| Author | Message | ||
     Vecchio_lupo |
I know alot of electrons have been dedicated to making an XB12X easier for the under 6' pilot to handle. I have an 08 XB12X and I could never touch both toes at the same time. I am 5'8" with a 29" inseam, the best I could do was one foot or the other and shifting from left to right was difficult, lifting the sidestand and shifting my feet was comical and semi-dangerous. I tried the low seat from touratech since they have a store close by, it did not improve the situation so I opted for the MIZU lowering kit (I don't know why they call it a kit, it is only one piece) the American sites offer it for $175 but in Europe it can be purchased for a little less. http://www.mizu.de/index.php?page=produkte/ht&lang =en  It only claims to drop the bike by 20-25mm which is little more than 3/4 inch. I found it to be closer to 1" drop at the rear. I dropped the forks in the triple tree by 1" but it felt strange, like it was leaning forward, so I returned to the stock setting in front. I can now touch both left and right toes at once (almost the balls of my feet). I can almost flat foot one side without hanging off like Kenny Roberts. It's only an inch but it was the right inch. I think it was worth the money. I hope this helps my inseam challenged Uly Brothers. (Message edited by vecchio lupo on December 03, 2010) | ||
| Bluex |
A couple questions: 1. How easy is the installation? 2. Sounds like you did not modify the kick stand? Would this affect the lean angle of the bike for checking oil level? (I used SS shock, kickstand method and having problem checking the oil  ) | ||
| Ourdee |
$175.00..........What The Xxxx? Made out of platinum? | ||
| Blugorilla |
Just an FYI.... 24.5mm = 1" so your estimation is just about right..  | ||
| Ourdee |
Blugorilla, Fail 24.5 mm = 0.9646 inch 25.4 mm = 1 inch | ||
| Eulysses |
Sometimes those lower seats are wider...so no gain there for toe touching. Have your low seat narrowed an inch at a time till you like it. Wide seats are more comfy so take it slow. Euly | ||
| Blugorilla |
so maybe I'm a little lysdexic... lol | ||
| Vecchio_lupo |
Friends, As far as the price $175 USD, that seems crazy, but it is about $120USD in Europe depending on the exchange that day. If you can find one cheaper, I guess buy it. It is a quality piece, but expensive. I paid 98 Euro which included a 19% German Tax that overseas customers don't pay. I don't feel the lean angle is changed that much, but for the sake of science, I will carefully drain the oil as completely as possible and note where the measured amount hits the dipstick. I just try to stay in the middle of the range. I will have my stock 08 seat narrowed by an inch, that should put me firmly in control. The installation was easy and straightforward, it's just a skirted shock spring retainer that moves the resting point down. I just applied a spring compressor and undid the lower shock mount for the change, took about an hour start to finish, even with me being dense. Thanks. | ||
| Whisperstealth |
Vecchio, Suggestion. At your next oil change put in 2.5 quarts, go for a ride, then see where it hits on the dip stick. - Check soon after you get off the bike. This will give you a good idea of where to keep it. It's recommended to always check the oil when it is warm/hot. JMO So far for me, I tend to use very little oil between changes. I Always use synthetic. Amsoil/mobile1 Best of luck, happy trails! | ||
| Vecchio_lupo |
Not to switch this to an oil thread (OH NO) I have been using Royal Purple MC/ATV 20-50, as thats the only MC specific syn I can get on a regular basis in the military px system. I am thinking of going with the mobil 1 20-50 (Cars) as it's alot cheaper. My Engineer friends say that the SAE rating is all that matters, I don't know. I lean towards the oil is oil school, and for a low revving V-twin, its all pretty good. I do use the same in engine and tranny, the H-D stuff is god awful expensive here ($25 Qt)and it seems to do well on the 20-50 syn oil. Thanks for the input and I hope my product review helps someone who was debating that purchase. | ||
| Uly_man |
Buy an XT. | ||
| Vecchio_lupo |
