| Author | Message | ||
     Sparky |
Test rode the Firebolt today at Long Beach. My impressions? It's tighter than the S1 in most aspects. The footpegs are higher, the bars lower, the seating more forward, closer to the front wheel. But for the 15 minutes or so that we were out, the ergos were OK for this ole bod. I'd like to take it out on my favorite canyon roads with some reasonable freeway time mixed in to see if my wrists and back complain. The steering seemed heavy sitting still then while underway it got better. Much better! I found that I could fling the bike into the tight turns of the demo route with amazing feedback of what the front tire was doing. It's very confidence inspiring. You just hope that the front wheel stays hooked up -- and you can do no wrong. The handling is that good! 15 minutes is not enough. I'm going back for more tomorrow. The finish of the bodywork, the sound and response of the engine combined with the supple suspension screams quality. Far above what my 96 S1 offers. Do I want one? Oh yeah! On the other hand, I also rode the V-Rod. What a strange beast this is after getting off the XB. Sure it's got a whiz bang engine but the instant you try to make it go around a corner you know something's wrong here. You lean it and nothing happens. You lean it some more and still nothing happens. You lean further and then... it starts to turn. Very disconcerting if you are a Bueller and more so if you just got off the Firebolt. I think Erik Buell's got the magic formula. It's not so much styling that makes a bike great, it's how the bike handles and responds that makes you feel great. Erik, YOU RULE! Sparky 96S1, 98S3 | ||
| Blake |
Sparky, how did the XB9R accelerate relative to a stock S1? | ||
| Seeeu911 |
Great report and feedback Sparky, any pictures ? | ||
| Jim_Sb |
Test rode the Firebolt yesterday in Long Beach. Here's my little tale... We got to the demo ride area at 9am. Had to do some paperwork & surveys and wait our turn. All in all took about 30 - 40 minutes. Long Beach is not ~exactly~ known for it's great riding roads but Buell had devised a makeshift route around the area (purportedly 10 miles; it sure seemed like less) giving us an opportunity to accelerate, brake, do some turning, etc. Walking around the bike you immediately notice some of the trick features we've heard about - like the front brake rotor and the fuel tank in the frame. In fact, your eye is drawn so much to the frame that you can't help but notice the welds. Which are ugly. I don't know what the cost would be per bike, but Buell should consider grinding those welds down before they paint that otherwise beautiful frame. The Firebolt is ~small~ and light. The first thing you notice when on the bike is the aggressive seating position with your back leaned forward. The seat seemed just a little lower than on other Buells. There's a nice, clean dashboard in front with everything you need right there. Turn signals are "J" bike style and are ~not~ self canceling. Touch the button and the bike starts up instantly and settles into a quiet idle. As you begin to ride you notice the bike turns very quickly yet you feel comfortable on it right away. I was doing modestly aggressive turns very soon into our brief ride and my only wish was that the riders in front of me would get moving so I could go quicker! The new tranny shifts very nicely and finding neutral was a snap at all times (on a bike with only 300 miles or so). Throttle response was immediate and incredible. No lag. The bike literally snaps forward when you flick your wrist. Very intoxicating. The front end gets light quickly when all that power meets the road. The Firebolt feels very planted in the turns and is very confidence inspiring. I was not overly aggressive rolling on power while in the curves - it's a new bike and it has a lot more power than I'm used to.... But I nailed it coming out of every corner and the Firebolt gets up to warp speed in a hurry . There was nothing twitchy about the handling. The bike stops very, very quickly with just a light touch on the brakes. A very light touch. Nice. Very, very nice... All in all? The ride was too short! For my aging back (sad but true) I would want to get heli-bars for the Firebolt so I could sit a little more upright (maybe 1 - 2 inches?). Other than that personal fitment issue, I'd say Buell potentially has a real winner here. As others have said we'll need to see how the bike holds up (and how the field support is). But with great handling, great acceleration and great brakes, Buell has an awfully nice bike here. Of course, YMMV. Jim in Santa Barbara '96 S2 Thunderbolt | ||
| Firemanjim |
I can attest to Sparky and JimSB'S impressions.They told us no stoppies,wheelies,passing etc.,so I passed everyone in the parking lot so no one would be in the way in the turns, and only did small stoppies right behind leader so the follow up guy couldn't see.The front brake was fantastic!!This bike felt seamless--no glitches in fuel delivery,turns begged to be taken faster(if only the leader had been on a Firebolt).We went through a section of 90's that felt like a Battletrax course and the bike was fantastic!!!I can't wait.(Only need to make it in red,though) | ||
| Jima4media |
