| Author | Message | ||
     12r |
When I first got my Firebolt, I was easy prey for the hot poop IL4s that rule the roads here in dear old Blighty. GSX-Rs used to blow past at over 100mph down bumpy B-roads; 600s used me for basic training & target practice. But now it's all changed. Those same GSX-R riders feign sudden interest in the contents of adjacent fields, allowing me to slip past apparently unnoticed while their egos remain intact, secure in the knowledge that they 'weren't really trying'; naked streetfighters pull over into the gutter and wave me past; IL4s tag along at a comfortable distance, just in case I decide to 'pull the pin' (ho ho). So what's up ? Has 18 months with a Firebolt improved my riding that much ? Are Mich Pilots that good ? Nah...I think that Bike magazines 'Best Cornering Bikes' feature has changed a few attitudes and done wonders for Buell. Real respect out on the twisties. But then again maybe I am riding better...  | ||
| Lovematt |
You probably are riding better....than if you were on a different bike (if it was not a Buell). Seriously though I understand what you mean. I am trying to sell my SV1000S simply because although I love the bike the only thing it is good for over and above the Buell is straight line speed...something that doesn't twist my limes like it did before...and I don't see that changing anytime soon. Plus the Buell has a character that I really love which other bikes (with a few exceptions) don't have. Journalism may have power but when people actually try the bike and look at the handling as a plus without expecting space shuttle acceleration...well they just can't deny a Buell is a great bike. I have let a few (just a few) people try my bike and every single one of them loved the handling and were quite surprised... (Message edited by lovematt on October 04, 2005) (Message edited by lovematt on October 04, 2005) | ||
| Rpmchris |
What he said! | ||
| 12r |
Yah I hope the journalistic influence extends to the showroom and gets more Buells out on the road. It's all good. FWIW, those SV1000s really go from the stop lights eh ? I see one most mornings and it freakin' flies. | ||
| Kenny_v |
Well Stated 12r ! I'm on my 12r for a bit over a year as well , I get quite a bit of respect now . Usually I'm asked to lead most of our rides these days . The 600cc crew that ride with me "my nephew and his friends" no longer try to impress me with their bikes top end speed , instead they concentrate on riding their machines . The must have discovered that there is much more to riding a sport built machine than just pulling wheelies doing stoppie's and seeing how fast they can go down the Interstate . Now they seem more interested in "how can I catch Uncle Ken in the Twisties ", Man that Damn Buell pulls hard ! My CBR doesn't seem soooo fast anymore .... | ||
| Lovematt |
Yes...the SV1000S really is a fast bike. It doesn't have the rush that the IL4s have but it is hard to bog down once above 3500 or so. Alas I like by Buell much more though...it is just a better bike for me. Different, has character, different, makes me emotionally attached to riding, different... | ||
| Midknyte |
I've never gotten anything but respect for mine. So much so, that I find "myself" being the one not to wave [back] cruisers for not expecting one... On the sportbike side of the fence, I only ever get asked how big it is (engine). Never about how fast it goes. Everyone just assumes that it is [fast] or knows already. Mostly, they just like/love the way it looks. | ||
| Coyote_xb12s |
How difficult would it be to drop an SV1000S engine into an XB Frame? I know that the Suzuki engine is water cooled and chain driven, but it does have a 6 speed tranny, (for those who feel they need it), dry sump and one injector per cylinder. How much more power than the XB engine does it make? How feasible is the swap? I guess there would also be the electronic control of the EFI...would it be worth the trouble? | ||
| Vonsliek |
i think the xb platform is custom fit for the motor it has .. 45 deg. vtwin ... the suzi is what .. 60? 90? as far as i can ascertain, the harley donk is the only 45 deg. vtwin. currently running. the tl1000 donk is considered a facking mad engine in what was a dangerously poor chassis .. put on of them in a custom frame & turn gray as u twist the wrist. | ||
| New12r |
I like passing jixxers in the n. ga. mtns. on the inside going up 129, they know about us Buellers up there. | ||
| Lovematt |
I think it would be quite a job to even attempt an SV engine in an XB frame. For one thing the motor mounts up from the side directly to the frame...totally different than the XB. I would say I sure wouldn't want the bike that ended up existing. As for power...the redline is 11,000 and the HP is around 145 on my bike. The numbers sound impressive but honestly when my 9 is on the pipe around 5 grand and above...it is hard to beat. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Ride one first.... I got to ride a VStrom, and while the motor is absolutely a good solid one, I actually preferred the characteristics of my 9sx on the street. If you want mondo motor, I would suspect S&S could probably send you something in a crate that would drop right in and haul. You still won't touch a GSXR-1000 or R1 in a horsepower war though, and they get creamed by a Busa, which gets creamed by the grand prix bikes, which get creamed by the dragsters, which get creamed by the F-14 tomcat, which gets creamed by the Space Shuttle, which crawls compared to the speed the earth orbits the sun, which might as well be standing still relative to our solar systems flight through space, which.... | ||
| Midknyte |
You've got an attitude Reep. And I like it.  | ||
| Imaposer |
which gets creamed by the Space Shuttle Actually, the shuttle has a pretty slow 0-60 and 1/4 mile time. I think it's comparable to most sporty bikes out there. The top speed on the other hand.....  | ||
| Vonsliek |
reep .. hahaha .. & lets not even think about the speed of light! | ||
| Diablobrian |
them photons really boogie | ||
| Midknyte |
hey, uh, one of your photons are out |
