| Author | Message | ||
     Buzzie |
Hey gang I am a 5' 2" lady who is interested in riding a firebolt. but need to find out what would be needed to make it rideable for me. I am using my boyfriends access here to research. Please any and all suggestions welcomed. | ||
| Buell_bert |
I do not know about the firebolt but the m2 had a lowering kit. | ||
| Packrat |
I'm thinking either a Blast, or possibly an Scg, are gonna be better choices....from what I can tell, all the "crotch rocket versions" the XB "R's" just naturally sit higher. On the Scg, you could put a lot of sag in rear suspension, raise tubes up in the trees, and get Corbin to build you a really low, thinly padded, narrow seat.....(I had to do all these things on my Aprilia Tuono,,ended up with seat height almost 3 inches lower than stock) edited to add-there may also be companies that make a lowering link (for rear shock) if you find one,just install it, and then lower front end a like amount and you'll be all set..with possible exception of muffler...and you COULD go to the MotoGP style exhaust if that were an issue!!! (Message edited by packrat on July 16, 2008) | ||
| Evlxb |
I am also vertically challenged - 30" inseam. I bought a XB9SL and am glad I did. On most sport bikes i am tippy toed and on my S(low) I can sit darn near flat foot. It is very comfortable and i have more confidence with both paws on the ground. | ||
| Texas_firebolt |
im 5'6 and when i first bought my firebolt it sat up way to high. well a guy i know has a sportbike shop and apparently its very common to have the suspension lowered on sportbikes. very simple procedure. and u get the added benefit of having your front forks, and your rear shock serviced at the same time. i dont believe the ol buy a "lightning low model" talk. get what u want and theres always a way... | ||
| Packrat |
So...you had yours lowered about what, 2 inches???? The young lady that posted is only 5' 2", so she would need it lowered another 4 inches.. I guess she could have shorter springs installed, after she had front tubes shortened. That would probably do the front, for the rear find (purchase) a shorter shock (assuming anybody makes one. I made my recommendations under the assumption she would want to do it the BWB way (read cheap  ) I do agree with you though, with enough $$$ (or friends that own shops)just about anything is possible. | ||
| Buell_bert |
OK try (cjnetworks.com/~westtek) they have a bracket to lower some Buells 1 in. Maybe they can make one to lower it more. The bracket looks real nice. And they provide instructions to adjust the front shocks. | ||
| Packrat |
Thanks for posting that...looks like high quality stuff. | ||
| Xgengirl |
I tried your link ~> cjnetworks.com/~westtek and it would not open. Can you check that link and resend? I am also vertically challenged and I just purchased the XB12Scg but am on my tiptoes. I can't even muster up enough toe power to back my bike up. I ordered the lower seat which suggests that it will lower about 1" and hope that gives me the grip I need to ensure I can balance the bike at a stop and back it up. I wonder also if someone could suggest a good dealer that has the "shorter" shock in case the lowered seat does not work out. Thanks | ||
| Merlyn |
Hrmmm- I am a short guy (5'3", 29" inseam) and I ride a Firebolt. Couple of options. You can do what I am working on trying to do now- Swap forks, rear shock, lower triple tree and kickstand with an Scg. That will lower the bike 1.5" I believe. Not much, but it take you from tiptoes to the balls of your feet. You *could* take the foam out of the stock seat and replace it with 2-3 layers of saddle jell (available from Saddleman Seats) and get another 1/2 - 3/4" probably, which puts the seat height at 29.5 or 30.5 inches (I forget if the stock height is 31.5 or 32.5). Narrow the seat a bit while doing that, and you get a little more reach. You could alternatively just buy the Scg parts, put that's about $1000, give or take, plus another $100 or so (roughly) to re-build the seat, assuming you do the work yourself. Or you can do what I have been doing for the last 2 years- lean the bike or slide the rump off the seat at stop lights to get one foot flat on the ground, and get off to back her up :: grin :: It's MUCH cheaper than replacing parts. Wearing thick-soled boots helps too- My daily wear boots have a 1" thick sole with a 2" heel, and they help WAY more than you'd think. I tried riding in my old worn-out, comfortable jungle boots with the paper-thin soles this summer, and I could barely reach the ground- made me VERY uncomfortable, to say the least. Oh- and every time a survey or questionnaire from Buell asks me for suggestions- I suggest an XB12Rcg, cause short people like R models too! Merlyn -- Short guy on a tall bike! | ||
| Buell_bert |
Xgen I did try it and it did work, just try typing in (westtek). You need to scroll down abit and you will see the site. And you actually need a longer shock. Not sure on parts for the XB's. And not sure the part from westtek will work on the XB. | ||
| Ginkx |
Is there a suspesion link for a 2009 xb12scg | ||
| Ginkx |
are there any aftermarket lowering suspension link for a 2009 xb12scg. I'm 64 inches short just don't want to tippy toe. |
