| Author | Message | ||
     Joojoo |
I just read a review on the new Ducati Monster S4....a really cool naked bike with a Twin for a heart. Anyway, long story shorts is that this is the best of the best in Ducati's naked streetfighter style bike, and the new XB12S/R is still making more torque, and in a far more linear curve. Be proud!!!! Jack | ||
| Dmuz |
Hoo-ah! | ||
| Jmartz |
I have ridden the S4 quite extensively as one of my best buddies has one. It is top heavy (heavy in general) and clumsy (it is essentially an ST4 w/o the bodywork) given its touring geometry. The motor while weaker than Buell's will whip it in acceleration every time. | ||
| Joojoo |
Not every time Jmartz. It wont beat the Buell when its in the shop for its 10k valve adjustment.....  Jack | ||
| Tinytim |
you know, it seems the bike mags have a bit of prejudice against Buells and bend over backward to extol the 'virtues' of Italian and other sport bikes. The same things they point out as 'bad' about Buells they mention as an endearing trait of Ducatis. Not that there ARE any bad things about Buells - but things like riding position, flickability (some testers actually said the XB is TOO responsive), and possible reliability issues(the belt drive) have been described by the cycle mags in negative tones while the same writers gloss over those issues when writing about other bikes (but beware of buying a used Ducati unless you know it's had all its scheduled maintenance done on time). Same issue with the Buell motor. Since it doesn't have overhead cams and/or a desmo valve system and it won't rev into 5 digit numbers, the roadtesters knock it - even though it does outrun most other bikes. They just don't get it. This reminds me of the olden days when the sports car press knocked the Corvette since it had a pushrod V8 while the Ferraris had their OHC V12s. But at the 'stop light drags' and on lots of tracks the Corvette was the winner. And just like the Corvette is an American sports car, the Buell is definitely an American motorcycle. Eric's reference to the new XB12 as the 'big block' motor and the XB9 as the 'small block' is a direct reference to Chevy V8s. And just like Chevy V8s respond well to hotrodding techniques, there is lots of power and torque to be made with hotrodded pushrod V-twins. Buell is like the Rodney Dangerfield of motorcycles. It don't get no respect. What can we do to fix that? | ||
| Mookie |
I noticed the same thing while in LA and trying to find out more about buells. funny thing last week was when i went to a hd shop, he told me that every magazine has nothing but praise for buell. he should have been smacked but I guess it will come back to him when someone questions him about the same thing. snip/ and possible reliability issues(the belt drive)/snip as i understand it. a number of people with the belt drive issues are people who have removed the belt guard. my friendly neighborhood genius told me to think about a small pebble getting forced through the belt tensioner that is applying 200lbs of force onto the belt. I can quickly see how that affects the belt. I guess my point being is that while I didnt know much about the buells to start with. I did some digging and found less appealing information because I was uninformed. then going to a dealer who could give me even less information than i found on my own.... I couldnt be happier with my bike. even if it is in the shop being repaired right now. I wish that there was something I could do or say to change peoples opinions. come to think of it. I was at a Jap/itialian bike shop a couple of weeks ago purchasing a cargo net and the salesman from the shop came out and asked if he could sit on my bike and hear the motor. we talked for about a 1/2 hr about it and he said that he really likes the design. I have had a lot of positive feedback from some people while others just believe everything they read or simply say "its just a harley engine in a crotch rocket frame". I hope that i have given something positive in this babbling post.I usually have good intentions when starting a post but lose focus by the end. Oh well Mookie | ||
| Leeaw |
They are not the fastest or most advanced, but they look great, are very functional (barring two-up riding), simple to care for, and are AWESOME road riding machines. I rode my M2 for the first time since getting my Firebolt last week and it feels like a full dresser to me. I did not realize how nimble the 9 was, or how much heavier the M2 feels now. |
