| Author | Message | ||
     Whistle |
Hey guys & gals- I was reading another thread where someone was asking about long ride comfort, and most of the folks who said they ride all day comfortably seemed to ride R's. I haven't bought a Buell yet as I'm having great difficulty in selling my Harley, but I'm very intrigued by the XB9SX. I took a test ride on a 12s and I remember feeling cramped and sore by the time I got back from a short 45 minute ride. I'm about 6' 230 lbs and I've never owned a sportbike before. I went and sat on a City-X and it felt more comfy-my legs weren't quite as bent up. Now I'm wondering though-how will a Lighting do on a long day of riding??? I usually ride roads anywhere from 50mph and up-I'm definitely not buying this bike to go dodge taxis downtown...I'll typically ride several hundred miles in a weekend, and commute during the week about 30 miles round trip. Anyway I look at the R and I think geez my legs are gonna kill me and that seat looks minimalistic at BEST, then I look at the cityx and I think geez I'm gonna pull my arms outta my sockets trying to hold on at 65mph all day long... Any thoughts??? I could definitely use some help here... ride safe ya'll, Nick | ||
| Darthane |
I've never ridden an S for an extended period, so that portion I can't answer. My XB9R is surprisingly comfy for long days, both on the appendages and back. I'm 5'11" with a 33" inseam and can flat foot it comfortably. If your legs are longer or just not as flexible as they used to be, you can toss the S pegs on for another inch of leg room that dramatically lessens the angle your knees are locked at. It will requite a little adjustment for the shifter and brake to get them right after the swap. The R front end provides a LOT more protection from the wind at any speed, but very noticeable above 50mph. Add an aftermarket, taller screen and it's an even bigger improvement. I'm small enough to tuck behind the stocker screen, and I put a Double Bubble on and the wind now hits me in the forehead instead of the chin when sitting up. The stock seat will numb your ••• after a while. The Buell Custom Seat is a major improvement in that area, and relatively inexpensive. Corbin now (finally) offers a seat for the R as well. | ||
| Signguyxb12 |
6' 1", 250+, xb12s One i switched to the cityx seat i double my riding distance, no more numb butt | ||
| Glitch |
I've ridden both. The R with the Buell seat (non-standard) The S with the standard seat, and with the Street Fighter seat. The R is more comfortable than an S with the standard seat. The S with the SF seat is better than the R with the Buell seat, in my opinion. Lots more leg room, and you can move around more. I'm six feet with a thirty four inch inseam, and around one sixty or sixty five pounds. | ||
| Reducati |
the r with the s pegs for a little more leg room, a corbin or buell optional seat, and a double bubble 6ft, comfy for 100 plus miles. as any new bike your body take a couple weeks/ miles to adjust, but once you do it will fit like an old pair of jeans. | ||
| Glitch |
and a double bubble 6ft  | ||
| CJXB |
6ft = LOTS of wind protection !!!! CJ  | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
I have ridden both, and honestly I prefer the "S". I can move around more easily on the "S". My legs cramp up faster on the "R" especially on the inside of the thigh right where the break in the femur is at. For me it seems that is a pressure point that the "R" seat just hits. | ||
| Whistle |
Thanks for all the replies so far guys! Looks like the answer is just as I feared, "It depends on which one is more comfortable for you!" Maybe a more specific question... Is it at all possible to tuck in or laydown a bit on the S to be more aerodynamic? Maybe put slightly lower bars on the S or higher bars on the R??? Possible to put an R front end on an S? thanks all, Nick | ||
| Glitch |
Is it at all possible to tuck in or laydown a bit on the S to be more aerodynamic? You mean aerodynamic like a barn door? Yes lower is better, but still windy, flyscreen is for hittin' flies, no protection there. Maybe put slightly lower bars on the S or higher bars on the R? I have lower bars on my bike. Better handling, still windy. Possible to put an R front end on an S? It's been done. Gone60 and others have done it. | ||
| Reepicheep |
My 9sx (with the frame pucks) actually does a respectable job of punching a hole in the air for me. Smooth wind (not turbulence) hits my chest and up, and just below my elbows up. Hands and lower arms are sheltered, most of the leg is sheltered, most of my trunk is sheltered. Plenty of room to move around on the seat, so you can be straight up or down lower, though an almost dirtbike like position suits me best. For a bike without a fairing, it does a remarkable job. Somebody in East Troy spent a LOT of time in a wind tunnel, and I thank them. Every bit as comfy as my Cyclone was, even two up (which suprised me). | ||
| Countryx |
I've done a couple 200 mile plus days on my CityX. I've got recurring tendonitis in my right knee and a herniated disc in my neck so I'm not exactly a specimen of the male physique at 5'10" and 190 pounds.  That being said... I find the CityX far more comfortable than the XB9SL I previously owned and it may be easier on my back than the Dyna. I think the seat in the CityX is the key, as it provides more seat to peg distance allows for some position shifting, unlike the other Buell seats I've tried. The CityX seat does start getting a little hard after 100 miles or so. I do have to take frequent breaks though and make a point to stretch out both legs when ever I stop at an intersection and when I am riding. | ||
| Stealthxb |
Whistle... Put a Buell tank bag on an S and you get wind protection and something to lay on in addition to storage space! | ||
| Countryx |
