| Author | Message | ||
     Wing_rider |
I am interested in some info on Buells. I am considering a xb12Ss and want to add some type of fairing, non race as I ride fairly long distances. 169,000 miles on my 02 gold wing. Bike will be used to commute 107 miles to work one way total 214 daily. Things about the buell that interest me , belt drive with tensioner, fuel mileage, rev range (less powerful but about the same as the wing), hydraulic lifters so no adjustments. Suggestions and advice from owners would be appreciated. | ||
| Buellistic |
TUBE FRAME: get a S3 ... XB: get a XB12R | ||
| 99buellx1 |
You can get the larger windshield for the Lightning models from Cee Baileys for the Ss , might help some. | ||
| Diablobrian |
I'm surprised no one mentioned the Ulysses yet. | ||
| Rocketman |
I'm surprised no one mentioned another Honda yet. Rocket | ||
| Suburbx |
Hey, I understand where he's coming from. My bike is an '01 goldwing ABS. They're actually a lot more capable than anyone would suspect. Can't offer much in the way of advise, as I'm still a few weeks from getting a Buell myself, but I'm going with the CityX. For me, it was a matter of wanting something small and flickable for around town when I'm riding solo. I love the Wing, but some days when I'm just blasting around town by myself, it kinda reminds me of taking a cruise ship to the local fishing hole.  | ||
| Tpoppa |
Laminar Lip makes makes a windscreen for the Ligtning models that looks a little cleaner than the CB model IMO. | ||
| Wing_rider |
Thanks for the responses and the tips. This sure seems like a good group to post with. | ||
| Slaughter |
If you want a sportier look, you can put the sport touring screen on the XB-R fairing. Gives really good wind protection and still looks pretty decent. Probably easier to get an "R" and swap out the foot pegs and bars to get a more upright position. The Zero Gravity Sport Touring windscreen is what I run on the racebike (pic in my profile). | ||
| Jlnance |
I've sat on an SS and I like it. The XB12R and XB12S have a bit shorter wheelbase and the extra room on the SS is nice for someone my size. I ended up with an XB12X (Ulysses) which uses the same frame as the SS, but is taller and has better passenger accomidations. The Uly is comfortable on long trips, I assume this means the SS is too. | ||
| Olinxb12r |
You could go with the SS and convert the front end to an R. That would give you the wind protection of an R with the longer frame and more comfortable seat the the SS has. You may even look in to possibly putting a full fairing on it. I don't believe anyone has done this on an SS yet, but plenty of S models have been turned in to R models and vice versa. | ||
| Olinxb12r |
Here are some of the things you could do to an SS to make it exactly what you want. These are all just S models with R parts or vice versa, but everything should be easily interchangeable with the SS except for the tail section. R with S tail  Full Fairing S tail  Full Fairing R  S with R tail  | ||
| Kaudette |
Hi Wing Rider. For someone who wants to commute 200 miles a day I think the XB may not be the right choice. If you're looking at highway above 65, you'll be on reserve by the time you get to the office every day. I've had a 9R and 12S and like both but they would not be my choice of commuter bikes. Wind and protection from the elements are pretty poor on both the R and S. Ergos are fine on the S but you will be running at about 3.5-3.7G at 70mph with the stock gearing and with aftermarket exhaust will have ringing ears by the time you get home. Now I don't want to turn you off the purchase because they are nice bikes (I still have my 12S and like it) but I'd look elsewhere for a regular commute bike at those distances. No for back roads & twisties, probably none better... Just my 2 cents. | ||
| Stretchman |
Buell is ok for those distances, but it wouldn't be my first choice either, for a commuter bike, that is. Depending on how tall you are, the UgLY might be a good choice. The ride is very smooth at highway speeds, there are bags available for it, and at 1000 bux more, it simply makes more sense. Stretch |
