| Author | Message | ||
     Matadormkv |
Hi guys, I have a chance to purchase a used 2006 XB12X with Buell bags for about $4000 less than a new XT and just wondered if the XT was really worth that much more. Here are a couple of my concerns based on what I've read: I am short...about a 28-29 inseam, so I would need to get the X lowered right away! I haven't been able to contact Trackside Engineering because I think their site is down and don't have a phone number. Is the oiling system on the '08 really that much better? What about the steering lock thing? Does this mean that there is not steering lock...like when you park the bike?...or is it just that the '06 just has a bad turning radius? Is the whole TPS thing a big deal? I guess the '08 doesn't have to be reset? If I get one, I'd be selling an almost new Vstrom (which I DO like). Are there many different screen options available that will give decent wind/rain protection better than the stock screen? I remember a good while ago, a few guys had a problem with belts wearing funny. Is this a recall thing and was it very common? Other than the Trackside thing...what are the other lowering options and about how much do they cost...like a shock from another Buell model? This 2006 will still have some warranty left and right now it has around 7000 miles on it. Thanks for anything you can tell me... Russ (Message edited by matadormkv on April 05, 2008) (Message edited by matadormkv on April 05, 2008) | ||
| Froggy |
Find out what seat it has, there are 3 seats available from Buell. Odds are it has the 2006 seat, and that seat is too tall for some riders. The 2007 seat is lower, and then there is the low seat option shown on Buell’s website, that’s a tad lower than the 07 seat. The 06 and 07 seats are about $110, while the low seat is $220 if you wanted to go that route. That is going to be just the cheapest option for lowering the bike. People on here are swapping seats all the time, in fact I have a low seat for sale. The 2008s haven't been around long enough to see if there is a real difference with the oiling system, but what from people have been reporting the fan does not come on as much. The steering lock that people mention is in reference to the number of degrees you can turn the fork from left to right. The XT has the same setup as the 2006-7 X, so it has the crappy turning radius of it. The TPS is no big deal. The 08s do it themselves, and the older models can be done in a few minutes with a laptop and $40 cable. It is only done every 10k miles, or if the bike runs/idles poorly. There are many different aftermarket screens in various sizes. Several members here sell adjustable brackets for the windshields. I can't comment on the belt thing, incidents are few and far between. The XT suspension should be able to bolt right up onto the X no problem, but I am not aware of anyone that has done this yet. Also I do not know of the cost of this swap. A couple of other differences of 2006 X vs. 2008 XT are: 2008s have heated grips standard (can be added to 06) 07 and 08 X has Pirelli Scorpion Sync tires, while the XT has Pirelli Diablo Stradas. The 06 X has Dunlop D616, which in my opinion is the worst tire ever made. The X models have heavyer reinforced rims, while the XT has standard rims like on all other XB models. There are other minor differences between the two bikes, but those are the biggest ones. | ||
| Jlnance |
If you've got to lower the X, I'd go with the XT. I have to believe that a bike that was designed to be lower is going to handle better than a tall one that was lowered. | ||
| Crusty |
Is the oiling system on the '08 really that much better? It's not just the oil system. It's also a much stronger lower end, and new ignition and fuel injection. Are there many different screen options available that will give decent wind/rain protection better than the stock screen? Cee Bailey's, Parabellum, Zero Gravity, and a few more that I can't think of right now. I remember a good while ago, a few guys had a problem with belts wearing funny. Is this a recall thing and was it very common? Very uncommon. I have 32,000 miles on my original belt. I have an '06 Uly. It's been trouble free, and it's a joy to ride. But if I was faced with the choice of an '06 X or an '08 XT, I wouldn't even waste a second on the decision. I'd jump at the XT. In fact, once we get my wife's Ss paid off, I plan to do just that. | ||
| Nevrenuf |
