| Author | Message | ||
     Tourguide |
I made a round trip yesterday from Louisville, Kentucky to Indianapolis, IN riding the 06 XB12Ss Lightning Long. The ride up to Indy was straight Interstate I-65 North while the return Trip to the Derby City was 31 W south mostly a twisty two lane Highway. Wow what a cool ride to get some cross county under my belt. I was very pleasantly surprised with the overall comfort of the bike, the stock seat was very cozy and not an issue. My long legs fit into the frame/tank nicely tucked even with the newly installed frame pucks. My only issue with comfort was that my hands cramped-up gripping(but never too tightly) the stock, I feel, too small for my hands, grips. I have ordered the Traction Hand Grips from Daves, came today, and hope this helps the problem by having a larger diameter grip. I am also looking for some new to the market, Handlebar Risers from GenMar, just wanting to get them a little bit higher. The Interstate riding was somewhat disappointing, the wind was blowing and with all the 18 Wheelers I ran comfortable up to 75 mph, any more speed and I had control issues. Seeing a retread smoke, peel off, and come at You running at 75 quickens the Heart rate but the responsive Lightning dodged debris with a controllable flick. The real fun began on the two lane twisties, the torque the XB12 makes powering out of the corners, seemingly in any gear, still has me smiling. If it were not for the occasional car pulling out or rolling out from a stop sign I could have had the Perfect Ride. Its time to ride, Ride Safely  | ||
| Skeeter_xb |
Stay off the interstates. You should have taken 135 N. Great road. HOOSIER THUNDER BRAG http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/37/86848.html?1146007087 | ||
| Pinball |
I don`t know how much the GenMar risers cost, but I put on some Renthal bars that fit a Yamaha quad racer. All i had to do was cut off an inch off of both sides. They look cool and fit me way better!! | ||
| Americanmadexb |
i also have an 06 Ss. I rode it yesterday from Fort Wayne to South Bend and can agree with you about the wind knocking you around. Exept when i got to about 65. I felt like an idiot b/c i crouched down and rested my beer gut right on the air box  . helped alot though. i never thought about bigger grips, might help out. | ||
| Americanmadexb |
BTW, ive been off and on this site for about3 months, what and where is Daves?? | ||
| Diablobrian |
Dave Steuve (sp?) of Appleton H-D/Buell You can find him in the Sponsor section. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/17143/67339.html?1146174374 | ||
| Americanmadexb |
damn, how did i miss that? | ||
| Alanshouse |
I am planning a couple 200+ mile trips this summer. I will post how they went. | ||
| Rpmchris |
I've made several 300+ mile trips on my 12S, but I've also improved the ergonomics. The first couple of long rides I took caused me to purchase (1) a Streetfighter seat, and (2) lower bars. I rode the Ss at a Buell Demo, and liked everything about it. If it were around when I bought mine, it's what I'd be riding. | ||
| Doon |
so far my longest trip on the xb12s has been about 340 miles in 1 day. With 230 of that being in 1 stretch (only breaks for gas). I was pretty comfortable. Only thing I have changed on my bike is added a corbin seat. | ||
| Curtyd |
Wife and daughter are leaving to see family for 10 days or so in May. I'll give a test report on the Select Seat and a moto camping weekend. Last real trip I went to Fla. Panhandlle and back on the stock seat, so I have high hopes for the select one. I actually am a little tighter with my leg position, because I have the replacement rubber coated pegs without the lower drop. I HATE all metal foot pegs on a highway bike. Last trip I broke 950 miles or so on a long weekend, I'll let you know what I do this time. Sport type bikes are still the best tourers for me, safer, better handling, brakes, more fun, etc. IMHO. | ||
| Cochise |
515 in one day, it WASN'T non-stop, but jumped on the bike at 8 a.m. and got home at about 11:30 p.m. I can assure you, I was ready to come home. I have a problem with the 'ol knees and they were kill'n me. I think I would have been fine had I not been the first long ride of the season. | ||
| Alanshouse |
I've made several 300+ mile trips on my 12S, but I've also improved the ergonomics. The first couple of long rides I took caused me to purchase (1) a Streetfighter seat, and (2) lower bars. I rode the Ss at a Buell Demo, and liked everything about it. If it were around when I bought mine, it's what I'd be riding. I too have the streetfighter seat and the crossfire bars. I havent ridden the bike yet with it set up like that. Did it make much of a difference for you? | ||
| Altima02 |
Tourguide, I live in Lexington and I have an S. I bought it from a guy who works at the Dealer here in town, and he just bought an Ss. We should go for some nice rides sometimes. I am actually riding up to louisville next Sat. to go to the dealer and demo a buell for a slingbag. later. | ||
| Rpmchris |
Alan, here's my ride...  Along with the Streetfighter seat and Crossroads 0 degree bars, I have the "R" Traction pegs and Traction grips. And, YES, it makes a HUGE difference. (it's actually red now, but I don't have any more recent pics...) | ||
| Alanshouse |
Rpmchris - Besides the pegs, pucks, levers, and reflectors, your' bike looks identical to mine. What color/kind paint did you use to get your' pucks like that?  | ||
| Toona |
 hehehe, Looks the same as mine also (well, until the "Flavor of the Day" took over) The frame pucks can be painted to match using a rattle can, charcoal color. Available from Daves, or any other Buell dealer, ballpark $12-$14. Very close match colorwise. | ||
| Alanshouse |
Toona - Have you ever tried the yellow flyscreen with the black? How does it look? |
