Test rode a Firebolt...

This weekend a HD dealer in Gettysburg had a Buell demo. So I put my feeling for Harley aside and went to the dealer to ride a couple of them. I love the look of the Firebolts but I wouldn't buy one without riding one first... I rode the xb12r first: http://buell.com/common/07/firebolt/xb12r/colors/yellow_right_front_angle.jpg And them took the xb9r for a spin: http://buell.com/common/07/firebolt/xb9r/colors/red_right_front_angle.jpg So as for the ride... Basically with a few exceptions everything L48shark said in his Pro/Con thread is true. They are torque monsters. There is no big power hit...just smooth even power from idle up to the rev limiter. You never get hit with a :yikes: power surge...but there is no lack of acceleration or power either. It's just there when you need it, at every rpm and in every gear. The suspension was INCREDIBLE! I didn't even feel bumps in the road. The bike didn't 'fall' into corners but it went so smooth as you lean it over and holds whatever line with razor precision. The suspension felt so nice. The bike vibrated but actually less than I expected. The sound is beautiful..V-TWIN. The engine comes alive above, say, 3 grand. Surprisingly..the clutch pull was easier than my GSXR. I was expecting a high effort clutch. The gear box wasn't very clunky...not silky japanese smooth...but not bad. I did have trouble finding neutral on the 12...but not the 9. And you CANNOT go from 2nd to N. You must go into 1 first.:idk: Not a big deal. The bike is VERY comfortable. I felt like I could ride all day. On my gixxer my back hurts after about 10 minutes. The brakes felt great. SS lines and the rotor mounted to the outside of the rim. Nice set up. As for the difference between the 9r and 12r... The 9 is basically the same bike. The 12 had a little more grunt but the 9 appeared to be a bit smoother at low rpm. The 9 also revs a little higher. My complaint is the 9's gauges are hard to read. They have a weird font. Other than that...they are pretty much the same bike. The test ride was a 10 mile trip around the country side then a quick blast up the highway...following a guy from the dealer. The guy was the HD sales manager. True Harley guy...beard, pony tail, piercings...full leather. But one of the nicest, coolest guys I've ever met. He knew his stuff when it came to bikes...not just HD's but sportbikes. And I got a free hat to boot. So the end result is this: I loved the Firebolt. It is absolutely on my list of potential purchases. I fell in love when I rode it. Comes stock with Diablo's. I cut the strips from 3" to about 1/2" on my 10 mile ride. You could tell a bunch of amatuers rode them. They were also brand new bikes...right off the showroom floor. The 12r had 8 miles on the clock when I hopped on.

Any modern sport bike won't "fall" into turns. My R6 doesn't at all. I know you got your heart set on a twin, but the newer SB's are insane. How's the riding position? more upright, or the same as a jap SB? 7K rev limit on the 12? that's crap. How long did it take to get to there?

Man you better be bringin more pics than just off the buell website! :tt: I told you that you would love em. They are just a neat bike and have a huge fun factor. Put a aftermarket pipe on them and they sound awesome. What did the dealership guy ride?

It don't take long to get to 7k... but that's a typicall rev limit for a HD v-twin... well actually high for a HD.

Any modern sport bike won't "fall" into turns. My R6 doesn't at all. I know you got your heart set on a twin, but the newer SB's are insane. How's the riding position? more upright, or the same as a jap SB? 7K rev limit on the 12? that's crap. How long did it take to get to there? My bike tends to fall into turns. I've rode newer bikes...but the handling on this bike was far and away better than any Jap bike I've been on. Yeah, 7k redline. It doesn't get there super quick. Not as fast reving as a I4. But when you get on it you run up pretty quick. If you're hustling I bet you'd be banking the rev limiter often. Riding position is more upright than Japs. My bike is pretty extreme on the seating. It's tight. The buell was upright but still tucked in. My only complaint was lack of wind protection from the screen. There wasn't much.

F that. Do you really want to get passed by me on my 600 and you on a 1200, Marko? At least get the TLR you want.

Man you better be bringin more pics than just off the buell website! :tt: I told you that you would love em. They are just a neat bike and have a huge fun factor. Put a aftermarket pipe on them and they sound awesome. What did the dealership guy ride? I didn't take a camera...I know I should have. The dealer guy rode the Lightning. The one with the translucent tank cover.

F that. Do you really want to get passed by me on my 600 and you on a 1200, Marko? At least get the TLR you want. Yeah but he would own you in the corners! That R6 can't compete with corner existing speeds. hook

Yeah but he would own you in the corners! That R6 can't compete with corner existing speeds. hook http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g189/DLIT_2006/throflcopter.gif That's funny.

