2005 Buell and Harley Davidson Line-up ~ Motorcycle News

EAST TROY, Wis. (July 15, 2004) ~ Buell Motorcycle Company expands its line of Lightning models for 2005 with the introduction of the Lightning CityX XB9SX (pronounced "Lightning City Cross"), a middleweight urban streetfighter, and the Lightning XB12Scg, a big-bore powerhouse designed to bring Buell® Lightning performance and style to riders who prefer a lower center of gravity and seat height. The Buell Lightning series offers a unique blend of minimalist, naked styling and the real-world powerband of an American V-Twin engine. The riding position is athletic. Agility is uncompromised. The torque is unreal. Compact and narrow in profile, the Buell Thunderstorm— V-Twin engine is the perfect powerplant for serious street performance. Both the 92hp Thunderstorm 984 and 103hp Thunderstorm 1203 (these are *CLAIMED* numbers. MO tested these engines at an SAE corrected 76.7hp/69.8Lbft and 89.7hp/72.6LbFt respectively) engines are 45-degree air/oil/fan-cooled V-Twins with electronic fuel injection. Both are tuned to put out a mountain of ground-pounding torque and deliver the kind of midrange acceleration a rider can really use on the street. The Buell Uniplanar engine mounting system reduces vibration to the rider and increases frame rigidity by utilizing the engine as a stressed member of the chassis.
The Lightning is created utilizing the Buell Trilogy of Technology design principles - frame rigidity, mass centralization and minimal unsprung weight. To lower the center of gravity, fuel is carried in the massive aluminum frame, engine oil is carried in the swingarm, and the muffler is located below the engine. The Buell® Zero Torsional Load— front brake features a single 375mm rotor mounted near the wheel rim, gripped by a six-piston caliper. Because braking forces are transmitted directly from the rim to the rotor, torsional load at the front wheel is virtually eliminated and brake feel and control is enhanced. Reduced torsional load permits the use of a very lightweight cast aluminum front wheel for a significant reduction in unsprung weight and steering inertia.
Buell Lightning models are agile and flickable, thanks to a short 52-inch wheelbase and 21-degree fork angle. Both the rear Showa® shock absorber and the new 43mm Showa upside-down fork are adjustable for pre-load, compression and rebound damping to accommodate rider weight and riding style. The Lightning offers an unmistakable style, inspired by the rough-andtumble world of flat-track racing. Handlebars are wide and aggressive. Dual headlights are mounted below a short flyscreen. The clipped, aluminum tail section covers the meaty, 180mm rear tire with a screened panel.

Buell Lightning CityX XB9SX

Quick Take - MO Rides The XB9SX: Regardless of how you feel about the see-through tank and fly screen looking like an iMac or the motor being a "9" instead of a "12", the 2005 Buell XB9SX is easily the best streetbike Buell has ever built. Argue all you want, but after riding all of the Buells back-to-back, it is obvious that the 9SX hits a sweet spot.

As advertised, the new 9SX is more nimble than the 12S around town, thanks to its lighter crank and a new flatter seat that lets the rider move around like a motocross/supermoto bike. In the real world, the XB9 Buells are more pleasant to ride than the XB12 series, because of lower vibration, smoother power delivery, less heat generation, smoother shifting and a wider useable rev range. I know it sounds like I'm cheerleading, but the XB9SX actually delivers what it promises.
If you're concerned about a lack of power, consider this: At the 2005 New Model Intro, Buell set-up a parking lot "Battle Trax" across the street from the Convention Center. On that track, the 2005 XB9SX lapped a full second faster than the new high power / lower center of gravity XB12Scg. It did this regardless of rider, for two simple reasons. Reason #1: The 9SX is the only Buell to come with Pirelli tires as an OEM fitment and those Pirelli Scorpion Syncs are both stickier and more progressive than the Dunlop D208s fitted to the rest of the Buell lineup. Reason #2: The 9SX accelerates harder off slow/slippery corners, because its fuel injection is seamless and its torque curve is fairly linear. This allows the rider to apply more power earlier in the corner. For less aggressive and/or inexperienced riders, that same linear torque curve kept their confidence (corner speeds) higher than the more abrupt power delivery of the 12 series.

