| Author | Message | ||
     Firebolt020283 |
ok i just got through reading an article in cycle world about middel weights it consited of bikes such as the ducati monster 620, the moto guzzi breva, the suzuki v-storm, and the yamaha fz6 and they all have the naked sport bike look and most of them are v-twins and wheigh about the same as our xbs so wouldnt the xb's fall in to there catagory and if so we are doing pretty good cuz the only bike in that class pushing in the 90 hp range is the yamaha fz6 | ||
| Glitch |
Just about the only time you'll read an article comparing the Buell with anything else, you'll get pissed, 'cause they tend to compair them to liter inline four race replicas. Buell is in a class by themselves. And so are we. I like all motorcyclists, but Buell® motorcycle owners have a similar mindset, you know? Buell motorcyclists want a unique experience. We tend to be more individualistic than other motorcyclists and less likely to follow the crowd. We tend to be nice people and - this will sound corny - but I've also seen that we're extremely appreciative of other people. What I also like is that we seem to have an extraordinary level of tolerance - you just don't see any rude attitudes, which is really cool. We have a lot of really successful people riding Buell motorcycles who could be arrogant and stuffy, but they're not. And that's because we're true to who we are. We're not riding a Buell to prove to other people that we're cool. We know who we are. Let me give you a perfect example of what I mean by this. Buell tends to not attract the kind of people who want to pretend they're someone they're not. Buell owners think, "I know I can buy a bike that will go 200 mph, but c'mon, when am I ever going to do that?" We just have a different mindset. Maybe we're purists, rather than poseurs. We just want to have fun, and we want a great motorcycle to help do that. Maybe we're born that way, huh? Eric Buell | ||
| Kaudette |
All those bikes are "beginner" rides that wouldn't hold a candle to the XB in the twisties... Oh, and btw - they all sell for $3G less... The prob with the Buell is economic - they list for the same price as an R1 so everyone expects them to perform just the same which ain't gonna happen. The best way to appreciate the Buell is just to ride it and avoid opening up all those magasines that try to explain why everyone should have 170 hp and redials that stop like a bugger from 150mph... Buyer beware. | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
both of you good points i was just curious to what peopel had in mind as for as that and the article didnt have any buells in it i was just thinking if our bikes had to be compared to another bike it would have to be that calss not the race replicas | ||
| M1combat |
I tend to compare the XB12 to an IL4 600-750. I tend to compare bikes by what sort of lap times they make. Of course, you have to consider the shape of the track. There are plenty of tracks where the XB's will be faster than R1's, and of course, PLENTY of tracks where the R1 will just plain walk the heck away. As far as I'm concerned, the Buells race against the 600's in FX, and other various twins in Thunderbikes. There's only one stretch of road where I would consider tangling with an R1 and it's only about 12 miles long. I would tangle with a 600 anywhere but an Interstate Hwy. | ||
| Kaudette |
The Buells compare to the Duc Monster & SS - that's about it. Maybe add a Z from Kawasaki but other than that you either get a 600 "starter" bike or a Liter - ground bound missile. Not really much in between which is Buell's niche these days. | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
good point i have a freind of mine that has a 96 gsxr 600 and he cant hang with my xb9r at any point except a strait line (that is for now he he) | ||
| R1DynaSquid |
There's only one stretch of road where I would consider tangling with an R1 and it's only about 12 miles long. M1, if you are talking about the Gap, you do realize that the guy who has the fastest time thru it was on an R1. | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
hhhmmm sounds like a challange | ||
| M1combat |
No, I'm talking about the spars. My local section. VERY technical. I think I can maybe average 70 when I stick to my lane (which I always do). Top speed on my 12R of JUST over 100 and that's only one straight. The rest is done about 60-80. I'm sure many/most others could do it faster, but it's very technical. 2nd or 3rd gear all the way. I usually just put it in third and leave it there, but I'm sure if I ever tried to go real fast I'd be using 1st two times, second most of the time and third 2-3 times. Most of the time would be spent at a high lean angle. The whole road is marked 35 with about ten 25mph curves and three or four 20 mph curves (marked that anyway). No challenge. I'm not into street racing. | ||
