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2006 Buell XB12X Ulysses

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I was fortunate to throw a leg over the new Buell Ulysses. My time on the bike was very brief, but my opinions began forming long before I ever pushed the go button. I was looking at the factory representative while pulling in the clutch, bouncing the suspension and sensing the seat and bar location. I looked over and said "These controls are far more easy and smooth than what we last experienced." "The suspension actually moves up and down easily and fluidly." "Hey, this seat is larger and downright comfy feeling - what gives?" They smiled and said "Go ride it."

It only took a moment to be impressed with the new Buell, and to like it as well. The second or third shift was good for a long wheelie. The new XB12X has tall, wide and natural feeling bars. The seat is huge in comparison to other Buell seats, and the shifting, oh the shifting. It's a world apart from earlier machines carrying Eric's name. Leg room is big, lever pull much easier than before.

Stuffing the machine into tight corners is easy, though the seat is tall. Brakes feel similar to past Buells, meaning a strong front and an almost meaningless rear binder. Wheelies can be had up to 70 mph or so, with out much fuss. The light, short feeling front end is still there, but vastly improved from earlier samplings. This bike rocks and is a huge departure for Buell. It's also the bike most likely to bring Buell into the garages of main stream consumers. In the past, the firms machines dictated what you got. With the Ulysses, the company is serving the needs and desires of the motorcycle buying public. We can't wait to really ride this machine. Big comfort and big torque are obvious. We want to learn more! Stay tuned.
MN

BUELL GETS DIRTY WITH THE NEW ULYSSES XB12X
An Adventure Sportbike Ready Off Pavement Adventures
The pavement may end, but the ride continues. For 2006, Buell plays dirty with the Ulysses XB12X, a new adventure sportbike that takes its rider to the end of the road, even if that road is unpaved. With special Dunlop tires optimized for both street and off-pavement performance and longer-travel suspension, the XB12X is one sport motorcycle that’s not afraid of a little dirt. Under this rugged new proﬁle beats the heart of a Buell with the willing torque of the Thunderstorm 1203 V-Twin engine and a chassis tuned to tame the tightest turns. “If you ride the back roads, there always seems to be a new adventure waiting beyond the pavement,” said Erik Buell, chairman and chief technical ofﬁcer at Buell Motorcycle Company. “I think we’ve built a bike that’s very capable off the pavement, but will perform well on urban roads and rural twisties. The Ulysses XB12X is a motorcycle for any road that takes our core design principles of frame rigidity, low unsprung weight and mass centralization in an entirely new direction.” A dry weight of just 425 pounds combined with the 103-hp output of a Thunderstorm V-Twin engine gives the Buell Ulysses an outstanding power-to-weight ratio. The engine’s broad power band, with abundant grunt at low rpm, suits the demands of low-speed, off-pavement travel. A new transmission provides smooth, quick shifting and quiet operation.

To enhance control and comfort in all riding conditions, the Ulysses XB12X has a 54-inch wheelbase, which is two inches longer than other XB models. The longer wheelbase, a high, wide handlebar, and neutral footpeg location combine to provide a comfortable riding position. The wide, textured seat is designed for all-day rider and passenger comfort. Handlebar-mounted deﬂectors and a two-piece windscreen designed to limit buffeting also enhance the ride. The hollow aluminum Ulysses frame doubles as a 4.4-gallon fuel tank. Seat height is 33.1 inches. The Ulysses is supported by fully adjustable, premium Showa front and rear suspension components with 6.5 inches of front travel and 6.4 inches at the rear. Rear spring preload can be adjusted instantly by turning a dial located just below the left side of the seat. Ground clearance is 6.75 inches. A dual front fender system provides good debris protection for the rider and the bike. The 17-inch, six-spoke, cast aluminum wheels are designed for durability. Dunlop D616 tires created speciﬁcally for the Ulysses have an aggressive, open tread pattern for excellent performance on paved and unpaved roads.

The touring versatility of the Ulysses is enhanced by the Triple Tail system. The Triple Tail folds through three positions to function as a luggage rack over the rear seat position, as an upright backrest/grab rail for a passenger, or as a luggage rack over the full-coverage license plate bracket. The Ulysses has two 10 amp/12-volt accessory power outlets (one on the dash, another under the seat) and a large under-seat storage compartment. Color-matched side cases and top case will be available for the Ulysses, as well as a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) receiver. The Buell Trilogy of Technology principles – frame rigidity, mass centralization and low unsprung weight – are applied to great advantage in the Ulysses XB12X design. The lower center of gravity achieved by carrying fuel in the frame, oil in the swingarm, and locating the mufﬂer below the engine makes the Ulysses extremely ﬂickable on paved roads and inspires rider conﬁdence when riding off pavement. The Buell Ulysses XB12X will be offered with Barricade Orange or Midnight Black bodywork with Graphite Gray frame and swingarm and magnesium-tone wheels.

