| Author | Message | ||
     Barker |
http://www.wheels24.co.za/ Buell's best model yet 23/03/2007 07:56 Tor Sagen No one makes a 1203cc motorcycle look as compact as Buell. Every mass and fluid needed to create a naked street fighting motorcycle is squeezed into every little space and corner available to the engineers. The result is a package that is still as innovative as ever. The Super TT is an iron fist where the chassis widens around the fuel tank dummy like knuckles widens your hand. The XB12STT, which was first unveiled at the EICMA show in Milan in 2006, is Buell's addition to the growing trend of super sized supermoto styled streetfighters. TT in the name reflects on the old TT races in America, the Ascot TT etc. In Buell's mind the supermoto is just as much a niche created in America as in Europe. The 1203cc Thunderstorm motor is at the centre of the attention. Even though any Buell looks like you could wrap both your hands around it and lift it with ease that air-cooled V-twin looks smaller than it is. Eager to ride At a compact 45° angle it takes less space than a 90° L twin but vibrates a whole lot more. Standing still on idle the physically small motorcycle almost jumps up and down if you rev it a bit. It's because it' eager to ride you see, but certainly adds to the character. First gear is tall, too tall for my liking and the power band kicks in with a slight delay when clutching it up on one wheel in second gear. The air-cooled engine definitely carries punch and a good portion of torque for a meaty midrange. The Super TT does not feel like the hooligan it could be. With such a short wheelbase (1372mm) the Buell STT should be trying to wring itself into knots at every touch of the throttle. But it doesn' and it is because it handles so damn well. Launching it from first gear at the lights is like launching a tamed beast. The STT is more of a sports bike in the handling and power delivery departments. The acceleration is not as smooth as on an air-cooled L-twin, but much is disguised by exquisite handling. Better handling than most 90° L-twins I have ever ridden! The whole package is very manageable and going fast in the corners is the easiest thing in the world. For a big supermoto the Super TT features firmer standard suspension set up and less travel than for instance KTM 950 SM. Even though the STT features a narrow single seat supermoto style seat I can' get far enough forward to make use of it as intended on a SM. What I could do was change riding position from left to right on the hard tarmac very fast. And this is where the STT belongs, on the tight B-roads and in town. It is not a bike to ride supermoto style though, so both feet are on the pegs at all times. The Super TT is a mixture between the City-X and the Ulysses but very much road orientated. As mentioned earlier the suspension (Showa) is firm enough for fast cornering but softer than on a sportsbike. I caught myself over-steering the STT in certain corners making them tighter. So I carried more and more corner speed whilst still being able to change direction if needed. STT is brilliant at cornering and can carry a lot of corner speed without upsetting the chassis the slightest. When the brakes are needed it' the same story again, I am unable to upset the chassis whatever I try to do. Hard braking, hard acceleration, you name it and the STT handles it with ease. The rim mounted and lightweight front brake has got all the power that you will ever need delivered through a six-piston calliper. When I first sat on the new STT I was surprised to find a very low seat height for this type of motorcycle-Only 798mm above the ground on a narrow seat. This is an American thing for US riders that seem to enjoy riding as close as possible to the tarmac. The Super TT works well anyway and the wide handlebars with hand protectors at each end let me steer with ease. I would have wanted some more suspension travel to tackle city centre curbs and obstacles with more confidence. Apart from small issues like the deviation from the 'real' supermoto and engine vibrations the Buell XB12STT Super TT is a really entertaining motorcycle to ride. The STT is involving, special due to its size, solutions and unconventional 45° air-cooled V-twin. It handles handles like no other motorcycle and due to the rugged muscular looks, middle of the tree seat height and extreme mass centralisation the Buell can be recommended to almost any type and shape rider. The XB12STT will be launched locally as part of the Buell '08 model range. | ||
| Danny_h__jesternut |
Still thirsty, more cool-aid please.  | ||
| Slaughter |
Pretty much the same conclusion in Roadracing World this month. David Swarts and Jeremy Toye. |
