| Author | Message | ||
     Jamie |
So I've put around 100 miles on it during two, one hour long rides. Bottom line is that this thing is way too much fun. I actually kept getting on and off the highway just so I could keep exiting on this one tight cloverleaf type off ramp...just way too much fun!!! I was a little worried that I was going to be too big as I'm 6'4" and about 195lbs. But not a problem at all. In fact, I felt no fatigue during either ride. Ergonomically, I couldn't be happier...granted the bike was modified somewhat with Woodcraft rearsets and Protaper bars. I also adjusted the suspension as soon as I got it to the factory recommended setting for my weight. I cruised comfortably at 80 mph...another worry that I had considering I have quite a bit of torso hanging out there with no real wind deflection in front of me. I've got the Jardine titanium RT1...notes made: I didn't think that it was initially all that loud. It has a sweet thub thub at idle. I even took it for a quick ride down my street (without my helmet on) and was super happy 'cause I was concerned it would be too loud for the neighbors. THEN I took it out for an hour or so on main roads/highways with my helmet on...when I shut down, my ears wouldn't stop ringing for about 45 minutes. Holy smokes! I wasn't expecting it to be so loud with my helmet on. I thought it would be quieter with the brain bucket on...but it resonates or something instead. I picked up some ear plugs today and look forward to using them tomorrow. Other things I've noticed in my short affair with the bike so far... The fuel pump is freaking loud. I don't know if this is normal or not. But cruising down the road with the loud a$$ Jardine blairing and I can still hear it squealing away. I'm almost inclined to say it sounds like it has a frozen bearing or something...though I don't even know if that is possible. I've been very paranoid about pinging noises in my hundred miles of bliss since I live in the scorching heat and humidity of Corpus Christi, TX. Though I haven't heard any "pinging"...I do here a tapping of sorts. I haven't been able to identify it yet. It's kinda like something might be rattling on account of the wind...or it could be some other mechanical noise that I'm just not familiar with yet. I kept finding myself searching for sixth gear once on the highway...I have to get used to that. My other bike has sixth...so it seems unnatural to be stuck in fifth while cruising around at 80mph. I cleaned the plastic with Novus 2 and initially was disappointed. I then took the plastics off and realized that the undersides were filthy. Once they were cleaned up on both sides I was very happy. I really like the translucid look. I'm guessing that the previous owner didn't really ride all that aggressively. The bike has 5500 miles on it with the original tires and I see no need to change them in the immediate future. I'd even go so far as to say these things haven't even hit their half way point yet. Over all I'm very impressed and suffer no buyers remorse what-so-ever. I can't wait to use this as my daily commuter back and forth to work!!! I just need to figure out the best way to tote my stuff around...saddle bags...another thing my other bike has that I feel naked without. I might opt for the tail bag for starters. Take care all...I hope everyone is as happy a Buell owner as I am! | ||
| Skully |
Welcome from another Texan Buell rider!  | ||
| Badlionsfan |
welcome from another 2005 xb9sx new to me bueller. i got mine in april with 3300 miles on it and it's over due for it's 5k service by about 600 miles now. that rattling sound you here that sounds like several tiny steam locomotives pulling out of the depot is the "character" of the valve train. get used to it, it never goes away. enjoy that bike, it doesn't get less fun, only too familiar or strait roads do. | ||
| Luxor |
Welcome to the madness  The fuel pump noise is very normal. I have an 03 XB9S and an 04 XB12S. Both squeal like a cat having it's tail stepped on when they prime to start. The 9 being a little louder then the 12. And as Badlionsfan said, the motor is a noisy beast as well. I like to say it sounds like a sock full of quarters in the dryer. SO, all-in-all Buells are very mechanically noisy beasts, after awhile you'll get so used to it that NOT hearing something will worry you.;) Again, welcome, and enjoy that wonderful motorcycle. (Message edited by luxor on August 06, 2007) | ||
| Hughlysses |
