| Author | Message | ||
     Dynasport |
Ok, I'm a middle aged guy who's been riding for years, but my experience does not include sports bikes. I rode a Firebolt at a demo day recently (I have already bored you guys with my impressions of the different bikes in another thread). The bottom line, though is that for the short ride I was able to take, I really enjoyed the ride on the Firebolt. I didn't think I would like it at all, but I actually liked the control I felt and the ability to corner I don't get on my cruiser. I don't want to replace my Harley with the Firebolt though, because my wife rides with me sometimes and my Harley is the minimum she wants for comfort. I also want to keep my Harley because I do enjoy it still and I want it for the times I ride with my cruiser riding buddies. What I want to do is add a sport bike. That means I have to wait about 18 months to take on the new payments unless something happens financially I am not expecting. Anyway, I am knew to even thinking about sport bikes, but I have been reading articles on the net and in magazines recently as a result of my Firebolt ride. I am confused about some things I am hoping you guys can help me out with. First, it seems that most reviewers don't consider the Firebolt in the same league as bikes such as the R6 and the CBR600RR. Also, I can buy either one of those for the price of the Firebolt. I haven't ridden either one of those bikes and the local Yammy and Honda dealerships don't seem to willing to do demo rides on those bikes, so it is hard for me to compare them myself. Also, to be honest, since I am totally new to the sport bike idea, I am not sure I could evaluate them properly myself anyway. Another possibility I have been thinking about is a bike like the Suzuki SV650 or SV1000. So, I am wondering why you guys who ride Firebolts chose them over the alternatives. I would appreciate your advice on this. I know I am jumping the gun on this because I can't buy for a while yet anyway, but I can't help it. I want one now. Kids in college, wife wants new furniture, the list goes on and on, so I have to be patient. Still learning is fun. So please educate me. Thanks Dan | ||
| Diablobrian |
I chose the firebolt over the japanese alternatives for several reasons. 1)the engineering in this bike is amazing and has a beauty all it's own. 2)Unlike the magazine testers I am not easily distracted by the latest and greatest. They have a new favorite sport bike 12 times a year, every year. 3) I can't ride a spec sheet. Having the highest peak power means nothing if it's in a place you can't access it at. You can't cruise at 16k rpms without attracting some very negative attention 4) Torque. Twins have it over inline motors. 5) Support. here at Badweb we have an amazing support network that I have never seen with another make of motorcycles. 6) The motor is almost infinitely tweakable in a home mechanics garage. WIth ECM spy this has never been more true. 7) Stability. The latest and greatest japanese sport bikes are revised in a serious way every 2 years. After that the value and aftermarket tends to move on to the new bike. 8)American made. 'nuff said I'm sure that there are more reasons, but that's what I can think of on short notice. | ||
| Corider |
Ooooooo, I love these. Everything he said +, 9)Fuel economy!(to sell the wife on it). I've never heard of anything else getting consistent 58 mpg. 10)Maintenance-cheap & easy. 11)Repair- For this I offer you a comparison. All driveway tip-overs, mine and/or personal aquaintance. a)'06 Duc - $8000. b)'86 Ninja - $3000. c)'04 Firebolt - $25.00 12)The look on those sport bike guys faces when a bunch of slow Buells come dicing through their ride. 13)It's AMERICAN!!! | ||
| Deadduck |
+1 to what has already been said. The people that ride not just bolts, but Buell in general have been the nicest group of people I've met on scooters. Alot of us seem to fall into the same age groups, and have alot of things in common. It is unique in its own little way Fun as hell to ride Did anybody say ITS AMERICAN! insurance is cheap if you buy it out right fuel economy a wealth of knowledge at your fingertips on Badweb, but you already knew that. | ||
| Surveyor |
I have an XB9r for almost four years now and I have never regreted buying it - not even for a second. I use mine mostly on the track and it is without doubt the most fun you can have with your clothes on. The Firebolt is a cinch to ride as it's torquey engine is very forgiving. It's wonderful chassis means that it generally accepted as being the best cornering bike around -I have a Ducati 998r too and the Buell corners better. I think it is a very good looking bike and has individuality which is sadly missing from Japanese marques. I'm the wrong side of 50 BTW so age ain't a problem. Plus, as other posters have said, you get loads of backup (and B******t) from this weird community! | ||