XB12X TECHNOLOGY AND FEATURES
New Model Designed to Excel On Paved and Unpaved Roads
The Buell Ulysses XB12X is an all-new Adventure Sportbike designed to deliver capable performance on unpaved roads while retaining legendary Buell handling and thrust on pavement. Long-travel suspension, speciﬁc tires, an upright seating position and innovative Triple Tail luggage and passenger accommodations make the Buell Ulysses one of the most versatile sport motorcycles available.

CHASSIS: The Ulysses chassis was designed speciﬁcally to work well on paved and unpaved roads. Fork rake is 22 degrees, while the wheelbase is 54 inches, a combination that provides nimble, playful handling and a roomy cockpit for the rider and passenger. As on Buell Lightning and Firebolt models, Ulysses carries fuel in its rigid aluminum frame, while the lightweight aluminum swingarm doubles as the oil reservoir. Fuel capacity is 4.4 gallons. The engine-air intake vent is integrated into the fuel cap cowling, and a left side vent feeds cooling air to the rear cylinder.

ADVENTURE SPORT SUSPENSION: The Buell Ulysses features premium Showa suspension components front and rear. A 43mm Showa inverted fork has adjustable compression damping, rebound damping and spring preload. Front suspension travel is 6.5 inches. A Showa coil-over mono-shock on the rear has a remote, under-seat reservoir and adjustable compression damping and rebound damping. Rear spring pre-load can be adjusted without tools using a control dial located below the left side of the seat. Rear suspension travel is 6.4 inches. Ground clearance is 6.75 inches.

TECHNOLOGY AND FEATURES
The Buell Ulysses has a dry weight of just 425 pounds. Its design centralizes mass and lowers the center of gravity to help the Ulysses feel nimble and responsive on paved and unpaved roads. The air/oil/fan-cooled Buell Thunderstorm 1203 V-Twin engine leads this category with 103 peak horsepower and 84 ft. lbs. of torque. The engine features Buell DDFI II fuel injection and Buell InterActive Exhaust for instant throttle response and a broad powerband.

WHEELS AND TIRES: New Dunlop D616 tires designed speciﬁcally for Ulysses feature an open, aggressive tread pattern that performs well on paved and unpaved roads. Front tire size is 120/70R-17. Rear tire size is 180/55R-17. Six-spoke, cast-aluminum wheels feature a durable rim design to handle the unique challenges of adventure-sport riding.

ERGONOMICS: The Buell Ulysses offers the rider a roomy seating position and roomy bar/pegs/seat relationship for outstanding control and all-day comfort. The wide, upright handlebars feature a crossbrace. Alloy footpegs are placed in a neutral position and are wider with an aggressive surface. The wide, comfortable seat features a two-tone, textured surface and is shaped to offer ease of rider movement for sport riding on pavement. Seat height is 33.1 inches.

NEW TRANSMISSION: A new transmission design offers improved shift quality, reduced noise and extended service intervals. This transmission replaces moving/sliding gears with thin steel “dog rings” that slide to effect gear changes, a design commonly used in automotive racing gear boxes. Shifting is quicker because the dog rings have less mass than gears. New helical-cut gears are smoother and quieter than straight-cut gears. The new transmission enables reduced clutch effort. New Formula + Oil extends the service intervals for the primary/transmission lubricant to 10,000 miles. Finally, a durable new Goodyear Hibrex 135-tooth ﬁnal drive belt with Flexten Plus technology designed speciﬁcally for Ulysses requires no scheduled service or replacement.

TWO-PIECE WINDSCREEN: Designed to minimize air turbulence in the rider cockpit area, the Ulysses features a clear windscreen mounted over an opaque ﬂyscreen. The gap between the windscreen and the ﬂyscreen directs a limited amount of air into the cockpit area, effectively reducing turbulent air for a more comfortable ride. The clear windscreen features a quick-release mounting system so it can be easily removed. Additional rider comfort is provided by handlebar-mounted deﬂectors.

BUELL ULYSSES XB12X TECHNOLOGY AND FEATURES:
The three-position Buell Triple Tail may be conﬁgured as a luggage rack or a passenger backrest. In its ﬁrst, mass-centralized position, the Triple Tail folds forward over the rear-seat position to become a luggage rack that can be used with integrated tie-down hooks. In its second, vertical position, Triple Tail becomes a ﬂexible passenger backrest with grab rails. In its third position, Triple Tail is a luggage rack extending toward the LED tail lamp and full-coverage rear fender, with the grab rails also available for a passenger.

