| Author | Message | ||
     Gtmg |
Currently have a Japanese cruiser that got me back into motorcycling about 2 years ago after a 10 year absence. Never did really get me excited but was the right bike for reentry. Was originally thinking SV650. I have been wanting something more sporty but with vtwin torque. That limits me somewhat. I don't really want to be on a cruiser and what something a little different than the rest of the crowd, so that rules out most Jap bikes. I was set on the Ulysses but it is just too tall. I want to feel more confident than that. So I sat on an XB12ss. Nice bike good feel. Then talking to a friend who is a Harley fanatic he says think Streetrod. Now I am a little confused. Like Buell it has some neat technology and like Buell not so Harley and has some uniqueness. Review say it handles well and is great on the highway. The Buell is a great standard and fits well with what I have wanted since the beginning. I got a little nervous when traveling and seeing the lack of Buell dealers. This makes me think Streetrod more but??? I was amazed to find that Triumph has a better dealer network. Another possiblility is the Speed Triple. Has anybody has some of the same thoughts I have now? I appreciate opinions on the three bikes. (Message edited by gtmg on August 29, 2006) | ||
| Beachbuell |
StreetRod is a very kool and unique bike. However, I find it very tall and very heavy for a "sport" oriented bike. You sit more ON the seat, than IN the seat. Bigger CC's and water cooling may be a plus. But, there is more maintance involves with the V-Rod based model. Like valve adjustment and radiator service. The placement of the footpegs are terrible (put your feet down when stopped, you'll see what I mean) and the instrument cluster is at a weird downward angle (hard to read when riding). Dealer breaker for me is the price tag! You could get 2 buells for the price of the Rod. Or one Buell, some killer gear and some $$ left over for a track day or two! But thats just my opinion. | ||
| Xring |
The Street Rod may be a very good bike, but I can't get past the looks. I don't the way it looks. I'd get a Sportster before I would buy a Street Rod. I'd get an XB before I would a Sportster. You need to ride each one to make up your mind. Good luck, Bill | ||
| M1combat |
The Triumph dealer network is "better" than the Buell dealer network? I have to say I don't know... I've never actually been into a Triumph dealership. I do know that with a Buell you need to be selective of which dealership you use, but I would imagine there are still more good ones than there are Triumph dealers... Like I said though... I don't know. | ||
| Swordsman |
I have an Ss, and butt-tested a Streetrod this weekend just for kicks. If I ever decide to go the cruiser-ish route, I'd have a Streetrod, no questions asked. It looks like it eats Victory's for breakfast and craps Sportsters at lunch. Heavy, yes, but damn sleek. Beachbuell, the seat height is considerably lower on the Streetrod than the Lightning, so I'm not sure how you figure it's too tall to be sporty. And the peg placement isn't very far off from the Lightning... it's between knee and mid thigh. Sure you're not thinking of the standard V-Rod? I tried it as well, and the pegs were WAY out front. Between the long wheelbase and heavy weight, I'm sure it's not the kind of bike you want to put into corners, but for something sportier than your cookie-cutter cruiser, I'd say it's a winner. If you're really, REALLY interested in handling, then of course Buell is king. Buell's also much easier on the bank account. I don't know anything about Triumph except that the Speed Triple is a sweet, sweet looking machine!  ~SM | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
Not that complicated really. The street rod is a power cruiser, not a sport bike. It has claimed dry weight of 618 pounds. That is over two hundred pounds more than a Buell. It has a maximum lean angle of 40º. The Buell hard contact lean angle is 50º The wheel base is over a foot longer than the XB12 Ss. Got the picture? The bikes just are not comparable. The XB12Ss is a sport bike, the Street Rod is not. By the way, I think the longer wheelbase and trail, and the relaxed steering angle of the XB12Ss make it the best Buell for most folks: more stable than the little guys. | ||
| Glitch |
Being in Marietta, you have nothing to worry about when it comes to service. In your area, there are at least 30 or so Buellers. Probably more. And Stone Mountain HD & Buell (one of our valued sponsors) is in your back yard. Don't sweat it, go to SMHD&Buell and test ride them both, then you can make up your mind.  | ||
| Kdan |
The reason I didn't buy the Speed Triple last year and went for the lightning was the lack of a dealer Network. And that's when Moto-Britalia was in Alpharetta, right around the corner from my house. They're gone and now I'm even happier with my choice. The Street Rod wasn't even on the radar. Cruisers are for fat old guys who don't know how to turn. Try Earl Smalls HD too, less selection than SMHD, but Mike the salesguy is a Bueller. He also knows all the best roads! | ||
