| Author | Message | ||
     Tleighbell |
I have read all the reviews, looking for some real world input from folks who have lived with both. Conventional wisdom says XT for my stumpy legs (30" inseam) and mostly road use. But I would lower the X anyway (probably with a Hyperpro spring kit) and presumably still have more suspension travel, comparable handling and a little more versatility. Feedback appreciated. | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
We live with one of each, both in the fastest color, blue (duh). IMHO it depends on the type of riding you are planning on doing. I commute 53 miles each way to work mostly on the superslab in FL, further in MN. I also will run errands around town on the bike and prefer the upgraded suspension of the XT, especially on cobblestone or rough surfaced streets. But I like the better turning radius of the X. He likes the height of the X and says he feels like he is on the SUV of bikes when he is on the road. I'm limited to the two pairs of taller soled boots I own if I wanna flat foot the X. Hope that gives you some ideas. B. | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
More to add to above thread after taking both out to practice BRC 2 (formerly known as ERC) exercises today. We took turns riding both bikes in the exercises. The X was the easy pick for me in this challenge mostly because of its better turning radius. The XT had me feeling like the bike was going to fall over in the slow speed weaves. We have PR 2's that need to be replaced soon so that could have factored in. When my pirelli angels or scorpion syncs got worn, they started to feel notchy and I hated riding the bike they were on until new rubber went on. Perhaps some suspension tweaking would help as well. The X is the bike I felt more comfortable doing the slow speed stuff on so it is the bike I will be riding demos on. I live in the land of the lame roads however so for my day to day riding, I still favor the XT. It is also the bike I chose to ride when we went to the Smokies last spring. | ||
| Mhevezi |
FWIW- I'm 6'03" and recently bought an XT. Plenty of room for me and soaks up crappy pavement well. It came with very road-biased tires, so I will be keeping it to the road, until I can get some better tires for dirt. I took it down one dirt/gravely road and the ContiMotion tires that came on the bike are not good for that! My XT has the look of the X, which I like. Pretty happy with my XT! | ||
| Orangeulius |
Having had an 06 X and now an 08 XT, I like the 08 XT marginally better. The suspension seems softer in a good way and I like being a little lower. At 6 foot 2 I never was comfortable with the tall SUV stance. I also like having the full set of bags that come with the XT. Both bikes are winners in my book and the differences are relatively small and nuanced. | ||
| Pkforbes87 |
I'm 5'8" and have only owned the XT. Everything I've done height-wise has increased the seat height, and it still feels low compared to a dirt bike. I'd love to have the taller X suspension, but would definitely want to keep my bags, heated grips, and tall windscreen. For me, any bike I can flat foot is uncomfortable because of either low suspension travel or not enough legroom. | ||
| Zane |
Tleighbell, I can't speak to the X but I have an 09 XT and love the bike. I also have a 30 inch inseam. I can't flat foot it with both feet but it doesn't take long to get used to flat footing with one and balancing with the other. Unless it's some weirdly banked road, it's not a problem. Get an XT. | ||
| Tleighbell |
Thanks folks. Any comments on the extra 300 rpm ceiling on the '08 and later motor? I found the rev limit and narrow power band a little frustrating on my old XB12S. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
I honestly rarely take my engine to even 5k rpms. 300 rpms increase, that is just so freaking huge. I'll wager that was statistically insignificant and only a marketing ploy. | ||
| Timberwolf |
The rpm increase coincided with the change to a larger crank pin in 2008 didn't it? | ||
| Reepicheep |
New crank pin and oiling system. That's the important part, the extra RPM won't make much difference (I thought it was more than 300, but don't know). I do miss the howl of my old XB9XS at 7500 RPM with an open airbox though. Boy did that sound sweet. | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
"I do miss the howl of my old XB9XS" +1! If it would have made sense financially to keep that bike and still have both Ulys, I'd still be twistin' away on it. I love the Ulys, but have never been on another bike that was as much unfiltered fun as that city-x. | ||
| Tleighbell |
My XB9S was my favourite bike ever. Too bad it got stolen. I think I preferred it to the 12. But I digress, now old age and practical considerations are pushing in the direction of a Uly. | ||