CONVENIENCE/FUNCTION: In addition to the Triple Trail, the Buell Ulysses features a generous under-seat storage compartment and an integrated helmet lock. A 10 amp/12 volt accessory power outlet is located on the dash, with another placed under the seat. Color-matched side cases and top case will be available for the Ulysses and a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) receiver will be available in Fall 2005.

SPECIFICATIONS
2006 BUELL ULYSSES™ XB12X
Overall Length: 85 in. (2158 mm)
Overall Width: 35.1 in. (892 mm)
Seat Height: 33.1 in. (841 mm)
Ground Clearance: 6.75 in. (171 mm)
Rake:
Steering Head: 23.5°
Fork Angle: 22°
Trail: 4.8 in. (122 mm)
Wheelbase: 54.4 in. (1381 mm)
Tires: (Dunlop®):
Front: D616F – 120/70R-17
Rear: D616 – 180/55R-17
Fuel Capacity: 4.4 gal. (16.7 L)
Reserve Fuel Capacity: 0.83 gal. (3.1 L) warning light
MPG (EPA urban/highway test):2 50/65 mpg (4.7/3.6 L/100 km)
Dry Weight: 425 lbs. (193 kg)
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: 950 lbs. (431 kg)
Load Capacity: 452 lbs. (205 kg)
Engine: Air/oil/fan-cooled, 4-stroke, 45° V-Twin
Valve Train: OHV, two valves per cylinder, self-adjusting
Bore x Stroke: 3.500 in. x 3.812 in. (88.90 mm x 96.82 mm)
Displacement: 73.4 cu. in. (1203 cc)
Compression Ratio: 10.0:1
Fuel Delivery: 49 mm down draft DDFI II fuel injection
Intake: Zero-resistance airbox, ram air intake
Exhaust Tuned, tri-pass resonance chamber
Torque: (North America per SAE J607) 84 ft. lbs. @ 6000 rpm
Horsepower: (North America per SAE J607) 103 hp @ 6800 rpm
Lubrication: Dry sump
Oil Capacity: 2.5 qts. (2.4 L)
Oil Filtration: Screw-on disposable element
Primary Drive: Chain, 1.500:1 (57/38) ratio
Final Drive: Constant path, 14 mm pitch aramid- reinforced Goodyear® Hibrex® belt with Flexten® Plus technology, 2.407:1 (65/27) Clutch: Wet, multi-plate, compensated, reduced lever effort
Transmission: 5-speed, helical gear
Overall Ratio:
1st 2.648
2nd 1.892
3rd 1.407
4th 1.166
5th 1.000
CHASSIS4
Frame: Aluminum frame with Uniplanar™ powertrain vibration isolation system, fuel in frame
Front Fork: 43 mm Showa® inverted fork with adjustable compression damping, rebound damping and spring preload
Rear Shock: Showa fully adjustable (compression damping, rebound damping and spring preload), coil-over monoshock with remote reservoir and remote spring preload adjuster
Wheels: Magnesium Tone
Front: Reinforced XB-type 6-spoke, ZTL™ cast aluminum, 3.5 in. x 17 in. (88.9 mm x 431.8 mm)
Rear Reinforced XB-type 6-spoke, ZTL cast aluminum, 5.5 in. x 17 in. (139.7 mm x 431.8 mm)
Brakes:
Front: ZTL-type brake, 6-piston, fixed caliper, 375 mm single-sided, inside-out, stainless steel, floating rotor
Rear: 240 mm stainless steel, single-piston, floating caliper, fixed rotor
Suspension Travel:
Front Wheel 6.51 in. (165 mm)
Rear Wheel 6.38 in. (162 mm)
Electrical: Battery Sealed lead acid, maintenance-free, 12V, 12 amp/hour, 200 cca (per Battery Council International Rating) Charging 494W peak, 38-amp, permanent magnet, 3-phase alternator with solid-state regulator
Starting: 1.2 kW electric with solenoid shift starter motor engagement Lights (as per country regulation):
Headlamp: (twin quartz halogen [H7]) 55-watt low beam, 55-watt high beam
Tail / Stop Lights: LED 5W/ 21W
Turn Signal Lights: 10W manual canceling
Instruments: Electronic speedometer, tachometer, odometer; dual Resettable tripmeter; high beam, neutral, oil, low fuel (plus, odometer shows miles traveled on reserve), turn signal, engine diagnostic indicator lamps; clock
Colors: Barricade Orange, Midnight Black
Warranty: 24 months (unlimited mileage)

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