| Author | Message | ||
     Firebolt1203 |
If anyone remembers me, I had a red XB12R and totaled it recently along with my leg. Well I was at a local hang out and saw a buddy I knew from school. I told him about my wreck and his first question was whether or not I would ride again. He then said not to get another Buell because I would never get any faster riding another Buell, he said I needed a Honda. We had previously swapped bikes one day. He rode a Honda F3 with a terribly bald front tire, I think it was a dunlop 207 and some continental on the back. The tires affected the steering so bad I cold barely ride it. I couldn't believe how much pressure I had to put on the inside bar to make it lay over just around town. I guess i was too used to the "terrible handling" of my XB. I'm sure a fresh set of tires would clear alot of this up. It just pisses me off that he was talking trash about a Buell. His F3 was a good bike in its time but I would roast him anywhere (if it wasn't totaled). I rode my bike for just under a year and put 10,800 miles on it. I know my abilities were no where near what the bike could handle, but whenever I went to the mountains I was always in the front of my pack. My friend said that "a king populates his kingdom with beggars" pretty much saying I rode with crappy riders to make myself look good. I rode with your average riders that love the mountains like me. Sorry guys just venting, I miss my bike. I am however able to walk now and am toying with the idea of another bike, and It will be another XB12R! | ||
| Doughnut |
Ride what you want and enjoy. Screw him, then toast him in the twisties  . | ||
| 12bolt |
Guess that would make him a beggar, after all you were riding with him. | ||
| Ingemar |
I can't believe guys like that, they would be no friend of mine. After any bad experience you want to get a feeling of what goes on in the guys' head and talk positively to him. Good thing you didn't let his slanderous talk get to you. Think positively, learn from your experience and move on (ie, get that new bike!!). | ||
| Court |
If the guy rides a CBR with bald tires, I'd put damn little credance in what he says. Get new friends while you are healing. Get a new Buell as soon as you are healed. Court | ||
| Clydeglide |
Get new friends while you are healing. Sage advice from the sage advice meister. Although not PC, I've learned to laugh at morons. Especially those that are trying to rain on my parade.  | ||
| Cataract2 |
Firebolt, look at it this way. While he likes to run his mouth, just how good of a rider is he? When your healed, get another XB12R and ask him to ride with you in the canyons. Let's see him put his money where his mouth is. | ||
| Scitz |
Performance wasn't the issue for me when I bought my Firebolt XB9R. When I go cruising around town and see groups of street bikers, all their bike look almost alike and have the same colors or Graphics. I wanted to stand out and be different. Even though the Jap bikes have a lot of speed the Firebolt has cutting edge design and engineering. I also don’t really see a need to go over 130mph on public roads. You can be a sheep and flock to the others and copy them, or you can be the wolf and set the trend and pick off the sheep. Your friend is just jealous because he can't take a risk with something that may be different or set him apart from others. Instead he has to follow the current trend and promote a cookie cutter bike that looks like everything else coming out of Japan. That’s not to say that I don’t have an appreciation for Japanese Motorcycles, just some of their riders. | ||
| Bigbird |
Hate to say it, but your friend is an asshat! I've been riding for 32 years, the last 22 have been on street bikes. In more recent years I have felt I was an above average rider, largely due to all of the miles I've travelled on two wheels. Sure, I know there are better riders out there and I love having the opportunity to learn from them when possible. But I have gotten to the point where I ain't no slouch! Even a rock in a stream will absorb some water, right? I guess somewhere north of my first hundred thousand miles on two wheels I started figuring it out. When I started riding BMW's in '00 I found that the superior engineering of the BMW allowed me to explore a side of riding I had never previously explored. I became faster in the twisties on my '00 RT with 90 measly horsepower and a passenger than many 600 cc sport bike riding friends of mine. I still distance ride on BMWs, but in '03 I got my first Buell. It was a black xb9s. Time spent at Deal's Gap (among other places) quickly showed me the limits of that BMW, despite the fact that the RT is a very solid bike. The Buell was significantly less work to move around than the big beemer, and the combination of lighter weight, shorter wheelbase, and overall design of the bike was liberating. Last year I traded the xb9s for a '04 xb12R. Simply more of a great thing is the way I look at it. I haven't been disappointed yet! I've ridden with better riders than myself on R1's, ZX-10's, etc., and found that not one of them has been able to get around the xb12 in the tight stuff. Sure, they can leave me on the straights. Their 85 extra horsepower has to be good for something! But that's not what I care about when it comes to the Buell. I don't need a way to get to jail or the scene of the accident any quicker than the xb12 can take me, and I'll leave a rider of equal skill on a ZX-10 behind as long as the road isn't straight. Living in southeastern Ohio most of the roads around me aren't straight! Like I said, I still tour on BMWs, but I chuckle quietly to myself when someone tells me I could ride the twisties better if I got rid of my Buell for brand x. | ||
