| Author | Message | ||
     Wordshop1 |
I've posted this over at the yahoo buell riders group, so for any who have already read it, bear with me but I need to make decision today or tomorrow so here goes: So here's the skinny -- or should I say, the not so skinny. Long, long time rider -- Harleys and Triumphs mostly. I have the Deuce for cruising, and a Sportster 1200C with some performance/suspension mods for those weekend trips which include some 4-lane and more twisties. I love the Sportster, but when I hit the river road here in Moab or the hills above the house in Portland I find myself missing my 83 Honda CB1100F which we tricked into a cafe racer (my only digression from American or British iron -- damn was she fun.) Maybe its the mid-life thing, but instead of hacking cams, heads, clip-ons and a bikini faring onto the Sportster, I'm going to trade in on a Buell. The only questions is whether to go for a used S3T or a new XB12R. I was drawn to a 2002 S3T as I need decent storage for longer trips (most trips are 500- 1000 miles, with back and forths between Moab and Portland six times a year). The S3T had plenty of power across the band, and I like the fact I could strip the luggage and still have fun on the twisties when I arrive. But just had a chance to ride a new Firebolt and got that tingling CB1100 feeling all over again. Dealership said there are no solid rumors on when a touring version of the XB might be available, and I'm not going to wait, as that big 50 looms closer (and as I tell my kids, I'm going out of this world the same way I came in - head first, screaming like a banshee and covered in blood.). The dealer started salivating and his calculator button-pushing finger started twitching as I asked about Buell accessories and how I could attach soft luggage and sort of turn the XB into a Sport Tourer with a seat upgrade and the like. Couple concerns. I'm only 5 foot 9, shorter legs, but weigh 235. Sort of felt BIG on the XB12R, and have to wonder how she'll do on longer rides. I'd appreciate input from those of you who have possibly used an XB12R or XB9R on longer rides. And suggestions on non-Buell luggage, exhaust, seats and the like would also be helpful as I learned a long time ago just how dear the Motor Company considers those little HD's on all their gear and I'm sure they do the same on the Buell side of the showroom. Lastly, would those who have a S3T suggest I put my American-sized body on the tubed 1200 and leave the XB to the less horizontally challenged? Thanx! Steve H | ||
| Dyna |
Get the S3T. | ||
| M1combat |
I've been on the XB12R for twelve hours at a time. I am 5'10" and had no troubles. The nice thing is that the required fuel stops seem to coincide with the ache/pain stops (about every two hours). The pain was in my tail bone, not my back, and didn't start at all until about eight hours into the ride. I don't mean to sound like I was uncomfortable though. IMO it's a very comfortable bike (completely stock). Much more comfortable than my old '82 Honda CB750F-SS. I would imagine that with proper use of soft bags you could make it a very capable touring bike BUT the 2.7Gal tank would be a drawback for long trips. I've gotten to just about 140 miles on one tank. I'm pretty sure I was on fumes... My recommendation is the S3T. It sounds like you will be using this bike for longer trips and I think you would be annoyed by the fuel stops. I have never ridden an S3T though, so maybe someone who has could chime in on the range of one. | ||
| Dyna |
The S3 has mileage very similar to the X1 & I would regularly get 170-180 miles outta a tank. A few times I managed to squeeze 200 miles out of it, but that was taking it ez. | ||
| Pangalactic |
I love my S3T. I could see the XB if I was only running in town, but would not like the feel for more than an hour or so. The feel is immensely different between the S3 and the S3T, too- the extra 5 inches the bars are raised makes far more difference than I would have expected. The hard bags don't detract anything I can notice from mileage, either. I can get about 200 miles to the tank easily with or without the bags (doing about 70+/- on the interstate) just my half nickel... Pang | ||
| Pangalactic |
Personally, I have a '98- I just feel a carbed bike is more natural...  | ||
| Henrik |
