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Noangel
Posted on Thursday, August 10, 2006 - 05:06 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

What would I need and what would it cost to lower an '05 CityX XB9S (suspension-wise) to the same height spec. as the CG model?
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Sub65chris
Posted on Thursday, August 10, 2006 - 05:23 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I talked to the dealer and they said the fork is no big deal just remove and replace the fork springs. The rear would not only require the spring to be removed but the shock to be re- gased( or so they said ) they wanted 300 dollars for the cg rear shock setup and it would void any warrenty issues . I opted not to mess with it but this is what i was told by the stealership
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Noangel
Posted on Thursday, August 10, 2006 - 05:33 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Thanks for the info. Chris... Contemplating getting another Buell into the family. My GF really likes the CG model but it'll be her first bike and I'm not too keen on paying new prices for one. However I've got a bead on a used '05 CityX so it may be more economical to go down that route... She's got a short inseam and needs it as low as she can go... **sigh** women... At very least by then I can finally remove the passenger pegs on my 12..
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Ginzero
Posted on Thursday, August 10, 2006 - 05:41 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Has she tried sitting on the CityX with a CG seat on? Thats the setup I have, I've got a 27in inseam, I'm 5'2" on a good day.

Waiting for Ange to chime in... 3 2 1

(Message edited by ginzero on August 10, 2006)
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Angelwild327
Posted on Thursday, August 10, 2006 - 05:52 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

If she's a really new rider with a pretty short inseam, and you're not willing to convert everything (which I will explain) to an SCG model, then do not get the city cross.

It, however, is a fabulous bike for someone with a decent amount of saddle time. For that matter, it's a fabulous bike overall.

In order to convert the bike, and you'll only get 1.5-2 inches lower out of it, that's with a low seat also..you'll need to do ALL of the following, anyone who tells you they can do it differently is wrong, you will screw up the geometry of the bike.

1. swap out the complete front fork assembly
not just the springs

2. swap out the rear spring AND shock assembly. (Yellow spring)

3. get the scg lower side stand.

I did endless research on this, and there is no other safe way. It will end up costing you about 1k, with labor, unless you can find used parts. Lots of people will tell you they can do this that or the other thing, but don't go that route. Either do it all or get an scg. Which is what I ended up trading my city cross in for.

You might also find a 9SL, I believe those were 03 models..they're out there, there's one for sale here in Ft. Lauderdale at the HD shop, and there are usually others if you search for them. Don't compromise her safety. Other than that, both bikes are tremendously fun, and for my first bikes ever, I feel very safe, stable and secure riding them and even pushing them to my own limits and riding abilities.
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Ginzero
Posted on Thursday, August 10, 2006 - 06:04 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Right on que Angelwild!! : D

You may want to reconsider the CityX as a first bike as it will most def. get dropped a lot and as mentioned will be a pain (expensive) to reconfigure for seat height..

If you havent already check the "short" list o n vtwinmama's site.. http://www.vtwinmama.com/
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Tank_bueller
Posted on Thursday, August 10, 2006 - 06:19 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I agree with Angel 100%. Especially on swapping both entire forks and rear assembly, and not just the springs. They are valved different internally.

Give DaveS a call. He has done this swap several times, and can explain everything you will need to do it properly.(and he gives a 10% Badweb discount!)

Tank
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Sub65chris
Posted on Thursday, August 10, 2006 - 06:25 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

now im glad i didnt do it ! I was so excited about lowering the bike it totaly sliped my mind about the valving . I LOVE YOU GUYS! later dudes.
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Stealthxb
Posted on Thursday, August 10, 2006 - 06:26 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Noangel...
I do not believe it would be as much as some of the posts on this thread imply.

If it is a City-X it should already have 43mm forks and only need springs for the front.

You will need a yellow rear shock which should be found for ~ $50-75 here or on eBay.

Find a seat and sidestand and you should be good to go for the low.
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Rhinowerx
Posted on Thursday, August 10, 2006 - 06:53 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

That's a lot of bike for a first bike - how about a blast?

My wife has the CityX with low seat - she is 5'4", and it works really well for her.



The CityX is her 5th bike in 8 years of riding.

Hope all works out

Cheers
-Jack
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99buellx1
Posted on Thursday, August 10, 2006 - 07:30 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)


quote:

43mm forks and only need springs for the front.





The cg has 41mm forks.
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Kootenay
Posted on Friday, August 11, 2006 - 01:37 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Take a look at this site. Lots of info specific to shorter riders, including a lot of tips on how to ride a taller bike without having to lower it at all.

That said, I'd suggest looking for an XB9SL (basically a 984 version of the XB12Scg, built in 03). It has a very low seat height (or, conversely, just throw an XB12Scg seat on the CityX and see where that gets you...).
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Angelwild327
Posted on Friday, August 11, 2006 - 09:03 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Stealth, it's different, trust me on this... from someone with a 27 inch inseam, with a city cross, I researched options ad-nauseum. Doing what's best for the bike was my top priority. I suppose the other option would be to swap out for SL parts, but then, just buy the SL instead...they're going to be cheaper now anyway. I am as flat footed on an SL as I am on my SCG.