if you do a little shopping you can get a good deal on a bike, i just did. i'll be picking up my xt next weekend and i am excited. this is my 6th bike i have gotten from the dealer back home so i don't know if that helped or the fact that my daughter just left there after 2 1/2 yrs there. but i could have gotten a great deal if i wanted to take the sportster up to granite mountain in georgia also. they were gonna give me a great deal there. to me, the idea of getting a new opposed to a used is not dealing with someone elses problems. | ||
| Matadormkv |
Thanks for the input... The guy is selling the bike with the stock seat AND the low seat, but I still believe it would have to be lowered. As for getting the XT...I called a dealership in Maryland and they quoted me a price of $13,505 PLUS set-up and all the other stuff. To me, that's just crazy. Now, my local dealer that I have purchased SEVEN NEW Harley's from didn't get their XT in yet. THEY will probably give me a VERY good deal, but I can't tell how good the deal will be yet. I have probably purchased around 20+ new bikes and always turn around and sell them almost new with much less than 4000 miles. I am always the one losing my shirt and thought that it might be a nice change to get one used with low miles and still under warranty. Case in point...the Vstrom has 700 miles, lots of extras, AND a 4 year warranty. If I sell it, someone's getting a very nice ride. Right, I have read that there are other difference in the low end...like the crank pin is larger, etc., but from MY experience with Harley-Davidson...it doesn't always mean that the previous year that you bought is junk. Heck, in 2009 Buell may do something to the new XT that'll make '08 guys wish they would have waited...like maybe putting a low version of the '08 X's larger suspension on it. It never ends...like trying to always own the fastest computer. (Message edited by matadormkv on April 05, 2008) (Message edited by matadormkv on April 05, 2008) | ||
| Matadormkv |
Another thing I thought about was getting an '08 X and lowering it since it has the better steering lock and suspension. I already have a nice, three piece set of GIVI bags, so I would just use those. | ||
| Blake |
Save yourself the trouble. Purchase the new XT and sell your old luggage, or keep it and sell the new XT luggage. You could probably get close to $1K for the entire Hepco Becker luggage set including bracketry. | ||
| Towjam |
Two "upgrades" I'd like to see for the XT in future model years... a) Upgraded dash and controls to that of the 1125. I suffer from technolust and would like a full cockpit - along with better switchgear. b) 6 speed tranny and hydraulic clutch Unfortunately, I'm not hopeful that I'll see either one of my upgrades made available until the 1125ST is announced. And to be honest, I'm not head-over-heels for the Rotax engine. I like the simplicity and low maintenance of air cooled engines. No doubt the Rotax engine is part of the future for Buell - and Buell product managers have gone on record saying that the air cooled engine is not going away. I just hope that Buell continues ongoing development of the Thunderstorm as opposed to just maintaining it. After all, continuing to upgrade the boxer seems to be working out fine for BMW. | ||
| Froggy |
Towjam, you would love the Veypor VR2, I put one on my SS this weekend  http://www.veypor.com/vr2.html As for the tranny, someone asked John F while at march badness, he said while it’s not totally out of the question, its basically not going to happen. | ||
| Towjam |
The VR2 looks cool for a track bike - but I don't need the lap timer. At my skill level, the calendar would suffice.  What I'd like to see in a display for a sport tourer: * Gear indicator (although not as important with only a 5 speed tranny) * fuel gauge * aggregated MPG * miles to empty * oil level * voltmeter * clock that doesn't require toggling between odometer * full engine diags ...and the usual - dual odometers; etc. | ||
| Hootis29 |
43.5 - 44.1 at an indicated 70-75mph. Taller window, big side cases. pipe, air cleaner. | ||
| Bienhoabob |
Crusty: "I have an '06 Uly. It's been trouble free, and it's a joy to ride. But if I was faced with the choice of an '06 X or an '08 XT, I wouldn't even waste a second on the decision. I'd jump at the XT. " I was thinking the same way as Crusty. My local Buell dealer had a new black XT on the showroom floor. $14,000 plus T. T. & L. A little dose of sticker shock, but sometimes they will up the trade in value and that will compensate for the up charge. I talked to the salesman, sat on the bike, etc. When I asked for the trade in value of my '06 Uly, with the three hard bags and 31,000 miles, I got a quote of $4,800. Their reasoning on the low quote was that "my Buell had too many miles". Bottom line: Is my '06 trouble free, well maintained Uly, plus $9,000 worth a new XT? As much as I hate too, I think I'm going to go look at the other Sport Tourers out there. | ||
