| Author | Message | ||
     Ben_jamminvfcc |
Went to the HD dealership (Hampton Roads HD off 17) to see what a Buell looked like in person. My first thought..."Where're the Firebolts?!"  In fact..there were no Firebolts, only 2 Lightning(9s and 12s) and a CityX. Along with some ghastly looking lightning x-1's(that thing's about as wide as a freight train up front), and some little toy bikes they called, "Blast"'s  So my first impression upon sitting on it. Despite everything I've heard about the 250cc racer chassis..it is wider than my SV...but not by very much. I can't speak on ergonomics because the Lightning ergo's will be nothing like the Firebolt's. Seat was nice though...probably similar to the 9r's. Everything on the Buell looks beefy and solid. Even the little belt tensioner, looks finely crafted and nice. All the parts looked well crafted and I felt like I could drop it...and it wouldn't shatter(like a 600SS would be prone to)  I can see how this bike would be considered stone reliable because everything was packaged beautifully. The HUUUUUGE Buell lettering on the tank has got to go. I mean...it's got substance...looks like it adds like 10 pounds to the bike...it's too much. I'll go for stealth-mode and drop the chintsy lettering...I'll put 'em in a sticker book or something.  Clutch pull was not that bad on the Lightning(my SV's worse), and the CityX obviously had revised springs or something because there was very little pull. I don't really care either way, it was fine. I was wearing flip-flops so I didn't want to make the dealer uncomfortable going for a test ride(I'd be painting a big squid sign on myself)...but I did sit on it and fire it up. My impressions: That engine's way different from the SV. Vibey for sure at low RPM's...but not unpleasant vibrations. They were low frequency, soft, rounded vibrations that wouldn't give you the dreaded "Tingle" which haunts the SS rider. It revved much freer than I thought it would...and really has a presence. That being said...the experience was neutered by the fact that I was sitting in the showroom revving it in neutral. I'll have to swing the test ride tomorrow or something to see what that engine feels like when it's actually pulling something. Threw a leg over some HD's as well and was amazed that someone would actually want to ride a bike that weighs upwards of 800lbs and has only one brake rotor and has, as I've dubbed it "Old Lady Fenders"... Somethings, I guess, I'll never understand. They had one of the Screamin' Eagle V-rod's there though...I was pretty impressed by the paintjob..and 30K sticker. I was also impressed(distressed?) to see the front wheel what seemed like 5 feet out from where I sat on it. I'm sure that can't be good for handling/road feel... But the Buell's pretty cool! | ||
| M1combat  |
The seat on those S's won't feel much at all like the R. Wider than an SV eh? Maybe it feels that way because the pegs are higher??? I don't know, I've never sat on an SV. | ||
| Geoffg  |
I've ridden both SV's as well as both XB's--the Firebolt riding position is not dissimilar to the SV1000S I rode--the Bolt is physically smaller, and the cockpit more compact (good for a shortie like me). In fact, while riding the SV1000S, I was saying to myself, "This feels a lot like the Firebolt, just not quite as exciting." I dunno why--the SV1000 has a higher redline and more power, but it just didn't excite me the way the XB9R does. Again, the XB9S position is not terribly different than the SV650, except again the XB tends to both disappear more underneath you and have more presence at the same time... A friend just bought an SV1000S--it'll be fun to ride with him when I have my 9R this spring. | ||
| Ben_jamminvfcc |
Yea, I was thinking about it moreso. The engine surprised me..it was nothing like I expected it to be. I expected it to be more polished and clean feeling(some may say..sterile). But it wasn't at all..it was, for lack of a better word: snarly. And I didn't know if I liked it at the time...but I think I like it more now that I'm thinking about it. Nothing like an SV motor though, I wonder why I thought they'd be so similar. I remember revving it from 1K to 3K. It just sorta jumped up there...and gave my heart a little jump along with it. It felt like a waking dragon. How that translates into a bike I ride, and feel comfortable and confident on...I guess I'll see. | ||
| Court |
>>>>But it wasn't at all..it was, for lack of a better word:  | ||
| Ben_jamminvfcc |
