Buell - Best Cornering Bike?

[NitroNorry]

I was looking at the "Best Cornering Bike" article in the September edition of Bike. The magazine (page 68) reckons that the Buell XB12R Firebolt wins.

Has anyone ridden one? If so - what do you reckon?

Martin

[NitroNorry]

That would be page 68

[kwak zzr]

the closest ive been to one is just on tickover, dam those things vibrate!
dont know about the handling tho but stunt riders use them so they must be good :twisted:

[mattSV]

Did a day with Buell at Silverstone about 6 weeks ago.

I rode the XB12S first of all and was very impressed, however the XB12R was awesome.

It feels tiny, and just drops into the corners, with the slightest push on the bars. Once in the corner, it felt totally planted, however it was no problem to change the line if needed. The brakes feel powerful and easy to control - stoppies were no problem.

Compared to the SV (either the 650 or the thou) it felt very different.

Would like to compare one to a VFR400.

[didge]

i think that it looks like a cool bike tbh

[WelshWop]

Ive heard from a few sources that the suspension needs to be setup properly for the rider but when its right its one hell of a bike around corners.

I think there stunning looking bikes.

[ujoni08]

When Erik Buell decides to offer Buells with a non-Harley motor, say a TL1000 or something more modern, the Buell will begin to attract customers. The motor needs to be water-cooled, injected, and have light, balanced internals. The Harley shudder and bad fuel economy is no good for such a progressive bike. The styling, brakes and things like the oil in the swingarm and fuel in the frame make the choice of the Harley motor hard to understand. But its target market is the US, and they like Harleys over there...
Jon.

[jonboy]

When Erik Buell decides to offer Buells with a non-Harley motor, say a TL1000 or something more modern, the Buell will begin to attract customers

He never will as it's now fully owned by HD. Agreed it's an old lumbering engine but it's still fun and very individual. As for attracting customers, they're selling loads. If you haven't tried one, do so ;).


.

[Carsick]

When Erik Buell decides to offer Buells with a non-Harley motor, say a TL1000 or something more modern, the Buell will begin to attract customers

He never will as it's now fully owned by HD. Agreed it's an old lumbering engine but it's still fun and very individual. As for attracting customers, they're selling loads. If you haven't tried one, do so ;).


.
Don't be so sure, the V-rods don't use HD engines.

[ujoni08]

Oooh, yes! I'd forgotten about the V Rod motor. Now THAT would do rather nicely in a Firebolt...
Jon

[Viney]

I wouldnt disagree with that. It does corner like no other bike i have ridden. It is a little twitchy, but thats down to the short wheel base. Other than that, its a great fun bike. The fornt wheel however is like the sidestand....only need when stationary :twisted:

[jonboy]

When Erik Buell decides to offer Buells with a non-Harley motor, say a TL1000 or something more modern, the Buell will begin to attract customers

He never will as it's now fully owned by HD. Agreed it's an old lumbering engine but it's still fun and very individual. As for attracting customers, they're selling loads. If you haven't tried one, do so ;).


.
Don't be so sure, the V-rods don't use HD engines.

Of course they do. They use the new generation of HD engines designed in collaboration with Porsche.


.

[Viney]

When Erik Buell decides to offer Buells with a non-Harley motor, say a TL1000 or something more modern, the Buell will begin to attract customers

He never will as it's now fully owned by HD. Agreed it's an old lumbering engine but it's still fun and very individual. As for attracting customers, they're selling loads. If you haven't tried one, do so ;).


.
Don't be so sure, the V-rods don't use HD engines.

Of course they do. They use the new generation of HD engines designed in collaboration with Porsche.


.

They are water cooled for one and rev to 9k. :) I will test riding a sportrod soon...for the fun of it of course :)

[wyrdness]

Oooh, yes! I'd forgotten about the V Rod motor. Now THAT would do rather nicely in a Firebolt...
Jon

Apparently it won't fit :cry:

[Carsick]

When Erik Buell decides to offer Buells with a non-Harley motor, say a TL1000 or something more modern, the Buell will begin to attract customers

He never will as it's now fully owned by HD. Agreed it's an old lumbering engine but it's still fun and very individual. As for attracting customers, they're selling loads. If you haven't tried one, do so ;).


.
Don't be so sure, the V-rods don't use HD engines.

Of course they do. They use the new generation of HD engines designed in collaboration with Porsche.


.
Now who's being pedantic? :wink:
Ok, fine, they are HD engines, but they are not quite the same as the the old style lumbering beasts and the newest version of the engine is even better.

[jonboy]

Now who's being pedantic? :wink:

Nope, just factual.

Ok, fine, they are HD engines, but they are not quite the same as the the old style lumbering beasts and the newest version of the engine is even better.

Of that there's no doubt. And wyrdness is right, they won't fit the current Buell frame which is a shame. Hopefully a new generation Buell will have the V spec engine, which might be rather interesting as they've got a lot of get up and go.

I tried Bryan's Buell down at Soho for a quick ride up Haymarket and it's rather strange but great fun, definitely a bike you'd get to love. Everyone was looking and a car even pulled up at the lights and said he'd never seen one of those before and what was it? So if you want attention and can live with less than Jap reliability and pretty high servicing bills then it's worth investigating even with the old HD lump.


.

[NitroNorry]

Thanks guys. Sounds like I need to go and ride one to find out for myself! :D

Martin

[Peter Henry]

Viney..I would have thought that the fact the Buell has a short wheel base enhances it's cornering ability rather than detracts from it? With that,as someone mentioned set the shocks up to your own settings and job should be a good un? :wink: 8)

[chutz]

I have been sorely tempted to book a test ride on a Buell for sometime. I hate the engine but they look like a lot of fun. Shaws is only a few miles up the road from me so I may have to give them a call and get some perspective on this subject

[pete m]

You are all wrong :shock: :shock:

They arent HD engines (least ways not in the Lightning City X what i had ), they are specaillly designed Buell engines....

but agreed , they do go round corners nice, altho a slipper clutch might help round a track..... :lol:

they are great to see in AMA Formula Xtreme, altho thats only when they have gone off, cos they are never near enough to the front to get the cameras to look at em on the track :cry:

[jonboy]

They arent HD engines (least ways not in the Lightning City X what i had ), they are specaillly designed Buell engines....

No, they're HD engines. It's the 883 rebored and tweaked but still basic HD technology all the same.


.

[tricky]

Mate of mine has one and absolutley loves it.
The engine sounds/feels live a tractor at tickover, but once you get it rolling its not too bad.
I've only had a quick bimble round the block on it so I can't really comment on the handling.
Brakes are awsome though (certainly after the SV anyway), squashed me Davinas against the tank at the first junction.

[WelshWop]

I saw one in the flesh yesterday for the first time. Omg, there tiny!
But still beautiful imo.