| Author | Message | ||
     Gomo |
My wife is considering getting the New Lightning Low (has a yellow on hold ) for her next bike. She presently has a 2000 Blast which has a couple thousand miles on it. She is planning on keeping it (for buzzing around, when kids grow up, etc.), but her concern for the new bike is comfort. She does not care for the chrome cuiser scene and likes sportbikes, this Buell tops the list with its low seat height. She would just like to hear from both the female and male riders on their opinion on Buells (comfort, suggestions, etc). Thanks. GOMO | ||
| Spiderman |
Comfort is awesome. It does vibrate at idle but at free way speeds it is smooth as ice. All I ride in the warm months is my Buell. 60 miles a day to work and then another 30 to 50 after. I rode from Detroit to Pocono Pa in one shot on my M2 with clip on style bars and enjoyed every mile. The only suggestion I would give you for the 9S low would be the race kit and going on all the BRAG adventures you can. You meet the nicest people on a Buell PS I am not saying this cause I work for a Dealer selling Buell's I am saying it cause I trully belive it and is the reason I got my job with Buell's  | ||
| Buckinfubba |
Just set our first one up on moday and rode it around for about 25 miles. I love the seat on the low as compared to the reg 9s. It keeps your butt in place as far as comfort I was really surprised I am 6 ft and 240 lbs and I thought it was great. very easy to control. I would suggest the race kit also just for that extra punch. seesya bubba | ||
| Prof_Stack |
Here's a close-up of the XB9S LOW from Downtown Harley in Seattle  | ||
| Spiderman |
You can't see it from that pic but the 9S low has a yellow shock spring while the standard has a blue spring.  now you know  | ||
| Gomo |
Too add a second part to the first question. Does anyone who has ridden either the Firebolt or new Lightning feel that the new motor may have to much power or torque for someone who is stepping up from a Blast and whose riding skills are more than a beginner? | ||
| Daves |
All it takes is some self control with the right hand. Ride to the edge! Dave HD/Buell Cycle Center Waterloo Ia 1-800-342-7539 ext 14 dave@iowaharley.com | ||
| Captainplanet |
Gomo, I have a firebolt, my wife has a blast. The bikes are like night and day in my opinion. The blast vibrates a lot more at idle. The firebolt has tons more power. The adjustability of the suspension of the firebolt makes it really nice so that you can set it up how you like it. The firebolt is able to cruise at highway speeds and above very easily, while the blast does fine, there is a huge difference in how the bike feels at 65 as compared to 75. The blast just has to work too hard for me. I agree, that self control is what it takes. Breakin on the firebolt was almost unbearable. However, be assured that the xb9 can get a beginner in trouble. It will spin the rear wheel pretty severely coming out of slow speed corners on slick streets. I was thinking about getting my wife on the low model too. I am not sure she has quite enough experience yet, and I am not sure it will be low enough anyway (she is 5'4", and uses the low seat on the blast). The regular 9S was way too tall for her.All that said, the xb9 is a great bike. I absolutely love mine. | ||
| Gomo |
Captainplanet, Here is an option to consider, to give the Blast a little "blast". Do a aftermarket exhaust, K&N filter, and I've just been told one can replace the top end of the Blast with the parts of the front cylinder of the new XB9 for more power/torque. We did do the Vance&Hines exhaust and K&N approach and it did make some difference in power and a Corbin seat made a great difference in comfort, but I'm not sure if I'd want go with any motor work for the Blast. We've more or less decided that in June at Americade(upstste NY), the H-D/Buell demo fleet will be there and she will take one out(a couple of times, if need be) to make a final decision. She has a passion for Buells, and I hope it works out for her. Thanks for the input. GOMO | ||
| Eeeeek |
Someone really wasn't thinking when he came up with the name XB9SLOW. | ||
| Captainplanet |
Gomo, My wifes blast has the Kerker exhaust, rejet, and filter. I think it runs pretty well for a 500cc bike. The difference in power between it and the XB9 are major. Hope the test rides go well. | ||
| Dynarider |
Someone really wasn't thinking when he came up with the name XB9SLOW Maybe it was a former Honda employee now working for Buell/Harley? | ||
| Dave |
I guess I'm not following your logic Eeeeek. Buell giving people another option makes sense to me. Especially since the changes are minor. I'm thinking that Blast low or M2 low sales helped justify the XB9S low. A stepping stone for Blast riders Suited better for shorter riders Seat/body position feels better for some? DAve | ||
