| Author | Message | ||
     Crnrstr8nr |
Rocketman, If you goto the Buell website you'll see a link to "Bike" magazine (UK) and they actually declared the Buell #1 handling bike out of 50. So its not just "owners". Now myself i subscribe to the theory that the rider is 70 to 80% of any motorcycles handling equation, which means good ol Freddie spencer could show up on a CB1100F and show me his back wheel but it dont mean the CB is the better handling bike. P.S. the XB does have an oil tank...it's in the swingarm, the Fuell tank is in the frame.  | ||
| Sneth |
Buell has a long way to go before people will take them seriously. I was test riding ducati's monsters well before i even considered a buell. The base monsters are very underwhelming. I had more fun on the XB. It did take me some time to actually trust the buell. Buell's have a long way to go before they earn the respect of ducati's though. I think that holds people back more than anything. Buell's had bad mechanical problems in the past, just like ducati. I will still never ride a ducati in the rain, out of fear of the electrics shorting out. | ||
| Thelumox |
interesting discussion. get'um both, it's only money. | ||
| Bads1 |
Another funny statement. Two equal riders can make either bike go fast in the twisties. Yes thats a accurate statement. But on the flip side the one thats running top of the line forks and rear shocks,brakes and 20 plus more HP is going faster...... everywhere. Also I made a mistake in my post's above. My friends is a S4RS (Message edited by bads1 on March 01, 2007) | ||
| Spatten1 |
It's hard to argue that equal riders with equal handling, the faster bike will not help one of the equal riders go faster. Sure, if you stay on a go-cart track more power will not help, but that is seldom the case. We are not talking about 200 rwhp machines here that are beyond most people's capabilities. We are talking about going from a 73-85 rwhp (real dyno) bike to a 120 rwhp (same real dyno) bike with the same rider. 120 hp is hardly too much power, unless you are not much of a rider. The downside is you no longer have the cool character of the HD mill. The maintenance argument does nothing for me, my Buells have had more than their fair share of mechanical problems. Which is right, power or character? You have to decide for yourself. | ||
| Bads1 |
All I can say is the S4R is 117HP thats a kick in the pants over a XB12. It would take....lets see 4-6 G's to get to equal HP. You'd have to come close to the XBRR front forks to be comparable in suspension. You'd have to put the 8 pot brake that the XBRR to compare to the brakes that are on the S4R. The XB12 is more in the same realm as the S2R. I've had some seat time on the S4RS and the bike plain and simple rocks hard core. Do I love my XB12 ?? HELL YES I DO. But what you guys are comparing is a Super Bike gone naked to a bike that is not even close to what that Duc is. | ||
| Rocketman |
they actually declared the Buell #1 handling bike out of 50. Dude, I know where the oil is thanks. I also know the above quote is inaccurate. You need to go back to the Buell website and read EXACTLY what Bike said of the XB. Normally most people cut corners. You cut the straights off too. Think about mastermind. Rocket | ||
| Spatten1 |
That would be one magazine out of 50...... | ||
| Teddagreek |
FACT... The SR4 is the much faster bike that handles as good if not better than buell. Nuff Said... | ||
| Davy_boy |
C'mon if speed is what your after a stock ZRX 1200 would smoke that bike a straight line and do some mods to and it would DESTROY that little V twin !And for about half the price . | ||
| Bads1 |
Straight line the Kawi would. Never in the twisties. The monster has a chassis that the Cow just doesn't have unless your comparing late 70's early 80's. Come to think of it I bet it would still be a good race even in the 1/4. The S4RS would walk away from it though. The S4RS is a 130 HP. | ||
| Crnrstr8nr |
