| Author | Message | ||
     06xb12ss |
Quick Stats: Rider- 6'3" 230lbs 15yr old female. (just kidding) Bike- 06 XB12Ss-W Odie Pipe 1008 miles before trip. 1411 after trip. Charleston SC to Charlotte NC - Up one day back the next. First impressions- As this was my first long road trip I had no expectations. I threw a backpack with a change of clothes on the back and hit the road. The first thing I notice is that the fan runs excessively, perhaps because the bike is new, not sure. Even at highway speeds I can hear it running (3.5K RPM/65-70MPH). Im thinking maybe a side scoop? The 2nd thing I notice is that after approx 40 miles, my a$$ hurts so bad I have to stop, we really need a new seat option for these things. How often do you all stop? Mileage was good (about 45mpg both there and back). About 120 miles in on the return trip I hit a horrible thunderstorm (cars were stopped because they didnt want to drive in it, just picture it on a bike) and was forced to stop at a BP station for "lunch" (chex mix and a coke). About 30 min later it had slowed enough that I could venture back out, wet and miserable for the remaining 80miles. All in all the bike ran great both ways, didnt have a single issue, even in HEAVY rain. Now for some questions: -Does anyone else think the seat is too stiff or is it just me? Am I sitting wrong? My "junk" is about 3in from the airbox sitting nearly upright, should I be leaned over more for a long haul? - Do they make some kind of peg extenders so that you can stretch your legs out more when you are "cruising"? -2nd, what do you all do in the rain, do you always stop? How heavy till you do? I noticed that I just laid down over the air box to keep my front as dry as possible and not get pelted with rain, good idea? -Anything that I have to worry about on the bike in rain? -Since my factory dunlops are now nearing 2000miles, what are a good set of tires for all weather use? Almost 1500 miles in and still loving the XB as much as the day I brough her home. Thanks for the input guys if you have any. Rodric | ||
| U4euh |
-The stock seats are not looked upon highly! -Havn't seen anything for peg extenders, although some homemade stuff has surfaced. -Get wet! LOL I have rain gear I keep with me, especially for long rides. -Don't worry about the bike in the rain, it is fine, except for the spray coming off the back tire! -Tires, oh tires, ther;s a can of worms. I prefer the Continental Road Attacks! Great wet weather traction, great mileage(I got near 8000 miles), but of course that is my opinion Look up Badwebber called Whodom, I believe is in or near Charleston! | ||
| Snowhownd |
They do now make different seats for the Ss - checkout Buell.com. I usually start to get a little ancy after about 40 minutes - I usually need to stop every hour. If you ride in rain often make sure you keep an eye on your primary with regards to water getting in through the clutch cable - common problem. My Ss did it. Do a search for details on the normal zip tie and grease most people seem to have luck doing to fix it. (I haven't ridden in rain since I fixed mine). | ||
| Diablobrian |
With modern tires rain is not that big of a deal really. dial it back a notch or 2 and be SMOOTH and it's not a problem. Shape is more important than how hard or soft the seat is. There are new seats available for the SS you might want to take a look at. Other than that, good job getting out and riding!  | ||
| Skyguy |
I just got back from 1,400+ miles on the stock Buell XB9R seat. I had to cancel a date as I did not want to explain the swollen red area on my arse. The stock seat sucks it hurt to sit down after fuell stops. I NEED a new seat! I think crap seats are a conspiracy to sell aftermarket seats. I have never had a good stock seat. GJ on the ride! | ||
| Cochise |
The Ss has a good seat, first ride a while on a regular S, or an R, THEN go ride the Ss and see. I just use the Buell Rain Gear, It blows around allot, so I wear a jacket underneath it, so as not to get that wind-blown-tingle-itch. | ||
| Old_man |
Synthetic oil and some more miles on the bike should help the bike to run cooler. My XB9S fan used to run all the time and every time I turned off the ignition it ran several minutes. I have almost 5000 miles on it now. I rode about 50 miles today, when I got home and turned off the ignition, the fan did not run. I wonder if others had the same experience? | ||