Sure, torque is a big help around town, but the 9 still offers more torque than youÔre likely to use from light to light or squirting through holes in traffic, which is exactly what this bike was designed to do. However, the ability to rev another 800 rpm or so, means that around town, the 984 motors need less shifting than the 1203 motors. Of course, the 12 is going to stomp the 9 in a drag race or on long straights, but if you really want a bike for that, you are probably not going to be shopping for Buells in the first place. If you really like the looks and features of the new XB9SX, but really want a 12, my sources tell me that all of the SX parts will fit on the XB12 series. However, you'll have to order them from your dealer piece-by-piece, because there is no "package" available to convert an XB12S to an XB12SX.
Buell Says: The Lightning CityX gives the Buell Lightning platform a tough new profile and offers performance that's especially suited to urban riding - a combination of agile handling and muscular mid-range power. "The Lightning CityX is our urban streetfighter, a bike that's especially suited for aggressive city riding," said Erik Buell, chairman and chief technical officer at Buell Motorcycle Company. "This is a bike for the rider who loves to dodge traffic, power away from lights and utilize the incredible agility of a sport motorcycle to charge through the asphalt jungle."
The exclusive black-and-blue styling of the Lightning CityX establishes an attitude for the motorcycle and its rider: rugged, no-nonsense, ready for streetfighting. The Hero Blue Translucid airbox cover and flyscreen are made of a new translucent plastic that gives the bike color but also allows some mechanical elements to be visible through the material. This first use of a "see-through" styling element on a motorcycle makes the Lightning CityX the ultimate naked bike. The gauge faces and perforated tail insert are also blue, and at night the instruments have a subtle blue glow. To better camouflage urban grime, the Lightning CityX features Villain Black cast aluminum wheels and a Midnight Black chin fairing and front fender. Pirelli Scorpion Sync tires feature an aggressive tread pattern for outstanding grip over the ever-changing urban streetscape.

To handle the urban elements, the Lightning CityX is equipped with handlebar deflectors and a headlight grille. A new Skyline seat and a wide Villain Black handlebar with a Supermotard-style crossbar promote a comfortable, upright riding style perfect for viewing the traffic ahead. The softrubber Buell® X Guard helps protect the airbox cover when the rider's tank bag is mounted on the motorcycle.
The heart of the Lightning CityX is its Buell Thunderstorm— 984 engine, an air/oil/fan-cooled, 984cc 45-degree fuel-injected V-Twin that's compact, narrow in profile and tuned to deliver the kind of mid-range power an urban rider can use to dart through traffic, merge with authority and out-muscle the masses from stoplight to stoplight. Peak output is 92 horsepower and a thumping 70 ft. lbs. of torque, delivered through a smooth, durable drivebelt. The engine is mounted in a Buell Lightning chassis that's especially wellsuited to the cut-and-thrust action of urban riding. An ultra-short 52-inch wheelbase, 21-degree fork angle and 85mm of trail gives the Lightning CityX razor-sharp reflexes. The 3.7-gallon fuel reservoir is located in the massive aluminum frame, and the muffler is located below the engine - design elements that significantly lower the center of gravity and reduce the moment of inertia, which helps enhance the motorcycle's response to rider input. The swingarm doubles as the engine oil reservoir and is supported by a fully adjustable Showa® shock absorber. The front wheel features the powerful Buell Zero Torsional Load— brake system, with a 375mm inside-out rotor and a six-piston caliper, suspended by a fully adjustable 43mm Showa inverted fork. The Lightning CityX is ready to take the hole-shot at every green light, dart around potholes, avoid lanes of strangled traffic and drift through the tightest lines the urban jungle has to offer. It will also look great parked next to the sidewalk.

