How to choose between a Firebolt and Lightning?

[wolfo68]

My 3 buells is about 220 for liability or 350 for pretty moderate coverage

 

[maronz]

Burton, I'll probably be seeing her on Monday and try to arrange a meet up with ya. You can test out my Firebolt and compare it with her bike if you want to. IMO if you're gonna do highway riding and long trips, the Firebolt will be better. Wind hitting you at 60+mph is a PITA with no windscreen and not being able to crouch down over the airbox to be more aerodynamic. Anything up to 50 isn't much of a deal so I can see why the lightning would be nice for city riding. Peronally, I like to be able to crouch down and rest my body on the longer rides and on the highway. A bit more comfortable to me. City riding, it's not a big deal since it's a lot of stop and go. It all comes down to preferece though. I'm not a fan of bikes without nose fairings so that's why I like the bolts. Cafe racers just really do anything for me in terms of looks.

 

[Blaylock1988]

If you want to ride fast a lot, get a Firebolt.

If you want to do lots of twisty roads or just cruise around town, then get a Lightning.

If you honestly can't decide, then get whichever is the better deal, you will love whichever you get so either way, you can't go wrong.

 

[Kuntreeboy]

Hell buy the lightning I have everything to make it a bolt in my garage right now! I am bout to post it up to the board soon. I like the blended styles of both LightningBolt!!!

 

[Burton]

Thanks Maronz, let me know a time that works for you and we can meet somewhere. I think it will honestly just come down to sitting on each one, possibly riding them if someone will let me. From there I should have a good idea of what I want. If not, like Blaylock said, i won't go wrong if I really can't decide. Both will be awesome.

 

[xtreme]

Why not have both, way more comfortable the the Stock Firbolt and most people have no clue what the hell it is.

 

[vance580]

Wow some of your guys insurance sounds high. I guess age does affect it more then experience. I have an 06 XB9SX and mine is 45 a month for full coverage. This is my first bike so I'm a new rider still only have my permit and I thought that was a good price. Now hearing what some of you pay I feel its a really damn good price. Maybe they dont really care about riding experience.

 

[Kuntreeboy]

Yeah I am 31 no ticket's no wrecks 06 XB12R and Mine is 77 a month for FULL coverage!

 

[ATFIII]

Im 19 no tickets, accidents, or anything. Full coverage on my 09 1125R is about $150 a month.

 

[vance580]

I'm also 31 clean record and I pay the 45. I think for a XB12 it wasnt much more for me.

 

[maronz]

I'm paying 120/month for FULL, and I mean FULL, coverage but my medicals are maxed out to 25k/25k. So if I get in an accident and my fault, 25k in medical is covered for me. If it's their fault and no insurance, see it a lot in MN, I get 50k covered. Don't have health insurance so I wanna be safe with riding the bike.

 

[browland]

The lightnings are cheaper on the insurance. I have an 04 S and quoted a change to the same year in an R when I was looking at trading it went up about 25%

 

[Kid1620]

The insurance is based on engine size, age and cost of living in your area. Liablity for my 9r is 44 full is around 75. I'm 23 clean MVR

 

[browland]

Its also based on the claim statistics on your bike, Age, Gender, Riding Experience, Driving Record, Credit History, Location, bike type, displacement, Occupation, modifications, storage, brand, area statistics and demographics.
I have quotes to show bikes with half the displacement of my buell at 4-6 times the rate. The factors that determine your insurance rate are almost innumerable

 

[Burton]

How comparable is the seating position of a Blast in comparison with a Lightning?

@xtreme - If i could find a firebolt with the lightning tail in my price range, i would do it. no doubt.

 

[Burton]

Also, how hard is it to switch from a Firebolt tail to a lightning tail?

 

[Blaylock1988]

Much easier than switching from a lightning to a firebolt tail.

 

[Burton]

okay, that kinda helps...how hard is the process? I am definitely leaning towards a firebolt and then converting it to a lightning tail.

 

[Blaylock1988]

I have not done it myself, I own a lightning. I have read that it is easier to go from firebolt tail to a lightning tail because much of the electronics is stored in the fairing instead of under the seat.

 

[JRage]

i have a firebolt and love it. ive never been on a lighting before but everyone says the lighting for twisties but it was my understanding that the firebolts turn better due to the agressive riding position. even the article that rated the firebolt the best turning bike on the top 50 rated the lighting at #8 saying it didnt turn as good as the firebolt due to the handle bars. just something to look into.