I have just had the new insurance quote - 06 Uly, age 50, clean ticket, fully comp (10 years ncd, ncd protection, £150 excess, legal, UK/EU breakdown, no pillion, no security, single bike) £175.

Had a moan at the broker (that big one we all know) and got another quote at £145. All the same but now a multi bike policy so even better. Its with the biggest UK bike Insurer so not a cheap policy.

Maybe its just my age but I have never had insurance this cheap before. At £241 a year for tax, MOT and insurance that seems good to me.

Nothing of the core of the bike has needed changing, I am still on Road Pilot 2CTs at 7000 miles, on 3rd belt but only paid for two, one set rear pads, four fronts (but thats just me), oil/filters at 2.5k, one set of front bearings so far, one running lamp, (maybe but changed them anyway) a battery/plugs and the odd OEM nut/bolt/washer etc. All the other costs have been add ons/upgrades like the Remus, FST, etc so down to me.

DIY changes of fluids, plugs, pads, filters are easy and even a belt is if you have a basic spanner head. As it goes it is also a lot easier and safer than doing a chain set IMO.

With 40 mpg in town and 55 ish on a run (95 RON) I fail to see, as yet, what the big running costs of this bike are. If the engine/gearbox goes bang then that will cost on anything (that will be £1200, for a used cam and one rocker, on your BMW car Sir) and that was an indy firm. A BMW dealer would have charged £3000 plus.

The only thing I would say is that mine has used more belts and front pads than I would have liked. I think the pads are because of the single disc, me being in town a lot and my ride style. If you were on the open road a lot and used engine braking more it would be no problem at all. With the belt I also think that it is a lot to do with town riding IE more stress on the belt via humps/extra braking etc. Both my belts broke the same. Clean and had no damage, wear or fraying which sounds like belt stress to me.

So for me its just the belt but I am ok with that because nothing is perfect. I do think "all-in-all" that the Uly in close to the best road going bike ever made. Off road is another matter. It can do it but with serious work the frame and belt would let it down. GS is best .

So, for me, I think the Uly is the best "fun-per-£" road bike I have ever had.

So, for me, I think the Uly is the best "fun-per-£" road bike I have ever had.[/quote]

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Drinking Rum before noon makes you a Pirate ! Not an alchoholic.

Shhhhh dont tell ...its an xb ....................we all know its junk, 630miles to wales& home in the p155ing rain, never missed a beat

whichway?

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........have you tried turning me off & then turning me on again ?

07/57 Uly 15k on clock never missed a beat use every day great bike

Hugely enjoyed every one of the 8000 miles I've done since I bought the bike 18 months ago - it's a superb all-rounder. The only unavoidable cost so far has been one replacement rear tyre! Of course I've spent a few quid on this and that for the bike (including optional oil changes), but that was by choice.

I intend to ride the thing into the ground (hopefully not literally).

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'08 X / '16 SX

13000 ONon my 06 Uly 1st reg in 02/08. Belt 11900, Free Spirit tensioner, rear wheel bearings later this week. Brill bike. Going to get over 100000 miles out of it. Better than my old KTM950Adv

I have an 08 XT with 9k on the clocks. I love it. I am 34 with 4 years NCB and just renewed the insurance with Motorcycle Direct, fully comp £174. If you get your quote through thebikeinsurer.co.uk you get free legal insurance.

My 08 XT comes a very close second to my old 1975 Ducati 450cc Desmo which I had for three years and did 36,000 miles and got more money for it than paid for it.
The best handling bike I ever had and was I young enough then to get the best out of it

One problem is that corrosion is getting between the metal and paint of the engine casings and the rear end of the sub-frame around the handle points/tail pod. Its not serious and it would be no problem to have them refurbished at a later date. They get scratched and rubbed over time anyway so its no big deal. I might do them in a couple of years time .

I also think, because of the single front disc, the brake fluid has a bit of harder time than most setups. After flushing the system and changing the fluid I have found that the front brake is a lot better now. Less travel, better feel/control and more power. In fact very nice for road work even with the Gold Fren pads. Costs £5 and 30 mins work .

Hi THE FLYING DUCHMAN my Uly had the same paint issues and my local dealer Shaws replaced under warranty if its new enough try them

Its not but thanks anyway. Like I said no big problem its just a bike thing IMO. I have seen 08 £10k BMW GSs with more on than my 06 Uly.

Not had my Uly that long but I am very happy with running costs.
I get 55/60mpg. Admittedly I dont cane it but do make good progress.The miles are certainly clocking up!
I run an Remus and Poweriser with a K@N filter. Harley plugs and Morris 20/50 wiith a Buell filter.
Insurance costs me £106 fully comp and covers 4 bikes.
The rear section is flaking underneath the seat but not a problem as its all out of sight.
Tyres are Michelin Pilots which are very good but the rear is wearing rapidly. I dont suppose they will do more that 4/5k.
The front brake is excellent but unless set to full hard settings dips far too much. The rear is weak but does its job.
All in all an excellent bike if a kittle weird to look at.

Got a uly XB12X on a 08 plate, owned it for 18 month's. The most comfy, fun and enjoyable bike i've ever had. Eat's back tyres every 3k mile's. Belt & bearings been fine upto press, although the steering has slowed up, so i guess the head bearings need replacing. First 6month's the bike ran fine, touring Scotland n Wales a few times in all weathers. The last 12month's have been a ''BLOODY NIGHTMARE'' It's spent more time stuck in the dealer's with electrical issues! Every time Dealer declares it's fixed, within 2weeks the electrical gremlim rears it's ugly head again. Had to go through Harley UK to get dealer to fit a new loom, which is being fitted at the mo, not heard or seen the bike since begining or august. Not once have i been offered a dealer bike, while mine's out of action. I've lost a full 12month's of riding, plan's for touring and camping this summer have been spoilt. Not a happy bunny!!! No other bike come's close, so i intend to keep it, that's if it ever comes back from the dealer's!

Are the fuel pump wires chaffed?

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08 Specialized Langster

Speedometer and rev counter needles bounce around the clocks when the bike is upto operating temp, so i dont have a clue of what speed im doing. Also every so often the blue full beam light on the dash comes on, even though i haven't got full beam on, but when this happens all other power is lost. The bike stops running, no power to anything. Not to good with the spanner's, rather leave it with the experts, although after 12month's of this im loosing a little faith in my Harley dealer. Next possible step is to get the bike upto maz's, then bill Harley uk for the work.