| Fenderbender |
I'd like to second everything everyone else said, plus the fact that these bikes have CHARACTER. For me, it is the EXPERIENCE of riding a Buell. The feeling, the sound, the rush of torque, the odd looks and comments of others, the brotherhood of BadWeb. | ||
| New12r |
I have owned a Firebolt(R.I.P.), then I got a SV650(suspension was absolutely horrible), back on a Uly. I will build the Firebolt again, someday, but for now the Uly will do. I chose the Firebolt because it looks stunning, has butt loads of real usable power(tourque), and requires almost no maint. I rode the bike more than I wrenched on it and I have spanked many inline fours in the mountians and on the track. Given I was really spanking the squids who had no idea what to do with the bikes but that is besides the point! Did I mention it is American! The Jap inlines(Ninja, CBR, R whatever) will have a VERY aggressive riding position, make little to no power under 7k rpm unless you get a litre bike(1000cc), are a pain in the rear to work on, you got to mess with a chain and cooling system. Heaven forbid you drop it(you will) cuz that will cost a grand to fix all the plastic you tore up. And really besides all that, you cant even ride one to see if you like it, they say....Hand me 12k and hope it works out for ya! | ||
| Beachbuell |
Wanna trade? | ||
| Blackbelt |
I bought my Firebolt to replace my 2002 X1 Lightning. I just like the feeling that not EVERYONE has the same bike as me. I go to a couple bike nights here and there and the Jap bikes are a dime a dozen. It dosn't matter what paint scheme they have there is bound to be another just like it somewhere in the crowd. My bolt and I are usually the only firebolt (or sometimes only Buell) there. I also like the fact that people think it is a 600cc and at the light I pull away from a 1000cc yamaha... they catch me fairly quickly but off the line and in the twistys they are mine MAGGOT!! lol plus my bolt is a very easy to get used to bike, and feel very VERY confident on. oh yeah +1 on what everyone else said too.... AMERICAN BABY! | ||
| Jlnance |
First, it seems that most reviewers don't consider the Firebolt in the same league as bikes such as the R6 and the CBR600RR. The Firebolt will run out of steam a bit after you pass 100 mph. The argument is this doesn't matter for street riding. There are people who do ride 150 on the street, so it matters to some people. The straight line acceleration is also better on the IL4 bikes. Again, whether this is relevant on the street is a matter of much debate. | ||
| Hexangler |
Black and Cheery Bomb XB12R Firebolt = Sexy as Hell! IMNSHO Hex | ||
| 07xb12scg |
There are a few reasons I picked my Buell over a Jap bike. And I love the look and sound of Jap bikes. -The Buells look awesome -The Scg accomodates my small inseam -I am an engineer and I was always intrigued and impresse by Buell's unique ideas and designs. For example the under bike exhaust is becoming a standard with sport bikes now. -The engine has a lot of torque -The bike is just different and it looks like a BAMF! -The Lightning is super comfortable compared to the stretched out Jap bikes that don't fit my 5'7" frame too well -The bike is very easy to ride and learn on. It's my first bike. Reasons not to buy a Buell: -Dealing with Harley dealers who don't know or don't care about Buells (almost all of them in my experience) -Almost any modern sport bike will smoke you in a straight line unless the distance is short -The Buells may corner well, but you're going to have to work to keep up with Jap bike buddies because of the power difference, especially if you're a newb like me | ||
| Xl1200r |
The only Japenese sport bike I rode was a Kawasaki ZR1000R Ninja whatever thing. Bottom line was I loved that bike. All the talk about no torque below 8000rpm or whatever is hogwash, though a 600 might be a different story. The bike was flat out fun and I didn't find the position too aggressive (though I'm only 24). BUT - I got back on my bike and noticed right away how much quicker the handling was on my Firebolt. The Kawa needed to be convinced a little to lean over, and then it took its time to get there. My Buell is on its side just by thinking about it. Not sure why you can't test ride one - the Jap dealers around here let people test ride as far as I know. | ||
| Jlnance |
