| Author | Message | ||
     Brucelee |
I would love to hear some educated guesses or inside info on what technology, if any will trickle down from the RR to any new XB coming out. Obviously, I want at least a 115 real wheel HP XB, and that would have me at the dealer tomorrow. But please keep mine a lightning, as I can't fit in an R anymore (too old and stiff). Having that in a LONG would be even better. I am wondering what you guys think? | ||
| Jkhawaii |
maybe the IR induction set up and revised heads. just the dual throttle bodies alone would give quite a few HP I'm guessing. the new cases would probly be a little farther out but I'm just guessing | ||
| 1313 |
My (dream?) recipe for a Sport Tourer. - Firebolt with large tank (frame) - 115 RWHP (or more - if you're dreaming, why not dream real good, right?) - XBRR front fairing (with lights added, of course) - Easily removable styled hard saddlebags (I've been thinking to myself lately that these could be added really sweetly to the XBRR style tail section...) This would then be a real replacement for the S3-T (and S2-T)! Alas, it is but just a dream... 1313 | ||
| Buellistic |
HOW ABOUT DUAL THROTTLE BODIES, ONE FOR EACH CYLINDER ??? | ||
| Diablobrian |
Just one of those monsters would supply ample fuel and air for most any motor you'd want to build. Our current throttle bodies don't become a choke point until you get above 115hp or so. (Message edited by diablobrian on March 25, 2006) | ||
| Darkducati |
I think the easiest would be the mag wheels. And they would make a huge difference in handling, if it could get any better. | ||
| Curtyd |
" 115 RWHP (or more - if you're dreaming, why not dream real good, right?) " You have something against 150 RWHP, or was that a typo when you wrote fifteen, not FIFTY?  | ||
| Jimidan |
Brucelee sez: "Obviously, I want at least a 115 real wheel HP XB, and that would have me at the dealer tomorrow. But please keep mine a lightning, as I can't fit in an R anymore (too old and stiff)." I don't want to sound preachy, but if you are THAT old and stiff, what are you going to do with 115 RWHP? I hear these wishes from folks all the time that have no business on a machine with that much HP. I guess you might be joking or that you are also wishing not to be old and stiff any more!  But if you are too stiff to reach the bars on an R model, you probably are serious...and correct. That really is a lot of power on the street and without lightning reflexes, can get you into a lot of trouble really fast. I have read estimates (that I believe) that say 99% of the motorcycle riding population can not handle a bike with that much power. I have bikes with that much power and I can tell you that they are scary fast on the street, and that is after conditioning myself at the gym and doing track days. I am in good shape and not a bit stiff (except in the mornings ), and I don't use nearly all of the power of my bikes on the street...not even close. The stock Buells of today will do a quarter mile in 11.38 @ 117.6 MPH with "just" 92.2 RWHP and 72 ft/lbs of torque (source Motorcyclist Mag. 01/06). That is really quick and well beyond most old and stiff guys to ride around safely. Be careful about what you wish for...you just might get it. I don't think that the other Bruce Lee would have let himself get into that kind of shape ;-0. jimidan | ||
| Cataract2 |
I do think the heads should trickle down. If I recall the current XB heads are side draft while our airbox is down draft. The heads on the RR are down draft. This would be a much needed change on the XB's I feel. Besides, I've never liked the design of the current heads. (Boy, this is starting to sound a bit awkward for my post.) The dual throttle body would be a nice upgrade too. Oh, just for kicks. Why not add the XBRR front brake setup too? BTW, I always wonder why some people on here are so against the Buell's uping the HP numbers? Do you want these bikes to never change? I too would love to see a 100+ RWHP sometime soon. I'm not looking to compete with the liter bikes out there, but at least allow us to compete with the 600's on the street in straight line speed. Not all of us live near twisty roads. Come to my area and try to find them. (Message edited by cataract2 on March 26, 2006) | ||
| Curtyd |
The bike can only go as fast as my wrist can make it go ultimately, right? For what ever reason I may like having it in reserve, even if it's just so I can gaze longingly at the bike sitting in the garage and dream. I have a friend I can barely ride with anymore, I have seen him just do about anything on any kind of a bike that you could imagine. Now he has two race type bikes a beautiful RZ350 and a Honda Superhawk, he never even goes over the speed limit in either of the darn things, he just like it that way. But he can show up many a "young'in", if and when he wants to...so what's wrong with having a bike on "tap"? | ||
| Brucelee |
"I don't want to sound preachy," Well, yes you do and you have succeeded. | ||
| Benm2 |
It just dawned on me about the failed clutch baskets coming from Japan. Think about it; Japan! That's NOT a place you go when you need 50 parts for a one-off (ish) race package. My guess is either (1) they're using a stock clutch basket or (2) the baskets are pre-prod for the '07 models. Maybe? | ||