| Beachbuell |
Swordsman wrote.... "Beachbuell, the seat height is considerably lower on the Streetrod than the Lightning, so I'm not sure how you figure it's too tall to be sporty." You sit more ON the bike than IN. Making the bike "feel" taller and top heavy. | ||
| Jaimec |
The Streetrod is the ONLY Harley I'd consider owning. However, after riding one back to back with my Cyclone last Spring, I'd have to say that as cool as it is, it AIN'T a Buell. The engine is wonderful, but Harley went overboard in making the hydraulic clutch feel like a standard, cable-operated Harley clutch. Too damned stiff. Seating position was very nice, most comfortable Harley I'd ever sat on with the seat/bars/pegs relationships being spot on perfect. However, the big, HEAVY 19" front wheel makes itself known every time you initiate a lean. There is so much gyroscopic effect from that thing that it feels like it's fighting you. It'll be okay on fast sweepers, but you'll exhaust yourself quickly on tight, nasty switchbacks (the kinds of roads Buells eat for breakfast). So in short, if I had a choice (and I do), I'd definitely stick with the Buell. But if someone held a gun to my head and said "BUY A HARLEY" the Streetrod would be my only choice. | ||
| Swordsman |
Ah, Beachbuell, I know what you mean now. See, I've got an Ss, so I don't sit "in" the bike either... my seat's straight. Going from the Ss seat to the Streetrod, I didn't notice anything different. I forget that everyone else has the "dished in" seat. ~SM | ||
| Xring |
I think this VRSCDX is the meanest looking of the Rods...but I'd go with the Speed Trip first. The XB was my first pick when I got it 1-1/2 years ago; my next bike will likely be more traditional (Sportster or Bonnie)  (Message edited by xring on August 28, 2006) | ||
| Milar |
The Lightening and the Speed Trip are similar bikes. I've owned both. I like big, torque twins so prefer the Buell. But the Tri is very charasmatic. I've ridden a Rod. To me, it's neither fish nor fowl. That is, it doesn't do anything very well. It's a poor sportbike and a pretend cruiser. If you're looking for another cruiser it's an alternative. But I always figured if I wanted a cruiser, I'd just buy the real thing and get a Fat Boy or Road King. M | ||
| Bugman |
Personal preferences depend as much on your physical dimensions as it does on your intended uses. I have owned a Buell XB12S and a Speed Triple. I also did a demo on a Street rod last year. Comparing them is like comparing apples and oranges. If you are smaller than average, the Rod can be a real handfull in a lot of situations. The smaller bikes are easier to manage, but they lack the long range comfort of most bigger bikes. I rode a big twin for over ten years and still consider it to be the best all around bike I have ever owned, hands down. | ||
| Txfatcat |
Bugman, What do you think of the Triple?? I too have a 9 City X and a brand new FZ6 with only 200 miles. I have been looking at the Triple and it has seen some great reviews but i am leaning towards a GSXR 750. I just like the way it fits me and it has also had some good reviews as well. The FZ6 just has to go...but will absolutely keep my Buell | ||
| Clown |
GTMG, I have all models of Buells in stock, however I don't have a streetrod in stock right now (sold it last week.) A lot of folks that have ridden the street rod like it, however the handling characteristics are not even comparable. I have a couple of vrods and nightrods in stock. The ride is similar but the lean angle is less. Please come by and take them all out for a test ride to see which one you dig the most. Look me up when you get there. (I'm the one with the big 1970's sideburns) Cameron - GM Stone Mountain Buell/H-D (Message edited by clown on August 28, 2006) | ||
| Gtmg |
Ok some things to think about the reason I said Triumph appears to have a better dealer network was the out of state stuff. Both bikes get good reviews. There is a shootout article on the net about the bikes. It really complained about having to contersteer the XB.