Making sure the bike can take full advantage of all the power the Thunderstorm has to offer, Buellengineers developed a new transmission design with low-mass dog rings for quicker, easier shifting. Couple that with helical-cut gears, and you end up with a lighter clutch feel and smoother, quieter gears.Filling both the trans and primary drive is Harley's new Formula+ oil. This new product is said to extend service intervals to 10,000 miles. The final link in the driveline is Goodyear Hibrex drive belt.
Other areas of the bike are decked out with new features, including a small and easily removable windshield that's designed to take the wind pressure off the rider's chest while still leaving the head and shoulders in the air. Taking storage and passenger needs to new heights, Buell engineers developed what they call a Triple Tail. The adjustable unit is designed to give the rider two options when carrying cargo. In the first position it is folded forward, occupying the space designed for a passenger. Once loaded, the weight of the stowed gear adds to the mass-centralization principle. Although the load is set high on the bike, it is much closer to the bike's center than it is when it's in the second position over the rear fender carrying gear. The third position is upright and acts as a passenger backrest.
Helping keep rocks, dirt, wind, and debris off both the bike and the rider, Buell utilizes a twin-fender setup in the front as well as the back. In addition, the back's design helps throw debris back toward the road, making the ride better for anyone who might be following you. Up front as part of the lower fender are plastic guards that wrap around and protect the fork tubes. Up above on the wide handlebars is a pair of deflectors designed to keep both wind and debris off the rider's hands. The deflectors are designed in such a way as to break away via a pivot mechanism in case of hard contact with the rider's hands or other objects. An additional feature is a dual-wire rock guard designed to protect the pair of 55-watt hi- and low-beam headlights.
The Ulysses comes complete with two 12-volt cigarette-light adapters to power goodies such as GPS units, satellite phones, and other auxiliary items. One is located on the XB12X's dash, and the second is in the under-seat storage area. The Ulysses has an analog speedometer and tachometer, along with dash-mounted indicator lights for hi-beam, Neutral, oil, turn signal, low fuel, clock, miles traveled on reserve (although there is really no reserve), and a clock. In addition to the standard odometer, the Ulysses utilizes a pair of resettable trip meters.
Available in two color choices, Barricade Orange (seen here) and Midnight Black, the Ulysses can be set up with accessory saddlebags and a top case (MSRP: $999.95 for all three cases and the mounting system). One other accessory we strongly recommend is a seat cut 1-1/2 inches shorter than stock, making the reach to the ground that much easier.