Buell profit is founded on generating the myth that less is more, so there's no oil tank nor fuel tank, which saves on production costs, and Buell sell this little trick in the form of superior handling. If only it were true. Great maybe, but superior I've never heard from anyone other than a Buell owner. Rocketman, Dont get your limey panties in a bunch my P.S. was meant in jest but to my defence I do believe that the above quote can be attributed to your post. So in short you opened that door. As to the Bike article they declared it not me (its even on their cover) as to the criteria that they use we can all read that. My bringing it up was in response to your statement that only buell owners claim that the XB handles well. Well...so does Bike Magazine. To be honest i did have cornering probs. with the bike when i first got it. Then, after that first hard ride, I rode to the shop and got rid of those Dunlops and put on a set Pilot Powers. Which in turn led to another cornering problem so i took off the peg feelers as well}. | ||
| Crnrstr8nr |
Spatten, Just so you know Motorcyclist also did and article on the Bike and after Switching tires they to have said it Transformed their longterm XB12R....so thats 2 out of more like 20 mags.  (Message edited by crnrstr8nr on March 02, 2007) | ||
| Thelumox |
today, mr. buell is going to be at seminole buell. that's here in orlando, i'm riding over there to see him. stay with me here, i'm not changing subjects, and i do not intend to hurt anyones feelings, but: why doesn't an american motorcycle company produce a sportbike/ST/naked etc..bike of the same, or better caliber as the duc? i am lucky enough to own both a XB12X and an ST3S. i truely love the XB, but there is no comparison in my opinion. i want to buy an american bike! is anyone else interested in a 120hp buell!!! with the same great handleing? that's what i'm going to ask mr. buell today. | ||
| Spatten1 |
I read that, and they were very mcomplementary, but I don't remember them saying it handled better than a gsxr, r1, cbr, ducati, mv, or anything else. They just said it handles great, if I remeber correctly. I certainly don't remember them saying it was the greatest handling bike on the market. Please correct me if I am wrong. | ||
| Thelumox |
wait, i'm not finished. equal riders on those two bikes; the duc would win. even if they are equal in the corners, the duc would accel and slow in the straights way faster than the buell. forgive me. i just wish that buell made a liquid cooled (it would have to be) four valve per cylinder twin so we could have an apples to apples discussion. does that make me a bad person. i'm done now. | ||
| Thepup |
Spatten,how's the transmission rebuild going?I just got mine back on the road,I have new cases,all new bearings,I guess i have pretty close to a new engine and transmission. | ||
| Crnrstr8nr |
You're right, only the "Brit" mag Bike has said it...and just so i dont get into a battle over semantics they said it was the "Best cornering bike". | ||
| Spatten1 |
Lumox, I agree. I like riding American, but I don't think I should have to make excuses for it. Are we capable of building a competitive engine? I don't think HD is, but Polaris might be. HD's huge engineering effort resulted in the V-Rod engine, and that is an over-sized heavy turd. I just don't understand why people revere their engineering prowess. It certainly has not resulted in impressive products. We are proud that they don't leak oil or break constantly.... Polaris keeps up with yamaha in sleds and all four japanese makes in ATVs based on performance. Polaris competes on performance and features, not image or marketing. I'd like to see what they build as a sportbike. I'm not bagging on Buell's chasis work, which I think is great. I like the soul of the XB, and I like riding American, but I'm not going to pretend this engine is any more high tech than my lawnmower. I feel much more this way after rebuilding it. I was better off before 1) it broke and pissed me off, and 2) I saw what was inside. The sporty engine is great for my current needs, but it is not a torque monster and it is not badass. It is a niche product with character. I like it for what it is, and it suits my needs and desires (albiet at my new high altitude home it struggles to pass in traffic, which is getting tougher to stomach, but was PERFECT at sea-level). However, I'd be proud to see a real American sportbike. Just buy a Rotax or something and let Buell do what it does best with the chassis. It would be killer to see a badass American sportbike, something more young riders can get into. Finally, before anyone tells me how high-tech the Buell engine is, don't bother unless you have rebuilt one, and also rebuilt a modern Japanese mill. You don't have a clue what you are talking about unless you've seen the insides of both. | ||