(any comments on this) while the Triumph responded naturally to input. We have three Buell dealers in Atlanta with varying degrees of commitment. My guess is that one maybe two of these will drop out before it is all over. Triumph has alway managed to keep a dealership in Atlanta some way. There is one in downtown Atlanta now, one of the southside and one in Cumming. If they would give Brannon the exclusive at Freewheelin in Douglasville they would have the dealer they want and need in Atlanta but he just says there is not enough room for that many dealers of Triumph in Atlanta and he is right. So for now he keeps the rights without ordering bikes while others fight it out with Chattanooga Triumph who sells at about $100.00 over cost. Not sure if they are going to stay in it either but they move alot of metal for Triumph. Two key destinations for me are Birmingham and Panama City Beach. Guess what no Buell dealers close. All the Harley guys have chosen to drop the line. Bham has one Triumph dealer and there is a dealer in Pensacola and Tallahasee. As far at the Streetrod goes, the vrod series is the only Harleys I would consider and I think this is the best of the bunch the Nightrod Special is very very good looking. I think the Streetrod may be more fun to ride. Mike and Chad are great at Earls by the way, they just don't have an XB12ss in stock but Atlanta Harley Davidson does and so does Stone Mountain. Just enough hesitation to make really think about what I want. I want to be able to tour within a 300 mile range not really much more and do 100 miles rides on the weekend with my wife, she rides (a cruiser) as well. I also don't want a bike that two years from now I am going to think I need to be back on a cruiser. Seems like many of you are around my age 44. By the way bugman 5'11" 200 lbs so Vrod series is not to big for me though I know it can really fool some people because of the low seat height. I am probably over analyzing it and should just pull the trigger if I can get the deal I want. Xring, I saw the Nightrod Special up close and personal in South Birmingham. It does look cool but I am not sure I am enamored with the huge rear tire. I know alot of bike manufacturers are going that way with Victory leading the way, just not sure how to turn without having to work when you have rear that big. (Message edited by gtmg on August 29, 2006) (Message edited by gtmg on August 29, 2006) | ||
| Jaimec |
Sounds like you're talking about the Motorcycle Consumer News article that I brought to everyone's attention. As for that "countersteering" nonsense, I don't think they know what they're talking about. My guess is the bike wasn't set up right; it's as neutral handling as anything I've ever ridden but Buells ARE sensitive to proper suspension adjustment. There were several mistakes in that article, another being that the XB12Ss has a 2500 mile maintenance interval. That was true of the 2005 and earlier bikes, but the 2006 and up bikes have a 5000 mile service interval. | ||
| Tbs_stunta |
Not to get nto a thing, but MCN knows how to review a motorcycle and theirs are some of the best in the industry. But yeah either the XB wasn't properly set up or the S3 was that much better. Its up to you to decide which slant you want to believe, but its not like you lost to a Blandit. | ||
| Xring |
There is no doubt my XB steers differently than any other street bike I've owned (all Japanese sports or standards). I really can't describe it. When I first got it, I felt like something was "wrong" with it; after a couple of weeks, and especially after getting rid of the stock Dunlops, the steering seems natural. I ofter wonder, though, if that effect isn't why the XB's sometimes get bad press. If you jumped off of a Japanese sportbike onto an XB for a few laps, nothing more, you probably wouldn't like it very much. Reminds me of an overgrown dirt bike. In my opinion, you'd be fine for 300 mile day; with an aftermarket seat, more even. Good luck no matter what you choose, Bill | ||
| Mojave_mike |
...As for that "countersteering" nonsense, I don't think they know what they're talking about... I know what they are talking about.. Straight off the showroom floor,with the stock Dunlop tires, the XB12R was almost dangerous..wouldn't go 'round corners without counter steering and always wanted to go straight..the most user unfriendly bike I ever rode...like taming a wild stallion..hard work 'till tamed and then requires a lot of respect. Tires plus suspension tuning is a must..but that takes experience, and shouldn't be required before the bike becomes manageable. Mike | ||
| Pwnzor |
2006 and up bikes have a 5000 mile service interval. I sincerely HOPE nobody waits 5k miles to service any motorcycle. It really complained about having to contersteer the XB. They must complain about every bike then, because last time I checked into it, you must turn the bars LEFT if you want to go RIGHT. Whether you realize you are doing it or not. Failure to grasp this concept, I believe, accounts for much of the varied learning curve for new motorcyclists. I hopped right on my bike and threw it around on the way home, about a 60 mile drive. I instantly didn't like the Duncrap tires following every groove in the road, but I certainly didn't find it unmanageable. When I set my suspension that night for the first time, I found the preloads set for someone 2/3 my size, the rebounds were all the way out and so were the compressions. You have to ride the bike, you can't let it ride you. I'm not trying to throw rocks, I just think that this issue of the bike being unruly are blown a bit out of proportion. | ||
