Buell Lightning Series Brings Streetfighter Attitude In 2007
The Buell Lightning series of American Streetfighter sport motorcycles is toned up, tuned up and ready to rumble in 2007. Stout V-Twin torque, an athletic riding position, and down-to-business styling distinguish each of the four models in the Buell Lightning line: Lightning XB12S, Lightning XB12Scg, Lightning Long XB12Ss and Lightning CityX XB9SX.
Each Lightning model is descended from the original American Streetfighter, the 1996 Buell S1 Lightning, and takes the core Buell Trilogy of Technology engineering principles in a bold, minimalist direction. Aboard a Buell Lightning, the rider is in position to prowl the streets behind wide handlebars and a dirt-track flyscreen. V-Twin torque flows through a smooth, responsive belt drive to fat tire rolling under a provocatively clipped rear fender. Short, flickable, agile, aggressive, and raucous. Lightning motorcycles are the original street hooligans.
What's New on Lightning for 2007
New Pirelli Tires: Pirelli tires are now standard equipment on all Lightning models, replacing the Dunlop tiresused previously. Buell engineers have determined that advances made in the Pirelli Diablo T make it a better tire for all-around real-world performance with the Lightning XB12S, Lightning XB12Scg, and Lightning Long XB12Ss. The Lightning CityX XB9SX wears the aggressive tread pattern of the Pirelli Scorpion Sync.New Colors: The Lightning XB12S and XB12Scg come in a new Cherry Bomb Translucid red color with matching translucent wheels, and the Lightning XB12Ss Midnight Black model comes with new Designer Black Powdercoat wheels.
The Buell Thunderstorm V-Twin
In the corner-to-corner, light-to-light world of the street, Buell believes that torque matters more than peak horsepower. Which is why each Lightning model is powered by the Buell Thunderstorm, a 45-degree air/oil/fan-cooled V-Twin engine tuned to deliver the broad powerband and tire-twisting torque that's perfect for real-world street performance. Both the middleweight Thunderstorm 984 and muscle-bound Thunderstorm 1203 feature DDFI II electronic fuel injection for precise throttle control and fast get-aways cold or hot. The Thunderstorm 1203 engine also features Buell InterActive Exhaust, which utilizes a valve in the dual-chamber muffler that is controlled by the ECM and adjusts exhaust flow according to riding conditions to smooth torque delivery and optimize engine power.
Technology That's More Than Different
Like all Buell motorcycles, each Lightning is designed around the three-pronged Buell Trilogy of Technology -frame rigidity, mass centralization and minimal unsprung weight - to achieve uncompromised handling performance. Fuel is carried in the massive aluminum frame, engine oil is carried in the swingarm, and the muffler is located below the engine, all in an effort to centralize mass and lower the center of gravity, so the Lightning is easy to flick into corners and always willing to take an aggressive line. 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 massive-rigid aluminum frame. The Goodyear Hibrex final drive belt with Flexten Plus technology is lighter than a drive chain and contributes to smooth, lash-free throttle response. And unlike a chain, the drive belt requires no scheduled service or replacement.
Doing its part to reduce unsprung weight, the Buell Zero Torsional Load (ZTL) front brake features a single 375 mm rotor mounted near the wheel rim, gripped by a six-piston caliper. The large-diameter rotor provides exceptional stopping power without the weight of dual rotors and calipers. Because braking forces are transmitted directly from the rim to the rotor, torsional load at the front wheel is virtually eliminated, which permits the use of a very lightweight cast aluminum front wheel. Premium suspension components include a 43 mm Showa upside-down fork adjustable for pre-load, compression and rebound damping and a fully adjustable Showa coil-over rear shock.
Exclusive Translucid Bodywork
Available Translucid body makes Buell Lightning the ultimate naked bike. An exclusive feature to Buell, the Translucid airbox cover and flyscreen are made of a translucent plastic that gives the bike color but also allows some mechanical elements to be visible through the material. This "see-through" styling element is offered on certain Lightning models in Valencia Orange Translucid, Hero Blue Translucid, Kick Ash Translucid gray, and new for 2007, Cherry Bomb Translucid red. These models also feature cast aluminum wheels with an exclusive,high-gloss translucent paint process that produces a beautiful Translucent Amber or Cherry Bomb Translucent red color with natural variations and depth.