| Glitch |
you do realize that the guy who has the fastest time thru it was on an R1 I thought KillBoy was the fastest. He tucked it.        edited by glitch on July 19, 2004 edited by glitch on July 19, 2004 | ||
| Gonen60 |
that camera was in the right place at the right time..wow | ||
| Austinrider |
For those of you who are into lean angles... Notice the guy on the F4i's body position relative to his lean angle. He is REALLY pushing that contact patch, then physics and gravity win. I hadnt even seen the rest of the pictures and knew he was headed for trouble. No surprise when I scrolled down and saw he low-sided. Hope the rider is okay. Couple of questions though: 1. Why is his front tire grey compared to his rear tire. What tires is he using? Had it rained that day? I wouldnt think so, since the 2 guys on Motards' tires seem to be normal. 2. Does he usually use that body positioning in the turns? I would think he should move his weight to the inside of the turn, thereby moving the CG (center of gravity) to the inside and allowing him to keep the contact patch bigger and have more traction through the turn. Dont mean to bore folks, its just what I put alot of thought into. Especially when it starts getting close to track day time (6 days and counting). --Austinrider | ||
| Glitch |
Why is his front tire grey Because it's a silver tire. Koz knowz.  Does he usually use that body positioning in the turns? Only when he tucks it. He says the tire wasn't why. He really is a talented rider. In his words "I had to grab some brake at hard lean, and the front end tucked." Banged up ankle and a broke collar bone. | ||
| Coldwthrrider |
The only Jap bike the XB compares to is the SV650 because it's a V-twin. Inline fours are so different it doesn't even count to compare HP or torque numbers. Myself and others here have considered buying them because they're similar weight, faster, and cheaper than the XB. The only problem is you need to spend about $1000 in GSXR parts to get the SV to handle like an XB (and for a v-twin they sound pretty weak). Other than that they're great bikes. I agree with Kaudette that Monsters are probably the best comparison. The 900 has similar HP and torque to an XB9 but is slower and more expensive. That's the only bike we can poke fun for stats! As far as the bikes listed in the article....I test rode a Breva 750 the week before I got my XB. I wasn't considering it, just at a demo day and it was the only bike left to ride in a time slot. It was fun....for a kiddie bike. Handling and power were pretty okay, but the MSRP is $7999 (dealer price $7499) for a 48hp bike. I didn't feel too bad about getting a used 9R for $7399 after that! | ||
| Tatsu |
So what are you saying for those of us who don't go to the track and are interested? You should lean your body into the turn more that the bike? Is there a link you can point me to? I would like to read up about this kind of stuff. Semper Fi Tatsu | ||
| M1combat |
Tatsu - Read "Total Control" by Lee Parks and "Twist of the Wrist I and II" by Keith Code. You want to lean inside (try to kiss the mirror sort of) because you can then NOT lean the bike as far but the CG is lower. This will maximize your tire patch. Read the books though. | ||
| Tatsu |
Thanks M1 I was just looking that the book! Tatsu | ||
| Tucsonxb9s |
Coldweather- there is another V-Twin that I think is very comparable to the XB in price, power, and perfomance made by Honda called the Superhawk. It's not a bike you'll see everyday and I don't believe they sell a ton of them. Here's a pic.  | ||
| Austinrider |
Tatsu - Here ya go brah "Teaching a Newbie to Lean" http://www.msgroup.org/TIP007.html http://www.msgroup.org/DISCUSS.asp This is the Skills section of that site. Very good reading - I pass it on to all the new riders at work for them to check out. Seems we are getting more and more riders every week at work. All of our motorcycle specific parking is filled up just about every day. edited by austinrider on July 20, 2004 Trying to get hyperlink in there edited by austinrider on July 20, 2004 edited by austinrider on July 20, 2004 | ||
| Tatsu |
Thanks Austin.. and I just ordered those two books M1 suggested. Tatsu | ||
| Xbolt12 |
I'm not so sure SV's are cheaper. The HD dealer I just visited today in Chandler is selling 04 xb9's for $6000.00 and xb12's for $8000.00. No bull, I have the ad. Of course you still pay freight, setup and tax. Shoot, for that price I am considering a 9 as a track bike! Too bad California won't let you bring in an AZ bike for the street until it has 7k on the odo! xbolt12 | ||
| Kaudette |