| Gomo |
From Captainplanet- "I am not sure she has quite enough experience yet, and I am not sure it will be low enough anyway (she is 5'4", and uses the low seat on the blast)." My wife is 5'3'' and this was one of two bikes, from who knows how many, she sat on at the International Bike Show that she was able to put both feet on the floor. The other was the Victory Vegas, but even though it may be a nice bike it was not what she wanted. I know a Hugger Sporty or a Low Rider also might have work, but we already have a Sportster that I am customizing for her now. If she did want a cruiser, I know there are plenty to chose from - domestic or metric. It seems there is almost no option (except for the low Buell) for a sportbike for the shorter rider. One would think that with the increase of just the female riding population, companies would do something else besides just building shorter friendly cruisers. GOMO | ||
| Dynarider |
Umm Dave, read it again & see if you can follow eeeeks logic. XB9SLOW Now lets split it up & follow the thought process ok? XB9 SLOW | ||
| Dave |
Duuh .... my bad Eeeeek. You're right Dynarider. Guess I should have my 1st cup of joe before I read, type, talk, attempt to think, drive, ride, etc. DAve | ||
| Snowdave |
I don't think comfort would be a problem on the 9S low. The reassurance that she can touch the ground will be very comforting. However, I sat on the 9S low Friday and here are a few observations: 1. The reach to the bars is too short. The 9S had the clipons in front of the forks to make for a longer reach. 2. It is too easy to accidently wheelie. I did it almost every time I downshifted when test driving the 9R and I am guess the S is even worse with the positioning of the rider. 3. I hate that the engine is covered by the frame. 4. The frame seems out of place. On the 9R, it worked well in a full tuck position, but on the 9S, it just seems too wide. Finally, I hate to say it, but I have done a 180 on the new Buells. I will stick with my Cyclone(s) and just add more HP! You could do an extreme blast for your wife. Bigger bore, bigger cams, reworked heads. A 45hp bike would go a long way to bridging the gap between single and twin. | ||
| Daves |
Eeeek, Betcha I could keep up with you on a XB9SLOW!(smile,wink) How's your racing going? That is so cool that you're doing it. I can't wait to get the Firebolt out of the shop. The heads are off and going to Hoban Brothers next week. The 1050cc cyl kit is waiting for me. I'm going to use a Wileyco pipe and a Techlusion unit. Ride to the edge! Dave HD/Buell Cycle Center Waterloo Ia 1-800-342-7539 ext 14 dave@iowaharley.com | ||
| Prof_Stack |
XB9S LOW XB9 SLOW. HA! Reminds me of the Blast rider who, when getting his Buell picked up by the local HD shop for repairs, was told, "Oh, you have the Be-Last." Now who is in charge of the Buell names? ![:]](http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/clipart/proud.gif) | ||
| Court |
>>>>Now who is in charge of the Buell names? Some fairly smart folks. The XB is a bike with an incredibly wide power band that is particularly welcoming to newcomers and neophytes ready for their first step up. The XB platform is unique among sportbikes, streetfighters or whatever you want to call them in the wide range of riding styles and abilities it can suitably be used for. Think about it, and I know I've made this point several times before, if you were going to augment the XB line, and you were Buell, and the time was now, and you wanted to minizmize exposure during a time when you had the platform headed well on it's way to the lowest warranty $$/unit bike in history and you wanted to hold development costs to a minimum WHILE expanding your customer base. You would bet on: 1) The number of women, beginner, verically challenged rider's who'd spend $9,999 for a way trick AMERICAN sportbike that cost Buell about $28.52 to modify from the current platform. 2) The number of "macho men" who'd pop $12,800 for a factory 110RWHP Buell that had tonso of hastily "rushes to market" parts in it. Now, imagine yourself as being the guy who's bonus is keyed off the success of the Buell business model...which way do you want to go? I think getting the "Slow" in there is a great subliminal piece of work. Those of us in the know are well aware that this "slow" bike is the very same one that toasted the CBR600F4 on Angeles Crest and at the same time, say a Hedge Fund CEO who loves to ride but is only 4'-11", might feel comforted by that hidden "slow" word in there. I say GOOD WORK BUELL and I'm betting this XB9SL is a sales hit. Bets?....takers? Court | ||