| Uly_man |
"old age and practical considerations are pushing in the direction of a Uly." It may be the best one for a 30 inch in-breed. | ||
| Mtdan |
I've had an '06 and '09 X and just recently picked up an '09 XT.....I like them all....I am 5'9" and wanted the lower XT...I really like it. The only thing the '09 XT gives up for me is it does not turn as sharply as the '09 X, it is just like the original '06 X in that regard. That's the only trade off for me and getting my feet flat on the ground was worth it. By the way, the previous owner of the XT swapped out for X front fender at purchase so it looks more like an X than an XT. Because of my size the XT just fits me better. Good luck with whatever you do, they are great bikes. | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
"Too bad it got stolen" That sux. I hope there is a special corner in hades for people who mess with others bikes. "old age and practical considerations are pushing in the direction of a Uly." Mostly the practical considerations for us. Hard bags or ability to mount them, comfy pillion seating, heated grips. We have no regrets adding either bike to the stall. | ||
| Razz |
I ran into Fltwistygirl and her better half on their Ulys last March at Holiday Inn,Indian Rocks Beach.They were checking out my 09 Bonneville Black.I always wanted a Uly XT but was a little nervous with Buell being out of business.They could not say enough about the Uly and that convinced me to start looking.I found a nice 09 in Oct and couldn't be happier with it.Thanks for giving me the push I needed. | ||
| Tleighbell |
spoke to local engine tuner, does mostly Harleys but did race his own X1. Says get 2008 or later because closed loop system is easier to tune. Says to buy the HD supertuner. My research indicates XB series uses a combined open and closed loop system, and it seems ECM Spy is the gizmo to use (what do I know? I am used to adjusting points using a cigarette paper!). Anyone know the facts about this? | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Tleigh, I used a dollar bill between the points. | ||
| Buelldualsport |
Match book cover for small block Chevy, is our tool of choice, for setting points. Points you ask, what are points Grandpa? | ||
| Tootal |
As a machinist I used .016" to set points. Which is basically a match book cover!  Chevy's you could hook up the dwell meter and dial them right in to 52 degrees with an allen wrench. Ford's you had the trial and error method! | ||
| Tleighbell |
Nortons run much tighter tolerances, hence the cigarette paper, closer to .001". Precision machines!! BTW, anyone notice the similarities between Norton & Buell: the rubber engine mounts, long stroke short rod engine, and the Peter Williams designed monococque JPS racer even had fuel in the frame! I happened to speak to Peter Williams at the new Norton intro in Toronto last year, he had a lot of respect for what Erick has done. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
I wasn't gapping with the dollar bill, only pulled it though to remove carbon. I'd like to be young again but I'll take computer run electronic fuel injection over points ignition any day. | ||
| Tootal |
I'd like to be young again but I'll take computer run electronic fuel injection over points ignition any day. Amen brother!  | ||
| Buelldualsport |
Young again, of course Ask Tony Stewart what he thinks about fuel injection and computers. LOL | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
Hey Razz! Great to see you on here! Fantastic to hear you took the plunge, we've had a couple hiccups with ours but still love them. Hope you still kept the Bonnie. Post up pics when you get a chance. BeLinda. | ||
| Druelly |
Tleighbell, just a friendly note, that EriK is spelled with a K, not a ck. May have just been a typo, so I am going to go with that. Again just a friendly note. Druelly | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
It's Erick to those within his inner circle. | ||
| Tleighbell |
EriK is spelled with a K, not a ck. Right, realized that after, I was thinking of someone else I know, Unfortunately I am not in the innner circle. | ||
| Uly_man |
"It's Erick to those within his inner circle." Its Berk to Me. A man who took "HDs 10 bucks" and left people like me to sort out the problems for our/myself. And before anyone gets a "Flame on there ass" about this I have spent more than $20,000 on Buells so I have the right. The worse part of all, unless someone can show me otherwise, is that I have never ever seen any support about bike problems from EB. Am I going to spend $30,000 on the new Buell? (Message edited by uly_man on April 03, 2012) (Message edited by uly_man on April 03, 2012) |
