| Author | Message | ||
     Ratbuell |
Well, my S2 got dispatched late to a tech today for new tires....so I "had" to bring the new XT home. Shucks. Rode it home after installing my spare heated jacket pigtail, and WOW. First thing - I hatehateHATE the seat. I much prefer the flat '06 seat...but, I have a 34" inseam so I can get away with a taller seat. But the scooped lower seat keeps pushing me onto the airbox. That is just about my only gripe. The suspension is great. I rode it home right after PDI and it hadn't been set...but once I got home and dialed it in for the 170-200lb setting I noted it was set for a mix-match at the factory. It seems the pieces get put on...and that's about it, true setup is left for the dealer. It should handle even better tomorrow going to work. The front preload was set in the 220 range, but the comp/reb was closer to 150. It didn't misstep, though...which is a compliment to the chassis...but in a couple of sweepers with bumps I felt it get off-line just a bit. Nothing invoking "how far away is that fence", just enough to notice I needed to tweak it at home. Ride comfort is great. Road feel is great. Cold roads with some salt still on them, and spankin' new Stradas with 11 miles on them, and it stuck pretty well - again, I'm chalking the couple little bobbles up to the suspension not being set. The tires had great feedback, neutral tip-in, great on-center feel, and no wander at speed. No tracking on rough spots either, and I hit some pretty patchy pavement. Power is expectedly good. It really comes alive around 5k, and I found myself cruising (by feel - no sound out of the stock exhaust) around 4k most times I looked down. Gearing is dead-on the same as my S2 - 4k at 80mph. I'm guessing mileage would be similar - I just tanked up the tuber at 48mpg mixed commuting - given a similar riding style. The tall windshield is nice. It was the first time I had used one, and at 6'4" I felt like I had less turblence on me than on my S2 with the +2 windscreen. I heard a lot of wind noise...but suspect that's due to the stock exhaust compared to my tuber's race muffler. And the heated grips? They are most definitely Da Bomb. Even on low, they were *hot* through my gore-tex gloves. Between that and my jacket liner, nice and toasty even in the 40* weather. This could be a worthy successor to my S2.... | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
I had a similar situation last year. I brought my S3 in for service and drove home on a new Uly. Crazy how that happens huh? Edit: I thought you bought one. (Message edited by johnnylunchbox on March 29, 2008) | ||
| Ratbuell |
Nope, not yet. I work there - it's one of the few perks to be able to ...uh... "appropriate" bikes to get home if I need them.  | ||
| Towjam |
So much for that <4K rpm for the first 50 miles factory recommendation, eh?  | ||
| Ratbuell |
Wow...I *thought* that was you looking over my shoulder on my 70 mile "long way home" run....glad you were there to keep an eye on me, it was a long trip and anything can happen. | ||
| Towjam |
Think of it as me riding vicariously through you while I wait for my XT (already 3 weeks past the original shipping date).  | ||
| Dentguy |
So much for that <4K rpm for the first 50 miles factory recommendation, eh? It will probably just get sold later as a demo. Who breaks in a demo?  | ||
| Ratbuell |
Actually, if I can convince admin, it'll go into rental duty. We need a Buell rental... | ||
| Sekalilgai |
Hey Joe You're the dog ... XT loaner eh? I'll tool out to Fredrick to get my Uly worked on! When's that truck coming by again? It was most wet in Suches last weekend.... Ken | ||
| Ratbuell |
Demo day is April 12. Hope to see any and everyone there | ||
| Wbrisett |
It was most wet in Suches last weekend.... Ain't that the truth. I did do a bit of riding regardless, but not too much on Saturday. It was more of a kick back and relax sort of day. I left the area after chatting with a few people and walking through the campground. Later I found out they were giving away swag... Always a day late... ;) Wayne | ||
| Sekalilgai |
Thanks Joe, hey how much difference is the tall windshield compared to the short Uly screen? My neck is still sore from interstate 'fun' and bufetting. BTW, I bailed on Saturday too. Funny, spending hours on the bike in the rain actually was less depressing than watching about the rain on the weather channel. | ||
| Bearly |
Hey Joe I didn't know you were going to get one, many congrats! Did you order the Micron Exhaust yet?  (Message edited by bearly on April 06, 2008) | ||
| Ratbuell |
Bearly - no Micron yet...I'm actually liking the quiet for a change, compared to the S2s race can and the S1W's SS2R... I may have to appropriate yours one day though, for a test spin...if you're willing | ||
| Crusty |
Ratbuell; Is your store located near Hagerstown? I'm thinking of riding my Uly down next weekend to Demo an XT. If I ride down, can you recommend a good Mexican restaurant in the area? | ||
| Ratbuell |
The event is just south (one exit below I-70) of Hagerstown. www.hdwilliamsport.com has a directions link. I work at our main store in Fredneck so I'm not sure about mexi food out there...but I'll certainly find out between now and then. |
