| Author | Message | ||
     Spiderman |
Ray couldn't have said it better. Too bad you live in Cali or i would get ya a good deal  | ||
| Reepicheep |
Motorcycle Online (well worth the subscription money) just posted specs for the SV1000... and while it looks like a great bike that I will highly recommend to people that seek my council, it simultaneously shows just how radical the Firebolt really is. I don't have the formatting codes handy, and I gotta catch a flight soon... but here are the raw numbers... if any cares they can throw them in a chart. All numbers are firebolt first, SV1000 second Wheelbase: 52 inch versus 56.5 inch Rake/Trail: 21 degree / 83mm versus 24 degree / 99 mm Weight: 385 pounds versus 408 pounds Power: 85 hp versus 110 hp. Cost: About $9000 versus about $8000 The firebolt looks fantastic everywhere but power... And the price difference seems reasonable given the Firebolts better parts (perimiter brake, better suspension, etc). So the obvious question... in the quest for "the perfect bike", which sounds easier... taking the bolt from 82 horses to 115 horses? Or taking the SV1000 to the Firebolts features, weight and geometry? I know where my money is  Or where my money would be if I had enough  (though it would be a lightning and not a firebolt). To me (granted I am naive, optimistic, and biased) the REALLY radical and mind blowing part of what the XB9 series offers is not simply what you get from a $9000 bike, but rather what you could get for a $12000 bike (stock firebolt plus $3k or so to Nallin or CycleRama). A bike with that kind of power in that kind of geometry is mind blowing at a price that is expensive but not prohibitive to the "common man". Bill | ||
| Two_Buells |
 | ||
| Two_Buells |
S3 Tailbag (above) with the Firebolt saddlebags | ||
| José_Quiñones |
Firebolt MSRP - $9,995 SV1000 MSRP -  | ||
| Xgecko |
José, are you that attracted to the SV1000??? I like the motor but like all thing Suzuki (except the old SV650) the execution of their product line just doesn't appeal to me. In a word it's ugly. And from all that I have read they are changing the "Look" of the SV650 to match the SV1000. IMHO that is a mistake, the new hard lines of the SV1000 just aren't as attractive as the SV650. If that's what floats your boat though go for it. It should make one hell of a Hooligan bike though. | ||
| José_Quiñones |
Xgecko, Funny, the current SV650 owners are echoing the same things you mentioned! But then somebody points out that the new frame is lighter and stiffer than the old one, and people's perception of how it "looks" changes. Another advantage is that the 650 and 1000 share so many parts that the aftermarket should be gearing up right now in anticipation. Attracted? Yes, but there are so many interesting bikes coming out next year that I'm not going to buy anything for a while, my SV and S3 (when it's running) are fun enough. But Bang for the Buck bike of 2003? Definetly the SV1000. | ||
| Bykergeek |
Has anyone noticed the "angular" edge trend in many of the new 2003 bikes? It isn't as overt on the new SVs as some others but I think it started with the Aprilia Futura and maybe this year's Honda VF800 Interceptor. They are starting to look like F117 stealth fighters. I like Curves, on my ladies, on my bike and above all on the road. | ||
| Raymaines |
Angles? Did someone mention angles? Just wait 'til you get a look at the new Kawasaki Z1000. You could tear paper on some of it's edges. I don't know if that's good or bad but it seems to be the wave of the near future. | ||
| Rick_A |
Hopefully that angular styling is just a passing trend that we can laugh at in a few years...but on the other hand...a full stealth bike would be nice...radar absorbing materials, radar and laser deflecting shape... | ||
| Captainplanet |
What kind of gas mileage are you guys getting with your firebolts. Mine seems a bit low at 37mpg. Is that near normal. | ||
| Sparky |
When it was stock, high 40's to low 50's; with race kit, low 50's to low 60's. This is at sea level, mostly commuting with a few weekend romps to keep the tires nicely rounded. Sparky | ||
| Cro13 |
Captainplanet, Just checked my FTWO, 41.6 same type of riding as Sparky. Carter | ||
| Geofg |
I'm getting between 34-56 mpg depending on if it's in town stoplight to stoplight or all day running in the mountains. The average over my 3883 miles so far is 47.58 mpg. -Geof | ||
| Darthane |
I get between 47-57mpg, depending on city/highway. My 'bolt is race-kitted, and I haven't seen an appreciable difference in gas mileage between the two. Bryan | ||
| Geofg |
'course I weigh in at around 210lbs, so Darthane would need to ride around 2up for a tank or two to make a fair comparison. That rim tape is sweet, btw. Need to get me some of that. -Geof | ||
| Jadow |
Head Knowledge please! Any one have specs on the Firebolt heads..Intake and Exhuast valve head size? I know the stems are 7mm. Has anyone looked close? How do they compare to the previous performance heads from Buell? Lightning, T-heads. Should I consider these for a performance update to any Buell? | ||
| Chainsaw |
Fuel Mileage: In town commuting: 47-53 mpg Highway speeds / mountains: high 50's best: 63 mpg highway, 65-75 mph worst mpg: 39, at a sustained 110 mph for 127 miles. | ||
| Darthane |
LOL...yeah, with all my gear on I weight something like 143lbs. My g/f weighs in at maybe 120lbs, so together we don't match some of the 'bolt riders around here! Bryan | ||
| Blake |
Jadow, Please see discussion here. | ||
| Bykergeek |
Spark Plugs? I do not have the svc manual yet. Can the spark plugs on XB's be serviced w/o invasive major surgery? | ||
| Xb9 |
Spark plugs can be removed on an XB after removing the airbox, takes about 5 minutes. | ||
| Xb9 |
Thats for the rear cylinder, you have to remove the air scoop for the front cylinder (3 bolts) | ||
| Paroyboy |
Has anyone with a pre July Firebolt had their sidestand replaced yet under the recall? My dealer still doesnt have the replacements in yet and now I hear there is a third revision on the way. Any word? | ||
| Paroyboy |
Me again! One other thing...Did the demos at York's Open House today and got to ride a V-Rod. After the ride, the guy asked me how I liked it. My response, "Not bad but, I would'nt trade my Firebolt for it". He looked like I just shot his dog or something! Anyway, real reason for the post: The group that went out before me left with two XB's and came back with one. The belt broke on the other. I thought these things were indestructable and now this is the second or third Firebolt with a broken belt that I've heard of. What gives? Could the constant tension from the idler pulley be causing stress to the belt? Just wondering.... | ||
| Blake |
That's the first broken XB9R belt I've heard of. | ||
| Steveb |
I saw an advertisement for a FB, $7999 + fees at http://www.californiaharley.com/ ask for Dave | ||
| Bykergeek |
XB9 - Thanks! I am still waiting for my replacement sidestand to arrive. I'll probably be able to time the visit with new rear rubber if it is soon. What kind of treadlife is common on the 207s ? I had them on my old ZR7 and got 5k miles but I think 3K is gonna be the limit on the Bolt. | ||
| Tripper |
Exact same scenario happened at the Kansas City open house. That makes 3 broken belts reported here. | ||
| Shazam |
Dammit, mine won't break! 9000 miles and counting. |
