the 2008+. I rode a 2006 and that shook a lot more.
I really enjoyed my Buell ownership. It was really visceral. The only reason I sold the bike was due to Harley Davidson announcing they would no longer manufacturer Buell parts.
I purchased that Wolfman Rainier tank bag in 2013 from the factory in Longmont, Colorado, and its still being used today. I'm about to replace the map pocket on it as the clear section has aged.
That folding backrest was a great idea. I also installed the OEM Buell padded backrest cover. Nowadays all of those Buell OEM accessories are very rare and expensive.
The TKC80's were a gamechanger riding off road. Yes the 17" wheel didn't help. The wheels were manufactured by Enkei and were strengthened over the regular XB series wheels.
why not buy a ktm/husq 530, increase the front sprocket a couple of teeth (or the rear) and have a bike which would easily exceed highway limits and also be great at doing real trail riding ( not just fire roads)
Plus it would only weigh about 140kg so your mpg would be great and it wouldnt break your back picking it up if you drop it, a common theme when riding actual off road.
Not a criticism - just a different perspective - the buell looks like a very leftfield choice but good on you for going there and writing about it
Plus it would only weigh about 140kg so your mpg would be great and it wouldnt break your back picking it up if you drop it, a common theme when riding actual off road.
Not a criticism - just a different perspective - the buell looks like a very leftfield choice but good on you for going there and writing about it
hman said:
why not buy a ktm/husq 530, increase the front sprocket a couple of teeth (or the rear) and have a bike which would easily exceed highway limits and also be great at doing real trail riding ( not just fire roads)
Plus it would only weigh about 140kg so your mpg would be great and it wouldnt break your back picking it up if you drop it, a common theme when riding actual off road.
Not a criticism - just a different perspective - the buell looks like a very leftfield choice but good on you for going there and writing about it
I've never been a fan of KTM/Husq. Having said that I've not ridden one. Maintenance costs/issues and initial cost have kept me away, also the front end looks on KTM are very ugly.Plus it would only weigh about 140kg so your mpg would be great and it wouldnt break your back picking it up if you drop it, a common theme when riding actual off road.
Not a criticism - just a different perspective - the buell looks like a very leftfield choice but good on you for going there and writing about it
The Husq 701 LR does interest me but the price of it is a lot for a dual sport. I also love the 401 Svartpillen but that's basically a road bike.
By 2013 had rolled around most of the Touratech accessories had been discontinued. Here it has on the Touratech kickstand expander, headlight and oil cooler protector. The 2008 had the cooling upgrades as the earlier bikes would tend to cook the riders legs.
Out of all the places i've lived, Colorado is hands down the best motorcycle riding without question. On or off road.
I know these old skool givi cases are ugly.
Out of all the places i've lived, Colorado is hands down the best motorcycle riding without question. On or off road.
I know these old skool givi cases are ugly.
Edited by Almighty on Friday 11th June 21:33
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