| Author | Message | ||
     Mr_cuell |
I went riding yesterday with a guy on an RC, and another guy on an 883. We were riding through western VA, south of Middleburg, through lots of curves and elevation change. On the way back from lunch we all switched bikes. The 883 was atrocious. I am not for getting a knee down on public roads, but I like a good clip, and that bike was scary. The front brake was awful, the chassis felt so looooong, and the suspension had it wallowing through every corner. Doing what it was made to do, though, putting down the road listening to the exhaust and watching the cows graze, for that it was great. Then I got on the RC, which felt like I was driving technology/engineering on par with an F1 car. Spare me the lecture, thats only hyperbole, but that bike is amazing. It really makes me wonder if I have suspension issues on my XB or something. The handling on the RC is incomparable to the Buell - it felt impossible to upset the chassis. Then back to home sweet home, my own bike. I was thinking about the RC on the way home, and came to the conclusion that while it was a fantastic piece of engineering, it didn't have that certain something than made me really happy on it. The only thing I can compare the feeling of the XB to is being a 10 year old kid, and finally having a chance to drive the neighbors, or the cousins, or the man at the beach's go-cart. That S-eating grin from controlling your own machine, with the motor making the raspy snort of a chunka chunka chunka as it gets going. Somehow, Buell has canned that feeling and injected into the genes of the XB, maybe all it's bikes for all I know. Everytime I ride I get that feeling, and I've had 15 or so bikes, and aside from my first mini-bike (a Rupp Scrambler) this is the only bike that generates that pure fun every time I ride it. I feel like a kid with a mini-bike just walking by it on the way to my truck every morning. | ||
| Goldenboy9r |
I was goin to buy a 51 but ins. company said 9707 a year so I got the XB. the 51 was my buddies so i got a chance to ride it a lot.Heavy as a pig but fast as ••••. I know exactly what your talking about though. Its that feeling. No regrets. | ||
| Stonecoldbuellin |
They have more "SOUL" if u ask me. Compared to my freinds zx9 mine is just plain more fun. | ||
| 984_cc |
I know what your talking about. It's got the built-in fun factor that a lot of modern bikes are lacking. It's got character in spades. I've owned over 20 bikes, and the ones I keep are the ones that are fun to ride. This one is definately a keeper. | ||
| Lovematt |
I actually rode an RC51 (I think that is what mr cuell is talking about) and the sound/character of the motor really took a hold on me. They sound really sweet! However the positioning in the seat was not what I wanted and as soon as I got on the XB9R it was perfect. I am 5' 10" with a 29" pant length with a long upper body...perfect. The RC51 was nice from the seat down but not from the seat forward for me. However the sound, performance, and handling was rather awe inspiring... | ||
| Alstroker |
One thing I have always liked about the xb is it is so compact and even so I am still comfortable on it. It also feels very light and it's hard to believe that there is a harley derived v-twin rumbling between my legs. It has a lot of character. Sometimes bikes are too perfect and they make street riding seem almost boring at safe speeds. And what about that v-twin...self adjusting valves, dry sump lubrication, separated trans fluid and engine oil, push rod simplicity...there's a lot to like about that motor especially when it comes to maintenance. Valve adjustments on the Honda VFR with the VTEC engine can cost up to $500 every 16000 miles. Not for me. | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
i must agree with every one here the xb has to be the most all out fun bike there is and i sure cant wait to get back to mine. | ||
| 984_cc |
Alstroker- My thoughts exactly! Awesome. | ||
| Odie |
Alstroker- buy one, you will not regret it!!!!! |
