The result is quieter riding but more heat pouring out from the edge of the seat. Apparently with the newer models Buell reprogrammed the fan so it’s off when the bike is being ridden. I’ve always been okay with it since I know the fan helps to reduce oil temperature, but it has a loud whine when running and many owners don’t like the noise. The Ulysses has a fan under the seat that pulls heat away from the rear cylinder and that fan has been a notoriously touchy subject since its introduction. The second impression is not so pleasant: it’s a mild spring day but heat from the right side is already roasting my thigh. The flat seat lets me move around when I need to, the bars are where my hands naturally want to be and the mirrors miss most of my elbows so I can actually see who’s behind me. Those of you who ride big cruisers already know the advantages of a low seat height, but the Uly adds an upright seating position that is one of the most comfortable I’ve experienced. My first impression is one of surprise: the lower seat height allows me to put my feet nearly flat, giving me a more secure feeling at low speeds. Getting a late start, I have to take interstates for most of the ride.
Kevin Smith and the XB12XT stop to enjoy the view. It turns out that those smart folks at Harley and Buell actually know what they’re doing. Compared to the original, this one drops the chassis and seat over an inch, puts the front fender down close to the tire and makes three hard cases standard-small changes that add up to a bike much better for the pavement. This XB12XT has a confusingly similar name (adding a final “T” for Touring) but is quite a different bike. Its off-road capability is unique within the Motor Company (and, in my opinion, its best feature) so why would the factory produce the same bike without that capability? Well, put the pointy hat on my head and sit me in the corner because I was wrong. My daily ride is the original-model XB12X introduced in 2006. I’ve often wondered why Buell bothers with two versions of the Ulysses. When was the last time you could get two bikes for the price of one? You won’t find that offer at your local dealer but you could find its equivalent in this new bike from the Buell subsidiary of Harley-Davidson: combine a riding position that offers excellent long-distance comfort with a sporty chassis and you have the 2009 Ulysses XB12XT.
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