| Baggermike |
Bob I would keep your ulysses for a couple of reasons, one you can get the suspension on ebay that will lower it, also the charging system I just found this out and do not understand why they did this but the 06 ulysses is a 3 phase 495 watt 38 amp charging system which is better than the new single phase charging system that is 405 watts and 30 amps if you put the money you will save into your ulysses you have now you will have a better bike, I have a uly that I am lowering for my son, I got firebolt suspension for two hundred front and rear and the front has traxxion suspension components inside which if it is there cartrig goes for 1000.00, I do not understand why hardly anyone was bidding on them and got them for 138 including shipping and the rear shock was under fifty and has only 1500 miles on it, Now this is what I would do, I am waiting for parts to show up on ebay but I could buy them, I would get the 47mm triple clamps and the the 08 forks modified for 6" of travel then remove the bottom fender and move the fork legs up in the triple trees till the tire comes close to hitting with the front forks collapsed, then have a custom shock made to match the front end to keep the geometry strait and to match my weight and riding style, I think I could get the bike as low as the xt but still have 6" of travel, if you remove the lower fenders you gain almost an inch of clearence, I would wait for an 08 engine to show up on ebay and when I bought one I would modifie it for more power, if money was not an issue I would install a 88 cubic inch kit, a slipper clutch, the eight piston caliper, radial master cylinder, etc I was going to do this but decided that the 1125R would be better for my wallet and I like both bikes but can not afford two so one my son bought the ulysses off of me and I got the 1125R but will build a ulysses in the future slowly as the money comes in. Mike | ||
| Bienhoabob |
Good advice Mike. I just might go the lowering route. I remember some good write ups on the procedure. I'll do a search and retrieve it. I like the '06 mpg and will leave the stock engine alone. IronButt have sound rules on exhaust noise also, so I'll stay with stock. I walked around a Honda/Kawasaki shop today. Looked at every bike, sat on some. They just didn't "do it" for me. Glad no one paid any attention to me. I did have a 900 Kawasaki, Z1. It did everything well, no complaints, but I just got bored with it. No character. My big complaint on the Uly is the height, especially in tight turns on uneven dirt roads. But lowering it to fit me seems the way to go. I also might try the XT kick stand. It makes the bike lean into the stand, not as straight up and down as the stock Uly. Thanks again. | ||
| Baggermike |
Bob if you buy the 08 triple clamps and you could use the 1125R forks and would have more turning lock to lock, Spencer seats told me he could lower the low seat and make it more comfortable to for around 75 dollars, I would go with a custom shock like wilbers suspension, I was in the process of doing this and can give you the knob that increases spring preload and would be set up for your weight and how you want to ride, with out the rear shock in the bike and the rear lower fender removed you gain .75" I measured that a shock that would compress to 14 inches and give 6" of travel would lower the bike over an inch, if you get the new ulysses forks with the triple trees you could have them set up with 6" of travel and then remove the lower fender and cut the fork protectors so that it looks like the tt and with the springs out of the forks move the fork legs up thru the trees to match the rear travel, that with the seat mods would give you a better riding bike and lower and would be better than the xt and I think you would have enough money to take a vacation or buy another bike. if you need any more advice PM me. I picked up Wilburs front fork springs for my 06 lightning for 50 dollars on ebay and they are brand new, Wilbures suspension is a German co and for around 800 you can get one of there best shocks that also can fine tune ride hight. I also talked with the guy who use to design showa suspension and told me to ride it supermoto style and I would out corner sport bikes. I also got digital hid lights at www.starrotor.com for 125.00 for both lights and wired them up so I could run both low and high in the daytime and the boxes mount easyier because they are smaller than the regular hid lights. Mike | ||
