| Author | Message | ||
     Svttodd |
I want to hear real world opinions about what you think of the XB12s vs. the other naked bikes out there such as the Ducati S4R Monster (tied for my favorite with the XB), Kawasaki Z1000 (my buddy's favorite, but he likes fours), Triumph Speed Triple, and whatever other modern naked bike you can think of. Let me know what you think if you have ridden any of these vs. a XB. I don't care what the magazines say, I want to see what the 'real people' on the street think. Oh yeah, whatever bike I get will be driven in the country, on curvy roads by an experienced rider, no commuting, not too much traffic riding if I can help it. Thanks. -Todd | ||
| Mrvvrroomm |
I had an '02 FZ1. Incredible bike. I loved it. It was just a little too vanilla. I put 14K on it over 2 riding seasons (sharing duty with another bike) and all I did was change oil and tires. I've test ridden the Z1000, too small, and underpowered compared with the FZ1. I've ridden a naked SV1000. Cool bike also, but if I were to get an SV it would be the S model. Do yourself a favor and get yourself a test spin on an Aprilia Tuono. Incredible handling, outstanding power with the Rotax V-2, but kiss your license goodbye if you buy one. You WILL be addicted to wheelies on this bike. Ducati Monster? I bought, for $500, a '94 M900. It had been wrecked and not ridden for 7 years. It ended up being a project I didn't have time to work on. I sold it, in a box, for $1000. LOL I've ridden Monsters before. Not my cup o' tea. I've ridden a couple of Speed Triples too. I haven't ridden the latest generation. The rear looks kinda XBSish. I'm not a fan whatsoever of English bikes. The XB is a wonderful streetbike, easy to ride in town and makes a fantastic country road machine. That's what Eric had in mind when he designed it. The XB has the most character of the bunch, easily. | ||
| Xbolt12 |
"Do yourself a favor and get yourself a test spin on an Aprilia Tuono. Incredible handling, outstanding power with the Rotax V-2, but kiss your license goodbye if you buy one. You WILL be addicted to wheelies on this bike. " Funny, that is exactly what I thought after test riding the Tuono in 2003. So I crossed my fingers and hoped the XB12R I ordered would fill in some of the power the XB9R test bike I rode seemed to lack. It was a good gamble. Of course now I wheelie the XB too often, and with around 100 RWHP available no with just an exhaust, airbox/breather mods and ECM tweek, I'm not so sure a Buell isn't a ticket machine as well  I did find the power quite snatchy on the Tuono though and the transition between off the gas and on in a corner was not smooth like with the belt drive. | ||
| Svttodd |
I just sold my 2003 Yamaha R1 because I wanted to get 'something different than the masses'. I borrowed a friend's TL1000R for a few weeks (nice friend!), and I immediately fell in love with the V-twin power delivery for street riding. It is not faster than the R1, but the torque makes it so much more fun on the street. Anyway..., I am strongly leaning toward a naked style V-twin, but the Buell XB12S just doesn't rev quite high enough for me. The power is a little on the low side too. Man, I wish there was an engine in there that revved a little more and had just a few more ponies, is that too much to ask? I am torn between the Ducati Monster S4R and the XB12S. I love the looks, seating, and handling of both. Are there any rumors of a new XB motor?? | ||
| Blake |
XB12 with 120 rwhp? Call Cycle Rama or Revolution Performance and you won't ever regret it. | ||
| Guzzimon |
MZ's parallel twin intrigues me... | ||
| Tpoppa |
Todd, What is your riding style? If you like to carve corners on twisty backroads, the XBs is a great choice. I've ridden with RC51's, R1's, Z1000's, GSXR1000's, all manner of 600's, etc...on a twisty backroad my XB9S will hang with any of them. I love the XB9 motor (I haven't ridden a 12 that much), it doesn't light up the stat sheet, but it has tons of usable power. Unless your in a drag race or a top speed shootout, you won't feel underpowered. I like the looks of Monsters and have ridden a few (not the S4). Nice bikes, but the handling feels a little 'antique' compared to my XB9S. The design has been basically unchanged for about 10 years. And the maintenance... If something happened to my XB9S I would definitely get another one. The only other bike I would consider is the new Speed Triple. | ||
| Chadhargis |
I've got an XB12X and a Monster 900. The Ulysses weighs more and is taller, so it's not really a direct comparison. But I can tell you that the big 500lb Uly handles nearly as good as my 430lb Monster and it's WAY more comfortable. I've never had any other Buells, but if the big Uly is any indication of how good the smaller ones are, you'd be hard pressed not to spank an S4 in the twisities. Now, that old 916 Superbike motor in the S4 is going to walk away from any stock XB, but you can reel 'em in when the going gets tight.  | ||
| Ryker77 |
