Quick Weekend Ulysses Ride

DakotaDon · 05-04-2006, 10:33 PM

Headed out of my place Saturday, for no particular reason. Just to take a ride.

Got on the Interstate and headed South West for a little bit, and then got off at Fallon. There are some nice badlands around Fallon, and I had been meaning to see if there were any roads headed out along the Yellowstone and through them, but had never gotten around to riding out here with the KLR, and the Concours just isnt any fun for this kind of stuff. I couldnt get too far back into the hills, but I did find one little two track headed in there. The Ulysses did just fine.

That was as far back as I could get without opening peoples gates, and I dont like doing that, so I headed back to the pavement.

I headed South West on the old highway, roughly paralleling the Interstate, but a little bit curvier. Next stop was Terry, to see if I could find the ORV area I had heard about there. I found some trucks parked and people riding, but they were behind a closed gate. Again, I dont like messing with gates, so I checked out some trails on the other side of the road, down along the river. Nothing too special there, but I had a good time exploring. Trying to make my way back up to the road I ran into a pretty good washout.

Pretty good, but not as good as the one from last weekend...

The whole report from that can be found here

I wasnt going to try jumping that on the Ulysses, so I just found a way around.

I jumped back onto the two lane and headed for Miles City. I stopped for lunch and filled my tank there, and then headed East on Hwy 12.

Not too far out of town, I found a sign for Strawbery Hill Recreation Area, and stopped to check it out. I was expecting a reservior and camping area, but to my surprise it was an ORV area!

This bike is supposedly made for ALL roads, the trail out into the Rec area is pretty much a road. Lets go check it out!!!

Looks like it will be a nice spot to come check out with the DR or Rokon. I made it back into the hills quite a ways, but didnt push my luck too much.

I headed down hill from that last picture, but turned around shortly after. The trail got pretty steep and washed out, so I wimped out, turned around and headed back to the pavement.

Back on 12, I headed a little bit further East and found a gravel road to go check out. It headed out through a little housing development and into the trees a little bit. I found a nice little reservior up there.

The road continued on around the pond, so I had to go see where it went.

It dead ended up on a hilltop a couple of miles in, but the view was nice.

I headed back out to the main gravel road from there, and continued following it until it stopped at a ranch. Time to turn around and head back to the pavement.

Back on 12 again, I continued East. Went for a ways, until I saw I guy and his family in a mini van, changing a flat tire, so I stopped to lend a hand. It was about time for a break anyway.

I got them pretty much back together, with only the putting of stuff away to be done and headed on my way.

I turned North off of 12 some time after that, onto the gravel, and headed for Ismay. Ismay is kind of a ghost town. Not much left but the grain elevator and a couple of houses that are still occupied. Ismay is also known as Joe Montana. I have no idea what the deal with that is.

From Ismay the road follows the railroad tracks up to Mildred, which is even more deserted than Ismay. There is still a flag flying at one of only a couple of occupied buildings, but otherwise that place is dead.

From Mildred I continued following the tracks North, until I reached a T intersection. I knew where the road to the left went, so I went right. That should be a shortcut back to Glendive anyway. That gravel road soon degraded to a sandy two track across the prairie.

Nothing too technical, just fun, and out in the middle of nowhere.

That two track eventualy took my back to some well graded gravel, but in the direction I was headed things degraded again. Gotta love those minimum maintenance roads!!!

Not too far over that hill I found a large black bull standing in the middle of the road. He started eying my black bike like it was a sexy cow

I got a couple of shots as he eventualy moved off the road, but I never shut the bike off or took it out of gear. I was ready for some evasive maneuvers if necessary.

That road took me back up into the Pine Unit Oilfield, and pretty close to home territory.

On my way back into town I was headed back past where I was at last weekend, so I headed out to see what the Magpie Creek crossing looked like this weekend.

Back down to normal from last weekends SCARY crossing...

Next stop from there was back out to Sand Creek Road, to see if the County had gotten around to doing any work on the washouts.

As I headed out I was enjoying the scenery and forgot about the smaller washouts. DOH!!!!!

I noticed the washout at the last second, and got hard on the brakes. On the KLR or DR I probably would have gassed it and done what I could to loft the front tire over, but with the Ulysses I figured that the rear tire would probably slip and just shoot me into the far side like a lawn dart.

Oh well, nothing broke. Just some scuff marks and dirt.

