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Geforce
| Posted on Friday, April 29, 2011 - 10:20 am: |
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Well, my wife and I are seriously looking at trading or selling her 2009 XB12Scg, for something that we can both enjoy and commute/explore on. I also own a 2008 1125r and it is in the first stages of becoming a track only bike at some point. Now, I cannot afford to purchase a new bike so I will need to trade or sell the Scg for one of the Uly models. I'd like to ask a few questions to you folks here and see what you think... 1. The stock seat for her 09 XB12Scg is PERFECT for her, as in she can stand on the balls of her feet and handle the bike at stops or on uneven terrain. Knowing this, which Uly model would be close to that height? If any? (I assume the XT would be... I'm not sure how close though.) 2. Are there any vendors that make lower seats that I could swap out for her when she wants to ride alone? 3. As far as the Ulys go... I want to get one that will commute well, be capable of off road short distance travel (dirt, gravel, unimproved roads... nothing crazy like cross country trips) and one that has all the added comfort features for long distance trips. Grips, bags, etc. Thanks for your time guys/gals! |
Froggy
| Posted on Friday, April 29, 2011 - 10:49 am: |
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quote:Knowing this, which Uly model would be close to that height
None will even be close. The SCG has a seat height of 28.6", and the XT is 30.7" with the stock seat, and about 30.6" with the accessory low seat. If you swap out the suspension with a 06-07 Lightning Long, you can get it down a bit further, but it still will be taller than the SCG. She is going to need to HTFU. Other than parking lot and other stopping operations, there is no problem with only having one foot on the ground.
quote:2. Are there any vendors that make lower seats that I could swap out for her when she wants to ride alone?
The Buell accessory low seat is your best bet, but it is only a hair lower than the XT stock seat. You can also look into a Corbin or Baldwin seat, but they will vary in height.
quote:3. As far as the Ulys go... I want to get one that will commute well, be capable of off road short distance travel (dirt, gravel, unimproved roads... nothing crazy like cross country trips) and one that has all the added comfort features for long distance trips. Grips, bags, etc.
My 1125R does all that fine, the Uly just does it slower |
Panhead_dan
| Posted on Friday, April 29, 2011 - 10:52 am: |
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The scg is the lowest Buell. The X is the tallest. An XT is a little lower but she will not likely fit very well. If you are going to be the pilot, get the X. She will love the back seat. |
Etennuly
| Posted on Friday, April 29, 2011 - 10:52 am: |
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The XT will be your closest fit for her. It will still likely be about two to three inches higher even with the '06 low seat. It probably can be additionally lowered, but I would think that would make a rough ride two up. Get her some of those boots with five inch soles! (Message edited by etennuly on April 29, 2011) |
Etennuly
| Posted on Friday, April 29, 2011 - 10:55 am: |
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My 1125R does all that fine, the Uly just does it slower Froggy, Froggy, Froggy.....do we have to go there??? |
Froggy
| Posted on Friday, April 29, 2011 - 11:11 am: |
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Ok I don't have the balls to see if it will hit 150 on dirt to confirm if it is indeed faster. I am running Scorpion Trails now, perhaps I should give it a try... |
Geforce
| Posted on Friday, April 29, 2011 - 11:13 am: |
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"She is going to need to HTFU." -LOL, I'll tell her you said so Frog Man. While I agree that the 1125r can do a lot of the things I'm asking... it's set aside for play time for now. Her Scg is what I normally commute on and she touches down fine with it. I might be able to train her *as you suggested* to work with one foot. I'd like to stay away from suspension modifications as much as possible. A seat is would be a good start but I wouldn't want to start hacking up the suspension. I know she will want me to pilot the majority of the time on the bike. I am ok with that, but I'd like to leave her with the ability to try and pilot on her own at some point. That may take some additional training. That's ok. As far as the accessories and specific year models. I know a little about the rider comfort kit, but what would be a good suggestion for the year/accessories to look for. (Not sure if the Xs in 08-10 came with standard options for accessories or not.) Heat grips, windscreen, bags, RCK (Rider Comfort Kit), 12V Accessory Outlet...etc. Those are the "accessories" we want on either the X or XT. |
Geforce
| Posted on Friday, April 29, 2011 - 11:26 am: |
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I do have a friend here in town that has a XB12XP... with 3200 miles on it. He is up for a sale but not pressured. I may try to sell the Scg and buy his. Not sure if this would be a good Uly to go after but, considering the low production numbers he may want to try and jack the price up to a point I can't afford it. I'm going to stop in this afternoon and take a look at it. |
Froggy
| Posted on Friday, April 29, 2011 - 11:34 am: |
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quote:Her Scg is what I normally commute on and she touches down fine with it. I might be able to train her *as you suggested* to work with one foot.
