| Author | Message | ||||
     Buellzebub |
exellent column, boehm thinks like i do sometimes. a ktm lc8 powered fireblast would truly rock my world. i'd buy it in an instant. | ||||
| Jima4media |
It was probably Ducati testing a new bike at Monza. On the KTM V-2 - Any motor that can win the Paris-Dakar this year, can't be all bad. It would be nice to see that motor wrapped in a 5 gallon Verlicchi gas tank. Jim X-2.5 | ||||
| José_Quiñones |
Courtesy of RoadracingWorld
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| Two_Buells |
Day 15 1000 miles on the new XB. (I was in Kansas City for a week and couldn't ride) The first BattleTrax event I rode the XB in I was slow. I was really used to my S1. My tires were not scrubbed in yet and I was really pushing the front end through the turns. Almost to the point of falling. Than, after getting the tire to stick I realilized something. This bike is different then my S1. and I had to ride it differently. I started to really lean the XB into the corners and it stuck, like glue. I still wasn't as fast as my S1, in BattleTrax, but it was coming. (I was comparing my self to Al Rudy on a S1W, we run about the same times) maybe it was just 'cause the XB was three days old. Day 15 The more I ride this bike the more I learn about it and the faster I get! My cornering speeds, on the open road, are much faster than my other Buells, sometimes scary. I road about 150 miles today and this bike is just too much fun! I was on one of my favorite roads today. Its this long down hill with a hard right at the bottom, a short chute than a set of "S" turns than another hard right and back uphill. The XB just gives you confidence. Its stays planted and you can dive into the corners, so hard and fast. like I said, before its scary. I'm not a road racer, just an old dirt bike racer. Thats one reason I'm a little faster on my S1 on a tight 1st gear BattleTrax course. But, once I learn this new bike look out! I really need to hone some of my road racing skills. I need to do some track days | ||||
| Aaron |
 Who says the Firebolt doesn't have a trap door gearbox  (unobtanium factory parts ... they also have single row primary chains, although they go back and forth with them and the standard triple row)  Mike's bike, with trophy (3rd), after the race. Buells qualified 2-3-4 and they got a great start, with Higbee jumping out to a lead followed by Estok and Cicotto. Just before the halfway point, Shawn suddenly slowed (Estok almost collected him) and fell back. A few laps later, McCarthy, who they had been gapping some in the early going, made his charge, didn't take him long to get out front once he went after it. He clearly had more power than the Buells and was able to blow by Estok on the long back straight. From there he pulled out some, maybe 10-12 bike lengths, and just cruised. I got the impression he could've gone faster if he wanted to. BTW, anyone who doesn't think the Buell effort is a "factory" effort is kidding themselves. Buell people are on-site at these races, one of the riders even works for Buell, and Buell helps in development of the bikes. That's factory in my book. Not that they're a big outfit, though. Wish Buell did even a fraction of that for independent Buell racers. The Superbike race was a yawner, Bostrom blew everyone away. Hayden crashed in the early going and his bike caught fire. Picotte ran pretty good, mostly 5th-6th, until the last few laps he slowed and kept looking at the back of his bike. Yates had the best ride, coming back from that stop and go for jumping the start, to get 2nd. Temp was in the upper 90's, nice day! | ||||
| Newfie_Buell |
I finally got to throw a leg over the XB and was real impressed with the riding position. Almost like you fit into the bike. Could have rode it but didnt have my gear with me? Business trip in Toronto and happened to hit the dealer on the demo ride day. Should have bought new gear and shipped it home. Kicking myself now(but wife is glad) Ride Safe | ||||
| José_Quiñones |
The Black Frame/Swingarm KICKS ASS!!!! Nice report/pics Aaron. | ||||
| Mikej |
Somehow I knew someone would be modifying the XB9R engine cases to trapdoor format, it just makes sense. Now, what will it take to do that to a "stock" XB? I wonder if Baker or Andrews or someone else is working on a "kit". === ps, looks like the left side of the frame got thumped that might have led to the paint job. Time for a visit. | ||||
| José_Quiñones |
This one is from Friday, did he save it? | ||||