| Gsxr_is_gone |
Well, if Buell comes out with an RR, I'm on it. It will p--- off my wife, but you know that saying's about "A man has to do a man has to do". MY XB12R will be gotten rid of to get an RR. And for those people that are so afraid, they will still sell you an XB12R. | ||
| Sparky |
I've got my eye on that aerodymanic streamlined bodywork and perhaps a RR1000 type front fender to make my Firebolt more slippery. I hope they offer affordable "civilian version" body pieces for the rest of us. Recalling Kevin Cameron's recent article about the most efficient shape for moving a body through a medium is that of a salmon type fish, I think the XBRR's shape would be a big step in that direction (to make a sleek looking street bike, not a fish). We don't need no stinkin' FIM to dictate how our bikes look! | ||
| Crusty |
Do you really want to ride around with a Dustbin fairing? | ||
| Chadhargis |
Jimidan - You make the point I've been trying to convince people of for years. Lots of power is only good if you can use it. On the street, that's mostly when you are in a straight line. The track is different, but I ride maybe 2 track days a year, so unless I'm going to have a dedicated track bike, I want a more streetable powerplant. I've been teaching MSF for 5 years, and I'm always saddened by the new, inexperienced riders who say they are buying a Gixxer, Hayabusa, CBR, etc. when they can barely handle a Nighthawk 250. My Ducati Monster 900 has a whopping 75hp, and I have no problems passing people with faster bikes on the track. Of course, when the track straightens out, they whiz by me like I'm not moving (when I'm doing 100mph), but they have to get on the brakes so early to scrub off that 130+mph of steam that I gleefully pass them again in the corner.  I will say that the Buell engine could be more refined, but I can't say it needs more power. My buddy has a V-Strom 1000 that doesn't make much more power than my Buell, but it feels a lot smoother and more refined. Now...if we're talking trickle down from the RR....I'll take the Ohlins suspension and the 8 piston caliper please. | ||
| Skyguy |
Chadhargis, I am with you on the suspension! I do not get passed in the canyons on my 9R much. Except the straights. In fact a nice kid on a R-6 saved me a hefty ticket yesterday with his "hammer the straights" riding style. I think he got popped at about 110. | ||
| Roadsurfr |
1313 You nailed it buddy. I would re-mortgage the house for that one. It's really nice to have that extra HP when you want to pass 90mph traffic,TWO-UP,without down-shifting.  | ||
| Chadhargis |
If I were doing 90mph with my wife on the back, I'd need a new helmet from her knocking me in the side of the head telling me to slow down. Passing isn't even an option with her on board. My FJR had 125rwhp, and I never once used it with her on the back. Would hate to screw up at those speeds and orphan my daughter.  | ||
| Brucelee |
Nice that several of you have taken the opportunity to "preach" about my desire to have more power. Sorry that I have not convinced you that I can handle more power but then, since it is my money, I don't need to convince anyone. Of course, the thread was about what folks want from the RR. If you guys don't want more power, fine. I would bet that this would be at the top of the list for many Buell buyers/riders. I know it is on mine. Hey, for the record, I have been riding for 30+ years, have no accidents and no tickets. I had a ZX10 for a bit and managed to survive just fine. All that power must have been OK I guess. But, hey thanks for the free advice; it is worth just what I paid for it! | ||
| Gsxr_is_gone |
I'm with you Brucelee. I had my first bike when I was 14, I'm now on the plus side of 55. The XB would be the perfect bike with the new RR engine in it. Oh, yeah 11.38 @ 117.6mph is nice number, 20 years ago. (Message edited by gsxr_is_gone on March 27, 2006) | ||
| Cataract2 |
I second what Bruce said. Oh, and before anyone goes on about how there are other bikes out there with that power. Maybe some of us don't want to get a bike made from another brand. We want to buy one with Buell on the airbox. | ||
| Spike |
I honestly don't think we'll see much for '07. I think we'll get the new caliper and maybe another smallish part, but that's about it. I do expect we'll see some tamer version of the XBRR motor along with new bodywork in an upcoming model, but I don't expect to see it this year. My dream list looks something like 1313's, but I'd hope they could find room for a good passenger seat in the RR's tail. Also, I'm undecided on the larger frame rails. More fuel is good, but I don't like the added width of the new frames. Someone alluded to the existing XBRR frames already being pushed from ~4.5 up to ~5 gallons. If that is true then the same tricks on an '06 XB should get us over 4 gallons while keeping the narrow side panels. For what it's worth, my ~90rwhp XB12R was running down 600cc I4s and liter twins on the straight at VIR South last season. More power would fall into the reckless but welcome category. | ||
| Jimidan |
