| Author | Message | ||
     Stitch1 |
I have done a search but still have not come up with the info I am looking for... So... What are the pros and cons of both what would make you want one over the other? Do you ever wish you would have gotten the other one? Thanks for taking the time to help someone new to Buells. -Tim | ||
| Angelwild327 |
mostly depends on if you want a streetfighter (more upright)style of bike or a race position style (leaning forward)..there are some other differences...but the 12 models in either lightning or firebolt are pretty similar and you can check the actual specs for the differences there.. everyone has their reasons for getting one over the other.. some have both..depends on your riding style, mainly | ||
| Curtyd |
I did dropped handlebars for a long time, I like the more upright position now with my wife on the same seat level right behind me, on the occasion when we both are on it. The 12Ss gives her and me a little more seat room too and mileage range, but I haven't ridden one yet. Still just have my 'little' yellow 9S, NEW RACE KIT on today, YIPPEE. | ||
| Xb12rdude |
I like having a windshield on the Firebolt and the race position. I like the fact that the lightning is good for wheelies and less plastic to fix if you fall. | ||
| Vaneo1 |
I have heard there are some wind issues with the S at freeway speeds. I cgose the R for the wind protection, and for the aerodynamics (do a lot of freeway riding)in comparison to the S. I had to get S pegs for my R because my legs were to crunched with the stock pegs. | ||
| M1combat |
I've put 24K miles on an "R" and 1200 on an "S". A friend of mine asked me to break in his "S" and told me I could just ride it as much as I'd like until he got back from Vacation as long as I changed the oil at 500 and 1000. He knows how much I ride and I told him I'd give it back somewhere around 1000 miles... Anyway... The "R" feels more stable at all lean angles and speeds. The "S" affords better leverage on the bars so it "feels" a little twitchy compared to the "R" but once you get used to it that mostly goes away. Near the edge of the tire the "R" is very stable and the "S" not as much. It's due to the leverage on the bars and unwanted rider input I think. It forces you to be more smooth IMO, but it doesn't react quite as well IMO to bumps at high lean angles. If you get one of the low models I recommend switching to a GP shift pattern. Cought my toe twice before I just decided that I'd rather sacrifice my drive out of a turn rather than try to shift up at a high lean angle. That's really no problem with the 12 engine (I've never ridden a 9) but it's something that you need to get in the habit of (entering in the gear you want to exit in). It's really not an issue... I was probably down shifting one too many times on the "R". I think that both bikes are comfortable, you just need to find how your body sits comfortably on each one. I would imagine that the "R" is probably the more difficult to adapt to for a new rider and for someone who has ridden before I'd guess it would depend on what they had. As far as riding them around every day... I like the "S" if I'm NEVER going to decide to run a canyon road faster than I really ought to. It's fun on the streets. It wheelies very easily, it'll carry the front across an intersection, the rear slides around in first easily, it's "quicker" when it comes to steering (but that's it's downfall IMO in the canyons). The "R" is VERY close in fun factor to the "S" in town but where I really like to ride is in a nice deep twisty canyon. I like the "R" better there. It's more precise, it slides both tires better (I probably could have gotten the "S" to do that too, but I didn't have enough time to play with the suspenders), it feels more stable over bumps at high lean angles, it seems to be easier to modulate the brakes and keep the reas skimming along the ground for some reason (the two bikes do have different pads, but it's something about the location of the bars), the "R" has a more forward weight bias and I think this lends itself to better corner exit feel (The "S" sorta felt like it was always nearer the limit of the rear tire... somewhat fixable with the suspension but I don't think I would... It was fun  ), The "R" is FAR better at the rev limiter in fifth (The "S" starts to bug me at about 105), The "R" just has more of a scalpel/sharp/on rails feel to it. All of that said... I have a lot more experience with the "R". The "R" has had Metzeler M1's and M3's on it. The "S" had it's D207's. I still don't like those tires BUT... When you hang off they are fine aside from the fact that they are easy to overheat. I think the statements about the characteristics of the bikes as "I" see them are pretty accurate near the edge of the tire while hanging off. I was getting more overall traction out of the Metzelers, but damnit... it's FUN to slide around  . It's fun to slide around on the Metzelers too for sure , but you have to be going a good deal faster or you have to be riding hard for a good ten miles to get them to overheat and slide. Metzelers M3's ROCK for street tires . I suppose to sum it up... I wouldn't buy an "S" or trade my "R" for one. I like the handling characteristics of the "R" in a canyon more than I like the excellent fun factor of the "S" in/around town. I prefer canyons. I live about 3/4 of a mile from a GREAT one so that heavily influences my decision. One more thing to note... I notice looks from sweet looking women about once a week or so on my black 12R. On that red 12S I'd notice looks about once every other day. Girls apparently really like red 12R's... I had a jeep full of teenagers fighting for who got to wave at me. I'm just glad I had my helmet on . I don't think I'm that much of a looker. The bike is though. | ||
| Kootenay |
The Firebolt and Lightning use the same chassis, engines, and driveline--the differences are all in the ergonomics. I like the Firebolt, since I seldom ride in town; if I lived in a major urban center, I would consider a City X. | ||
| The_new_guy |
Firebolt Con-Not owning a Lightning. Lightning Con-Not owning a Firebolt I WANT BOTH! | ||
| Angelwild327 |
In some cases, rider height and experience can play in a role in deciding which bike to get. How tall are you? How long have you been riding? What have you ridden in the past? | ||
| Tommy_k |
I second M1 on the high speed runs. I would love to have that windscreen in 5th gear. I may try crossroads and the slightly taller flyscreen. I'd say buy it based on looks...it's cheaper to change handlebars and footpegs, than it is to switch front and rear ends. .02, TK | ||
| L0c0 |
Seat height was the deciding factor for me (XB9SL.) With the "S" I almost have both feet flat on the ground and can move the bike around with ease, with the "R" I could only put my toes down so it was hard to do simple tasks like "backup". As for the riding position I'm used to Japanize bikes so I opted for the Crossroads handlebars and a standard S seat. This put me in the perfect riding position with a great feel in the twisties, it's a completely different bike from when it was "Stock". | ||
| Alanshouse |
The lightning looks much better. | ||
| Luckydevil |
Ditto on LOcO, the crossroad bars make the S handle much like the R, by lowering into a similar position. Hard to define, but i was comfortable on the stock bars, but the turns feel a little more natural and easy in the new position, less "Tipping Over Feeling" because your head is lower to the bike. | ||
| Spectrum |
I have the Extended CF Windscreen on my 03 9S. Makes a world of difference. At speeds above 75 I used to get a lot of wind turbulence that buffeted my chest. Felt like I was getting pushed around. With the extended flyscreen no buffeting. I still get enough wind to keep me cool in hot weather but don't get enough to push me around. | ||
| Elff |
Click my Name to see a pic of my old bike. It was a customized CityX For around town driving and commuting to work I loved it. Very Flixable. Ive been doing longer trips with my friends and have a passenger now and found that it wasnt suited for my needs anymore So now I have a firebolt. Ive adapted the firebolt to my commute quite easily and really like it better at highway speeds and when cornering. M1 is right about how it feels more stable in high speed turns due to the clips ons not being quite as sensitive as the handlebars. My GF is much more comfortable as a passenger on the bolt and no longer slides into me. I really wish I could afford both, but for me the firebolt is a better solution. |
