| Author | Message | ||
     Silas_clone |
Just test rode a "pre-owned" '06 HD Street Rod. [local dealer bike] Been wanting to try one. Had it for about an hour on back roads and interstate. The engine is a hoot! The thing explodes when you keep the rev's up a little [4k] and whack it. Besides the engine, I'll stick with the M2. I realize that I am NOT a more competent rider since I started riding the Buell. The M2 just saves my butt from all sorts of pitfalls. Riding the S/R just reminded me that I am what I am. I guess that the little foo-foo fairing on the Buell IS worth having. The wind blast from the unfaired S/R made it feel like I was going a lot faster than I was. To top it off, I have maybe $5200 in the M2 with the upgrades, tires and original cost. Dealer wants 16k for a used S/R I'd own one, but not for that $$$$ | ||
| Silas_clone |
Been away for a few days and had time to ponder some things. Since all I have ever ridden were Harley's, I guess I have come to take for granted that "locomotive/flywheel" torque that Bomber and others described in another thread. I remember a friend slamming into a house while fooling around on a borrowed ROKON automatic transmission dirt bike when we were in college. After he got up, he sheepishly explained that he was used to engine braking. Now I know why people make statements about "fun factors" and how easy Buells are to ride. The nature of the big flywheel v-twin just makes controlling the bike easier. Add great handling and brakes [the front brake on the Street Rod was not as good as my upgraded M2 brake] and you have a bike that just feels right, at least to me. Riding the Street Rod can't possibly be the same as riding a Japanese multi, but it did not behave quite like the V-twin engines that I am used to. I guess my next step will be to test an XB? Thank goodness for Buell. | ||
| Daves |
16k for a used SR! Wow is he ever optimistic. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
I would suggest you try an XB9. I took a test drive on one and found it to be fun. The thing loves to rev and vibrates a little less than the XB12. I still think I prefer the 1203cc long stroke engine though. | ||
| Ducxl |
After he got up, he sheepishly explained that he was used to engine braking. Our Harley type engines have almost NO engine braking compared to an I-4.And very little compared to Duc twins. | ||
| Silas_clone |
No, but they have that flywheel that lets me stay in hi-gear, using the throttle instead of the gearbox to get thru turns. I have to downshift more than riding a big twin or a Sportster, but it's still minimal. It's kinda more like anti-engine braking? But when I back off the throttle, I don't have to downshift like I did on that S/R. More "peaceful" to ride than keeping the rev's up all the time. The Ducati I rode [I think it was a mid-90's model, a 900cc?] was not as impressive as I had expected it to be, again comparing it to Sportys. I'd like to try one again. I always believed in that Harley "soul", but now I have a better understanding of it. Gotta try a Beemer too. |