The Ulysses handles tip overs pretty well. It did make me nervous though. It took quite a while for the oil light to go out after I got things right side up again. I started it, let it run for a couple of seconds, shut it off, checked for broken wires and oil lines, oil level and all that probably 3 times before the light finaly went out.

Once back under way I found that the wash out hadnt been messed with yet.

Oh well.

From there it was a short jaunt back into town and then home.

That was it for the Ulysses for the weekend, but Milo and I did get do do some more riding on Sunday.

Fun weekend!

Wrathchild · 05-04-2006, 11:07 PM

nice report,

how are those tires in general on the loose surface? would like to hear about the tip over (technical $h!t, how it happend and such) nice to see the bike held up fine after it. is the frame puck ok or does it compress during the hit and needs to be replaced? hate ho hijack the thread, prvt msg would do, thanx for sharing the ride.

DakotaDon · 05-04-2006, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sledpilot

nice report,

how are those tires in general on the loose surface? would like to hear about the tip over (technical $h!t, how it happend and such) nice to see the bike held up fine after it. is the frame puck ok or does it compress during the hit and needs to be replaced? hate ho hijack the thread, prvt msg would do, thanx for sharing the ride.

The tires do fine for most gravel. The only place I have had problems is where the gravel turns into fist size or slightly smaller rocks. I dont think a different tire would help much there. The 17 inch tire/wheel just jumps around rather than over that kind of stuff like a 21 inch tire would. I have about 3000 miles on the bike now, and the stock rear is over half gone.

Technical shit about the crash....

Hmmm

I think I was in second gear, crusing along about 30 or so. Saw the wash out at the last second, got hard on the brakes and plowed into the far side. I dont remember too much else. Not sure how I got on the ground, if I just couldnt reach because my feet were in the bottom of the washout or the front came out from under or what. The bags kept the bike off of my right leg so I could crawl out from under with no problems. The right wind deflector/hanguard pulled out of the end of the bar, but that pushed right back in. There was no damage to the bike, other than some slight scuffing on the handguard, frame puck, maybe a small spot on the right side of the chin fairing and right side bag. The bike stayed running, I had to reach down and shut it off.

I think the frame puck has some sort of styrofoam inside. It is supposed to compress and break when it hits the ground, to absorb the energy from the fall, but mine didnt. I guess I just didnt fall all that hard.

Metal Doc · 05-05-2006, 06:36 AM

Thanks for the report

glad nothing broke (on you or the bike) with that fall.

dustjunkie · 05-05-2006, 09:53 AM

So, I ordered a Ulysses last fall and the day I was to go and pick it up, I picked this up instead...

So, I am curions, would you take your Ulysses here?

Just trying to re-evaluate my decision...

Jake

RobZim · 05-05-2006, 02:51 PM

I just rode my GS Adven two up to Baltopilas with tourances. I stopped on a few assents to talk with other riders and found myself sliding back down the hill. A little throttle got me out of trouble. All in all, the ride was a yawner with great scenery.

By the way, I'm sure the Buell is a great bike and Dakota-- I enjoyed your photographs.

EphTwoEight · 05-05-2006, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dustjunkie

So, I ordered a Ulysses last fall and the day I was to go and pick it up, I picked this up instead...

So, I am curions, would you take your Ulysses here?

Just trying to re-evaluate my decision...

Jake

Would you race the beemer like this!?

What it is, is a dang fun bike!

dustjunkie · 05-05-2006, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EphTwoEight

Would you race the beemer like this!?

What it is, is a dang fun bike!

I wouldn't race any bike like that, wheelies are for showing off and trials riding, not for winning races

MaddBrit · 05-05-2006, 04:05 PM

Nice report and dang nice looking bike!

I saw one for the first time at Death Valley (DVD) this winter, and the owner was extremely pleased with the performance and general abilities.

Looks like they have a winner for sure. Thanks for sharing.

Snuffy · 05-05-2006, 04:05 PM

Nice pics and Uly! Beautiful land up there.

ErrinV · 05-05-2006, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dustjunkie

I wouldn't race any bike like that, wheelies are for showing off and trials riding, not for winning races

That's just because you can't ride your GS like that Jake.

dustjunkie · 05-05-2006, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErrinV

That's just because you can't ride your GS like that Jake.

