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| MarJay |
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MarJay
But it's British!
Joined: 15 Sep 2003
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 Posted: 15:37 - 05 Sep 2009  Post subject: Today I had one of the best rides I've had for years! |
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I've just been for a relatively short ride, but now I can't stop grinning! That hasn't happened to me for years!
I'm really pleased. As some of you may know I recently wrecked my Speed Four on a trackday. What some of you may not know is that I swapped it for an SV650 with Jay12329. At the time it seemed like a good idea, but now I don't think I want to ride it. In the mean time I've made my YPVS work properly and been out on my MZ a few times but not really had the time or inclination to get an MOT on the SV. Then I got sent to Denmark back towards the end of July, and everybody in Denmark appears to like loud Harley Davidsons. This got me thinking about the last bike I was truly happy and comfortable with. The S4 was good, and it worked well but I felt like I had to thrash it everywhere and it had quite nasty high frequency vibes that meant your hands and feet tingled after you finished riding it. It was comfortable, but I missed wide bars. Prior to that I had a Fireblade which was too much for the road, not all that comfy and too sharp for me. Before that I had an NC30 which handled well and was fast enough but was simply painful to ride.
Nope, I had to go back before the NC30, all the way back to my Buell XB12R Firebolt. That was the last bike I had that I was really comfortable and happy with. Sure it had a few issues, but it made me grin, which is the most important thing about a bike. I shouldn't have sold it.
https://www.marjay.co.uk/photos/Buell1.jpg
So I decided that I should sell my LC to fund a new bike. I kept an eye out for something, and then this week I bought this:
https://www.bikechatforums.com/files/dsc01403.jpg
https://www.bikechatforums.com/files/dsc01407.jpg
https://www.bikechatforums.com/files/dsc01404.jpg
https://www.bikechatforums.com/files/dsc01406.jpg
Its not identical to my Firebolt, as it is in fact a Lightning XB12S. It does have the same Buell race kit that my 'bolt had which sounds amazing. Its actually more comfortable than the bolt, with lower pegs and slightly narrower bars, and a softer thicker seat.
Its not very practical, it has no underseat space, very little weather protection and nowhere to put luggage. It jumps about at idle, and the engine is pretty agricultural compared to Japanese or most european bikes. It only has a five speed gearbox, it doesn't hold much fuel and has a tea strainer as a rear mudguard.
However I love it! I rode it today giggling to myself because the riding experience is so good. There is so much torque available from the engine, and it sounds soo good that you just can't help but twist your right wrist a bit more just to feel the acceleration and the noise. The pegs and bars fall right to hand, and the seat is a little on the hard side but still comfy. There isn't that much wind blast at 80mph and there are vibes but they aren't uncomfortable.
I didn't go very far today, just a few miles. The tyres are a little worn and I missed a gear a couple of times, but I don't care. I spent some of this morning adjusting the suspension to my weight according to the table in the user manual. I'm not sure what the DPO (dreaded previous owner) did with the bike, but the tyres were worn, the front and rear suspension were quite differently adjusted and yet it has only done 2900 miles.
The suspension adjustments made the bike feel like it wants to turn now, whereas before it felt a little reluctant to get over onto its side. The table in the manual says that for my weight I should add preload to the rear suspension, but I felt that it made the bike a little nose heavy so I backed it off to default rear preload.
That was when I took the bike out for the great ride. The small tweaks I made to the suspension meant that this was the first time in ages I actually felt relaxed when riding, and I had confidence in the handling of the bike. I didn't feel like I should back off when entering corners, and the acceleration performance of the bike is eye popping. The ownership of the bike shouldn't be a huge headache either, with self adjusting hydraulic tappets and a maintenance free belt drive meaning that I shouldn't have to get my hands too dirty.
It does need a few tweaks to make it perfect however. The clutch is very very heavy, and is making my wrist hurt so I've ordered a Muller power clutch, and I may even splash out on a Magura hydraulic clutch conversion at a later time. It needs some crash bungs, so I've ordered some R and G's. As mentioned, the front tyre is worn and cupped, and it is on the wear indicator. The rear tyre has lots of tread but has a strange profile... possibly from being run at the wrong pressure and has also been plugged at some time, but on the side of the tread which disturbs me a bit.
