| Author | Message | ||
     Cdallen |
Well, I am still on the fence about which bike to get but I keep coming back to the XB. For various reasons I would really like to get one but still have some concerns. I know that ultimately nothing but saddle time can answer the question for me but your insights have already proven quite valuable so I would appreciate a little more of them. First the easy question: For anyone that has or is familiar with the Buell saddle bags (http://www.buell.com/en_us/bikes_gear/accessories/productslist.asp?Menu_ID=4&ID= 2228&MITEM=62) and matching trunk bag (http://www.buell.com/en_us/bikes_gear/accessories/productslist.asp?Menu_ID=4&ID= 2230&MITEM=62) do they require permanent mounting hardware or the better question is how are they mounted? Also, do you have to have the side bags on to use the trunk bag or can it be used alone? Now for the difficult and obviously more subjective question: Excluding concerns about the seat itself, is it realistic to expect to be able to go on multi-day excursions at 300-500 miles/day including possible whole day interstate travel on a stock 12S? You can throw on a tank bag if it makes a difference in the answer. Again, I know this is quite subjective, but I am looking to see if normal riders are doing this or is it only the very few extremely hardcore folks with masochistic tendencies that pull that off? | ||
| Nadz |
I have 12R, but I remember this answer: The S saddlebags just strap on (no permanent undertail bracket like on an R). The trunk bag uses little fastex buckles to attach to females on the saddlebags (nothing attaches to the bike). It's a very similar arrangement to the Cortech Sport bags, if you're familiar with those. The Buell bags aren't very large, but that keeps the bike looking fast. Note: the S bags will not fit on an R-tail, and the R tailbag is smaller and doesn't come off easily (but it looks cool). I routinely ride 300 miles in a day, and find that the seat isn't the limiting factor- it's the high pegs and forward lean. Once again, I have an R, and I hear the S riders have it easier. So if I can go as far as a tank of fuel, an S rider will do it in slightly greater comfort. On the bright side, I'll second the common opinion that "this bike can be ridden hard all day without wearing out the rider." It's so much fun, I usually wind up riding the back roads faster than the freeway! Hope this helped a little, -NadZ | ||
| Cataract2 |
I have the saddle bags. As was said, they're just strap on. I feel their one of the best purchases I've made for this bike. I just ordered the tail bag to go along with them and the tank bag. I think with these I'll be all set for my 2 week long trip. Here's a pic of them.    | ||
| Qcbuell |
I have an S and have done long rides without problem. I don't have the Buell saddlebags/tailbag but rather Chase-Harper's, with the old style Buell tankbag. I have the Corbin seat and also put on the taller windsreen from American Sport Bike (not sure how much better than stock?) and rode from Florida to Canada with my only complaint being discomfort in the knees as the days wore on.... Touring with the XBs can, has, and WILL be done! Go for it! Dex | ||
| Midmofirebolt |
As far as long rides are concerned, I think a lot has to do with the rider. My knees and back never bothered me, but my butt is a different story. On the stock seat on my 12R, I was ready for a break about every 100 miles. I think the corbin would be better. The nice thing is, at 100 miles, stop and get gas, hop off the bike and get a soda or something and take off. We easily did 4 or 5 hundred miles in a day. | ||
| Cdallen |
Thanks all for the feedback again. This by far one of the best boards I have been on and your passion for the bikes has definitely helped fuel mine and keep the dream alive. That cinches it up for me... a couple weeks on vacation and then off to the dealer!! | ||
| Onebuell |
I ain't seen that... 300 miles? on a 9S ? laffs... not for me. On my superglide? of course I can do 300 miles in the blink of an eye on my fx dyna. The first gas stop is on E on the dyna 175 miles later with half a gallon left in the tank... I don't know... how some of you cats do it. But this XB9 kicks my &$#, 100-150 miles and I'm done for the day on it. | ||
| Tpoppa |
The 'S' is an excellent choice. I routinely do 400-500 mile days, that is part of the reason I bought my XB9S. The seating position it excellent for sport touring-a good balance of sport and comfort. The handling is terrific. I recently upgraded to a Corbin, now it's even better. I usually do 1 day trips so never tried to strap on luggage. | ||
| Tpoppa |
If you're going to do a full day on an interstate, you would want to attach hwy pegs. I have heard of people that have done this, not sure how they attached them. | ||
| Mike_bolts |
That's my biggest complaint as well, it would be nice to stretch your legs on the straights. If anyone has highway pegs mounted, please post pictures! THX | ||
| Phantom5oh |