Yeah but he would own you in the corners! That R6 can't compete with corner existing speeds. hook Truth. I hammered that thing coming out. It responded very well. Besides, I'm not out to prove anything. I dont care who passes me on what.

Truth. I hammered that thing coming out. It responded very well. Besides, I'm not out to prove anything. I dont care who passes me on what. line

None of you guys know if that's a fact. I was killing the Buells that were on the track yesterday. but it is 80% rider.

None of you guys know if that's a fact. I was killing the Buells that were on the track yesterday. but it is 80% rider. :idk: Doesn't matter to me.

F Buells.

F Buells. http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m95/markgraves138/smilies/crackhead.gif

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m95/markgraves138/smilies/crackhead.gif Hey, i gotta do what I can to support my track habbit. If selling crack works, I'll take it.

Hey, i gotta do what I can to support my track habbit. If selling crack works, I'll take it. I'm selling edit tapes for rocks. Dont hate on the buells.

I'm selling edit tapes for rocks. Dont hate on the buells. No hate. Just not my cup of tea. Ever.

No hate. Just not my cup of tea. Ever. Fair enough.

A twin would rock, but not a f'n Buell.

A twin would rock, but not a f'n Buell. I like the look.

I like the look. I'm happy for you.

I'm happy for you. I just looked up some specs. According to my research the xb12r makes MORE torque than an RC51. I wouldn't have thought that. The RC has ALOT more HP tho.

I just looked up some specs. According to my research the xb12r makes MORE torque than an RC51. I wouldn't have thought that. The RC has ALOT more HP tho. And the redline difference?

And the redline difference? :idk: Not sure what the RC51 redlines at. But it's peak torque is at 8k. The buell also makes more than the TLR.

The TLR and the 51 will smoke a Buell. But the Buell could catch up in the corners. It'd be interesting.

The TLR and the 51 will smoke a Buell. But the Buell could catch up in the corners. It'd be interesting. No doubt. Ride one sometime...they are nice.

nice thread marko. I'm a fan of twins as well. but my next twin will be an RC :2cents: but probably not for 5ish years :bonk:

the buells aren't bad, but i think i'd own a harley before i'd ever own a buell. they do look decent though. :dthumb:

the buells aren't bad, but i think i'd own a harley before i'd ever own a buell. they do look decent though. :dthumb: Never. I will never ever own a Harley.

Never. I will never ever own a Harley. Buells are basically harleys in wolf's clothing IMO. I just don't think I could trust anything coming from a company that knowingly uses such crappy technology without really making an effort to fix it in 30+ years.

Buells are basically harleys in wolf's clothing IMO. I just don't think I could trust anything coming from a company that knowingly uses such crappy technology without really making an effort to fix it in 30+ years. Ride each and tell me that again.

If its a twin you want, get a Ducati. :2cents:

If its a twin you want, get a Ducati. :2cents: I would love to...but this is not me---> http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m95/markgraves138/smilies/th7_15_5v.gif Someday I'll get the Duc.

I would love to...but this is not me---> http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m95/markgraves138/smilies/th7_15_5v.gif Someday I'll get the Duc. I saw that 1997 748s for sale for 5500. Looks like a good deal. I wouldnt spend the dough on a new Ducati, but I would on a used one.

I'm not buying a Duc till I can get the real deal. I'm talking the big daddy...999r w/ the Ohlins. Anything less is a travesty.

I'm not buying a Duc till I can get the real deal. I'm talking the big daddy...999r w/ the Ohlins. Anything less is a travesty. $30K for a Xerox replica. :yikes:

Buells are nice, TLR's are cool. Rc's are kings of twins IMO DuC's are over repped I4's are screamers. I guess what i'm saying is get what you want.

$30K for a Xerox replica. :yikes: Yeah...27 large for the one I want.

Ride each and tell me that again. Exactly... that is key!

Just once I'd like to see a thread in the Buell forum that does not immediately degrade to the same BS that we already hashed out on the previous thread. But that doesn't even happen on the Buell boards, so... :nopity: Nice writeup, Marko, and I am glad you enjoyed the ride. Your Buell complaints will now be taken seriously since you have ACTUALLY RIDDEN ONE! Addressing a few of those: The clutch pull was improved on the '06 model. Ditto for the transmission smoothness. Finding neutral will become much easier as the tranny breaks in. I guess you'll have to pick one up so I can pass on the torch of defending Buell on TWF to you. This has nothing to do with my opening remarks, but it looks like mine might be on the market very soon. :upset: I do not have a price yet, but let me know if you're interested.

Buells are basically harleys in wolf's clothing IMO. I just don't think I could trust anything coming from a company that knowingly uses such crappy technology without really making an effort to fix it in 30+ years. EVO.

You can't rule out Aprilia's either.

You can't rule out Aprilia's either. I can...due to price.

