| Author | Message | ||
     Bombared |
Long story short, I've got the opportunity to purchase a 06 xb12x for $4,900 with no miles (and I mean it), and lots of upgrades. (Hepco-becker cases, headlight and taillight modulators, disc lock, corbin seat, and heat reflective fabric under the seat, among others.) I'm about 5'6/7", and haven't had the opportunity to really ride anything dirt-bike-like ever. I no longer have a car, as of yesterday, and my only transport is a '89 Honda VTR250. Fun little bike, but wretched for anything over half an hour. I'm going all motorcycle, and have no intention of purchasing a new car. So, let me ask you this: How do you fellas deal with walking in the saddle? I've done a fair amount of research into lowering the bike, but I feel like I'm missing something. I'm finding forums with pictures and descriptions of foot contact on the ground that match my own situation, or are worse, but I can't manage to back the Buell I'm looking at out of the guy's garage to test ride it. Did I mention his driveway is a medium steep hill, and the garage is right in the middle of it? Maybe I just need a push. | ||
| Zane_t |
Before I lowered mine, I've always dismounted and pushed the bike into parking spaces, etc. | ||
| Britchri10 |
+1 on dismounted walking the bike. FWIW: I'm 6'1" & I wheel mine every time it has to go backwards. The 12X is a tall bugger. When I come to a stop to park the bike I put the side stand down, dismount, grab it by the bars, put the side stand up. walk it to where it needs to be, put the side stand down & gently lower it onto the stand. Chris C | ||
| Arry |
These are great bikes, if you decide to buy, but have their own issues. Click on New Ulysses Owner Information, at the top of the Big, Bad, and Dirty forum page. (I assume you are new to this site) As for the hight issue, the 06 had the tallest seat. I don't know about the Corbin, but there are lower options than the 06 stock seat. Other lowering options mostly compromise the suspention, I believe. I agree with the comments above, so plan to get off, to walk the bike around much. Avoid putting a lot of weight on the side stand, the mounting bolts have a bad history. If you can, keep your smaller bike for commuting, traffic situations, stop and go (short hops). Have the current owner get it to the street so you can test ride (you don't want to dammage it before you decide to buy). Good luck, lots of good advise here. | ||
| Uly_man |
"How do you fellas deal with walking in the saddle?" At your height I do not think you will be able to do it safely. You should also be aware that this version of the bike has a smaller turning circle which makes it worse. But with practice it can be done. Put it this way? I am 6 foot 7 inches tall and I can struggle sometimes. The other day I put my right foot out at a junction, touched some gravel and slid about 6 inches over before I got grip with my boot again. Someone with a shorter leg may have dropped the bike. And I have the low seat as well. You would be better of with a XT as that is why they made them. | ||
| Bombared |
Thanks so much. So, it really is an adaptation thing. I've found "HyperPro Spring Lowering Kit '06-'07 XB12X Ulysses." It will bring the height down by about an inch. My budget has already been pushed, so I need to take care in modifications. I was considering trying to find a 07 seat and try that Mizu lowering adapter. I've read through a forum or two showing how someone did it, but little feedback on how the ride is affected. I've never seen feedback for the HyperPro kit. The seller claims they're rather popular. The corbin seat is about an inch and a half lower than the tall seat, but the front is so wide that the lowering is totally canceled out. I'll give the Owner Info a good look over, but I'm always to the understanding that most machines have their faults. I like the Uly because it's a unique motorcycle in its own way. Belt driven, good looking, powerful, gets halfway decent mpg, can carry a load, uncommon, and has the potato potato chug of the harley engine rather than the buzz or whir of something else. | ||
| Pons |