| Spatten1 |
Pup, thanks for asking. It took me 6 weeks to get it done due to new job, 2 kids, etc. As soon as I got it put together I did a one mile test ride and it worked out fine, but i needed to work on the chain conversion due to it dragging on the swingarm. Long story short, I fixed the chain problem and we've had 9 weeks of snow since. I broke my tibia and fibia two weeks ago, so now I'm out of commission for 6 more weeks. Truth be told, I think I'm much more frustrated with my bike since I spent so much time and money repairing it and now I can't ride for so long. It's making me a bitter prick. I tend to love my Buell most when I can enjoy the pulse of the engine and still have a good handling and stopping bike. It really makes me feel great. Man, I'm glad your's is on the road, but you better do something about your belt tension, or it will blow up again (4th time?). Just pony up for one of those spring tensioners or a chain conversion, or slot yours. Saintly will slot yours for $40, I think. It may keep your tranny from blowing up again. | ||
| Thepup |
Spatten,after having the work done by someone I trust,I believe I have directed my anger towards the wrong people(BMC).This is actually my second set of cases,but I now know that the dealer that fixed it last time did some home repairs to an old case and installed it,so I had a new case half and an old case half which did not line up.Needless to say it didn't work out to good. | ||
| Swordsman |
Jeee-EEEE-EEEEEEEZ! Will you stop and listen to yourselves for a minute??? "It's faster!" "No, this is!" "No, THIS is!" "No, no, THIS one is!"  Who FREAKIN' cares, already?!?!? Ride what you can afford, what you like, and be done with it! If it's THAT important that you convince everyone else your bike is faster (whatever side you're on), then you've got serious insecurity issues that need more help than an internet forum can provide. It amazes me how many times we can have the same arguments over, and over, and OVER, and they're totally useless debates in the first place. Sheesh. ~SM  | ||
| Bads1 |
Swordsman, This is no arguement or bantering. This is just discussion. Breathe and count to 10.Remember this is the This is the internet,This is the internet,This is the internet,This is the internet,This is the internet. | ||
| Bads1 |
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| Xbeau12s |
I really don't care where the Buell is rated. Look at it, it's a piece of art work. It's fun to ride. I've rode (never raced) an assortment of bikes from the Big Harley to a Ninja. I think it's funny how people like to say "this is faster" bla,bla,bla oh well, I still learn loads of information about my bike on here  | ||
| Spatten1 |
Without these discussions Buell will never know the feelings of Buell owners. I think the consensus was different when the XB was just a couple of years old and still fresh. Now it is getting long in the tooth and people are expressing their desire to stay with Buell, and what it will take to have them buy a replacement Buell. I don't think it is about what other people think of your bike, it is about what is desireable for Buell owners and future Buell buyers. | ||
| Liquorbox |
"Straight line the Kawi would. Never in the twisties. The monster has a chassis that the Cow just doesn't have unless your comparing late 70's early 80's. Come to think of it I bet it would still be a good race even in the 1/4. The S4RS would walk away from it though. The S4RS is a 130 HP." Let’s keep it real! Almost any stock 600 would blow away any stock Buell in the twisties. 750’s & liter bikes would be a laughable matter! I think it was Rocketman who said, “Anyone who thinks IL-4’s don’t handle, has obviously never ridden one.”? | ||
| Swordsman |
By "arguement", I mean: ar·gu·ment –noun 2. a discussion involving differing points of view; debate Pretty sure this qualifies.  I'm actually pretty laid back on this end of the wire. Angry smilies are just too much fun to pass up! Hey, if we stick a Buell decal on an egg, and a ((insert brand here)) decal on a chicken, maybe we can "discuss" that as well. And probably make about as much progress.  ~SM | ||
| Bads1 |
Swordman, If you would like to an egg with a Buell decal on it.... then lets start talking I'm game but I don't want to know where you insert it.... thats just not right. | ||
| Spike |
71sportster, is that you again? |
