| Author | Message | ||
     Vanvideo |
So I'm sitting here nursing a broken thumb, unable to ride my 9R. I have lots of time on my hands, so I began thinking what type of bike matches what type or aircraft. The 1000 sportbikes are akin to superfighters, like the F-22, the F-15 and the Sukhoi SU-33. Big, bad, sophisticated, maneuverable and waaay fast. The 600 sportbikes are like the smaller, highly maneuverable, high-revvin' fighters; the F-16s and F-18s, Rafales and Mig-29s. The XBs and 2-valve Ducatis are the piston-engined fighters of WWII, like the P-51s, Thunberbolts and Spitfires; fast (in their day), maneuverable and powered by a large, loud, piston engine, somewhat archaic by today's standards. Still, they're beautiful and a blast to ride. Harleys and their cruiser ilk are the cargo planes of WWII, the C-47s and such. Noisy and slow, with poor maneuverability. But they can carry a bunch of crap. Their pilots don't wear helmets. Like I said, I have too much time on my hands. Sure wish my thumb would heal. | ||
| Kdan |
Blast - Cessna 180 | ||
| Freyke |
I'll play.... Here are what I think thier Aircraft equivilents are for the Buells I have owned XB12X = A10 or P3 (Dual Sport) XB9S = F5 S3 = F105 | ||
| Buellshyter |
The A-10 "Warthog" is a highly maneuverable airplane, more so, than it's more advanced cousins | ||
| Boixb12 |
"Highly Maneuverable" is a relative term. A jeep is highly maneuverable @ 10 mph. A Porsche is a highly maneuverable at much higher speeds. The "hog" is a great jet, but fairly slow, it's the business end of the jet with the 30mm canon which makes it so lethal. That's it -- Erik Buell should've mounted a 30mm gatlin gun on the the Uly. It's the "fast and maneuverable" void in my life (since leaving the AF) I'm trying to replace. I think the 12Ss would work nicely.  | ||
| Buellshyter |
Maneuverable in the sense of a tight turning radius would favor the A-10 or the XB. True, an F-15 is maneuverable, it's not a flying brick after all but it doesn't compare with the A-10. This is why the A-10 has been able to win the Gunsmoke competition, despite being a slow and relatively low tech plane. Furthermore, time on target is greater for the A-10 because it is able to quickly get back on target after making a pass. Similarly, an XB is better on a technical track where there are tighter turns. | ||
| Buellin_ri |
A10 is a good choice. Not very fast but still way cool. | ||
| Spike |
I'd put the Blast closer to a 150 or 152. I can't think of any bike that I'd match with my dad's '78 Mooney M20J. Somewhat cramped, unique but not rare, very fast for an old single. | ||
| Captainkirk |
I'd liken my M2 to a P47 Thunderbolt("Jug")-loud,deadly, takes a hell of a beating under fire. | ||
| Vegasbueller |
Too bad you left out helicopters... I would say the XB is comparable to an H model Huey. Tough as nails, maneuverable, occasionally leaks oil, and makes loud noises that get attention from every angle. | ||
| Buelldyno_guy |
"Helicopters". ... No No No. .... After 40 years in the Air Transport Industry I don't think wings should rotate. ... Terry | ||
| Tripper |
After 40 years in the Air Transport Industry... Where? | ||
| M1combat |
I would liken the 12R to an Extra 300... maybe a Pitts Special. Something like that. They don't make better planes for canyon runs... | ||
| Nedwreck |
The Blast is more like a BD-5 or a BD-5J. Bob | ||
| Vanvideo |
I meant to compare any type of bike to any type of airplane, but if we're only doing Buells... The Blast would be more akin to the Cessna 150/152, as previously stated: A beginner's ride. The 12R to a Pitts Special? Not bad... Notice there's been a lot of comparisons of Buells to big, heavy, nasty attack planes like the "Jug", "Thud"(F-105) and "Warthog". The F-4 Phantom, aka "Rhino" and "Double Ugly" comes to mind, also. Those nick-names sound pretty good for our big v-twin bikes, don't they? They wouldn't fit regarding an R1 or GSX-R. | ||
| Ponytail |
Where does the V22 Osprey fall in to place in the motorcycle world?  | ||
| Vanvideo |
the V22 osprey - the Ulysses? Goes anywhere. | ||
| Ponytail |
the V22 osprey - the Ulysses? Goes anywhere. I like it.  | ||
| Freyke |
Hopefully, it won't take as long (v-22) to get it right.... not that it's wrong, because the Uly actually works as advertised right out the factory door... |
