| Author | Message | ||
     Mikeyfingaz |
Helo all... My wife and I are into bikes of all sorts... We like Harleys, sportbikes, dirtbikes, ect... We have never owned Buells before... We love Harleys & sportbikes & figure why not get a couple Buells... After reading up on them, we both decided that we really like the XB line of bikes... She is 5foot 2 inches tall & is concerned about the seat height on the Buell (or any sportbike for that matter, due to the higher seating of sportbikes because of the design on the bikes)... We are wondering if the XB line of bikes can be lowered, and if so how much... Do these bikes have "dogbones" that can be switched out? If they can be lowered, will the bike still be safe??? Will the bike have unwanted handling or ground clearance problems after being lowered??? We dont plan to attack twistys (even though Buells accel at this), but rather to ride for the enjoyment of the ride & to collect envious looks from passers by (the reason for getting Buells in the first place lol) We MIGHT participate in a few track days later as she gets more used to riding... Would lowering the bike cause any problems if she wants to do a track day??? I understand that groun clearance wil be compromised a little bit, but would it be compromised to the point that the AVERAGE rider would ever lean it over far enough to catch something on the pavement, making the rear whell lift off the pavement??? We both feel that Buells are the COOLEST bikes on the road today... Nothing else posseses the mystisism of a Buell... But I want to make sure we can get one low enough for her & that it will still be safe... | ||
| Perry |
She can get a 9 low or a 12 Scg - they are pretty low - like 28 inch seat height. No other sport oriented bike that I know of has such a low seat. | ||
| Midknyte |
Look for and talk to DaveS here. He has the list of parts you need and can hook you up. Yes, they can be lowered. And have. | ||
| Roadrailer |
My wife is 4'11", and just about the only bike she fits on is a cg with the low seat. | ||
| Adamcooney |
I'm also looking into lowering one too. I've got an 06' XB12Ss and I've seen a white firebolt that I've got a picture of REALLY low it's sick. Even the forks are slammed. I'd love to lower mine a good amount, maybe not that much, but 2-3 inches or so. Any thoughts in how to? I know the penske shock or whatnot is height adjustable but to how much? Or could I just swap out the Scg forks and rear shock? or anything else to do? | ||
| Barker |
Adam, can we see the pic of the slammed bolt? Please post. Thanx | ||
| Adamcooney |
Surely my friend. It's a bad ass 'bolt man. If it was only in black!!!  | ||
| Diablobrian |
1/4" fork travel.....YIKES! Might be good for a drag/show bike, but not for any street I've lived on. BTW that's wayyyyy lower than the SCG. The SCG is quite suitable for street duty. (Message edited by diablobrian on July 14, 2006) | ||
| Angelwild327 |
Mikey, I'm a shorty too..the 12scg is probably her most sensible option. The other bikes can be lowered, about 1.5 inches, at most, by switching out the front and rear shocks and related assemblies, without compromising geometry...I did a LOT of research on lowering my old City Cross...and while there are a lot of people that will TELL you they can lower it further, by doing this or that, the only proper way is to change out the suspension for the SCG. I decided to trade my 9 in for the 12scg...it fits perfectly. Even though it does not have the race faring, like the R models..it is still one hell of a bike, and works just fine for track days..PLUS..the riding position of the S models is more comfy, to most people, for longer rides...very upright, no resting on your wrists. Have her test ride one, see if she likes it.. | ||
| Adamcooney |
Well how did he drop his forks that low? I wouldn't go that low but maybe 1-2" above that, and what about lowering the rear? | ||
| Metalstorm |
What Angelwild327 said is dead on the money. 100%  (Message edited by metalstorm on July 14, 2006) | ||
| Diablobrian |
Adam, maybe converted to air forks? I don't know. The inner fork tubes are probably shorter than stock too. It's all one-off custom. The rear is probably just a shorter shock. | ||
| Qball |
If anyone's interested I have a lowering kit for XB's consisting of a complete set of lowered legs, rear shock, and kickstand. Also if interested I have a 2004 XB12R/S with the low seat and approximately 2700 miles. Available separate or together.  | ||
| Mikeyfingaz |