It will take getting used to. The XT is bigger and heavier, so that won't help either. If she can pull it off, then great, but it will be intimidating if she is used to the SCG. Accessories - All Uly models have two 12v outlets, one on the dash one under the seat. All 08+ Uly models have the heated grips, but they can retrofit to older bikes. All 2010 Uly models have the rider comfort kit, but it will retrofit to all previous years. Hell most of it will fit on the SCG too. There are two factory windscreen choices, the short which comes stock on X, and tall which comes stock on XT and XP. They are interchangeable, and I recommend you get the adjustable brackets from Palmer Products to allow you to change height and angle to your preference. Bags - X comes with no bags from the factory, XT comes with the Hepco Becker Journey bags (42l sides, 30l top?), XP comes with the Hepco Becker Junior bags (30l sides, 50l top?). (Drawing a blank at the moment on the capacity of the bags) |
Froggy
| Posted on Friday, April 29, 2011 - 11:36 am: |
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There is nothing special about the XP to make it worth more than a Uly. It does have some slight changes like a bracket to hold the siren, but in the end its just a white X with bags. |
Geforce
| Posted on Friday, April 29, 2011 - 11:42 am: |
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Thanks Froggy. I will keep this info in mind about the XP. The other info on the model years and accessories is also very helpful. We'll go take a look at it this afternoon. You guys have been very helpful. I'll keep you updated. |
Fltwistygirl
| Posted on Friday, April 29, 2011 - 07:34 pm: |
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"It will take getting used to. The XT is bigger and heavier, so that won't help either. If she can pull it off, then great, but it will be intimidating if she is used to the SCG." +1 froggy. I demo-ed an X in 2007 after having the city-x for about a year. It was too much bike for me at that time, the higher center of gravity made me feel like I was going to fly off in the corners. I was uncomfortable not flat footing. In 2009, I climbed on my first XT, and it felt perfect. Not sure about 5" boots, but my Women's chunky soled Icon boots make all the difference in the world on the X. Gonna be piling up another 400 or so miles on it over the next few days...woo hoo. If you can, let her try sitting on it before you buy it, preferably with some quality boots on. And reassure her that her opinion and comfort level may change after spending some time with it. Every new bike I have owned has taken time getting used to. Good luck! |
Hangetsu
| Posted on Friday, April 29, 2011 - 08:28 pm: |
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I say, dump the 1125, pick up an X or an XT, kit out the SCG with some sexy hard cases, and tour side by side instead of fore and aft. The SCG will go anywhere the Uly will and with all the same performance capabilities. If it fits her, why get rid of it? A Uly along side a well-outfitted SCG would be the ideal he/she touring partnership in my opinion. |
Etennuly
| Posted on Friday, April 29, 2011 - 09:51 pm: |
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Yep, sorry did that say "stupid"? |
Ourdee
| Posted on Friday, April 29, 2011 - 10:59 pm: |
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Cory, I don't think The XT and her would get along very well. That 30.7" seat (low seat) on mine keeps me on the balls of my feet with a 30.7" inseam. She will love the rear seat on any of the three. The X came without bags, the XT and XP came with bags and the mounting brackets. The 460 pounds dry and height made it intimidating to me when I got it. Wind storms still test me at the stops. 5" of suspension travel on the XT is plenty for most off road riding. None of them are really off roaders. If she doesn't mind not piloting a bike, I'd say get the XT and take her for rides. You wont get the answers from us. Talk to that woman. |
Ourdee
| Posted on Friday, April 29, 2011 - 11:03 pm: |
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Too bad you aren't near me, I'd let both of you borrow mine for a day or two. I know you said you weren't, but come to HC. |
Whisperstealth
| Posted on Saturday, April 30, 2011 - 02:19 am: |
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Cory, I have an 09 XT you can borrow. You live 3 hours away from me according to mapquest. Welcome anytime to come down. Spend the weekend, I have plenty of room for both of you. Or maybe I could find my way up there. Either way, your welcome to borrow the bike anytime. If I had my truck up and running, I'd tell you to come and pick the bike up for a week or so. |
Geforce
| Posted on Saturday, April 30, 2011 - 11:41 am: |