PS...Gino, my vertically challenged brother, you know me well...HUGS

(Message edited by angelwild327 on August 11, 2006)
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Noangel
Posted on Friday, August 11, 2006 - 12:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Hi Guys, and girl(s) thanks for all the input, it's certainly more food for thought. I still am considering getting a Blast for $6000 USD for an '06 model however the used '05 CityX I'm certain I negotiate for a little over $6600 USD... Which would you go for?
Even if the CityX is an 'older' bike with just under 8,400 miles on it. It would certainly be a bike that she would never really ever need to progress from .. or at least will be happy with for a very long time (in terms of power and performance).
On the other hand she did train and learn on a Blast through the learn to ride courses offered by my HD dealer.
Her issue is that most bikes (including the jap. stuff) are too tall for her and she has great difficulty righting them aside from the Blast and the 12SCG. Trying to find even a beginner beater bike for her is a great challenge. Try as I might I'm not able to convince her to even consider a low cruiser style bike (ie. Suzuki Savage 650 thumper or something similar).
As you all know Buells in general are hard to find locally, let alone in Calgary, AB. Canada. Those of us up here who do have a Buell know that resale of Buells are usually a very tough prospect. So the idea of buying a new Blast and then having to sell it again in at least a year or two isn't really that appealing, however I can use this phenomena to my advantage in my negotiation for the CityX which has been listed for a very long time.
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Rhinowerx
Posted on Friday, August 11, 2006 - 12:27 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

IMHO, I think new rider skills gained on a smaller, more manageable bike (the Blast) far out-weigh the cost concerns.

Biggest mistake I made when my wife first learnt to ride was to get her on a bike that I thought she wouldn't out grow (a bike that I thought would be a cool addition to the family). It's one thing to sit on a bike - it's another to be able to maneuver it a slow speeds. Either way, it really needs to be her choice, based on her comfort level.

I would go for the Blast - especially if she liked it - maybe try look for one used.

Good luck

-Jack
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Sleez
Posted on Friday, August 11, 2006 - 01:40 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

buy a used blast for $2-3k, that way if she doesn't take to it, you will still get most of your cash back! my suggestion and what i did as well! then just sell the blast and move up or trade in!
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Angelwild327
Posted on Friday, August 11, 2006 - 01:47 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I would definitely, if I had to do it over, have started off on a used Blast..find an '03 or later, and you'll get a MUCH better price and you'll still be able to sell it. If your wife doesn't have the burning desire to go 130 every day of her life, the Blast will keep up fine with any other bike. It will GREATLY increase her confidence, and make a better rider out of her...when her skills are at a good level, you can get something else if need be. When you have a bike, like the City Cross and it's a lot to handle for a short person, I mean a lot to handle, then she may just end up having a very bad taste in her mouth for biking... dropping a bike, for a new rider, is very disheartening.
6k for even a brand new blast is outrageous.

OOP...canadian..hmm..don't know how that translates in USD...but for a brand new blast, it shouldn't be much more than 5k. You'll find a great used one for far less.
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99buellx1
Posted on Friday, August 11, 2006 - 01:48 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

$6000 for a Blast is WAY too much!

Pick up a cheap used one, it will do everything needed and you can re-sell it with minimal loss next year or whenever you decide to trade up.
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Madsx
Posted on Friday, August 11, 2006 - 06:55 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Yeah I got my Blast for $2k leftover and sold it for $2300 2 years later. To tell you the truth I think the XB is easier to ride for a new rider than the Blast in regards to the clutch and steering geometry. But the height of the CityX does take some getting used to.
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Swordsman
Posted on Friday, August 11, 2006 - 10:44 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Definitely go Blast. I couldn't imagine a 900cc bike being the very 1st one I'd piloted... holy CRAP, that woulda' been ugly. I started off on a 225 to learn controls, clutch, yadda yadda, and then jumped to a 1200, which wasn't so bad (so long as you respect the Beast). But to START with a 900? I shudder at the thought!

~SM
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Angelwild327
Posted on Saturday, August 12, 2006 - 05:37 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I started with a 9, very first bike ever and only 2 weeks out of MSF...it's not a problem if you have respect for the bike and someone to ride with who rides sanely...and a good parking lot helps, for the first few practice days of riding. Sometimes when it's the only thing you know, and you have a healthy sense of respect for it, 984cc isn't too much. The height issue, however, is really difficult to overcome for a new rider...it pained me every time I dropped it..
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Noangel
Posted on Sunday, August 13, 2006 - 10:37 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I'd pick up a used blast if I could find them up here. They're as I mentioned before pretty rare when you want one, or at best 3hours away just to see one. So if you can't buy used you're gonna have to get it new.
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Buellgirlie
Posted on Monday, August 14, 2006 - 10:42 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

XB9SL also came out in 2004. (i have one)

i'm not comfortably flat footed on anything other than an SCG model. i'm 5'5" and "medium size"

i just one foot my racebike (XB9R with all seat foam removed), and ask for help in the pits moving it around.

D
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Buellgirlie
Posted on Monday, August 14, 2006 - 10:49 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

maybe check with some of the rider's edge dealerships that are in the northern US as close to canada as possible - and get one of their used fleet bikes? really, i wouldnt suggest paying more than 2-3K for a used blast.....

D
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Raceautobody
Posted on Monday, August 14, 2006 - 04:54 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I agree with Angelwild327, A more powerfull bike is not a bad thing. It teaches respect and control. One also does not out grow it as fast. I got a 90cc quad for my son when he was 4 years old. The first day he rode it I set the throtle stop up so the throtle bearly moved. That only lasted one day because it did not teach him control. He would just pin the throttle all the time. If one does not have respect for the bike they can get hurt on a 50cc scooter.
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