I can...due to price. Good point, mmkay.

Just once I'd like to see a thread in the Buell forum that does not immediately degrade to the same BS that we already hashed out on the previous thread. But that doesn't even happen on the Buell boards, so... :nopity: Nice writeup, Marko, and I am glad you enjoyed the ride. Your Buell complaints will now be taken seriously since you have ACTUALLY RIDDEN ONE! Addressing a few of those: The clutch pull was improved on the '06 model. Ditto for the transmission smoothness. Finding neutral will become much easier as the tranny breaks in. I guess you'll have to pick one up so I can pass on the torch of defending Buell on TWF to you. This has nothing to do with my opening remarks, but it looks like mine might be on the market very soon. :upset: I do not have a price yet, but let me know if you're interested. The Sales Manager told me the same thing about Neutral and the tranny breaking in. No worries on that. I absolutely would be interested. Let me know. It would be a hike to get there....but I can entertain the idea for sure.

Buy it before March and we can toss some back in Vegas on your way to buy it.

Buy it before March and we can toss some back in Vegas on your way to buy it. That would be more outta the way...but why not. :idk:

That would be more outta the way...but why not. :idk: Well the chance of you coming out here to buy the bike is as slim as you coming to Vegas.

Well the chance of you coming out here to buy the bike is as slim as you coming to Vegas. Where does he live?

Where does he live? AZ..

AZ.. His thing says AR. He means Arizona? :cursin:

His thing says AR. He means Arizona? :cursin: My bad. I'm an idiot again. it proly is AR.

My bad. I'm an idiot again. it proly is AR. What is that....Arkansas?

What is that....Arkansas? Yeah.

Yeah. Thats a little closer.

Thats a little closer. Just make sure you don't bang a relative while you're there.

Just make sure you don't bang a relative while you're there. Won't be any relative of mine...

Thats how I got hooked. The test ride left a lasting impression even if it took me 3 years to finally get one.

Thats how I got hooked. The test ride left a lasting impression even if it took me 3 years to finally get one. I don't know when or if for sure...but I loved every minute of it.

I don't know when or if for sure...but I loved every minute of it. In time. You'll grow into it. The XB is due for a change in a year or two, so we'll see how the next one goes. The current XB was light years better than the S1. Also, the insurance is cheaper than the V-Rod. Thats with full coverage. A similar sport bike, say an R6 would have cost about 4x as much for insurance.

I just got an insurance quote on the xb12r. Progressive. Full coverage: $750 Not full coverage: $280. Not bad.

Never. I will never ever own a Harley. Never say never. Ride each and tell me that again. :iagree: If its a twin you want, get a Ducati. :2cents: :iagree: I'm not buying a Duc till I can get the real deal. I'm talking the big daddy...999r w/ the Ohlins. Anything less is a travesty. Don't cut your self short. The R's and S's for that matter are miserable for street bikes. Great race bikes. You might be better suited for price and comfort to look at the other models such as a Monster. :D

I just got an insurance quote on the xb12r. Progressive. Full coverage: $750 Not full coverage: $280. Not bad. I started out with progressive, and they were not too bad. Then I went with state farm (we had our cars/home insurance with them already), and it was much better. I ended up with 1/2 the premium and about 5x more coverage. The buells are pretty low cost when it comes to insurance.

I started out with progressive, and they were not too bad. Then I went with state farm (we had our cars/home insurance with them already), and it was much better. I ended up with 1/2 the premium and about 5x more coverage. The buells are pretty low cost when it comes to insurance. Alot of guys on here swear by SF. But I already have my truck, my wifes car, and our homeowners with Nationwide. I dont want to switch our cars over to SF just to get bike insurance. I dont like progressive...but they are cheap enough. I misquoted myself. Collision on the 12r is only 250...not 285.

Hey shark... Are the buells guy running Redline Shockproof Heavy in their trannys? That is a extensive help in the Baker tranny I am running!

I started out with progressive, and they were not too bad. Then I went with state farm (we had our cars/home insurance with them already), and it was much better. I ended up with 1/2 the premium and about 5x more coverage. The buells are pretty low cost when it comes to insurance. My insurace co. goes stictly by cc's so a 883CC V-twin is more than my 748cc I4

Yep... that's state farm for ya!

