| Author | Message | ||
     Darthane |
After perusing the board for a little while yesterday, I went outside and opened the garage. All the naysayers rants - "XB9s will be worthless", "It must suck to own a XB9" - were kicking around in my head. Sitting there, waiting for me as always was my little 'bolt. I just walked around it for a minute, looking at the beautiful curves, aggressive lines, that naked engine. Looking at all the scratches and scuffs we've accumulated together over the last year. I don't even see them anymore - they mean nothing. When people ask, almost disbelievingly, if I've laid my bike down I reply absentmindedly before pointing out some other feature on my 'bolt that they've never seen before. I grab the handlebars and back him out onto the driveway. We're going to go for a little spin...but first I've got to make sure he's feeling alright today. The bearings look good, so does the belt. Brakes are solid. Oh, the front tire needs a little air. There, that's better. I turn the key on and start him up. Ahh, that's a beautiful sound, the loping cadence of a v-twin. I go back inside to gather my things, then come back outside and pack everything. By now he's nice and warm, so I throw my leg over and goose the throttle, then let out the clutch. I wind my way past the truck and out on to the street before whacking it, sending my butt sliding off towards the rear. "Underpowered, my ass," I think. Slamming second lifts the front end a few inches, just to make me smile. I pull out onto Telegraph for the short run to I-94, the path out to see my lady. The entrance ramp could use some work, but it's a nice 30mph S curve, which my 'bolt just loves. As I swap leans from right to left I can't help but wonder at how confidence-inspiring the handling on the 9R is, how quickly and effortlessly it swings from turn to turn. I exit the ramp and pull up alongside fast-lane traffic. Glancing over, I'm looking at a guy in a Stealth looking back at me. I snap the throttle wide open and pull out in front of him. I look down and realize I'm doing over 100mph...better slow down, but man that was fun. Now I've got a nice leisurely cruise down the freeway. Ahh, riding my 'bolt to go see my lady...the perfect day. | ||
| Tripper |
Your life seems pretty good. Dump the lady before it gets serious. | ||
| Glitch |
Ya know... I got up this morning and rode into work  I had just as much fun as I did the first time I rode the XB into work... And, I bet I have as much fun riding up to TWOsees this weekend as I have all the other times I've ridden to the mountains... Blake was right when he told me the feeling doesn't go away. So a new bike on the market would only upset someone that wasn't happy to begin with... | ||
| Gonen60 |
I did almost the same thing last night after reading all the post and looking at Buell.com for an hour. I walked out into my Garage to look at my XB9S (black and silver) And tried to gauge my feelings. Soon as I saw the Hacked rear fender, the black paint and silver frame and wheels, and no Amber/Gold in sight, I knew I was still good to Go..I then started up My wifes Blast and took it for a 20 mile run. I cruised it down to the ocean front and then up on to the highway, thinking the whole way.." I wish I was on My bike "...LOL | ||
| Darthane |
Tripper, too late...we're working on four years together now. She rides my old Blast now, though...  | ||
| Skully |
Amen Darthane! Keith | ||
| Dblhaulxb9s |
You all said it. Once you have made a bike yours (or vice versa) there is no going back. I am sure that I will own my XB9S for a very long time. | ||
| Psychobueller |
Darthane, That was beautiful. Just about sums it all up. That's exactly how I feel about my bike. I emailed what you wrote to Erik. Hope you don't mind. I know if I was running a motorcycle company, what you wrote would make my day. | ||
| Bud |
Darthane, chears.  leaving on my bike fore 5 days of fun in germany/ luxenburg over 10 hours ( with a new rotor  ) | ||
| Darthane |
Oooh...can I come? It'd be nice to ride someplace where people respect motorcycles. Psycho, no problem. At the Northeast Tour, I pulled up to the first dealer stop at Centennial Park and wandered in the back just as he was coming out. Shook his hand and told him flat out that this was a phenomenal bike and I absolutely loved it. Sure wish he could have gone on more of the ride with us, though...anyone know how his back is doing? | ||
| Americanrice |