Hey, just got back to the computer after working all day... Lots of good posts with great info, thanks! Angelwild, if you dont mind me asking, how tall are you... It sounds like the cg bikes are the way to go, but I have looked alot on the web and cant find any reference to a XB9cg??? I can find lots of info & pics on the XB12cg bikes, but NOTHING on a XB9 version of the cg... I am specifically trying to find a firebolt for her (and me too... we LOOVE the look of the firebolts)... She says she would be more comfortable with the XB9 over the XB12 (power, weight, ect.) Is there any kind of XB9 cg??? And could you take a firebolt fairing & put it on another XB9 to make it look like a firebolt??? in other words, can I take An XB9 cg, no matter what model, and then put firebolt body parts on it to make it look like a firebolt??? Or would I just have to get a full fairing for the bike (she wants it to have a fairing, giving it that "real sportbike look" as she calls it. Bottom line is, she wants a XB9r firebolt, but one that she can handle height wise... Adamcooney, I showed her that pic of the white firebolt & now she said she HAS to have a bike that looks like that! For those who know, can I get a firebolt close to being as low as the one Adamcooney posted without sacrificing safety??? After seeing the white firebolt, she says that her dreambike is a XB9r like Adamcooneys. EDITED TO ADD: After searching the boards, I found a post by biofilter where he stated having an 03 XB9scg, but upon trying to google search an XB9scg I get absolutely No returns... Zero, it says there is no listing of XB9scg... Is it a typo, or is google stupid lol... (Message edited by mikeyfingaz on July 14, 2006) EDITED TO ADD AGAIN: In the first reply to my thread Perry mentions the 9 low.... But when trying to google it, I get nothing on buell 9 low either... Is there another term for 9 low that might help my search results??? (Message edited by mikeyfingaz on July 15, 2006) | ||
| Diablobrian |
wasn't the 9 version called the xb9s(low)? the s-low was an unfortunate name and the scg name came as a replacement. You can get the "low" components forks, shock, kickstand, and lower triple clamp (05 and up non-low and all 03-04 xb models) and fit them to any S or R model. the Full fairing may drag the ground a bit cresting hills, and speed bumps on a low model. It's fairly close and does drag occasionaly even on my standard height R. Check my profile pic for a pic of a fully faired firebolt. If you have any questions don't be afraid to PM me for details. | ||
| Qball |
Try googling xb9sl. That is what I was trying to accomplish for my wife. Protection from the wind, and the lower stand over height. I just didn't get to it before she lost interest. Are you sure your wife wouldn't be interested in a 12? It's all there you'd just have to put the low kit on.  | ||
| Metalstorm |
Due to the different wire harness & placement of electronics, it would be far easier, quicker & cheaper to just get a low (yellow) rear shock & a low (cg) set of forks. And a low kickstand. And, if the 9R in question is an 05 or newer, a cg lower triple because the low forks are 41mm & all the rest from 05 up are 43mm. The upper triple is all the same but the lower one is different. | ||
| Midknyte |
She's 5'2", but what is her inseam? And will it be her first bike? I am 5'4" with a 28" inseam. I considered lowering my 9R, but just got used to tripoding it instead. It's no big deal anymore. I just scooch to the left in the seat a bit to put down a solid left footing. | ||
| Mikeyfingaz |
Metalstorm, you mean that I could take a pre 05 XB9r firebolt and add... A set of cg forks ( Is there anything else I would need to know before getting them. Like if they had to be from a certain year or bike?) Low kickstand And a low (yellow) rear shock??? I am unsure by what you mean when you typed (yellow) when pertaining to the rear shock... Are the low/cg rear shocks yellow lol??? Sorry for such stupid questions... I am just beginning my venture into the world of Buells. that would definately be more money & time spend doing the swap... I would probably have to pay a good tech to do it since its my wifes bike & I want it to be perfectly safe... But it would be something she would keep for a very long time, so it may be worth it... I would consider just going with the 12cg firebolt for her, but Im afraid (and so is she) that it might be too much power for her. | ||
| Metalstorm |
