Buell Ulysses XB12X Specs, News, and Review

2010 Buell Ulysses XB12X

Originally released two-years ago; the all-road sport touring Buell Ulysses XB12X has been refined and tweaked with each new model year. For 2010, the Buell Ulysses XB12X has again acquired a few minor enhancements, so I decided to revisit this motorcycle once more. Before we get started, I have to say this versatile Ulysses XB12X motorcycle and I have formed a love/hate relationship.

For the love of it, the 2010 Buell Ulysses XB12X is a pleasure to ride. The corning is exceptionally intuitive, particularly in the canyons. The belted drive train is unbelievably smooth and whisper-jet quite. The riding position is comfortable and ready. The 2010 Buell Ulysses XB12X, with extended travel, is dexterous on many road types. The wind protection is adequate for any distant ride. The ZTL six-piston front braking system is unique and works well. And the MRSP is a reasonable $11,449.

For the hate of it, the Ulysses XB12X Thunderstorm 1203cc 45-degree V-twin is not my first engine configuration choice for a sport bike. Higher revving and harder hitting than any Harley-Davidson I have ever ridden, Buell has done lots to make this its own engine. The air-cooled V-Twin Ulysses thrives on the freeway and around the city, but it is of limited excitement to me in the canyons. Yes, the power band is broad and usable, but it's still more of a cruiser motor to me.

Also, the engine adds weight to a motorcycle that Buell has worked so hard to make handle so well. Buell's focus on chassis rigidity, centralized mass and low unsprung comes to life in the responsiveness of 2010 Buell Ulysses XB12X. With the rigid frame doubling as the fuel tank and the aluminum swingarm also serving as the oil reservoir, Buell has some amazingly cool features. Unfortunately, Buell exclusivity sometimes gets mistaken as oddity.

The 2010 Buell Ulysses XB12X also comes with an ingenious underslung exhaust; something that Buell pioneered and many other motorcycle manufactures have since followed. The weight and heat of the exhaust is lowered and far away from the rider. While the heat from the air-cooled motor behind the frame spurs did welcomingly warm the insides of my legs on a cold night, it was a bit too hot on a hot summer day.

Additionally, 2010 Buell Ulysses XB12X wow-factors include the resourceful Triple Tail System. It easily converts to a handy luggage rack or backrest. As a backrest, my passenger felt more comfortable and secure. I was also digging the heated grips, hand guards, steel braid brake lines and new taller smoke-tinted windscreen. The new 2010 right-side air scoop, fan shroud, header shield along with some engine calibration are said to work together to reduce heat and improve performance.

So, why don't you see more Buell Ulysses XB12Xs on the road? To me, it is a marketing problem. How do you sell a motorcycle with a Harley-Davidson cruiser-based air-cooled engine to bunch of pound-for-pound sport bike junkies? Why go head-to-head with the Japanese, where uniqueness is seemingly an oddity?

Instead, why not play-up the uniqueness and exclusivity of the Buell? Out of the box, the 2010 Buell Ulysses XB12X has similar power, and truly handles better, than the more expensive air-cooled Ducati Multistrada. Or maybe, just maybe, Buell will one day insert its liquid-cooled 1125cc Helicon 72-degree V-twin engine in the Ulysses and I'll come running with my checkbook.

2010 Buell Ulysses XB12X

2010 Buell Ulysses XB12X - Specifications
USA MSRP: Sunfire Yellow $11,499, Midnight Black $11,499
Canada MSRP: See Local Canadian Dealer For Pricing

Dimensions1

• Overall Length 85.8 in. (2,179 mm)
• Seat Height, Laden 31.8 in. (808 mm)
• Seat Height, Unladen 33.8 in. (859 mm)
• Overall Width without mirrors 35.1 in. (892 mm)
• Ground Clearance, Unladen 6.75 in. (171 mm)
• Rake (Steering Head Angle) at Ride Height (degrees) 23.5
• Fork Angle at Ride Height (degrees) 22
• Trail at Ride Height 4.8 in. (122 mm)
• Wheelbase, Unladen 54.1 in. (1,374 mm)
• Fuel Capacity, Total 4.4 gal. (16.7 l)
• Fuel Capacity 0.83 gal. (3.1 l)
• Oil Capacity 2.5 qt. (2.4 l)
• Dry Weight 425 lb. (193 kg)
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating 950 lb. (431 kg)
• Load Carrying Capacity 455 lb. (206 kg)
  

Powertrain1

• Engine Thunderstorm 1203 air/oil/fan-cooled, 4-stroke, 45 degree V-twin
• Displacement 73.4 cu in (1,203 cc)
• Bore 3.5 in. (88.9 mm)
• Stroke 3.812 in. (96.82 mm)
• Peak Torque per SAE J607, North America 84 ft-lb (114 Nm)
• Peak Torque RPM per SAE J607, North America 6,000
• Peak Horsepower per SAE J607, North America 103 hp (77 kW)
• Peak Horsepower RPM per SAE J607, North America 6,800
• Compression Ratio 10.0:1
• Mileage per US EPA Urban Trace, CITY 
• Mileage per US EPA HIGHWAY Fuel Economy Test 
• Intake Zero-resistance airbox
  