Glad you like the bike. Important safety tip: ears ringing = permanent hearing loss. Buy some disposable ear plugs and use them. | ||
| Buellsruell |
I got an 06 City-X a few weeks ago...I agree with ya: I can't seem to get off of it! Put almost 1,000 mls on it in no time (just "around" town, no long trips yet). This is my "first" (street) bike (can't really count the Blast, since I hardly ever rode it as I'm way too big for it at 6-3, 225). I swapped out the City-X seat for the "Select" seat, and i'd say it's quite an improvement in comfort. Looks badass, too.  I recently got the Buell tailbag, and it's exactly what I needed. It holds my 2nd face shield like it was made for it (I have very light sensitive eyes, and MUST ride with the smoked lens in the sun, but have to pull over and swap in the clear one when the sun goes down!), and still has plenty of room to spare. Here are a couple pics I just took showing it "expanded": http://www.zr2usa.com/BuellPics/My2006LightningXB9 SXTailBag.jpg http://www.zr2usa.com/BuellPics/My2006LightningXB9 SXTailBag2.jpg YES: I still need to remove the scuffs on the air cover. Where's the best place to pick up the "Novus" stuff? Vendor?? I also bought a Jardine (used for $75), but after researching it here (AFTER I bought it), I came to realize it will be too loud for my tastes and picked up a used Race pipe (here). Just painted it black and will be installing it as soon as my Race ECM and header wrap comes in... I don't really notice the fuel pump noise other than when it's first activated...I have heard the fan go on during riding on HOT days, though. Then again, I've been driving 2nd gen S10's for the past few years (LOUD, submersible fuel pumps), so maybe I just don't notice... Anyway- enjoy the XB9S-X!! | ||
| Jamie |
Thanks for all the welcomes fellas, I'm glad to be here. Keith...too bad TX is so freaking big...Liberty City seems to be quite a ways away...like 8hrs or so. I'm glad to hear that the mentioned noises are normal. Hugh, yeah I know...ringing = bad. As a mechanic and pilot, I've worked around jet engines for about 10 years. So far my baseline hearing test hasn't really waivered. I intend to keep it that way...I never thought that I'd of needed earplugs in with my helmet on though...oh well. Roger, thanks for the input about the tailbag. I was talking to my wife last night and I think I'll be purchasing one soon. Seems my list of things to get keep growing: tail bag Race filter vdsts and cable Select seat I'm glad to hear that the Select seat is a good fit or you. I was concerned that since it drops you down an inch, it might affect ergonomics - negatively. One more point I forgot to bring up. Checking the oil seems all weird to me. First off the dipstick is all curved and plastic, and hard to interpret. I've checked it like six times so far, cold, hot. 10 minutes after running...and it always reads overfilled. Regardless of the temp it reads about a 1/4 inch above the normal range. What troubles me more is that the bike just had its 5k service done at Merideth HD in NH. Do you think they over-serviced it? Is this bad? Thanks again guys, Jamie | ||
| Badlionsfan |
buellsruell, go to your closet and get one of your unmatched gym socks and put your visor in it. it'll keep it from gettin scratched up when you put other stuff in it. | ||
| Buellshiter |
HEY BAD LION I,M STILL WAITING TO DO THE 5 K SERVICE YOU ASKED ABOUT DID YOUR DRUMMER COME IN ? | ||
| 1324 |
It is possible that they just overfilled the oil. I have not experienced a problem with overfilling, but I think everyone will agree that the dipstick is retarded and is pretty tricky to read. Concerning the suspension, as others on here will recommend, give the Shawn Higbee settings a try...not sure if I spelled his name right. At any rate, they are a good baseline for more aggressive riding. I always wear earplugs. I don't know if I've been accustomed to them now or whatever, but I can't ride comfortably without them. Between the wind noise and the intake honk, I need them. A couple of days ago on a ride I didn't get my left ear plug in quite all the way and after the ride, my hearing in my left ear was noticeably weaker than my right ear. Lesson learned! Glad to hear you are enjoying the bike. I had some reservations before getting my 03 xb9 just because the 12 is such a great bike. However, after riding several of each engine size, the 9 is more than capable on any road you put it on and it holds its own on most tracks against more than most riders. Enjoy! | ||
