| Author | Message | ||
     Anonymous |
The badly translated conclusion from Motorrad, however, is more complimentary: "When result from the self-willed Macken and edges of the Firebolt develops a style of driving, which anzupacken at one time it more vermeider, several things. One after the other one: kuppein -- double-clutch switch -- gremsen -- give in then and with gas on the way bring cleanly. No Hektik, no hurry. Speed and fun come accepted by completely alone, if one understood this motorcycle it run lets, that one was up to to the force of the Kurbenwellen gyroscope nich. And then, then there is no more holding. Because growing together with these Buell, which mastering physics, which constitutes harmonious interaction of humans and machine the charm, which is missing to the Allerweltsmotorradem of the strand with all perfection simply." | ||
| Blake |
Anony, Maybe you could just post the German text so that one of our kind German speaking friends can translate?  I can't make much sense of the babbled version. | ||
| Blacksix |
Good lord please...babblefish is the devil. Along with AOL. And Walmart. And Bill Gates.  | ||
| Anonymous |
Blake, here's part of it. Watch out for the typos and the lack of umlats, etc.: "Trotz Erik Buells redlichem Muhen um Handlichkeit und Dynamik ist mit der Firebolt in Keiner Situation die frohliche Leichtigkeit einer normalen Japan-Rennsemmel zeu erleben. Dieser Motor wird selbst in 100 Jahren in keinem Sport-fahrwerk der Welt einen Rundenrekord markieren. Auch ein Sumo-ringer nich zur Primaballerina, nur weit er seine fetten Quanten in Balletschuhe zwangt. Hier wie dort liegt die Kraft in der Ruhe. In revieren mit lang gezogenen Kuven zum Beispiel wenn die enorm frontlastige Buell in stoischer Manier ihren Bogen zieht, das Vorderrad sauber die Spur vorgibt, die XB9R etwas von diesem klebrig-sicheren Ducati-feeling vermittelt. Stellen sich Bodenwellen mittleren Ausmabes in den Weg, ist's vorbei mit der Ruhe. Und auf Langsrillen kommt das Gefuhl auf, als ob sich Vorder- und hinterrad die Freizugigkeit des geteilten Rahmenkonzepts zunutze mashen und kurzerhand getrennte Wege einschlagen. Werden kie Kurven enger und welliger, sei mensch und maschine eine innige Zusammenarbeit angeraten. Mit festem Knieschluss und klaren Befehl mittels Druck uber die Lenkerhalften meistert das duo solche Herausforderungen mit viel spass und sogar ein bisschen Sportlichkeit. Hanging-off, die spielart der echten Sportier, bringt nicht viel -- ausser Unruhe. Und die kann man im engen Gelauf schon deshalb nich gebrauchen, weil die XB9R noch mit einer ernst zu nehmenden Eigenart aufwartet. Bremsen in Schraglage oder beim zarten Einlenken swingt sie unweigerlich in die Senkrechte. Und das in einer art und weise, wie sie selbst von widerpenstigen Sportlen bislang nicht bekannt war.Machtlos versucht der engagierte Reiter, dem Ross den Wilen aufzuzwingen. Vergeflich, Man fahrt geschlagen den grossen bogen, saust auf einer linie ums Eck, die man sich so nicht ausgedacht hatte. Wovei auch dieser Sache mit Geduid beizukommen ist Dabei packt die vordere Bremse mit 375 millimter grosser Scheibe souveran und mit ordentlicher Dosierbarkeit zu, lupft jedoch das Hinterrad allzu fruh vorn Boden, So fruh, dass sich der ermittelte Brernsweg auf 43.3 Meter zieht." | ||
| Chainsaw |
Hey Fasteddieb! Nice bikes. Can I ask what insurance on that Buell runs you? I was quoted $335 annual,full coverage, $500 deductable. Clean MVR, garaged bike in crappy neighborhood (Denver, CO). Waiting on a blue XBR9. Only six more weeks till mine gets here (hopefully sooner).  | ||
| Fasteddieb |
I converted my 1999 K1200RS to an "S". It got featured in the BMW Owners' News.  I had some damaged side panels from a salvage bike - I trimmed and painted them and left mine alone. Bike (K RAPIDO) now has 51,000 miles and NO problems to date. I know Buell's have had a pretty dismal reliability reputation to date, but the FireBolt gives the appearance of durable construction. I think Verlicchi of Italy makes the frame for both the Firebolt and the K1200RS | ||
