| Author | Message | ||
     Othrider |
Downsizing from FLHT, K100RS,&XR650L - undecided on X vs. XT. What are the differences in specs, suspension,etc. Will be riding mild 4X4 roads in 4 corners, Mexico and highways. Any for sale nearby? | ||
| Badrap |
X has longer suspension making it a little taller and stronger wheels. Basically better suited for dirt than the XT. | ||
| Froggy |
The biggest difference between the X and XT is the suspension. The XT is lower to the ground, as result has less suspension travel. The X is aimed at being more of an adventure bike, while the XT is more aimed at sport touring. Both bikes are great off road and on road, but the X has a bit of an advantage off road due to more ground clearance, wheels that are reinforced to take a little more abuse (nothing significant still), and more dirt oriented tires stock. The XT has an advantage on the street as it has a more street focused suspension, sport touring tires, and slightly lighter wheels. The XT also comes with luggage and tall windshield standard, but they are easily installed accessories for the X if desired. Both bikes will never be as good off road as a true dualsport like the KLR650, as the XBs are big and heavy, and the tire selection for 17" wheels is lackluster unless you want sportbike or touring rubber. I personally feel that the XT is the better of the two, but you will have to ride them and see for yourself. | ||
| Uly_man |
What part Mexico? | ||
| Othrider |
Hoping to ride northern area, down pacific coast, ferry to baja. So far only been to Bahia Kino. I live in Durango, co. | ||
| Uly_man |
Cool. Maybe you could introduce yourself, before getting on the ferry or even, but not me the people who make this site what it is. They put a lot of effort into it. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
If you're tall like myself (6'3") I suggest you get the XB12X and then get the 2006 seat. This is the first bike that fits me since I was a teenager! | ||
| Uly_man |
And here is the point for those who keep banging on about this. There are no bikes that do what a Uly can do for the tall Guys. Most seem to be 5ft 10in plus and I am 6ft 7in myself. | ||
| Luftkoph |
did not the x get a tighter turn radius in 07 or 08 that the xt never got | ||
| Timberwolf |
Yes, the X got bigger forks and a wider steering lock angle in 2008 | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
We have one of each. The X is way easier than the XT to turn around in the driveway because of the steering radius, if that sort of thing matters. I like them both, but need taller soles found on my icon or guide gear desert boots to flat foot the X. I could wear flip flops or just socks and flat foot the XT. I'm 5'10 and being able to flat foot was a selling point for me when riding two up with my jumbo sized pilion son. | ||
| Ratbuell |
The X handles just fine on-road; I could only tell the difference if I rode my X back-to-back with an XT (both properly set for my weight). The X has a little bit of dirt-bike "float", or suspension oscillation, after a bump; the XT doesn't. Nothing that throws the X off-line in aggressive cornering, and barely noticeable, but it is there if you look for it. I happily trade that for the longer suspension travel and taller seat - I'm 6'4" and I love me some fire roads! If you *know* you'll be off-pavement...get an X. You won't regret it. | ||
| Turf_moor |
RIDE magazine in UK reckoned that the XB12X was the best handling bike on the market when they tested a buch of bikes about 3 years ago. I'm talking about on the road. I agree with another poster when he says this bike fits him properly. For me (6ft1 but disproportionately short legs) it's a bit tall but the ultra comfortable 06 seat makes up for this. I've owned a BMW R1100GS (did 91,000 miles on it) and a KTM 950 ADV (20,000 miles) and the Ulysses is more comfortabe than either, is better for touring and is miles more fun than either too. I absolutely love it and am considering riding from Portugal to Tokyo on it next year. I'm definitely doing the trip. The uly would be ideal BUT are the elevtrics up to the job? Stranded in Siberia?! | ||
| Eulysses |
Turf-moor...you got BadWeatherBikers if you can get online wherever you are on the globe. It is much more of an adventure on something out of production. Bone up on Uly care here and GO! Send us reports. | ||
| Turf_moor |
It's actually well sorted, Eulysses. Wires which are prone to chaff have been rerouted above the subframe and the main wiring harness, which rubs against the top of the front cylinder, has a plastic tube round it. A Free Spirits Tensioner is fitted and it has a grease nipple fitted so I can grease the needle bearing next to the gearbox output shaft. The oil gets changed every 2500 miles and it uses next to none between changes. It's done 17500 miles, has never broken down (one belt snapped at 11900 and one fork seal at 15500.) I would so love to arrive in Tokyo (lived there in the early 90s) on this grunty beauty. Before leaving it would be thoroughly serviced, and I mean thoroughly. headrave bearings, wheel bearings, front and back, swingarm bearings, new cables, new fork seals and that would just about be it. | ||
| Uly_dude |
fyi, if anyone ever wants to swap out their XT rear shock for an X, let me know. I've been trying to trade my extra X shock in the classifieds for a while. You can get that additional clearance you want. |