Yes the low shock is yellow where as the standard height shock is blue. That's the easiest way to tell them apart. If you have an 03 or 04 9R then yes, all you need is the forks, rear shock & kick stand from an 03 or 04 9SL or an 05+ 12Scg. If the 9R is an 05+ you need all the above plus the lower triple tree from an 05+ 12Scg or any 03 or 04 XB. It doesn't matter if it's an S or R or a 12 or 9 since all 03's & 04's had the same triple. On Edit: There's usualy always some one on this board that's wanting to swap parts such as suspension components. It's worth it to take a look in the classified section on this board from time to time. If by chance you plan on buying all this new, the best course of action would be to contact Daves. Tell him what year your bike is and that you want a low suspension set up & he'll get you everything you need & probably give you good advice & pointers as well. (Message edited by metalstorm on July 15, 2006) | ||
| Kootenay |
What your wife wants is an XB9SL (low). It comes from the factory with low forks, shocks, sidestand, and a special low seat. I've ridden one, and it rides just fine (although I have to admit, I preferred the regular XB9S, even though I'm a "manly" 5'4"). I don't think the XB9SL is made anymore, though--the "low" bike is now the XB12Scg. Same size as the old SL, but with the 1203 engine. That's not to say you couldn't still find a used (or even new "leftover") XB9SL. AFAIK, the short rear shock is yellow (as opposed to blue for the regular rear shock). And since the S (Lightning) and R (Firebolt) model XBs have identical chassis, there is no reason you couldn't install the lowered suspension components on a Firebolt. Might even be some Badweb members (Qball?) with the parts available for less... | ||
| Mikeyfingaz |
XB9SL, seems to be the concensus.... Going to research that now!... Let me ask this... Can I put firebolt bodyparts on that XB9SL Hmmm.... first few pages were about recalls on the bike lol... I am trying to spot the differences between that bike and the firebolt... it looks like the only difference betwen firebolts & the others is the really cool fairing & thatsa bout it... Am I wrong? (Message edited by mikeyfingaz on July 15, 2006) (Message edited by mikeyfingaz on July 15, 2006) | ||
| Metalstorm |
cool fairing & a sleek sexy tail section with low bars for that tucked in jockey position for the Firebolt. Brawny tuff looking minimal wind protection but oh so bad arse front end & a wicked show the world your rear tire bad boy attitude how the hell does a passenger sit on that thing rear section with a sit up & snarl at the world seating position for the Lightning. Other than that they're the same.  | ||
| Mikeyfingaz |
Cool, so other than cosmetics they are the same... So I could get her the XB9sl & put firebolt body parts on it for her.... You guys have helped out sooo much... Seems like a really nice board... I honestly thought I would get a few folks who made me feel stupid for such dumb questions... I will stick around & my questions will become less stupid as I progress lol... One more thing... What is the differences between the X1 & the S1.. I couldnt find any relavant search info on that one either lol... | ||
| Metalstorm |
Let me correct myself. The chassis is the same but the location of certain things are different. For example the ecm & fuse box on a Firebolt are located behind the fairing. On a Lightning they're located underneath the seat. because of that they each have a different wire harness. One of our Badwebers here, Dago I believe did a full on conversion & changed his 12S into a 12R but there was quite a bit to it if I recall. It's not a simple bolt on process. | ||
| Metalstorm |
On a side note, If you really like the cool fairing of the R and can live without the R's tail section, putting an R's fairing on an S like Qball did above is not too difficult I hear. Well, for me it would probably be difficult but for most folks, very doable  I can not remember all that is needed for it though. (Message edited by metalstorm on July 15, 2006) | ||
| Mikeyfingaz |
Ahh, well crap... Now I must search out DaveS... I was told he is the person to ask about lowering a buell. | ||
| Angelwild327 |
Mikey, Maybe you've cleared up all the confusion, but I'll just clear this up.. The Scg model, is ONLY a 12, and it's only in the S or lightning models. The SL model, was also ONLY in the S models, and that was a 9 lightning. The firebolts or R models come in 12 and 9, but there is not and has never been a stock low model. The yellow spring is unique to the SL and SCG models, lightnings only. It is the spring used on the lower models, the rest are blue, stock from the factory. Aside from the yellow spring, the low or scg models also come with a lowered seat. So you get shorter from the top and bottom. The yellow spring comes with a shock assembly that is supposed to be unique to that particular spring as well. Here's where you have to be careful, IF you want to