| Blacksix |
In spite of Erik Buells honest efforts with handling and dynamics the Firebolt in no situation "froliche" the lightness of a normal Japan running roll on experience. (LITERAL)This engine will mark a round record of 100 years in no other sport chassis in the world. (LITERAL) It is more Sumo Wrestler than Ballerina as far as its fat "Quanten" fits in the tight shoes. It seems positive so far but it is making my head hurt trying to remember this stuff. I'll print it out and work on it from home. | ||
| Court |
I spechenzie no Duetsch.....they talking about Erik or the bike? | ||
| José_Quiñones |
or the typical Buell owner | ||
| Two_Buells |
Hey, Court! I drove from KC to Topeka H-D after work tonight. I said Hi to everyone for you........ | ||
| Raymaines |
Chainsaw: If you want to come to Destination HD in Tacoma, WA you could have a blue XB9R for $10,500 including setup and freight charges tomorrow morning. | ||
| Chainsaw |
Raymaines Too Late! I have had money down at Sun HD since early May. (Semi-non-refundable $500 deposit).It's where I bought my Sportster. If I would have been smart, Grand Canyon HD had blue one on the floor when I passed through in April on the way back from Laughlin. Of course I was on the Sporty at the time, so I would have to have shipped it. I would go nuts trying to keep it under 50mph for 500 miles on the interstate. Word to the wise: do no cross the Continential Divide in Colorado in April. I believe it was 12 degrees when I crossed at the Eisenhower Tunnel. Needless to say, came back through New Mexico! By the way, dig the M2 with the hypercharger! Sweet! | ||
| Court |
Mike: Too cool....I'm betting your at training near the airport I was on the phone with Topeka today....quite a facilty eh? Easy to see why no other dealer in the world has as many awards for excellence? Have a great trip and keep those XB9R reports coming....few can fling one like you! Court (hey....my red baby still there?) | ||
| Tripper |
 | ||
| Tap |
i'll scan the article and try to put it on here somehow | ||
| Crosmyn |
I wasn't sure if this review had already been posted or not: http://bikepoint.co.nz/reviews/BikeTestMain.asp?BikeID=118406 | ||
| Rick_A |
I finally saw a Firebolt close up yesterday. My dealer finally got a couple. The riding position would be like an S1 with a set of riser clip-ons and pegs a couple inches higher. It's pretty cool how the front wheel looks like it's right beneath you. I must say...except for stripping it down some and the usual "racekit"...there's nothing much I'd change. The frame/fuel tank looks like it may suffer damage in a crash as it sticks out so far. They won't have a demo 'till the fall. They also had a 1450cc Cyclone for $1200. Madness. | ||
| Sarodude |
$1200?  What's wrong with it? That doesn't really sound right... Someone need an LSR bike or something? -Saro | ||
| Mikej |
I think he probably dropped a zero, as in $12,000 asking price. | ||
| Furaxjoe |
 Hello in all, I received my Firebolt the 06.06.2002, I have just made my first revision of 500miles, I am there very cash. You can my Internet site on Firebolt XB9R on : http://furaxjoe.ifrance.com/furaxjoe/ And photos grip today on : http://furaxjoe.ifrance.com/furaxjoe/my%20bykes.htm Called I what you think of it small modifications brought ! Goodbye FuraxJoe ( France)  | ||
| Blake |
Trés bien FuraxJoe. C'est Babblefish.com? | ||
| Fasteddieb |