Highway pegs would be a treat! I did something like 600 miles to and from the Laconia Rally and Races on my XB12S in 2 days with no problem. My knees got a little stiff, but that could have been the hail and cold rain we hit on the way up and most of time we were there. | ||
| Fullpower |
cdall: if you want to put on the miles, may i recommend the S model. footpegs are a tad lower, and for me, the bike is more comfortable than the bolt. the 12's get very good fuel economy, 160 miles per tank is no problem on the highway. with a corbin saddle i have twice ridden over a thousand miles in a day. buy some touring tires, the stock dunlops are good for two weekend rides. | ||
| Edonis |
I have an S and have done a 1,241 mile Saddlesore 1,000 on it roughly a year ago. It is possible, it really depends on your physical condition (stamina, shape, etc.) and your mental level of willing to go through with it. I found the most common areas of trouble were my knees from being bent up for extended periods of time and slight lower back pain. This started about 400-500 miles in. After a while you find new ways to ride the bike  . I found two new ways, first was putting the passenger pegs down and using those for my legs, second was sitting on the passenger pillion with my feet still on the front riding pegs. So to answer your question, yes. It is quite realistic, as long as you don't mind a few small pains here and there. | ||
| Cdallen |
Yeah... I have already determined that the stock Dunlops are completely wrong for this bike from handling to wear. Again, I have to thank M1combat for suggesting test riding the CityX to get a better feel for bike with more sport oriented tires. The rear Dunlop almost looks like it belongs on an O.C.C. bike rather than a sport bike. I have done many miles on a spourt-tourer so am very familiar with knee pain although the seat was much better than the stock XB, I'm sure, but that is easily fixed if I find it to be a problem. The S is really the only model I am looking at as I am tired of leaning on my wrists in stop&go traffic and absolutely love the aggressive "street fighter" looks. | ||
| Fullpower |
the XB is really a great "all around standard do everything bike" were i to change only one thing it would be to add a half gallon of fuel capacity. a usable 4 gallon fuel capacity would just about perfect an already great motorcycle. | ||
| Viros |
I did this ride during the 100th 2 years ago.. Long distance riding can be done on an XB, or any bike for that matter.. All it takes is tolerance. The thing you have to consider is how often do you plan on taking 500 miles rides.. I do it maybe 2-3 times a years. FWIW had i been on a 12s i know it would of been a whole lot easier seeing how it has more comfortable ergos. Day 1: L.A to Las Vegas 335m Day 2: Still in LasVegas 39m Day 3: Vegas to Glenwood Springs CO 616m Day 4: Glenwood Springs to Denver 313m Day 5: Denver to Des Moines 717m Day 6: Des Moines to Milwaukee to Chicago 600m Day 7: Riding in Milwaukee 201m Day 8: Last day in Milwaukee 188m Day 9: Stuck in Davenport IO 200m Day 10 Still in Davenport IO 4m Day 11 Davenport to Oklahoma City 717m Day 12 Oklahoma city to Socorro NM 620m Day 13 Socorro NM to Los Angeles 875m 5425 total miles in 13 days  | ||
| Cdallen |
Wow, that is awesome. Like you touring will be a limited amount, maybe 1-2 times a year and the rest of the time will be commuting and day rides to the Blue Ridge and Smokies . So 85% of my seat time is what these bikes were built for but since I can't convince the wife I need more than one bike this will have to at least suffice for those occasional trips... Judging by the various responses and my existing comfort tolerances it'll be no problem... | ||
| Buellishxx |
Viros, what type of tires did you use on your adventure? | ||
| Sparky |
The solution to more comfortable ergos on a 9R for me was to install the Lightning pegs and Heli bars from American Sport Bike. Whole lot of improvement for few $. That plus Chase Harper Stealth saddlebags, a Ventura luggage rack, large Buell tank bag, reversed passenger pegs & a Buell touring pillion for the wife & we are all set for touring. Oh yeah, almost forgot the most important thing: throttle rocker. Sparky | ||
| Cdallen |
THAT little piece of plastic is invaluable... I got one up at Americade 2 years ago after riding up to NY from NC... I don't know if I would have made it back home without with out it  | ||
| Hanses25 |
Buy the XB you wont be dissapointed. The S and R can be ridden for a long periods of time I just got back from a 3500 mile trip in 9 days and had no real problems with comfort. | ||
| Viros |
Buellisxx - I used some brand new meztler M1s... on that last day I noticed you could see white tread.. that last 875 mile day I was nervous the whole time thinking it would get too hot and blow up. Luckily I got home alright but it was definatly the most nerve wrecking 17 hours Ive ever spent. | ||
| Bertman |
I can see the S model working just fine for your requirements. I just came back from Hollister this past weekend on my Firebolt and wished I had a slightly more upright riding position. Wrist pain going down hills on Hwy. 1 going home and Butt pain after 175 miles both days will have me talking to Al in a few weeks. | ||
