| Author | Message | ||
     Holling |
I was wondering as a percentage, how many xb's have been built that are one or the other? It seems the vast majority are lightnings. Is this due to the Buell rider average age being in the upper 30s? I am 44 and am actually thinking of selling my 9S and getting a 9R. Go figure. | ||
| Fpresky |
I'm 41 years old and just switched from a Lightning to a 12r. The day I rode it home from the dealers I thought I made the biggest mistake of my life I hated it. By the end of my second ride I was in love. This is the best handling bike I've ever owned out of over 12 various brands and styles.I put 400 miles in the saddle 2 weeks ago and no soreness the next day. good luck with your choice | ||
| Brad_buell |
Hey Holling.......I'm in the same boat. I've had a Great time on my 9S, but for some reason I want a Firebolt. I just can't seem to get passed it.  | ||
| Brumbear |
I like the lightning better OLD KNEES but I would wonder what a bolt would be like with the lightning long pegs on it get you the extra inch | ||
| Cereal |
The Lightning Long pegs are the same as the Lightning pegs. And they are easily swappable with the Firebolt pegs. You only need the pegs, not the entire clip on assembly. Quite a few Firebolt owners have done this. I swap them in and out regularly. I'm pretty sure the extra inch in the Long is just in the swing arm. The frame is different, but only to hold more gas. There is at least one badwebber that has put the Long swing arm on a Firebolt, and another that put the S tail on a Long. | ||
| Spatten1 |
I'd suggest trying the Crossroads zero degree bars with your lightning first. For $250 it is worth it, much less than the tax if you switch bikes. I hated my lightning in turns with the stock and low motocross bars. It is perfect for me with the Crossroads setup. Even on track days. That said, the Firebolt reminds me of riding an old ZX-7, the perfect committed sport position. | ||
| Holling |
I am tired of the wind blast when riding my 9S on the hwy. How much wind protection does the firebolt provide? Is it worth it to trade bikes? | ||
| Chainsaw |
I've got a 9R and I have a hankerin' for a City-X. The grass is always greener on the other side, I guess.  If anyone in the Denver area on an City X or Lightning wants to swap for an afternoon or so, PM me and we'll try to get it out of our systems! | ||
| Spatten1 |
Chainsaw: check your email. | ||
| Cgocifer |
I currently have an S, but I test rode an R last week and after years of having repli-racers, I don't really miss the clip-ons and aggressive riding condition. My wrists were sore after only 15 minutes. I actually feel more in control with the S bars and haven't found much, if any advantage in using clip-ons over the handle bars. The wind protection sucks on the S, but I just lay down on the tank for fast highway riding. Both are great, and I'd love to have one of each, but I'll stay with the S for now. I may eventually go for a slightly lower set of Renthal bars or similar. (Message edited by cgocifer on May 16, 2007) | ||
| Spatten1 |
I actually feel more in control with the S bars and haven't found much, if any advantage in using clip-ons over the handle bars. The problem that I had with the standard "S" bars was when moving around on the bike to hang off, the bars were too close to my body and I kept inadvertently giving input through the bars, which upset the chassis. With the Crossroads or the "R" setup it is easier to shift side to side without putting any pressure on the bars. That is a personal riding style issue, and would not affect many S riders. |
