| Author | Message | ||
     Mrsteve |
Hi all! I've been lurking a while now, and really like the ideas behind Buells in general and the XB's specifically. But I have a couple of questions. I've read about tough clutch pull in all but the Uly. Why? Is the trans/clutch different in the Uly? Will other XB's get the same (if it is indeed different)? Will something other than a Uly be comfortable for my 6 foot tall, 34" inseam body? I've sat on a Uly, and it felt pretty good (no problem with the height), but the other 3 bikes they had in at the dealer I visited were more cramped than my Honda sport(ish) bike (VFR). I currently switch between 2 Hondas (different bikes for different days/moods)  for my 35 mile each commute, but am thinking that I might get an XB. Anyone else do a urban, stop and go, mostly hot weather commute on an XB? I know that not all bikes are right for all people, so I hope to learn from the experience of the people on this list. Thanks all! Steve | ||
| Espcustoms |
I ride my 12s to work a few days every week and love it. I'm 6'3" and don't feel cramped by it at all. My commute is only about 15 miles via city streets, but riding to work makes me wish it were farther! | ||
| Thespive |
I commute on my CityX, don't count it out, it has especially good ergos for communting. Especially the added height of the seat and the upright position allow you to see far ahead of and over traffic. Clutch pull is a non-issue on any of the newer XBs, I came from Harleys and don't find the XBs objectionable at all. --Sean | ||
| Pwnzor |
Clutch feels as light to me as any. There is a rather inexpensive hydraulic clutch at American Sport Bike. heres a LINK to the item (Message edited by pwnzor on August 21, 2006) | ||
| Cereal |
I was commuting for a while and in heavy traffic my hand would get tired. I installed an easy pull clutch thingy and haven't had a problem since. Google it if you are interested. | ||
| Chrisb |
I have a Uly I'm 6'1" with a 34 inseam. The clutch pull is no where near tough. You can chalk that comment up to sissy magazine writers. The bike is very comfortable. I commute 22 miles. Its hot in stop and go. but not horrid. Typically with planning and schedule adjustment you can avoid "peak" times. I ride daily the only time I dont if is its pouring outside. | ||
| Alexfiggy |
im 5 feet 6 and i ride a city x to work once a week love it | ||
| Chromebob |
Mrsteve, i have 06 xb 12 ss. i to am 6 feet with a thirtyfour inseam. the ss fits me perfectly and also ride it to work. it just so happens that i have mine for sale as i am leaning more toward track riding. you can check it out in the the badweb classifieds. it reads 06 XB12Ss black and chrome. i live right here in fresno ca. i to looked at the uly but to top heavy for me. check it out. | ||
| Aeholton |
Uly makes an excellent commuter. Clutch pull? I'm went from a Buell M2...talk about clutch pull. The Uly is a lot easier. If you are doing a lot of stop and go in warm weather, you may want to look at wrapping the header. Doing that took a lot of the heat off my right side. | ||
| Don668 |
6'1", same inseam, CityX and find it totally comfortable. Thought about wrapping the headers but read alot about that destroying the metal. Don | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
Nothing for nothing, I wouldn't choose a Buell as a commuter in "urban, stop and go, mostly hot weather commute" That's just me. | ||
| Elff |
Buell changed the transmission/Clutch in 06 I just traded in my 05 CityX for an 06 Firebolt and the new transmissions rocks. I commute with my bike all the time and the new clutch is real nice. U tall people are a bunch of whiners. OOOO Im cramped oooo the foot pegs are too high wAAAAAAA Im 5'6" I cant help ya on your size, a firebolt for me is a perfect fit | ||
| Elff |
Buell changed the transmission/Clutch in 06 I just traded in my 05 CityX for an 06 Firebolt and the new transmissions rocks. I commute with my bike all the time and the new clutch is real nice. U tall people are a bunch of whiners. OOOO Im cramped oooo the foot pegs are too high wAAAAAAA  Im 5'6" I cant help ya on your size, a firebolt for me is a perfect fit | ||
| Xring |
I think the City-X or any XBS with a City-X seat would be fine for your height. Heat can be an issue...take a test ride to check it out first. They say the Special Ops under seat heat shield really helps. What is it with the bike rags and clutch pull? I'm 5-08, don't have particularly large hands, and it is a complete non-issue for me. Never even think about it. I commute on my XB9S almost every day, about 20 miles round trip. Lovin' it. Good luck, Bill | ||
| Cixyx_pilot |
Got a 2006 CityX. about a 45 minute ride to work. Comfortable , fun and good on gas. | ||
| Punkid8888 |
I just got a 2006 City-X and will be commuting through Boston 36 miles one way, once I finish my break in mileage of 500 miles. I am also 6'4" (not sure of my inseam) and actually found that the city-X gives the rider the most knee room which I was most concerned about. Because the seat is 1 inch taller your knee has less of a bend, pulling you knee away from the frame bumps. I actually first test drove a 12 long and my knees were real tight up against the bumps and it felt like it would be a problem. thats when I did some measurements and found out the city-X has more knee room. Plus it’s called the City, not the Highway, I would hope it can survive in an urban environment | ||
