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Buell Motorcycle Forum » XBoard » Buell XBoard Archives » Archive through December 02, 2003 » First run taken in anger... « Previous Next »

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M1combat
Posted on Monday, November 24, 2003 - 07:48 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Well...

HOLY FRIKIN CRAP!!! This sled is FUN!!!

I only got just a tad over 5K once in third but dude... This bike handles. It's WAY over my capabilities. I stayed under mine (obviously as I'm writing this) but I can tell you I was certainly moving around the corners a bit faster than on the old '82 Honda CB750F-SS. It's pretty cold out (about 40-45) so I was taking it particularly easy because I knew there was no way to warm the tires or anything.

I certainly noticed the tendency to stand under braking but can't that be remedied by a bit of counter-steer? Also, I'm quite certain that I was slowing down more than I needed to, so the whole braking slightly into a corner thing is probably just plain un-necessary if I had a bit more confidence. I doubt I could have even stretched my groin enough to scrape my knee anyway, so I'm sure I could have just laid over more. The last thing I want to do is a "toe-pic" with my knee anyway :).

3rd gear rocks. On the same stretch of road on my Honda I had to switch gears probably 20 times. Not once on the Buell. I suppose I could have used second a couple times if I was really getting on it, but "really getting on it" isn't really something I want to do on a public road and I was trying to keep the R's down a little. The road was resurfaced recently though so it has TONS of grip... Can't wait till summer.

Also, I did notice that it does take a bit of pressure on the inside bar to hold a good line. The corner I noticed this on the most was a long downhill tightening radius that was marked 35. I think I entered about 70 or so and let the engine brake slow me to about 62 then grabbed a tiny bit of front about 35' before it tightened. I am guessing that because of the cold temps my tires may be a bit under-inflated. I am going to blame it on that for the rest of the winter and keep it in mind.

Oh BTW... Yeah, I'm still smiling :).
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M1combat
Posted on Monday, November 24, 2003 - 07:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Grrr.. I can't edit the title...

Reminds me of "eger" from "Men in Black".
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Fullpower
Posted on Monday, November 24, 2003 - 07:55 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

yeah, fun little bikes,eh? keep that front tire at 36psi. i was getting pretty fair traction at 34 degrees and wet. the rear would break loose pretty easy tho. ride safe, dean
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M1combat
Posted on Monday, November 24, 2003 - 08:11 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

34 degrees and WET!!! Not for me my friend. I'm not a fair weather rider by any means, but ice scares me on two wheels. Especially the black variety I remember from up there. Great, now I'm ice prejudiced...

I used to run my Yamaha IT250 around in the middle of the winter up there with no studs but I wouldn't even consider taking my XB anywhere near where there might even be a slightest little hint of a tiny little strip of ice in a corner...
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M1combat
Posted on Monday, November 24, 2003 - 08:12 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Hey, who changed the title?? Thanks though :)
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Glitch
Posted on Monday, November 24, 2003 - 08:33 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

can't that be remedied by a bit of counter-steer?
I dunno, as you get more seat time you'll see this is a non-issue. Brake before the turn and all is good. You'll see.
I could tell you were out riding...
I can see your grin from here!
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Kaudette
Posted on Tuesday, November 25, 2003 - 03:35 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

For the first few hundred miles go easy on the XB as it does have some "peculiar" handling traits in the corners that take time getting used to - turn in, corrective input, standing up if you have to get on the brakes, etc. Nothing serious and the bike really does handle like a dream once these are assimilated however it can be a bit disconcerting the first time they come about when you are already committed to make the corner at speed - the key here is that if you ever get scared, countersteer and get weight forward - the bike should handle it and you get to go home in one piece - ride carefully and have fun.
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M1combat
Posted on Tuesday, November 25, 2003 - 10:27 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I have heard that the "proper" way to turn in on an XB is to trail the brakes slightly into a corner (say the first 15') so that when you really get to the late turn in (so as to setup a late apex) and you let off the brakes the bike falls into the turn.

What is the peculiarity that you mention with corrective input?
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Kaudette
Posted on Tuesday, November 25, 2003 - 12:46 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I usually try to get off the brakes before turn-in on the XB and let the motor take care of the entry braking. That's on the street of course.

What I was talking about regarding corrective input is that the bike either seems to flow smoothly thru the corners without a touch of the bars (99% of the time), or requires quite a bit of push on the inner bar to tighten the corner - positioning on the seat and suspension setup makes HUGE differences on the XB which means if unaccustomed to the cornering handling, one can get suprised (I was on at least 2 occassions on my XB where I found that it simply did not want to lean into the corner - no braking involved - so I had to man-handle it over which it took just fine). The chassis makes input and position that much more critical on the XB - just something to get used to - when in doubt, and if going wide on a corner when the bike doesn't want to lean, squeeze your legs against the frame / tank, and countersteer - the XB will lean over about as far as one would imagine.
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M1combat
Posted on Tuesday, November 25, 2003 - 04:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I'll take it to a track day at some point to really learn how to ride it. Until then, I'll just take it nice and easy.

Anyone else reading this... I'm VERY sure that it's not the bike, It's me.
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Fullpower
Posted on Tuesday, November 25, 2003 - 06:22 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

very short wheelbase makes for dramatic weight transfer. a small change in body (rider) position makes a big change in the front wheel weight bias. move around on the bike, you will see a greater affect on handling than you would on a longer wheelbase bike. ride safe, dean
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M1combat
Posted on Tuesday, November 25, 2003 - 06:52 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Generally speaking, is it better to be forward or rearward? Does it depend on whether you are entering or exiting a corner? I would like to see a diagram of where your weight should be in certain stages of a corner. What I am picturing is a bike drawn from the top. There is a line drawn as an overlay that starts in the direction from the seat you want your weight to be upon braking, then travels to where you want to be at turn in, then travels in the direction you want the weight to travel as you near the apex then again in the direction you want your weight to be on exit. If that makes no sense I apologize. I'm sure it's my limited intellect, not yours.

For a left turn, I would guess it would start at the rear and center under braking, than move forward and left of the seat just before turn in, stay there until the apex, then gradually move back and to the center while exiting. Or would you want to stay forward while exiting as well? Only moving back to a comfortable spot very late in the exit?

I will be getting copies of Twist of the Wrist I and II soon :).
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Kevinfromwebb
Posted on Tuesday, November 25, 2003 - 08:49 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

M1, I"m coming off not riding in about 5 years and before that it was dirt bikes and a cruiser style bike so I'm learning also... I read Twist of the Wrist and while it helped I just read that new book by Nick lenatsch 'Sport Riding Techniques' and I liked it a lot better... And I'll be rereading it again when it gets warmer and I can put more of it into practice... Just my .02...

Kevin
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M1combat
Posted on Tuesday, November 25, 2003 - 11:47 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I'll pick that one up too... I have to admit, these XB12R's are a good deal quicker than I expected. I don't mean outright speed, but acceleration in all directions.

I am going to have our sign cutter make me a sticker to place pretty low in the windshield on the inside that just says "The Pace.".
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