| Author | Message | ||
     T_man |
Hi, just hoping to get others opinions on this particular model. I am trying to line my Dad up with a Buell (I have an 1125R) and one of these 'lowered' Lightnings is available. Is this too low for anyone over 5'8? Is it comfortable? Does it have reasonably high (superbike) bars? Does it handle as well as a regular XB? Any drawbacks or advantages? Thanks in advance! | ||
| Iman501 |
i ride a firebolt, but from what i understand the SCG is basically a "factory lowered" lightning. I've heard people that are over 5'8 say they are perfectly comfortable on the SCG, and as far as handling goes, i'd imagine that it handles a bit better than other XB's just due to the fact its lowered | ||
| Blackm2 |
My wife owns an Scg. She is 5'2". For me, I feel cramped on it. For short distances it is ok, but I can't imagine a long trip on it without a different seat-further back. I've ridden an SS and they are far more comfortable for me, I'm 5'10". I know taller guys ride Scg's, but to me they look like big guys on mini bikes. The STT and the Ulysses' are the same longer frame as the SS. So that's my 2 pennies! | ||
| Billyo |
My wife is comfortable at 5'4" on hers. I think it's a riot to ride-more fun than my firebolt because it sits lower and is more open in the front. I'm 5'10" and comfortable for about a half hour but then my legs are feeling cramped. At 5'8" he could put a regular lightning seat on it cheaply and be really comfortable. | ||
| T_man |
My Dad is about 6' so perhaps drop pegs would be in order. His biggest gripe with modern sportbikes is how low and forward the handlebars are. Perhaps with this model the bars sit a more comfortable angle? PS. His ideal seating position is somewhere between a Triumph Bonneville and a Suzuki SV1000. | ||
| Doz |
At 5'-6" I love my 03 xb9sl...with regular seat. | ||
| 2008xb12scg |
I have an act. Im 5 9 and like it. I did ditch the low seat for a.sport seat. It has more padding and sits back a bit more. The low seat has no padding to speak of. | ||
| Fast1075 |
The only difference between an "S" and an "SCG" as far as the ergonomics are concerned is the seat...the SCG seat has less padding and is "lower"...the chassis is lowered and inch or so by shorter forks and a shorter shock...the footpegs and handlebars are in the exact same position. My bike is an "S" with the low seat...and I normally ride 400-500 miles every weekend on it with no trouble at all...wish I could have found an "SCG" when I was looking...I would like the slightly lower suspension. | ||
| Mpolans |
He'll be happy with the reach to the handlebars. I'd think he should swap out the low seat for a stock seat and he'll be fine. I'm 5'8" and I'm a bit up on the balls of my feet at stops (not quite flat-footing it). Frankly, he'd probably be fine with an XB12S, and if he's interested in swapping out the low suspension for a regular suspension, he'd probably find lots of takers. | ||
| T_man |
Thanks guys, I'll pass it on. | ||
| Boliver |
T man, Your profile says you were born in 1977 so I am guessing your dad is in his 50's. I am 44 and have had my Scg for 4 years of riding now. Everyone is different and all have different levels of pain. If your dad has been working class all his life using his back then a Buell SCG will be comfortable for short rides but thats about it. I have extended my handle bar reach and added 2" dropped pegs and my back kills me after an hour or so of riding. To be fair I have used (abused) my back for 20 some years now so maybe I am just a puss.LOL BTW I am 5'11" so I am a little tall for the bike. Like I said though I have changed the ergo's as much as I could. I love my bike but if I was out for comfort I WOULD NOT buy a sportbike. Just my .02 worth | ||
| Crackhead |
He might be better with a CityX. I believe the bars are higher and with drop pegs to have a mini Uly. If he is 6' a STT, Uly or SS might be more comfortable for him for long rides. | ||
| T_man |
Under specifications on the old Buell website there seems to be some significant differences between the SS & SCG: 1) Fuel capacity is less on the SCG; is the frame different? 2) Its about 5" shorter overall 3) Wheelbase is about 2" less 4) Smaller forks Interesting... | ||
| Delta_one |
the scg is great if you have decent roads my bike started as a low and the turn in and transitions from side to side are incredible! the one thing I miss is how crazy fast you could make that bike change direction. 1) Fuel capacity is less on the SCG; is the frame different? yes, the SS is larger 2) Its about 5" shorter overall yes the subframe is longer too 3) Wheelbase is about 2" less different swingarm 4) Smaller forks all low models were 41mm taller models were 43mm also of note the later SS models are just as tall as the TT, the older SS bikes are the same height as the standard S (when that bike was still around) Interesting... | ||
| Funnythebunny |
Quick note, the SCG already comes with dropped pegs; at least mine did. | ||
| Jeff_m |
For what it's worth, I'm 5'11" with a 33 inch inseam. I find my XB12Scg comfortable and actually like the compact feel of it. The most miles I've done in a day is around 400 with the "select" seat. The peg feelers are ground down from the twisties, which I doubt would happen with an Ss model or a Firebolt. For longer trips or hauling stuff I use my XB12XT, which I consider my "family truckster" compared to the cg. | ||
| Gambit |
i'm 6 feet tall with an xb9sl (smaller engine version of xb12scg): i changed the seat to a skyline version - stock on cityx which relieved the too cramped knees discomfort and also allowed me to slide fore/aft on the seat better because if the flatter surface. i can do up to a 300 mile/day nowadays. | ||
| Wpadave |
T-Man, I have a 2005 XB12Scg and it is the best bike I have ever owned. I'm 5'7" and the height is perfect. Basically flat foot wearing a flat soled riding shoe. I rode from PA to Homecoming this year with no problems. It is not fair to compare an XB12SS (Lightning Long) with an XB12Scg. The SS does have a different frame and longer wheelbase. The SS was designed for larger riders. The XB12S and XB12Scg are basically the same bike. The Scg is 1.5" lower. 3/4" lower in the seat and 3/4" lower in the suspension. The frame, wheel base length and everything else is the same. The standard/low seat will work on both bikes to adjust seat height by 3/4". The fork diameter is 41mm on the Scg. When the XB12S was upgraded to 43mm forks the Scg stayed at 41mm. Unless you are racing the bike, I can not imagine this would be an issue. The 41mm forks work just fine. Hope this helps | ||
| Cdj0902 |
I have a 2009 XB12Scg. I am 6'1" with a tall inseam. With the stock seat on, long rides caused some pain. I replaced the stock seat, which has little to no padding anyway, with the taller Skyline seat (bought on Ebay for less than $100). Now I can ride all day and I only have to stop for gas and restroom breaks. No cramps. Good times! | ||
| Xb12mel |
I've got an 07 Scg and I'm 5'10 with a 31" Inseam. I love it. I feel confidant and surefooted at stop lights and it fits me just the way a sport bike should when doing the tight and twistys. (IMO) It does get a little cramped with a passenger. That's my only complaint. | ||
| Ljm |
I had one and am 5'4". Fit perfectly but the comments on comfort of the seat were right on. With a little more padding would be great and sounds like you are tall enough to make it work o.k. Loved the bike, passed it on to my son when I got an 1125. He fits well on it too even though he is taller than I am. | ||
| Mpolans |
Forgot to mention I swapped the stock Scg seat for a regular seat because the original didn't have enough padding. | ||
| Vanvideo |
I'm 5'-7" with a 30" inseam and I love the way the Scg fits me. It's like a sportbike and a cruiser all in one. I can go fast, or cruise the beach comfortably, it'll do both. Plus, it's damn good looking. |
