I got your Sport-Tourer right here. City-X style

[tankhead]

I thought I would post a pic of my buelltiful ride.  Because I can and because I love my bike. It is all geared up and was taken at a Harley Dealership in Fredrick MD.  Enjoy:  Notice the Buell messenger bag tucked under the trunk bag.

[naustin]

nice

[Studad]

  that's pretty dude... more pics! also, how comfy is that beast on the highway? can you actually tour on it? two up? hard bag options?

[Rogue]

Beautiful CityX set up for touring.  

I'll raise you my Firebolt set up for touring.  

[R Doug]

[IMG]Notice the Buell messenger bag tucked under the trunk bag.

How many have you accumulated thus far?

[Kootenanny]

Beautiful CityX set up for touring.  

I'll raise you my Firebolt set up for touring.  

I know I've posted it before, but...

[scott-sts]

So far, for touring on the Buell I carry my wallet.  It's a little small...

[tankhead]

Just the two.  
I haven't been to any other dealerships yet.  I hope all is well, Doug.

[tankhead]

Here ya go,
Isn't she BUELLtiful



I have about 9000 miles in about a year.  I had a broken collarbone from May till August so I did not ride at all during those months, until I rode to Lake Placid from Southern New Jersey in one day.  I have done a 1200 mile 3.5 day tour.  And an 800 mile overnight stay in West Virginia and back to South Jersey.  I like my sport tourer just fine.  tank you.

[Rogue]

Koot, does the Buell Tank Bag interfere with the Firebolt riding position?

My Cortech Super mini tank bag, which is about half the size of the Buell bag, interefers just a bit and rubs against my chest.  Not bad.  Just enough to bug me.  Was wonder if the Buell bag is worse.

[bizarro]

What kind of mileage do y'all get?

[Kootenanny]

Koot, does the Buell Tank Bag interfere with the Firebolt riding position?

My Cortech Super mini tank bag, which is about half the size of the Buell bag, interefers just a bit and rubs against my chest.  Not bad.  Just enough to bug me.  Was wonder if the Buell bag is worse.

If the eensy weensy little bag on the tank in your pic bothers you, then yes, the Buell bag will be worse.  

It's not bad, but I'm definitely aware of it--especially if the expandable top is expanded (bottom of my helmet chinbar will contact it then).  The top can be expanded just in the front, though.  

The bag came with a "personal music system" holder mounted on it right where it's against your chest--this I immediately discarded, as it rubbed my chest.  Without it, the bag is OK, I really only notice it when shifting my body from side to side in the corners, but I admit that I prefer to ride without it when I can (thankfully, the tailbag is enough for most short trips).  Keep in mind, I have short arms, so some may not be leaned forward as far as I am (even though I have the Helibars riser on my bike).

I'll also comment on fitting and quality.  The bag fits the bike well, as if it were made for it (which it was), but I really didn't like having the bits of strapping and the Fastex clips permanently mounted to my bike, to flap in the wind whenever the bag was not attached.  So, I modified the system so it hooks to two extended bolts (front airbox cover bolts), and got rid of the Fastex clips--this also moved the bag forward slightly.  In addition, I have had to re-sew the main forward harness to the bottom of the bag, as the original stitching failed...I'm currently replacing the main zipper in the tail bag, too.  Good thing my wife has a Husqvarna--sewing machine, that is--and I know how to use it!

[TheCloser]

After a 4-day trip with Rogue earlier this year, I have become firmly convinced that it is not how much storage space you have, but what you CARRY in what space you have!

I had a few "misadventures" and Rogue's ingenious method of carrying clothing, gear, and oil & funnel(!)really saved the day!  

[Rogue]

What kind of mileage do y'all get?

With bags and a steady 80 mph in the highway, I got 43 mpg.  40 mpg in city or twisties.

[naustin]

I got 49mpg on my last tank.  My fairing and windscreen might make me a little more slippery.  My bike has the "race" computer and pipe - so thats supposed to result in slightly lower milage than stock.

[scott-sts]

I haven't computed mileage but I get 102 miles before the reserve light comes on.

[tankhead]

My light comes on most of the time at about 120-135 once at 150 and got 175 on that tank. Close call though.  While on the meet and eat weekend.