| Peter |
Jose, If you've got that last pic in a bigger file, could you please send it to me? That will make a GREAT desktop pic. Thanks. PPiA | ||||
| Superbad |
I'd love one also. Thanks, Bobby | ||||
| Lsr_Bbs |
Did he save it? No. That's usually the first thing that happens when you wash the front end, the bars go full lock - and if your me, you get a broken thumb in the process  Is that shot the reason the frames ended up black later on??? That is a good shot. Neil Garretson X0.5 | ||||
| José_Quiñones |
I "borrowed" these pictures from AMAproracing.com They would have a full version of it Looking at the podium shot, Mike has his right thumb taped up(next to his helmet), probably due to the shot taken on Friday above. As neil and Mike said, that might be the reason that the frame is Black later on. It is a great shot. Aaron, did you see the crash? | ||||
| Blake |
Geesh, that McCarthy is one tiny little dude. | ||||
| Xgecko |
Blake, now you see why he (McCarthy) is a perfect rider for the Ducati. Even BBoz has commented that Ducati's Aerodynamics favor the little guy. And he's only 6' tall | ||||
| Lsr_Bbs |
Good eyes Jose, I didn't even notice the taped up thumb in the above picture...too funny (not the broken/hurt thumb...just the similarity of injury). Neil Garretson X0.5 | ||||
| Lsr_Bbs |
Ducati's aeros may favor the small....but that sure hasn't hurt 'spidermans' performance on 'em. (that'd be Ruben Xaus for you non-WSB folks) Neil Garretson X0.5 | ||||
| Xgecko |
 ask Chilli that question Look at how well BBoz does on the bike as well...it's just for flat out the little guy who can get under the shadow goes faster On a side note Motorcycle Online did a comparo between the FB and the Ducati 900SS. They seem to rate them pretty even | ||||
| Raymaines |
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| Raymaines |
Well, lets try this again: You can read that artical here:
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| Xgecko |
scratch my earlier comment them seem to like it more and more as they ride it. interesting bit thinking about the causes of the "handling" problem they seem to have. | ||||
| Xgecko |
I wonder if they are right and a 170 would effect the handling for the "better" as they say? | ||||
| Raymaines |
I don't know how wide the Firebolt rear wheel is, but I'd bet a 160 would be better yet. I mean, 92 hp and 400 pounds isn't going to shred any tires or anything. But every red blooded 'merican boy (and most girls) will tell ya that SIZE matters, and nobody wants a small one. Ah, the price we pay for coolness. I don't understand everything I know about bike handling but I do know that, other things being equal, it's good when the rear tire isn't very much wider than the front. | ||||
| Rick_A |
I beg to differ. I can actually get right near the edge of 180's (on a 5.5" rim)...never could with the 170's. The profile always felt kinda wrong. I like pitching a bike in...to me it's not confidence inspiring when it feels like its falling in. High power is unneccessary to shred tires. High corner speeds will do it just the same. If that is a ding in that XB frame/fuel tank...that sure is a weird place. Guess that's one area that the old steel framers excell... | ||||
| Msetta |
Ray thanx for posting the review again. Price probably is not something they take into account at MO, but not much has been said of the $2400 price difference between the two. That can buy a lot of goodies (once they are released for the Firebolt) that can bring up the power. Maybe then it won't be the fastest slow bike some of them have come across. The Setta | ||||
| Rick_A |
I think most of these journalists commenting on the XB are just afraid to admit that they actually like a Buell. That sentament has never been a popular one, it seems. | ||||
| Matty |
June 4, 2002 To: All California Buell Dealers Subject: California air resources board Dear California Buell dealer: We have now been advised by C.A.R.B. that the Buell XB9R meets all State requirements. The vehicle is now ready for sale. Enclosed you will find an ECM for the vehicle you have in inventory. We apologize for this delay and appreciate your patience and understanding. | ||||
| Sarodude |
EB is a man of his word. Thanks for the scoop, Chris! -Saro | ||||
| Ramon |
Finally, this is great news! Anyone know who is giving demos in northern california? | ||||
| Ramon |
I just called two dealers in my area. They still havn't heard anything. |
MO review part one of two