| Author | Message | ||
     Iman501 |
so i was just kinda curious how the old lightnings compare with the knew ones? i know they have different frames and such, but what are the specs like between the two? how's the handling between the two? and other such things. | ||
| Andymnelson |
I have an XB9S and an X1 Lightning. The XB9S is much more refined, handles better, smoother throttle, etc. The X1 is a million times more fun to ride. It's like riding a hand built beast of a machine- there's nothing that compares. | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
I will use my favorite analogy here. A xb is like a razor sharp samari sword and a tuber is like a chain saw both can cut some ones head off but the one is fast swift and presise and the other one is rough bloody and gory. Both are really fun bikes though. Just different in many ways. | ||
| Britchri10 |
It's like comparing the original Triumph Bonneville with the new Triumph Bonneville. The older bikes are less refined and more rough around the edges. The newer bikes are smoother and more predictable. Either is a good choice. | ||
| Pkforbes87 |
The (operational) Buells in my garage are an X1 and an XB12XT. The XT is business, the X1 is pleasure. The XT is perfect for those days when I want to pick a direction and get lost before finding my way back. It's a better bike for long distance - more comfortable and reliable. It's an easier bike to ride - when I think about where I want to go, the bike does everything for me. BUT The X1 will always have a special place in my heart. On those days when I want to be a little ornery, the X1 is the bike for the job. It's loud, obnoxious, flashy, rude, violent, and I love every bit of it. It may not handle as easily as the XT, but I get more satisfaction out of nailing a corner perfectly on it than I do the XT. I see from your profile that you're currently on a 9R. If you're planning on adding a bike to your stable, go with a tuber. If you're planning on selling, and only owning one bike - still go with a tuber. My Ulysses does everything better than my X1 and with less effort from me, but if I had to give one up it would be the Ulysses hands down. The Ulysses is a great machine, but the Lightning actually has a personality. I've got too much history with Betty to ever let her go   | ||
| Britt |
I compare the S1 to a '66 BigBlock Vette with the "radio delete" option... | ||
| Iman501 |
I see from your profile that you're currently on a 9R. If you're planning on adding a bike to your stable, go with a tuber. If you're planning on selling, and only owning one bike - still go with a tuber not looking at getting another bike (i wish i was though haha) i was just kind of curious. i've ridden the xb lightning, and up till today never been on a tuber lightning. my buddy has an x1 and i got to ride his for just a little bit today. it was only about a 2 mile test ride, but it was a fun bike, i sure wasnt used to the throttle or handling of it so i'm sure my riding looked very sloppy. | ||
| Andymnelson |
On my first ride of my X1, I thought for sure the speedo was way off....NO WAY could I be going 85 right now! Oops, speedo was accurate!  | ||
| Akbuell |
The (my) X-1 handles/rides like a great collection of parts that really work well together. As others have said, think big-block muscle cars from the late '60s. The XB is more like something carved out of one chunk. And even though the TT is a 'relaxed fit' XB12, it still seems tiny compared to the tuber. Reminds me of the sophistication of the Ferrari I rented once. Which one I like better depends on how I feel that given day. A little rough around the edges? Or really clean and efficient performance? Get one of each. | ||
| Pkforbes87 |
XB lightnings are 395 dry. (385 for XB9SX, 400 for the SS and TT) X1's are 440 dry, and S1's 425. That's a LOT of weight difference on a motorcycle and it really shows itself when riding the two back to back. Also, I believe all tuber lightnings came with basically Andrews N4 cams (.497 lift) XBs all have basically SE "E" Grind cams (.551 lift) The power is in different places on the two bikes. My X1 feels kinda limp above 6k rpm but pulls like a freight train from 2.5k The XT on the other hand seems to want to be at a minimum of 3k and keeps pulling hard to 7k. |