DriveTrain1

• Primary Drive Type Chain
• Primary Drive Ratio 1.500 (57/38)
• Secondary Drive Type7
• Constant path, 14mm pitch aramid reinforced Hibrex(R) belt with Flexten(R) Plus technology.
• Secondary Drive Member Pitch Length (# of Teeth or # of Links) 135 Teeth
• Secondary Drive Ratio 2.407 (65/27)
• Transmission type 5-speed, Helical gear design
• Transmission Ratio, 1st 2.648
• Transmission Ratio, 2nd 1.892
• Transmission Ratio, 3rd 1.407
• Transmission Ratio, 4th 1.166
• Transmission Ratio, 5th 1
• Transmission Ratio, 6th
  

Chassis1

• Front Brake ZTL (tm) Braking System
• Front Rotor and Caliper Configuration 6-piston, fixed caliper. Single-sided, inside-out, floating rotor.
• Front Rotor Size, OD 14.77 in. (375 mm)
• Number of Front Brake Rotors 1
• Rear Rotor and Caliper Configuration Single-piston, floating caliper. Fixed rotor.
• Rear Brake 
• Rear Rotor Size, OD 9.45 in. (240 mm)
• Rear Suspension Type and Configuration Fully adjustable (adjustable compression damping, rebound damping and spring preload), coil-over monoshock with remote reservoir and remote spring preload adjustment.
• Front Suspension Type and Configuration Fully adjustable (adjustable compression damping, rebound damping and spring preload) inverted forks with rearward offset axle.
• Front Fork Slider Tube Diameter 1.85 in. (47 mm)
• Fork Lock Availability (true or false) True
• Suspension Travel, Front Wheel, Along Fork Line 6.51 in. (165 mm)
• Suspension Travel, Rear Wheel, Vertical 6.38 in. (162 mm)
• Lean Angle at Full Suspension Compression, Soft Contact, Left (degrees)8
• 39°
• Lean Angle at Full Suspension Compression, Soft Contact, Right (degrees)8
• 39°
• Lean Angle at Full Suspension Compression, Hard Contact, Left (degrees)8
• 40°
• Lean Angle at Full Suspension Compression, Hard Contact, Right (degrees)8
• 43°
• Frame Aluminum frame with Uniplanar Powertrain vibration isolation system - Fuel in Frame
• Swingarm Description Extended XB cast aluminum swingarm. Oil in swingarm.
  

Wheels and Tires1

• Tire Brand and Model, Front Pirelli Scorpion Sync
• Tire Brand and Model, Rear Pirelli Scorpion Sync
• Tire Size Designator, Front 120/70 ZR-17
• Tire Size Designator, Rear 180/55 ZR-17
• Wheel Type, Front Reinforced outer edge, same 6-spoke, ZTL, cast aluminum.
• Wheel Type, Rear Reinforced outer edge, same 6 spoke cast aluminum
• Wheel Size, Front (width x dia) (in) 3.5x17
• Wheel Size, Rear (width x dia) (in) 5.5x17
  

Electrical1

• Battery Type and Specifications Sealed Lead Acid, maintenance-free, 12-volt, 12 amp-hour (per Battery Council International rating), 200 cca.
• Charging System Specifications 30-amp max permanent magnet single-phase alternator with solid-state regulator (405 watts@3,000 rpm, 405 watts peak)
• Starter System Specifications 1.2 kW electric with solenoid shift starter motor engagement
• Headlamp Type and Wattages (high, low and position lamp) Twin quartz Halogen (H7) 55-watt low beam, 55-watt high beam. 5-watt position lamp.
• Tail Light Wattages (stop and running) Ten segment LED tail light. Running light = 0.36 Watts. Stop light = 3.36 Watts
• Turn Signal Lights Type (manual or self-canceling) and Wattage Manual canceling, 10w.
• License Plate Lamp Wattage 5w
  

Miscellaneous1

• Windscreen or Flyscreen Both. A surlyn colored flyscreen and a clear windscreen are standard on this vehicle
  

Warranty Term9

• 24 months / unlimited mileage

Colors/Finishes/Graphics1

• Body Work (molded in color) Sunfire Yellow, Midnight Black
• Frame Phantom Black Metallic
• Wheels Magnesium Tone

U.S. MSRP

• Sunfire Yellow $11,499
• Midnight Black $11,499
  

Footnotes

1. 1. Specifications for non-US markets might differ. Buell reserves the right to discontinue models or change specifications at any time without incurring any obligations. Vehicle specifications may vary from country to country depending on local laws. Some models are not available in certain countries.
2. Unladen, wet configuration (no rider, all fluids). 
3. Laden, wet configuration (180lb. design rider, all fluids). 
4. Without mirrors. 
5. Oil capacity at oil change, with filter. 
6. Based on tests conducted under lab conditions per U.S. EPA test procedures. Mileage will vary depending on personal riding habits, weather conditions, trip length and vehicle condition. 
7. Hibrex® and Flexten® are registered trademarks of Goodyear® Technologies, Inc. 
8. Bottomed-out configuration (100% suspension compression). 
9. Please refer to motorcycle owner's manual for warranty details.