| Author | Message | ||
     Johnnylunchbox |
After the torrential rains of last weekend and the even less promising weather of early this week, I was graced by ever widening rays of sunshine as I left the DMV with my new plate in hand. A sign perhaps. Earlier in the week I had dialed in the suspension, adjusted the tire pressure, and gave her a nice coat of Honda polish. I took her out, careful to avoid the downed trees, gravel washouts, and standing water. Never having owned a V-twin, I was surprised by the power delivery- what a torque monster. On the drier straightaways I was able to crack the throttle a few times and my face almost hurt from smiling. The steering is almost telepathic, you think about the line and you are there. However, countersteering is a required effort. I'm not the most experienced street rider and given the less than ideal road conditions, I did not push any limits in the turns. This bike shifts as good or better than any bike I've owned, but again I was not riding too aggressively. I was impressed with the low center of gravity. I was getting hit with some severe side gusts, but the bike was barely affected. The riding position took a bit of getting used to, but on the whole not very much more aggressive than my sport/tourer. 52 degrees tomorrow and you know where I'll be. | ||
| Tucsonxb9s  |
 (under johnny's face shield!) | ||
| Keith  |
Welcome to the Buell fold. Keith | ||
| Court |
The force is powerful young John......now sally forth, amongst the Concours world, and bring me your converts.  Congratulations, Court | ||
| Cataract2 |
Might want to get some plastic surgery schedualed man. Your going to need it to get your face back to form after all the smiling your going to be doing. | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
I'm gonna have to sign off with my real name. I get confused when people write John or Johnny...LOL. I am Steve...hear me roar. | ||
| Hkwan |
Jonny, I do share some of the XB12R's riding experience with you. 1st, very initial part of counter steering requires more effort than that of my F4i's. When I jumped back onto the F4i, I feel that it was actually much easier to do the initial turn in. It just drops into the turn. But during the turn, the Buell definitely is more fun. It can lean more more easily. Also, the Buell can switch line in the middle of a lean easier. 2nd point about the lower CG - yup, on the highway, I was very surprise that the Buell felt much more stable than the F4i. I felt like I was being punched left and right by the wind while on the F4i, but on the Buell, everything was much smoother. |
