Bueller....Bueller..........

[mags]

Anyone own a Buell Firebolt XB9R or know someone who does?
Rode one at the weekend and was really impressed with the torquey lump and the handling and brakes. The noise is fab too, scared loads of biscuit tin drivers in traffic
I'm very tempted to go for it but I don't think its a suitable machine for a 100 mile daily round trip mostly on M'ways and a bit of filtering in London. The clutch was quite heavy and the gearbox a bit ropey but the $tealer ensures me this one has a problem and I am going back on Sunday to ride another. (it had only done 5K miles and the shifter had a problem, gulp!)
I know they have a bit of a rep for unreliability so I would be interested to know how they hold up to winter weather as well?

Another question, I might have just fallen in love with the huge torque and noise it made and it was so easy to crawl along at very low rev's without being jerky which I find my SV can do. How do bigger V-twins compare? such as an RSV or TL1000?

Mags

[dadi1940]

It's essentially a 1200 HD Sporty with a load of different tubing round it. As such it has to be ridden, bit like a horse, it twitches, vibrates and is a bit of a bad-ass. It's a fun bike but too much hard work for a daily driver, especially in traffic. Save it for the weekend and get a scooter for work.

Reliability shouldn't be a problem, that engine is pretty bullet-proof and way over-engineered.

[gixxer1000]

mags said:

Another question, I might have just fallen in love with the huge torque and noise it made and it was so easy to crawl along at very low rev's without being jerky which I find my SV can do. How do bigger V-twins compare? such as an RSV or TL1000? Mags

The RSV is a real pain at low revs. Contantly feels like it wants to stall etc.

Easy modification to the gearing sorts it though (at the detriment of a little off the top-end).

[tl1000gussie]

The TLs is the closest thing to your S.V in looks and is more like the buell in caracter, so assume you mean that version rather than the TLR, which I dont have much experience on.

TL1000s is not to keen on low revs, ok above 3k, but the tl does redline at about 10k. quite high for a vee twin, and has the most infectious top kick in the arse at 7k to 10k. On that aspect it drives like a big four.

The Tl even with full race system still has a different sound to the straight through pipes of the buell,(ie it doesnt like a lawnmover on steroids.) TL's are a handfull, very peaky, to be honest you have to be a very good rider to get the most from a tl. I admit I cannot. But newer versions are very reliable, as per most jap, if you want anymore details on tl let me know.

For your usage stick to the s.v, ridden one and very comfortable for long rides, and a bit cheaper to commute than TL, it only does 90 miles to a tank, (small tank.) But try one you may find a new one in some dealers for about 5K if you shop around.

>> Edited by tl1000gussie on Thursday 4th September 01:17

[tuffer]

Had a look at the Buell at Goodwood this year, certainly looks a beast and a bundle of fun but not an everyday bike. Then again I don't have a bike licence (self imposed as i'm a loon on a bike) so what do I know.