| Author | Message | ||
     Dagwood |
Has anyone seen the shootout article in the July issue of Motorcyclist Magazine? The XB9SX is pitted against a Kawi 750 something or other. In typical bike mag fashion the author summed up the comparison by stating that it all comes down to preference...conventional Japanese wisdom or an unconventional American engineering student's masters thesis. The majority of the article was positive with few complaints on the XB. What struck me as odd was that there was ABSOLUTELY no mention of the XB's superior performance in the twisties! Given that both test riders were 200+ lbs. I can imagine that they have a bit of trouble flicking the bike and shifting their weight on any bike. Read the article and let me know what you think... | ||
| Fullpower |
simple case of a magazine staff composed of physically large men, who are used to riding and prefer high rpm 4 cylinder water cooled motorcycles attempting to ride a small long stroke air cooled motorcycle: it is different in every sense. | ||
| Kevyn |
I read it. Sounded like last minute filler material. Personally, I can't think of any reason to buy the Kawasaki. Non-adjustable suspension; what's up with that? Not really an outstanding bike in any respect. Just another cookie-cutter UJM. IMHO, the author was a journalist first and rider second. Collecting a paycheck... I learned long ago to embrace technology and enjoy its benefits. BUELL | ||
| M1combat |
I asure you that with proper tires one could wad the 750 frame/fork/swingarm combo into a nicely twisted piece of worthless junk in no time  . | ||
| Koz5150 |
See here.... http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/show.cgi?tpc=4062&post=460146#POST 460146 | ||
| U4euh |
Got the mag today, and was kinda P.O.'d at the the author chummed up the Kawi 1st, and seemed to add the Buell in, as if he went into it with an opinion already.But then again look who we're talking about, Mitch Boehm! His "off the record" on Pg. 88 didn't bash the X though, but did lean towards the 'give me the cookie cutter so I feel like everyone else'. The real cool thing is the very last picture on Pg. 88, that rider on the Kawi is all off the bike crankin into the curve, the Buell rider hasn't even reached partial lean yet. The specs at the bottom are identical, I found that somewhat interesting. | ||
| Outrider |
The specs at the bottom are identical, I found that somewhat interesting. Editorial Gremlin is more like it. The performance specs don't match their Dyno chart. They just transposed the Buell specs into the Kawi chart. Am surprised they got the MPG figures correct. | ||
| Brucelee |
I am unimpressed by the z750 and really am not sure why it is in the lineup for Kawi. Did the world need another Nighthawk? Is that a strong market? Go figure. As to the "journalists" they tend to flock together quite nicely. | ||
| Buells Rule! (Dyna in disguise) |
Non-adjustable suspension; what's up with that? I can see that from the viewpoint of how many people actually take the time to adjust their suspension or even if they do, do they have any clue just what they are doing? Remember we arent talking about the .1% of the folks who buy the bikes and are on the web doing research & are general gearheads, im talking your average joe who buys a bike & is pretty much clueless about anything besides the basic operation. | ||
| Daves |
Some dealers go thru all that with you when you buy the bike. I find it strange most don't, regardless of brand. | ||
| Outrider |
Is that a strong market? Was and perhaps will be again as the press appears to be placing some emphasis on bikes and rider attitudes more suited for the real world. Is almost like they have received instructions from "Above" about safer and saner street riding as this appears to be a common trend among the US Moto Mags. Am not implying that they are moving away from the more powerful sport bikes. Just creating (or resurrecting) a niche for great urban bikes that double as weekend warriors. Checkout Boehm's editorial in the same issue if you want to read further into this. | ||
| Diablobrian |
the problem some of the manufacturers see with adjustable suspensions on "economy" bikes is that 1000 way adjustable suspension has 999 wrong settings. People complain about the bike, not their ability to set the suspension properly. After all they can't take responsibility for their own actions , can they? | ||
| Buells Rule! (Dyna in disguise) |
I find it strange most don't, regardless of brand Dave, agreed. When we bought the X1 the dealer...who shall remain nameless because they suck...didnt go over any of the suspension. Showed where the oil & gas went & that was it. Now when we bought the R1 it was a different story...they didnt even show where the oil went. Seriously you would think with a hyper litre bike the dealer would go over the bike with the new owner in a rather meticulous fashion, but nope. Basically it was "here's your key, have a fun ride". So my point is why have an adjustable suspension for 99% of the riders? If the dealer isnt going to adjust it or show them how, what are odds the new owner ever will? | ||
| Daves |
Nope, everyone is a suspension guru.  | ||
| Fdl3 |
So my point is why have an adjustable suspension for 99% of the riders? So the rest can take their bike on the track, then decide it's not all that big a deal afterall! | ||
| Oldroadtoad |
Motorcyclist Magazine? The Toad eschews that pusillanimous periodical. For that matter, I no longer subscribe to any magazine. I prefer to read what owners have to say about their bikes, and how they perform in the real world, versus the matrix that Honda Ad-Boy Mitch Boehm and his co-horts reside in. Sorry for the mini-rant, but I despise that rag. The Toad |
