| Author | Message | ||
     Bloose |
Has anyone attended a track day on a Lighting? Better yet anyone ever attend on a Firebolt and a Lightning? I'm wondering how the Lightning is on the track compared to a Firebolt. I think I read when the Lightnings came out that they were actually better because the wider bars made it easier to toss around. But I'm not so sure about the upright position and how it effects hanging off in the corners. B-loose | ||
| 99buellx1 |
I've done both, the Lightning is good in slower tight stuff, the F'bolt is better for the rest. I would still say that the F'bolt is a better all-around track bike and the Lightning is a better BattleTrax type bike. | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
I have done track days on both. I would say the Bolt is rather better, mainly because of the advantage of moving weight forward and inside on turns. There has to be a reason that every road racer in the world uses clipons, and have for over 50 years:-) Once you get going a lot faster than I do, the higher pegs on the Bolt allow greater lean angle and thus faster corner speeds. That being said, I have done several track days on Lightnings and had a lot of fun doing so, and learned an awful lot about riding my bike. A compromise position, that I adopt now, is Tomaselli adjustable Clubman's bars. These allow me to get some weight forward, but they are not as low as the clipons on the Bolt, so they are more comfortable for every day riding, and I do believe that they improve the handling of the bike.  | ||
| Black_sunshine |
I've done a track day on my lightning and it was freakin' awesome!!!  | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
Looking good, Will!  | ||
| Black_sunshine |
Thanks, Jon | ||
| Jerseyguy |
I did a track day on my lightning, learned alot and had a great time.  | ||
| Jaimec |
Did California Superbike School (Level III) this year at Pocono and had an AWESOME time. Click my name on the left for a photo taken at the track. That's a Lightning Long, by the way... | ||
| Elff |
Having just switched from a lightning to a firebolt I can concur with 99buellx1. Due to the layout of the bike, [clips ons, wind protection] the firebolt is more stable at speed. The lightning is very flixable and is awesome for city driving As such, on a track I can see the bolt being better, but that does not mean a lightning wont be a blast. | ||
| Buellgirlie |
done both. both are fun. firebolt a bit better for higher speed flickability.  D | ||
| Dtx |
See profile pic. | ||
| Bloose |
Thanks for the info guys. I currently have a 9R and am getting ready to trade it in on an '07 12R or 12S. I have been going back and forth on whether I want an R or an S. The vast majority of my riding is to work and back, 50 miles each way, so some comfort would be nice. On the other hand I don't really do too many rides that are much longer than that. On the R my buns ache after about an hour and my hands get numb. It gets pretty bad actually. So I was thinking about trying the more upright position of the S. The R seems to be great in the corners though so I'm not sure if the more comfortable riding position but less wind protection is worth it??? I'm really torn here, B-loose | ||
| Elff |
Bloose I've found that the R is more comfortable for me. I initially bought the CityX thinking the upright position would be more comfortable. For my work commute it was great and the handlebars make it really quick and nimble. On longer trips tho, I found that the lack of wind protection put a strain on me and it was not comfortable. Im 5'5" so that might be a factor. Conversely, I did 300 miles in one day over the weekend on the bolt and found it very comfortable on both the back roads and the highway driving. Unfortuntely my case might not be the same for you. I really wish I could have afforded to keep both bikes. I think I had one of the coolest CityXs out there and it was tough to trade it in. | ||
| Tleighbell |
Gentleman_jon, can you give me a source and pricing for the tomaselli bars? Thanks. | ||
| Skully |
I race my Lightning!   | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
Tim, The Tomasellis are usually available from Cosmopolitan Motors in Penna. However mounting them, and any clubman bar, on a Lightning requires a bit of work because of the somewhat unique design of the Buell Lightning handlebar clamp. Firstly the bars require some kind of riser to clear the front fork tube tops. As can be seen in the photo, I have used two Buell handlebar clamps as risers. Inorder to do this, the tops must be machined flat. This can be done by a determined Buelligan with a common belt sander, but is best left to a commercial machine shop. Secondly, the Buell stock front brake master cylinder must be replaced with a Nissin 14mm sport bike master cylinder, ( a Lockhart Phillips part avail. from Dennis Kirk), because of issues related to the front brake braided steel hose. It might be possible to retain the stock master cylinder and make a different brake line. The good news is that none of the cables need to be rerouted or lengthened. Hope that helps. | ||
| Tleighbell |
Gentleman_jon: Thanks for the info. Sounds like it might be worthwhile to just pay the $$ for the Crossroads bars or get the lower Renthal bar from American Sport Bike. Don't understand the problem with the MC. I'll have another look at the photo, but in your opinion would a pair of clubmans with the handlebars further apart solve this issue? | ||
| Old_man |
I made a handlebar riser using another handlebar clamp under the bar, but used four threaded pipe connectors from Loews that fit into the riser to space the rounded riser from the head, used longer bolts I got from Buell. No need to grind the clamp. I didn't have to change the cables or brake line. I raised my bars 1.5 inches, but all you need is a fitting long enough to give a flat surface for the connection. | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
Tim, The Crossroads bars work fine. Lots of brothers, including the redoubtable Glitch use them to good effect. The reasons I did not use them is that I don't particularly like the way they look, they are as low as the stock Firebolt bars, ( much too low for me), and they are pretty expensive. In addition, they also have some fitting issues. When you consider how many things are happening on a handlebar, you will see why getting everything to fit properly is always a bit of a chore, not matter what handle bar you choose. Finally, the Tomaselli's are adjustable, which is always a good idea in a custom install. I believe that Glitch, and others, routed the clutch cable through a hole he drilled in his headlight enclosure, ( not the headlight itself, of course). Oldman, Sounds interesting, but as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. Any chance you could post a photo of your installation? (Message edited by gentleman_jon on August 16, 2006) | ||
| Old_man |
Sorry, I don't have any pictures. Maybe I can borrow my son's digital camera to get some shots. (new fangled gadgets--I am an OLD MAN) | ||
| Old_man |
Pictures from my son's digital camera (I was able to figure it out).   | ||
| J_pienta |
Bloose, Were you at ACC last weekend with nesba? I was on the red XB12R and we spoke, I still say stay with the R, just my opinion. | ||
| Bloose |
Yep that was me. Your recommendation is the reason for this post, you got me thinkin. B | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
Thanks for the photos Jack. I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks after all. My motto is : " I'm too damn old to be old fashioned" It seems as though we both arrived at the same conclusion that the bars are best raised about an inch and a half. I just put in another clamp as a spacer. Was a bit more work to flatten the tops, but perhaps it looks a bit neater that way. Thanks again for the photos. | ||
| Buellishxx |
Another lightning on the track!  | ||
| Elff |
BTW For those who posted pics They all rock!! You guys are some knee dragging maniacs | ||
| Buellishxx |
A shot from the other side to show off my Drummer!  (Message edited by buellishxx on August 17, 2006) | ||
| Ikeman |
Jack, thanks for the pics. Looks like you may have ended my riser search for the Uly. | ||
| Old_man |
I used the pipe fittings, but if I could have found a stainless sleeve, it would look a lot better. But, as it is, I never see it anyway. And it is strong. PS> Another advantage to this is I now have easy access to the front suspension adjustments, now that the bar is out of the way. (Message edited by old man on August 17, 2006) | ||
| Jaimec |
This past May at Pocono Raceway (California Superbike School):  |
