Highlights
- August 2005 production – one of the very first Ulysses built
- Very original, low-mileage, four-owner bike
- Lots of history from new
- MoT with no advisories until July 2023
The Appeal
There can be few bikes more aptly named than the Buell Ulysses. Homer’s Ulysses was very much the adventurer’s adventurer, forced to travel across stormy seas and through strange lands in an epic 10-year journey in which he was permanently menaced by such foes as a cyclops, giant cannibals, the wicked enchantress Circe and the six-headed Scylla.
What we’re trying to say is that the Buell Ulysses is exactly the right bike for those with the same sort of adventurous and indomitable spirit. When the XB-series launched in 2003, Buell was wholly-owned by Harley-Davidson and the XB’s powertrain was mainly derived from the familiar Harley-Davidson Sportster. In July 2005, the Ulysses XB12X model was launched, which Buell described as “the world’s first adventure sportbike”. Designed with seating, ergonomics and long-travel suspension, it was not only a capable off-road bike but one you could really go away with for days at a time, thanks to capacious under-seat storage, two 12-volt power outlets and an optional full pannier set.
The Ulysses was a rather surprising American addition to the dual-sport market, typically dominated by European and Japanese manufacturers, but it was a very worthy one. If you like the idea of a ruggedly-built adventure bike combined with a beefy Harley-Davidson powertrain, the Buell is the ideal alternative to the more familiar names. Coming from only the second month of production, this well cared-for example comes with history from new, and you’ll probably not find another quite like it.
The History and Paperwork
- Purchased new from Robin Hood Harley-Davidson of Beeston, Nottinghamshire, by Mr. Colin Dane of Chaddesden, Derbyshire
- Purchased by the fourth and present owner in 2015
- Paperwork includes the current V5, the XB12X Ulysses International Owner’s Manual, the original sales paperwork from Robin Hood Harley-Davidson, some invoices and a collection of MoT certificates issued between 2009 and 2022
The Condition
- Paint and fittings believed to be all-original
- Specified with the Triple Tail pannier box set and pillion backrest
- Very well-presented all-round
A bike which is intended for off-road use could, at 17 years old, be forgiven for looking a little bit on the scruffy side, but this Buell really doesn’t look scruffy at all. It has only covered a little over 15,000 miles, so that probably explains it – it has only been used sparingly and its encounters with rough ground will have been fairly limited.
Consequently, what you see is a very attractively-presented bike which we believe to be all original right down to its paint. As must reasonably be allowed for, there are some light cosmetic blemishes in places, with a few scratches or other marks present on the paint, seats, windscreen, pannier boxes, and such accessories as the indicator housings and handlebar shields, but nothing is badly affected and the general effect is one of light patination befitting an off-road motorcycle.
Minor superficial blemishes aside, everything appears in excellent condition, and this Ulysses would look most respectable whether parked outside your house or camping in the wilderness. We might point out that there is some more advanced cosmetic deterioration on the rear wheel, where some of the paint has flaked away but, again, this is strictly cosmetic and is not the sort of thing which upsets the appearance of a tough adventure bike.
The Mechanics
- Powered by the familiar 1200cc Harley-Davidson V-twin
- Starts and runs well, and sounds excellent
- Recently returned to the road having been unused since 2018
- MoT with no advisories valid until 4th July 2023
The other assumption one might easily make about used adventure bikes is that they might be mechanically tired but, once again, the Buell defies expectations. As we’ve established, it has only ever been lightly used, covering 15,141 miles from new, and its mechanical condition reflects that.
You don’t just have to rely on our say-so; the MoT tester examined it in July and found nothing at all to fault, so we’re confident that it’s safe and ready for the road. Better yet is that we have seen it start and run and are most impressed. It starts on the button and, somewhat surprisingly considering its un-American styling, idles with the characteristic low burble of a Harley V-twin, which we all love to hear.
We have seen that it rides, steers and stops well, and are sure that it will enthusiastically take to whatever terrain you put in its path.
The Summary
The Buell Ulysses really is a treat for enthusiasts, combining all the capabilities of European and Japanese dual-sport bikes with the soulful Harley-Davidson engine much-loved around the globe. Even so, as an American take on the dual-sport formula, it has always been a bit of an outsider and is consequently very rare in this country. This example is especially significant, having been built in only the second month of production.
Well-preserved in highly original condition with just some light patina, it’s in brilliant mechanical health and looks to us like it’s itching to go on another adventure, whether it’s a full-blown Homeric odyssey or just a weekend in the Peak District.
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