| Mdm |
I swapped out to the streetfighter seat after a few weeks of owning the bike. BIG difference, but as mentioned above a break at 100miles is still nice, need fuel around 100-120 anyway. The rear fender, yea, very miserable ridding in the rain. I don’t know the solution yet. Maybe some tape on the cheese grater? The fender eliminator looks real cool, but not a great solution for a commuter bike. MDM | ||
| Jaimec |
Geez, and I found the stock saddle on the XB12Ss perfectly comfortable after a 450 mile day. I just find the styling to be a bit "blah." Motorcycle Consumer News also praised the saddle highly. To each his own, I guess. | ||
| Prof_stack |
"I rode about 50 miles today, when I got home and turned off the ignition, the fan did not run. I wonder if others had the same experience?" Yeah, with 10k miles on my XB9S and using synthetic oil, this is normal for me as long as the temps are somewhere below 80 degrees. But the XB12 models run hotter, I think. | ||
| Earwig |
I think everyone covered what I was going to say except the gas mileage should and probably will get better. My bike had horrible gas mileage when I first bought it (I was only getting about 28mpg city) and I was baby-ing it... it has gotten much better so you should see that 45mpg climb quite a bit. | ||
| Truk |
I am 6'1", 180lbs and 53 years old. I have 03xb9r with Buell touring seat. Have ridden the bike from Columbia, SC to Deals' Gap. First day was just half day up to Clemson. Next day, 10 hours in the saddle riding up to the Dragon and back home. Did just fine. Get a good saddle. Also you can wear bicycle shorts with leather insert under your jeans for additional padding. I also use "Draggin Jeans" or my leathers for trips like this. "Draggin Jeans' have an additional Kevlar patch in the seat. For long distance travel, nothing works better than leather for comfort...but realize this is not alway practical. Earlier this summer I took a 2,400+ mile trip on my R1 up to Conn. and back in 8 days. Did just fine with bicycle shorts and the draggin jeans. I have a corbin seat on the R1. Get a good saddle and some good riding gear... good for comfort and safety As you get more miles on the bike it runs cooler and fan comes on less. The fan serves a good purpose...it is keeping the oil in the back cylinder cooler....make friends with it...At times it is running, but I don't hear it much, gotten used to it...part of the charm of the bike. Am happy to hear it run when I turn the bike off, it is doing it's job | ||
| Deflaytedwayz2 |
i have a 06 xb12r. i just got home from a 500 mile trip this weekend. and i have a stock seat. my rear is raw! and i have what looks like rug burn. i really need to find a seat that can accomidate long trips. also i have stock bars and after about 80 miles my throttle hand hurts so bad at the wrist i have to change my seating position to regain comfort. after about 100 miles my carples start hurting. i think its from the weight on them for so long. has anyone changed the bars to a more upright position on a R? which set seemed more comfortable? and what affects did it have on the bike as for handeling etc. oh and new seat opinions will be consitered too. thanks ryan | ||
| Whodom |
Rodric, Sounds like you had a good first long run. Be aware that the likelihood of rain is inversely proportional to whether you packed rain gear or not. The severity of the rain is inversely proportional to how good your rain gear is. Oh yea, and Mother Nature likes to toy with you making it mist slightly to see if you'll stop and go to the trouble to put on all your rain gear, in which case the sun will immediately come out. OTOH, if you DON'T stop and put it on, it will mist long enough to get you thoroughly damp and THEN the gates of heaven will open and you'll get REALLY wet.  