| Author | Message | ||
     Dongalonga |
Ok to give a little background for those that do not know. I am coming off af an 03 XB9SL I had since new. I had all the common mods like air/pipe/ecm upgrades. Looks: WOW is all I can say here. I got the black/red combo. Ergos: To start of I am 5'6" and 155 pounds with about a 30 inch inseam. As many have said in the past it is not perfect from the factory especially compared to my old 9SL. I have ordered the traction grips and lightning pegs. I had the traction grips on the lightning and loved them. The stock grips are just too skinny to be comfortable considering the seating posistion. The bars themseleve feel like they could have a bit more rise and pullback for long rides, but are great for the agressive stuff. The seat is great for agressive and short/medium rides. For long rides it leaves a little to be desired. I did 250 miles home from ME the weekend I got the bike. My thinghs were killing me for the rest of the day. It may have alot to do with being used to the lightning seating posistion though. The pegs definately feel to high for long rides and I believe the lightning pegs with make a marked improvement in this area. As far as wind protection it seems just right for me. All in all the ergos seem like they are geared more towards the short to medium length agressive rides, but thats what is to be expected from the firebolt. If you are looking for an all day bike the lightning is better suited. Drivetrain: Once again WOW. Compared to the 9 I am coming off of this thing feels like a beast. This to me is the biggest suprise considering I had the 9 modded. I have yet to really open it up as I have not broken 500 miles due to crappy weather. This motor pulls hard to 4K though. The biggest improvement I have noticed is the clutch. Compared to an 03 it feels light and smooth. The tranny seems to shift better as well. The DDFI 3 seems to do about the same job as the 03 did. I never really had any issues with low speed sputtering with the 03 as some did. I have only had the new bike sputter once at low speed when it was about 85 degress out and I was stuck in stop and go traffic. I believe alot of the sputtering issues people have had however have been on stock bikes. I think with an open airbox, pipe, ecm this thing will be a monster. The biggest downside I have noticed is the heat difference. This thing gets hot, but I attribute at least some of this to the fact that the bike is not broken in yet. Only time will tell on that. Handling: This thing is great. I had the same Pirellis on my 03 but this thing just feels so much more planted. I barely have any chicken strips left and I havent even made it out to any of my favorite roads yet. The firebolt feels much more nimble as one may expect. Overall Impression: Like I said I dont have many miles yet mostly highway, but I can form a decent opinion. If you have been on more of a standard bike like the lightning like me the firebolt takes some getting used to. The bike is pretty agressive, but not to a point that you dont enjoy riding. With a few mods I think I will like this bike even more than my lightning. I have gotten alot of compliments on the biek so far and that always makes someone feel good. Overall all I am happy with the purchase, but for long distance traveling I will eventually need another bike as this bike was made for the twisties. | ||
| Tiburondriver47 |
For your 2nd bike check into the 86-06 kawasaki concours. A very reasonably priced sport touring bike. | ||
| Paint_shaker |
I just picked up the 2008 XB12R in White & Blue... I am coming off a 98 S1W (stil have it too!). I agree the ergos are pretty decent and the heat does cook my inside of my right thigh. I had the dealer put traction grips on immediately after the test ride!!! HUGE improvement!!! Also bought the deluxe tank bag which looks to be able to handle my needs. Overall, very happy... But this thing needs a pipe!!!! Spec Ops or drummer soon!!! | ||
| Thespive |
Odie's heat shield will help with the heat on the right side, it did wonders on my CityX.  As for the ergos, I agree. I bought my Lightning because I needed an all-purpose bike that I could tear up twisty roads on, but also comfortably commute on and the Firebolt was just too aggressive for me and after a 15-mile test ride, my wrists were killing me. That being said, I still think the Firebolt is the superior-looking bike and in the new colors looks as fresh as when they came out in '03 and if I were to get one, I'd throw Lightning pegs on it and replace the clip-ons with bars and ride the beejezuz out of it! --Sean | ||
| Dongalonga |
I have decided when the time comes...aka when AL gets a good map for 08s...I will be going the Special Ops, American Sport Bike open airbox, tuned ECM route. | ||
| Macbuell |
I have the LSL footpegs with the 1" drop adapter and they work great. You can get some billet shift levers to go with them and they work even better. This may be a better option that just getting the S pegs. | ||
| Dongalonga |
Why? The lightning pegs drop the same 1". If you care to have pegs that look different I can see you point, but they are not better as far as function. | ||
| Evil_twin |
The stock lightning pegs are brittle and prone to breakage. Trust me. I know! Rich  | ||
| Dongalonga |
I had an 03 lightning since new until two months ago and never had a single issue with the pegs. I dont know about you but I dont plan on taking the 12R off any sweet jumps!! (Message edited by dongalonga on August 19, 2007) | ||
| Xl1200r |
I have decided when the time comes...aka when AL gets a good map for 08s...I will be going the Special Ops, American Sport Bike open airbox, tuned ECM route. Did the same thing to my '07 - you'll LOVE it. |
