| Author | Message | ||
     Mhlunsford |
I went from a Blast to M2 and M2 is pretty fun, but not nearly as easy to ride. Was wondering if one of the XB street fighters/ urban might be easier to maneuver than the M2 ? Thoughts ? | ||
| Greg_cifu |
Can you be more specific about "easy to ride"? An M2 should be a piece of cake to ride. Unless there was something wrong with it or it was modified to be difficult to ride (clip-on bars, rearsets). An XB should not be "difficult" to ride but, from my experience, the tuber is still going to be more roomy. | ||
| Mhlunsford |
The M2 just feels a lot heavier and not as easy to maneuver. Maybe I just need to get used to? | ||
| Ratbuell |
Set the suspension. "Not as easy to maneuver" tells me you have too much rear sag. Tail-low slows the steering. Set it up properly for your riding weight, it will level out the ride, put more weight on the front end, and get the effective rake and trail in-line so the steering is quick and light. Also check tire pressures. Physics is...yes, an M2 is heavier than a Blast. But properly set up, it will feel just as light and agile. | ||
| Greg_cifu |
How long have you been riding? What else have you ridden that you're comparing to? The Blast was designed to be a 2/3 scale motorcycle with an ultra-low seat height, light steering, and predictable but, not very powerful brakes and engine. It does that at the sacrifice of almost every other quality a motorcycle might want. If that's the only bike you've ever ridden then it's done its job: it was small and unintimating and got you through the learning stages. Imagine what it would have been like to step right onto the M2 as a new rider. FWIW: if a tube frame Buell has its stock controls, they are one of the lightest, easiest to maneuver bikes out there. Don't even think about a modern sportbike with real clip-ons and rear-sets. The riding position makes sense on a track but, low speed maneuvering requires some delicate skills and balance. If you're looking for another bike that is a sport/standard riding position and really light, you might also look at the Ducati 696 Monster. The advertised dry weight is actually 3 pounds lighter than the Blast. | ||
| Buellish |
Don't forget,M2's have less steering lock than a Blast.Combined with the extra weight that would make an M2 seem harder to maneuver at low speed. | ||
| Reepicheep |
An XB9S will be more compact and sit a little lower, and feel not so much lighter, but "tighter", like it was carved from a solid piece of aluminum. And the handling is near telepathic, while the M2 has to be "pointed" a bit. Power wise they feel about the same, and at the end of the day I think the 9sx is a bit quicker because of the extra revs and fewer shifts. The M2 grunts a bit better at low RPM, but give the XB9 1000 RPM's and it is pulling harder at any RPM. It shouldn't be a day and night difference for either. The Blast is a small lower weight single. You aren't so much learning that the M2 / XB9 is bad, you are just discovering how cool a 500cc single really is. You will get used to the M2 / XB9, they have other attributes a 500cc single will lack. At the end of the day it is personal preference, most people do end up liking the bigger bike better, but the people that like the smaller bike better aren't wrong. Its a matter of what you prefer and how you use it. | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
I've still got my M2 10 years on & I've had an XB12stt as well. As Reep says the handling of an XB is near telepathic the Tuber needs to be "muscled" a bit. I could go & carve the mountains round here all day on the XB & still feel ok, but the M2 will leave me drained. However on a long haul down fast open roads the Tuber is the one that takes the cake. Then there's the question of "soul" M2 has buckets of it, XB not so much. If you can have both, do so. | ||
| Jayvee |
Would the 2nd head/cylinder sticking up so high raise the center of gravity noticeably on the twin? When at the San Mateo motorcycle show, a lot of bikes feel like they're easier to shove from side to side (while at a standstill.) That's another reason the Monster might feel 'lighter' in the sense of the lower center of gravity makes it feel 'easier'. | ||
| Buellish |
Monsters are considerably lighter than tubers.My S2R 800 felt like a dirt bike compared to any of my tubers. | ||
| Blackm2 |
Mark, I concur what Reep and Grump said. While the M2 does take a bit more muscle to handle, it's character far outweighs any short comings it may have in that department. The XB's are absurdly well handling, and they are telepathic, and set up the way you like, exude their own character. Both bikes are still extremely unique compared to other makes of bikes. It is rare that I don't get a comment or someone asking about either one. | ||
| Mhlunsford |
thanks, I got the M2 at such a good price, maybe in a year I will get the XB and have all three - thanks@@ | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
maybe in a year I will get the XB and have all three Sounds like an excellent plan. | ||
| Jayvee |
I would love to own a yellow 9, and even a yellow Blast. And a yellow Monster, one of the early ones. Came very near to buying a Monster, but some Ducatisti seem like are approaching H-D with the LifeStyle business. | ||
| Steveford |
Tires can make a large difference in steering effort, too. What are you running on that M2? | ||
| Mhlunsford |
Tires are shoot I need to replace them. I am looking for some thing mainly dry weather and good handling not interested in how long they last. Any recommendations ? | ||
| Steveford |
Try the Michilin Pilot Road 2 or 3s. I think you'll like what they do for the handling. 36 PSI front, 38 PSI rear should do the trick. (Message edited by SteveFord on November 07, 2013) | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
What Steve said. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Tires are shoot I need to replace them. And there is the source of your whole problem. Put good shoes on it, set the suspension properly, and it will transform the motorcycle for you. |