That is true, but the problem in learning to ride like that is that "learning the hard way" results in much worse get offs... sandy creek bottoms are soooo much nicer to crash in

Jake

ErrinV · 05-05-2006, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dustjunkie

That is true, but the problem in learning to ride like that is that "learning the hard way" results in much worse get offs... sandy creek bottoms are soooo much nicer to crash in

Jake

Well, we'll be learning wheelies at the class in June, so you'll have no more excuses.

Errin

Fat Toney · 05-05-2006, 05:15 PM

DakotaDon...nice report...looks like the Ulyee can take a lickin'

sandiegoland · 05-05-2006, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DakotaDon

The Ulysses handles tip overs pretty well. It did make me nervous though. It took quite a while for the oil light to go out after I got things right side up again. I started it, let it run for a couple of seconds, shut it off, checked for broken wires and oil lines, oil level and all that probably 3 times before the light finaly went out.

How long was it on it's side? How quick did you start it after righting it? I wonder if it just needed to be upright for a few more moments...

05-04-2006, 10:33 PM	#1
DakotaDon ^OP Vagabond Mechanic Joined: Oct 2004 Location: Shell, WY Oddometer: 362	Quick Weekend Ulysses Ride Headed out of my place Saturday, for no particular reason. Just to take a ride. Got on the Interstate and headed South West for a little bit, and then got off at Fallon. There are some nice badlands around Fallon, and I had been meaning to see if there were any roads headed out along the Yellowstone and through them, but had never gotten around to riding out here with the KLR, and the Concours just isnt any fun for this kind of stuff. I couldnt get too far back into the hills, but I did find one little two track headed in there. The Ulysses did just fine. That was as far back as I could get without opening peoples gates, and I dont like doing that, so I headed back to the pavement. I headed South West on the old highway, roughly paralleling the Interstate, but a little bit curvier. Next stop was Terry, to see if I could find the ORV area I had heard about there. I found some trucks parked and people riding, but they were behind a closed gate. Again, I dont like messing with gates, so I checked out some trails on the other side of the road, down along the river. Nothing too special there, but I had a good time exploring. Trying to make my way back up to the road I ran into a pretty good washout. Pretty good, but not as good as the one from last weekend... The whole report from that can be found here I wasnt going to try jumping that on the Ulysses, so I just found a way around. I jumped back onto the two lane and headed for Miles City. I stopped for lunch and filled my tank there, and then headed East on Hwy 12. Not too far out of town, I found a sign for Strawbery Hill Recreation Area, and stopped to check it out. I was expecting a reservior and camping area, but to my surprise it was an ORV area! This bike is supposedly made for ALL roads, the trail out into the Rec area is pretty much a road. Lets go check it out!!! Looks like it will be a nice spot to come check out with the DR or Rokon. I made it back into the hills quite a ways, but didnt push my luck too much. I headed down hill from that last picture, but turned around shortly after. The trail got pretty steep and washed out, so I wimped out, turned around and headed back to the pavement. Back on 12, I headed a little bit further East and found a gravel road to go check out. It headed out through a little housing development and into the trees a little bit. I found a nice little reservior up there. The road continued on around the pond, so I had to go see where it went. It dead ended up on a hilltop a couple of miles in, but the view was nice. I headed back out to the main gravel road from there, and continued following it until it stopped at a ranch. Time to turn around and head back to the pavement. Back on 12 again, I continued East. Went for a ways, until I saw I guy and his family in a mini van, changing a flat tire, so I stopped to lend a hand. It was about time for a break anyway. I got them pretty much back together, with only the putting of stuff away to be done and headed on my way. I turned North off of 12 some time after that, onto the gravel, and headed for Ismay. Ismay is kind of a ghost town. Not much left but the grain elevator and a couple of houses that are still occupied. Ismay is also known as Joe Montana. I have no idea what the deal with that is. From Ismay the road follows the railroad tracks up to Mildred, which is even more deserted than Ismay. There is still a flag flying at one of only a couple of occupied buildings, but otherwise that place is dead. From Mildred I continued following the tracks North, until I reached a T intersection. I knew where the road to the left went, so I went right. That should be a shortcut back to Glendive anyway. That gravel road soon degraded to a sandy two track across the prairie. Nothing too technical, just fun, and out in the middle of nowhere. That two track eventualy took my back to some well graded gravel, but in the direction I was headed things degraded again. Gotta love those minimum maintenance roads!!! Not too far over that hill I found a large black bull standing in the middle of the road. He started eying my black bike like it was a sexy cow I got a couple of shots as he eventualy moved off the road, but I never shut the bike off or took it out of gear. I was ready for some evasive maneuvers if necessary. That road took me back up into the Pine Unit Oilfield, and pretty close to home territory. On my way back into town I was headed back past where I was at last weekend, so I headed out to see what the Magpie Creek crossing looked like this weekend. Back down to normal from last weekends SCARY crossing... Next stop from there was back out to Sand Creek Road, to see if the County had gotten around to doing any work on the washouts. As I headed out I was enjoying the scenery and forgot about the smaller washouts. DOH!!!!! I noticed the washout at the last second, and got hard on the brakes. On the KLR or DR I probably would have gassed it and done what I could to loft the front tire over, but with the Ulysses I figured that the rear tire would probably slip and just shoot me into the far side like a lawn dart. Oh well, nothing broke. Just some scuff marks and dirt. The Ulysses handles tip overs pretty well. It did make me nervous though. It took quite a while for the oil light to go out after I got things right side up again. I started it, let it run for a couple of seconds, shut it off, checked for broken wires and oil lines, oil level and all that probably 3 times before the light finaly went out. Once back under way I found that the wash out hadnt been messed with yet. Oh well. From there it was a short jaunt back into town and then home. That was it for the Ulysses for the weekend, but Milo and I did get do do some more riding on Sunday. Fun weekend! __________________ Don Glendive, Montana 2006 Buell Ulysses 1992 DR350/435 1983 Rokon Trailbreaker 1973 Rokon Trailbreaker 1971 Rokon Trailbreaker DakotaDon screwed with this post 05-04-2006 at 11:01 PM

