| Author | Message | ||
     Lostartist |
so, I'm looking at buying my first sport bike, I have 2 years riding experience on cruisers, I currently have a Suzuki S-50 which is 800cc bike, I like it a lot, just want something kinda different so I'm looking at a 2003 xb9s lightning. I'm short, 5'1" so sport bikes are kind of limited for me to feel comfortable on, I don't need to flat foot a bike, I can tippy toe a Ninja 500 okay, so, looking for advice here. the bike I'm looking at also has 20,000 miles on it, is that an issue? what is the maintenance schedule like on the xb9s? | ||
| Iman501 |
If taken care of these bikes will run for a very long time, ive got like 27k on my 03 9R, many others have much more on their bikes, id suggest an xb9sl (lowered version of the lightning aka 984cc version of the scg) or look into the lower seat for that bike | ||
| Fast1075 |
I am also short at 5'2"...I ride a "s" model...with the "low" seat from an "scg" it is ok...it's tippy toe two feet or off the side with one foot flat...took a while to get used to it and is still sometimes a pain in off camber spots. If you can find an "scg" you will be happier. | ||
| Blake |
Geez! Danny Pedrosa has infiltrated our ranks and we didn't even know it.  Word is that he's afraid of the scoops on the 1125's. ![: ]](http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/clipart/proud.gif) | ||
| Migs16 |
dont let the height stop you. your feet are up 90% of the time anyway. Your going to love the bike hopefully you have a tender for your Suzuki because it is going to sit for a lonnnggg time once you get your buell! good luck to you, and safe riding. ps if you can work a wrench your gona be fine. and the aftermarket parts world is addicting just an fyi | ||
| Iman501 |
ps if you can work a wrench your gona be fine. and the aftermarket parts world is addicting just an fyi 1+ there....i've already spent to much money on aftermarket stuff and i'm only like 2 months into winter..... | ||
| Lostartist |
so, why shouldn't I get a ninja 650r or something instead? sell me on the xb9s!! come on y'all! | ||
| Migs16 |
theres this thing i like to call torque like you never felt it before. um the japs havent figured how to make that yet! thats what sold me! go ride one and thats enough said! | ||
| Guell |
much much better suspension on the xb than the 650r. | ||
| Iman501 |
you see to many ninjas on the roads! go ride one, we shouldn't have to convince you what to buy, its personal opinion! | ||
| Bumblebee |
I like my XB9SX. You should try one then decide. | ||
| Ronbob43 |
I like my XB9SX. You should try one then decide | ||
| Obiewan |
Just buy one, We'll help ya! | ||
| Lostartist |
okay, went and looked at the bike, I like it, everything reaches okay, not laying on the tank to reach the controls, only thing that doesn't reach is the kickstand, I can't put it up if it's down, is there a way to move it back?? or something?? or can I just keep putting it up before I get on the bike? although that's kinda awkward as I have to kinda high stradle it with my short legs . . . I'm sure something can be done to let me get the stand up, does it just bolt on and then can I slide it back, is center of gravity or anything important to the kickstand? | ||
| Lostartist |
oh, need answer soon, ebay auction ends tomorrow morning, sorry for the late post . . . | ||
| Lostartist |
how tall is the xb9s, like removing the rearview mirros, in case I have to put it in the back of a truck or van or something if it's raining when I go to pick it up, yeah, I'm buying it! if it's raining, I don't trust the tires on it right now in the wet, they dont' look bad tread wise but they are a few years older than they should be. | ||
| Gunut75 |
Congrats. Pics or it didn't happen. | ||
| Lostartist |
I won the auction, made the deposit, might need to transfer some money so it's more accessible if I can't pay straight through paypal, asked about that, I made the deposit through paypal, so that's what I'm waiting on,hopefully I won't have to jump through too many banking hoops | ||
| Terrys1980 |
Pics or it didn't happen. Thats what she said :P | ||
| Lostartist |
So, any input on height or moving the kickstand? | ||
| Gunut75 |
Did you get the S, or the scg? My bike is at my shop, so I cant check out the kickstand thing for you right now. | ||
| Terrys1980 |
The stock seat height on the S is around 30.5"-31". I don't think anything can be done to the kickstand as far as moving it goes but you can possibly get something welded to the kickstand that sticks out further or high on the kickstand. There is a cheap way to lower the bike but some say its not safe. I've put 10k on mine with no issues. You can most likely find a SCG shock on ebay for less than $100. (Message edited by terrys1980 on January 09, 2011) | ||
| Iman501 |
what is wrong with the kickstand? When i switched to my buell, it took some getting used to to raise and lower the kickstand | ||
| Lostartist |
nothing is wrong with the kickstand, just of of my stumpy leg reach. going to have to get an attachment put on the loopy thing that sticks out from it to put it up | ||
| Lostartist |
are there good saddle bags or other luggage for the xb9s? I don't want a tank bag, something big enough to carry a 14inch laptop and some sketch/writing pads and a few books | ||
| Terrys1980 |
http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/show .cgi?32777/606842 | ||
| Andymnelson |
I highly recommend against using any luggage for carrying a laptop on our bikes (well, any bike really...). Our V-twins shake quite a bit, add to that the road bumps and you're asking for disaster for delicate electronics. By bro had a 6 month old high end Lenovo all but fall apart on him on the inside after commuting with it in his tail bag. He now uses a back pack (and has for 2 years) with his replacement laptop with no issues. I use a messenger bag with a padded laptop pocket daily, and have done so for about 6 years with no issues at all. | ||
| Gaza |
I carried a 12 inch laptop from Canada to Tennessee to skype while I was on the road and it still works fine!! Ventura racks and hard givi case works well. |
