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Jeffs03xb9s
Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 07:38 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Call me stupid, but when I bought my 03 XB9s, I didn't realize it was low. I made the connection when I noticed the lines in the seat compared to the pictures posted on the board. I'm right around 6' and very comfortable on the bike.... Should I even care that it is 1.5 inches lower than the standard? I've ridden everything, XB9SX, XB12Ss, XB12R, Ulysses and have found my 9 to be most comfortable...(its winter and I haven't put too many miles on it yet) thanks -Jeff
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Xb9ser
Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 07:46 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Mine is also a low and I love it!! If your comfortable on it that is all that matters.I did change to a select seat from Dave S because on a long ride the low seat stinks.
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Jeffs03xb9s
Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 07:52 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Any thoughts on the street fighter(pro series) seat? I like the looks of it... Maybe a few miles down the road I'll change the seat. The suspension is only 1/2" difference, the seat is where they get the 1"... -Jeff
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Cowboyup
Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 08:19 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Welcome to the club Jeff. I also purchased my xb9sl unaware that it was a low. I also figured it out looking at other lightnings and was a little embarassed at first, but I love the bike. I later bought a city cross seat and a standard seat because the low seat cramped my legs. I thought all was fine until I started to really drag the footpegs hard. I kept my eye on ebay for a standard size shock and got one for $36.00. I also dropped the forks as far down the clamps as I could. If you really want to raise yours you could offer to swap with someone looking for the low suspension. Otherwise, there is no reason not to be perfectly happy with your Buell, the lower center of gravity can also help build your confidence if your new to riding or been away for a while.
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Jeffs03xb9s
Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 08:34 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

That might be why this bike feels just right, I've only got one season of riding under my belt and I've moved up to the XB9s from a Blast.

thanks -Jeff
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99buellx1
Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 08:35 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Haha.....you have a XB9.S.L.O.W.

lol
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Fullpower
Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 08:38 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

yeah, my wife is only 5foot 2. i was a little embarassed at first, but after a while ya just get used to it.
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Jeffs03xb9s
Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 08:38 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Well from where I stand, its 3x faster than what I was riding....-Jeff
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Jeffs03xb9s
Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 09:13 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Whats the general opinion of the Streetfighter seat compared to the low, standard, sx or select? Is it taller or shorter than standard?
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Dbird29
Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 09:26 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Jeffs03xb9s,
Sell your low to my wife at a killer price (for her) and get a new XB.
Just a thought,
DBird
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Jeffs03xb9s
Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 09:31 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Yes well I think I'll get a few miles on before I decide to upgrade, at least a year... Thanks for the "offer" but I really don't think the bike is worth selling over 1.5 inches or .5 inches if I change the seat. The bike only has 3000 miles and is in perfect shape Am I wrong? -Jeff
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Tank_bueller
Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 09:47 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I bought a "Low" on purpose
and I have to use the low seat. If I had a choice, I would absolutely upgrade the seat.

As far as the specs, the suspension gives a 7/8" drop, and the seat drops another 1", for a total 1-7/8" lower than standard. The suspension is done right to allow the bike to handle properly. There is less travel, and a lower center of gravity...like a race bike.

For me, it's perfect! 5'6" tall, 160lbs.
It very rarely bottoms out, and I have it set soft for my weight due to the bumpy conditions here.

You haven't said how much you weigh, but at 6ft, you may need more suspension travel than the "Low" setup can offer.

my $.02

tank

p.s. the low seat can be brutal when traveling over about 100mi.
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Jeffs03xb9s
Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 09:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

6' 165lbs. I ride to work every nice day I can during the summer... 40 miles each way. Seat change for sure, I'm just keeping my eye out for a good price. thanks -Jeff
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Tpoppa
Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 10:50 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Jeff,
The XB9SL is a fine handling machine. If you're the type of rider that can push the XB9SL to it's handling limits (very few riders are) then upgrading the suspension might be important to you. If you're not a kneedragger, don't worry about it.

If you want a higher seat, the CityX seat will fit your XB9SL & can be found on ebay dirt cheap.

Occasionally I have seen posts where members are looking to swap their reg suspension for the low parts. 03's & 04's have the same fork diameter. 05 and up are slightly larger.
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Cataract2
Posted on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 - 12:18 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I always get a laugh on the XB9S LOW. I don't think Buell's marketing team gave much forethought about that name. Probably why they changed it the next year.
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Aldaytona
Posted on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 - 08:14 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

XB9.S.L.O.W isn't as bad as owning a B last.
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Paulson
Posted on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 - 08:24 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Yeah, I wondered why they called it the CG. I love my XB9SL, though. : D
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Sweatmark
Posted on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 - 03:41 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

There's no shame in riding the Low version. Bought my '03 XB9SL for my wife as first bike: the seat height and ergos were perfect for her, but the XB's handling and torque proved a bit much (she's got 5k miles experience now on Beemers). So, the Buell's now my "fun" bike, and I rode my 1st trackday in Low configuration without problem... and that's with preload cranked to accomodate 250lb + gear. I swapped Low suspension for another's lister's regular height components for additional ground clearance (with HD springs); swapped Low seat for CityX seat, more comfort and less leg bend (6' rider).

Here's the collection of Showa components for comparison of Low and regular:
Low and Regular Showa suspensions

Regular height marked w/ blue tape, black powder-coated spring. The Low forks were 41mm (same for all Low/cg), regular height forks were 43mm from 2005 bike, hence the need for the different lower triple.

Suspension swap wasn't too tough. Used both front- and rear-stands along with motorcycle jack.
IMHO the XB looks a bit more lean & mean in Low!

Mark
Oregon
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Jeffs03xb9s
Posted on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 - 06:59 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I'll probally upgrade in a few seasons anyhow, so I doubt that I'll change the suspension, however a seat change was a thought anyhow.

thanks
-Jeff
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Brad_buell
Posted on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 - 10:20 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I have the Buell Streetfighter Seat on mine and Love it!

I switched mine from a "low" to a standard suspension. I'm 5'11" and enjoy the standard suspension!

If you have ANY questions just ping me.
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04ctd
Posted on Saturday, February 18, 2006 - 08:34 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

i've got a 03 S in Chasn SC, would like to trade parts to make it a Low..wife is 5'0....
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Metalstorm
Posted on Sunday, February 19, 2006 - 03:26 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I bought a 12Scg by choice even though I didn't really need to. I'm just tall enough to touch my feet down flat on a standard S but decided that I'd be better off with a "low" bike sporting a standard seat. I went with the Select seat & the bike is perfect. I feel more confident going down some of the nasty gravel roads that I must endure. The only time I long for a standard height S is when I travel the two really bumpy potholed roads that I frequent. I have yet to bottom out but the extra suspension travel might be nice. That's just speculation however. On all other roads I'm extremely happy with my choice of a low bike.
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