05-04-2006, 11:07 PM	#2
Wrathchild Ogri Rules! Joined: Nov 2005 Location: $h!thole, CT Oddometer: 161	nice report, how are those tires in general on the loose surface? would like to hear about the tip over (technical $h!t, how it happend and such) nice to see the bike held up fine after it. is the frame puck ok or does it compress during the hit and needs to be replaced? hate ho hijack the thread, prvt msg would do, thanx for sharing the ride. __________________ Allergic to stupidity

05-05-2006, 06:36 AM	#4
Metal Doc Duc addicted Joined: Mar 2005 Location: Northeastern, TN Oddometer: 1,446	Thanks for the report glad nothing broke (on you or the bike) with that fall. __________________ "A slip of the foot you may soon recover, but a slip of the tongue you may never get over. " - Benjamin Franklin

05-05-2006, 09:53 AM	#5
dustjunkie Got Stick Meat? Joined: Oct 2005 Location: Lake Forest, SoCal Oddometer: 1,425	So, I ordered a Ulysses last fall and the day I was to go and pick it up, I picked this up instead... So, I am curions, would you take your Ulysses here? Just trying to re-evaluate my decision... Jake __________________ www.riderdown.org

05-05-2006, 04:05 PM	#9
MaddBrit Now officially a Yank. Joined: Jul 2004 Location: Irving, Tejas. They actually let me in... Oddometer: 23,187	Nice report and dang nice looking bike! I saw one for the first time at Death Valley (DVD) this winter, and the owner was extremely pleased with the performance and general abilities. Looks like they have a winner for sure. Thanks for sharing. __________________ Now farm ruled.

05-05-2006, 02:51 PM	#6
RobZim No, I'm not me. Joined: Dec 2005 Location: The Inn Cognito, Houston, Tx Oddometer: 3,161	I just rode my GS Adven two up to Baltopilas with tourances. I stopped on a few assents to talk with other riders and found myself sliding back down the hill. A little throttle got me out of trouble. All in all, the ride was a yawner with great scenery. By the way, I'm sure the Buell is a great bike and Dakota-- I enjoyed your photographs.

05-05-2006, 04:05 PM	#10
Snuffy Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jan 2005 Location: Tucson Oddometer: 1,084	Nice pics and Uly! Beautiful land up there. __________________ I pretend to work - they pretend to pay me

05-05-2006, 05:15 PM	#14
Fat Toney Up Yours PoopSicle Joined: Dec 2004 Location: Washington State Oddometer: 7,381	DakotaDon...nice report...looks like the Ulyee can take a lickin' __________________ Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.- Dr. Seuss

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