| Bienhoabob |
Mike, More good info. Before I go the ways suggested. Could I just have the new XT suspension replace my '06 suspension? Or maybe just the XT rear suspension and something different as suggested for the front forks? I'm probably going to have someone do it for me since my mechanical ability is limited. At the moment this seems over my head. I have the Motolight set up on my '06 and am satisfied. | ||
| Dynasport |
My local Buell dealer had a new black XT on the showroom floor. $14,000 plus T. T. & L. I didn't know the XT came in black. I thought it was just red and blue. When I first saw the XT, I thought Buell has made the exact bike I want. I am not as sure now. I wish it had the 08 Uly turing. I wish it was a bit cheaper. I wish the bag brackets were quick detachable, or at least SW Motech or someone made quick detachable hardware so that when you took the bags off you didn't have the big frames still on the bike. Still, I have been looking at several bikes lately and I have to say the XT still seems like my favorite bike right now. If I was buying a bike right now I would probably go ahead and pony up the money for the XT. I think I'd be pretty happy with it just the way it comes from Buell. Add a GPS maybe, and ride for days. Man, I'd love to hit the road right now. I think I'll turn off this computer, replace a fuse I blew on my bike this morning when I plugged my Slime compressor into it, and go for a ride. | ||
| Baggermike |
OK try this contact wilbers suspension they have lowered the ulysses a full two inches, I think using your own front forks and not sure about the rear shock but this would be the best way to have the bike lowered by them, German product so I think it is up there with the other top shocks, I think it was around 800.00 to have a rear shock made but they also had cheaper ones, this way they will ask you lots of questions so they can set you up with the best springs for your weight. you will be using your forks so you will save a huge amount over buying new ones and you will have better performance because it will be set up for your wheight. if you have any problems finding the web site let me know and I will look tonight. Now if you want to see how much you want your bike lowered take two 2X4 bords which are really 1.5 X 3.5 and lay them next to the bike and put your feet on the bords this will give you what would feel like 1.5" lowered bike as far as foot placement, the lowered bike would probably feel better because you are lowering the center of gravitation or weight in case I spelled it wrong. I got forks with traxxion suspension and paid 140 and got a firebolt rear shock for around 60 so for two hundred I lowered the bike about 1.5" no need to buy new you can get new on ebay just seen a guy bought a firebolt and striped it for a chopper build and is selling all the suspension parts and more brand new, I would go with wilbures, they will set you up and teach you about suspensions they sell a book on it. Mike | ||
| Bienhoabob |
Dynasport: for colors www.buell.com/en_us/bikes/adventure/xb12xt/colors. asp Thanks Mike, I'll do some searching. | ||
| Dynasport |
Thanks Bien. The brochure Buell sent me didnt list black for the XT, so I didn't know it was an option. Nice to have options. | ||
| Baggermike |
bob if it is from the lightning s it has five inches of travel go on buell website and look at the specs for the year and model of the bike being sold and check suspension travel if it is 5" it will fit, I think all the xb bikes shocks will fit but I think one has less travel than 5", I got mine off a firebolt but a lightning would have been good to. Mike | ||
| Baggermike |
Bob seen some used shocks ending soon, one had only six hundred miles on it. Mike | ||
| Nevrenuf |
dyna, go pick up the xt that granite mountain has and will give you a great deal cause i came within a fraction of an inch of picking it up because of the deal, and if you want black, i'll trade you the body work off the one i'm getting friday. the one they have is red. | ||
| Crusty |
Bob; the Internet is your friend. Send E-mails out to sales staff at Buell dealers all over. Describe your present Uly accurately, and ask what kind of deal they'll offer you on a trade. The way you ride, it should be no problem to ride another 1,000 miles to a dealership to buy a new bike. (hell, that should sweeten the deal!) Your local dealer is trying to ream you. Take your business to a dealer that wants and appreciates it. |