| Lost_in_ohio |
Heavy clutch......dont think so. Maybe if your not a real man and spend your life punching keyboards or playing video games. I understand that most guys and gals aren't that physical anymore, it is not excessive. Try it out for yourself. I commute on my 12Ss every day no biggy. Bought a tank bag and I also have the buell freebie backpack for when the mood hits me. That is why I bought the buell was visiblity. I sit up taller to see whats going on a couple of cars a head. Seating position is better than the other naked sport bikes I sat on. Is the bike hot in traffic? I can only think of one day that I considered it too hot and it was 98 degrees so.......This morning it was too cold it was 52 out. I did add a second cooler duct and wrapped the headers. | ||
| Elff |
HEY my job is punching keyboards and I play alot of computer games But Im also an avid Lacrosse, Soccer player, 4 wheeler and of course, hard core Bueller. I came real close to trading in my CityX on a Triumph 675 but I just couldnt get away from the cool factor of the Buells. And as such, I ended up with a new firebolt. | ||
| Fx1200 |
I put 100 miles per day on my '06 XB12Scg, that is the distance of my commute. The ergonomics are compatible with my 5'7" frame. The XB is perfect for slicing through SoCal traffic. Even in traffic I'm getting around 62 mpg. The fantastic brakes and immediate throttle response keeps me clear of potential problems with traffic. Hot weather does not seem to affect the performance of the engine, and I am talking about triple digit temps for days on end. With the Buell saddlebags and the trunk bag I am good to go.....anywhere! } | ||
| Tunes |
Add another XB12s to the list of commuters. 6' with a 34" inseam. | ||
| Metalstorm |
I have a 12Scg & I commute to work 2-3 times a week on the backroads about 40 miles round trip. I absolutely love it. It makes going to work worth it. If I had to deal with heavy traffic & slow sub 20 mph speeds & lots of stop & go day in & day out I would opt for a CityX. I like the 984cc engine better for that stuff. It just feels smoother at low rpms & gives off a little less heat. This is only my opinion based on my 12Scg & an 03 9R & an 03 9S that I have ridden. On open roads I wouldn't trade my 12S for anything except maybe a 12R (Message edited by metalstorm on August 22, 2006) | ||
| Buellfirebolt31 |
i ride my xb12r to work everyday rain or shine and i'm comfortable with it. i'm 6' and 33 inch waist. i ride a good 30-45 minutes every morning then another 30-45 minutes every evening....i'm 17 but its comfortable to my young frame...hahaha.... | ||
| Steve_mackay |
I commute very day to work on either the XB, or S3T. I've ridden a car to work 4 times since early January. Truck has under 200 miles for the whole year The XB has a MUCH lighter clutch bull than the S3T, but neither are bad IMHO. All '06s have the lighter clutch pull. | ||
| Kenp |
Im 6'2", 36" inseam, 215 lbs. Temps are around 90-100 degrees everyday. Ride my '05 XB9R to work everyday, rain or shine 40 miles round trip. That doesnt include those 2 hour "Lets Ride" rides during the middle of the work day! I've never whined about the location of the pegs or anything else for that matter. The bikes performs flawlessly even in high heat stop and go traffic situations. I have nothing bad to say about it. If you want an XB, get one! | ||
| Aldaytona |
Get the XB, it's a great commuter bike, I used it every day in South Florida stop and go traffic (wife uses the only car) and ride every day here in Daytona. With 5K fluid changes, no chains to mess with or valve adjustments, what could be easier to live with? I wish I had a CityX, got a chance to use one as a commuter for a while, the riding position is "mint" and the tires seem to wear forever................................ | ||
| Oldguycityx |
I can only echo what has already been said. I have an 05 CityX and only a 10 mile commute, but I thoroughly enjoy the ride. Clutch not a problem at all. I'm 5' 7" and can't put both feet flat on the ground, but it has never been a problem. Rode my son's Yamaha R6 over the weekend and the CityX wins hands down for a comfortable ride. | ||
| Vanvideo |
I ride my XB9R in heavy traffic in Jacksonville. It gets very warm here in Florida. It makes a good commuter. Good on gas, lots of usable torque, maneuverable. I recommend one. | ||
| Mrsteve |
Wow! Thanks for all the input. So the new for 06 transmission/clutch makes stop and go riding less of a chore. And clutch pull shouldn't be an issue anyway. XB12ss (have to google that to see which one it is) is good for tallish 34" inseam folks, as is the XB9R (city X?). Is this right? I'm leaning away from the Uly because of higher demand/price. Thanks! Steve | ||
| Elff |
MrSteve you are close The 06 tran/clutch is a great upgrade and clutch pull isnt an issue The XB12SS is a long version of the lightning designed with the taller rider in mind. Here is the direct link to the Buell site http://www.buell.com/en_us/bikes/lightning/xb12ss/features.asp The CityX model number is a XB9SX. Here is the direct link to the Buell site http://www.buell.com/en_us/bikes/lightning/xb9sx/features.asp | ||
| Midknyte |
keep in mind, with our powerband, you're going to be shifting less anyway. except at a stop, you'll spend little time on the clutch. |
