Long versus Short

[Koen]

So ok, this is it... after years of drooling over internetsides, pictures, and after being surgicly removed from the local Buell dealer's shopping window, I'm about to by my Lightning. Thing is, I kinda like the long version, but I've heard or read (after some years of reading I've lost track...) I heard the Long isn't as responsive as the standard. So any Long rangers around to convince me, or otherwise, any contra's?

Thnx

Koen from Belgium!

 

[jsg]

I have the S but I did try the Ss and even if yes the geometry is less radical as the S it still kick ass in the corner, some people even like better then the S because it's supposed to be more stable. I went with the Scg because I'm a picky bastard and didn't like the shape of the tail section on the Ss. I almost got the Ss because the S doesn't exist anymore in 09 and I don't need a cg but the look of the tail to me was a big thing more than a short suspension.

 

[teh Nub]

I haven't ridden an S so I can't compare to that to my Ss, but playing with tire sizes and profile/brand/style will make a big difference in the turn in of the bike. I went with a 190/50 rear and that gave my bike better turn in and a "lighter" feeling racing through the twisties. I also run pretty high tire pressures as well that also help make the bike feel light. I like the extra room of the Ss. Even on my bike I feel like an overgrown gorilla at times, I couldn't imagine being on an S or scg... ( 6'-3" 180-200 lbs )

 

[Trill]

One downside to the SS is limited choices for seats . I have an ss and am considering puting an S tail secion on it for better looks.

Other than that I love my bike

 

[GatorBuell]

I have the Ss and had the same decision to make when I bought mine. I can tell you the bike turns better than anything I have ever ridden so I dont think either is a bad choice. I also dont believe that there is a noticeable difference between the two. I went with the Ss for more room for passengers (wife) and some light Touring duty with luggage.

 

[swatmedic]

I was in the same boat as Gator I guess. I went with the long for two up riding and the slightly longer wheelbase. I have rode a friends 06 S and it felt pretty much the same I thought it would feel more choppy but I really couldn’t tell the difference. The Ss riding solo is still the same torque monster Buell and I can get the wheel up just as easy as an S. The wife wants her own bike and when the day comes the Ss will be a solo and I want to swap out to the shorter tail for looks. However lately I have been bitten by the 1125R bug and am having a what do I want dilemma...

 

[Koen]

Thnx for the info.Is it a comfortable bike (the long that is) to ride with a passenger?

 

[GatorBuell]

Yea, the riding position is real nice so it makes the passenger more comfy. My wife hated my R6 but has never complained about the Buell yet and we have more room than the R6.

 

[Koen]

Thnx all, gonna order my Lightning first thing on friday!

 

[dave_xb12r]

YAY! welcome to the Buell family!

 

[boney95]

"Long vs Short"

Auh, the story of my life. I'm 5 inches, that's 5 inches around.

 

[okey]

i love my 09 cherry bomb long and find it really comfortable and the looks i get from the buell unaware is something i just can't stop smiling about.I go to a close by bike haunt with mates on custom harleys and its me thats last to leave as i am always answering questions about it..own a buell and get talked to ....hehe

 

[maybebuell]

should not be a concern your riding in the street not the track....and would have to be a pro motorcycle racer to even start to tell the difference....longer more comfort ...better for the street

 

[Koen]

Thnx y'all, I just ordered my Buell Lightning,the long one, and i'm still grining ear to ear hours later.Ordered it in racing red (custom paint), golden wheels, a lot like the 2003 model, and want to put on racing stripes like on the old X1 millenium bike (the bike that made me fall completly in love with Buell, i'm sure there a lot of you guys with the same sentiments). It arrives in 4 weeks... damm she's pretty!

 

[maybebuell]

good luck koen be thinking of buell for a while now...own a few harleys but always went metric with my sport bikes...keep me posted...going looking tomorrow myself....was buell set on there price or was there room to low ball ...im sure sales are dead

 

[Trill]

Welcome to the SS club

 

[str8jbt]

maybebuell - "was buell set on there price or was there room to low ball ...im sure sales are dead"

+1 id like to know...im in the market for an 09scg!

 

[Koen]

Maybebuell, not that much, i got a reduction of about 500 euros and a buell sportbag

 

[blott01]

Another option is to just take the msrp and have them throw stuff on to sweeten the deal. Got new mirrors and this, http://www.trojan-horse.co.uk/prods/250.html in black, along with a t shirt and some other stuff. I love my 09 ss, now global warming needs to hurry up and melt all the snow!