I highly recommend Froggs Toggs for rain gear. You can find them at hunting/fishing suppliers. I'm still struggling with seat issues myself on my 2000 S3. I had a stock seat reworked by Sargent with a new cover and better foam. The foam is an improvement but it seems to transfer more heat from the oil tank to my butt and the shape is not suited (for me anyway) for long-distance riding. I did over 300 miles last Thursday and my butt was screaming for mercy by the time I got home. Truk- thanks for the tip on the bicycle shorts- I may try those. The upgraded Buell seats for the XB's seem to be highly regarded. Lots of people love Corbins. If you REALLY plan on doing lots of long distance riding, there are several guys that do custom seat work for Iron Butt competitors. They aren't cheap, but they build seats that are comfortable for 1000+ mile days. They can work from photos or you make an appointment and ride your bike in and they'll build your seat while you wait. Unfortunately, I think all these guys are on the west coast so that kind of makes them impractical for us. Another must-have accessory for long distance riding is some kind of throttle lock/assist gizmo. I presently have a "Cramp Buster" which is a plastic lever with a sort of a loop on the end that fits around the outer end of the throttle grip. It allows you to use the weight of your wrist to hold the throttle open so you can relax your right hand. There are several other variations on this and then there are gizmos that allow you to just lock the throttle in position. (Message edited by whodom on July 23, 2006) | ||
| Truk |
Defly - I have Heli-bars on my XB9R. I really like them.... | ||
| Corporatemonkey |
I love the stock seat on my cityx. I tried the shorter version, and it just didn't feel right. I have done over 400 days, and the only sore parts are my knees. I have a suspicion that the stock seat works better for people who are lighter (I am only 160lbs). As for rain. I will ride until it is unsafe. I do make a point of pulling off if it just started raining (waiting for the oil slick to clear) | ||
| Jlnance |
Rodric - There are better seats, BUT don't get one yet. The problem you are having right now is that your body isn't used to sitting on a bike for long distances. A couple thousand more miles and you will have some new muscles built up and it will be much easier to sit for long distances. Then you'll be in a better position to evaluate a new seat, if you even need it. Also, if you touch your toes 10 times each day, it will make a difference. Seriously. | ||
| Jlnance |
I've wanted the peg extenders too. I think we are out of luck. There are things you can try though. Take your feet off the pegs and stretch them forward. Or you can try briefly standing up on the pegs. | ||
| Xbeau12s |
Jinance - I have noticed that the more I ride I can go farther. Definitely something you have to get used 2. I am going to try the bicycle shorts. I can comftorably ride about 400 miles before I have to say, "Sh*t, time for a break". 04 XB12S- and the Laminar speed screen works great for the haul. I just put my feet on my back pegs and lay on my tank bag sometimes and it's pretty comftorable when I'm getting the ache. | ||
| Diablobrian |
The bicycle shorts work. Also I've had Corbin seats on several bikes, including this one now, and they have worked well for me without exception. | ||
| Henrik |
Not a big Corbin fan - different bike entirely, though ... but building a ProPad into my stock S2 seat, adjusting all hand and foot controls to fit as well as fitting barrel shaped gel grips made a huge difference. The Heli bar set-up will take some weight off your hands, but if you're not helping by supporting your upper body using your legs, abs and back, then that may still not be enough. Finally, Throttle Meister makes a very nice (and pricey) throttle lock/bar end weight set-up. I found bicycle shorts not to work too well for me, but they're certainly worth a try. They make them with gel padding now too. Henrik | ||
| Beachbuell |
I've done several 400 mile day trips on my Firebolt with a stock seat and never really thought much of it. I stop every 100 miles or so for gas and my legs enjoy the stop too. I now have the Buell touring seat on my Bolt, but haven't made any long hauls lately. While I don't enjoy stopping every 100 miles for gas I find that it is much needed.... To stretch out and get circulation flowing and to just get off the bike for a few minutes, so I don't mind it. | ||
| Jlnance |