I definitely used the word "beefy" in my original description of the whole bike. Took the word right out of my mouth... | ||
| Fullpower  |
Ben, i do hope you obtain apropriate footwear, and enjoy a test ride. take two test rides if necessary. but PLEASE, and i am asking nicely, PLEASE do not "rev the bike in neutral" this is unnecessary, and in fact will adversely affect the performance of the motorcycle in the period following. once warmed up and out on the road, all will be forgiven in short order, as the electronics will sort themselves to the new ambience. when you do come to own the XB, you will have to make the same explanation as i have just made to you, as each of your associates will in turn attempt to make cute noises with your new toy, and you will then discourage their senseless throttle twisting. Get yer boots, and have a test ride, the sooner the better. | ||
| Fullpower |
nice photo court. | ||
| Court |
Hey...plus the Buell costs less than dinner for 8 at Delmonicio's. Court (recently tricked into picking up the tab at Il Mulino) | ||
| Charlieboy6649  |
My wife blips the throttle all the time with her Jardine. I've given up trying to stop her. I think it's pointless. I think she likes the way it feels  LOL! I sat on the SV and I think STERIL was a good descriptor. Just didn't do it for me... (Message edited by charlieboy6649 on January 03, 2005) | ||
| Ben_jamminvfcc |
I wasn't dogging it...revved it to about 2.5 K....so...hardly noteworthy revving. It was a shame to turn it on for only like 20 seconds...but the dealer did that...not me! I know full well not to rev a motor without a load on it...and especially not an unwarmed, air cooled motor with minimal mileage. | ||
| Hkwan |
Court, dinner for 8 there is >$1,000 per person?! Who the heck was the chef? | ||
| Lpd22 |
Something about buells. I have a terrible time trying to stop myself from revving at every stop sign and street light after my bike is warmed up (I really still can't stop revving it). Rev happy  | ||
| Tank_bueller  |
I bought my bike (XB9SL) from those guys back in October. Just took it in for the 1k service(actually 1200mi). Was talking to one of the "parts sales dudes" in the showroom and he says that HRHD is moving all Buell sales to the Southside harley/Buell location very soon, but they will still be providing service and parts for Buells. I like the White lightning they have sittin' there. If I was taller, I might have bought that instead of my XB9S. But, I'm a short legged' dude (5'6"+)and the Low model was my only hope. NOT SORRY ONE BIT AND THEY WILL HAVE TO PRY IT FROM MY COLD DEAD A**. I can tell, it's itching at you already, and you haven't ridden it yet!! You will have one soon!! Glad to see someone near here on the Badweb! send me a P.M., supposed to be real nice(70')this weekend. I might be out and about. tank | ||
| Cataract2 |
In defense of the Harley's I can understand why people buy them. My parents both have them and they are comfortable to just cruise on. Not taking anything away from my Buell though. I'm still eye balling that VROD... I think that have my XB9SX along with an XB12R and VROD in the garage would compliment one another nicely, don't you? BTW, they probably don't have Firebolts because those seem to be selling well at some places. Least, that's my guess. (Message edited by cataract2 on January 03, 2005) | ||
| Aldaytona  |
A VROD would be a really fun bike if you didn't have to ride it in the "giving birth riding position" and how about that steering neck angle? | ||
| Coldwthrrider  |
Ben, I agree with Geoffg that the 9R position is very similar to an SVS. I've not ridden an SV but I'm guessing it's similar to a 9S. The two positions are quite different, I like the S or SX as a bike but would not want one for myself, way too upright. As for the engine sound, when looking at SV's, one sales guy fired his up for me (stock) and I couldn't believe how lame and lifeless it sounded. I thought it was supposed to be a V-twin! As for the Buell with stock exhaust, it's fairly tame with just a hint of grunt trying to get out. Knowing that you want a quiet pipe or non-harley sound you may not pipe it, but if you do you're in for a real grunt fest treat. Performance advantages aside, I think the XB just seems faster with a race kit or other pipe just because it's louder and more fun. I agree with Lpd22, it's hard NOT to rev the engine at a stop, it's just too enjoyable to listen to it bark and pop. These bikes really are sick how they can hook us without even riding them. Erik must bless each one with some magic spell before sending them out the door. Make sure they setup the suspension for you on a test ride and good luck! | ||