And yes... the wind doesn't seem to beat you down on the CityX like some other naked bikes I've ridden. You are in clear air and leaned forward just enough that it doesn't feel oppressive. After my longer rides, my arms don't feel like they have been stressed holding me up in the wind, but I haven't ventured out onto the freeway for a 75 mph+, 100 mile jaunt either. I tuck occasionally but really don't notice that much difference. I do it mostly to stretch my lower back. It's marketed as a city bike (obviously) but I think it is capable of providing reasonable comfort for longer trips if you make some adjustments in how often you take breaks and stretch. A couple of Ibuprofen before a longer ride helps too!  | ||
| Whistle |
I've watched the videos on the Buell site where Erik talks about the different bikes, and he seems to emphasize how the R is made to go out and tear out roads all day long, where as the S is just a great fun bike...??? I long for Buell to make an XB12T... Do most dealers let you guys test ride different bikes? I've talked with one so far and they didn't do test rides...I think that is where I'll find my answer...I have thought about the tank bag on the S though. That seems pretty workable. later, Nick | ||
| Glitch |
Do most dealers let you guys test ride different bikes? Yes, SMHD&B will let you test ride any of them. | ||
| Xb9er |
On demo days my dealer has at least one of each XB version out to test along with a V-Rod and most any other H-D model. Not sure what they do the rest of the time. Mike. | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
Whistle look at my profile for a pic of a "S" with an "R" front end... | ||
| Kevinfromwebb |
Nick, as for test rides go to another dealer, most will have a couple of demo bikes. I got the 12R as opposed to the S model because I commute on it, weather permitting, and wanted the extra wind protection. I also added a Zero Gravity touring windscreen and it added a bit more protection. You can add the S pegs for more leg room and the helibar triple clamp brings the bars up and back. When I bought the bike I had thought I would add the pegs and triple clamps but after riding it for a while I'm happy with the way it is. I had ridden dirt bikes and a cruiser before. I"m 5'7" and 43 so I'm not as flexible as I used to be but it suits me fine. Hope this helps some, Kevin Oh, the triple clamps are on the american sport bike site... | ||
| Sshbsn |
I usually can ride my 12R only once a week, so most rides are looonnnng rides. I knew this would be the case and chose the R for its fairing and stretched-out roominess of the "clip-ons" and seat. Compare that to the S with virtually no fairing, handlebars which seem to push into my chest, and seat which locks me in place up against the tank with no hope of moving around. I salute anybody who manages long trips on a lightning! After my first 3000 miles I did buy the S pegs for my bike, but removed them after two rides. They felt awkward, and at high speeds it was harder to hold myself in place. If I REALLY want more legroom, I think the custom seat will give a little and really, a little is all I'd want. "For a sport bike" the XBR is extremely capable of long trips in reasonable comfort. | ||
| Scooterroid |
Wyckedflesh - Nice Ride Steve-O | ||
| Coolice |
I am very happy with my 9R. I have done several 300+ days on it. I changed the seat to the Buell touring seat, Buell grips and the Buell touring pegs. BIG difference. I'm 5'10", 190 lb. Rode a couple 500+ days and other than the usual tired the XB IS a decent sport tourer. I use the Buell tank bag and strap a duffle across the tail section for more storage. Ya a XBxxT version would be nice but when?...... | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
Thanks Scooterroid  | ||
| Whistle |
Coolice-What touring parts are you talking about? I haven't seen those available??? All I've seen is the stuff posted online... thanks for your inputs folks! | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
The Traction pegs and grips as well as the "touring seats" for the R and the Streetfighter seat for the S. Some also concider the lower height S pegs to be touring pegs when put on the R. | ||
| Moe03xb |
I can do about 300 miles or so on my S before I'm in pain (not highway though). About an hour at h-way speeds (80-90) is usually plenty. My bike has the stock seat, pegs, and bars and I don't find any problems. Above 75 or so I lean forward a few inches to change where the wind hits my shoulders/head and to take the weight off of my wrists. I find the S more comfortable than my dad's Duc ST4 except when 2-up. | ||
| Tatsu |
6-4 265 here. I ride my 12R everyday to work, then on Friday night rides. Can do too many long distance rides cause I'm on a island. I changed out the grips and the brake and clutch levers to the roll and clicks. I might get a new seat, but I don't feel uncomfortable at all. | ||
| Dcmortalcoil |
You can duplicate the XB9SX ergonomics on XB9S/12S by merely putting the seat for SX. You can also get a customized Corbin seat to make a long ride more comfortable. | ||
| Glitch |
Also, if you're short, and got a low model. But you're not too short, and dislike the hard assed low seat, the standard seat does very well. Black_Sunshine has an XB9SL but didn't like the seat, he swapped Odie for the standard XB12S seat, and the fit is great, and now he ca do more miles with more comfort. | ||
| Scooterroid |
No one has mentioned adjusting suspension. I picked my bike up in Indiana and rode it back to Florida. I assumed suspension was properly adjusted. At the end of each day my ••• was downright sore. I could feel every little bump in the in road. Soon as I got back to Florida and got a maunal I checked the rear shock I found it was set at #7, the stiffest setting. Ouch!  Since then I've changed the setting to #4 and it's perfect. Made a huge difference. New seat on the way, also. Steve-O | ||
| Fullpower |
the Corbin saddle on my XB12s is good for a thousand mile day. ya have to stop for fuel every couple hours anyway, so its not a big deal. |
