YEEHA Buell Lightning

RUSS KEPT his ’05 Buell for about a year and then upgraded to an ’06 model. He chose the XB9SX Lightning CityX. This bike comes with the unique see-through air-box cover and fly-screen, and although Russ was looking for some custom paint, he wanted to do it in such a way as to not lose its identity. Enter Mark Walker from Queensland Motorcycle Panel and Paint. Mark came up with the stunning blue flame effect while still keeping the translucent look of the air-box!

For a truly individual look, Russ imported carbon-fibre parts from California which Mark applied a similar effect to. Gone are the original left and right air intakes, oil cooler cover and front guard. The belly pan also received some attention in the paint department. The carbon theme continued with the Jardine carbon-fibre slip-on muffler.

John Moorhouse from Ergo Seats re-modelled the original seat and turned the bike into a single seater. The headers were ceramic coated by Competition Coatings. Not one to do half a job, Russ lashed out and added the YEEHA rego plate.

Russ has put the bike through its paces at Queensland Raceway and reckons it leans through the corners just like Eric Buell said it would. Especially made for those track days are the rear axle sliders that double as stand lifters. Russ has a mate, Dan, who is an absolute genius at working with high density plastics. Dan, whose business is called Speedstar Racing, turned up the sliders for Russ’s Buell but also does crash knobs for all Japanese sports bikes.

The bike won Best Streetfighter at the Odin’s Warriors MC a couple of years ago and Russ reckons there’s a few more wins left in her yet!

Buell Lightning CityX XB9SX

AN URBAN middleweight that packs a real punch, the Lightning CityX XB9SX is the perfect tool for the rider who needs to slice through congested city traffic or blast away from green lights. The tall seat helps the rider to see over traffic. A new, grippy vinyl seat cover offers enhanced control and comfort. Wide, supermoto-style handlebars feature handlebar deflectors, the dual headlights are covered with an aggressive grille, and the high-impact composite frame pucks protect the frame from minor cosmetic damage.

The open tread pattern of Pirelli Scorpion Sync tyres offers outstanding, all-conditions grip and traction. The Lightning CityX is powered by the Thunderstorm 984 cc V-twin. The see-through translucent air-box cover and fly-screen in Hero Blue or Kick Ash put mechanical details on display, while black wheels and Midnight Black lower body panels and front fender don’t show the grime of the city. 

Buell Lightning CityX XB9SX Highlights

• Displacement: 984 cc.
• Horsepower: 83 hp @ 7400 rpm.
• Torque: 86 Nm @ 5600 rpm 
• Compression ratio: 10:1.
• Fuel Delivery: 45 mm down draft DDFI II fuel injection.
• Lubrication: dry-sump.
• Exhaust: tuned, tri-pass resonance chamber with mass-centralised mounting.
• Revised functional air-box cover & redesigned 3D cover graphic.
• Dry Weight: 177 kg.
• Wheelbase: 1320 mm.
• Seat height: 797 mm.
• Ground Clearance: 110 mm.
• Frame: aluminium with Uniplanar powertrain vibration isolation system; fuel in frame. 
• Rake (at Steering Head): 21°.
• Fully adjustable, 43 mm Showa upside-down fork.
• Fully adjustable, Showa rear shock absorber.
• Buell ZTL 6-piston front brake with 375 mm single-sided, inside-out, stainless steel, floating rotor.
• Goodyear Hibrex drive belt with Flexten Plus technology.
• Wide, flat bars & bikini fly screen.
• Headlight grille, deflectors & frame pucks.

Lean Angle: 

• Soft contact, right: 42° 
• Soft contact, left: 42° 
• Hard contact, right: 50° 
• Hard contact, left: 48° 

words & pics by Jules @ Top Gun