I am glad to hear that someone else loves their Bolt just as much as I love mine. | ||
| Geofg |
I have to admit, the first thought that went through my head was "cool, they didn't snake my color scheme for the '04's". Then I got a little twinge. "Now wait a second", I say to myself. There are tons of bikes out there w/bigger numbers than my XB9. And so what? Why should I care? It can still do anything I ask of it and be waiting for more. I am the limiting factor as far as what the bike and I can do, not the XB9[1]. So darn tootin, I'm still happy with my bike. -Geof [1] In fact, I would expect that is true for most of us. <lack of fact warning here> I would expect that the majority of folks on this board, when you add in the lurkers, don't spend a whole bunch of time on the track and rarely ever push their rides to the limit of the machine's capabilities. edited by geofg on July 15, 2003 | ||
| Timbo |
I agree with the sentiment being expressed here. I'm happy with my 'Bolt. It's an awesome machine that just keeps on giving. After doing an oil change on Sunday (went to full synthetics), I took it out for a spin. As I approached a local corner pub that has seating out front, I noticed several H-D riders (bikes lined up on the curb) turn to see what was coming, one guy stood to get a better look. I figured 'cool he likes Buells too'. I was coming up on a red light, still rolling slowly when it turned green, so I whacked the throttle and dumped the clutch. HELLO! It stood straight up real quick, I backed off the throttle just a bit to let it come back down a little then whacked it again only to have go vertical again. This time I rolled off just a bit less and the front end came down picture perfect as I picked up speed. I'm not sure what the H-D crowd thought of my white steed rearing up on it's hind legs, but I sure enjoyed it! Timbo | ||
| Blublak |
Ya know.. the other day.. I had a bad day at work.. went home.. changed clothes and looked at my poor, little, outdated, surpassed and all over not the biggest bang Buell XB9R... It looked back at me with that Marvin the Martian stare and said.. "Psst, let's go for a ride..." Sucker that I am.. I said sure... Out I went, and took on one of the more challenging (very local) sets of roads I know.. The Blue & Black Beast reminded me.. This is why you wanted me.. if you had wanted to travel at lightspeed in straight lines, you would have gotten something else. I REALLY LIKE THIS BIKE!! I spent an hour traveling my little circuit of curves, hills and what not, dodging cars and having a really good time! It's not out of date, or out anythinged. Sure, now it has a big brother.. and maybe, someday, I'll step up.. or just make some adjustments to this one.. it's cool.. I LIKE MY XB9R.. I think I'll keep it.. at least for a few (thousand) more miles. Let's face it.. we all stood by expecting what they delivered.. and now, some of us are feeling a little put out.. if they had the '12' when I went shopping, would I have bought it.. Probably.. Will I run right out and dump my current Buell? Only if the dealer offered something like $10K in trade.. heheheheh.. I'll keep the '9' and keep working at getting better at what it was designed for.. Straightening twisted ribbons of asphalt.. (Of course, I will still want to ride, touch, check out the new models.. I'm not stupid.. Just a touch crazy) Later.. | ||
| Americanrice |
I am very confused by this move on Buell's part. Why would I trade my bike in (my original plan) on the 12R when it is only going to put out roughly the same amount of HP as my 9R with the race kit? It makes no sense. If you bought a 9 (R or S) for the price that they are selling them now and added a Nallin Big Bore Kit, you would be paying about the exact same price as a 12 (R or S) would cost you. Guess what, the Nallin modified 9 would eat that 12 alive. I know that Buell has never really been about big horsepower #'s but why create a new bike that is only going to put out about 6rwhp more than it's predecessor in stock form? I am baffled................  | ||
| Glitch |
Ya'll don't be so put off... And we simply do not have to justify our XBs. So ... Let's ride!  | ||
| Prof_stack |
Americanrice: does a 2-year warranty mean anything to you? Seriously, I'd take a look at the reviews (on their way soon) and perhaps the dyno chart to see if the 12's are really that close. Related to that, I took my 9s out for 40+ miles last night, first time since the announcement of the 12's. I have a hard time trying to convince myself that I need more power. For the time being, I have no intentions of trading up. | ||