BUELL XB9SX SPECIFICATIONS
DIMENSIONS	Overall Length: 76.2 in. (1935 mm) Overall Width: 32.3 in. (820 mm) Seat Height: 30.6 in. (777 mm) Ground Clearance: 4.35 in. (110 mm) Rake: 21° Trail: 3.3 in. (83 mm) Wheelbase: 52.0 in. (1320 mm) Tires: (Pirelli® Scorpion Sync): front 120/70 ZR-17 / rear 180/55 ZR-17 Fuel Capacity: 3.7 gal. (14.0 L) Reserve Fuel Capacity: 0.7 gal. (2.6 L), (warning light at approx. 0.7 gal.) Claimed MPG (EPA urban/highway test): 50/65 mpg (4.7/3.6 L/100 km) Claimed Dry Weight: 390 lbs. (177 kg) Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: 850 lbs. (386 kg) Load Capacity: 400 lbs. (181 kg)
ENGINE	Engine: Air/oil/fan-cooled, 4-stroke, 45° V-Twin Valve Train: OHV, two valves per cylinder, self-adjusting Bore x Stroke: 3.500 in. x 3.125 in. (88.90 mm x 79.38 mm) Displacement: 984 cc (60.0 cu. in.) Compression Ratio: 10.0:1 Fuel Delivery: 45 mm down draft DDFI II fuel injection Intake: Zero-resistance air box, ram air intake Exhaust: Tuned, tri-pass resonance chamber Claimed Torque: 70 ft. lbs. @ 5500 rpm (95 NM @ 5500 rpm) Claimed Horsepower: 92 hp @ 7500 rpm Lubrication: Dry sump Oil Capacity: 2.5 qts. (2.4 L) Oil Filtration: Screw-on disposable element
DRIVETRAIN	Primary Drive: Chain, 1.676:1 (57/34) Final Drive: Constant path, 14 mm pitch aramid reinforced Hibrex® belt with Flexten® Plus technology, 2.407:1 (65/27) Clutch: Wet, multi-plate, compensated Transmission: 5-speed, constant mesh Overall Ratios: 1st 2.688 / 2nd 1.850 / 3rd 1.433 / 4th 1.181 / 5th 1.000
CHASSIS	Frame: Aluminum frame with Uniplanar— powertrain vibration isolation system, fuel in frame Front Fork: 43 mm Showa® inverted fork with adjustable compression damping, rebound damping and spring preload Rear Shock: SHOWA coil-over monoshock with remote, under-seat reservoir and adjustable compression damping, rebound damping and spring preload Wheels: front 6-spoke, ZTL,— cast aluminum, 3.5 in. x 17 in. (88.9 mm x 431.8 mm), Villain Black / rear 6-spoke, cast aluminum, 5.5 in. x 17 in. (139.7 mm x 431.8 mm), Villain Black Front Brakes: ZTL-type brake, 6-piston, fixed caliper, 375 mm single sided, inside out, stainless steel, floating rotor Rear Brakes: 240 mm stainless steel, single piston, floating caliper, fixed rotor Suspension Travel: front 4.72 in. (120 mm) / rear 5.00 in. (127 mm) Instruments: Electronic speedometer, tachometer, odometer; dual resettable trip meter; high beam, neutral, oil, low fuel (plus, odometer shows miles traveled on reserve), turn signal and engine diagnostic indicator lamps; clock
COLORS	Hero Blue Translucid with Midnight Black and Villain Black
WARRANTY	Warranty: 24 months (unlimited mileage)

FEATURES

Hero Blue Translucid bodywork
Headlight grille
Handlebar deflectors
Buell X Guard airbox protector
Supermotard-style crossbar handlebars
Villain Black wheels, handlebars, handlebar clamp, license plate bracket
Pirelli Scorpion Sync tires
Buell ZTL— braking system
Buell Thunderstorm 984 fuel-injected air/oil/fan-cooled V-Twin engine
92 peak hp, 70 ft. lbs. peak torque (*CLAIMED*)
Fuel-in-frame, oil-in-swingarm
43mm fully adjustable Showa upside-down fork
Fully adjustable Showa rear shock absorber

Buell Lightning XB12Scg

Quick Take - MO Rides the Buell XB12Scg: Buell claims the XB12Scg is designed for a lower center of gravity. Though it is true that the bike does indeed have a lower cg, we all know that it was really designed for the vertically challenged and/or the fairer sex. Nothing wrong with that really, but I think they should have called it the XB12SL, instead of trying to infer that there is a performance benefit to the lowered suspension and cut-down seat.
The cg's seat height is 1.75" lower than a standard XB12S and though this will help shorter riders to reach the ground, the re-shaped seat cuts into the already tight seat-peg distance. If you thought the regular XB series felt like a TZ250, just wait until you sit on a "cg".
The XB12Scg feels like a cramped XB12S, with similar performance and handling. The XB12 motor displays a bit of a flat spot just above idle. When trying to accelerate from slow corners, the 12 often hesitates for a second, then hits harder than you asked it to. This isn't noticeable at normal cruising speeds, but around town and especially on the autocross-like Battle Trax, the hesitation-surge turns smooth and fast into herky and jerky. As with all Buell XB models, wheelies are but a fan of the clutch away. If you want to be a hooligan, or hope to turn your Buell into a roadracer, the 12 is the bike for you. However, if you want a civilized bike that is happy to do anything you ask, without protest, I think the 9 series is a better bet.