I think an S3T would fit your purpose better of the two. More space, plenty of motor and plenty of fun on the back roads. That said, with bar risers (was that Heli bars and top triple?) and some ab and back exercises, you could possibly be as comfortable on the XB12R. Both would probably benefit from customizing the stock seat with a ProPad or gel (I'd advise against Corbin for the S3 - what a piece of crap that seat was) and some barrel-shaped gel grips. For longer trips, you could be lacking some storage space on the XB. I prefer the weight of the luggage lower on the bike, so I like saddlebags and only carry a small tail trunk. That set-up would be tight on the XB. But I'm sure you'll have plenty of fun on either one  Good luck deciding, and let us know what you end up doing. Henrik | ||
| José_quiñones |
Both are fun, but I would get the XB12R and put a Ventura Bike Rack on it and be done witht it.  It will be more reliable than the S3T (I have a '99 model), it will have a two year warranty (If that's important to you), stock and aftermarket parts and accesories will be easier to find as the years go on and getting the bike serviced on long trips at dealerships along the way should be easier because the mechanics will be more familiar with XB's and start to forget about those "tube" bikes. You sacrifice comfort and fuel range, but everything else should be better on the XB. Plus you already have a Deuce, so your other bike should be the extreme opposite of it, which the XB is. edited by josé_quiñones on April 05, 2004 | ||
| M1combat |
No offense, but I think the Ventura bike rack would be a horrible idea... It's WAY too high and RED! I don't remember what company, but there are saddle bags for an XB and quite frankly I think they look pretty nice. There are also some very nice tank bags for the XB. | ||
| Easyflier |
Hmmm.. a huge grin on your face as you take your daily ride and feel like a kid again on your XB12R. Or, a practical sport tourer that you will appreciate on your 6 long trips a year. That's a dilemma for sure, most people would suggest one of each but I wouldn't hesitate to put in 400 mile days on my XB9R with a tank bag and a backpack. I'm also looking forward to getting up the money to add an S3T to my garage. "...had a chance to ride a new Firebolt and got that tingling CB1100 feeling all over again. " I think you really answered your own question. | ||
| Kevinfromwebb |
One small correction: The XB's have a 3.7 gallon 'tank'... Just cruising out on the country roads I regularly get over 50mpg... Kevin | ||
| Kevinfromwebb |
That's on a 12R... | ||
| José_quiñones |
M1, yes it's just as high as a passenger would be, Black is also available. I have found that it does not affect handling as much as a passenger because it stays still. Plus you can pack more stuff in one bag than the S3T's short bags and if you zip up a second bag to it you can carry more stuff than you can with the S3T's long bags. | ||
| Buckinfubba |
I would go with the XB, let me say I strapped on x1 saddle bags, m2 tail bag, and xb tank bag and took off for 13 hrs straight on the bike, close to 600 and so odd miles in that one day. No highway use was involved. I am 5'11" and 250 something or other. Nelson rigg, chase harper, you name the aftermarket saddle bag, they will work. I am not putting down the S3 at all , its a great bike, But the XB is better in my opinon. I think the 9 is better than the 12, but then I must just be afflicted with the bigger ain't always better thing. But you make your own decision, because like assholes everybody on the board , Me included, have our convoluted opinons about this and that. I too am a british riding idiot also....tea and crumpets for everyone | ||
| Henrik |
I'm with M1 on the Ventura rack. I'm sure it's handy and you can carry a ton of stuff, but it *will* make the bike top heavy and sluggish turning compared with lower mounted saddlebags. My own experience with this is from trekking stuff out to my friends house on the SV for track days. Once I get the suit, other gear and clothes for 4 days packed on the back, it's about the height of the Ventura. And boy does it handle horribly. Rear squats down, front goes light etc. etc. I would be leaning towards the XB12R with some comfort modifications. "S" pegs, higher bars and gel seat. I did about 2500 miles of touring on the SV last year - and it worked out fine. We did one 600 mile day, and I wasn't too keen on repeating that, but it worked. Keep in mind the SV is set up for track with clip-ons below the triple, rearsets, raised rear, dropped front. So all in all not an ideal touring ride, but it worked. Get the XB says I  Henrik | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
