| Author | Message | ||
     Lanson |
Hey, I believe this is my 2nd post, but I hope you guys can give me guidance just the same... Yesterday I plunked down a grand to secure a bike, and get an 06 Uly in black for myself...but this is only after waiting, dreaming, saving, for a CityX. The reason I ended up with the Uly was solely because I felt being 6-3, I should ride a taller bike... But, after all the excitement died down for me at the dealership, and the ride back home (in my car) , I started to doubt my sudden change of heart, and am thinking of asking them to swap my order for a black or blue CityX. About me: I have never ridden before. This bike will be my first. I do understand balance, bike dynamics, and shifting-braking, etc. I do realize that I am not prepared for the sudden rush of new sensations and requirements a bike brings, so I will have them deliver the bike to me, so I can practice and get enrolled in an MSF course. I live in Vegas, and am wanting a daily rider bike, something I can ride a few miles each day to work, and then for pleasure runs through the mountains, etc. I do want the 06,..because I believe the new improvements will directly help me as a new rider. I'm not a showoff, so I don't care if it can wheelie for years. I'd prefer to learn to ride safe, and slowly expand my abilities... So, ..for me its either a Uly or CityX...or possibly a Long... and money really isn't the issue between the bikes, since its 40 bucks a month difference, approx. Now that you know what I'm going for...what Buell should I ride? I love them all,...but I'm so confused... Also...I'm proposing a deal similar to Dave's, where the bike is MSRP, the setup waived, and no extra charges applied. I will also ask for their rider's edge course to be added no charge as well. I'll pay destination, of course. -Thanks so much, Lanson | ||
| Gschuette |
I too have been saving for a CityX. I have some past experiences to offer you. In April of 2004 I bought a Chevy Colorado. I had at that point a GMC Canyon, red, 4x4, extended cab, I5, 5spd and so on. Anyway there were some long delays on building the truck I ordered. I am fairly impatient. The truck I bought was a black, regular cab, Colorado, 4x4, 5spd, I5. The truck is close to what I wanted but the swirl marks being so visible drives me nuts and if I want to go out with friends we have to take either two cars or soem other persons one car. So I really wish I had that extended cab. And I always see the GMC that I ordered driving around town. It kills em because that is still exactly what I wanted. I wish I had waited. I have learned that if you settle for something or change your mind based on a last minute impulse you will never be happy. I love my truck and my only gripes come from my lack of patience, it not being red and no back seat. I know that if I go to Zion HD to get a kick ash CityX and all they have is a yellow XB9R and I buy it, I will not be happy in the long run. Wait for what you truly want. | ||
| Midknyte |
Agreements to previous, but I have to confess that I did just that. I had set out to buy the 03 Firebolt in its original release color white. My previous bike was white... Anyhow, dealer only had a blue one. I positively dig it after the fact (blue is my favorite color) and looking back on it I don't know why I could have picked otherwise. The orange graphics over the blue plastics and the silver frame is just tits. | ||
| Midknyte |
You don't mention - have you even sat on each of them? | ||
| Mountainrider |
I am 6'2" and use the streetfighter seat which makes it even lower. The X feels great. I can ride all day with no promblems. Really love this bike and am having a blast. | ||
| Cmm213 |
Well for most of the big guys out there that are riding the xbs the ss wasnt an option till this year so try it out, hell try them all out a few times. I'm sure they will let you with a 1000 down. Like you said get what you want! | ||
| Darkducati |
Collect them all! LOL But seriously, what type of riding do you do? I am about six foot and I love my city cross. I have the original seat on it which works great for me. I can do 500 mi. rides and by butt is fine. For contrast my Ducati Monster would kill me by about 150 mi. This bike is very comfortable. Plus the bike may be better for a novice than the Uly. Hope this helps and congratulations on your new bike. You'll love it! | ||
| Dave |
...and getting both is not the rationale decision.  From what I gleaned from your post, you have ridden motorcycles but maybe a bit rusty. Fit and feel mean allot in honing riding skills. I'd test ride each and see where the comfort factor puts you. Make sure both have a properly adjusted suspension for your weight. Buell will be making these bikes next year too. Perhaps the most prudent thought would be getting a nice used CityX that you can ride, hone skills, and sell for an '07 model. DAve | ||
| Buellin_ri |
Get what you really want to avoid regret. The Uly sounds to me to suit you better with the type of riding you plan to do. You could even to some light trail riding out there as well as the street. my .02 | ||
| Darrell_ks |
Hi Lanson I too am a new rider. I had a 05 Blast for a couple of months before deciding it wasn't enough for me. I took a days vacation and went to the demo rides in Denton a few weeks back, and can give a few opinions from another newbie. The CityX is amazingly agile, responsive and surprisingly comfortable. It went exactly where I wanted it to every time, and felt like it only needed inputs from your knees to make lane changes. Before riding the Uly, it was first on my list. The 12S was fun, but being a new rider, I quickly found out that too much throttle had the effect of lifting the front end. Not great for a beginner like me. The 12Ss was great, almost as responsive as the CityX, more room and fewer surprises than the 12S. The Ulysses handles very well, has plenty of get up and go, and a very, very comfortable riding position. The Uly was my choice after the rides. Previously I had only sat on one, and was concerned about how tall it was. (I am only 5'10" with a 