I have owned my 2005 XB12R Firebolt since april 2008, i have put about 3300 miles on it since, & 95% of that riding was my hour and half ride to work each day (90miles one way) I love the lightnings and wanted one
(xb or X1) but knew my ride to work would keep me in the wind alot of the way and i thouught the firebolt with the front fairing would help cut down on the wind . i really cant compare between the lightning and the firebolt . but i can tell you i love my firebolt and how it feels to me and how comfortable it is when i ride it right and when i dont ride right, position wise.
when i first got it (it is my first bike) my hands would get sore from not being in a good riding position and not using my abbs(core). but I asked for how to keep from my hands from gettting sore and the best riding postions for riding the firebolt. for long rides, no matter what, i learned that you have to switch postions from using your abbs(core)& not to lean on hands and NOT to use your arms to support your self (at least not for very long ), and that tucking in and laying down on the airbox keeps me out of the wind (and thats lets me rest my abbs(core)too for long rides)also use your legs to help support to a degree , also ways use legs when turning but you know that. and being only 5'6" it helps me along with good gloves with padded in the palm below the fingers and along the bottom of the hand above the wrist. maybe it's me being short but i mostly sit close to the airbox when riding in upper(almost upright)position, & then sit further back sometimes when tucked in to stretch out my back and abbs.
i hope thats helps and my explaination is understandable. checkout some of the riding postion threads too i learned alot from them too. i will see if i cant find a few for you.