I am in Arkansas. (When we're not confused with Arizona, which is AZ, people mistakenly use AK, which is Alaska. :crazy: ) Point to the extreme northwest corner of the state and you are pretty close to my house. Not sure about the Shockproof. I have had all of my service done at the dealership, so if it standard for them to add, then yes. Only thing I know for sure is that I have been using the H-D Syn3 20W50, which is good stuff. I would hate to part with her, but I do not need the bike in the winter. But what I do need with 2 kids is 2 cars, and as of last week (courtesy of an F-150) our family car looks like this: http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a55/l48shark/Photo_101806_002.jpg I think (hope) everything will be back to normal before too long, but short term I think the best thing for me to do is unload the Buell and my Jeep (click here!) (http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=211311572&dealer_id=58737891&car_year=2001&search_type=both&num_records=100&make=JEEP&transmission=&model=WRANGLER&distance=10&make2=&address=72714&advanced=&certified=&max_mileage=&max_price=&bkms=1161722204753&sort_type=priceDESC&min_price=&body_code=0&end_year=2001&color=&start_year=2001&drive=&engine=&fuel=&doors=&style_flag=1&cardist=0&LNX=ESTAFSRCHUSDTEXT) in order to get a good car for the wife & kids and then something paid for that I can drive to work and back. Christ, what a hassle... :cursin:

Just make sure you don't bang a relative while you're there. :lol: BTW, I have Progressive, and the charge me $30/month without full coverage.

Things are getting rediculous. I was dreaming about Firebolts last nite.:crazy:

Things are getting rediculous. I was dreaming about Firebolts last nite.:crazy: I was dreaming about ninja's feet.http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g189/DLIT_2006/Picture74.jpg

I was dreaming about ninja's feet.http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g189/DLIT_2006/Picture74.jpg And I shall be dreaming about that chick.... all day.... and night...

A similar sport bike, say an R6 would have cost about 4x as much for insurance. Depends on the company. My brother has an '04 XB-12R and his insurance was slightly more than my '05 R6. We both had the same coverage with State Farm. I've ridden his Buell, and I have to say I liked my R6 better. But I'm allowed to say that because I have ridden both. I liked the more aggressive seating on the 6 and the lack of vibration. He could get off the line faster than me, but I'd overtake him down the line. That may be a different story now that he has the race ECM and exhaust, but we won't know since I had to sell the R6.

Depends on the company. My brother has an '04 XB-12R and his insurance was slightly more than my '05 R6. We both had the same coverage with State Farm. I've ridden his Buell, and I have to say I liked my R6 better. But I'm allowed to say that because I have ridden both. I liked the more aggressive seating on the 6 and the lack of vibration. He could get off the line faster than me, but I'd overtake him down the line. That may be a different story now that he has the race ECM and exhaust, but we won't know since I had to sell the R6. Your R6 would still proly be faster.

I had one of the original Buell's (RR1000) with the XR1000 motor and dual DelOrto carbs. I ordered it from Eric in 1985 in Daytona (bike week). I took delivery in 1987 at Bartell's HD in LA. I had them put HD "E" cams in it and 40mm DelOrto's, Barnett clutch, twin plugged heads, Dyna rev limiter and dual ignition. It was number 20 out of 200. It was cool but wide and heavy. The full bodywork was interesting. Mine was Ferrari red on top, Mercedes midnight blue on bottom and a wide white stripe between. I have pics somewhere but can't figure out how to post.:bonk: I sold it for $13,000 to a guy from Wisconson 5 years ago. I should have kept it. Now have 2 XB9R's. I like the new frame. These things handle great. Track days are soooo much fun.:dthumb: Eric is a cool guy with a dream. I used to talk with him on the phone regularly years ago. Sometimes you couldn't shut him up. He has gone thru a lot with his company. I'm glad that he finally got where he wants to be. I wonder if he even thought he would be back with Harley again? He was out on a limb financially many years with his first bikes. You have no idea how much development money Harley dumped into the XB's. The numbers must be staggering.:2cents:

I had one of the original Buell's (RR1000) with the XR1000 motor and dual DelOrto carbs. I ordered it from Eric in 1985 in Daytona (bike week). I took delivery in 1987 at Bartell's HD in LA. I had them put HD "E" cams in it and 40mm DelOrto's, Barnett clutch, twin plugged heads, Dyna rev limiter and dual ignition. It was number 20 out of 200. It was cool but wide and heavy. The full bodywork was interesting. Mine was Ferrari red on top, Mercedes midnight blue on bottom and a wide white stripe between. I have pics somewhere but can't figure out how to post.:bonk: I sold it for $13,000 to a guy from Wisconson 5 years ago. I should have kept it. Now have 2 XB9R's. I like the new frame. These things handle great. Track days are soooo much fun.:dthumb: Eric is a cool guy with a dream. I used to talk with him on the phone regularly years ago. Sometimes you couldn't shut him up. He has gone thru a lot with his company. I'm glad that he finally got where he wants to be. I wonder if he even thought he would be back with Harley again? He was out on a limb financially many years with his first bikes. You have no idea how much development money Harley dumped into the XB's. The numbers must be staggering.:2cents: Wow...thats a neat story.