I stop every 100 miles or so I forget that one. Stopping frequently makes rides much more enjoyable. I used to try and push the stops because I wanted to get there quickly. But the ride is much more fun if you get off the bike ever couple of hours. | ||
| Jaimec |
With my K1200LT, I can often go 270 miles between gas stops. Well, the BIKE can, I'm another story. Of course, every time I stop, I'm not getting any closer to my destination. I found out I can get the same benefit of a stop without actually stopping if I just stand up on the pegs and do some stretching. I'll straighten my legs, do calf-raises, roll my shoulders, etc. All to get the blood flowing. I'll do this for three minutes, and I'll be good for another hundred miles or so (at which time I'll get gas). The XB12Ss has a much shorter fuel range, so I can afford to drain tanks between stops. | ||
| Kootenay |
I did a 5-day trip recently, and posted a ride report (with pictures) here. My 9R is pretty much stock, except for a Helibars riser (which I really like) and Lightning pegs. Bike worked well, and I find it comfortable (more so than the Duc ST3 I demo'd on that very trip), but it really helps to be riding roads that require some input--straight runs make me sore. | ||
| Bake |
I find the seat harsh after a long day on my XB9R, think I will try the cycling shorts on this years tour. | ||
| Metalstorm |
If the upgraded Ss seat is made of the same stuff as the 9/12S Select seat I say BUY IT NOW. I just did about 500 miles this week end. A tad under 200 miles Friday, 80 Saturday, maybe 50 Sunday (give or take a few miles) then 165 today. Never once did my butt hurt. In fact nothing hurt. I so love my bike.  | ||
| Swordsman |
I know the other Buell seats kinda' suck (as does EVERY sportbike), but the one on the Ss is different. I'm really surprised you had problems with it. I LOVE that gel-foam-rubber-whatever-it-is. I've run 50 miles and been ready for more (if I could keep my right hand from going numb, anyway). It may be the weight difference, though... I'm somewhere around 180, so they seat may compress alot more than I'm aware. My father in law has a Sportster with a Corbin, and doesn't have a very high opinion of it. He said the stock seat left you sitting on the frame after 10 minutes, and the Corbin seat leaves you there in 30. Dunno if they're any better with the Buell designs. ~SM | ||
| Skyguy |
I have lockhart bar ends and before a long road trip I will push the throttle side in and tighten it just enough that I can let go of the throttle without it backing off. Cheap fix. As for the seat on the XB9? It is the most miserable thing in the world to put miles in on. | ||
| Doon |
I rode 407 miles on sunday round trip, which is about an avg ride for me on a weekend. I have a corbin seat on an xb12s. I normally stop when I need gas, and don 't have too many issues with aches/pains. But I tend to ride a lot and my butt is getting to be pretty used to the Buell and long trips. My general rule of thumb is to stop whenever anything on me starts to hurt/ache. even if it is just a 5 minute get off the bike, stretch, hop back on. It does get easier with time and practice. Also I have never ridden an xb without the corbin (i have them on all my bikes and had the one for the XB ordered before they even delivered my Bike ) | ||
| Humboldtblast |
rode from seattle to eureka, ca (550 miles) and the stock seat must go!!! I have a huge red spot on my arse, almost need one of the kushy doughnuts. A seat is critical for a happy arse! | ||
| Fullpower |
A corbin saddle on an XB is good for thousand mile days. | ||
| Radixx |
I've got a 2006 XBs CG and the seat... how do I say it... sucks. I've recently put 7 hours on a skinny bicycle seat doing an MS150 ride and that was more comfortable! Got an airhawk for longer rides and that helps a lot. m. | ||
| Fullpower |
get a corbin saddle. i have several 1300 mile weekends on mine, best saddle out there. | ||
| Diablobrian |
Apparently Corbin has released a redesigned seat pan for the firebolts that will not damage the battery cables. Those that were avoiding them because of this need worry no longer. If you have an older one there is a retrofit bracket for your seat. Contact Corbin to get one sent to you. | ||
| Al_lighton |
See http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/32777/184366.html#POST623282 |
