Hi folks,
Here's my initial review of the Buell XB12R Firebolt after one weeks use. This, from the perspective of a 39 year old who's been riding for all the best of just over 2 years and without the technical specification-type jargon thrown in.
After coming from a Japanese GSX-R600, it certainly is... different.
Just looking at it you notice it's short-wheel base, kinda bunty looking like me. I'm 5'8" and quite comfortably am able to touch both feet (short of most of my heels) to the ground at stop. Buell also make a model where the suspension is lowered a further 2" or so. The front fairing with it's twin, small round headlight configuration makes it look like it's got a real face which glares at the road if you know what I mean. I noticed that the gear lever faces towards the riders foot unlike the Gixxer before where the gear lever originated from below the left footpeg and pointed frontwards. In this respect I found out, like other users have indicated that when you put the sidestand down, you gotta be careful about catching the gear lever with your foot (like slapping it into gear if you have it in neutral.
Those who may not know much about Buells (me included) will be interested to know that Buell has incorporated a few tricks in having some of the parts play dual roles and putting things in different places. The fuel is in the frame, the oil is kept in the swingarm and he's positioned the exhaust pipe underneath. All these things to keep the centre-of-gravity low. Instead of the ole "O" or "X" ring chain as final drive, it's got a reinforced belt whose tension is kept pretty much constant and maintenance free by an additional "idler" pulley wheel. Alriiighttt, no more oiliing and tensioning the chain. The front braking system is a disk rotor that spans the inside circumference of the wheel. Apparently they saved quite a bit of unsprung weight in this area whereas other manufacturers try to shave off ounces in comparison. Apart from that, the bike looks like your usual "sports" looking bike with bikini fairing ala SV1000S.
"So Ching, quit the horseshit and just tell us how it rides". Well thumb the starter and it erupts into life. What a sound!! You can't mistake a Harley engine, there ain't nothing like it. If buying a bike is based solely on sound of motor then I can understand why people buy Harleys. And talk about the shakes! It's like this bike's got 20kgs of heated up Mexican Jumping Beans in it's ass... pffhhhttt, pffhhttt. You certainly notice the mirrors vibrating. It's like the thing's saying "OI, STOP FUCKING AROUND AND JUMP ON! LET'S GO... NOW!!!" Apparently the vibration used to be a problem with earlier models. When coupled with the sidestand, if you were to warm the bike up while putting on your gear it used to walk off the stand and drop. Doesn't seem to be a problem anymore. Now apparently the vibrating smoothes out once you get going and that's true up to a point. But if you want to get rid of quite a bit of the vibration then you definitely need to break the speed barrier big time... I "ahem" experimented concerning this aspect, with God as my witness and nobody else if you get my drift.
Changing gears seems good going up but downshifting seems quite sluggish at times. But I'm getting used to it after having being used to slick Japanese close-ratio gearboxes. The seating position isn't as extreme as the Gixxer or other sports bikes that I've ridden and the bikini-type fairing afforded ample wind protection.
Turning seems to be good obviously attributed to a combination of low centre-of-gravity, short wheel base and rake / trail. I don't know if it's AS good as a comparable crotch rocket, maybe I just need more seat time. But one thing I've got to get used to is hardly touching the gear lever. On corners if a person on a similar Japanese Inline 4 sportsbike needed to tap down a gear or two to maintain momentum / revs, you don't need to touch the gear lever on the Buell. Due to the tuned torque over the rev range one just needs to roll off the handle then wind it on coming out of the corner even in top, let the torque pull and fling you out... kinda like a 5yr old kid flicking a goobie off his finger really.
Stopping doesn't seem to be anything special but works good. Have felt a bit of chatter when putting on the stoppers at high speed (maybe different pads needed, not too sure). Mirrors work OK as long as you adjust them correctly.
Finish on this machine looks superb. I shot over to Taupo last week for a jaunt and a McDonald's Kiwiburger. Parked it just off the footpath by the bicycle stand that's just outside the southern entrance. And I parked my ass up on a table looking straight at the bike. Kids, Dads, chicks and their beaus, old timers... it caught quite a few double takes and stares. I put it down to... yeah looking good but also looking a tad different. Apart from the sound, there's no mistaking the look of a Buell as well.
Which brings me to the last part of this review. The engine. It's the Thunderstorm 1203cc 45 degree V-Twin. Primarily Harley based and tooled but with a few model specific tweaks. Broad power delivery over the rev range with torque. You can cruise at 120kmph on the clear, open road at 3500rpm. You can be in top gear at 70kmph and without changng gears just wind the throttle and pass the cage in front of you. Pickup is very fast indeed (Cruiser and VTwin riders will know what I mean).
My take on it is this. It's a sportsbike with a Hog motor slapped in. Which, in essence is what I think it is. Along with the innovative design features Buell has incorporated it certainly makes for a different ride... for me anyway. The Buell exudes character and personality something I heard from riders about their own particular machines but didn't quite fathom until now. The Buell will never outrun or out-turn a refined, surgical precision type Japanese sportbike expecially when they hit their powerbands. But it wasn't built from these specs. For a good days hoon, a bit of fun, able to carve when needed and when you want to be stylin' when you're out riding, try on a Buell for size. Don't buy this bike if you're after something brimming with technology, ballistic speed, cheaper in price or if you're in the advanced throes of arthritis... the vibration may aggravate your condition.
RRP is $19495- at present for the 1203cc models. Buell also put out litre versions as well. Lighter, less powerful and more revvier motors but fun still the same and about a couple of grand cheaper. The one I scored was second hand, had 4,500ks on the clock with race kit thrown in. (Feb04 model). Will try and do a followup a couple of weeks down the line.
Later folks,
ching ching
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Originally Posted by Jim2
You've just got it, and they are REALLY sensitive to suspension setup. It would be worth your while to find someone who knows what they are doing to help you set it up for your weight and riding style. You'll be amazed how much difference it can make. Good AND Bad. 
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