| Author | Message | ||
     Alstroker |
I tried the xb12 firebolt and lighting today at a Buell demo ride event. I have to say that I was very surprised and impressed. First, the bikes are so civilized. I figured that honking v-twin would vibrate me to death but it didn't. Of course the vibration is more than other bikes at idle but I like that. It gave the machine some character without being excessive. The tranny was good. It took maybe a little more effort than some bikes but it always went in gear very positively. The torque was great. It had power right off the bottom and was very usable in everyday type riding. The sound was much more muffled than I expected until you cranked hard on the throttle. I didn't really get a chance to try the handling out but the bike felt extremely light and the brakes were great. I think some of the critisism of these bikes has been a little unfounded. It helps to go test ride and see for yourself. I asked one of the Buell guys how they had been selling. He said not really that well. He said most of the people that are in the market for a sport bike go after the top speed Jap bikes. It really is a shame. I think they are missing out on a truly different and competent ride. And the styling is killer. | ||
| Stealthxb |
Sounds like you have figured out a few reasons why we are so passionate about these machines. Different in every sense... Better in most! | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
yea i like getting looks like wtf is that u know i think tht the buell might sell more if more people knew about them alot of peopel have never even herd of buell and i really think it is sad cuz if more people knew about them and knew about how good of a bike they relly are they would buy them. hell my squad leader is in to cruzers and hey wouldnt even look at getting an h-d cuz he was under the impression that they had to buy custom built and cost like 40,000 so my uderstanding is that buell and h-d cant just sell under name alone especailly buell cuz nobody nows who they are | ||
| Darthane |
LOL...you're preaching to the converted here, Alan. ...how about some punctuation in there, Firebolt? You're making my eyes hurt! | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
opps sorry i start thinking and stop typing write..;',./;,/;',?! there is that enuff? | ||
| Darthane |
LOL...sure, but space them out with words now.  | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
oh ok ill think about it. | ||
| Coldwthrrider |
Did they have the new models? There is a Buell demo day in St. Paul next weekend and I'm taking a few friends to it who are interested in Buells. I'm hoping they may have the CityX there... | ||
| Fbolt |
So Alstroker. When are you buying one? | ||
| Alstroker |
They didn't have the CityX there just the 04 models. I really don't know when I will be able to buy one. I may have to wait till after winter. I am still working on the wife. She is OK with me getting a bike but I think she is a little put off by the price. Before the ride they kept stressing how touchy the brakes are. Turns out the weekend before they had two guys go to the hospital after going over the bars when braking. One of the bikes was totaled. | ||
| Fbolt |
Yeah, well, take it from me. They won't leave you when you do stupid things. I purchased my XB-which she did not want me to have- about a week after my wife had our first child. I bought my second bike on her birthday many, many, moons ago-showed up with windblown flowers  . They stay mad for a while and then they get over it. Chuck the mortgage, car note, and sleeping with the ol'lady out the door. Get the bike and learn to love the doghouse!! oh - watch out for the debris!!  | ||
| Darthane |
Al - that has nothing to do with the brakes being 'touchy', it has everything to do with the fools USING the brakes. The brakes on the XBs are excellent. | ||
| Alstroker |
Oh, I agree about the brakes. They are the best brakes I have ever used. I can see where someone inexperienced could grab too much though and get into trouble. I just used one finger on the lever and never had to use the rear brakes unless I wanted to. A few weeks ago I rented a Harley Fat Boy and I just couldn't get over how poorly the thing stopped. It was scary. You had to think ahead and using the rear brakes was a must. Funny thing happed on the demo ride...Our group was split by a caution light. I knew I could stop easily so I grabbed the front brake with one finger. The trail rider behind me was on a Harley and he was a least two bike lengths back. He ended up about 2 bike lengths in front of me. I kept thinking at the time, "I know how you feel buddy." | ||
| Deerhunter17 |
hey Al, just work on your wife with one of the big twins or a V-rod, THEN switch to the much LESS expensive Buell, with much better styling, higher technology, standard fuel injection, 2 year unlimited mileage warranty, you can't go wrong! My wife actually got hooked on the V-rod, and was bummed when I decided to save almost $8,000.Now she admits to loving the XB, which we ride together about 80% of the time. Oh yeah, and the Buell apparel is cheaper than the HD stuff too. She has a couple of cute tees, and a $500. vanson leather "Buell" jacket we got off the Sale rack for $220.! |
