chadhargis
Member
I have a G310GS that has "blown" two engines: one a misplaced valve keeper at 30,000 miles other a destroyed counter shaft bearing at 34,000 miles. I still like/love that bike. Pick your poison and have fun.
I had a bike like that. A Buell Ulysses. It was one of my favorite bikes I ever owned, but also the only bike that ever left me stranded on the side of the road...twice. And also ruined a track day. All the failures were due to the electrical system. Either the voltage regulator or stator.
It shook like a wet dog at idle...so much so that I'd have to stand up at stop lights to keep from getting a headache. But once underway...it was smooth as silk. Sounded great. Handled like a sport bike. Was a wheelie monster with that high torque motor and short wheelbase. The quirky brake was cool too and the preferred brake pads caused a "zzzzzzzzzzzzz" sound when you applied the brakes. There was no technology....no traction control. No ABS. The steep steering angle made it "flick" into corners. It was a stone axe in terms of engine design. Super easy to maintain. No valve adjustments. Just change the oil and primary fluid. The belt drive was a blessing and a curse. No lubrication, but I saw many that got damaged by debris getting stuck in the sprockets....but certainly easier to replace over lubing splines. The rear cylinder ran so hot it had a fan to cool it and when you shut off the bike the fan would be screaming to keep the rear cylinder from cooking itself. The frame was the fuel tank and the swingarm was the oil tank. It was such a great bike. It had a built in back rest that could be folded down to act as a luggage rack. Had the company not been shuttered by HD I might still be riding them.
Was it a perfect bike...uh...no. Not even close. But it was a bike that was so lovable. When you started it and let it idle in the driveway...it idled so rough...it would turn circles as you put on your gloves.....as if it was saying, "Let's go ride!!".
It handled so well, I took it to the track a few times. I was the only sport touring bike on the track most of the time, but seldom had any issues keeping up with the sport bike guys. Here I am, luggage racks installed and all, dragging a knee on the track on my Ulysses. It was a fantastic bike that radiated character. You had to learn to ride the bike like it wanted to be ridden versus how you wanted to ride it.