| Author | Message | ||
     Dynasport |
I posted my disappointment in my local HD/Buell dealership recently over their apparent lack of thought going into their upcoming Buell Demo Day. Well, they are now advertising the day to be on a Friday instead of a Thursday, which is an improvement. It is still 10-4, so I am going to have to take some time off work, but I am going to be their this Friday, helmet in hand, to ride every kind of Buell they have. I am still a bit skeptical about the dealership's whole attitude about this, but I am trying to be hopeful and at the same time I can't wait to ride these bikes. I have a HD FXDX and on a recent trip from Florida to NC where we rode the Blue Ridge Parkway and Deal's Gap I came back wanting something sportier. I still need it to be a ride all day bike, too though, so I am not sure a Buell will actually do it for me. I am also pretty doubtful the short demo rides they are allowing will tell me for sure one way or the other. Still, at lunch today I stopped by and sat on a Firebolt and a Lightning. The Lightning seemed much more comfortable just sitting on, but I don't know that I could handle no wind protection for hours of highway riding that I sometimes do. Anyway, I'm looking forward to Friday. | ||
| Doerman |
Have fun Friday! If nothing else, trying a different bike is always interesting. Then after that.. decision time. Just a warning though. It's 12 years ago now that I took my first Buell demo. It was all over right then and there, bought one.  And have kept buying them ever since! | ||
| Bombardier |
Here's a tip. Don't ride your Harley to the dealership. After you have ridden a Buell everything else feels like an 18 wheeler. Just remember I told you so. | ||
| Chadr81 |
Make sure you try the Uly out. With what you were saying about being able to ride all day and being a little more comfy, that might fit you well. Ride them all, that's what demo days are for. Have fun!! | ||
| Toona |
Also try the Ss or the TT. I have a regular "S" and wish I had a little more room in the saddle to move around on a long trip. I like the Uly, but my 31" inseam doesn't. | ||
| Toona |
Just checked your profile...check in with Tq_freak on here. He's supposed to be going to the same dealer as well for a demo ride. | ||
| Tq_freak |
Toona's right. I am going to try and get sick at lunch and not come back to work. Its only tuesday so I really havnt figured out how busy everything is yet hopefully I can play hookie and head over there as well  | ||
| Reepicheep |
I have done long days on the 9sx in a lot of weather, and have not had any issue with lack of wind protection. Quite the opposite in fact... every time I have ridden a "faired" bike, the wind blast from it has driven me absolutely crazy. Buffetting slapping around my helmet instead of a nice smooth air flow from my chest up. Good gear gives you wind and abrasion / crash / rain protection. Spend your money and energy there, instead of trying to bolt it to your bike. That's my opinion anyway, there are valid counter points. If I were doing it today, I would be getting the TT, but putting on plastics and passenger pegs from an SX. I would like the SX seat on it as well, not sure if that possible. The Uly would be great if I was serious about lots of two up or cross country touring as well... the TT is more fun on a back road or commuting. | ||
| Kyrocket |
Buying a Buell for lots of highway riding? Kinda against the point isn't it? My bet is if you buy the Buell you'll leave earlier and take the scenic route. I did a Ky-Fl-Ky trip a few years ago on the stock seat. By the sixth day I was a little saddle sore but six days on ANY seat will probably take it's toll. Just my .02 | ||
| Dynasport |
Buying a Buell for lots of highway riding? Kinda against the point isn't it? Maybe, but I've got to get to the scenic roads I like. Most of my riding is in town commuting type stuff, but I do also ride from FL to NC and other places as well. I want a bike I'll enjoy on the twisties, that won't kill me getting there. I hope that's not too much to ask. A sport tourer may be what I really need, but honestly none of them really excites me. So, I am looking at the Buell offerings. We'll see. Maybe an FJR is in my future, but I want to explore all the possibilities. | ||
| Reepicheep |
If I had a choice of my XB9SX or my buddies VStrom for a cross country trip, I would take the 9sx hands down, even if it was all highway. If I felt like I needed more wind protection, I would buy an Aerostitch. Ferris had a legitimate "non faired" bike beef with the Uly... he was riding at like 80+ mph into 50+ mph headwinds. That would definately stink... though I'm not sure how much better it would be with a fairing. All the bikes I have seen that have enough plastic to *really* isolate me from the wind are big enough that I wonder what the point is. If I wanted to drive cross country enclosed, I have a perfectly good Saturn and a perfectly good minivan in which to do so... For one up sport touring, my 9sx with tail bags and soft side bags works remarkably well. You have to plan and pack light... but that seems to be kind of the point of the whole thing. It'd be hard to camp on it though... (my idea of camping is a $25 per night super 8 motel  ) Lots of FJR's for sale. They seem to be sold even more enthusiastically then they were bought... FWIW. I personally know three guys that had one. Two are sold, one is for sale. | ||
| Arcticktm |
If you're tall enough, a Uly is damn comfortable for even long hauls, and packs a ton in the Buell bags. You can always get the tall screen (like I did) or an aftermarket one to get the wind blast off your chest at highway+ speeds. I am 6'-4" and good to 80mph no problem with the tall Buell screen. It's a lot more comfortable than the sport tourer I used to have (Ducati ST2 with bar risers and pegs lowered). |
