| Author | Message | ||
     Hughlysses |
I've been thinking hard for over 2 years about buying an 1190SX. I test rode an SX a little over two years ago, and while I REALLY like it, I was surprised at how tall the seat was. The published seat height is 32.5 inches, almost an inch taller than my 07 Uly (31.7 inches). The SX was probably no more difficult to handle than my Uly due to the lighter weight and slightly narrower seat at the front, but it was kind of at the upper end of my comfort zone. The new Black Lightning really appeals to me with slightly lower pegs, slightly higher bars, and a 30.5 inch seat height. I've been considering putting a deposit on a Black Lightning before the end of the year; you get a $500 discount if you make a $500 deposit before midnight on December 31. One thing that details are short on is the new suspension on the Black Lightning. The seat height is lowered 2 inches from 32.5 inches on the SX to 30.5 inches on the BL, and it appears this all came out of the suspension. Neither EBR's website nor any of the magazine tests I can find appear to list the suspension travel for either the SX or the BL. Since I wasn't able to find any hard data, I tried comparing photos of various EBR and Buell models and I've discovered something interesting. See below:  The photos compare the front suspension on a Buell XB12XT, an EBR 1190SX, a Buell XB12Scg, and an EBR Black Lighting. You can see that the proportions of the forks on the XT and the SX appear identical, while the proportions of the forks on the Scg and the BL appear identical. The front suspension on an XT had 4.9 inches of travel, while the front suspension on an Scg had only 3.1 inches of travel. Based on the photos, I'd guess these figures carry over (or very close to it) on the SX and BL. So now I have some reasonable estimated numbers for comparison. The lower seat would be nice, but I'm not sure I'd want to give up almost 2 inches of suspension travel. | ||
| Twirlin |
Very interesting indeed. I would imagine you are correct, as they likely don't want to re-invent the wheel/fork... I always wondered if they'd make an 1190"Scg"....it seems they have. | ||
| Hughlysses |
^ If you go to the page at EBR where you can make a deposit on a Black Lightning, you can see that the full model number for the bike is apparently: 2017.1190SXCG.USA.ES.Z000.CR00 So, it IS really an 1190SXCG. | ||
| Ebrfan |
Your not really giving up those two inches of travel. The engineers make up those two inches of travel difference with comparable spring rates, usually wwith variable rate springs in the front tubes. I just measured what compression travel is actually used on the RX, with normal street riding and got 2 3/16" compression with a weighted suspension (rider), and 1 5/16" of unused fork tube below that. I would ride the piss out of that new Black Lightning and not have any worry about bottoming out that suspension, and I get air all the time. | ||
| Phelan |
Also worth noting that the SXCG has 43mm BPF forks instead of thr 41mm forks on the SCG Lightning. | ||
| Ourdee |
Harsh. =] | ||
| Ourdee |
Life is about compromises. What concessions are we willing to make so that we are comfortable while stopped. The loss of comfort while moving? I am torn between the SX and the Black Widow. I think if the option of a new bike presents itself to me, I'll make my choice based on what it can do for me while moving. I had to jump off my Benelli Panther and hold it up anytime I stopped. I did some half way decent trial riding on it because my feet would not reach the ground. I want the suspension that soaks up bumps. It will be easier to travel longer distances on if I'm comfortable. This one is not mine. Mine had more miles on it.   | ||
| Hughlysses |
I am torn between the SX and the Black Widow. Ourdee- that's the same thing I'm thinking. I like the lower gearing, lower pegs, and lower seat height of the BL, but if I have to chose, I'd rather have the taller suspension. The gearing and pegs can easily be changed. | ||
| Upthemaiden |
From my experience of owning an XB and an XBSCG.... The SCG suspension is rough. Still a fun bike, and I'd appreciate it more now that I primarily use my bike to commute and spend a lot more time with my feet on the ground, but the SCG suspension does not like bumps or rough pavement. It felt like a whole new bike once I got the normal XB suspension. I'd be happy with a lower seat and shorter gearing and leaving the suspension as is. Maybe even a modified subframe if they really wanted to lower the seat height. |