the xb is a more simple design and easier to work on. the xb gets awesome MPG's. the xb has its own style and sound. the xb is American. the xb can have different colors with simple to change body parts. Aprilla or Duc--- where do you find a good mech or even get parts?? At least the XB is more common and can be repaired locally, for most. | ||
| Svttodd |
I rode an XB12s twice for short demo rides (not too many curves on the demo rides, but when there was a curve or two, the bike was awesome). I loved it. Then, I read some magazine shootout or hear an opinion, and I decide against it. Then, I visit the Badweb, and I change my mind again. Uuughhh! | ||
| Opto |
In a strange sort of way the XB's teach a rider to ride, they take a while to adjust to, they give great feedback, they are easy to ride, they are very rewarding. They are forgiving to a point but never underestimate them. | ||
| Medic_2512 |
I`ve ridden a Tuono for a weekend and its an incredible machine. It makes my XB12 seem boring and feel like its got the power of a moped after getting off. The Z1000 is a nice bike for the money. The Suzuki dealer still a few brand new 2003 for sale for under $5500. I guess they didn`t sell that well, but they are fun to ride and are pretty fast The XB is still the best looking bike. | ||
| Blake |
If a Tuono makes your "XB12 seem boring and feel like its got the power of a moped", then you might want to try putting the spark plug wire back onto the front cylinder. You've obviously accidentally knocked it off. | ||
| Medic_2512 |
Hmm the Tuono power wheelies in 4th gear. I`m not exactly sure of the numbers but i think its got about 25 or so more HP stock. In the tune that i rode it with Factory race pipe and ECM setting it made another 10 on top of that. So yes it was alot of fun to ride. I encourage you to get off your Buell and ride one for fun Blake. | ||
| Medic_2512 |
Blake, I must say that i do you like your suggestion about calling Cycle Rama or Revolution, reguarding 120 hp! Even better imagine my XB with a motor from the Rotax motor from the Tuono? That would be the perfect bike! | ||
| Blake |
I've ridden an Aprilia Mille. Nice bike. It sure as heck didn't make my then stock engined '97 Cyclone seem boring or feel like it had the power of a moped. I prefer my Buell, by far. The Aprilia just wasn't anywhere near as fun to ride as my Cyclone. Now, with a little basic top end work my Cyclone is even more fun to ride. I encourage you to sell your Buell and go purchase a new Tuono. Might want to check the rwhp figures for them first though. MCN says 106.7 rwhp. Might feel like a moped to you compared to a 120rwhp Buell.  | ||
| Buellshyter |
I believe Buell will be doing something about the motor, in short order. They appear fairly responsive to owner input and more ponies is a consistent beef with the XB's. | ||
| Kootenay |
I rode an XB12s twice for short demo rides (not too many curves on the demo rides, but when there was a curve or two, the bike was awesome). I loved it. Then, I read some magazine shootout or hear an opinion, and I decide against it. Then, I visit the Badweb, and I change my mind again. Uuughhh! Read some European reviews (like last September's "Bike" magazine review)--they don't rag on Buells like the American press, and these guys generally know their bikes (far more bikes per capita in EU than NA, AFAIK). Buells tend to sell very well in EU, too. | ||
| Triumph900 |
I've owned a 1999 Speed Triple, and currently own a 2003 version. Great bike. I've ridden an Aprilia Mille as well, and it was very nice. The Mille has a "committed" riding position, so the Tuono would be the one to get, comfort-wise. I've ridden a couple of XB9SX's and a XB12X. Nice, but "not better" (my opinion) than the 2003 Speed Triple. Also, the XB12X was just to tall for me. I've also ridden the new 1050 Speed Triple, and that is an impressive machine. That would probably be my choice when I replace the 2003 Speed Triple. | ||
| Nick |
The Speed Triple, I had two of. An 884 then a 955i version. Both outstanding handling and very powerful. If you want a sports bike without a fairing then I think they're the best. But the XB is fun in a different way. I just love the grunt, the easy position and it looks different enough to keep me smiling. Truth be told, I think the Speed triple is quicker all round but the XB wins on the street for me. | ||
| Medic_2512 |
The new speed triple is an awesome bike and has a ton of power. | ||
| Guzzimon |
The Speed Triple rocks. However, as Erik says, the 12 is the engine you want for the street. F | ||
| Reepicheep |
If they could pack that triple engine in an XB frame, I think it would be the engine to beat. But you can't, so you decide if you want another long naked standard with a ton of power everywhere, or a radical short wheelbase with world class street handling and a well balanced motor. Good reasons to go either way, I have zero regrets with my XB9SX. I would not trade even up for a speed triple, though I would not blame somebody else who would. The Buell is probably more reliable and more maintainable in the long run, but if thats why you are buying a motorcycle, just go buy a Tercel. (Message edited by reepicheep on December 19, 2005) |
