I'm looking for honest opinions on the ulysses from owners past and present, seriously considering buying one and would like to know what to look out for, what might give trouble and what will give trouble, servicing costs ect.

Thanks in advance

Well I've had mine for 3 years now and I love it! Not great for pottering around town at low revs but out in the countryside they're awesome fun! There are loads of experts on here who will give you all the help and advice you will ever need, mechanically speaking (not my area of expertise!), but I say go for it and join the gang!

Had mine two years and cannot fault it.

Get yourself an 06 or 07. See other recent posts on Ulys for what wears out and what to stick on.

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08 Specialized Langster

I had an 08 and had to do quite a bit to get it right, but I did and it was excellent. As Pash suggests, if I was buying another I would only buy a pre-08 but I'd change the OEM tyres. Be careful as some 08 models are 57 reg if you decide to go that way.

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Buell X1 PBS

I have an 08 XT(ex BB boss' bike) and it is a super bike (badly put together at birth) but with all the negatives said about them im constantly worried about it breaking down. So I cant really settle down to enjoy it which is a great shame and it will have to go later in the year. The only let down has been a punchure in two and half years of riding. When you buy a Buell you takes your chances....

I have had my 59 plate XT on the road for just over 2 years and have covered about 11k on it, it not that good at low speeds round town but great on the open road. I get between 47 and 53 mpg.
The only problem I have had is it blowing a few fuel pump fuses recently, so that will be coming off soon as it is a known issue.

Had my 07 model almost 5 years from new. 15 k+ Great bike for covering miles with NO reliability worries. Most of my riding is high mileage trips through France , Spain etc loaded up in warm to hot temps.
Clutch can be a worry - mine fried for some reason at around 10K so I now always get it looked at when servicing or regular interval -piece of mind. Best to get a right side air duct def helps if the engine is under 8 - 10 k Fan runs a lot less when engine has bedded in. Tyres, I have used Conti road attacks since the OE's A road based tyre with great grip and about 5k on the rear and 7 - 8k on the front before replacement.
everyone will tell you the can is crap - which it is, so get the BBQ paint out or invest in a SS version - loads of suggestions on here.
Altogether a very comfortable bike which is great for touring AND scratching. Not great doing the round town stuff -clutch a bit heavy, fueling not to smooth. I have looked and tried a few bikes since the demise of Buell as a company, still cannot find one that ticks as many boxes and looks great too. Enjoy

Thank you

Has anyone ever ulyssesised a xb12 lightning by changing the front mudguard and adding luggage? I know there is a difference in ground clearance and height, wonder if there is a big difference?

Bought one less than a week ago. They don't weather very well, fasteners etc, so decided to strip and clean a few things.
If you do your own work as I am doing, they are a complete nightmare to work on.
But I like the styling, low centre of gravity, makes them handle better than a lot of bikes i've had, and I've had a few over the years.
Do a few mods and I think you'll like it.

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Life's to short not to be extreme

had mine about 6 months first bike that fits my 6ft 6 size only do a few miles 300 ish but comfortable nice balance and nimble for the size just getting used to the different riding style sort of ride it like you would drive a diesel car using mid range torque . regards working on them no real difference to other bikes apart from spanner size and threads, imperial not metric so dig out your old AF spanners ect some of the tor-x screws are a pain but in general ok, get a manual hardcopy or download read it several times and take your time if not mechanical minded, lots on here to give advice but i would go see the resident expert on Buell's with decades of experance .

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Buell Ulysses XB12X 06/08

I've had an '06 X since the end of 2005 and that has just over 105,000km now and is my hands-down favourite bike.
I have had most of the nuisance issues with the early Ulysses and would have no hesitation about getting a low k's '06. A day or so in the garage and a few bits and bobs will head off a lot of gremlins that are now fairly well understood.
Servicing costs are reasonable if you are in the position to do your own oil changes, oil isn't too bad for price if you use the standard HD oil.
I also have an '09 XT and I personally prefer the earlier set-up. However, different strokes as they say so I would strongly recommend you test ride some examples.
I have a detailed logbook of the service life of the '06 that would give you a good idea of all the things that have been required - let me know if you want a copy.

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2009 XB12XT
2006 XB12X
2000 ZX12
1942WM20

Rays you have PM

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Buell Ulysses XB12X 06/08

i did the reverse - i got an XB12X and lowered it to the height of a lightening ( with a different shock ) - i wanted the big seat, upright position, extra fuel and luggage ability, but i am only 5'-8" and the mrs is 5'-2" - i never felt quite safe at full height and certainly not 2 up. ( its ok on a big SM single which weighs 100+ lbs less, but the uly has a lot of weight to deal with when you keep rediscovering you cant reach the ground when you want to )

love it to bits: so far the only real problem with it is an occasionally non-functional left indicator: i have a replacement switchgear but it doesnt happen often enuf to make me want to change it. it did snap its belt while i was test riding it though.

in fact liked it enough to buy an S3T as an alternative ride - the handling on the S3 is massively more rapid and precise, feels more like riding a 125 in comparison. the uly is much easier to use round town as you have no weight on your hands, but it does cook your right thigh if you spend much time in traffic, i dont find the clutch to be an issue.

I have had my 07 Uly since last year and love it , done the mods mentioned on this site , Maz grease nipple , air scoop , belt tensioner , exhaust mod , breather mod , Tuono mirrors , wired the lights to come on together on full beam , heated grips - think that's about it so far .
I found it ok to work on , just the spanner sizes as mentioned .
No reliability issues so far , only got 4000 miles up though .
Wheel and head bearings wear , don't change gear without using the clutch , use super unleaded , no need to rev the nuts off them , ride the torque , back brake is a little bit shite .

You will have a blast .

Just add fuel and go .