BUELL Lightning Super TT - XB12STT

[RideDualSport.com]

I have been scouring Craigslist for a couple months in search of a replacement for our departed Ducati Monster. But the Buell TT was not produced in large quantities, and are fairly rare. So, after giving up on Craigslist, and thinking I would never find one, guess what? I found a 2008 at our local Austin Ducati Dealer!
It had been traded in for a new Ducati! I could not believe it. I was shaking, like a Buell at idle. They took my offer, and even gave my wife a Ducati T-shirt, they were a total pleasure to deal with! I really wanted a 2008 model, because BUELL made some major upgrades to the bike that year. Most important of which is a more sophisticated fuel injection and revised timing chest on the motor.

Why the Super TT? We have lots of county roads that are pretty rough. They can be tight and twisty and are cracked, pot-holed and in generally poor condition. The Super TT has longer suspension, wider bars and 2 degrees less steering angle than the Lighting SS. I wanted the capability to soak up the rough roads, a more upright seating position for comfort and wider bars for more leverage. Plus, I think it could handle some smooth gravel if needed!

I cleaned it, set the suspension up according to the owner's manual and took it for a ride!









The RideDualSport Forum

[Mastros2]

Congrats!  The TT is a great bike to beat on!  I don't know why Buell couldn't sell it in one color though.

[Brad1445]

Right after Buell released the TT model, I thought of the Lightning's many possibilities.  This was my proposal for another variation.

[Rogue]

It's a nice bike.

But I never understood why it was ever offered.  It is a re-dressed Lightning and not a true motard.  It's the same for the Ducati model.  I think a true Motard is a small, very lightweight dirt-bike with street wheels.  Something like a 400-600 cc single.  

Nevertheless, congratulations.  

[Rincewind]

Cool bike.   I hope it performs well for your application.

I would be tempted to paint the white parts, or use some stickers.

[Brad1445]

But even the Hyper has passenger pegs, even my new KLX250sm (based right off a dirtbike) has  rear pegs

[Jmac_bandit]

that is the XB that really caught my eye as well, and much like brad I thought if it was  a solo only bike it would be a perfect candidate for a top rack/hard bag set up right behind the solo seat.  A little work on the seat to make it more comfy, longer suspension to soak up backroads all day, some storage space, and a small fly screen and it would be a great solo sport-tourer

[1KPerDay]

Congrats!   now hacksaw those silly number plates off.  

[RideDualSport.com]

Jmac, I think you got it! I plan on getting a larger screen for the front, and the dorky number plates make for great soft saddle bag supports! It is due for a new rear tire, and I like this bike more and more each time I ride it.

It has turned out to be a pretty comfortable bike, the suspension really shines on the rough, patched, pot-holed county roads. I noticed the foot pegs are in a bit of a sport bike position, so my legs felt a bit cramped on a long ride. But the bike performs so well and handles so well, it is a worthwhile trade-off.
I also have my S3 that is outfitted with a Rick Mayer saddle for any really long trips.
Cheers!