| Author | Message | ||
     Buell_less |
Unlike you guys, I don't own one, so this was An Event.  The Buell demo truck is at F&S HD/Buell this weekend, in conjunction with the Ohio state HOG rally, so I took advantage of it to get the demo ride I should have gotten a couple of years ago at Vintage Days. That one sucked because the route sucked. The route today was better, although not as good as I would have liked. The XB9R beckoned, however, and it was a good ride once I remembered to hold myself up with my legs and not lean on my hands. Conclusions: 1. I need to get this thing on a real road. 2. It's a kick-••• blast to ride. 3. It's a long-legged SOB; I only got it into 4th gear once, and not for long. Third gear is useful anywhere from 30-70 mph. On a trip to North Carolina last weekend, my '01 Triumph Trophy (900 triple) spent a lot of time in 3rd in the mountains. I suspect the XB would be in 2nd going uphill, maybe 3rd downhill. 4. The XB9R's power characteristics are quite similar to the Triumph's. It will pull at 3k rpm but doesn't especially like it. It's a lot happier at 4k and lives to run past 5k. 5. It sounds wonderful, even stock. 6. The handling required some initial mental recalibration and I never got to push it, not even a little. The bike was bored, I think! Even so, it obviously turns instantly, it's wonderfully stable, and it reacts the way I expect it to react. 7. A blue one would look really good in my garage next to my light blue Trophy. The Triumph is a big, strapping motorcycle, which fits my 6'2" frame perfectly. The Buell is much more compact, of course, but it fits quite nicely considering its mission. When I got back onto the Triumph, it felt like a big couch compared to the light, spare Firebolt. A nice contrast, and I'd love to have both of them. (Message edited by buell_less on June 04, 2005) (Message edited by buell_less on June 04, 2005) | ||
| Thansesxb9rs |
Wait and see what is coming out in July sounds like two new XB's one that might be a little bigger. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Dangit! I didn't know F&S had the Buell truck there... I would have tried to run up and help with the demo rides, it would have been fun to evangelize the brand. They are a good dealer to work with. I am 6'2", and I can't imagine a better fit then my 9sx... I am tall enough that I find SV-650's way to small, my knees are well over the tank flare. I have room to spare on the 9sx though. (Message edited by reepicheep on June 05, 2005) | ||
| Kootenay |
Careful with those demo rides! I demo'd an XB9R back in 03 when they first came out, and now I own one. It's a sad story... | ||
| Kowpow225 |
Yeah, BOO HOO!!!  | ||
| Metalstorm |
Yep, I've been crying ever since I took my 12S home. Tears of JOY that is. Buell_less, I think you need to take one..more..test..ride  | ||
| Xb_atw |
I rode a '04 XB12R from Dave in Appleton for the free backpack. The next day I rode away from the dealership with it. Buell_less, I'm sure that if you would get a real test ride, you would take one home too. | ||
| Ponytail |
I never even test rode one before I bought mine. It was all the dang reading about them that got it to the point where I couldn't take it anymore. | ||
| Roadrunnerrv |
2 new buells in july! One bigger! I'm not sure how I feel about that. Buell ought to just shut all the critiques up and come out with a turbo model, and end the BS. But here in the real world my 04/05 xb12r is wonderful, and somehow life is beautiful once again. | ||
| Bbstacker |
I didn't even ride one. I sat on my Bro-in-law's and listened to my sister's with the Jardine can and knew that I would own one.  | ||
| Charlieboy6649 |
I didn't realize we had such a convincing visit! I was jealous after hearing her can too! LOL! Poor taste?LOL! | ||
| M1combat |
I had never heard or looked at one. I ordered it from out of state because I looked at it and could tell that it would handle VERY well. That's what I was looking for. My other choices were Duck 916 or Honda RC-51. No regrets here . |
