| Author | Message | ||
     Buellfirebolt31 |
I would like some suggestions on the suspension setups on this bike. I'm 16 years old, 5'11" and 185 lbs. I sat on a buddy's R1 and it went down about 2-3 inches. It's also 2 years old and mine only has 500 miles on it but it was comfortable and it seemed very reasonable. i assume if the rear-end squats through the corners it'll grip better. am i wrong? please help me with this subject. Thanks a ton... | ||
| Olinxb12r |
Take your bike in to the dealer that you bought it from or get your work done at, and they should be able to set it up properly for your hieght and weight. Wow, a 12r at 16! You've got the coolest parents ever! I wasn't able to get my first street bike till I was 21, and I had to buy it without my parents knowing about it while I was in college. They gave me a dirtbike for my 4th birthday, but it was a battle to keep my street bike after I told them about it. Funny how that works. Wear your gear and be safe! (Message edited by Olinxb12r on March 20, 2006) | ||
| Jon_s |
Read the owners manual, it's all in there. The factory has done an excellent job of sorting out the squat and dampning settings; you'll only have to fine tune it. | ||
| Skyguy |
Buellfirebolt31, Do you, your parents, your friends and us a favor. Spend your money on a MSF riders course (if you have not already), buy lots of great gear and wear it. I do not recommend getting a pipe as it will just draw more attention to you. The kind of attention that writes tickets. Most cops I know make their "quotas" on young riders with sportbikes. You want to look like an old guy! I would also suggest getting together with the Buell crowd this spring and summer. There are lots of seasoned riders on Buells and they will be more than happy to help guide you through a positive experience. By the end of summer take that machine to a track riders day and you will have a better than average chance of getting through the street riding curve uninjured. 25 years of riding and I have learned a couple of lessons the hard way. Green lights at intersections are not really Green. They are always Yellow at best...... Good luck. | ||
| Diablobrian |
if you do a search you'll come up with the factory settings. They are even available on-line at Buell.com under the help heading. I'll post the settings up here anyway though. see the next post for links. I have them saved, but not everyone uses microsoft excel. Then there are these, sometimes called the Higbee settings because Shawn Higbee developed them. Be aware that these settings are intended for racing and will make the bike feel harsh on most city streets.  As always these settings are only suggested starting points, they are not set in stone. What works for one person won't always work for another. Use caution when making dramatic changes. (Message edited by diablobrian on March 20, 2006) | ||
| Diablobrian |
btw here is the link to the 2005 firebolt owners manual http://www.buell.com/om/99475-05Y_en/file-1.as about the bottom half of this page is the factory suspension tuning guide. http://www.buell.com/om/99475-05Y_en/file-5.asp#hdtopic000030 | ||
| Buellfirebolt31 |
Skyguy, I've rode all my life...i've been around bikes since i was a little tyke. I am also currently working at the local harley shop and i ride everything they have there. i don't understand what you mean by going to a class. i ride just as good as alotta people. thanks for your concerns tho. (Message edited by buellfirebolt31 on March 20, 2006) | ||
| Olinxb12r |
The MSF classes are not just for people that don't know how to ride a bike, and nobody is bagging on you because you are 16. It is a good idea even for seasoned riders to go through an MSF course every couple years. The concern comes from all of us knowing how we were at 16. BTW, I'm only 25, so I'm not someone your parents age trying to rain on your parade. I didn't have a street bike, but I did have a 2 year old Z28 in high school and I drove that thing like an idiot. If I had a bike it would have only been worse. The MSF course is not just to teach you how to ride a bike, but also how to ride a bike on the street because it is an entirely different thing than dirt bikes or closed circut riding. Be carefull and use your head. Don't become a statistic. I'm sure that the accident and fatal accident rate for motorcycles goes through the roof for guys with streetbikes under 18. Enjoy your bike! You've found a great place for information and people to ride with here on the badweb! (Message edited by Olinxb12r on March 20, 2006) | ||
| Buellfirebolt31 |
Does a different suspension setup in the back make it squat more and lift up when you romp on it? with a softer setup will the front come up easier?....thanks a ton | ||
| Buellfirebolt31 |
yes...thanks for your concern. my father has a 1200c sportster and we ride together often. he rides like a 100 year old man so it ain't nothing i ain't used to. i use my head alot and i'm constantly getting comments on how a 16 year old has a crotch rocket and still is alive.....thanks again | ||
| Diablobrian |
I took the MSF course so I could get my bike on base when I was in the Navy. I grumbled and complained because I'd been on motorcycles since I was very young. First off, a lot of insurance companies give you breaks on your insurance if you have a certificate from the course. Second I was surprised to learn a few things and got some old, bad, habits corrected. Don't let pride keep you from taking the course. Even AMA pros take track schools to keep themselves from developing bad habits and find more speed. | ||
| Buellfirebolt31 |
Does a different suspension setup in the back make it squat more and lift up when you romp on it? with a softer setup will the front come up easier?....thanks a ton | ||
| Skyguy |
After 25 years of riding I am still learning............. I started with street bikes at 16. I also rode with my dad. I lost my first new motorcycle (and nearly my life) at 17 when a lady ran a red light I was lucky to jump off the bike but my head went through her windshield. It was also the first time I had ever worn a helmet. Glad it was way cold out that day or I would be dead. I sure wish I had taken the MSF course back then. It is not just about riding skills. It is about street riding and how to survive. I am not trying to bag on you or your skills. But I will say that a "smart" rider can never learn enough....... Take it for what you will. Good luck. | ||
| Glitch |
with a softer setup will the front come up easier?.... So are you asking "how to wheelie?" A softer set up will not help you wheelie. | ||
| Buellfirebolt31 |
lol....no i'm trying to prevent that....thanks for the encouragement tho... | ||
| Diablobrian |
That's good, after all for most the 12 front end gets "light" almost too easily. | ||
| Daves |
If you have any questions on the suspension give me a call tomorrow after 10am 1-866-757-1651 ask for Dave in the sales dept. Correct suspension set up is critical on the XB bikes | ||
| Southern Marine |
I had initially set up my bike following the manual and didn't like the feel. I made a few changes here and there until I found a setup that I felt comfortable with. |
