| Author | Message | ||
     Bt_rider |
Ok i'm finally ready to get my next bike i've be beating my self to death trying to decide on what to get what i really wanted out of my next bike ,my biggest problem with my sv1000s was it's weight and handiling (heavy steering,not very flickable),so i want my next bike to weigh less and handle better.Which lead me in the direction of the xb "own the corners" right?I've read on this board a few of you swithed from sv's to xb's and love the xb ,sounds great.Then i get on this board and read stuff like and xb would even hang with a 749 in the twisties ....what's up with that? I thought the xb was supossed to come alive when the road gets tight? I don't expect the xb to run with race rep's out on the track(not enough up top) but out in the twisties i would have thought it's handling and power spread would have it holding it's own aginst the rr's . I would think it would have no problem out running a few higher revving bikes . I do know this i had no problems running with anything i came across on the SV or out running a good many rr's with the big heavy SV. the xb should be a much better bike than my sv ,so how are you guy's saying it wouldn't hang with a 749? | ||
| Diablobrian |
It all depends on the rider not the machine when the going gets tight. It also depends on twisty your twisties are. It's all subjective. The XB is becoming a sort of "cult" bike. It inspires a lot of passion in a lot of the riders. It also doesn't always give the impression it's going fast from the riders seat because the engine isn't revving to the moon and back. This has led more than one person to the mistaken belief that the XB is slower than it actually is. Motorcycle Online comes to mind in this department. Yet they found in side by side testing they were actually fastest through their favorite set of twisties on the firebolt even though none of them would have picked it as the "fastest" bike. The stop watch doesn't lie, however your perception of speed can be tricked. Ever ride a motion simulator ride? Same ideas can apply here, or be reversed. A lot of viewpoints may be skewed one way or another, so try to check a broad sampling before making up your mind. | ||
| Bt_rider |
I read 2 different brit mags that gave it great reviews one where they took they xb out and clocked corner speed aginst a 749s,gsxr600,zx10etc..and the buell was usally faster through the corners ,and another mag where they compaired they xb aginst an sv and the xb was hands down the better bike ,but if i have no problem keeping duc's in my wake on that same sv why should the buell i know it's got to be a better bike than the sv.where the sv failed was when the roads get REAL tight that from what i understand is where the xb should SHINE thats exactly what i'm looking for in my next bike one for the real tight stuff. BTW I've asked this befor on this board and never really got an answer .Is their a difference in the handling between the S and the R the R with the more forward weight bias i would think their is a difference ,one better than the other in the twisties? | ||
| Kootenay |
I can only give you a subjective answer, but I have ridden an SV1000S (plus, one riding buddy owns one), and I find my XB9R to be more fun to ride. The Firebolt is physically smaller, and definitely inspires more confidence in the corners; however, it hasn't got the lightest steering out there (certainly not as light as you'd expect looking at the chassis specs)--what it does have is very stable steering that tracks corners like it's on rails, while still allowing mid-corner line changes at will. The bike is "flickable," but it takes a bit of work (it also gives excellent feedback and feel, which is what makes it so much fun). Suspension is definitely superior to the SV. Be aware the Buell engine will need hit the rev limiter just about where your SV1000 engine was hitting the powerband--you'll feel you're shortshifting, and the bike doesn't have that top-end rush you get at 10K rpm. On the other hand, running a tight set of twisties with the engine loping along below 4k rpm is a really neat experience (especially if, like me, you're used to Japanese screamers). | ||
| M1combat |
