| Author | Message | ||
     Whitexc |
So I have put some miles on my bike now and have some opinions and questions. I love everything about my bike, especially the way people look at it with that look of disbelief...but anyways. I have an issue with my throttle hand going sleepy on long runs(75-150 miles). I do have some Cortech gloves that are a bit tight and could be contributing to this, but I think it's the almighty v-twin that is causing it. My only beef with the bike is the fact that it DOES NOT like to go slow...if we are rolling through town and trying to not run cars over, the bike has a null just off idle and then it goes like hell! I have to run 2nd gear around 2600 and the bike is not smooth, and I almost have to go and let off, go and let off. Is this the famous TPS reset??? Is this something I can do myself or a dealer only type thing. These are just some thoughts/opinions of mine and as stated, I love this bike and look forward to riding as much as possible. | ||
| Bwesky |
yeay another 03 9s in the house! i love my xb9s as well, is for the tps reset, look into ecmspy. dealers can do this for you as well. i rock no gloves and my hands get tired after like 50 miles+... at first i had a roblem with how hard the clucth was to pull in, but now im not such a weekling. haha my bike dosnt like to go slow either, i usually cruise around the 3k-4k rpm level, riding in the city. on the highway, im usually about the same, but tend to go from 3.5k-4.5k rpm. with that being said, youll get the best gas mileage with "my" style of riding. glad to hear you love the bike. be safe ride happy. | ||
| Sweatmark |
Another 2003 XB9S here. Try different gloves - I've found the XB9 to be smoother than most of the bikes I've ridden, definitely smoother than my BMW used for distance travel. In fact, one of my few compaints about the XB9 is the light throttle return spring used with dual throttle cables; I wish the spring return force was stronger! 2003 XB9S: primary colors rock. | ||
| Glitch |
 | ||
| Oddalloy |
I sometimes get stuck in "newer must be better" syndrome and so rode off to a Buell Demo Day at a non BadWeb sponsor yesterday. Man was it hot... like 95 degrees. Rode a TT and an 1125R. The TT was O.K., but the 12 just doesn't pickup the revs like a 9 does. The 1125R par-broiled my right foot, leg, and inner thigh... unbelievable how much heat comes off that bike. I think the only way I'd ever consider an 1125 is if they came out with an "S" version, there's just too much weight on my wrists on the "R". Climbing back on my '03 XB9S for the ride home, I realized I've tweaked my 9 to the point of being just-right-for-me. I guess I could also do that to the others but I think I'll just continue to enjoy my 9 for now. Yeah, it chugs around in-town. Yeah, the bars will numb your wrists. Yeah, the engine makes a hell of a racket. I love it, it suits me just fine! | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
I bought a used 2003 last season, thank God the 1st owner did the bearing and belt upgrades before I bought. I beieve he also had the kickstand replaced as well. So those were all issues I didn't have to deal with. I love this bike and have "made it my own", right along the same lines as alot of other guys/gals from here...And in large part thanks to them for the ideas, thoughts and comments. Its not the fastest or even the prettiest, but the one thing nice about Buell is that your bike can be made to be your bike. Enjoy your 03. | ||
| Glitch |
Some of the pros for the Lightnings. They were only built for 2 years. They have the R suspension. They're one of the most sorted out bikes. They're smoother. Rev higher. I own one. | ||
| Skully |
+1 Glitch! | ||
| Sweatmark |
And don't forget, the Lightning is pretty inexpensive to crash: low-sided on spilled hydraulic fluid this afternoon after posting above. Very little damage from a 30mph drop. | ||
| Prof_stack |
12k on my '03 XB9S. Never had my hands go numb, even after the typical 75 to 150 mile day ride. Must be your gloves, or perhaps you have a death grip on the bars. Best cycle I've ever owned, no doubt. Have fun with yours! | ||
| Diablobrian |
I understand where you're coming from Oddalloy, I have looked with envious eyes at the 1125r. But when I look at my own bike and consider the lengths I have gone to in making it "just right" for me and add in the fact I would so rarely use the extra 30 or so rwhp (and I don't have a choice when it comes to some of my mods) it looks more and more like a lateral move. I would like a set of 1125r mirror/turn signals and rear LED turn signals, and a set of Uly rear-sets, but I LOVE my 03 XB9(1250)R/scg, 20th anniversary model. It fits ME to a "T". | ||
| Retrittion |
1: RELAX -- these bike punish tense riders. 2: Higher RPM is key -- ride around town at 3-4K not 2-3K range. This seems to be more of an issue for people who come from metric bikes (like me) due to the tack needle position and noise. 3: Change your control setup -- the stock grips are crap in my opinion, same with the levers. I run Torque grips and CRG levers and I am much happier now. Barends sometimes help with the vibes too -- I know mine from Dark Horse Moto did. 4: RELAX -- it's worth mentioning twice. | ||
| Expatriate |
IT'S PROBABLY YOUR LEVER POSITION thats causing your hands to go to sleep.This is a big cause of this in sportbike riders. Adjust them down so your wrists are flatter and straighter. Vibration in the bars could also be causing it, a grip with a spongier texture could help. Tight gloves can be remedied with a leather conditioner. Wear the gloves WHILE the conditioner is wet on them and they'll stretch out. And, oh yeah... RELAX | ||
| Whitexc |
Thanks for the input...I think some new grips are in order anyways but I have the levers pretty comfy as I have had wheelers and dirtbikes and was always fussy about lever location. I do relax...at least I think about it and try to...but I'll work on that as well. Any advice on the bike not wanting to go slow deal(TPS?)??? Thanks folks and be safe. | ||
| Glitch |
Throttle Posision Sensor probably isn't your problem. It's like $35 to have it checked out at a dealership, they'll also check your Air/Fuel value as well. I have to run 2nd gear around 2600 and the bike is not smooth That is the nature of the beast. | ||
| Echo15 |
I just picked up an 03 XB9S for my daughter...her second bike (1st was an Enfield; 22bhp). What a great bike! I may not be able to keep myself off of it long enough to let her ride. Thanks to all who post here. It made the purchase decision easier and let me know the potential problems to look out for. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Adjust the play out of your throttle cables as well. | ||
| Tpoppa |
This is my 5th season on my 2003 XB9s. 26k with no problems to speak of. I think it's one of the best all around bikes ever made. I prefer the 9 to the 12. I use mine as a backroad carver, Sport Tourer (add Laminar Lip and Softbags), and an occasional commuter. The motor/gearing combo doesn't seem to like to run at 25mph. A TPS reset or certain aftermarket exhausts may smooth it out a bit in the 2-3k range. As for numb hands...I rode over 500 miles yesterday. My hands get numb after an hour or so. Gel/Anti vibration gloves help some, it really comes down to how much weight you put on your hands. | ||
| Stack |
XB9s Rock. Love mine would not give it up for anything stack | ||
| Simple |
vibes, you guys ever heard of Fasst Flexx bars for dirtbikes and ATV's? i wonder how those would fit onto a lightning... http://www.fasstco.com/products/flexx.shtml kind of spensive but they are spose to work wonders!! (Message edited by simple on June 09, 2008) | ||
| Whitexc |
I guess I just needed to hear that my little issues are common and the Nature Of The Beast...thanks for the input. I didn't want to take it to the dealer anyways! | ||
| Glitch |
I'm well over 60,000 miles. It only gets better! |