I am an engineer and I was always intrigued and impresse by Buell's unique ideas and designs. For example the under bike exhaust is becoming a standard with sport bikes now. I am too. My first experience with Buells was a Riders Edge class I took at the Harley dealership. They put a Blast in the back of the classroom. The first time I saw it I was blow away by how much work had obviously gone into that bike. It takes a lot of engineering to make something simple, and Buell had obviously done their homework. I now own that Blast. | ||
| Brumbear |
One of things I love about them even though they are LEGO BIKES which has been said before you would think they all look kinda the same yet they all seem to be uniquely different done to there owners taste and liking, add that to a unique ride and feel and of course THE FAN and BAM there it is a trueer classic there has never been  | ||
| Kyrocket |
I too came from a cruiser background but was looking for something a little more sporty and couldn't keep 'em both. I worked with some guys who rode jap bikes and pulling the front tire at 75mph just wasn't my cup o' tea. I first saw the bikes at the local stealership and fell in love with a '99 X1. Which I soon purchased and still own. It looks and still sounds awesome, very rarely do I see another and except for a few times the bike never sees triple digits for numerous reasons. If you like usable power I think you're on the right track. CRAP got a meeting, be back later. | ||
| New12r |
All the talk about no torque below 8000rpm or whatever is hogwash So you rode one litre bike and say jap bikes have torque?! Go ride a few 600's and 750's, and I mean the RR versions, you will be sadly disappointed. The last 06 GSXR600 I rode(with pipe/ power commander/tuning) did nothing more than piss me off when I pinned the throttle, until 7k and then we were talkin'. We all pulled out of T.W.O. and everyone was a quarter mile down the road before I started to catch up. | ||
| Dynasport |
Man, waiting sucks. I am so not patient. I still want a Firebolt. I thought I would want a Uly. I went thinking I wanted a Uly. The Uly is so much more practical. I still want a Firebolt. | ||
| Diablobrian |
If the Firebolt is the bike that "speaks to you" then you should go for it. Otherwise you will always wonder....what if..... Buying a motorcycle is not always about what is the logical choice for you. It's all about which bike revs YOU up. | ||
| Molly_hatchet |
the 600's are hard to ride...the 750 a little better...the 1000's more torque.. the buell handled a little better in some situations...it was definatly a bad weather bike...maybe thats cause it was easier to ride....do i miss it...sometimes...wish i could have 2 bikes...roll on the the throttle on a jap liter bike...and holy sheepsh!t...takes some gettin used to..the riding position..im actualy more comfortable on the CBR than i was on the buell...u can gear up the jap liter bikes for easier street riding...and the plastics arent all that bad if u dump one..u can get aftermarket fairings for a decent price....i miss my 9R but i love my CBR....cant wait to ride the 1125 and see how i like it...im not too keen on riding my honda much longer in this nasty arse weather....im bettin the 1125 will be the best of both worlds..now how do i make it not some damn uuuugly. | ||
| Brumbear |
whiskey ( cause I never went to bed with an ugly woman but I woke up witt a few) I actualy like the way it looks | ||
| Molly_hatchet |
it kinda grows on u after a while....i keep flip flopping about the looks...i loved the way the firebolt looked....gotta figure out a way to make the 1125 look like dat....guess il wait til judgement day...the test ride will convince me if its worth dollin up or not....u own one buell and ur kind of a fan for life, if ur truly into bikes...so i wait til the test ride. | ||
| Strato9r |
The 'Bolt is a real sexy bike; Betty Page in a roomful of Brittany Spears lookalikes. If going faster than 130 MPH is your idea of fun on a public road, then buy a machine built for that sort of thing. But be aware that the Firebolt is a much more comfortable machine than most of the current crop of sport bikes, so after a couple of hundred miles, the guy that blew past you on every straightaway is most likely going to be a twitching cramp farm, and the effect that will have on his riding abilities, and enjoyment of the ride, will be less than ideal. | ||
| 12r |
No torque ? You gotta be kidding   | ||
| 07xb12scg |
Buying a motorcycle is not always about what is the logical choice for you. It's all about which bike revs YOU up. I have found that to be the case in the purchase of most of my toys. I buy what I want rather than what may be the best for me. I'm usually not disappointed. If I take the logical approach I am more prone to being disappointed. | ||
| Kyrocket |
