| Author | Message | ||
     55spy |
I have decided I will get an XB__ as my next toy. Originally thought XB12X but decided I do not need that much offroad capability as I'll be riding with a bunch of guys on jap sportbikes and cruisers. So I had to go back to the dealer and showroom floor testfit everything. well all I came out with is that the lighnings all seem to come down to slight variations in seat height. and I'll most likely be replacing the seat anyway. The SCG is a little short The Xb12S would feel a bit better if the seat cut was about an inch further back No 2-up riding in my future so no real need for the XB12SS The XB12TT feels like too exposed a seating position for highway sport touring The cityX feels great but not sure if I want to go the 900 route. No decent weather in the near future here in omaha for a test ride so I might just have to wait...But I don't want to. asmokin deal might have to make the decision for me. | ||
| Jaimec |
I love my Ss, but when I go two-up more often than not it's on my Beemer. 90% of the time when I ride the XB12Ss, it's solo, but for the 10% of the time my sweetie and I want to run out to a movie or grab a bite to eat, we can just hop on the Buell rather than park it and take out the Beemer. Remember: It's better to have something you don't need, than need something you don't have. | ||
| Metalstorm |
Maybe a 12S with a different seat like the Streetfighter or my personal favorite, the Select seat? Maybe a Corbin? A Select seat on a 12Scg will add close to an inch of seat height making it about 29.25"-29.5" over the stock 28.6". (that's the route I took). Any of the Ss seats will fit a TT. Maybe the dealer will let you swap the Ss seat with the TT seat just to try it out. You never know, it might make all the difference in the world. | ||
| Metalstorm |
I know smokin deals are great & all but you should really wait and do the test rides. Due to wheelbase, fork angle & rake differences, they do not all feel & handle the same. You need to ride them and find the one that works the best for you. | ||
| 55spy |
Metalstorm-Good point it would have to be a real smokin deal. Like one of the three new 04 XB12S that are still sitting on the floor at a semi-local dealers for the price of a used one! Which one guy sounds like he might do.  | ||
| Thansesxb9rs |
From experience if you get the S model you will want to update the seat with either a Corbin or Select seat. The Corbin cups your ass much better. Take a look at my profile and it should give you somewhat of an idea. | ||
| Jwhite601 |
55, You should definitely wait on the test rides. I think if you ride'm all, you'll opt for the cityx, especially if you came off a I4. The 9's have a higher redline, and almost the same power. If your used to twisting one to 11-14000, you'll be killing the revlimiter on the 12. If your coming off a harley, you'll probably want the 12's down low grunt. I think you should do a few hundred test miles. You need to try and test them in an area you normally ride. jmho | ||
| 55spy |
Jwhite, I'm comin off thumpers 650cc xr650r, CRF450X, and Gas-Gas300 two-smoker. And Yes I do kill the rev limiter of my one lungers all the time. Looking for a more dedicated road ride with similar seat position. | ||
| 45_degrees |
The 9 is actually a 1000 (984 cc) not a 900. It's not much less powerful than the 12 (I've owned both), but the power delivery is different. As far as seats... if you wanted a regular S I would recommend Buell's Streetfighter seat (had one for my 9S). It moves you back just a little more. Personally, I do not like Corbin seats at all and I would never recommend one to anyone. I bought one for my ZR-7 and the thing did not even come close to fitting, not even with modification. I had to try it out without the center locking pins in place because Corbin had the holes about half an inch off and the rear pin was pretty tight and almost didn't work at all. It was a terribly uncomfortable seat anyway and after seeing it on my bike I decided it was also very ugly and bulky looking. In fact, it weighed about 5 time as much as my stock seat and I'm not joking! Corbin seats weigh like a brick! I've read countless times about people having to modify their Corbins to make them fit and saying they are heavy. But this is just my opinion as some people do like their Corbins for some reason. | ||
| Roadrailer |
Originally thought XB12X but decided I do not need that much offroad capability as I'll be riding with a bunch of guys on jap sportbikes and cruisers.  What offroad capability? Seriously, don't confuse the Uly for anything other than an extremely competent all-road bike. Super comfortable (for one or two), available hard luggage, decent wind protection (with better options available in the aftermarket), and handling that will leave most sportbike riders scratching their heads. IMO, it's by far the most versatile bike in the Buell lineup. Unless it's just too tall for you, keep it on your short list. Just keep saying to yourself it's not a dirtbike, it's not a dirtbike, it's not a dirtbike........ (Message edited by roadrailer on February 15, 2007) | ||
| Vikingdave |
After having ridden a XB9S, a XB12X, and the new TT extensivley. The difference in handling is remarkable, all very good, but different. I prefer the TT with the 9 and the Uly at the opposite ends of my riding style. The best 3 motorbikes I've ever ridden!  | ||
| 55spy |
Roadrailer, i just can't get over the preponderence of complaints on the Uly about small things to buy the first model year. I'm not saying they are all bad I'm just saying it seems more guys seem to be voicing the issues with the Uly. over the other models... my opinion. | ||
