Buell City-X

[jeepinbanditrider]

I own a City-X and love it, but it has to be the bike you want. It won't give you top end or high speed like an inline four will. But it does have low end and great handling. I have all the Buell soft bags and have toured and commute with same. They are good quality and have served me well. My two cents, since you asked for it, is this: Sit on all the Lightnings and ride them if they let you. Pick the Lightning that gives you what you want don't just be looking at the City X. Once the warranty is used up, I would DEFINITELY get aftermarket exhaust and intake with a remapped ECM. I got the Buell Pro-
series kit put on my bike and it made a huge difference. The bike ran cooler, more power and 3-5 MPG better mileage. You can't get the Pro series kit any more so go to the aftermarket for your stuff. I am currently getting ready to sell my Buell because my wife wants to ride with me and it's kinda small for two. If she didn't want to ride I'd be keeping the Buell. 21,000 miles and no problems. Best wishes to you,

Where do you live I might be intersted in it.

I almost had an 03 lightning (9) lined up but the guy sold it before I was able to get ahold of him.  4300 asking price with 7k miles on it.  Now I'm back on the hunt.  I'm thinking used for the price savings.  But new for the warranty and financing.

[scott-sts]

IMO, once you get the suspension sorted, the front end of the City X is pretty solid.  I think this could be a problem with test rides; Buell's are sensitive to proper suspension set up.  I rode a ZRX once that absolutely sucked and the Kawi rep wouldn't let me touch the suspension.
The only time I experienced some headshake on my Buell was coming out of a corner and deflecting off of a rock in the road.  To be honest, I think pretty much every other bike i've ever owned would have "Handled" the situation better than the Buell so I guess the potential is there for some tank slappers.   All that being said, my Falco was an ill mannered sack of crap compared to the Buell, at least until I threw an Ohlins shock on it.

[scraperman1]

Where do you live I might be intersted in it.

I almost had an 03 lightning (9) lined up but the guy sold it before I was able to get ahold of him.  4300 asking price with 7k miles on it.  Now I'm back on the hunt.  I'm thinking used for the price savings.  But new for the warranty and financing.

I live in South Eastern Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia. I am looking to sell the bike in the end of December, but will likely trade it. Let me know if you are still interested,

[Bueller]

The only time I experienced some headshake on my Buell was coming out of a corner and deflecting off of a rock in the road.  To be honest, I think pretty much every other bike I've ever owned would have "Handled" the situation better than the Buell so I guess the potential is there for some tank slappers.

You've convinced me.  I had the same experience a couple of months back, and you're the third person to recount a similar experience.  I would have called it a shudder rather than a head shake, but since it was a snake of 4 or 5 quick ripples, and I had to break the line I was steering to control it maybe I will call it a head shake.  It was nothing like tank slappers, and it certainly was diminishing.

At the time it was just ugly.  I didn't see what I hit so I don't know what or how big. I had a look the following evening, and all I could see was that the white centre line was raised and crumbling away.  Maybe I hit that and broke a piece off.  I agree Scott, I've never owned a bike that has reacted to hitting a bit of debris like this before. Maybe a kick off line but never a shudder.

I have tried without success to find an Ohlins steering damper for the Firebolt.  I can get an Ohlins with a fork strap, but then I would need to make the frame bracket.  Looking on the net, I have found a pretty neat looking unit for the Firebolt, but I have never heard of LSL, and I don't know how well it will work.  I've started a thread to see if anyone in cyberspace has tried one.


Ah by the way, related to this tread, anyone thinking of buying a Buell for the first time may be interested in a post I put on BadWeb a couple of months ago.  I love my bike, but it is quirky and perhaps before you buy you'd like to know.

http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/3842/286656.html

[panther289]

Just a quick question about touring on the City. What kind of mpg /tank range does it get/have? I'm kinda leaning towards the Kawi 650r, but have considered the City or a used XB9S. Any help will be appreciated.

[Bueller]

Just a quick question about touring on the City. What kind of mpg /tank range does it get/have? I'm kinda leaning towards the Kawi 650r, but have considered the City or a used XB9S. Any help will be appreciated.

I get about 265 km (165 miles) to reserve on the highway with my Firebolt (XB12R) since it was run in. (Variation is 230km to 280 km.)  City driving is around the 200km (120 miles).  (Last week I only got 170 km but that is exceptionally low.) Reserve is 11.8 litres (3.1 US gallons), and I have 2.5 litres to go on reserve after this.  When I change to a performance airfilter I am told I'll get a bit better.

I'd recommend a look at the Lightning Long (XB12SS).  16.7 litre fuel tank which should take you further than you can stay seated.

[panther289]

I get about 265 km (165 miles) to reserve on the highway with my Firebolt (XB12R) since it was run in. (Variation is 230km to 280 km.)  City driving is around the 200km (120 miles).  (Last week I only got 170 km but that is exceptionally low.) Reserve is 11.8 litres (3.1 US gallons), and I have 2.5 litres to go on reserve after this.  When I change to a performance airfilter I am told I'll get a bit better.

I'd recommend a look at the Lightning Long (XB12SS).  16.7 litre fuel tank which should take you further than you can stay seated.

Thanks Bueller, That is about the same range that Grainbelt got on 650r as posted in his Ride Report.

[badweatherbiker]

Here's mine!

[Bueller]

Here's mine!

I love the airbox covers on these.  Non standard tail light? And mmm the rear plate is a bit discrete.

[badweatherbiker]

The tail-light is a Clear Alternatives integrated LED turn/taillight, the tailsection I chopped myself and mounted the tag on the underside with the stock plate light. I added the LED plate surround thingie just because I had it lying around.
Some of these parts may be for sale since I am seling the bike.
Ken

[Bueller]

First, there is now an Ohlins damper available for Buell XBs, through Buell (it's an aftermarket "race-only" part).

I finally found that Ohlins damper c/o Kedo on BadWeb.  He said I could use his pics, so I'll put some up.

This is neat.  Tidy like the LSL but without potential clearance issue.  Instead of attaching to the isolator bolt, it attaches to the frame mount used to hold the instrument cluster.  It is too bad Buell and Ohlins couldn't find this for me a few months ago.

[horse1200s]

a buddy's