I'm 5'7" with stock seat and manage. it's different thats for sure. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Always park facing uphill. Dismount, and push, when you need to. Left hand on left handgrip; right hand on left passenger grab rail. For traffic stops...put down your left foot only, keep the right on the brake. They're light enough you can 'tripod' it at a light. IF you're going to use the stand for mount/dismount, UPGRADE AND LOCTITE THE MOUNTING BOLTS FIRST. And, make sure it has the updated sidestand. Personally, I wouldn't use it to get on and off...but that's just me. | ||
| Danair |
I always eyeball the ground whenever I have to stop so I can get the high side foot down. I also had spacers put on the soles of my boots. Still had it nap on me on uneven terrain and when it wants to go over, you can't stop it. Just step off as it goes and keep spare levers under the seat. The only drawback for me on a truly bitchin bike. | ||
| Pons |
"For traffic stops...put down your left foot only, keep the right on the brake. They're light enough you can 'tripod' it at a light." Thats what I do. Still looking for a lower seat. | ||
| Buewulf |
I am 5'8 with a 30" inseam. To make matters worse, I have thick thighs which effectively lowers my reach to the ground even further. Here are my tips... Gear / Mods 1) Low Seat - I miss the comfort from the standard seat, but it is worth the sacrifice to be closer to the ground. With this, I was able to get the ball of one foot down. Previously, I only had one tip-toe. 2) Sidi Street Boots - If you are in the market for new riding boots, I recently bought the Sidi Street boots. They add 1.25" to the heal and about 1" everywhere else. The extra height was a welcome surprise and makes quite a difference. Plus they don't look like they came off of a Power Ranger or outlaw. 3) Lowering Collar - A guy on this forum made some lowering collars (if he has any left) that install on the rear shock and drops the bike by nearly an inch I'm told. I have not installed mine yet, but this in addition to the items above should bring the Uly into a very manageable zone. Technique 1) Walking in the saddle - I can do it with one foot if the grade isn't too steep, but it looks dorky. If the parking spot is on an incline, then I coast backwards out of the spot. Otherwise, I walk the bike. 2) Low speed maneuvers - Stand on the pegs. It helps a lot. Also the basics like dragging the rear brake and feathering the clutch will prevent you from NEEDING to put a foot down to hopelessly try to save it. Side Note: When I was young, we used to practice these techniques with our dirt bikes by seeing how slowly we could traverse a 2" x 10" x 12' board lying on the ground without putting a foot down or straying off the board. I still do this excersize. 3) Coming to a stop. I prefer to put my right foot down because I am a righty and therefore feel more confident on my right. Drag the rear brake all the way to the end. Like you said... you just have to acclimate and adapt. | ||
| Buelldualsport |
My Marine Friends say "adapt and overcome" All good tips | ||
| Jasonb |
I have two left. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
The 2006 XB12X was the tallest of them all. Either get yourself a low seat or a seat from a later year for a lower ride. It still may be not enough for you. Personally, I would never buy a bike I couldn't flatfoot but I'm also 6'3" so it's been a while since I had that issue. | ||
| Buelldualsport |
Jason's lowering collar will indeed assist. SLide up forks up into the triple clamps by 1". Get a pair of boots with a full deep sole. Park facing Up Hill Ride Ride Ride | ||
| Etennuly |
I am 6' with a 31" inseam, I get off to back it most everywhere. Thicker soled boots are the best route. The Low seat is wide enough that it does not always help the vertically challenged much. | ||
| Skifastbadly |
You could try these:  Can't hurt. | ||
| Zac4mac |
you'd have to adapt a heel-toe shifter to fit the Buell.  | ||
| Pkforbes87 |
I'm 5'8", 30" inseam. Ride an 09 XT with an 06 stock (tall) seat. No problems walking the bike around, but I always push it if I need to back out of a space. Now my DRZ and it's 37" seat height.. that's awkward. I drop it a lot | ||
| Pons |
I let a friend of mine ride my ULY recently. He's 6' and asked how the heck I rode that thing @ 5'7"? Determination! | ||
| Zac4mac |
I'm 5' 10" with a 32" inseam. I can flatfoot my 09 XB12X but just barely. Broke my neck in 2000 and my balance isn't perfect anymore. The Uly likes to take naps, I think she's a narcoleptic. Never while moving, always in the driveway or garage. Rarely breaks anything so I'm just trying to learn how to pick her back up easier... Z |