| Americanrice |
I will admit that an extra year of warranty does appeal to me. Don't get me wrong, I am not trying to justify my XB. I am just a little confused about the need for an extra 10hp at the crank? I love my Firebolt. It is perfect for me and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I would like to have a 998 sitting in the garage next to it, but I wouldn't trade it for one. | ||
| Psychobueller |
Darthane, check your email. | ||
| Darthane |
Psycho, Could you send that again? I got it, but when I tried to reply my e-mail had a brainfart and not only lost the reply but the original as well! Thanks! Bryan | ||
| Psychobueller |
On the way bro! | ||
| Fasteddieb |
Let me re-state: After my last couple of rides on my Firebolt in the N GA mountains, I couldn't think of another bike I could have had more fun on. Would I trade even for an XB12R? Prolly. Will I continue to enjoy the snot out of my XB9R for the forseeable future? You bet! | ||
| Darthane |
Thanks, Psycho, back at'cha. Feel free to share if you like. | ||
| Apex1 |
I had one of those great rides on my XB9S this evening. The kind where you return feeling all inspired & relaxed at the same time. No doubt the new 12's will be exciting, but I'm suffiently capacitated for the time being.  | ||
| Psychobueller |
I own a M2, which is a real torquey beast. I "borrowed" my dealer's XB9S demo bike last weekend and had an absolute ball! I am going to do the same thing this weekend. The XB9 is an awesome bike folks. The XB12 doesn't change that. I kind of like the revvy nature of the 984 engine. | ||
| Glitch |
"Just me and my bike" We went to ride the "Snake" 80 miles one way, 80 miles back... It was one of those mornings when everything was right... And turned into one of those evenings when everything goes right...  | ||
| Dmuz |
New to the site. Must echo the sentiments in this thread above. I've got more that 3000 miles on my XB9S-L and I couldn't be happier. I really don't feel any animosity that there's a bigger 12 coming out. Yes, it's flashier (love the red 12S), but I like my plain black "S." I have a blast on it. I couldn't care less what the actual HP and torque numbers of my bike are as long as the bike pulls and and makes me smile. It does and I do. | ||
| Dynarider |
Why would I trade my bike in (my original plan) on the 12R when it is only going to put out roughly the same amount of HP as my 9R with the race kit? The numbers I have been seeing arent even close. The XB12..stock with no race kit is supposedly putting down 93rwhp. After you get a couple thousand miles on it then its up to 96 or so. Both bikes are fun to ride Im sure, but the grin factor on the 12 has got be a lot higher. | ||
| Tripper |
Glitch; if EarlS' ever get's off their hiney and get's me a new shock, we'll have to meet up so you can guide me through that Snake thing. That route looks delightfull. Are you aware of the BRAG ride to TWO on first Sundays? They leave from Canton, is that not near you? | ||
| Glitch |
Canton is about 39 miles according to MapQuest. First Sunday? I try to be up that way every weekend. I love the roads, it's almost like home. Ridin' with a bunch of Buells sounds extra good. I'll have to make it a plan. Where/what time do ya'll meet? Mike (he has an XB9R) and I usually ride together. Earl Small...dunno what to say, because I hear both good and bad. I've been dealing with Stone Mountain HD/Buell, and so far so good. I've not needed them for anything more than regular service, thank goodness.  | ||
| Tripper |
Glitch; Meet me here | ||
| Mookie |
darthane.. can I ask where you are from? I live at telegraph and 94 but you may be in a different state. I am in michigan and plan on purchasing a buell next month at some time but I have some questions about the difference between the two (xb12 vs xb9). it is going to be my first bike and I think i would be happy with the xb9, I like the color of the xb12. Im also hoping to be able to ride it as much as possible this fall and not have to wait until the end of august for the bike. I am really hoping to get it up north for salmon season. | ||
| Darthane |
Mookie, You're REAL close to me. I live just north of Van Born and just west of Telegraph. Anytime you want to stop by and talk bikes or anything else you're welcome! Send me an e-mail - darthane@comcast.net Bryan |
