| Author | Message | ||
     Gdunkin |
I am seriously shopping for my first road bike this year, and I have my eyes set on a buell, the 2 I really like is the XB12R Firebolt and the XB12S Streetfighter, my main riding will be in city limits, and once or twice a month I want to take a 6 hour ride back to my home town, with my size, will I be comfortable on these models? Any thoughts/comments on the new 1125R as well??? | ||
| Deltablue |
I'm 6'0" 190 and have a 9R, In my opinion both bikes will fit you, however if you are commuting in traffic, a lot of stop and go, you will probably find the S more comfortable. Heavy traffic tends to push a lot of weight on to my wrists. | ||
| New12r |
^^^+1^^^ I found the 1125R much more comfortable than my 12R was. The Uly is the best for comfort and will still rail. | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
I always suggest that larger riders consider the often overlooked XB12Ss, otherwise known as the Long Model. This bike has a shorter wheelbase and steeper fork angle than a Ducati, so it is still a real sport bike, just a bit more comfortable for the larger guy. Not that I am the worlds fastest rider, but I never could keep up with Ray from MD on his Long. Still waiting for him to show a little respect for his elders. Probably ain't going to happen.  PS: I have ridden the bike on demo days, and was very impressed with its comfort and stability, as well as its easy handling. | ||
| Badlionsfan |
+1 Gent, xb12ss is great for taller riders who aren't into the fUgLY. | ||
| New12r |
fUgLY. That is funny. I love my Uly but not nearly as much as my Firebolt. I want the 1125R but the ins. is stupid expensive. | ||
| Glitch |
I ain't heavy, 175lbs in full gear, but I'm 6 feet tall. I have a Lightning 9S, got back before there was a choice. Since I bought it, I've done a lot of mods. It's closer to a 9R now. No complaints at all. The Lightning Long is a good choice for city traffic, and is a very capable twistie tamer as well. | ||
| Buellray |
I'm 6'2" 205#. I'm pretty comfortable on my firebolt but I did add the 1" drop footpegs. Helps more then you would think. I don't think I'd want to be on the bolt for 6 hours without changing the seat out from stock however. | ||
| Froggy |
Go to your dealer and sit on all of them. Take a good look at the STT too  | ||
| Cityxslicker |
demo, demo , demo, but if you are riding a passenger definitely go ULY. you cant wrong with the off road capability too. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Definitely take a look at the STT. Lightning Long dimensions, upright seating position, better suspension components and geometry, and extra fuel capacity. | ||
| Blake |
I'm 6'-3". The Firebolt fits me best due to the more forward leaning stance and my ape-like long arms. But I prefer the rearset peg ergonomics too. More weight on feet, less on buttocks is the way to go. Many don't first like it, but once you get used to it, there is no better riding position for the long haul. | ||
| Blake |
That said, I'm looking at a new Buell Ulysses XB12X and possibly the XT version, but I'd sell the hard bags. I'd need to put on some more forward leaning handlebars on either bike. | ||
| Teddagreek |
ape-like long arms I thought I was only one dragging my knuckles on the ground... I put crossroads bars on my bike, Now I'm Debating on clip ons or a firebolt triple tree conversion... If I had to buy a bike over I would have bought a bolt.. My back feels better on a bolt, Don't know why it just does... I'm 6'1" | ||
| Strmvt |
I'm 5'10" inseam of 30" and 180#'s with gear and I can touch with the balls of my feet is I'd say just about any XB model would be good just my .02 | ||
| Mr2shim |
I'm 5'10" inseam of 30" and 180#'s with gear and I can touch with the balls of my feet is I'd say just about any XB model would be good just my .02 I'm only 5'7" and I can flatfoot my XB9R with boots. Balls of my feet with shoes. But I'm like 80% leg.  Weird (Message edited by mr2shim on April 10, 2008) | ||
| Hotdog271 |
Gdunkin, I'm 6'2" and a little past the 250 mark. I have an XB12ss which is the long version. I never have any problems doing 6 hours or more on it. Last fall I took a 4 day ride that was over 1600 miles. Not too much highway driving either. I was never uncomfortable. And I live in the city (Philadelphia) and around town riding is great on it too. I recommend that lightning long. | ||
| Ferocity02 |
I'd go with a Firebolt. For the long trips you're going to want the extra wind protection. | ||
| Manimal |
Im 6'2" 265 and i ride a Firebolt Xb9r. On the long trips (2 hours or more) i noticed that my foot would fall asleep. Once last year after a 3 hour jaunt, my right foot fell asleep and as I came back into town when i went to plant my foot, i rolled my ankle and broke it and also dropped my bike.  So my first purchase this winter was 1" drop pegs and they seem to help the pressure on my ankle. Something to think about since you are planning a couple long trips. | ||
| Fmaxwell |
6'2", 190lbs. and I love my XB12Ss Lightning Long. A number of reviews have said that it's the best handling of the air-cooled Buells, showing less tendency to stand up in turns than its shorter cousins( (12R, 9R, 12S). Very planted but still extremely flickable. Longer wheelbase works well with the powerful Buell front brake. Another one to consider is the XB12STT. Same chassis with about an extra inch of travel. Taller saddle but a bit narrower. No passenger pegs. Styling is for you to decide -- or if that even matters to you. I've got the plastic and seat to go back an forth between XB12Ss bodywork/seat and XB12STT. So far, I've just swapped the seat out occasionally. (Message edited by fmaxwell on April 11, 2008) | ||
| Swordsman |
I would never own an R. I love the look, but DAMN they're uncomfortable. Wadding up in a ball and planting my ass on a slab of plywood... it just ain't happening. The Ss is great. I'm betting the new Uly with the lowered seat is hard to beat, for comfort. ~SM | ||
| Livnlo |
i am 6'3" and 320lbs and ride a 12r love it, many days 6 plus hours on it. i have added the drop pegs, 1 inch and the buell seat (not sure of the name) but only one for the r's wich adds another inch or so. giving 2+inches of leg room. and honestly how many of us ride 4 or so more hours with out a stop for fuel, smoke, drink etc buy what you like i think you'll love either | ||
| Tiresmoke |
6'1 215lb STT all the way. I took a demo ride on all of them, as soon as I rode the STT I was hooked. | ||
| Phwx2 |
I'm 6'2 and 175 (used to be 210) and I have an 03 XB9s. Fits just fine. I think I even have the low seat. I'm also 43 yrs old, in theory I should be less flexible. If its that much of an issue get a gold wing trike with highway pegs and mount a lazy boy on it. | ||
| Silence_of_the_clams |
I'm 6'1, 195, 40 years old and drive a 03 XB9R with all the race stuff, it is not for touring but 3 hours on it isn't bad. Clams | ||
| Bumblebee |
A Blast would be too small, but just about any other model will fit you fine. I am 6'3" at 230 LBS and the XB9SX feels okay. | ||
| Eengler2 |
6'2" 175 lbs. The 9S model fits me great. Looks like the tank/frame cutouts were sculpted for me. The bigger frame models: uly, long, stt, do not fit my knees, as well. My legs don't fit into the cutout because my knee hits the angle. Although two-up, I know my wife would appreciate the bigger bikes after our 700 mi weekend on the 9 So...as has been mentioned. Test, test, test-ride. |