| Roadrailer |
There have been a few issues, most (if not all) have been addressed. I think the 07s (second model year) are pretty well sorted out. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
55spy, With any new model, there are going to be "niggles". If you buy a brand new model car, the plastic trim doesn't always fit perfectly, wiring harnesses are passable but not perfected. Electronic components go bad. As an example, I have a 2004 Acura TL. The window motor went bad (known in the 2004s, replaced in later models), I lost part of the sunroof controls, the internal trim pieces fit but not as well as later models (I've looked). The leather is also different in later model years because the leather in that year wasn't as durable as later models. They changed the tires because the ones that were specially designed for the TL sucked. They now come with a totally different manufacturer's tires. Some also had window leaks in the rear window. The 2004's also had rubber exhaust hangers that, when cold, transmitted vibrations into the body of the car. Later models had hangers made of a rubber that is more pliable at lower temperatures. All that to say, the 2005's are better than the 2004's. It's part of buying a brand new model. Subsequent models have fewer new model issues. The 2006's had a few issues, but ALL of these issues have either been dealt with by recall (tall shield, sidestand, and BAS) or directly by Buell Customer Service (through the dealer). I had a latch go bad on my side cases. They replaced both. There is a very concerted effort to track down the "pinging" problem. I wouldn't avoid the XB12X. It is a great bike. I LOVE MINE!!!!!!! I WOULD BUY IT AGAIN IN A RED HOT MINUTE!!!!! I would buy an 07 given a choice not because the 06 is a bad bike but because the 07 bears the experience of manufacturing all of the 06's. | ||
| Kdan |
55spy, I too moved to Buell from theonelung arena, thought I wanted a Blast, but that wasn't near as fun as my KLR. I was looking for a strictly street bike. I ended up with the Blast and a 9S. The seating position of the 9S and aggressive stance was very natural to me. Mine is an 03, but I've changed to a CityX seat(increased height) and added handguards. The 9s, as opposed to the 12s was more preferred because of the price and it's smoother in the acceleration Dept. than the 12. I have decided I would like a Ulysses for touring and two up riding very soon, but sure would like the new XB12STT for hooliganizing. I would prefer the TT with the 9 motor though. But that's just me. | ||
| Panhead_dan |
My Uly hooliganizes just fine, thank you very much! | ||
| Etennuly |
The Uly does it all. I ride with cruisers and can ride comfortably longer, further, get better fuel mileage, and I am ready to ride sooner after a long day than any of them. I also ride with the sport bike guys. If you don't tell them my Uly is a sport/cruiser/dirt bike they won't get upset that I can stay that close to them. But when they load their bikes on a trailer after 100 miles of riding I ride off to hook up with the cruiser or Uly riders, because 100 miles is hardly worth starting the bike for. | ||
| Bonjoxb12s |
What about an Ss with the Touring seat on it. Would give it more of the S seat look. I think I would opt for the Ss.... after a few hundred miles you'll soon realize its VERY nice to have that extra gallon of gas compared to the S. | ||
| Dick |
I have had 3 other buells before my 12Ss the Lightning long is the best by far for me extra gas better stock seat and being 6' tall my knees feel better AND it handles differently than the standard Lightning.I suggest a test ride on both all in one day.You will be able to get the idea and road feel of each. | ||
| Jwhite601 |
You might want to check the price difference on the insurance also. | ||
| Murdoch |
The Streetfighter seat sits a bit further back than the stock. Goes good on the S | ||
| Irideabuell |
Call Ken at Seminole Buell here in Florida (they are a BWB sponsor). I bet he'll cut you a deal that will make it worth flying to Florida and riding home. They're super people there too. | ||
| Wademan |
Really dont make a decision till you test ride them all. I did NOT think I wanted a Uly until I test rode one on a whim. I came back with the biggest smile on my face and have not looked back. | ||
| Thelumox |
i'm doing some stuff to my uly, i think it will turn out to be a "ulightning long/tall". lightning front fender and the 07 seat with TT bars. it feels very confy, between neutral and sport riding position but more leg room. like some of the other posters, i wasn't even considering a uly until i rode one. hard to describe! my other ride is a duc, and they are both very fun and unique bikes. | ||
| Panhead_dan |
I think the Ulysses is the most versatile of the current Buell line. I can remove all the bags and their racks in a couple of minutes, revealing a pretty good looking machine for local terrorizing or I can install them just as quickly and ride to work or wherever carrying just about anything I might need. Either way it makes me smile real big as I get about halfway through first gear and wack the throttle open, she stands right up on the back wheel and a quick shift to second will keep the front end lofted for quite a ways. Just yesterday I was pulling off the street into the service entrance of my semi-local dealership and as I entered the lot I powered the front end up, set it down, grabbed some brake and a quick right hand swing into the service entrance. As I shut off the engine it was like the juke box quit and all I could hear was the small crowd standing there saying "shhh.... It's a Ulysses." I just love this bike! |