I come from a background of Sport-Touring, i.e. K1200RS for long distances. In my 50 miles on the Firebolt so far (it's been raining for 3 solid days here in S. Florida) I've noticed the possible need for the following for all-day comfort: 1) Heli-bars to raise the bars an inch or two 2) Some sort of throttle lock 3) A better seat - my genitals were going numb in about 1/2 hour (I mean, even number that ususal!) I ordered the Custom Seat, which seems reasonable at $149. If that doesn't do it, i can send the stocker to Sargent, who've done good work for me before. Have any of these items been tried? I emailed Heli-bars but have gotten no response so far. I'm not looking to turn the bike into a GoldWing, but I'd like to ride an hour or so to get to good roads, a few hours in the twisties, and then ride home without being in pain. FWIW, I plan to keep the bike at a home I purchased in Mineral Bluff, in N. GA. As such, I'll be within an hour or so of Deals' Gap, the Cherohala, etc. (oh boy oh boy) | ||
| Superbad |
Fast Eddie, I have been talking with my friend Alex who designs the products for Cycle cat. http://www.cyclecat.com I suggested that he try to come up with some sort of riser system for the bolt. Personally I am very happy with the ergo's but can understand others discomfort. They make some really cool stuff and Alex has a few REALLY trick ducatis he has built. Like a custom framed 900ss that weighs like 340# wet, and a 900SS/916 hybrid the bike is a 900 SS up to the back of the engine and then a 916 frame from there back. Bobby | ||
| Donald |
I just took delivery of a Firebolt on 6/11. I have appox 150 miles on it. I have to say that for a bike with only 92 hp this bike hits so hard in the midrange. Some people might think the Bike is slow in quater mile. Some might think its slow on the top side. But this bike will leave you amazed with its midrange. In a canyon this 984cc motor packs so much power it's unreal and at the same time it handles awesome. The front brake seems like its from another planet. I would guess 1 1/2 times the stopping power of my S3. Which might be why a lot of riders are saying this bike likes to stand up in the turns. All that stopping power plus a hard hitting midrange. | ||
| Rick_A |
Yeah...that was supposed to be $12,000. It was a bad machine in Harley racing colors but had too many of the cheesy Buell accessory covers on it. | ||
| José_Quiñones |
FuraxJoe Nice pictures! Does the dealer put those stickers on the bike, or did you do that? | ||
| Two_Buells |
Jose, are you going to Battlefield on sunday? | ||
| Fasteddieb |
It finally stopped raining and I got out and rode about 60 more miles. About 120 on the bike now. I weigh about 190, but the rear shock seems kinda jarring on the second notch. As a start I adjusted the compression damping down - I'll see how that feels tomorrow. After all the rain, the temps were kinda nice for this time of year - maybe low 80's. After about 20 minutes my fan comes on and seems to stay on for the duration of the ride, and then stays on for a minute or so after shutting donw, first on high, then on low. Is this typical? Also, I get a "tick-tick-tick" sound on front brake application, as if something is grazing the caliper, but I don't see anything obvious. Anyone else notice this? | ||
| José_Quiñones |
Mike As a certain wrestler says, HELL YEAH!!!!! | ||
| Imonabuss |
Here's something cool from Cycle News for all the other race fans out there. These are the results from the FUSA race weekend at Laconia. Despite the name (required by Honda after they funded this class this year) this class is the 115 HP Sportbike class, which allows any engine size, but does a rear wheel horsepower check which must be no more than 115 HP. I talked with a friend racing up there, and he said there were two other Buells qualified real well (one was Higbee, he didn't know who the other guy was), but some rider crashed and took them both out on the first lap. HONDA PRO OILS 600cc SPORTBIKE: 1. Eric Wood (Bue) 2. Michael Barnes (Suz) 3. Larry Pegram (Suz) 4. Matt Wait (Hon) 5. Craig Connell (Suz) 6. Ray Bowman (Hon) 7. Lee Acree (Suz) 8. Craig Recore (Hon) 9. William Fray (Hon) 10. Cory West (Hon) |