Still, its rideable on the tyres it has so I'll get some Diablos when I can afford it.
In case you didn't guess, this is a post from a very happy motorcyclist!! 
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another. |
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| Whosthedaddy |
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Whosthedaddy
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Posted: 16:23 - 05 Sep 2009  Post subject: |
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I do like the look of most of the Buell range and not put off by the HD influence under the skin. I am a little put off at the moment by the fact that I'm not truly taken with a twin compared to an IL4.
Interesting you should say its not got too much wind blast, its almost a naked bike?
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Current : MSX 125 Past : CBR 900RR Monkeybike : c50 LAC : ZXR750 H2 : FZR600 : ZX7R P3 : YW100 : TRX850: Trophy 900 T309 : GSXR 600 L0: Monkeybike : XJ6S Whosthedaddy |
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| neatbik |
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neatbik
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Joined: 27 Jun 2007
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| Posted: 16:50 - 05 Sep 2009 Post subject: |
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Lovely bike 
Im changing my S4 in febuary, and Buells are something i am considering.
They seem to hold on to their money though, am i going to be able to get a decent one for 3.5k?
Havent ridden one either, but i have ridden a few 1200 Harleys, and i loved the stupendous torque |
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| MarJay |
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MarJay
But it's British!
Joined: 15 Sep 2003
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| Posted: 16:52 - 05 Sep 2009 Post subject: |
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| Whosthedaddy wrote: | I do like the look of most of the Buell range and not put off by the HD influence under the skin. I am a little put off at the moment by the fact that I'm not truly taken with a twin compared to an IL4.
Interesting you should say its not got too much wind blast, its almost a naked bike? |
If you don't like twins I don't think you'll like Buells. They are like a twin distilled because they have a very low redline, a very flat torque curve and loads of torque. However, they do not have the engine braking of some large twins. Buell specified that the engine continue to be fuelled at a closed throttle so that the engine braking is mild as opposed to eye popping.
With regard to the wind blast, you have to bear in mind that I'm used to riding nakeds these days, and I haven't ridden a fully faired bike for over a year. However, the little fly screen you see on there does seem to be more effective than the bikini fairing was on the Firebolt. I suspect this is down to the fact that the firebolt was designed and built with clip ons, not flat bars. The previous owner of my bolt put the Renthals on it, and I think that the bikini fairing was at the wrong angle to deflect wind off of an upright rider. The Lightning however, seems to be designed well. I've not ridden it faster than 80mph yet though either.
Here's a vid that shows the vibes and the noise. I suggest you watch it in HQ mode, because normal quality doesn't seem to allow the sound to come through very well. Its not perfect in HQ either, but its better than the low quality.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nz52JtnMJBY
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another. |
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| arry |
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arry
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Joined: 03 Jan 2009
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| Posted: 17:11 - 05 Sep 2009 Post subject: |
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Superb Best of luck with it, I'd love to try one |
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| Digitalize |
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Digitalize
Nearly there...
Joined: 09 Aug 2009
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| Wafer_Thin_Ham |
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Wafer_Thin_Ham
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| Posted: 18:00 - 05 Sep 2009 Post subject: |
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Lovely bike Marjay.
I have a huge soft spot for the XB12R/S. Would love to own one, but they seem to hold their value really well whenever I've looked into them.
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| Mac_Black |
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Mac_Black
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| Posted: 11:05 - 06 Sep 2009 Post subject: |
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Very cool bike, actually suprised so many people like them, there was me thinking I was slightly odd.
Not sure I like the sound though, it's beastly when you rev it but it just sounds ill on tickover... Got any plans to fix that? *Cough* Straight through
Another thing, how actually is it to ride now that you've set up the suspension? Do you think it could hold its own in the corners? Possible to switch lines etc?
