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Buell Motorcycle Forum » Quick Board Archives » Archive through October 09, 2008 » Lowering kit on XB9R not low enough! « Previous Next »

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Archive through September 26, 2008Badlionsfan30 09-26-08  04:44 pm
         

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B00stzx3
Posted on Friday, September 26, 2008 - 04:54 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Oh dang. Well anyways, i also rememberd that people have swapped the S tail onto there R, then I could use the low seat and flat foot if my logic aint flawed. What do yall think of that? I'm sure I could find a lightning on the classfieds that wasn't to swap tail ends, just not sure me and my dad and drunken friends could do it, even with the service manual.
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Metalstorm
Posted on Friday, September 26, 2008 - 05:05 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Aye, T'is "Harden"

B00stzx3, If you can get the balls of your feet down I don't think you need worry.

If you got the balls down you should be able to balance the bike at stop lights with no problems.

Only thing to consider is when on side slopes, be aware and know which foot to put down first since the one on the downhill side will be useless.
You'll still have one good foot to form a tripod. (just make sure you're shifted all the way down before coming to a complete stop).

As far as moving the bike around..
though it is nice to be able to push it while sitting on it some times, I found it to be much, much easier and quicker to push it while standing beside it on the left, kick stand side of it.
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Mikef5000
Posted on Friday, September 26, 2008 - 05:26 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Keep in mind the S tail doesn't have any painted parts from the factory... so it wouldn't cost you any more in paint to swap it on.

Find a dealership with an XB12Scg and sit on it. That'll tell you if it'd be worth it to you.
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Midknyte
Posted on Friday, September 26, 2008 - 05:41 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Ditto on the blue shock. If you've switched out to the SL forks, it's the yellow shock/spring that is intended to go with those forks and you do end up reducing the height by nearly an inch. Finish the job with the correct shock so it will handle correctly. I would not change the shock linkage. I have seen them posted from time to time, but have never seen a confirmation as to whether they work or if they are not detrimental.

I am 5'4" w/ 28" or so inseam and I have an XB9R as well.

Ya get used to it (tripod'ing). I rationalize that you ought to have your right foot on the brake at a stop anyway. Just shift in the seat a little to the left and use your left foot. You'll need to realize though that when you are shifted in the seat to the left, right turns from a stop will seem weird until you understand that by being shifted to the left, you are weighting the bike to the left - your body language is telling the bike you want to go left instead of right. Understand this and the feeling will go away.

Get yourself a good pair of boots with a thick, non-slip sole. They will help a lot.
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Hr_puffinstuff
Posted on Friday, September 26, 2008 - 05:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

you ought to have your right foot on the brake at a stop anyway.

good advice. i flash mine several times at the first cage to pull up behind me. can't hurt, might help.
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Rick_a
Posted on Friday, September 26, 2008 - 08:07 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I agree that flat footing is overrated. I too have a 28" inseam and do fine on tippie toes. If I have to back up I get off the bike. No biggie.
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Froggy
Posted on Friday, September 26, 2008 - 11:00 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

HTFU, you never seen me ride a Uly i take it. I could do the limbo under the bike without even bending.
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Jumpinjewels
Posted on Friday, September 26, 2008 - 11:56 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I'm 5'3" and am on the balls of my feet.....but only when I'm stopped. Just keep moving!!!
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Sparky
Posted on Saturday, September 27, 2008 - 03:17 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

One thing about the stock XB9R seat is its width that intrudes on the insides of the thighs when straddling the bike. This imparts a kind of bow-legged effect that makes the bike feel taller than if one were straight-legging on the bike, if you know what I mean.

What I'm getting at is to try removing the seat and then straddle the bike standing not sitting, seeing if you can then flat-foot both feet on the ground. If this works, then that would be the goal for modifying the seat to remove width in the thigh area and any height as required.

I think this approach would be safer than lowering the suspension beyond factory limits.
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Cityxslicker
Posted on Saturday, September 27, 2008 - 10:22 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

goofey foot it and call it good. being flat footed on bothsides.... really only needed if you are duck walking the bike around the parking lot.
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Buellgirlie
Posted on Monday, September 29, 2008 - 05:27 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

i'm 5'5" and have figured out that i can have a lightning low with a cityX seat, or a regular lightning with a low seat. i had to sell a corbin seat because it was just too wide!

honestly, it'd prob be better if i had a low bike and a low seat -- but its manageable with 1 of the 2 being low. i'm on the balls of my feet, without full weight. i generally goofy foot it, just to be a bit more stable at stops.

however -- the 3 times (that i can remember) i've fallen over (excluding racetrack crashes) have ALWAYS been because i couldn't touch the ground properly. luckily they've all been slow/no speed, but that's also when being able to muscle the bike around with leverage is most important.

i will admit that its much easier for a experienced rider to do the goofy foot though. if you're thinking about this because you're still a tentative rider -- it might make sense to get a starter bike where you can hone your riding skills.