I think Chadhargis and I were just giving the common sense approach...which always sounds preachy to some. I am not saying this applies to anyone on here, but we all know there are those who are buying bikes more for the numbers than the actual performance that their skill can use. Nobody is making anyone take this common sense advice. We all know that most of sportbiking is about whose D**K is biggest anyway...right? I have big HP bikes because I like them and take them to the track where I can use them, and also because at age 55 I can still do the things I did when I was 21 (like touch the ground with my palms while standing). I am not the one complaining that I am so "old and stiff" that I can't reach the XBR's bars comfortably...and they really aren't that radical ergonomically. Try wrestling my 998 around for an hour and see how your "old and stiff" body reacts. But this is more about how much power does one really need on the street, and I am here to tell you that the right rider can kick ass on a lowly XB9 at the track, over the liter bikes...I have seen it. He will be so far ahead of almost all of them that the straight away speed will never be able to make up the difference. There is a guy who comes to the track I go to most that brings his old 60 hp BMW boxer with tires 3" wide. Around Sunday after noon, he brings this bike out and mops the track with all of the racer boys (and me too), just because he can...and to teach us all a lesson. It isn't the bike, its the rider that is most important. Nearly all riders out there cannot handle a 115 RWHP bike on the street without getting into serious trouble...and if one has had a ZX10, they should know that. For the record, I have friends who have ZX12's and they can't ride for crap...but they have the bragging rights which is more important to them than anything else. They have 1" chicken strips on their tires, and refuse to ride with me on curves. It is all in what is important to the rider...we all have different needs that bikes fill. Usually, Buell owners are more down to Earth regarding the need for HP that is never used. There are exceptions, not that I am saying anyone on here fits the bill. Jimidan | ||
| Chadhargis |
I won't comment on the "old and stiff" thing, because I don't believe that makes a darn bit of difference. Even a young buck can't handle all the power of todays superbikes, especially on the street where not even Valentino Rossi can lay down 160rwhp safely. Even 100hp on the street is a bit much. Yeah...more power for two up riding is good, but I've always liked to ride with smoothness and skill over point and shoot accleration. My Buell is my "powerful" bike. It's most likely laying down 85hp. My Ducati, maybe 75hp. For some reason, everyone assumes my Ducati is fast, and I get no grief when I ride that bike. But I'm constantly getting comments about the Buell. Things like, "Nice bike, but it needs a real engine." or "It'd be a cool bike if it didn't have a Harley motor in it". Yet those same guys are the ones in my rear view mirror on their ZX, CBR, SV, Gixxer, TL, VFR, Bandit, etc, etc, etc. It's not that they are bad riders, it's that with a few exceptions, they are on the wrong bike for the road. I've ridden a few of their bikes, and they are downright scary the way the power hits. You'll be coming out of a corner and BAM, you'll hit the power band of the engine and it's like a darn 2-stroke. I'd say the most fun Jap bike I've ridden was a Superhawk. It was damn fast, but controllable too. I like the extra revs it had. That's my only gripe about the XB motor is that it has such a narrow rev range. Yeah, it makes decent power, but it's from 4000 to 6800, so you're looking at less than 3000rpm spread. I'd like to see an engine that had a little more revs before it hit the wall. | ||
| Brucelee |
a"nd also because at age 55 I can still do the things I did when I was 21 (like touch the ground with my palms while standing). I am not the one complaining that I am so "old and stiff" that I can't reach the XBR's bars comfortably...and they really aren't that radical ergonomically. Try wrestling my 998 around for an hour and see how your "old and stiff" body reacts." You are quite the man! Can we feel your biceps? Jimi you are so funny, the second you say you are not trying to do something, you then go right ahead and do it. Go back and read your posts. So, do us a favor and GET OVER YOURSELF. For the record, I CAN fit in an R but don't find a two hour ride in one all that inviting. So, sue me! PS-now some unsolicited advice for you; ask your wife if you can ride the same at 55 as you could at 21. I can see her smile right now! | ||
| Curtyd |
BOY, I have at least 3 more years before I reach "geezer-hood" like you 55'ers, does reaching down to pick up my 2 1/2 y/o daughter, qualify as limber enough to still handle one of these powerful machines...  p.s. The best parts above that set off my B.S. detector was the "no one else can really handle all this power, except ME, of course" that and the "Me and my Ducati 998," more moto-elitism snobbery than I can really stomach and I have been riding and even crashing a few times for well over 20 years. (Message edited by CurtyD on March 28, 2006) |
