| Author | Message | ||
     Skyguy |
Hiya folks, I am new to the board but have owned my XB9R for 12,000 miles (7 months riding it). I recently hit a 1 3/4 crack on Hwy 18 and almost lost both the bike and my life. I was leaned over pretty far doing 70 or so through a turn when the crack jumped out in front of me right in the apex of the turn. The resulting hit was big enough to bend the front rim and rear rim. The rear bent so badly the bead blew on the tire and I nearly laid it down. Happily I was able to upright the bike and squirt (tank slapping the whole way) across two lanes of traffic through an off ramp median to the shoulder of the road. I have been riding 20 years now mostly on sportbikes (racetrack and canyon) and have experienced my share of close calls. I have hit similar cracks before and NEVER bent a rim. Does anyone have a similar experience? I am feeling a little stressed out about the strength of the stock rims....... Was it a fluke or have others riders bent the lightweight rims as easily? Thanks Tim | ||
| Fullpower |
glad you rode it out, very lucky shot there. i guess you are very glad that the rims stayed intact, from your observations it seems that the buell wheels ARE quite amazingly tough to have come through that incident in one piece. | ||
| Xbolt12 |
The rims seem plenty strong to me after 15,000 miles and lots of hard landings from wheelies and hitting pot holes on occasion. Unless you were running very low pressures or your suspension bottomed out because you didn't have it set for two up riding, it must have been one heck of a crack. I wouldn't worry about the strength of the wheels at all. Lots of modeling and testing was done by buell, especially on the front wheel. The fact that the back was also damaged tells me that any wheel outside of a motocrosser with Excel rims would have been damaged. The stock rear is probably stronger than on most other bikes. xbolt12 | ||
| Xbolt12 |
Yikes! Highway 18 on the way to Big Bear?? Please let me know where so I don't ever hit it! xbolt12 | ||
| Aldaytona |
Would Erik sell YOU a bike he wouldn't ride HIMSELF? I think not. It's the reason that I buy and ride Buell motorcycles, the fact that they are extremely fun and reliable is secondary. Who else that owns/runs a motorcycle company rides his products all over and hangs out with the riding public and is having as much fun as we are, maybe more. I never worry about the safety and design of my Buells because I know Erik is riding one too. was that ok? Erik please send my new 2006 XB12 to my house in Daytona Beach ooops is this not in the private e-mail.....  | ||
| Skyguy |
Xbolt, Yes the a8 to big bear. The bridge that crosses over upper Waterman Canyon, left lane, right tire track,right at the apex. They patched it two days ago but it is now another problem if you hit it as it is raised higher than the road service and should lift the front end pretty easy. As for tire pressures they were at 42 pounds so it must have been just nasty luck. Glad to hear noone has had wheel issues. | ||
| Krassh |
I think I know which crack you are speaking of and the way I hit it the bike nearly stood up in the corner. Lucky the only damage was a slight bent on the lip of the rear rim. | ||
| Krassh |
After that time I make it a point to be in the other lane on the trip up the mountain. I have seen a silver Firebolt going up and down the mountain a few times and wondered if it was someone from this board. I ride a Black XB9S Lightning and live in Crestline. | ||
| Skyguy |
Hi Krassh, Yep, the silver bolt is me. I think I have seen you around up there. Glad to hear the crack from hell did not get you. Do you work weekdays? Reason I ask is a buddy of mine and I get together every other Wed. or so for a little canyon fun. Just in case you ever want to go..... I used to live and work in Crestline but my business was so off this last summer (and winter) I moved into my motorhome for awhile and am stuck at the bottom of the hill. Until I can find a good place to park it up the hill anyway. I own the paragliding school that teaches out of Crestline.. | ||
| Flick |
Haven't bent the rims on my 9S, but many years ago while riding an '85 Suzuki GSXR 750 across some washboard on a secondary highway, I managed to accomplish the same feat as you...scared the h&&l out of me! Glad you survived, the rims can be replaced... | ||
| Bbstacker |
I take that route all the time. Never noticed it to be honest with you, but now that I know it's there I will be mindful of it. | ||
| Bbstacker |
BTW...Skyguy, Krassh, Ever taken the 18 down the backside and out to Victorville? Very cool ride. Did it on Sunday. It's very steep and was 1st gear switchbacks, but some beautiful scenery. Sorry. Didn't mean to hi-jack yer thread. | ||
| Skyguy |
Bbstacker, Yes that is part of one of my "usual" rides (18 to Big Bear, to Lucerne Valley, back to Big Bear, down the 38 to Beaumont then up and over to Idlewyld down the 79 to the front side and home) It's a few miles but a great ride. Watch the 18 on weekends the local CHP are quickly developing an issue with the sportys. Been just to many accidents lately. I sure wish the 2 was open to the ranch but it looks like they wont open it this summer. | ||
| Sleez |
i miss riding those roads, great ride! | ||
| Truk |
One night I hit a log about 4-6" in diameter. Was following behind a car at about 45 mph and by the time I saw it, it was to late The outer rim of the front tire was slightly bent, but the tire was still holding air (however I got a lot of air upon impact), and no vibration. The rear tire was fine. I carefully bent it back into shape. Can't hardly notice it at all now, it still holds air and no vibration | ||
| Krassh |
Skyguy- Depending on what is going on sometimes I work from home and sometimes I come down the hill. Actually I have seen your posts on rimoftheworld.net concerning what the weather this past season has done to your business. I hope things get better for you. I might be up for some Wednesday fun everyonce in a while. I have been working 14-16 hour days the last week. Bbstacker- Have not taken that route on the bike yet just the truck with the dirt bikes loaded in the back for a day of riding to Johnson Valley. | ||
| Skyguy |
Hi Krassh, Thanks for the kind words! I am in the midst of changing careers due to paragliding "falling out of fashion" Most of the schools are seing a significant decrease of business the last two years. This is due to many factors, mostly a lot of schools did a poor job training people. the end result is that there have been a lot more serious injuries than nessecary. No big deal as I am a couple of months out from a commercial hot air balloon license (I already bought a balloon). I will continue to do tandem flights but am backing off full time instruction. I will drop a note on the board under the heading "WED" RIDE when we have the next one scheduled. Ciao Tim | ||
| Krassh |
Sounds good. Where are you going to be doing the balloon launches? Ken | ||
| Skyguy |
Should be flying out of Temecula, Perris and Apple Valley a lot. Primary focus for me is events. Store openings, barmitzphas (did I spell that right) wedding receptions, etc. They pay very well! Anyway the rest of my parts should be in soon I hope to have the bike ready by this up and comming Wed.......... If not the next Wed is already on the schedule. | ||
| Krassh |
What did the Rims run you? Did you just replace the rear? | ||
| Fullpower |
they list at $ 336. worlds greatest bargain on OEM street bike wheels. think DAVES offers them with a discount. pretty tough to beat that. | ||
| Skyguy |
I got the pair black powder coated and new for 475.00 on EBAY. I love that site! Matter of fact I bought my XB9R off ebay with only 2000 miles for 5,700 including custom paint. It was so pretty till I had to lay it down to avoid a head on in the mountains......... |