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Thanks for the offers Ourdee/Whisperstealth. She sat on the XP last night... she couldn't get it straight up with the taller seat on it and told me that the steering lock was engaged. I jumped on it, and twisted the handlebars around fine. So... that tells me the X/XP is going to be a bit heavy and too tall for her. He does still have the original seat, lights, siren and all that crap. Not on it now of course, but boxed up. I am starting to think that the XT would be the best commuter and weekend adventure bike for both of us. Now... as to why I don't just outfit the Scg with all the adventure gear. The Scg is a bit too low for me to ride long distances comfortably. It would also take a significant amount of modifications to bring it up to the "XT" standard. Meaning... high wind screen, heated grips, bags, etc. The 1125r is sticking around. I love to wring the snot out of that bike too much to part with it. May take some time to find a good deal but for now we are just looking around at different options. I had also considered getting the cycle pirates foot pegs for her bike to help drop them when I want to commute on it. |
Whisperstealth
| Posted on Saturday, April 30, 2011 - 06:28 pm: |
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You can always buy an X/XP, and put in the XT rear shock, then lower the forks. Others have done this. Combined with the low seat, might just make it low enough for your lady to manage. |
Pkforbes87
| Posted on Saturday, April 30, 2011 - 06:37 pm: |
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I'd love to have X suspension on my XT. Just need to find someone who wants the opposite.. |
Fltwistygirl
| Posted on Saturday, April 30, 2011 - 08:14 pm: |
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Hope the XT works for y'all. It has exceeded every expectation I have had in that type of bike, and I still find myself in awe of it. Permagrin before, after and while riding it. "It would also take a significant amount of modifications to bring it up to the "XT" standard". That's where we were at in 2008 with the City-x. His stance: we could drop some money into a bike you already love and make it what you want. My stance: Let's just get the bike we know will work for us. Bittersweet as the shut down of Buell was, it allowed us to accelerate our plans to join the Big bad and dirty clan. For the record, the XT was supposed to be a gently used F150. In order to have bikes we ride the snot out of, we choose to have "older" cages. I appreciate both the X and XT suspensions, for different reasons and am wildly fortunate I can enjoy both. BeLinda. |
Ourdee
| Posted on Saturday, April 30, 2011 - 08:41 pm: |
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Cory, Figure in a 2010 wheel if you will be using it 2 up with the bags loaded. I don't trust the 2 bearing wheel for the extra weight. |
Svh
| Posted on Sunday, May 01, 2011 - 09:10 am: |
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+1 to Ourdee Mine were bad when I took the wheel off to change tires. 75% of my riding is 2 up. 3 bearing wheel is on the wishlist for next winter. We have a XT and love it. |
Geforce
| Posted on Sunday, May 01, 2011 - 10:24 am: |
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Ourdee, I 'member HC when your bearing failed. I've kept that in mind as top priority if/when I get one. You guys have been most helpful. |
Blasterd
| Posted on Sunday, May 01, 2011 - 11:57 pm: |
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I may put my XP up for sale real soon, come to Florida and ride it home! |
Fung
| Posted on Monday, May 02, 2011 - 09:01 am: |
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sorry to jump the thread. so there is a seat lower than the stock xt seat? I thought that was the lowest. Thanks |
Froggy
| Posted on Monday, May 02, 2011 - 09:23 am: |
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Fung, yes the accessory low seat that Buell sold before the closing is lower, but not by much. |
Fung
| Posted on Monday, May 02, 2011 - 10:32 am: |
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Cool thanks! any one have one for sale? |
Hangetsu
| Posted on Monday, May 02, 2011 - 06:57 pm: |
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Hey Gforce, I wasn't suggesting you outfit the Scg in adventure gear for YOU. The Scg Adventure is for HER and YOU get yourself the X, XT, or XP for YOU and the two of you ride TOGETHER. I'm only thinking practical here, but if there was any road worthy bike out there that my 4-11 wife could ride, she'd be cruising next to me and her sacred pillion space would be carrying more gear. But that's just me. |
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