| Author | Message | ||
     Milkman78fl |
I am a newbie, well kinda. I have been riding for 18 years now, and have been riding a 1978FLH for the last 10 years. I am looking to buy a new (never owned a new bike) XB12. Which of the XB's is more suitable for long rides? Comfort factor? Some off road is good, but 90% of my riding will be in the mountains of western North Carolina. If anyone would please share the pro's and con's of the two XB's before I purchase a new one, I would apreciate it. Thanks | ||
| Prowler |
Hey, either one is good. I've got an X and prefer it to the XT because it's got a little more travel and feels like a smoother ride. My opinion, if you are too short to feel comfortable on the X, get an XT, otherwise get an X. The XT comes with the H-B luggage, the X with none although there are a quite a few choices of bags available for it. (I'm in the process of installing Pelican bags using the stock mounts on my X). Now's the time to buy as you can probably get a screamin' deal on an '08 model. I've been riding for over 35 years (many, many different bikes over that time)and the Uly is by far my favorite of them all. | ||
| Mad_doctor |
My last "road Bike" is a 66 FLH. (great cruiser). I'm 6'3, bought an 08 XT. I have had a stack of other bikes, and the XT is really comfortable to cruise on. It likes gravel, or hard pack, The other "mods" I have added are PIAA 004XT lights and I have built my own throttle lock, (cruise). The lock was easy to make, and works amazingly well. I have not been on any other Buells, but this is the most fun bike you'll ever own. | ||
| Froggy |
They both have the same comfort, and both are great for long rides. The X has a longer travel suspension that will soak up the bumps better, but the XT has the bags standard. The X is aimed a bit more towards off road, with dual sport tires, the taller suspension, and dirt bike style fender with headlight guard. The XT is aimed a bit more towards street only, with dual compound sport touring tires, a firmer suspension for corner carving, and normal street bike fender. Also the XT has a taller windshield The XT is a little shorter than the X. Don't let the height of the X turn you away, as even short people can manage it fine.  The X does not come with the bags and tall windscreen standard, but if you add them on the 2 bikes cost about the same. | ||
| Ironhead1977 |
I have the XT and prefer it to the X because I am 5'9". Like prowler said, if your tall, 6' or more get the X. If you are less than 6' get the XT. | ||
| 818guy |
Test ride them both. Then you'll know. Both are great bikes and do "most" of the same things. But if you're looking to some off-roading, then the decision may have been made... the XB12X is the bike. Good luck on your choice. (Message edited by 818Guy on September 12, 2008) | ||
| Hooper |
Yep, I'm tall (6'3"), so I love the X, but I haven't ridden the XT. Frankly, I want the versatility of the X...full luggage, tall stance, off-road ability, and the gnarly look (beak-like/dirt bike front fender, headlight guard, etc.). I do like the fact that the wheels on the X are a bit sturdier, and I get a kick out of my girlfriend needing a stepladder to get onboard...she LOVES the stock 06 seat. My preference of the X is partially functional, but also lots of personal fit and - I mean, these are motorcycles, right? - image. (Message edited by hooper on September 12, 2008) (Message edited by hooper on September 12, 2008) | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
For frame of reference I am 5'9" w/ 32" inseam. I have an '06 X with the tall seat, and I am very comfy with the height. I rode the XT, and I felt a bit more "in" it, rather than "on" it. The XT had me almost flat footed, where on my X I am tippy toeing both feet. The XT felt a little quicker in changing direction -probably b/c of the stiffer suspenders. Regardless of the minor differences they both would make excellent mile-eaters. I just happen to prefer the X. Although I am trying to convince my wife to sell her R1150R for an XT. BMW service costs are bordering on felonious. | ||
| Ratbuell |
I'm 6'4", 34" inseam, own (and love) an 06 X. I do a good bit of off-pavement riding - we own some land that has..um..limited access - so I went with the X. Riding the XT (nice to be a salesperson, lol), it is a night and day difference on pavement. The XT feels more like my S2 on pavement - razor-sharp handling, definitely a street machine, no dirt-bike oscillation after a bump like the X has, simply lean-and-go in the turns. Don't get me wrong, the X is an awesome bike...but you can see and feel some of the off-pavement roots when you're riding pavement. The XT is more sporting in nature. If I didn't need the dirt-and-mud side of things on a fairly regular basis (we're probably going to move up there before we have the money to pave the 3/4 mile driveway), I'd go for an XT. As it is, the X is exactly what I need (a swiss-army-knife on 2 wheels). To echo the statement above - ride both, preferably back to back. Make sure the suspensions are both set for your weight so you are comparing apples to apples. At the very least, make sure they're set the same as each other (even if its the wrong weight range for you). They're both a ton of fun, and both extremely capable rides. | ||
| Crusty |
I'm 5'8" tall with a 30" inseam. I had an '06 XB12X that I traded in on an '08 XB12XT. I prefer the XT, but I don't do much off pavement riding. I use my bike for commuting, twisty back road rides and traveling (Sport Touring). I suggest you demo both and pick the one that feels better to you. | ||
| Chrisxt |
I came from a couple of "dual-sport" type of bikes... and the 08 XT that I purchased it by far the most "plush" suspension when riding around town. The XT soaks up the bumps just fine and me being 6' 250lbs, I know. My previous rides in the last year, V-Storm 650 and Multistrada 1100 both soaked up bumps fine also, but the XT is even smoother, even though the ride height is a tiny bit less, negligible. Now.. riding in deep sand would possibly be a different story, but these Michigan roads definately make up with the pot holes. | ||
| Blk_uly |
at first glance I thought this thread was a comparison to the new kawasaki versus  (Message edited by blk_uly on September 13, 2008) | ||
| Tootal |
If your legs are long enough for the X then go for it. The stock 06 seat is a great touring mount. I appreciate the pegs to seat distance. (37" inseam). I'm flat footed on it. I've ridden the wheat fields of Kansas to the mountains of Colorado. Through the twisties and over the jeep trails. Unless it's deep mud I feel I can take this bike just about anywhere I want. The nice thing was I really wasn't planning on doing much in the way of jeep trails but while going up to Monarch pass I saw a sign for Old Monarch Pass. I nailed the binders and turned around. It was a rather steep assent right off the bat. It would have been a snoozer on my old IT 200 yammerhammer but this was fully loaded up to 600 lb machine under my keester! I remember thinking, they say it will go on the dirt roads, I guess I'll find out! Well the road was a wonderful ice breaker for my off road experiences of this trip. It handled it with ease and was one heluva lot of fun. It was all hard pack dirt with a short section of mud but not the deep stuff! I was amazed at how well it handled this stuff. Later I conquered the road from Ouray to Lake City over Enginneer Pass. The first section out of Ouray was tough because of Jeep traffic. The Uly hates going slow! If your under 3000 rpm at over 10,000 feet it's time to slip the crap out of the clutch. Once past the Jeeps and able to keep the rpm up I danced across the rocks and had a ball. It was a bit of a workout and at that elevation I was breathing a bit hard but when the atv riders asked how I got that street bike up there? it was all worth while! |