That guy had already lost it in the first picture... I don't get these guys road racing on 2nd rate rubber - I mean, you have about a 2 square inch contact patch between you and the guardrail and these guys think it's better to look "cool" with coor matched rubber... That guys is lucky the post was at the corner entry and not apex. Austi - total control is a good book and should help out on the cornering & techniques. And do yourself a favor, before trying to hang off the bike, work on your vision, upper body positioning, seating position, brake points...and ONLY then, hanging off the bike in the turns. You will see that by doing all the first points right you can ride a lot faster than a LOT of the Rossi wannabe's. | ||
| Kaudette |
That guy had already lost it in the first picture... I don't get these guys road racing on 2nd rate rubber - I mean, you have about a 2 square inch contact patch between you and the guardrail and these guys think it's better to look "cool" with poor matched rubber... That guys is lucky the post was at the corner entry and not apex. Austi - total control is a good book and should help out on the cornering & techniques. And do yourself a favor, before trying to hang off the bike, work on your vision, upper body positioning, seating position, brake points...and ONLY then, hanging off the bike in the turns. You will see that by doing all the first points right you can ride a lot faster than a LOT of the Rossi wannabe's. | ||
| Austinrider |
Kaudette - Thanks man. I try to work on those exact items every time I go to the track. Out of habit I get off the seat a bit, more for comfort than anything else. I already know my breaking and turn in need work, I find that I turn in to early and break to early most of the time. This is solely for track day riding though. Im not pushing myself to get a knee down, when that happens - it happens. Im working more on technique - like you said - upper body positioning, breaking, looking through the corner (I've gotten much better on the vision part), rolling on the throttle smoothly. You guys that have ridden multiple bikes on the track. Do you find that the Buell XB is very forgiving for throttle mistakes? Maybe Im just coming in to low on the rpm band? Be Safe and keep the rubber side down | ||
| Brucelee |
I have ridden the Superhawk many times. OK bike but it uncomfortable and lacks the XBs low engine torque. Handling is only so so to me. I think the Ducati Monsters are fair comp bike for the XBs. Like both lines very much. | ||
| Outrider |
Concerning the SuperHawk, don't forget the poor gas mileage and small tank equal a very short range between gas stops. | ||
| Kaudette |
Austin, I would recommend not letting the engine get below 3500 on the 9 and 3G on the 12 by the apex of the corner - below this the occassional stutter can get the bike off track. For the breaking & turn in - my guess is that these work off one another for you. Focus on vision and picking your line, then braking (in straight line), then, and only then, turn-in. Early turn in is often because you are not looking thru the turn far enough and that your brain is still "calculating" the brake points, etc... Don't get too caught up on how fast you go thru the corners, but how smooth your turn is & how clean your line is. Once you get a smooth turn-in & can hold a line, work on adding speed (doing the braking well before the turn-in - you want to come in at a steady, constant speed). Once you have a good speed worked out thru the corner and know what it feels like, you can work on late braking. Try to do this in small incremental steps, working from 10 secs of post braking "glide" down by a second each time - always keeping the same turn-in point where you had a smooth trajectory. Once you get to 2-3 secs of "glide" you should be smoking up the track! The rest is 8/10ths plus... | ||
| Reepicheep |
I would compare an XB to a quality 600cc bike... like the Honda F4i. It's meant to be a practical sporty bike that emphasizes a balance of quickness and handling over simple pure power. The honda is cheaper, the buell is more interesting, the honda has better top end, the buell has better low end, both are great bikes. | ||
| Buellgator |
I agree with the original post that these bikes are all to often stuck in a class that they can't compete in. They would be better off compared to the 600s and the smaller 60 and 90* twins. It is kind of hard to produce the same amount of power that the Jap and Italian twins produce just due to our rev limiters. Every pull I've ever done on a dyno the power doesn't stop climbing until I hit the limiter. I think if there were a way to increase the rev limit on these bikes we could get more power out of them quite easily. Hobanbrothers was talking about putting the XB12 flywheels in an XB9 with the 7500 rev limit hmmm...  |