30" inseam.), so I am on my tiptoes at stop signs and lights, but it's well balanced, so I don’t feel awkward or nervous on it. I do have to get off to back it, and initially tried to avoid that (because I thought it looked silly) but after almost dropping it on a sloped parking lot, decided that appearances were not that important. I ride in the city every day going to and from work, and out on the highway to and from my girlfriends frequently, and love how it handles both in town and out on the road. Both my parents and my brother live on gravel roads, and being comfortable at normal speeds on gravel is a really big plus for me (Kansas has a lot of dirt/gravel roads). If you can find a dealer that has demo bikes, or catch the demo team event, I recommend riding them all. If you can’t find a demo bike or event, I believe that there bike rentals in Vegas. (I assume that a motorcycle endorsement on your license is required) The only other thing I can add is that I strongly urge you to take the MSF training course BEFORE you start riding your new bike. This class will give you the basics that you need as a new rider. Hope this helps Darrell} | ||
| Nutsosane |
All very well stated opinions. I am 6'3" and ride an 04 xb12s. If your rider position is comfortable on one model more than another then this is an easy decision. If the positions of the Uly, SS, and Lightning are all liveable then you better pick what you're heart desires. Actually a used bike first wouldn't be a terrible decision. I firmly believe all new riders will drop a bike. I know I dropped my first two. I'm saying drop not wreck or crash; the forget to kickstand, leave in gear, lose balance in garage type of fiasco is likely to happen. I'm glad my mishaps were in my pre-new bike days. NUTS | ||
| Peanut_man |
I'm with NUTS, ... I'm also a new rider and I get a used XB12S. While not exactly throw-away cheap, I got it at almost 1/2 price of brand new one. So if I crack it, I won't feel as bad. But of course, I will try my best not to! | ||
| Lanson |
Thank you all for your input! For the record, I am indeed a new rider, not ridden motorcycles before, but I'm an avid bicyclist, and a decent ATV rider, so I planned on using my balance and ability to handle clutch, brake, and shifting abilities reasonably well. I will no doubt have a learning curve with this new rider experience, though. For the record, other then a few backroad putts around the block, i intend to take the MSF course when its available to me. I ended up ordering a black or blue cityX, whichever my dealer can get first. I gotta say, in the month or so that I've been acquainted with Henderson HD around here...the guy I've been dealing with, his name is Joel,..hes'a good guy and avidly reccomends Buells...So, kudos to him! I have sat and balanced on the Uly, XBR 9 and 12, XBSscg, XBSs, a Sportster for the heck of it, and the Blast. I've not sat on the XB9sx...but thats the reason I didn't pick the bike up on Friday, i suppose...they didn't have it in stock. My decision to go with the CityX is for a few reasons: 1.) I'm a new rider, so the smaller and more agile the bike, the better, I think, 2.) The CityX is a bit cheaper, so the cost of ownership per month is better, in both payment and insurance! 3.) Its what I had my heart set on in the first place 4.) My Helmet is Black and Blue Scorpion Octane (just kidding, it doesn't matter, but don't you think its funny I bought a helmet a few weeks before getting my first bike?!) 5.) The Uly seat was very uncomfortable to me! I don't know why, but you guys talking about comfortable riding positions, ...i should state that I'm 6-3, but only 155 lbs! That seat was like a rock, and the seams were riding into my jeans...Didn't feel comfy at all. Comparatively, the other bikes felt nicer, and the seat worked for me better, and 6.) The fact that I wouldn't need to put more money down on the bike means I can spend more on my riding gear, and the MSF course if they don't put the Rider's Edge class into the cost of the bike at no charge for me. Thank you all for your opinions, my final decision was helped by you, and I appreciate it. I'll get pics and vids and all that, since I love to show toys...even if they are boring and stock to you fellas...I use Zaino waxes so lets see if I can't make the sucker shine... | ||
| Emscityx |
I wanted to toss in my 2 cents...I have an '05 CityX and love it. The point I felt I needed to make concerns the approach to riding you indicated. Riding a motorcycle is easy. A lot of 5 year olds ride them there itty bitty bikes just fine. Staying alive on the road is the tough part. I second the advice above about the MSF course. It is crucial for new riders. You will be concentrating on the basics of riding, and need to get survival skills drilled into your head. Lastly, keep in mind what has helped me survive 23+ years of street riding: EVERY VEHICLE OUT THERE IS TRYING TO KILL YOU. With that in mind, you can assume nobody else sees you and if they did, they dont care. Develop your peripheral vision and a sixth sense of everything around you while on the street. I wont go on, but these are crucial points. | ||
| Wsplrll |
I put a deposit on an 05 City X - and it was mostly for the deal that I am getting on it - discounted and no extras besides tax and tags. I started looking at used XB9S's and then thought of the xb12s I am trying to decide if I want to change the color from blue to kick ash ( or regular black same price ) It is about 225 to change out the fly screen and the air box cover. I am ordering the new select seat because the standard - while comfy - pushes me into the "tank". I love the bike - but I cannot decide on the color - I would have both I guess. I have a Blast also. Either way I am sure that I will love the bike and it is cool that down the road I could change the color. | ||
| Superbee24 |
Wsplrll....get the kick ash one. You can just change the tank cover at will and it will look different. The chin spoiler and front fender are already black on both bikes so switching just airbox covers from black to blue on occasion would be cool. |
