| Author | Message | ||
     Figorvonbuellingham |
This 2002 Capo is my first experience with an adventure type bike. I bought it mainly to keep miles off my other bikes and to navigate our roads which are no longer maintained and are essentially "off road" roads now. I have found myself not even wanting to ride my other bikes. Being a Buell owner for years I find myself looking at Uly's more and more. I never was a fan mainly because of the seat height. The Capo has an incredibly low seat height. I dont know if it had been lowered at some point or what but it fits me very good, Im short. What do you shorter guys do about the seat height? Everyone always says "oh just put one foot down...blah blah blah" but thats not an option for me. I will probably get one of these if I can get the seat height down. (Message edited by figorvonbuellingham on September 21, 2014) | ||
| Rayycc1 |
i Spent the $$$ to lower my Uly properly,,,new springs fore and aft....Wouldn't trade this bike off for love nor money | ||
| Buewulf |
I have a 30" inseam and have a 2006 X. Nothing you do short of replacing the fork, shock and subframe with those of the XB12S will get the seat as low as the 1st-gen Capo. I added a low seat to my Uly which probably dropped the seat height by an inch or so, but it is still a ball-of-one-foot affair on the X. The seat, in addition to being very tall, is also very wide which effectively makes it taller. I could take another inch out of the suspension by laying out a wad of cash, but I value the suspension travel more than a flat foot on the ground. I don't know how tall you are, but even the additional suspension work would not allow me two feet on the ground: two tip-toes perhaps, or one nearly-flat foot. Going the route of a new seat and suspension work, you would end up with a bike that will still sit 1"+ higher than your Capo but with a 17" front wheel and less suspension travel. In other words, you'd have a tall sport-touring bike with the comfy ergos of an adventure bike. If it is only the ergos you are primarily after, then go for it. If it is the long suspension stroke, low seat and big front wheel that make you gravitate toward the Capo vs your other bikes, the Uly may not be a great replacement. Just my opinion. | ||
| Pontlee77 |
Maybe the XT is a better option. | ||
| Froggy |
http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/aprilia_etv_1000_ caponord_2002.php Seat height: 820 mm (32.3 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting. http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/buell_xb12xt_ulys ses_2010.php Seat height: 836 mm (32.9 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting. The XT is within an inch of your current bike, a custom seat could get you a little lower (not an inch), but swapping in the suspension from a 06-08 XB12SS would drop the bike 1.2" inches, for 31.7" seat height. Also beyond seat height, seat shape matters, some seats make the bike feel lower than it is, some are cut different so you can get your legs down easier, etc. | ||
| Figorvonbuellingham |
Wow 32.3" on the Capo? Yeh I think its definitely been lowered at some point. That or maybe my #250 ass is squatin her down quite a bit. Maybe I should sit on a Uly and see if it squats too. The suspension on the Capo is very spongy. That's one of the things I don't like about it. The weight is another. It's a heavy bike. I'm guessin the Uly is similar to other Buells as far as weight goes. (Message edited by figorvonbuellingham on September 22, 2014) | ||
| Froggy |
For what it is worth, spec sheets say my XT is not much heavier than other Buells, but try pushing it around and you would swear the frame is made of lead. (400lbs dry XB12SS, 425lbs dry for X, 465 Dry for XT with luggage) Also, if you do sit on a Uly, make sure it is the XT model as that is the lower one. Also, there are a few different seats available, the stock one on the XT is low but not the lowest one available. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142 838/442490.html?1240953451 That said, if your heart is really set on a Uly there are always options aftermarket for lower seats and suspensions to make it work for you. | ||
| Figorvonbuellingham |
The Capo is 557 wet. So Uly is a bit lighter. It's kind of funny because I get so used to horsing the Capo around and then I grab my CR and almost throw it over. I'll keep an eye out for an XT and see how it goes. | ||
| Etennuly |
Just a side note on the height problem.....I have a pair of HD street riding boots that have a sole that is about an inch thick. I have a new pair of Built brand boots that have a sole that is just over a quarter inch thick. It makes a lot of difference in reaching the ground. | ||
| Biffdotorg |
That's funny you mention the boots too. I have a 32" inseam, ride the XT and can flatfoot at stop lights. I used to wear Harley boots with a thick sole/heel. I just went to Alpinestar boots at the beginning of last season and was surprised at it being harder to flatfoot the bike. Never even thought about the sole until then | ||
| Figorvonbuellingham |
I've got a 28" inseam. I used to wear Red Wing logging boots when I was younger. Made me a good two inches taller. Feet can't take them anymore. Gettin old sucks. | ||
| Daddio |
32" inseam here, flatfoot my XT with boots fine, with Chuck Taylors, its a one-foot stop. Funny you guys are talking about how heavy an XT is... I fling it around in the garage or driveway like nothing, probably because I have to baby-step my Victory CrossCountry Tour to even budge it (845 list dry weight...) |