As someone who has put 400-600 mile days on his XB, I have to say it works well. Hit the archive and you can see my saddlebag setup. With the matching tailbag I can get a good 4 days worth of clothes and my laptop without stressing the seams. It averaged 50+mpg with a few over 100 blasts to get around semi's. It handled the corners like the bags weren't there. From my profile pic you can see it is the "Lightning" with a "Firebolt fairing." My knees handle the higher rearsets that I have better then the lower ones, but that is my screwed up anatomy at work. The "S" style pegs are comfortable, just not for me. A longer tail and swingarm would be nice just to allow a 2 up touring proposition, but if its just you, its all good. I am 5'7" 180lbs with a 32inch inseam. | ||
| Impulse_101 |
I'm 5"11 and 245 pounds. My S3T fits me like a glove. (actually, I fit it) At the same time I do see an XB in my future and I'm thinking that it will be a 12R but I'm a couple of years away from that and I'm going to modify my S3T in the meantime. I've only got around 700 miles in the saddle of the S3T so far, but I really enjoy it. It's every bit as forgiving as the XB isn't. A very neutral bike, even though it is top heavy. It makes rude suprises into managable situations. My only worry is reliability and I don't have any reason other than reputation to worry about that. Actually, the bike has been nothing but steady during my recent rides. If I had the money and I was dead set on an XB right now I would get the 12R and put the lightning bars on it with different pegs. Add a gel seat, bags and a drummer and that bike would do as nice little midrange sport tourer. Just don't attempt too many miles in any give day or you may be paying a high price in motrin. JT | ||
| José_quiñones |
Again a Ventura bag or two are no worse than having a passenger. The one bad thing about them is that you have to get on and off the bike a certain way so you don't hit the bag with your leg as you swing over. that's a deal breaker for some people. But there are other options as mentioned, so I think the XB would be the one to get. | ||
| M1combat |
Yeah, after more thought I think the XB would be the better choice unless money is the issue. Not only is the XB itself spendy (unless you can pick up a used 9) but you also have to put all those bags on it... I think they are a good deal faster though . It would be a LOT more fun once you get where you are going and unload everything to take a ride in some twistys... | ||
| Aesquire |
One of the nice things about Buells, you can run big, square saddlebags, nice & low. I've got an old set of Vetter Bagman's. I run a strap from the pass. peg mount up to the tail to keep it out of the wheel, hang it low & forward for solo riding. | ||
| Henrik |
...you have to get on and off the bike a certain way... On the SV I've learned to face the bike from the right and sorta frontal kick my right leg over the seat. No way I can swing my leg over all the crap I have loaded on there You're right José, no worse than a passenger, but in a bags-versus-bags situation, I'd rather have my luggage closer to C-of-G. Henrik | ||
| M1combat |
"from the right and sorta frontal kick my right leg over the seat" You ride backwards?? | ||
| Kcfirebolt |
I tour on my XB9R all the time. I put the lower S pegs on and they were a nice improvement over the long haul. Otherwise, my xb is great for 1000 mile weekends. Get the Buell tank bag. It swallows alot and gives you something to lean into on the longer rides. | ||
| Blake |
Down here in Texas where we learn how to mount horses, we learn to similarly step up onto the left peg with our left foot then simultaneously lean down/fwd towards the tank and swing the right leg over the Ventura Pack. ![: ]](http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/clipart/proud.gif) | ||
| Creepingmee |
I too have done many a 600 mile day on my xb9r. I am 5' 10" 220lbs. I installed the 9s footpegs and the buell comfort saddle this puts your ankles about 2" total further from your ass which made a huge difference to me. I have the tiny buell saddles and find they are good enough for a weekend but thats about it. I have ridden my buddies s3t and I must say all the hoopla about "comfort" on the s3t is just that... Also, you might want to test ride a 9 instead of a 12. The 9's are less vibey due to their short stroke. I think after about 400 miles in the saddle it makes a difference, to me anyway in the comfort level. Just my 2C -Marc | ||
| Henrik |
"from the right and sorta frontal kick my right leg over the seat" Ooops Well you know what I mean .... Henrik |