YMMV. but yes, HTFU is prob the only answer.

: )

D
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B00stzx3
Posted on Wednesday, October 01, 2008 - 02:55 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Thanks for the help guys. I guess I didn't write the post well, i already got the yellow shock in. I put the forks and shock in at once, and ended up screwing up either my rear rotor or caliper, as it pretty much locked the rear whell for some reason. ordered a new rotor, and couldnt convince my dad that maybe it was the caliper so eh. I emailed one saddle customizer and he said that nothing could be done about the XB9R seat, but everyone else tells me it can. Anyone know any good places to inquire to about it? I really don't want to swap the lightning tail in, but I will if I have to. I'd feel much better being able to flat foot this 1000cc monster. Thanks!
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Midknyte
Posted on Wednesday, October 01, 2008 - 05:19 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Is this your first bike?

Don't take the HTFU comments to heart or too hard. Better advice is to spend more effort getting comfortable with your machine.

Get to an MSF course, stat.

Get good boots. Firm footing makes a world of difference on a tall bike. Downright essential.

Get some earplugs. This is annecdotal advice - I happened to be out practicing on my bike one morning. I was planning a highway ride for the day and hence was wearing earplugs. They were curiously helpful because they blocked out the engine noise, and with it the big bike intimidation. I was able to relax and feel the bike itself.

Just ride. The more you ride, the you build muscle memory, and the less you have to think [and worry] about what you are doing.

Change your own oil. Do any self maintainence you are capable of. Becoming familiar with your bike builds trust in the machine. It will make you a better rider.

Not your first bike? Still good advice. These are things I learned on my not-first-bike...
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Thumper74
Posted on Wednesday, October 01, 2008 - 06:47 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Locked up? Step back and use logic. there's only three things that can make the wheel lock up. Is the bike in gear? It may sound obvious but if I remember correctly, it is your first bike. The other is the caliper/rotor. Take the caliper off and spin the wheel, eyeball the rotor. Does it wobble? I bet someone bumped the rear brake lever while the wheel was out. You can use a dull screw driver between the pads in the rear caliper to see if you can push the piston/s back into the caliper and then reinstall. While you're doing all this, just go ahead and bleed the brakes.
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B00stzx3
Posted on Thursday, October 02, 2008 - 09:10 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Thanks guys for the good advice. I realize that the more use to the bike I am, the better off will be. It is my first bike, dumb choice but I am stubborn. Everyone said get an old Japanese bike or a Blast, but I didn't want either. I had to have the Firebolt and I got it. Also with the wheel problem, turns out somehow the rear rotor got warped and bent somehow, and it was dragging on the rear wheel. I have no idea how it happened, but it happened in less than a day. $70.00 later I'm good to go again.
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Midknyte
Posted on Thursday, October 02, 2008 - 10:28 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

More advice then...

Be easy on that front brake in a turn - it's good & strong.

Be careful downshifting for a turn - that engine will not absorb a bad shift like a beginner bike would. It's torque'y and will grab & kick you around.

The bike will make a good rider out of you, by necessity if nothing else. These bikes like to be talked to - i.e. shifting your weight into a turn, etc. Do this and everything as smooth as possible. It's a dance partner, as it were.
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B00stzx3
Posted on Thursday, October 02, 2008 - 03:16 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

That front brake is REALLY strong! I'm afraid of endoing in case of an emergency stop! And yeah, the bike does respond to you, how you lean and your posistioning of your body. Its like a lamborghini made by harley. I also already completed the MSF course, thats how I got my license. Anyways, I found a website that will take 1 inch out of my seat and replace with gel so i can finally flat foot. The site is saddlemen.com. For $150, he'll take the padding out and put gel in. So between the XB9SL forks, rear shock, and kickstand, and the seat reupholestering, its about 1100 bucks to properly lower a Firebolt. Expensive, but worth it. I'm Irish and Greek and friggin stubborn and I woulnd't settle for anything else, esprcially not a Ninja/GSX/mass produced foreign bike. Thanks guys!
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