Here is my additions to what Jim, Jim and Sparky said - and what I posted on SacBORG. The fuel injection is flawless. Not a hickup or cough or wheeze, like my X-1. Smooth power delivery whenever you want it. I have to agree with Jim in SB about the welds on the tank. I noticed that on the bike in the factory in August. You don't notice it as much in bright flat sunlight, but it would look nicer if those welds were ground out a bit. The whole bike would look great if it were polished. Both the frame tank and the swingarm. Some people like that look, and some don't. I do. YMMV. Sparky, you are right about the V-Rod. It just doesn't turn compared to a Buell. I rode 150 miles to Madera in August to ride it, and I thought the same thing as you. The V-Rod is great looking and the best Harley ever made, but it is just not for me. If my X-1 is flickable, the XB is ultra-flickable. I wanted to leave my X-1 there and take the XB home with me for a longer evaluation. 15 minutes is too short a time on the bike. My X-1 problems on the way to Long Beach is the subject of another story that I will have on my website. Thankfully, Mark from Buell had a shift arm on the demo truck to replace my vice grips. Tat Marcy was there in his new ASB Firebolt T-shirt, as were a number of other people. THAT is the color scheme of a Firebolt that I want. I agree with Jim in SB about the need for Heli-Bars or something similar for longer rides. I hear that some company has them in the works right now. I also heard that several companies are working on a better exhaust system for it. The sound is a little hollow and tinny. I think Erik Buell has created the best Street Fighter ever made. Hands down, no question. I want one, now. Jim X-2.5 | ||
| Sarodude |
I rode the Bolt on Saturday morning. I was likely in line with a bunch of BadWeb folks without knowing it. If you saw a long (receeding hairline) haired, unshaven terrorist-esque goon with a black / red / white jacket, that was me. I did catch Chris & Ernie from Glendale, though... Anyway, for those of you unaware, I'm a fairly green rider (Blast) - although not at all green around HP and grip. My thoughts on the Bolt... Somehow, it's a bike that's unintimidating yet exciting. It was hard to get it properly uncorked (I was too impatient to let the leader get some good distance ahead) but the powerband felt seamless. I got to really get on it once (2nd time on freeway) and felt a TEENY hint of slip & stick happening at the rear. The stock bike sounds like crap. Bike LOOKS infinitely better in person. Bike IS small. Rider position is kinda agressive. Did I mention the SEAMLESS power delivery? Oh, yeah, the bike I rode (#9) kept grabbing my right boot. Didn't really interfere with braking though I couldn't get my foot on the ground! I did have an embarassing moment. I COULD NOT FOR THE LIFE OF ME get that kickstand down! Grab, extend, CLUNK. Grab, exteeeeeeeeeend, CLUNK. After an eternity, the leader (right in front of me) saved me from myself and flicked it down with his toe. Anyone else find that an issue or am I a complete idiot? Maybe you shouldn't answer... Man do I want one... Of course, I'm REALLY lusting after that limited edition Duc - the Hailwood. Someone get a mop... -Saro | ||
| Blake |
Jims: Thanks for sharing your first-ride impressions. Sounds very encouraging. I'd suggest trying the stock bars on an extended ride. You may be VERY surprised at how comfortable the leaned forward attitude can be, especially at higher speeds. They cause a little suffering around town, but hey, a little suffering builds character right?  | ||
| Jima4media |
I posted more pictures over on SacBORG, and if anyone wants to repost them here, or anywhere else, be my guest. Jim X-2.5 | ||
| Jasonl |
I have to agree with Blake on that one. On a naked bike being cranked over more does help your fatigue level. The wind hitting your chest takes the weight off your wrists and arms. Around town it sucks but that depends on how long you're going to toodle around at 25. | ||
| Racinswifty |
Ya know ....after all you guys talking about how well this Firebolt do in turns and such. Now I want one since I haven't seen or rode on it YET! I'm considering trading in my X-1 for it since I like riding a American made sportfighter than a rice rocket.Thanks for sharing the info.....now if they can get that Firebolt into the eastcoast! | ||
| Jim_Sb |
Blake: In a former life, before I saw the light that emanates from Buell, I owned a Suzuki GS500E (and still own a Sportster). The GS500E had a very similar forward tilt to the riding position. I couldn't ride it for more than 45 minutes without pain. At 90 minutes I'd have to get off the bike. Yes, my back isn't very young any more. But I can easily do 350+ miles in a day on the S2... I do agree that once the road gets twisty those stock Firebolt bars are right where you'd want them... Maybe one of our engineering whizzes should invent bars that adjust position while riding! Kinda like a tilt wheel on a car. Up high for touring or around town and down low for when you're getting serious... Wouldn't that be incredible? Otherwise I'll stick with the Heli-bars and just make do in the curves... Anyone notice that 3 out of 5 Firebolt Test Rides are done by guys named Jim??? Jim in Santa Barbara | ||
| Anonymous |
Anyone see the article in Roadracing World on the XB? Has the XB on the cover. | ||
| Lsr_Bbs |
Yes, I've got the RRW. Really not much more than a regurgitation of the BMC PR hype...specs, technical merits, whatnot...they didn't ride it. Neil Garretson X0.5 | ||
| Blake |
Jim_sb: It could be that my 6'-3" body acts more like a sail than your more compact frame. But, I'm still surprised to hear that your back takes such a beating when leaned over. Keep in mind that the windscreen on the XB9R may not block near the wind that your S3's fairing does. The clip-ons on my '97 M2 give my wrists a little grief around town, but my back is fine, and as soon as I get above 60 mph, the wind starts taking weight of my wrists. At 70 to 80 I have almost no weight on my wrists, very very comfy.  On my stock '00 M2 I'm okay around town, but at highway speeds the wind stresses my deltoids for want of hanging on. My 6'-3" body does catch a lot of wind though. |