| Prof_Stack |
Court - I agree with your assessment. My XB I don't consider slow at all. The handling is unreal (in a good sense ). The LOW version is a smart step for Buell. | ||
| Eeeeek |
Court: Did you just make all that up now? I don't buy it. I think it was an oversight. Vik | ||
| Buelliedan |
Vik, Of course Court just made that "slow" part up but you gotta admit he sure makes a good story out of it!! If you ever get the pleasure of just sitting with Court and let him tell stories by all means do it. You will be laughing so hard that your sides will hurt but you also will learn some really cool things. I have heard things which I am not allowed to repeat but lets just say I gained great respect for the Buell Motor Company. Thats not a misprint BTW! | ||
| Court |
>>>I think it was an oversight. I do not think the fact that the term "slow" can be, like a game of MENSA scrabble, created from "s low" was intentional or unintentional. Frankly, they don't give a shit. They are in business, make no mistake about it, to sell motorcycles not to checkmate the mental giants of the internet at word games. Buell, as a publically held company, is driven by the things that drive, well. . . publically held companies. In addition, I'm guessing, and ya got me on this one guy...I confess to PURE SPECULATION, that the marketing folks of Harley-Davidson Motor Company did lots of homework. Harley has, with the possible exception of "you meet the nicest people" the most glorious of histories in motorcycle marketing. Hey, how would you get a guy to buy a $25K motorcycle? "Naming" by the way, is BIG business. I met a guy a a party a while back who get's like 7-figure fees for coming up with stuff like "Monza", Sephia", "Celica" etc. (see www.naming.com for details) They key is making sure that something like "Acord" doesn't mean suck hot doo-doo from me in Arabic. Local customs around the world need to be known and considered. If you're not sure what I mean, try exposing the sole of your shoe to a Muslim at the United Nations during neogotiations. It may have been an oversight, but it's a totally inconsequential one. Let me ask you this, and I know you are a smart guy, how many qualified potential buyes in the world do you think will be prepared to plop down the cash, lock up at the last minute and say...."hey...hold everything...if you tale "XB9SL" and add "low" that means the motorcycle is "slow. Gimme my money back"? I don't buy it. Court | ||
| Eeeeek |
In your example, Court, I conceed your final point. I'll go a step farther and say that the buyer will probably even joke about it. People buy KIA's and I think that's a horrible name. Names have killed products before, though. Buell is already getting slammed by every rag out there for being underpowered and this doesn't help. You have to get the buyer into the showroom, first. | ||
| Blake |
Slammed by every rag out there? You read Road Racing World? They love the Buells. Actual racers want a street bike for the street. They save the crazy stuff for the track, where it is less risky. MO liked it too I thought. | ||
| Eeeeek |
Funny, Blake, I was just slamming this squid on another board who rides the street like it's a track. How weird is it that my track bike has half the power of my street bike? I've yet to read an article on the XB that didn't say it was underpowered. | ||
| Court |
Vik: Good news: "Squid" is a self-curing condition. My guess is that your track bike, even given the power deficit, is a barrel of fun and allows you to fine tune riding skills and acheive a great "man and bike" balance. In my best days, I'd never be capable of operating a 120RWHP motorcycle very skillfuly. A couple folks here could and I certainly enjoy watching them. Read on Dude...most follow the "down on power" sentence with one consisting of words to the effect about how it is able to pass the finest UMJ offerings in the twisties of Angeles Crest even while "being down on power". If "power" per se, is your guide why does anyone own anything other than a Hayabusa? I disagree with nothing you say. Simply that the fact that the Buell *IS* "down on power" has served to admirably showcase the technical superiority of it's systems. Court | ||
| Eeeeek |
Power is A guide. So is handling, ergos, style, value, reliability, etc. Vik | ||
| Imonabuss |
Eeeeek, Go read Roadracing World if you want to read an article that says the bike isn't underpowered. The writer says the engine is perfect for the street. Oh, I suppose it's not credible since it was written by a genuine racer. It's more credible to read the underpowered comments of some pathetic wannabe like the Motorcyclist writer who didn't even have the balls to go ride the Battletrax event against his peers... |