| Slaughter |
A buncha points here... These "Coffee Shop Commandos" always seem to have something that says their bike is the best, yours is junk. Usually has nothing to do with ability, just throwing a spec sheet down on the table and bragging about it. I keep harping on this point: what makes the bike faster is proper suspension setup and maximizing seat-time in controlled situations - hopefully on the track - though a track day a month can add up $$$ over a year's time. I race, so I don't give a sh*t about how big my "chicken strips" are on my streetbike. I KNOW how far my body and bike can slide/tumble in a crash - so I keep it cool on the streets in the twisties. Changing bike brands aint gonna change opinions. The XB is not gonna answer all the critics - ever. The best bang for the buck will always be a used (fill in the blank brand) bike. I'll add my vote: your opinionated pal is an Asshat. (Message edited by slaughter on March 22, 2005) | ||
| Henrik |
Slaughter; how very well put. Thank you. your opinionated pal is an Asshat. Let me rephrase slightly: your opinionated, so-called pal is an Asshat. Henrik | ||
| Bonesbuell |
Get new friends while you are healing. | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
I'm not going to race. I'm not going to challenge people on the street. I'm not going to measure how fast I can go down the quarter mile. I'm going to have fun, improve my riding skills, and appreciate how well my XB12R will allow me to do both those things. Ride what you want for yourself...F everyone else. | ||
| Keith |
I *thought* I was a pretty good rider with over 100,000 miles under my belt. Then I joined the CMRA (Central Motorcycle Racing Association, where Freddie Spencer and Colin Edwards got their start) and felt like I was going backwards. I had no idea what a motorcycle was really capable of. I have to agree with Slaughter, I don't need to impress anyone on the street. If they want to race, I challenge them to get their racing license and meet me on the track. | ||
| Bigbird |
I *thought* I was a pretty good rider with over 100,000 miles under my belt. Then I joined the CMRA (Central Motorcycle Racing Association, where Freddie Spencer and Colin Edwards got their start) and felt like I was going backwards. I had no idea what a motorcycle was really capable of. Education is a wonderful thing, isn't it?  | ||
| Surveyor |
I race, so I don't give a sh*t about how big my "chicken strips" are on my streetbike. I KNOW how far my body and bike can slide/tumble in a crash - so I keep it cool on the streets in the twisties. Slaughter said it all.... most of my riding in the past years has been on the track using a Ducati 998 and 748r then I took the XB9r to a trackday for a laugh......I've put up about 300 miles on the 748r since then. The Ducatis are great but pretty intense the Firebolt is great and great fun particularly if you're a rider rather than a Bullsh***er. | ||
| Slaughter |
I'm not going to race. I'm not going to challenge people on the street. I'm not going to measure how fast I can go down the quarter mile. I'm going to have fun, improve my riding skills, and appreciate how well my XB12R will allow me to do both those things. Ride what you want for yourself...F everyone else. Can I have an AMEN!  | ||
| Mikej |
"The road is for riding, the track is for racing." Amen. | ||
| Djkaplan |
I wish I could meet up with a certain 2005 Yamaha R1 rider who's life I made miserable for the 15 miles from Suches to Dahlonega, Georgia this weekend and get his opinion of Buells.  | ||
| Josh_ |
I've noticed that the better the rider, the less they care what you're on. | ||
| Cataract2 |
Dj, who did you make miserable? Do tell. | ||
| Djkaplan |
"Dj, who did you make miserable? Do tell." I was just leaving the March Badness demo ride at the TWO campground in Suches, Georgia. While warming up my bike, I saw a guy on a new R1 in full race leathers go screaming by. I idled out of the campground and took off slowly until I could get the engine up to operating temperature. I caught up to the R1 while he was stuck behind a van waddling around the corners on the way to Dahlonega. He saw me behind him and apparently wanted to make a statement; he passed on the double yellow the first opportunity he could. I wanted to see how long I could hang with him, so I passed too and the race was on. I really expected this guy to outpace me pretty quickly - he had the right bike and the proper costume to do it. He was cutting and thrusting through the switchbacks and short straights and I could hear his bike's ripping exhaust note over the puttering bass if mine. He couldn't get but maybe one or two bike lengths on me in the straights and I kept catching him in the corners. Granted, I think I was a lot more familiar with that section of road than he may have been. On most of the corners, I carried more entry and exit speed and was overtaking him before he could get back on the