| Author | Message | ||
     Mfell2112 |
the M2 or the Lightning XB9s? I am thinking of trading in my M2 again but would like some basic questions answered. Basic maintainance like oil changes and plug removel which bike would be easier? Or are they the same? I know the M2 is a breeze for oil and plug changes. Ok how is the Lightning for riding two up? The M2 does very well at this as well. Would I be taking a performance hit if I went with the 9s? I really appreciate low end torque and I know the 9s has less on paper than the M2 although the Lightning weighs less so maybe they are about the same off the line? Any other maintainance issues I forgot please add. I rode a 12s a few weeks ago and loved how light it felt. My guess is the 9s will feel the same way. Thanks Mike | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
well im not to sure about changeing the oil and the plugs on the 9s since i only rode my 9r for a week before i came to iraq so didnt get to do any of that but i know hanleing wise the 9s is a step up from the m2 (the s1 is even a step up from the m2) but its all on ur opion of what u like as for as handeling and power im not to sure on ur m2 cuz i never delt with them before | ||
| Djkaplan |
I rode an XB9S just recently for the first time and wasn't that impressed. The 9 felt lighter and more flickable than my 2k M2 but it also had that unnerving habit of standing up during trail braking. The new gearbox wasn't an improvement at all. It felt just as notchy and made the exact same clunk between 1st and 2nd. Not sure I'd want to trade-off the ease of working on the old style transmission. The suspension is a major improvement though - both ends were much more compliant than the M2. The bike felt more planted in the rough stuff and definitely felt better in the corners. I was disappointed by the power most of all. The 9 took a big hit in the punch department and the shorter stroke didn't make the engine any more responsive over my longstroke 1203 (I wouldn't even consider a 9 with the 12 available). The new gen bikes also have a bad problem of denting frames if you lay them down - not good. Overall, the new gen bikes are an improvement over the tube frames, but not enough of one to sway me yet. Ride one and make your own decision. edited by djkaplan on July 18, 2004 | ||
| Kaudette |
Oil is easy on the XB - plugs a pain in the •••. For 2 up forget the XB - you can do about 40 miles before the poor sod in the back either falls or jumps off... | ||
| Reepicheep |
Just another data point, I *love* my M2, but in the 22k miles I have owned it, I have had to fix... well... just about everything related to the engine. During that time I have replaced the plugs 3 times, never because they needed it, but rather because it had been so long I felt guilty. So while an XB would have had 3 unpleasant spark plug changes, over that same period of time, the Cyclone would likely have had unpleasant: Oil pump pinion gear replacement (which generally involves pulling both rocker boxes and the cam cover). Primary chain tensioner replacement. Exhaust mount replacement. Carb rejet. Intake and breather rework. Crank Seal Replacement. Stator Replacement. Rocker Box Replacements (both) 5th gear drive assembly replacement. Transmission counter shaft replacement. Shifter detente plate upgrade. OK... so not all those things will break on all models and all bikes, but many of them will. And you probably don't need to worry about ANY of them on the XB series bikes in a 25k mile window. Don't get me wrong, I love my M2. It's such a great bike, that even with all that grief, its still a great bike, if you know what I mean. | ||
| Glitch |
If you just by chance happen to have a universal joint for you ratchet, the spark plug change is very easy. | ||
| Bomber |
I've spent a little time on the 9s, and I'll admit they ain't got the locomotive torque you enjoy with your MaDeuece -- on the other hand, solo, anyway, the will do just fine compared to the M2 if you spin the little motor up more -- as for 2 up riding, that's got more to do with you and your partner's size than anything else -- the XV series are certainly more compact than the tubers, no doubt about that -- I've got to first hand data on the ease of mainteneance activites (but you're getting that from those that do) but as Reep posted, the need for non-maintenance wrenching is orders of magnatude less on either XB scoot than on a tuber -- they got it right all round this time if you're addicted to torque, consider the 12 -- very noticable difference in performance characteristics | ||
| Daves |
I have a very nice 1750 miles XB12S in stock. Have the best of both worlds, 9 price, 12 grunt. Dave I'll be back at work tomorrow! | ||
| Boulderbiker |
FYI, the stand up under braking has thoroughly been narrowed down to the stock d207's which even if you ride them till they die will only take a few thousand miles. So you can take that off the list of detractors unless you buy new and ride very little... | ||
| Fullpower |
yeah like boulder said, Metzeler has the cure for that "stand-up while braking condition". also of note is that these bikes dont seem to trash spark plugs. my sportsters never used up any spark plugs, and the buell doesnt seem to either. i replace them when i feel like it, but not because they are worn out or defective. YMMV | ||
| BadS1 |
Since the M1's are slightly narrower then the the stock 207's.I wonder how the 190 series M1 would work??I'd have to say that it would look like a the same size as the stockers then. | ||
| Mfell2112 |
Hey Reepi I to have a 2k Cyclone as well. Do you recommend I do any upgrades to prevent potential failures? What upgrades would you suggest? How tight is too tight with the belt? Thanks Mike | ||
| Newfie_buell |
Get two bikes | ||
| Mfell2112 |
If I get two bikes the other will be something I can put on the dirt. I think the Cyclone is a versital machine I just hope it stays together.:-) Mike | ||
| Reepicheep |
MFell... not to hijack the thread, I will keep this short. My buell experience would have been MUCH less work if I had: 1) Kept the belt "sloppy loose"... by that I mean when sitting on the bike, I can reach down and pull the bottom of the belt up to where it touches the swingarm with just a little bit of tension. 2) Replaced the front exhaust mount, and carefully lined all the exhaust parts up on reinstallation to make sure everything is lined up. 3) Replaced the paper rocker box gaskets with steel ones, replaced my paper primary cover gasket with a metal one. 4) Replaced my primary chain tensioner with the updated part. 5) (This one I actually got right)... drop the oil pump and inspect the pinion gear that drives it (tucked up in cam cover) every 10k to 15k miles or so. Slap a 5 volt regulator (or just get the new regulated part) on the speedo sensor. (these are aesthetic...) Install the suptrapp IDS sooner rather then later, along with the forcewinder and the rejetting. Tee off the breather valves and run a tube around the front of the engine and terminate it (with or without a filter) down by the shock. Metzler Road techs (Z6) are my favorite rubber so far. Mobil 1 gear oil and Mobil 1 15-50 (or VTwin) for fluids. And finally, I would have increased my expected stopping distance by about 8 inches in a particular gravel filled ditch in a particular impossibly steep kentucky road downhill. That saves tank scratches. That may not apply to all Cyclones though  | ||
| Captainkirk |
Reep; I know EXACTLY what you mean! |