The XB will hang with anything that has a license plate in the deep twisties (and most stuff w/o a plate). Whether the rider can hang with the XB is another matter entirely (no offense intended at all). That said... It depends on how twisty your twisties are  . When the game is more about handling than power, the XB continues to shine (It starts shining anywhere near a turn or possible location for hooligan type activity). My favorite road is pretty much ALL about handling, so the XB sort of glistens like a naked girl who just stepped out of a river in the morning sunshine (think of the "sireeeens" from "Oh Brother Where Art Thou" and use a tad bit of imagination). Anyone that can't keep a 749 behind them in the turns while riding an XB and has blamed the XB... has mistakenly blamed the XB (even if it's a 749R). That's just my opinion of course . | ||
| Tpoppa |
The R has sightly more ground clearance due to higher footpegs. The suspension setup is slightly different between the R & S due to the rider weight bias. Both are extremely capable, confidence inspiring machines. I prefer the riding position of the S and wish I had the wind protection of the R. On a tight, twisty backroad I can keep the best from Italy and Japan in my rearviews. | ||
| M1combat |
The foot pegs on the R and S are the same unless you have the "low" pegs from the "SCG"/"Low" "S" models. Those pegs will fit on the "R" as well. As Erik put it... If he doesn't know the road ahead, he wants the "S" model. If he does know the road, he wants the "R" model. | ||
| Tpoppa |
http://www.buell.com/en_us/bikes_gear/wallpaper.asp?BikeURL=../images/bikes_gear /xb12s/studio1_large.jpg http://www.buell.com/en_us/bikes_gear/wallpaper.asp?BikeURL=../images/bikes_gear /xb12r/studio2_large.jpg The rider pegs on the S are about an inch lower. They are easily interchangeable. | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
And then there are the "compromise" positions. 1. An S with an R tail . 2. An R with Supercross bars. 3. An S with Crossroads or other bars that are lower and more forward than the stock bars, but not as extreme as the R bars. I haven't ridden with him, but I have seen some videos of a brother with the nick of "Mountain Rider", one of the 3%'s out of Georgia. He rides a stock City X with a Jardine muffler. Seeing him ride, one might reasonably conclude that a stock City X is the fastest thing in the twisties. | ||
| Sgthigg |
Depends on the rider in my opinion in 99 percent of the cases. Hell 500's could out run anything if the right rider is on it. We can SPEC SHEET and read opinions in zines all day. Anybody who really rides can tell you this. Get out there and test ride one. See if you like it or dont. Problem solved. Way beter than reading a magazine and basing your opinion off there. | ||
| Fullpower |
i think a TEST RIDE is in order. | ||
| Midknyte |
Ride both and try to get a good nights sleep. The one that wakes you in the middle of the night, calls your name, and keeps you up - that's the one. | ||
| Bt_rider |
Thats just it I've been day dreaming of an xb since first seeing one i love it i think the s model is just one of the best looking bikes on the road . I just wasn't sure if it preformed as well as it looks . I've bought 2 bikes since they first introduced the xb and both times the xb was in my mind calling to me ,...i've just never been sure about them , ..i guess what i wanted to know for sure is if i get hammered in the corners be some punk on a cbr whatever it's just because he's faster not because the xb let me down. | ||
| Kootenay |
Thats just it I've been day dreaming of an xb since first seeing one... I first saw, and rode, an XB at a test ride in 2003 (I had to drive several hours to get there). I test-rode a lot of bikes in the two years following, but every time I did so, I found myself comparing it to the XB (including the SV1000S I mentioned above). Eventually, I just decided t'hell with it and bought an XB (I got a leftover 03 at a good price, which helps). It may not be the fastest bike out there, but it's definitely one of the funnest (I ride for fun, not in order to prove anything--someone wants to pass me, I just let 'em by and let 'em find any speed traps for me) | ||
| Jcbikes |
If you get beat in the corners, it will not be because of the xb letting you down...It will be because of YOUR own personal cornering abilities. Just my 2cents. You will not be disappointed with the handling of an XB once you put good tires on it! | ||
| Midknyte |
i guess what i wanted to know for sure is if i get hammered in the corners be some punk on a cbr whatever it's just because he's faster not because the xb let me down. Honestly, why do you care? Riding is about you and your bike and the personal enjoyment you receive from it. There's always going to be something bigger, faster, blinger, etc. If you are worried about something or someone else being faster, and you are not on a racetrack, you are riding for the wrong reasons. | ||