throttle. This went on for a couple miles before we hit traffic again. I followed a respectful distance back and even turned my high beam off (I always ride with the brights on in the daytime). I was jazzed that this guy couldn't shake me! We passed traffic again, this time on a broken yellow, and went at it again with the same results - no way I could gain on him on the straights, but I had to hit the brakes after some apexes to keep my front wheel from intruding on him. Then this guy did something totally unexpected on the first long straight; he pulled to the right and slowed - he wanted me to pass him. I pulled up even with him, gave him a thumbs up and dropped right back behind him again. I was almost giddy! He jetted off and I puttered back after him. He was making a concerted effort to get rid of me and started making questionable passes in traffic. Like an idiot, I followed him as he passed a truck on the right hand side on a small, paved overlook. I realized this was getting stupid dangerous for more than just us and decided to back off when we encountered a slow moving car again. At this point, we were getting close to the Dahlonega city limits and I knew there was a speed trap there. The R1 guy sped off and I didn't follow. I had probably the best run of my life off that side of the mountain and actually had a witness this time. Luckily for the R1 dude, it was late in the day, and the speed trap wasn't manned. I watched him as he passed cars at high speed through the long straights on the outskirts of Dahlonega. I was beaming under my helmet. THAT..., was the perfect capper to a perfect weekend in the mountains of North Georgia (but maybe not for a certain R1 rider). | ||
| Donutclub |
I used to own a CBR F4i and it was a great bike. It was well balanced with great brakes, great handling, and a great reliable motor. However, I hated the fact that I had to rev it up to make any power. It was a very nice ride above 10k, but who wants to ride around at 10k.........not me. I decided I wanted a twin so I picked up a used XB12R. I've put less than 200 miles on the XB and I have the following comments: - XB handles better than the CBR. - CBR has better brakes than the Buell. - CBR is a more refined bike and is well balanced in regards to engine and brakes. - XB is not as refined, but has the hooligan character. - XB is a much more practical street bike because of the low end power. - I would not hesitate to jump on the CBR and ride across the country. - I'd be reluctant to ride the Buell across the country. These are my opinion with less than 200 miles on the XB. | ||
| Jlnance |
donut - Is it comfort or reliability that would make you hesitant to take the XB cross country? | ||
| Roadsurfr |
As usual most of you guys have hit all the nails on their heads. One of my favorite things about the Buell is that most other riders don't know what it is, so are afraid to challenge. | ||
| Okinawaxb12s |
being a rider of 17 years,owner of no less than 11 "crotch rockets" from the original Hurricane 600 to the monster kawa zx12r,and some of every size in between,even with only 350 miles on the Buell[12-S}it has to be the best all around "smile after every mile" bike i have ever owned.i have already been insulted on the sly by some of the jap bike guys over here in regards to my choice of motercycle.but hey,it's all good,i was nice as my personality will let me be at this point and told him to let me heal up completely and we'll head up the side of the mountain and see what's what.have no desire to be part of a "cookie cutter" culture.at this point the Buell fits my personality,tastes,and riding style to a tee.that is all that matters.screw everything else. | ||
| Charlieboy6649 |
Most have a hard time really explaining what it is that draws them to Buell, sure you can describe the experience, but it never really does it; does it? I like when Erik talks about the "soul" a bike has. I won't even attempt to describe it, BUT I LOVE IT!!! I live in flatland, so, I've got more than my fair share of naysayers. I say screw em'. Ride your own ride, you have nothing to prove, TO ANYBODY... (Message edited by charlieboy6649 on March 22, 2005) | ||
| Aesquire |
First time I rode to Syracuse on my Cyclone, I'm puttering down 690, just keeping up with traffic, about 70. A red blurr in the mirrors resolves into a Honda CBR ARRGH! ( say it with a bad pirate accent please ) doing well over the ton, full race leathers, tucked in & flying. I wave, he doesn't, I don't mind, he's busy. A few minutes later, where 81, 690, and some cow path intersect, I'm sitting upright, mellow & 70, still, ( Uh, I mean I was properly doing the 45 mph speed limit as posted, what?, Oh yeah, 40, ) when I pass this red CBR Arrgh! on the outside, one handed, ( I wave, he doesn't, I don't mind, he's busy. ) as he's dragging a knee, hanging off in fine form, with really big eyes as a reactor yellow Cyclone mellows by. I have no doubt he can go faster than I can, or will. Don't care, the bug eyes said it all. | ||
| Benm2 |
Trackdays are great. Take your Buell there, and pass some 600's. You'll feel better. | ||
| Glitch |
Granted, I think I was a lot more familiar with that section of road than he may have been. I'm familiar with that area in a big way. That's why I love my XB9S.  North Georgia Mountains Suches GA GA Highyway 60 |
