| Author | Message | ||
     Old_mil |
Well, the S3T is sold - it's new owner came by and picked it up this weekend. So now I'm looking at Buell #2. After considering a variety of used ones I've decided to go with an 07. The only question is...which one? - I like the XB12SS's 4.4 gallon fuel capacity (same as the Uly). - I like the XB12SCG's 28.5 inch seat height (30 inch inseam here). - I like the XB9's color schemes (kick ash and the blue). Other than the smaller engine, is the City X different than the XB12s in any way? Thoughts? I'm thinking that the 12ss will probably be the closest to a replacement S3... | ||
| Beachbuell |
Well by looking at your inseam length posted, I would vote the City X out, to tall. The SS isn't much shorter either, tho the larger fuel tank is appealing to me. Maybe the SCG would be best for you... Maybe? All the bang of a 12 in a shorter more managable package and you could always swap out the plastics to your color choice very easily. | ||
| Teddagreek |
Love my city X.... Its the same bike just tiny bit higher seat and Motocross style handle bars and guards... do a compare on the buell website... Its weird if never drove a 9 you wouldn't think they would have so much punch.. Especially with a Race Kit.. Just wish my mileage was bit better but that varies bike to bike... I get low 40's around town... Was going to buy a SS, but I'm going to wait to 2008 now that nothing thing really has changed.. | ||
| Diablobrian |
shortening the city-x down a fair bit is as easy as changing the seat. It sounds like you want the SS, then you can buy the city-x body pieces later if you want to. They'll bolt right on. If you're willing to go with an 06 ss you might even get the dealership to cut you in on the city-x plastic as part of your deal. The new touring seat for the ss looks to be a bit lower than the stock seat too if that's a concern. | ||
| Whodom |
If you rode an S3T, you won't have a problem with the height on any of the bikes with the possible exception of the City Cross. I've got the same inseam measurement as you and I ride an S3. I've ridden the XB9SX and didn't have any problem with the seat height. I tried an XB12SCG and didn't like the way it felt at all. I've sat on but not ridden an XB12Ss and while the seat height is slightly higher than the S3, it's not dramatic. I think the XB12Ss would suit you nicely. | ||
| Kootenay |
I rode a Lightning Low back when they were still in production (same bike as the XB12Scg AFAIK other than engine), and like Whodom I didn't like it. I preferred the regular XB9S, and actually bought an XB9R--and I have a 28" inseam. Anyone who says any of the Buells you're interested in are too tall for you is full of it. | ||
| Old_mil |
I'm not really all that worried about the height I guess, the Buells are all so light and well balanced that it doesn't bother me much - at least on flat ground. I could pretty much hold up the S3T standing tiptoe with one foot if I had to. I think the SS is the answer. Plastics can be changed, seats can be swapped out, shocks can be swapped out... ...but your 3.8 gallons vs 4.4 gallons is something you're going to live with permanently. | ||
| Dick |
I got the SS Long and like they say seats lowering kits etc for the hight issue I love and need the larger fuel tank. | ||
| Ulendo |
At 5'4", its a pretty good bet you've got more leg, and arm length than me - and I ride the CityX without any problem , albeit, I got the low seat for convenience. I test rode an Scg, and didnt notice any real-world difference in performance, but DID find the Scg vibrated a lot more, and that the seating position wasnt as comfortable for a short rider. handling - CityX, but I think thats as much the difference between the sync's, and the Scg tires as anything to do with the design. depending on where you are, the slight height difference between the Scg and the SS might become a factor in parking lots ( kerbs) and the CityX has a definite edge there. if you do ANY gravel roads, the CityX leaves anything but the Uly behind, and if you're short, the CityX can be ridden standing, making for a much less punishing ride on pitted, potholed, or washboard roads. re: mileage, the whole '3.8 gallons vs 4.4 gallons' is over rated for your comparison as the 12's, and 9's have different consumption rates. my record so far on the CityX has been 325km ( ~203 miles) before the light came on, which seems to compare pretty well with the numbers I've seen from the SS, and Uly with the larger tank, and '12' engine. I regularly get 275-300km between fill ups... worth noting though - while the GF says the rear of the CityX seat is comfy enough, the bike is small for serious length 2 up highway trips...and thats assuming you can figure out a luggage solution compatible with a passenger. if you only do solo trips, or the GF has her own ride, its fine - I've done 750km in a day, without being stiff or sore - again, ergonomics are why the best bet is to try each of them, and see how they fit YOU. $0.02, YMMV | ||
