| Author | Message | ||
     Otobot21 |
Hi Guys, Im a new owner of a 05' Buell Lightning and a new rider as well, I love the bike and the way it runs but i feel that I have to lower the bike about 1-1.5 to be more comfortable w/ it. I was wondering if any of you can help me in getting my 05'xb9 lowered another 1-1.5 inches. I was thinking about getting shorter shocks, springs and forks but i'm not quite sure where to get it. If anyone has any ideas as to how to do this pls let me know. I would really appreciate all the information i could get..if so, do you have any idea how much it usually costs? Thanks in advance!!! | ||
| Odie |
Try a "Low" seat. It may be just what you're after and save you some cash. I put one on mine and it's perfect. | ||
| Otobot21 |
Odie, thanks for the response, I currntly have the "low" seat on the bike now, its ok for me but the only thing is when i have to back the bike up. I guess im looking to get more footing so that i don't drop the bike. | ||
| Johnb |
Your seat height is now probably at or around 29.1" w/the Buell low seat on the XB9SX. You can get it down further to about 28.6" by swapping the forks and rear shock to the XB12Scg versions; but, it'll cost something in the neighborhood of $300-500 (a guess) - sell your old parts to recoup some cost. If you want more accurate info about doing this, contact DaveS. He's on a hunting trip until the 25th but checking voice/email per this thread: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/4062/152729.html?1129736210 DaveS (Appleton Buell) is a great goto guy for stuff like this and has done it for other riders. Be aware, the XB12Scg forks are 41mm dia units (your XB9SX are 43mm), you'll lose some suspension travel, ground clearance, and might need to do something w/the kickstand. I don't know if there are issues w/shimming the steering head triple clamp. I think there's a shorter set of internals available somewhere for the 43mm forks.. There might be a safe (and cheaper) method to just swap to the XB12Scg rear shock and slide your existing XB9SX front forks up the clamps to safely compensate for the change in steering/handling geometry - your handlebar may need adjustment also; but, seek technical advice from an expert. You might find someone here that would be willing to swap your XB9SX parts with their XB12Scg or XB9SL parts - look or ask around. (Message edited by johnb on October 20, 2005) | ||
| Daves |
I can have the front forks shortened for you and replace the rear shock with a low one. If you want to talk about it call me on my cell 319-504-9294 Thanks Dave | ||
| Ginzero |
Yup, I was considering this too (I'm 5'3" ) but the Scg low seat made the height workable. My concern about lowering is the riding characteristics of the bike. Can anyone comment on that? (Message edited by ginzero on October 21, 2005) | ||
| Whodom |
Alan, I'd suggest you consider holding off the mods for a while longer. I think most new riders feel pretty insecure about the height of their bikes until they get a few thousand miles under their belts. I have a ~30 inch inseam, and started out riding on a 1983 Honda Ascot VT500FT, which has a seat height of about 29 inches. I remember thinking it was about as tall as I wanted a bike to be when I first started riding. After 2 years, I switched to a Buell S3 which has a seat height of about 31 inches. I can't come close to getting both feet down flat, but I don't have any trouble keeping the bike upright, and I can easily get one foot down flat when stopped in traffic. When I get back on the Ascot now (after about 25,000 miles of riding) I feel like I'm riding a mini-bike. It's just something to consider. You'd hate to put a bunch of time and money into modding your bike only to find after 3 or 4 months that you really wish you hadn't. | ||
| Glitch |
Can anyone comment on that? I haven't ridden a lowered City Cross, but I have ridden a lowered XB9R, and it felt great! The bike was a lot quicker in the turns, or at least it felt that way for me. I have a 34 inch inseam, so I'm sure I wouldn't have been comfortable for very long, it was fun to try out though. | ||
| Roro |
I'm 5'6" and bought an 05 XB9Sx this summer (my first bike). I have the stock seat on it and can't flatfoot it either. (Knock on wood) but I haven't had any problems keeping the bike upright at stoplights w/inclines or anything like that. If you feel uncomfortable you can always lean it over on your left foot and have that firmly planted. What really helps me backing up is having thick non-slip soled boots. It gives me the confidence that I'm not going to slip and makes a world of difference as opposed to sneakers. | ||
| Kootenay |
Guys, the question I have to ask is, why? I'm 5'4" tall with a 28" inseam, and I've ridden some quite tall bikes (haven't tried the Uly yet, but I will...). I demo rode an XB9R, XB9S, and XB9SL back to back--and I preferred the regular height bikes to the Low version, even though I could (almost) flatfoot the Low. Fact is, there is no reason you have to be able to flatfoot a bike. I started riding around 1977, and I've never yet owned a motorcycle I could flatfoot (no cruisers!). Good technique and a few tricks will get you by just fine. First off, when you stop, you only ever have to put one foot down at a time (generally, the left--leave the right on the brake pedal). If you need more, try scooting one a$$cheek off the saddle. For a lot more information, check out the Short Biker List FAQ. | ||
| Blake |
Those seeking a more down to earth seath height might consider simply adjusting the front and rear supsension preload towards or even a little beyond the maximum specified. If sag is not set to 1.25", try 1.75. If the preload adjuster will accommodate that. If not, then set preload to minimum possible. |