| Jaimec |
MCN was basically saying that the XB required constant correction in the turn and that otherwise it wanted to "fall into" the turn. They said they rode the bike back-to-back with the Ulysses and that the Ulysses didn't have this trait at all. I've ridden both bikes back to back and neither bike wants to "fall into" a turn. Keith Code's technique of the quick snap followed by relaxing on the bars without providing any further input works just as well on the XB12Ss as it does on the XB12X. The only bikes I've ever ridden that want to "fall into" a turn are cruisers with stretched front ends. Although the XB12Ss and XB12X have more relaxed steering rake than other Buells, they are no where near the kinds of front ends that I've observed "falling into" turns. MCN isn't infallible. Back in 2001 they did a comparison between the K1200LT and the brand new GL1800 that read like a Honda press release. The inaccuracies they printed about the K1200LT were bad enough that I canceled my subscription and never looked back. They admitted receiving a LOT of angry mail about that issue, too. If you want at least one example, they talked about the K1200LT's "rubber mounted handlebars." If they were talking about the K1100LT they'd be right, but the K1200LT's handlebars are SOLID mounted. If they actually RODE the bike during the comparison they might've discovered that. Despite the great write-up of the K1200LT in 1999, they seemed to be writing about a completely different bike in 2001. Pwznor: I routinely serviced my 1985 K100 at 5,000 mile intervals and it was problem free up till the time it was stolen ten years after I bought it, with 158,000 miles on the odometer. My 1999 K1200LT goes in for service every 6,000 miles and I just got it back from it's 96,000 mile service. Neither bike had any top-end work, and other than getting a new clutch at 85,000 miles, the K100 never really had any transmission work either (the K1200LT is still on it's original clutch). By comparison, my 2000 M2 Cyclone went in every 2,500 miles and had more oil leaks than I can count on one hand, and had to be towed into the dealership twice in 36,000 miles. So far my '06 XB12Ss is behaving a lot more like my Beemers than my one other Buell. | ||
| Wazza |
Just going back to those bike choices, Gtmg do you plan to take a pillion with you much? not alot of room on the Buell for another person. Do you ride mountains or highways? I ride mountain passes almost 95% of time on my XB and its the finest bike bar a supermotard at cornering - however I'd love to also have a power cruiser like the Suzuki M109R for some small tours interstate and for taking the wife out for a slower pace day or weekends away. So I think intended use is important. | ||
| Mb182 |
Check out the valve maintenance costs on the street rod before you buy... Motor has to come out! MB | ||
| Jaimec |
Mb182: YOWZA!! Is that true??? I thought Honda was bad for maintenance but this reminds me of the old Chevy Monzas that required engine removal to change the spark plugs!! | ||
| Gtmg |
Wazza, My wife rides her own bike. We ride a combination of highway, backroads and some twisties. I am not one of the guys who is going to push it hard through the twisties. We also do alot of just weekend slow riding. About once a month we may do a 200 to 300 mile turn. We do ride year round even when it is really cold. I travel for work so reliability is a big big deal to me. Don't want to come home and have to work on a bike or put it in the shop. I want to ride on the weekends. I want a bike that when I come home and look at it, it is screaming at me to ride. I also want something a little different than a Jap bike. I don't have that now. Anybody got the specifics or a link to the specifics around vrod maintenance?? | ||
| Davy_boy |
The Rod is to top heavy for me , although the motor is more refined then the Buell I would still prefer the Buell cause of it's handling . | ||
| Old_man |
 A Harley that I would consider buying, add passenger pillion and pegs. It has a 6 speed transmission | ||
| Luckydevil |
Gtmg, Yes, you don't see as many Buells on the road. You will get mixed response from the harley crowd, and from the sportbike crowd. Yes there are $$ and service issues with every bike decision. If you love a bike, nothing else will matter. It sounds like you are looking for something to fall in love with. Does anything else matter? Ride them. Your guts will tell you which one is right. and don't listen to anyone else, Bike magazine listed the xb12r as the best cornering bike of all time. who cares what they think? You are the one it is going to speak to. stop listening to us, and go listen to the bikes. I forgot to mention the motorhead mantra... Ohhhmmmm..... Ohhhmmmm Vrooommm!!! Vrrroomm!!!!! (Message edited by luckydevil on August 31, 2006) |