| Diablobrian |
odds are the shop filled the bike with oil with it standing straight up and down on a lift. The dipstick is calibrated with the bike on it's kickstand. Your bike is over-filled if that is the case. It shouldn't be hard to find out how they check. | ||
| Luxor |
Over filling the oil shouldn't be a problem at all. The Buell uses a dry sump style system, meaning that the engine is only fed what it needs(the same system most Nascar race cars use, their tanks hold 12 to 14 qts). As long as there is a little air in the oil tank the system will work great. The manual says 2.5 qts, I use 3 in both my XBs. I also use 1.25 qts in my transmission. My bikes always run like clockwork. | ||
| Badlionsfan |
Buellshiter, life's been crazy lately. my magnum has been in the body shop for 3 weeks, supposed to be done today, still waiting for the phone to ring. i've moved in with the GF, we're in stow now off steels corners rd. drummer has ben put off due to all the other crap i've been spending money on, but i do need to get that 5k done. you free sometime this weekend? | ||
| Reepicheep |
The Buell saddle bags (soft) work well for light touring 1 up. They are completely out of the way and go on and off with only minor fuss (5 minutes or less). Looks are "fine". Nothing remarkable, but a nice clean functional install. I bought them for longer trips, but they have been so handy they have been on the bike 24/7 ever since. I think they help create a pocket of still air as well... I feel warmer when they are on there. For daily commuting, I do what Jose suggested. Get and install the tail bag, stuff it with tools and first aid kits to help the import riders, and wear a backpack with loose straps, and let it rest back there on the tail bag. I use an additional clip strap across the sternum to keep it from wandering around. You feel enough of it back there that you feel control, but no weight. | ||
| Ustorque |
jamie when the time for bags comes do youself a favor and check out the cortech sport bags saddle and tail......they are great and a big savings over the buell bags. welcome to the badweb | ||
| Jamie |
Thanks for all the input guys. I think I'll let the oil be...bike seems to be running just fine. You know, before I got the bike I thought I'd want to chop the tail right away...but it doesn't really bother me...at all. Shawn, I'll check out those Cortech items...though the Buell tail bag really looks like it's a part of the bike...hmmm, decisions. | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
I have the saddle bags and love them. The fit a little oogfy, but work and look fine. I don't even remove them. I too second the Select seat. I bought it last week and cannot believe how much it pads the keester and nads from bumps. I had a stock Low seat and its a vast improvement. congrats on the new ride | ||
| Buellshiter |
BAD LION GOOD BOTH DAYS UNTIL NOON LET ME KNOW | ||
| Badlionsfan |
buellshiter, how long should it take? if more than two hrs sunday would be better as i never know when i'll be back from buffalo saturday morning, can be as late as 9 or 10. also, what kind and how much oil do i need? do i need to go up to southeast for this stuff or can it be found more locally? thanks man! | ||
| Buellshiter |
SUNDAY IS GOOD CAN'T SEEING IT TAKING MORE THAN COUPLE OF HOURS AT THE MOST I USE SYN3 IN MINE WILL NEED 4 QTS ( 2.5 FOR MOTOR 1 FOR TRANS) INSPECTION COVER GASKET AND DRAIN PLUG GASKET AND FILTER I CAN PICK THEM UP AT SOUTHEAST ON MY LUNCH I WORK IN NORTHFIELD | ||
| Badlionsfan |
buellshiter, u got mail. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
Welcome to the madness, CityX is my weapon of choice too, it works well off road too. (within limits) | ||
| Thespive |
I LOVE my CityX, what a machine!!! --Sean | ||
| Jamie |
LOL...I'm on day four of not even starting my truck...she must be getting jealous. Since I've been wearing the earplugs...I'm really really having a blast...everything's much more enjoyable. I still haven't picked up a tail bag yet. It's next on my list. I've been picking up my stuff used here in the classifieds section. So far I got the Race ECM and the VDSTS at great discounts. This is such a great place. | ||
| Badlionsfan |
remember that if you need to get stuff from a dealer, contact andy @ appleton hd/buell. they're a sponsor here and andy actually knows and is into buells so he'll treat ya right and even knock a few bucks off. |