| Doon |
I bought my SV650 in 02, and once the XB's came out I fell in love with them. I finally got enough saved up and permission of accounting (my wife) to get one. I've ridden a demo at Americade, and am now waiting for it to warm up and or some of the snow to melt so I can try out my own (just got an 05 xb12s leftover for a good price). | ||
| Bt_rider |
Well guy's i'm working on a deal right now hopefully by monday i'll be the proud owner of a new 05 black XB12S .Hopefully every thing goes as planned ,wish me luck. | ||
| Sub65chris |
I have owned a gsxr 600 for a short time before my citx-x and the handling of my city-x is light years ahead . and now when i went to deals gap not only was i keeping up but the confidence level was way higher (not stupid high) which made the ride more funnn | ||
| Alexfiggy |
glad to see the devil dogs are still riding on base..dont get pulled over by the mp. | ||
| Jak |
As far as the handling goes, I've entered some very tight corners faster than I should have on my 12R and all I had to do was lean in further and hang on. It was amazing. I had never felt such a rush. I love Duc's and someday I'll own one. I chose the XB12R over the 749 that I was looking at because I have a local dealer whereas I would have a 5 hour round trip to service the Duc. All I can tell you is that I am not disappointed with my choice...no regrets. That being said, I ride with four other liter bikes(Falco,1000RR,1000R,R1) and the only reason they are faster is because they are willing to risk more than I am. Ride safe and have fun. | ||
| Lovematt |
Well....I used to have a 2003 SV1000S before I had the XB and I have to say the SV was one of the fastest bikes I have ever ridden. The acceleration was awesome and it had a good amount of torque too. I am sure something like a Gixxer or R1 is faster but I don't go for that kind of bike. I also love to turn and felt I was always kind of fighting the SV in the twisties. But I was looking for something with character...the SV was a little different being a V-Twin but there was still something missing. Once I got the Buell then I got what I was looking for...plus I am no longer fighting the bike in the turns. It may not have the top speed that the SV had but I really don't desire to go 160 MPH anymore... Someday I would love to get a Ducati...got a chance to ride a 916, Monster, and Multistrada and all of them were a lot of fun and had some character too. | ||
| New12r |
BT, come to march badness, it is April 1 and 2, I will be happy to show you how the XB handles and you can follow me on an XB of your choice, S, R, CityX,or Uly. Your not far from T.W.O. in Suches. check this thread. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/show.cgi?tpc=37&post=592963#POST59 2963 When I have some free time I might be able to go out with you on your SV and you can see an XB at a little higher speed through some really serious TWISTIES! | ||
| Diablobrian |
Hey BT did you swing a deal on that xb12? | ||
| Blazinc5 |
hey all, I chose to xb. lol  I been rideing the better part of 11 yrs street and well before that in the dirt. ran honda mostly till I got my Yamaha fazer. I first seen a buell inside the mall where the local dealer set up for a weekend promotion.. I beleive it was in 96 or 97. I loved it, But beeing a broke college kid, I couldn't afford the love. After yrs of Hard work, and aquiring my yamaha (cause it was affordable)I started thinking what bike I would like next. Typical sport bikes,,, who don't have one and man,,, they all look the same anyhow.. So I stuck it out with my yamaha Fazer, fast, looks good, quite uncommon... But old and getting tired beeing an 86... Then I found the buell again in 03... HOT DAMN,,LOOK at that Firebolt,, Even has fuel injection,,, Everything I have read and seen on the Firebolt screemed to me.. GOTTA HAVE ONE... so nose to grind stone,, worked on paying off everything I owed and accuired pretty much everything I needed, including a wife and a house, then stuffed any and every spare cent I had into my savings account. welp time has come for this year no matter what... and I found an 05 xb12r with 2700 miles on it good enouph,, and I'll have a little extra to buy bags and other goodies....  as opposed to buying brand new.. Needless to say I am going nuts waiting for sunday when I go get her... I just hope the snow stays away over the weekend so when I git home I can go play on my favorite lil twisty behind my house. Devin |