| Kootenay |
Ulendo, hey I missed you at the O'Keefe Ranch thing (I dropped in on Sunday on my way to Kelowna). But I gotta ask--275-300 km per tank? I don't think I've ever gone over about 220 km (light usually comes on around 200), but then again I never get more than maybe 10 liters of fuel in there, at most. Never run it empty, as yet... Do you get more gas in the tank than I do? (if our bikes are getting anywhere near the same mileage, you should be putting in around 14 liters over 300 km). | ||
| Old_mil |
So the range per tank on the City X and the SS are going to be about the same due to the greater fuel efficiency of the smaller engine... ...but the 12scg is going to be worse because it has the bigger engine and the smaller tank. ...the 9's smoother? at idle, under way, or at all places on the powerband? What about for freeway work? | ||
| Angelwild327 |
the SS is a 12, but with a bigger tank..so maybe it evens out with the 9 I had the city cross and traded it in for the 12scg..my inseam is 27 inches, but I'm a less experienced rider than you probably are, so it was too much of a challenge for me with the height. As far as the vibration, it's definitely more noticable with the 12, BUT, you can fix that with ridiculously easy mods... change out the grips, I use the Buell traction grips, more padding and barrel shaped for comfort. You can get the bar-snake stuff, to put into the bars to reduce/eliminate vibration, or get bar-end weights. Traction foot-pegs also work nicely and they hold up VERY well, whereas the stock pegs will likely break in a tip-over because they are made of pop metal...the traction pegs are billet and do not damage the bike, as some people are concerned with, due to their strength. If you are a pretty experienced rider, I'm betting you'll do fine on the city cross or on the SS, the scg might be a little cramped for you, but it's perfect for my short legs. The other thing that works absolute wonders for smoothing the feel of the ride and of course makes for a safer handling bike is getting the suspension fine-tuned to your liking...it makes a BIG difference...easy to change as well. The city cross is excellent for traffic and city riding, you're up high so you can see over almost all vehicles, it is definitely nimble and very easy to handle, and just really made for city traffic..on the highway the only thing you'll need to get used to is the small wind screen, which offers basically no wind protection.. but you can mod that too if you like.. No matter which lightning you choose, you will absolutely love it..go test ride them all and see which one you like best! (Message edited by angelwild327 on July 25, 2006) | ||
| Daves |
I have all my 06 Buells on sale. I can bring one to Iowa for you(when I get back from vacation) Interested? | ||
| Old_mil |
Hi Dave, Yeah - I am. I just need to figure out which one to pull the trigger on. Let me know when you get back, probably best for me to plan a trip out to the dealership at that point. Looks like it's going to come down to the SS and the City X. | ||
| Diablobrian |
DaveS has a well earned reputation here on the badweb (and beyond) He'll treat you right. | ||
| Ulendo |
Hi Kootenay - actually, I've now gone 1 better - 330km before the fuel light came on thursday night running from kelowna to calgary. fuelled up in Golden ( late) and hit 330 km on my way out to the family farm ( I carry a gerry can on night runs through farm country!) coming back, I got hit with the wonderful weather we had sunday  , and only managed Golden to Vernon before I had to fuel up. ( thats what, 275-280 km??) maybe I just drive slow? <shrug> oh, and it sounds like my light is a bit less sensitive than yours - my 275-300km as the light comes on is usually 10.5-11.5 litres. if you do the math, thats pretty close to the 3.6 l/100 km advertised ont eh Buell website.... old mil - re: 'very experienced', I started riding when I was 12, but hadn't ridden a street bike for nearly 15 years when I got my cityX. I went to Buell to look at a Uly, but opted for the CityX as the lower option that will still do backroads / forest service roads. having put 11k kms on the CityX in 2 1/2 months, I probably COULD handle the Uly now...but the CityX was definitely a good choice to get back into riding. (Message edited by ulendo on July 31, 2006) |
