BUELL GETS DIRTY WITH THE NEW ULYSSES XB12X
27 July 2005 - Harley-Davidson Inc.

Unique Adventure Sportbike built for the road and beyond

The road may end but the ride continues. For 2006, Buell plays dirty with the Ulysses XB12X, an exciting new Adventure Sportbike that takes its rider to the end of the road and beyond!

With special Dunlop tyres optimised for both street and off-road 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 cc V-Twin engine and a chassis tuned to tame the tightest turns.

“If you ride the back roads, there always seems to be a different adventure waiting for you beyond the black stuff,” said Erik Buell, chairman and chief technical officer at Buell Motorcycle Company. “We’ve built a bike that’s very capable off road, but will also perform well on the city streets 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 centralisation in an entirely new direction.”

A dry weight of just 193 kg combined with the 100-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-road 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 1370 mm wheelbase, which is 50 mm 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 aluminium Ulysses frame doubles as a 16.7 litre fuel tank. Seat height is 841 mm.

The Ulysses is supported by fully adjustable, premium Showa front and rear suspension components with 165 mm of front travel and 162 mm at the rear. Rear spring preload can be adjusted instantly by turning a dial located below the left side of the seat. Ground clearance is 171 mm. A dual front fender system provides good debris protection for the rider and the bike. The 17-inch, six-spoke, cast-aluminium wheels are light weight and designed for durability. Dunlop D616 tyres created specifically for the Ulysses have an aggressive, open tread pattern for excellent performance on and off-road.

The touring versatility of the Ulysses is enhanced by the Triple Tail system. The Triple Tail system 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. Colour-matched side cases and top case will be available for the Ulysses, as will an optional GPS receiver*.

The Buell Trilogy of Technology principles – frame rigidity, mass centralisation and low unsprung weight – are applied to great advantage in the Ulysses XB12X design. The lower centre 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 the tarmac ends.

The Buell Ulysses XB12X will be offered with Barricade Orange or Midnight Black bodywork with Graphite Grey frame and swingarm and magnesium-tone wheels.

* Contact local dealer for availability

www.harley-davidson.com

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