[Kootenanny]

I run around 5 litres/100 km, but if I'm pushing hard that'll increase to 6.  Gives me around 200 km to a tank, usually.

[GS1100GK]

...It is all geared up and was taken at a Harley Dealership in Fredrick MD.  Enjoy:  Notice the Buell messenger bag tucked under the trunk bag.

tankhead, I live in the area we should do some riding provided you don't mind riding with a Suz-Kaw-Buell-wanna-be rider.  

I live in Knoxville, out Rt 340 towards Brunswick.  Let me know.

[Mastros2]

I consistently see 50mpg.  Last tank was 54mpg. Highest as 58mpg, lowest 45mpg.  

Gotta love that during these high gas prices!
 

[scott-sts]

I haven't computed mileage but I get 102 miles before the reserve light comes on.

Rode a few miles on reserve today...112 miles before filling up.

[tankhead]

141 miles before light yesterday

[jammietf]

Looking to replace the Bonneville with the Firebolt or City-X. have ridden the City but not the Firebolt. As a commuter bike I have concerns with the blurred mirror images on the City. Is this a common experience?? Does anybody have a Zero Gravity Touring shield on their City-X, does it make a SIGNIFICANT difference on highway comfort? My two main concerns with the Bonneville are high freq vibe on highway and lack of grunt. Will these be concerns with a Firebolt or City-X?
 Lookin for the good intel
Safe Ride

[AusTexBueller]

The mirrors aren't all that great on my CityX.  Vibrations aplenty but things get a little better at speed.  I've heard of some guys putting Aprilia mirrors as replacements.

Definitely plenty of grunt although top speed isn't anything to write home about.  Great thing is you don't have to sit there and shift up and down to get the bike going.  The upright riding position makes it much easier to look over your shoulders to do a spot check for traffic.  

As a commuter bike around town I would say two    It is designed specifically for that task.  Maintenance is a breeze should you decide to go with the Buell.  Order the parts book and service manual and you can't go wrong.

[Mastros2]

Same as what AusTexBueller said.  I have demo-ed the cityx and that would be in my garage if my wife liked the rear seat.  It's set up perfectly for a commuter.  Don't remember anything bad about the mirrors though, sorry. Try bar end mirrors if you do have issues.  I have them on my X1 and have no problems.  

Also, you will love the grunt.  At highway speeds, it smoothed out into a nice tone though.  Once you start riding it on a daily basis, you won't want to go back!  Maintenance is easy as well.

See if the local dealer would be willing to go on back-to-back demo rides with you.  As long as you are serious, I don't think they will have issues.

[scott-sts]

I actually like the mirrors on my City X.  They are placed perfectly so a quick glance is all you need.  Unlike pretty much every sport bike i've ever owned that you had to move your elbow out of the way.  Crystal clear view of your elbow...
The little flyscreen does nothing but look cool and serve as a great place to hook your chin during top speed runs.  I am totally used to the windblast and find the bike very comfortable clipping along at 80 mph.  Your legs are protected by the frame to a certain extent so you don't get much wind below the chest.  

[Kootenanny]

Looking to replace the Bonneville with the Firebolt or City-X. have ridden the City but not the Firebolt....My two main concerns with the Bonneville are high freq vibe on highway and lack of grunt. Will these be concerns with a Firebolt or City-X?

I don't have any issues with either lack of "grunt" or buzzing on my Firebolt.  In fact, I was riding with a buddy over the weekend while he was demo riding an SV650S, and we traded for a bit so I could try out the Suzuki.  His first time on my Buell...his comments were "Man, that thing has a lot of power," and "It was far smoother than I expected."  A lot of guys think that because Buells are paintshakers at idle, they'll vibrate you off the seat--but actually, the engine smooths out nicely by the time it hits 3K rpm (although you always know it's there...living, breathing, ready to go...).

For strictly commuting, I'd probably recommend the CityX.  I quite like that bike (well, the Lightning XB9S which is very similar), but I bought a Firebolt because I mostly ride twisty mountain highways (I live in "ski country").  The bike I'd be most interested in at the minute would be a Super TT, or better yet a CityX modified with a Uly subframe and seat (yeah, I know it doesn't fit...).

[tankhead]

I have bar end weights on the handlebars. They help with any vibration.  I also have replaced my stock mirrors with some smaller ones.  Check out the pics