What's your take on the Buell XB9s and XB12s

[jrandom]

JRANDOM's comments about the handling are intriguing. All the ride reports I've read about the XB12R and the XB12S rave about the handling. Makes me wonder if the tyres on the bike he rode were worn, or the tyre pressures were down. My wife's bike is one of the most predictable I've ridden, and it's very stable at high speed (on private roads under strict supervision etc etc).

It was wearing Diablos, and they looked fine. Profile was still good with plenty of tread left. I didn't check the pressures, but the issues I experienced didn't feel like low tyre pressure to me. Then again, praps I'm wrong. It was a shop demo bike, not a second-hander on sale, so I expected it to be in reasonably tip-top condition for the ride.

I was riding it, though, thinking that yeah, I understand why so many people rave about the handling, but I prefer a more settled bike that can absorb a less-precise riding approach. The XB12R felt as though I had to stay restrained everywhere in my inputs, lest it promptly fall over.

I have never made any secret about where my loyalties lie. I don't do Jappas.

See, that's where we differ - I just love motorcycles, end of story. Given your statement, there, I would suggest that your perspective as to the objective merits of Buells is, in fact, somewhat limited.

I wonder whether, if someone dressed a GSX-R750 K7 in 'Buell' plastic and handed you the keys, you wouldn't have several spontaneous orgasms.



Not that I'm trying to start an argument! Like I said. If it's got two wheels, it's all good by me.

[imdying]

I wonder whether, if someone dressed a GSX-R750 K7 in 'Buell' plastic and handed you the keys, you wouldn't have several spontaneous orgasms.

Naw, wouldn't tickle her 'bits' right

If it's got two wheels, it's all good by me.

Damn skippy

[buellbabe]

Read what I wrote again.

Just cos I don't aspire to owning a japanese motorcycle doesn't mean I don't like them.

Just like you, I love motorbikes. End of story. Just cos I have my own personal preference does not make my perspective limited.

Dressing another bike in Buell plastics? Yeah right.
You don't get where I am coming from... Its the ride that I love. Only a Buell FEELS like a Buell. Every bone shaking bit of it LOL

[jrandom]

Only a Buell FEELS like a Buell.

How would you know, if you haven't ridden much else?

Edit: One wonders whether ma'am would make that statement if she had ever sat astride a concrete mixer strapped to a roller-skate...

[Monamie]

Ulysse XT arriving at Wellington motorcyles at the end of April-beginning May!! Just for us shorties-780mm seat height-the same as my Black Pearl. Heated handgrips -could be a good thing, and a taller windscreen-which I have heard directs the airflow straight at your helmet....but I am short so will probably go right over

Road trip coming up I think

[buellbabe]

How would you know, if you haven't ridden much else?

Says who?
You know nothing about me mate so don't start making assumptions. Just cos I haven't owned lots of different makes doesn't mean I haven't ridden them.

Yamaha
Honda
Harley
Ducati
Triumph
Buell

[jrandom]

You know nothing about me mate so don't start making assumptions.

I asked you what you were comparing the Buells to, sportbike-wise, and you avoided the question. I took that to mean that you didn't really have much to compare them to.

Yamaha

Scorpio?

Honda

CB400?

Harley

*falls over laughing*

Ducati

600SS?

Triumph

Bonneville?

Buell

We kinda guessed that one.

[buellbabe]

Sorry buddy but have to say that this is getting ridiculous. Are you trying to wind me up?
Congratulations you have succeeded.


Jeez and this all started just cos I had a different viewpoint.

I am taking a chill pill and leaving ya to it.
:

[Max Headroom]

Just a thought: the handbook on these bikes make a big deal about suspension setup. The front and rear on these bikes have way more adjustability than most Jap bikes, and your ride experience may have been disappointing due to this alone.

When we bought my wife's bike, the thing handled a bit strange, and the ride was very odd. I spent some time going through the spring preload, damper comp & rebound as per the handbook's recommendations for rider weight, and sent my wife out on it again. She couldn't believe it was the same bike.