Yeah, that's torque all right but look where they have to go to get it. 10,000 RPM's come on, my tuber made 78FPT at 6200 which is 1000 RPM's below the lowest on the chart. This has been debated over and over again. Facts is facts, an IL cannot make torque as quick as a V-twin albeit a V-twin will not make the speed an IL can, comparatively speaking. A prospective buyer just has to figure out where and how he/she will be riding. There's obviously a market for both bikes or they wouldn't be selling them. I know somebody on here is going to go find a link to some off the wall bike that makes butt loads of torque just to prove me wrong, that's ok but I think Dynasport would like something he can buy off the floor. That's how I'v read this thread so far anyhow. That is a nice looking Dyna btw. | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
Dan, You can't really go wrong with any Buell, but one that often gets overlooked because of it's "goofy" looks is the TT. Think of it sort of between the Bolt and the Uly. It has longer wheelbase, and more relaxed steering angle for more stability which is appropriate for someone coming from a Dyna. In addition, the suspension on the TT is a later, more refined design, and the frame holds about another gallon of gas, a much needed feature. I really recommend that you demo one of these before making your decision: I was very pleasantly surprised when I tried one out a the last March Badness in Georgia. PS: you can remove the "water wings" in a few minutes. | ||
| 12r |
Yeah, that's torque all right but look where they have to go to get it. 10,000 RPM's come on, my tuber made 78FPT at 6200 which is 1000 RPM's below the lowest on the chart I don't see revs as a negative. The first 4000 rpm on my R1 barely registers and from then on it's like a twin-engined supercharged two-stroke Firebolt (if that makes sense). My visits beyond 10,000 rpm are few and far between but when I get there it's the most intense hit of motorcycling action imaginable. Worth every penny IMO  | ||
| Paul_in_japan |
Hey Dynasport I was in a similar position to you. I had to save my pennies for about four years until I could get my dream bike and during that time my wish list went from Kawasaki ZX636's to Z1000 to Ducati's 999 and monsters until I settled on my beatuiful XB12R. It all come down to wanting a street bike. The Buell is like that cartoon cat Pepe Le Pew, the I4's are like that sexy cat he is alway chasing. While the Jap 600's are screaming their heads off the Buell just trots behind at a relaxed pace and still manages to catch and pass them them. On the street, where you don't know which way the road is going to bend or whats around that bend, the Buell allows you to dive into the corner at a safe pace and when you see you've got the all clear, just power out with all that torque. Its just so enjoyable to ride even when you are taking it easy. Instant Torque on tap. My buddy bought a ZX6R when I got my Buell 6 months ago so Ive been able to compare. Its a nice bike, great handling and breaks too but when you twist that throttle you dont quite get the kick in the pants that the Buell gives you until the engine revs up by which time you'll be doing 100mph and just shifting into 3rd. The XB lets you use all the gears in all the revs and the punch it delivers up to the 100mph mark is just awesome. I think the looks are important too. The Firebolt has been around for ages and I still love the look of it. The jap bikes look cool in the showroom but once they get a bit dirty looking they are just another bike on the road. My quest for my dream bike has ended while my buddy is now eyeing off the latest Jap 600 offering still with 80% of his loan to pay off. Anyway I could rave about this bike all night, but I think you couldn't go wrong especially since your a Harley Fan. Start saving those pennies. | ||
| Xl1200r |
So you rode one litre bike and say jap bikes have torque?! Yeah, that's torque all right but look where they have to go to get it. 10,000 RPM's come on, my tuber made 78FPT at 6200 which is 1000 RPM's below the lowest on the chart. First off, I stated I only rode a 1000cc IL4, so it's all I commented on. As far as revs go, you have to stop thinking about it terms of absolute numbers. So what it your Buell made more torque 1000 rpms sooner - your bike was all out of revs at that point, or damned close to it. You have to look at it as a percentage of the redline. We can go on and on about what's better than what, but frankly, none of means a hoot to anyone. It's the ride that counts. I rode that 1000cc Kawasaki and NEVER felt like I was shy on power, and I usually kept it below 6000rpm. Just regular riding I was shifting around 4-5 grand, about 1000 rpm less that I would have on my Buell, and the bike felt plenty snappy down there. Just like I woudln't buy a bike based on the spec sheet, I also woudln't NOT buy one basaed on the spec sheet. |