Buell Says: Fly a little lower aboard the new Lightning XB12Scg. Altered front and rear suspension and a reshaped seat lower the center of gravity and reduce seat height to 28.6 inches - 1.75 inches lower than the standard XB12S. Performance and handling are uncompromised. Offered in Racing Red, Midnight Black or new Thrust Blue with brilliant Translucent Amber wheels and Graphite Gray frame and swingarm.

BUELL XB12Scg SPECIFICATIONS
DIMENSIONS	Overall Length: XB12S 76.2 in. (1935 mm) / XB12Scg 75.7 in. (1923 mm) Overall Width: 29.7 in. (755 mm) Seat Height: XB12S 30.1 in. (765 mm) / XB12Scg 28.6 in. (726 mm) Ground Clearance: XB12S 4.35 in. (110 mm) / XB12Scg 3.55 in. (90 mm) Rake: 21° Trail: 3.3 in. (83 mm) Wheelbase: 52.0 in. (1320 mm) Tires (Dunlop® ): front - D208FW 120/70 ZR-17 / rear - D208M 180/55 ZR-17 Fuel Capacity: 3.7 gal. (14.0 L) Reserve Fuel Capacity: 0.7 gal. (2.6 L) (warning light at approx. 0.7 gal.) Claimed MPG (EPA urban/highway test): 48/65 mpg (4.9/3.6 L/100 km) Claimed Dry Weight: 395 lbs. (179 kg) Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: 850 lbs. (386 kg) Load Capacity: 390 lbs. (177 kg)
ENGINE	Engine: Air/oil/fan-cooled, 4-stroke, 1203 cc 45° V-Twin Valve Train: OHV, two valves per cylinder, self-adjusting Bore x Stroke: 3.500 in. x 3.812 in. (88.90 mm x 96.82 mm) Displacement: 1203 cc (73.4 cu. in.) Compression Ratio: 10.0:1 Fuel Delivery: 49 mm down draft DDFI II fuel injection Intake: Zero-resistance air box, ram air intake Exhaust: Large-diameter headers with InterActive Exhaust Claimed Horsepower: 103 hp @ 6800 rpm Claimed Torque: 84 ft. lbs. @ 6000 rpm (113 NM @ 6000 rpm) Lubrication: Dry sump Oil Capacity: 2.5 qts. (2.4 L) Oil Filtration: Screw-on disposable element
DRIVETRAIN	Primary Drive: Chain, 1.500:1 (57/38) Final Drive: Constant path, 14 mm pitch aramid reinforced Hibrex® belt with Flexten® Plus technology, 2.407:1 (65/27) Clutch: Wet, multi-plate, compensated Transmission: 5-speed, constant mesh Overall Ratio: 1st 2.688 / 2nd 1.850 / 3rd 1.433 / 4th 1.181 / 5th 1.000
CHASSIS	Frame: Aluminum frame with Uniplanar— powertrain vibration isolation system, fuel in frame Front Fork: 43 mm SHOWA® inverted fork with adjustable compression damping, rebound damping and spring preload Rear Shock: SHOWA coil-over monoshock with remote, under-seat reservoir and adjustable compression damping, rebound damping and spring preload Wheels: front 6-spoke, ZTL,— cast aluminum, 3.5 in. x 17 in. (88.9 mm x 431.8 mm), Translucent Amber / rear 6-spoke, cast aluminum, 5.5 in. x 17 in. (139.7 mm x 431.8 mm), Translucent Amber Front Brakes: ZTL-type brake, 6-piston, fixed caliper, 375 mm, single sided, inside out, stainless steel, floating rotor Rear Brakes: 240 mm stainless steel, single piston, floating caliper, fixed rotor Suspension Travel: front 4.72 in. (120 mm) / rear 5.00 in. (127 mm) Instruments: Electronic speedometer, tachometer, odometer; dual resettable trip meter; high beam, neutral, oil, low fuel (plus, odometer shows miles traveled on reserve), turn signal and engine diagnostic indicator lamps; clock
COLORS	Thrust Blue, Midnight Black, Racing Red
WARRANTY	Warranty: 24 months (unlimited mileage)