Very cool though  |
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| nowhere.elysium |
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nowhere.elysium
The Pork Lord
Joined: 02 Mar 2009
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| Posted: 15:20 - 06 Sep 2009 Post subject: |
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God damn you. I'm now lusting after one. I've always thought of American engineering as cumbersome and poo, but looking at some of the features on the bikes, I'm quite impressed. I like the braking system they're using - it makes a lot of sense, and seems to do wonders for weight watching.
The translucent tank's a bit much for me, though: it must look the tits on a show bike, but I wouldn't be happy parking it outside. Plus, it's quite low-capacity (14.5l on a 900  ).
Still it looks shiny, and sounds good, so I'm starting to think of them in a favourable light, here...
Tell me how that hydraulic self-adjusting tappet setup fares, will you? I'm curious to see if it's any good...
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| Kickstart |
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Kickstart
The Oracle
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| J D |
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J D
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| Posted: 16:46 - 06 Sep 2009 Post subject: |
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Love the looks of these 
Is belt driven much different to chain? Im so confused, twin or IL4 for next bike  Too many choices.
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| Whosthedaddy |
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Whosthedaddy
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| Posted: 17:36 - 06 Sep 2009 Post subject: |
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Heel plates for the pillions, now that's a nice touch.
The video makes the bike look even smaller than it does in person. There were 2 that went past me in the car a while back and the thunderous noise and vibrations felt as they past was huge.
Aren't they one of the best handling bikes on the market only behind the RS?
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Current : MSX 125 Past : CBR 900RR Monkeybike : c50 LAC : ZXR750 H2 : FZR600 : ZX7R P3 : YW100 : TRX850: Trophy 900 T309 : GSXR 600 L0: Monkeybike : XJ6S Whosthedaddy |
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| MarJay |
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MarJay
But it's British!
Joined: 15 Sep 2003
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| nowhere.elysium |
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nowhere.elysium
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| Posted: 19:45 - 06 Sep 2009 Post subject: |
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| Kickstart wrote: | | nowhere.elysium wrote: | but looking at some of the features on the bikes, I'm quite impressed. |
None of those features are that recent. Rim mounted disks were an aftermarket fad in the late 1980s. Ducati used translucent sections on the fuel tank in the early 1970s (suspect others did to). Honda used hydraulic tappets on the CBX750 of the mid 1980s.
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I had a feeling that they weren't - it'd be a bit mental for no-one to have thought of them, given the level of technical innovation that the main manufacturers can draw upon.
Aside from the translucent tank, which isn't so much my bag of chips, I was quite impressed with the fact that they'd managed to bring together all of the features that they have, and make a bike that's both aesthetically appealing and is ostensibly good to ride. I've seen a few on my inner London travels this weekend, and I was starting to come round to the idea that they're nice-looking bikes. Given the fact that a forum member whose opinion I respect has also gone and bought one, and subsequently proclaimed it to be a cracking ride has cemented my opinion that it's definitely a bike to think about in the not too distant future.
| Kickstart wrote: |
Suspect that for most people the available performance is so far beyond their abilities that getting something supposedly quicker makes no difference. Taking a step back and seeing what you actually like (as Marjay has) is likely to give you something you actually enjoy far more.
All the best
Keith |
I can't agree with this more. When I was looking at buying the 600, I had the choice of a CBR600F, a Bandit 1200, a Bandit 600 (which I bought), and a Yamaha XT600E. The XT was the closest contender, I think, because big singles can be a hoot, and I'd ridden it around a bit and giggled like a loon when I did so. I considered it, but decided against it because I figured that a 4 would be smoother. I decided against the CBR and the Bandit 12 because I knew that they'd be waaay too much for me to deal with (first big bike, see?).
This is why I'm so impressed with the Buell: it looks great, sounds the absolute tits, and handles/goes better than my Bandit in an urban environment, which is where I spend the majority of my time. It's also a nicely distinctive bike, since they're not too numerous around here (this is the fourth and fifth time I've ever seen one in the flesh, as it were), and that's a big plus for me.
I think I've found a candidate for the 'shiny toy' suggestions box that's attached to my savings account...
