| Author | Message | ||
     Towjam |
After 8 days of ownership (6 of which was spent with the XT in the shop getting a new O2 sensor), I've put together a list of observations. Since the XT is not an entirely new model and since there have already been other XT ride reports posted, I'll only list the things that have "jumped out" at me so far. Keep in mind that it's been almost a year since I last owned an XB so my memory may be flawed when comparing the XT to my 12R or 12Ss....
My only real concern (other than the right side heat) is the problem I ran into with the O2 sensor. I have to admit that I was keeping a close eye on the CEL the whole time I was riding tonight and it may be awhile before I can stop fixating on it. Although I'm still in the honeymoon phase, I'm betting the XT becomes Buell's best selling XB if the XB series remains as-is for '09. With the bags, it's not only a good touring bike, but an excellent daily commuter (which will be 90% of my use) and good weekend canyon carver. (Yeah, like we've got a bunch of those here in Dallas.) Well done Erik. (Message edited by towjam on April 19, 2008) | ||
| Djm |
Good write up. I will add some of my observations when I get my CEL issue resolved with the dealer. Pisses me off that I paid the 'setup' fee for a bike that wasn't properly set up... | ||
| Ratbuell |
I can't speak for other dealers, but I always try to personally set up the suspension for a customer's body weight when the bike is sold. The factory doesn't really "set" anything. Our setup tech (the "other" Joe) will usually catch it and set it for his bodyweight for the test ride, but I took our XT from him before he had a chance to do that (LOL) and set it myself that night when I got home. Factory settings were all over the map - one fork in the 270 range, one fork in the 200 range, and I couldn't tell where the rear was supposed to be. ALL buyers should ask their salesperson - "do you have a couple minutes so we can set my suspension up?" It a) gives them a chance to take part, maybe for the first time, and hopefully they'll take initiative "next time", and b) gives you someone to hold the damn book while you're adjusting, because I haven't found a good place to put it yet where it doesn't slide off and lose the page!  | ||
| Nevrenuf |
good little write up tow, and i agree on most of your points. although i haven't had any problems with anything like you. i'm not dissatisfied with the bags. they are bigger than the ultra's saddlebags, so i'm happy with that. and since i wasn't planning on doing any aggressive riding i wasn't worried about the set up right away and waited until later on in the day to do it but only haveing a few hrs sleep the night before, it was taking me time to do the adjustments. couldn't concentrate. | ||
| Towjam |
i'm not dissatisfied with the bags. they are bigger than the ultra's saddlebags, so i'm happy with that. Agreed - I'm impressed with the capacity. I like the fact that I can keep a fullface in any of the 3 bags. And don't get me wrong, I don't mean that the Buell bags are "junk", but if I'm being totally objective, they're a notch or two below the equivalent BMW bags with regards to construction quality and the all important latching and mounting hardware. Time will tell. | ||
| Towjam |
<deleting double post> (Message edited by towjam on April 19, 2008) | ||
| Nevrenuf |
i've never had a beamer and never really looked at them but because they are what they are i wouldn't doupt that they are better. i guess you had to keep the weight down one way or another or it would begin to get top heavy on ya. until i took the bags off and saw how light they are i had concerns that they would make the bike top heavy. i'll be taking it down to myrtil beach bike week so i'll see how much stuff i can really pack in there. | ||
| Ulyranger |
Good write up Tow. I concur with most of your comments. I happy with my cases, the only bimmer cases I've messed with were from an early 80's bike so can't compare. The latches will do fine as long as you don't ham-hand them by trying to compress an oversized load in them w/o putting any side pressure on the outside case half. I've crammed mine to the max and putting a little pressure with my off hand or thigh to the outter half they close up just fine w/o straining the latches. A cam latch like these is most venerable in the half throw or open position. I suppose a twisting, cam lock latch crated out of metal would be more bullet proof, but certainly not as clean looking. Either way I can live with it. The grip warmers do indeed rock. Had my bike out the first couple of rides in the 40s with fingerless or deer-skin, light gloves, no problem........(and that was on the low setting) My suspension was setup OK on delivery, though a bit stiff for just me for just cruising.(one setting up from my weight on the table) But the initial setup was perfect for 2up. I played suspension today, definitely a task you don't want distractions the first time. I set it up for me solo, w/o bags and ripped up some local roads.....beautiful. I took another ride with the better half latter in the evening only bumping up the rear preload, not so good. Will put it back to the initial setting for best all-round performance. Every setting it is pretty easy except the damned fork preload adjusters. I messed around with a darned wrench for a bit before breaking down and getting out the socket with long extension. The motor will continue to get smoother if yours is like mine. Even the low speed stuff is getting better. I can reliably putt at 10-15mph no problem now w/o clutching/brake dragging, even slower in a load situation like a hill. Flat, no load situations are least favorable it seems. This is my first FI bike so it's a bit of an adjustment for me, but one I'm more than happy to learn.  Another interesting quirk is the variable idle......it knows when you have it in gear when the clutch is disengaged vs neutral. Almost impossible to stall, nice. I thought it was my imagination at first till I started paying attention. Cheers |