lower a firebolt, and you definitely want to call DaveS about this, you will need to be sure the front forks from a low model are the same diameter as the model you want to alter, some are 43mm some are 41mm...they are not interchangeable without changing out the triple trees, I believe...you'll have to check for confirmation on whether or not that can be done. You will need the rear spring and shock assembly and you will need a low model side stand. Sounds like a lotta work, huh? I have also seen people put an R faring on and S model, so that's a possibility, as well as putting the rear or tail body work from an R on an S model. I am 5'2 and change with a 27 inch inseam. My better half has a firebolt, and with my 3.5 inch goth boots, I can touch the ground, but not flat foot..I actually ride my scg with those boots and it's super comfortable. Good luck, just be careful, like I said..there are lots of people that will tell you what they can do for your bike to get it lowered, but they'll probably screw up the geometry if it isn't done properly. The reason, mostly, that I went with the Scg was, Erik Buell built the bikes just the way they are for a reason, he put a lot of thought and hard work into engineering each bike to be "perfect" from the factory... I didn't want to alter that "perfection" and compromise the standards by which the bikes were engineered....call me conservative, and I know a lot of people love to mod their bikes...but our bikes are very unique and to preserve their original design is important to me. Again, good luck...contact DaveS or AlDaytona or Court..as these guys have had years of experience with Buells...from the inside out.. | ||
| Adamcooney |
Qball, do you have any pics of this lowering kit you have and any installed pics of a bike before, and after it installed? Thanks. | ||
| Qball |
Adam: I purchased the low kit from a fellow BADWEB'R. It never made it onto the bike. In fact it's in the same box I received it in. It consists of a complete set of legs, yellow shock, and kickstand. My bike stared life as a R and I changed it to the S tail section and the low seat. So all my electronics are still behind the fairing. Mikey: The difference between the 9 & 12 I believe are 10 hp, 10 fp-t, and 5 lbs. | ||
| Midknyte |
Can I put firebolt bodyparts on that XB9SL I would expect that it'd be much easier to swap out the suspection bits than to move are rewire the electrical bits (ecm and such are located differently from S to R). Talk to DaveS. He knows exactly what you need if you want to do it. It's relatively plug & play at this point for him. | ||
| Buellgirlie |
i'm 5'5" and can touch the ground on my XB9SL and not my XB9R. since my R is a racebike for me, i removed all the seat padding and it works fine now. not sure how comfy it'd be for street-use though. there is no low version of the R. the low version on the S model whether is a XB9SL or an XB12cg has completely different suspension and a seat with essentially no padding. the lowering is accomplished through lower seat (less padding) and different travel and height on the suspension. depending on how aggressive of a rider she is, and how much lean angle, etc. and how much suspension travel and pre-load (height) - will determine how to bike does on the track. i would go with the "factory setup of a low suspension" and nothing else. if she does end up dragging parts - then the next step is to work on body position so the bike can stay more upright (i'm doing this now myself) good luck D | ||
| Aydenxb9 |
It would be cheaper and easier to put the low suspension parts on a Firebolt than to convert a Lightning Low or cg to a Firebolt. As has been stated before on this board, doing an R conversion gets quite involved. Putting the low suspension parts on a Firebolt will have no ill effects on handling as it works fine on a Lightning. | ||
| Metalstorm |
"My bike stared life as a R and I changed it to the S tail section and the low seat." Oh, I had it completely backwards  Either way she's sweet looking | ||
| Qball |
Metalstorm, Thanks. She is beautiful. I think she's the best of both worlds. You sit up a bit more, (easier on the wrist) but not as much as a S. Still get the wind break, and I think she handles better. Quicker and easier flickability. I have the low seat and I think its quite comfy. I only wish I had time to ride. The switching of the frame rails was really easy. I'm by no means mechanical and had it complete R to S in 3 hours. I think this is the way the bike should be. A couple of other BADWEB'rs have done the switch too. If you haven't seen LONEXB's, check this out. Its the epitome of the BUELL XB.  |
