| Author | Message | ||
     Tigeer |
I recently purchased a 2009 XB12XP. Specs say the seat height is 31.8", The XB12XT has a seat height of 30.7" The XP is about an inch too high. How can I lower the seat height. I have read numerous postings in the forums and have come away more confused. Will the "low seat" P/N 51901-06 YA lower the XP? I do not believe that it will because info says the "low seat" will lower the riders seat by 1.5 inches comapred to the 06 XB12X which has a seat ht spec of 33.1 inches. Thus the low seat will reduce the seat height to 31.6 inches which is almost the same as the stock height of the XP at 31.8 inches. T/F is my best option to just have the original XP seat cut down? or how much lower will the seat height be if I back off the spring preload front and rear? Even more specifically, technically what has Buell done that makes the XP about an inch higher than the XT? Thanks ... | ||
| Etennuly |
The low seat will reduce your specific seat height by 1.5 inches. You can move your forks up in the triple clamps if that has not been done. Mine are at five marker rings. Backing off the rear spring could get you a little, but it is more of a spring rate tension adjustment than a height adjustment. Backing off the rear shock preload can help too, but you need to adjust these for ride load and stability. I also wear a pair of riding boots with a one inch thick sole, that makes a big difference at stop lights. Make sure when stopping you don't have the tires up on top of a pavement ridge where your feet have to reach down into the ruts. | ||
| Xpchandler |
The XT has a lower seat height because it has less suspension travel. I personally would NOT change the spring preload to lower the bike. The preload sets your sag. Having the seat modified seems to be the most reasonable and cost effective remedy. | ||
| Froggy |
Tigeer, you are correct, the low seat is only a hair lower than your current seat. The X/XP has a different suspension than the XT. The XT came out partly due to many complaints over the height of the X. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Just to clarify - the XP is an X, it just has the tall windscreen from the XT and a different wiring harness. If you need an inch...get / buy / trade for the suspension from an XT. EVERYTHING - forks, rear shock and rear spring. Don't halfass it, it'll only cause bad handling. If less than an inch will suffice, go aftermarket on a seat. Corbin and Sargent come to mind. Also to mitigate making a "thin" seat...focus on making it narrower in the front section. That'll let your knees get closer together when you're feet-down, and you'll have more of a straight line from hip to foot giving the effect of a "lower" seat. +100 on not messing with preload. You'll only gain sag, and it'll handle like a '56 Buick. | ||
| Ratbuell |
And Vern - if you're speaking of the adjustment rings on the front forks, you're not moving them up in the clamps. More rings (on our early forks) equals less spring preload. I'm sure you know that...but your post is a little confusing. And the new Uly's don't have the "count the rings" setup for preload. It's a "turns out from max" arrangement like the 1125s and later XBs now. | ||
| Etennuly |
Oh sorry, I am waking up now.  Too many late work nights. That XP likely has the same seat as the '07 and up, a little lower and tapered at the front. And the forks, I stand corrected with due cause. But seriously, with my eyes open, my last paragraph about choice of riding boots, is still valid.  | ||
| Ratbuell |
Actually the XP has a slightly different seat, IIRC. Scooped out more at the back of the rider area, to make room for "utility belts". Which is nice, because the '07 seat always slid me forward into the airbox. Glad I've got the '06 tall seat! | ||
| Froggy |
Rat can you check for a part number for it? I haven't seen one. My rule is, if you don't have a part number, it doesn't exist!  | ||
| Ratbuell |
Well, you're right Froggy. Looks like the PN is the same for DB (XP), DX (X), and FX (XT). Gonna have to find the guy from Police Motors at the mothership and smack him for telling me that...  | ||
| Froggy |
Damn. I wanted a utility belt friendly setup, that way I don't have to mount everything to the bars  | ||
| Etennuly |
You mean like a Batman utility belt? Did you get one in your lunch box when you were a kid?  | ||
| Froggy |
No, they banned lunch boxes because 6 year olds would sneak in Glocks and start gang wars. Clear plastic bag or school food. | ||
| Tocino |
Buell makes a utility belt!?! Awesome. Wait - is this the belt everyone has been complaining about being backordered? | ||
| Tigeer |
Thanks for all the suggestions. It may be no more than an experiment but I just purchased from Clearwater HD on ebay a Low Seat p/n 51901-06YA. Maybe a combination of new seat, and adding another sole to the boots will be enough - if not then a redo on the full suspension is a possibility. Also , I believe the low seat has a gel pad which I don't think is incorporated into the OEM XP seat.... I'll let you know the results after the new seat arrives. | ||
| Buellhusker |
Tigeer Make sure that you have backed off the preload on both the forks & rear shock this will have the effect of lowering the bike when you are mounted and sitting on the seat I did this & it hepled, this coming from one who is suffering from lack of height & inseam. |