| Court |
>>>>Court, dinner for 8 there is >$1,000 per person?! Who the heck was the chef? Welcome to the city that, according to BLS stats announced yesterday has: 1) Average price of Apt - $1M (first time over 1M) 2) Average rent in SoHo - $6,000 per month. 3) Average (now think, as I did of all the bodega and hotel maids that enter this equation) weekly takehome pay: $1,900 per week. Of the 18,000+ licensed restaurants we have there is a wide range in prices. More is not, in this case, better. Many place, Delmonico's for instance, rely on reputation. It has stood for years as the center of Wall Street high end eateries. On the other end of the spectrum are places like Chumleys, where Road Thing, Henrik and I ate a while back. Very famous, very neat and cheap. Court (live from the scene of $660/SF real estate) | ||
| Rek  |
1) Average price of Apt - $1M (first time over 1M) Holy crap, we just bought 320(+/-) acres of pasture w/ a 4 BR house, outbuildings, tree-belt and 40 acre hayfield for less than $30K. Sometimes when I'm feeling sorry for myself I briefly wish I lived in the city where I could do more things, see more people, but then reality beckons and I realize how great we've got it out here in the boon-docks. Rob | ||
| Road_thing  |
Actually, Henrik and I drank. rt | ||
| Court |
>>>>Actually, Henrik and I drank. That's an accurate statement. Had I been burdened, as you two were, with copious amounts of alcohol, would I have been able to parallel park like I did? For the purposes of this conversation, let's ignore that I, stone cold sober, did it from the right (sidewalk) side into the parking space after driving nearly a block down the sidewalk. And, in the interest of accuracy, full disclosure and gratitude, I shall point out that you sprung for dinner AND booze! See you next month....I am working up the nerve to tell Henrik you are coming. Court P.S. - I bought my first house in Topeka, KS for $30K and it was a dandy. My Mother just sold her's, with a yard > 1 acre and a pool for half of what the lot next to us sold for last year. SF and NYC have little to do with reality. When was the last time you went to din-din and popped $57 for parking? I love NYC, but know better than to "believe" it. | ||
| Road_thing |
"Had I been burdened, as you two were, with copious amounts of alcohol, would I have been able to parallel park like I did?" Absolutely! But possibly with more body damage... "And, in the interest of accuracy, full disclosure and gratitude, I shall point out that you sprung for dinner AND booze! " Geez, this presents a moral dilemma. Do I just let this lapse of memory slide, thus sticking Court with two consecutive dinner tabs, or do I point out that last time, the construction worker picked up the tab for the geologist and the doctor? rt | ||
| Court |
>>>>the construction worker picked up the tab for the geologist and the doctor? I did?...and sans alchohol? Well, This is good news....hooray....WE ARE GOING TO DELMONICOS! I see the Great Dane has reentered reality, I suggest we ease him into this to avoid shock. | ||
| Road_thing |
I suggest we stick the G.D. with the T.A.B! | ||
| Court |
>>>I suggest we stick the G.D. with the T.A.B! Excellent thinkolosophy and I'm suspeculatiing he'd die for a reason to "have" to get out of the house. I'll bet could even apply for a "take my Dane, PLEASE take my Dane" subsidy from his liasion to the world of reality who may want him out for an evening! This is good....very good. | ||
| Hkwan |
Dude Court, the dinner at Delmonico's isn't routinely at $1k per person. The regular menu is pretty much the same price as those here in S.F. for the same class of restaurant. If you are talking about special menu, then you could be correct, "that" particular dinner that you've picked up the bill on could be the same price as a Buell. It just sounded a little odd that when you said dinner for 8 there is the same price as a Buell. Just made me think they are regularly that expensive. | ||
| Cataract2 |
How did this thread go from sitting on a Buell to good restaurants? Not that I'm not taking notes here or nothing..... | ||
| Henrik  |
I suggest we stick the G.D. with the T.A.B! Not sure I'm *that* ready for reality On the other hand ... just let me know place and time. Henrik | ||
| Court |
Ut ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh . . . he's back. Everybody, quick, straighten up...... |
