New Buell, or what?

[Ocean1]

Right. I find, suddenly, that I have a need to ride for extended periods of time at crawling pace. The sort of speeds much more appropriate for the more enthusiastic sort of treadley. Or between sections on a trials bike. Speeds typical, on a road bike, in navigating very heavy gravel. With both feet down. Suitable, in short, for loosely escorting the novice Mrs O1 on a Spyder. Pootling.

The Buell is, in my inarguably expert and entirely unprejudiced opinion, the ultimate machine for the sort of mostly legal and calculatedly brisk back-country carving and mild general hooliganism I find most enjoyable. It doesn’t so much smoothly and crisply navigate corners like a proper sprotsbike as bellow insults and then mug ‘em. This it does with the monotonous perfection of an idiot savant. The bits between corners are entirely wasted on it, the interminable advertisements between the show, inept foreplay to a stunning new conquest, utterly and forgettably irrelevant. And it don’t pootle worth a damn.

Things about the 12R that don’t fit “pootling” start with the riding position. At constant sub-100k velocities it’s painful after 20min. It’s fine for a short rural town interlude between the main countryside events, but that’s about it. It’s also OK for extended 100k highway work, but again, that’s not what it’s for, and that’s not why I bought it.

Also, like a lot of big bikes the engine’s less than comfortable at lower speeds. A lot of that, however, is down to the race kit. In standard trim it’d be almost bearable.

Also… Nope, that’s about it. In fact everything else is perfectly dandy. So, the solution’s obvious, innit. Trade the XB12R for an XB12S and Bob’s yer maiden aunt. However, much as I’m happy with the quality of my opinion in this matter, I can’t help but think there might be alternatives I’m less than fully aware of. Probably less good alternatives, but what the hell, if there’s no alternatives there’s no test riding, right?

So, gentlemen, what else might I consider in the way of large-ish, lightweight V twin non-sprotbike machines, with brutal mid-range torque and handling like a razor... that pootle?

[Blackshear]

Right. I find, suddenly, that I have a need to ride for extended periods of time at crawling pace. The sort of speeds much more appropriate for the more enthusiastic sort of treadley. Or between sections on a trials bike. Typical, on a road bike, in navigating very heavy gravel. With both feet down. Suitable, in short, for loosely escorting the novice Mrs O1 on a Spyder. Pootling.

The Buell is, in my inarguably expert and entirely unprejudiced opinion, the ultimate machine for the sort of mostly legal and calculatedly brisk back-country carving and mild general hooliganism I find most enjoyable. It doesn’t so much smoothly and crisply navigate corners like a proper sprotsbike as bellow insults and then mug ‘em. This it does with the monotonous perfection of an idiot savant. The bits between corners are entirely wasted on it, the interminable advertisements between the show, inept foreplay to a stunning new conquest, utterly and forgettably irrelevant. And it don’t pootle worth a damn.

Things about the 12R that don’t fit “pootling” start with the riding position. At constant sub-100k velocities it’s painful after 20min. It’s fine for a short rural town interlude between the main countryside events, but that’s about it. It’s also OK for extended 100k highway work, but again, that’s not what it’s for, and that’s not why I bought it.

Also, like a lot of big bikes the engine’s less than comfortable at lower speeds. A lot of that, however, is down to the race kit. In standard trim it’d be almost bearable.

Also… Nope, that’s about it. In fact everything else is perfectly dandy. So, the solution’s obvious, innit. Trade the XB12R for an XB12S and Bob’s yer maiden aunt. However, much as I’m happy with the quality of my opinion in this matter, I can’t help but think there might be alternatives I’m less than fully aware of. Probably less good alternatives, but what the hell, if there’s no alternatives there’s no test riding, right?

So, gentlemen, what else might I consider in the way of large-ish, lightweight V twin non-sprotbike machines, with brutal mid-range torque and handling like a razor... that pootle?

I've never ridden a Buell 1125cr, or even seen one in the flesh. But I hear they're a nice seating position for older guys, or in your case, comfortable. To an extent.

Buy one. BUY ONE NOW.
SO I CAN SEE IT.
145 watercooled, V-twin Rotax bred horses. OM NOM!
Anyway. That's my useful 2c.
Edit. I didn't read the non sprotbike bit, but still. V twin.

[Big Dave]

XB12X

[Krayy]

XB12STT...Streetfighter with soft road potential...best of both worlds.


And yes, it still mugs the corners with a huge growl. In fact I had a cop give me a dirty look today as I launched from the lights into a right hand turn, doing 50 but with the roar echoing off of the surrounding tower blocks....muahahahahaha


I LOVE MY BUELL!!!!!!

P.S. Pootle?? Like hell it does. Engine hunts all over at low revs unless I fill it with Gull Premium fuel. Got to have the high octane stuff else it misfires like a drunken injun.

[Ocean1]

I've never ridden a Buell 1125cr, or even seen one in the flesh. Edit. I didn't read the non sprotbike bit, but still. V twin.

There's one at Wgtn motorcycles. And the riding position ain't that sporty. It's on the to ride list, but to be honest while I have a lot of respect for rotax engines I expect to prefer the Buell donk.

XB12X

Yeah. Have ridden one, surprisingly different to the XBR. Also on the list, but it's way heavier and a bunch less sharp...

What's the difference between the X and the XT dude?

[jrandom]

You have ridden a Multistrada. Right?

[Ocean1]

XB12STT...Streetfighter with soft road potential...best of both worlds.

Yes, although it probably wouldn't do as much for me as an XB12X.

You have ridden a Multistrada. Right?

Listen, dude, I might be an engineer, and therefore somewhat blind of the finer nauances of aesthetics, but no. I'm prepared to accept that they're probably a good fit for the role... But just no.

[Big Dave]

Also on the list, but it's way heavier and a bunch less sharp...

What's the difference between the X and the XT dude?

You were drunk or the bike was badly set up. :-P

XT has all the dual sport ability removed. Strictly sealed road bike.

Big windscreen (yuck) and luggage included. It's also much shorter.

[Big Dave]

You have ridden a Multistrada. Right?

Strada is a fair bit faster bike. My PB for off road speed. It is a better tourer.
But I don't find it nearly as much fun as the XB.

[Big Dave]

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=141616

[Ocean1]

You were drunk or the bike was badly set up.

XT has all the dual sport ability removed. Strictly sealed road bike.

Big windscreen (yuck) and luggage included. It's also much shorter.

How very un-PC BD, casting nasturtiums on my drinking habits. Well done.

But they’re a lot heavier than an S and much longer. If the XT is based on the R/S frame it’s on the list. The screen can be changed and the luggage can live in the gargre and come out for the odd tour. The lights would also need work.

[oldrider]

Ever thought of trying a Triumph Tiger 1050? Not a recommendation, just a thought! John.

[Big Dave]

Ever thought of trying a Triumph Tiger 1050? Not a recommendation, just a thought! John.

A 955i would fit the brief better.

[Big Dave]

Nobody on a lightning would clear out on me on my X - in road riding conditions - until we got to that gravel you mention.

[Ocean1]

Ever thought of trying a Triumph Tiger 1050? Not a recommendation, just a thought! John.

A very good thought it is too.

A 955i would fit the brief better.

However, I don't plan on getting too dirty with this one.

I'm working on something WAY more agile for use as a sort of mobile excercycle. Just need to avoid the local trials guys or I will get press ganged.