| Coolice |
My 9R has taken me for some long rides and hours. I have the Buell touring seat and the traction pegs and grips, great improvement. I tried the S pegs on the R and didn't think the change was that great. The traction pegs are much better. The seat also was a great improvement, I did a 14 hour day with the stock seat and was hurtin bad the last couple of hours. Not anymore. I would even consider the Corbin next time. I have the "old" style tank bag and tie a duffle bag across the back seat with the cowl off, it holds enough and no saddlebags. The R does have good wind protection and a Zero Gravity tall screen would be nice. As far as the wrists, I wear a Vansen jacket and tighten the waist belt to help take the strain off my wrists. Overall I'll ride my R anywhere, just need the time to go, work keeps gettin in the way! | ||
| Blitzen |
I have an xb12R that I exchanged the stock triple tree for a "Heli Bar" one it raises the handlebars and brings them back far enough to give me more of a touring position and takes the weight off the palms. see them at http://www.helibars.com/pics/buell/firebolt.html | ||
| Tomzweifel |
I just did an 850 mile in 36 hour trip to Laconia a few weeks ago. First long trip on the XB-R. Lessons learned: 1) My booty was squirmin' from the burnin'. I'm hoping the birthday fairy will get me the touring seat, maybe a Corbin. 2) I'm going to try the Traction grips - my right thumb was numb for a few days afterwards. 3) Taking five minutes out of every hour and sticking one leg at a time straight forward does a very good job at keeping the legs working. But outside of that, seating position was comfortable at 6'. 4) I like the Zero Gravity ST windscreen. In all, a comfortable bike for long trips. | ||
| Nadz |
Tom, I love the traction grips. They are anti-carpal-tunnel thicker at the center, and squishier too, grippy enough for flat-palming the throttle. Best $16 ever spent. | ||
| Davefla |
I have a 12R with a Zero-G double bubble and Throttle Rocker. Luggage is Chase Harper saddlebags & "executive briefcase", and Tour Master 18l tank bag. I have a 9R seat to which I've added a gel pad and heater from Travelcade. So far, my longest time in the saddle is a 120 mile freeway run of about 80 minutes. For me, the seat is a bigger limitation than anything else. I've never seen the Reserve Fuel counter! The gel pad didn't make much difference, but I didn't alter the profile of the seat at all when I put it in - just cut down the foam & added it as an insert. I've always wanted the S riding position with the R body, so I bought an LSL Superbike bar kit from American Sport Bike last year. I haven't bothered installing it yet, which says something about the comfort of the stock handlebars. (My commute is only about ten miles, round trip.) I suspect it will let me put my head up another inch or two, which is where the "sweet spot" behind the double bubble seems to be. I gave up and ordered a Corbin seat earlier this week (thanks again, Al!) I'm thinking of doing the changes this weekend and breaking them in the next, as I've an 1,100-mile round trip scheduled in three weeks. The more I think about it, the more it seems like it'd be a shame to ride my 1978 GoldWing instead. | ||
| Sweatmark |
FWIW - Just completed a week-long trip with 300+ mile days (or an equivalent 8+ hours' saddle time), along with my first Saddlesore 1000. I rode Beemers on the trips, but might consider riding my XB9S if: (1) ergonomics were comfortable = not much pressure on the wrists, and legs weren't too cramped, and wind blast wasn't pushing me off the bike all the time; (2) I brought along my AirHawk seat pad... indispensible for longer rider on the slab, IMHO; (3) used both tank bag and tail pack/panniers for road trip necessities; (4) wired up an XM radio or equivalent; (5) wore my quietest full-face helmet; (6) planned gas stops VERY carefully... that tiny XB fuel capacity could become a problem; (7) installed a Wrist Rest or equivalent; (8) wore an electric vest if weather's chilly. Maybe that's just my Old Man's list (I'm 42), but it's true that riding comfort makes the trip safer. My XB9's actually smoother than my R1150 BMW at cruising speeds/RPMs. Both bikes are stable at speed, reliable, fun to ride. | ||
| Metalstorm |
I'm thinking about riding my 12Scg from Pt Reyes CA (about 40-45 miles north of SF) to Lewiston ID. The last time I did such a thing was 11 years ago on a 92' Kawi Zephyr & I had no problems putting in a 1000 mile day. (20 hours of riding). I was only 24 then but I'm still in pretty good shape & my S is a lot more comfortable than the old Kawi. The wind blast doesn't bother me till my speed gets into & lingers in the 90's for awhile. It'd be a good excuse to use my Ventura pack again. I love the bag for long trips but for everyday use it really sucks having to do a high kick then slide on to the saddle crab style so I removed it. I need saddle bags like Cataraact2 for everyday local riding. |