As the yanks say, "your mileage may vary..."

[Rashika]

It was wearing Diablos, and they looked fine. Profile was still good with plenty of tread left. I didn't check the pressures, but the issues I experienced didn't feel like low tyre pressure to me. Then again, praps I'm wrong. It was a shop demo bike, not a second-hander on sale, so I expected it to be in reasonably tip-top condition for the ride.

I was riding it, though, thinking that yeah, I understand why so many people rave about the handling, but I prefer a more settled bike that can absorb a less-precise riding approach. The XB12R felt as though I had to stay restrained everywhere in my inputs, lest it promptly fall over.



See, that's where we differ - I just love motorcycles, end of story. Given your statement, there, I would suggest that your perspective as to the objective merits of Buells is, in fact, somewhat limited.

I wonder whether, if someone dressed a GSX-R750 K7 in 'Buell' plastic and handed you the keys, you wouldn't have several spontaneous orgasms.



Not that I'm trying to start an argument! Like I said. If it's got two wheels, it's all good by me.

after having ridden shop bikes i would say they are the least likely to inspire me to buy a particular bike, they are often set a particular size/height and often dont work for most people. And i have heard that the quite a few Buell riders have been disappointed at first till they have set the bike up for their shape, and then found it damn good!
But having said that maybe it is just too big a difference when compared with your current ride?
Yep the Firebolt is a quick tipper and can damn near put me off If I'm not paying attention... but that is exactly what makes it so fun in the corners. And yep the motor sure gives you feedback and if you are hitting the limiter then you are in far too low a gear, shit it revs out at 5-6grand, what does the 1400 do? 8,9,10?
and nope i dont think we would accidently mistake as GSXR for a Buell in ANY disguise, dont like the things and yep have ridden one.

They (the 1400 and the R) really aren't comparable, just totally different beasts and thats the way they should be.
And i think they market the Firebolt as a street racer and the Lightnings as Street fighters, hense the slightly more racey handlebars/position on the R.
oh yeah and I wouldn't trade mine for anything, and the last bike I rode for comparison? An MV Augusa Tamburini... now THERES an fkn awesome sportsbike

[jrandom]

Just a thought: the handbook on these bikes make a big deal about suspension setup. The front and rear on these bikes have way more adjustability than most Jap bikes, and your ride experience may have been disappointing due to this alone.

Aha!

Yes, that could indeed make a huge difference.

[Jimmy B]

Just a thought: the handbook on these bikes make a big deal about suspension setup. The front and rear on these bikes have way more adjustability than most Jap bikes, and your ride experience may have been disappointing due to this alone.

..."

Yeah nice try Max, I think the reason is that JR is still finding his way with bikes and this one caught him off guard with its differences. Lets face it a GSX1400 is hardly nimble yet can be pushed around very effectively, get used to that and hop on something requiring gentle inputs...

I think if he rode one for a few months the comments would be different. I felt exactly the same first time a rode a soft tail, freaky weird at first but a good bike over time.

[jrandom]

And yep the motor sure gives you feedback and if you are hitting the limiter then you are in far too low a gear, shit it revs out at 5-6grand, what does the 1400 do? 8,9,10?

Yeah. 9500rpm. "Vweeeeeee, vweeeeee... oops, 200kph and my arm bones just stretched an inch, better back off." Etc.

An MV Augusa Tamburini...

When it comes to MV Agustas, I've only ridden the F4-1000S and the Brutale 910R. The F4 was awesome; a little too awesome. Not a bike I felt like pushing hard on. That engine just feels as though it's always about to fly apart with the effort of creating the huge amount of apparent activity that's going on in it.

The Brutale was perfect; I'd have one if I could afford one.

I'd love a go on a Senna or a *swoon* Tamburini sometime, of course...

[jrandom]

Yeah nice try Max, I think the reason is that JR is still finding his way with bikes and this one caught him off guard with its differences.

You patronising shit.

[Jimmy B]

You patronising shit.

You like that one bro...gotcha