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| Blau Zedong |
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Blau Zedong
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| yvaiwhy |
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yvaiwhy
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| Posted: 22:45 - 06 Sep 2009 Post subject: |
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boy that is one beast eh???
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| Mac_Black |
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Mac_Black
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| stevo as b4 |
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stevo as b4
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| Posted: 21:18 - 07 Sep 2009 Post subject: |
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Yeah Buells are serious badass and seriously cool bikes! I would definately think about one for my next litre+ naked bike, as they combine lots of grunt, with excellent handling and arn't that heavy either. Would have them in my shortlist along with the Speed triple, MV Brutale, and Kawasaki Z1000.
Nice to see a naked bike thats minimalistic, and that doesnt have any features that don't help it's performance, handling or braking, unlike alot of overweight and over styled big nakeds like the Benelli TNT, and the Suzuki B-king, and Yamaha MT01, none of which are serious bikes in the world of high performance nakeds IMO. |
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| MarJay |
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MarJay
But it's British!
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Posted: 21:41 - 07 Sep 2009  Post subject: |
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| stevo as b4 wrote: | Yeah Buells are serious badass and seriously cool bikes! I would definately think about one for my next litre+ naked bike, as they combine lots of grunt, with excellent handling and arn't that heavy either. Would have them in my shortlist along with the Speed triple, MV Brutale, and Kawasaki Z1000.
Nice to see a naked bike thats minimalistic, and that doesnt have any features that don't help it's performance, handling or braking, unlike alot of overweight and over styled big nakeds like the Benelli TNT, and the Suzuki B-king, and Yamaha MT01, none of which are serious bikes in the world of high performance nakeds IMO. |
Stevo, the only bike there I'd consider a threat to the Buell would probably be the Brutale, but the price difference rules it out. I am a little surprised that you haven't mentioned the Buell's only real performance naked competitor which is of course the KTM 990 Superduke.
The Triumph and Kwak Z are both heavier than the Buell, and although they make more power, neither have the kind of quality of suspension the Buell has. The KTM has the suspension, the power, the light weight and the attitude. I rode one, and I found it to be a little too much for me. The connection between the engine and your right wrist was so direct, immediate and amplified it was actually really really hard to ride at a constant low speed (such as 30mph). Never has the Colinism applied more accurately, but the 'slightest turn of the throttle alters speed as required'.
The Buell has the same kind of torque and power but its cushioned by that fantastic belt drive and the excellent fuel injection. Turning the throttle hard on the KTM is like being fired from a gun on a wheelying bullet, and turning the throttle hard on the Buell is like being thrust forward on a tsunami of torque. And of course the KTM is cripplingly uncomfortable and ridiculously tall. Too tall for me.
I'd also say that you shouldn't count out the Benelli TNT. The performance is on a par with the Speed Triple, and they are excellent value for money at the moment. I saw an '06 model with 2k on the clock for £4000. I almost considered making an offer, but I figured parts availability and backup might be a problem and I had not heard anything on reliability and quality. At least the Buell is a known quantity! The Moto Morini Corsaro is another tempting choice, but again its unproven and italian.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another. |
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| EUMP |
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EUMP
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| chris-red |
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chris-red
Have you considered a TDM?
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| MarJay |
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MarJay
But it's British!
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| Robby |
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Robby
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| MarJay |
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MarJay
But it's British!
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| Noxious89123 |
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Noxious89123
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| Posted: 21:09 - 08 Sep 2009 Post subject: |
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I had a sit on one of those Buells and it felt really weird!
The way my weight was positioned on the bike whilst sat on it, made it feel as if i was sitting on the top yoke!
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'06 Honda CBR125RW-6 ~ '00 Honda CBR600F-Y ~ '07 Honda CBR600RR-7 ~ Bikeless 
'53 Ford Ka 1.3 ~ '03 Vauxhall Astra SRi 1.8 ~ '52 Vauxhall Astra SRi 2.2 ~ '53 Vauxhall Astra GSi |
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Old Thread Alert!
The last post was made 15 years, 258 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful? |
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