| Author | Message | ||
     Gugnheim |
Hey Gang- I'm finally feeling well enough to ride again after my 3rd surgery this year. I'm glad the bike ended up not selling, as I am anxious to get back on it. Thanks for all the suggestions and well wishes I received privately. Here is where I need help. I have about $1000 to spend, and I need some suggestions. I have a bone stock 06. Low seat. a)I need to have it lowered at least another inch to really make my back feel like I can handle it. I've started doing research but would like to know opinions on how to make that happen. I think I recall reading about shock/fork changes but am not sure if that applies to 06s. b)Assuming that doesn't blow all my budget, how else can I make it a little easier to handle or upgrades to add? Thanks all. I'm working the search engine but haven't followed the current trends to find out what all you who take care of each other think. Thanks Ryan | ||
| Hughlysses |
Ryan- You can buy the XT forks, rear shock, and kickstand for about $1000. That'll lower you about an inch, maybe a little more. I'd think you could sell your existing parts for a few hundred bucks, so that should give you some money to play with. An alternate (cheaper) method is to install Precision Engineering 1 inch bar risers, which will give you room to drop the triple trees on the X forks 1 inch. Then all you have to buy is the XT rear shock and kickstand (less than $400 or so IIRC). I'd definitely set aside $120 for a Rider Comfort Kit (just out from Buell). | ||
| Firstbatch |
Ryan, if you want to save some bucks you can cut/sand the foam on your existing seat pretty easily and probably take an inch out and at the same time level and/or dish the seat shape a bit. The foam is very easy to work with if you take your time. I did it to my '06 stock Uly seat a few weeks a ago and posted some pics. Fantastic results in comfort improvement. If you go to the Sargent seat web site they have a real good primer on how and what to do to modify seats. Then you could spend your $1k on some other goodies. Happy to hear you are ready to get back in the saddle. | ||
| Gugnheim |
Thanks guys. Good suggestions. My wife even told me to buy a new pair of boot with better tread. lol | ||
| Hughlysses |
Seriously, the boots aren't a bad idea. I just today got a pair of Icon Accelerant Boots for the purpose of gaining a little leg reach. They have about 1/2" of additional sole thickness compared to what I'd been wearing. I haven't ridden the bike with them yet, but I did sit on it with them on and they appear to make a significant difference. The Accelerant is the waterproof version; they also have a Tarmac ventilated boot that appears to be the same otherwise. $125 at newenough.com and other on-line stores. | ||
| Pso |
I also got a set of new boots w/thicker soles. | ||
| Firstbatch |
Can't say much for thickness of sole but the Oxtar (now TCX) Airtech XCR boots are just fantastic touring boots. Great grip and the the breath-ability and airflow are just incredible. Never ridden with a boot that provides that much ventilation but is completely waterproof at the same time. http://www.tcxboots.com/usa/} | ||
| Webhead |
Here's an idea - I bought a pair of Doc Martens non-steel toe industrial pull-ons and used them for a week-long bike tour in S Africa earlier this year. Worked great, waterproof, very comfortable. They're full leather, but I still use them for riding in S Alabama in the summer. About $90 I think. Gives you about an inch in height. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Firstbatch- I had an older pair of Oxtar's (equivalent model) and I agree with your comments. The Accelerant boots do have significantly more sole thickness; now to see how they do on ventilation compared to the Oxtars. | ||
| Rwven |
+1 on the Airtechs. I also have a pair of Oxtar (TCX) Matrix boots for cooler weather, another great boot. | ||
| Gugnheim |
OK. So since I got myself all damn confused doing the search and reading up on the swaps, is there a link or faq to having this all bottom lined? Parts numbers, etc and what needs to be done to swap out the new parts and lower the beast? Thanks Ryan |