"Buy an XT." That is the simple solution. Unless you buy new, or are adamant about model, sometimes you are stuck with the market. For some reason (Maybe seat height) the XT's always seem to cost more than the X's on the used market. I found a well sorted and well equipped X, so I snapped it up. I am now dealing with the height issues, even with the MIZU piece, it was a good deal for me. I can see myself on a '10 XT in a couple of years if one shows up priced in my range. Until then my sorted,lowered,and comfortable X will just have to carry me everywhere I need to go. Good Luck Everybody. | ||
| Wooddog |
I have heard that I can Lower my 2006 Ulysses about 1" by changing out the rear shock from a XB Lighting. I have found several used shocks on Ebay for around $75. Has any one done this, pros and cons? | ||
| Ratbuell |
You lose the hand adjustment for preload. The XB-S shock is sprung for a bike with a MUCH lower GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating), so it won't be nearly as versatile or usable if you load your Ulysses down. I'm not sure if there are fitment issues between a short-wheelbase XB and the long-wheelbase Ulysses (different swingarms). | ||
| Yjsrule |
The valving will also be completely different, the uly is much more plush through the stroke than my STT. I would say the shock from a STT or SS would work though. | ||
| Rfp52 |
Just get a rear shock from an XB12XT and put it on the X that lowers it +1" and if necessary slid the front fork tubes up 1" | ||
| Bikesailxski |
08 Uly and newer X model has 20 degree more steering lock, larger fork tubes, beefier rims than XT. Converting to XT shock and raising fork tubes 1" w/addition of ROX 2" angle adj. bar risers makes a near perfect ride! | ||
| Bluex |
I used SS shock to lower about 1"  | ||
| Jasonb |
Bluex Did you measure the spring lengths? I'm thinking of keeping the Uly shock, but change springs. On a side note, does anyone know if there is a chart of the spring ratios? | ||
| Bluex |
Spring length: Uly = 8 3/4" SS = 8" Mounting holes distance: Uly = 14 3/4" SS = 13 1/2" Kick stand: Uly = 15" SS = 10 1/2" | ||
| Jasonb |
Thanks Blue. Great info for the rest of us 'short inseam' Uly owners! | ||
| Brother_x |
Hey Vecchio, have you fitted the item? I'm still trying to get my head around how it works. If your back wheel comes off the ground wont the spring be loose in the shock? let us know how you go. Pic would be good | ||
| Hunn |
Previous owner of my Uly used an SS spring in the OEM shock to lower the bike. He was short and rather lightweight. Did not work for me, especially two up with luggage, the shock bottomed out a couple of times on a rough road. Went back to the original spring and used a similar device like Vecchio Lupo, bought mine from "Team Metisse " in Germany. No more bottoming out, 3/4" lower. Worth every penny IMO. Brother X: the spring in the shock is installed with a lot of pre-compression. Found that out the hard way when I tried to swap springs without the proper tool. | ||
| Jasonb |
So I did some digging. Here are the spring colors and models (based on 2010): Silver - XB12X Blue - XB9SX & XB12R White - XB12Ss Yellow - XB12Scg Red - 1125CR & 1125R My assumption is that the color designates a spring rate and or length. Can anyone add to this? | ||
| Vecchio_lupo |
Brother x, I have fitted the piece shown in post #1. When the rear wheel is completely lifted off the ground, the spring is not loose. There was enough tension to keep the assembly taught. All I know for sure is I went from tip toes, one or the other but not both feet. To both sets of toes on the ground or one foot on the ground securely (Not Flat footed but close)with no wobble. Was it worth the 100+ bucks for 1 inch? For me the answer was yes. | ||
| Brother_x |
Thanks Vecchio, being also vertically challenged, based on your posts I'll place my order and let you know how I get on. | ||
| Eternalbiker |
Has anyone put the MIZU lowering kit on the XB12XT shock? JC | ||
| Brother_x |
I just placed an order for two of these gadgets and they want 49.90 Euro to freight them to Oz. You gotta be Sh@$%ng me. | ||
| Pkforbes87 |
You guys are going the wrong direction! I keep trying to make my XT taller. You don't really need both feet to touch at a stop.. btw I'm 5'8" | ||
| Jasonb |
Pkforbes87 Wanna trade rear shocks? I have an 06 X |
