| Author | Message | ||
     Brucelee |
I always liked these bikes but never rode one. Who out there has and what do you think as compared with our beloved XBs? | ||
| Imonabuss |
Bigger, heavier, wierd handling, and slower. Not a bad bike, but all of the above apply. | ||
| Brucelee |
How is the handling weird? Can you elaborate? Thanks | ||
| Dasbuell  |
I own both sorta... (an XB9S with a race kit and a R1100R). The XB has a HUGE grin factor. It drops into turns quicker for sure, more flickable, a bit/bunch more fun if I make a pick for the day. The BMW is not as slow as one might think... mine will zip to 120 indicated with little problems (riding two up with windshield and hard bags), when I have gone out with it in place of my XB, I had no problem keeping up with the Buells... the R1150R has a few more ponies and a six speed tranny, than the R1100R. Bigger... yes heavier... yes weird handling... I have to disagree, the only weird thing is setting at a light, blipping the throttle... and feeling the bike torque to one side. That's weird... but as they say at BMW, if this bothers you, don't blip the throttle while stopped. Once you start rolling, you no longer feel it. Both nice bikes... but I see each with a different "mission". The XB is perfect for us Buelligans... and the BMW can be just as much fun in the twisties... but with the ability to haul stuff and or a passenger. NOW... If Erik would make a bike a bit bigger, bigger fuel capacity, hard bags... and all the cool stuff that made an XB the ultimate grin factor... I might get rid of my R1100R... and have a different point of view! Oh Erik... are ya out there listening????? (Message edited by dasbuell on January 03, 2005) | ||
| Imonabuss |
Here's a rough description: The front end system feels very strange if you ride it hard, and the bike moves around a lot under you. Also feels very heavy, probably due to steering angle and wheelbase. Very hard to change lines in a corner without upsetting the bike a lot. Probably not an issue to folks cruising, but I like to ride sport bikes hard, so it's my perspective. I also can absolutely feel the engine torque riding at the limit, when you slide the rear tire and it hooks up again the bike gets nasty, and in a different way left to right. I really don't like Guzzis or Beemers for that reason. | ||
| Dasbuell |
Bruce... Imonabuss rides over my skill level... sounds like he may have more info than me when you push one hard. I don't ride to the level Imonabuss apparently does. The front suspension does feel a little strange after thinking about what he posted... the design is way different than anything else you will ride. I don't cruise... but I am a conservative rider... I am not as young as I used to be... and... "It all fun and games until someone breaks a hip!" LOL My XB is the one I would select if I could only own one bike!!! | ||
| Peter  |
Don't know about the "R" but I used to be able to round up anything on a "GS" over the 'not so smooth' mountain roads we have in Australia. That's where the telelever shines. It was before the XB was built though, so I've no idea how they handle there. | ||
| Ben_jamminvfcc |
Peter...I bet a KTM Duke would give that GS a run for its money in the mountains! | ||
| Peter |
Don't know. The reason the telelever shines is because the tar roads are not as smooth as they could be, and braking on those roads really tests the handling. The telelever by it's design, has a good amount of anti-dive, which means the bike is much more stable under braking, so braking can then be safely left later. That's where I was usually able to pass people. A friend of mine had a pretty quick Ducati, and was one of the *fast* blokes on this particular bit of road. I couldn't beat him on any of my previous bikes. When I bought the GS, I took it up for a laugh, not expecting it to be any good. I was very surprised to find that I was sitting comfortably behind him, watching his Ducati getting out of shape, and still being stable enough to pass him when he was pushing his bike's limit. Best part was when he came back down swearing about my "bloody BMW trailbike", and where did I suddenly learn to ride? Last time I was in Australia, he'd bought one and he said "You bastard. I should have bought one of these years ago!"  I have to agree with Imonabuss though, when they slide and hook up again, it can be ugly. I ended up in intensive care after it happened once too often at a track day. | ||
| Bigj |
I owned an '02 R1150R for two years. I put 9000 miles on it. I like it as an all round bike. It is a little heavy, but carries its weight well. Brakes(I had non-ABS) are VERY strong. Handling is numb from the front, becasue of the Tele-Lever, but it still handles well. I changed the Para strut to the shorter GS one, which raised the rear end, and made it turn in a little better. I personally like the looks. It is a very comfortable bike. I had the low seat. I am 72" with a 33" inseam. Wind protection is better than the M2 Cyclone I had, but it is still an unfaired bike. Power is linear, but pretty unexciting. Handling could be a little better, but I had no problems with it. As a point of reference, I went on the BRAG "No Win'n'" Tour with it, and had no trouble keeping comfortably ahead of most of the Buells. It was totalled this past July.  |
