03 Lightning for Sale - What's wrong with this picture?

[hntnfsh]

http://columbus.craigslist.org/mcy/2576966628.html

Is it just me, or are the shocks WAY over compressed in the pic of this bike on the trailer?

And he doesn't say if its a 9 or 12. Can you tell from the pic?

 

[noone1569]

Its a 9 (at least unless he swapped)

Grey frame = 9

I don't like to compress the suspension that much, but . . I guess it shouldn't hurt as long it as it wasn't too long . .

 

[hntnfsh]

So it's a 9... Thanks. Although it would be nice to have a bike starting with such low miles, I'm thinking 4800 is a little steep for an 03.

 

[dave_xb12r]

Plus, only 9's were made in 03. $4800 is pretty good considering you wont find another buell with that low of miles.

 

[njdevils1990]

And at sone point the plastics were switched (look at air box cover)

 

[upthemaiden]

Crazy that it has that low of miles. It's not even broken in yet haha. I just sold my 2003 for $3800 with 8877 miles in perfect condition, just for reference.

That is quite the ratchet strap job. It looks like a uhaul rented trailer, so chances are the owner just didn't have much experience strapping bikes down. Look at the flat spot on the bottom of the front tire!

 

[black_xb12r]

03's came in yellow so odds are it was yellow and someone put a black airbox cover on it...

and the lightning "LOW" did exist in 03 so its prolly not strapped down that bad considering if youve ever seen a low they kinda look smashed down already...

 

[hntnfsh]

Would a lightning low fit me at 6'1"? And I'm pretty leary of bikes with overly low miles. My 83 GS550 only had 6K miles on it when I bought it in '04. Although that's a LOT older bike, there was still a lot of work needed to put it back on the road just due to unuse.

 

[dave_xb12r]

Some tall people really like the low bikes. It's not uncomfortable because it feels the same as a regular S, it just sits lower because of shorter suspension and lower seat. The question is, do you want a bike that feel like a toy under you? Some like it, some don't.

 

[hntnfsh]

do you want a bike that feel like a toy under you?

Hm. No not really. That was part of my concern when I started thinking about getting a Buell. Not that I'm an overly tall guy, just didn't want to look like stick man on a kids bike. [smirk]

 

[hntnfsh]

I've been e-mailing back and forth with the owner. Seems there's more miles on the bike than is portrayed (like that never happens).

And I'm sure that this is an answer I can find for myself on here somewhere, but where do I look for the sticker that lists the info on the bike, model #, etc.? On the downtube under the handlebars?

 

[JOEL9]

I think in 2003 buell made the xb9s & xb9sl(low).

 

[dave_xb12r]

The vin # on the frame near the front on the right side will tell you everything you need to know.

 

[hntnfsh]

Awesome. Thanks, Dave. Is there a "buyers guide" thread on here anywhere?

 

[upthemaiden]

Just for future reference, I bought my 2003 xb9s last june with only 3k miles on it and I didn't have a single problem with it. It held up perfectly to it's life of sitting around in someone's garage.

If you go check it out look at the rear shock, if it's yellow, the bike is a low model, if it's blue then it's normal. I'm 5'8 and bought a low and thought it was way too short, but a lot of people like them. I just bought the parts for a normal height suspension on here and on ebay, super easy swap.

 

[hntnfsh]

Very cool and great info! Thanks!

 

[djmiller574]

Do you mean if the spring is yellow? My shock is black, but the spring is yellow. And I am 5'11", but is low to the ground.

 

[squidbuellie]

yes he meant yellow spring ^^^^^^

Some tall people really like the low bikes. It's not uncomfortable because it feels the same as a regular S, it just sits lower because of shorter suspension and lower seat. The question is, do you want a bike that feel like a toy under you? Some like it, some don't.

and just a heads up im 6'2 240lbs and ride a scg.. yes you look like a monkey f-cking a football but boy it's fun.