| Author | Message | ||
     Idaho_pakeha |
So yesterday I went for a 180 mile ride with some buddies on some local twisties. I had my 04 XB12R, Guy had his '95 Ducati 916 (SP something or other) and Dan had his ZX-14. After some spirited riding I switched with Guy and rode the 916. My first impression is that the bike is hard, hard seat, uncompromising riding position, hard acceleration. The bike runs well (with "race chip" and carbon fiber pipes) and really pulls hard at higher rpms. Not too much happening below 6K though, almost like riding a 4 cylinder after coming off the Xb12R. Very stable cornering (ohlins), rock solid. Nice light clutch and shifting (compared to the XB). Overall a very cool bike. What was interesting was Guy's impression of the Buell. He said "it is just like the Ducati and yet so different". He went on to say how surprised he was that it wasn't more twitchy (because of the short wheelbase), he did say the pegs are higher though. He also loved the motor and I have to say after riding them back to back the top end advantage of the Ducati is more than made up for by the "on tap" power of the Buell when you are street riding on unknown roads. All in all really cool to ride something so special, but I will take mine any day for the riding I prefer. Also the generator light on the duc came on a few times and we did have to push start it once... the other fun thing was discovering that Dan's ZX-14 can eat a tire in 100 miles if the pressure is too low. there was a belt showing after a 160 mph run he made (I never got over 120 myself).    | ||
| Wardamneagle |
Man i love the way those bikes look. They are beautiful! From what i hear they have all sorts of problems though. I'll stick with the buell | ||
| Idaho_pakeha |
Yes, Wardamneagle, the 916 does have its fair share of problems. Supposedly the early ones ('95) are better as they were handmade and they did less outsourcing on the valvetrain parts. I may own one sometime as a collectors item...but the Buell can't be beat for everyday utility. I absolutely love mine everytime I ride it and I was pleased that the Ducati did not change my mind about the Buell. How about that tire? it had maybe 10 lbs of air in it when we stopped (after a long high speed run). Someone dodged a bullet for sure there! | ||
| Gunut75 |
Ducatis are nice looking, but they can keep the valve train. Just my opinion.  | ||
| Andymnelson |
Yup. Here is a cut-and-paste from an email conversation I had just a couple of days ago. He rides a Monster, and was asking what I think about some of the new Ducs. I told him I love the low maintenance of my XB- no valve train adjustments, etc.. He said this: "HEY! Bringing up valve adjustments isn't "playing fair" since I'm waiting to ride until I do mine."  | ||
| Idaho_pakeha |
Yeah the valve adjustment complexity is a real deal breaker for me. The owner of the 916 I rode used to work as a mechanic at a honda dealership and he told me that when he first bought the bike he did the maintenance (adjustments) himself, but after that first time it was such a pain in the ass that he took it to the dealer and paid them the $$$. He also mentioned that the air cooled Ducatis (most monsters, supersports, etc...) are much easier to work on than the watercooled four valve models, which have crazy tiny spaces you need to get into to perform the adjustments. I think he was really surprised at how good the Buell actually is, plus the low maintenance is a real plus. | ||
| Chasten |
personally, i love Ducatis the way i love red cars... they look sexy, and are great vehicles for someone else. i actually demo'd the 848, and couldn't wait to get back on my Buell. there were things i liked about that bike (the transmission, for example), but i could never ride it the way i ride mine. after the demo ride, in the dealership parking lot, i think the Buell actually had more people checking it out... | ||
| Idaho_pakeha |
I think a lot of the Ducati guys are embarrassed to like the Buell, they just can't get past the "poor reliability" and "tractor motor" reputation that seems to follow the Buells. One of the cool things about owning a Buell is being on the outside of any regular bike group. They are shunned by the sportbike guys as being too slow, by the H-D chaps and tassels crowd because they are sporty and most owners at least own a helmet, by the ducatisti because they are not italian, by the BMW guys because...well they aren't european. But when you get one on a twisty road they are really special, and that bothers people too. Screw them I want to be different. I know my friend was really impressed by my XB...  | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Ducatis are the "Ginger" of the motorcycle world. I'll stick with "Mary Anne".  | ||
| Ramm |
+1 Ft_bstrd Love it. | ||
| Didactic |
I love Duc 748/749s, would love to have one sitting next to my 12R in the garage, but not instead of. I still don't get the reliability issues things...mine has 10K and the biggest issue for it was a bit of wear on the clutch cable and a minor gasket weep...neither where anything more than cosmetic and both where voluntarily fixed anyways buy the dealer under warranty. Add to that it is an easy bike to work on (compared to a lot of metrics) even for a knuckle-head like me. -d | ||
| Idaho_pakeha |
 what is not to like? | ||
| Fast1075 |
"Tractor Motor" Buell Motor Company has recently announced the availability of a rice harvesting attachment...part number 1125r. | ||
| Rydberg |
all the fun is between 0-80 anyways. and for those that only ride street they have plenty of top end. at what point do you need to do over 130 on the street? | ||
| Garyl |
Buell Motor Company has recently announced the availability of a rice harvesting attachment...part number 1125r. Damn that's a good one! I'll have to remember that. That's f-ing great! | ||
| Pogue_mahone |
way to go i-da-ho well said | ||
| Surveyor |
I've taken my XB9r and my 998r to the tracks for the past few years. I do the fast times on the Ducati but I have lots of fun on the Buell...it's the ideal mix. | ||
| Fast1075 |
I must humbly admit that is not original...in all actuality I saw it somewhere else... I REALLY goes something like this..."Buell Motor Company, long known for there farm implements and tractors has recently announced"......blah, blah... I just thought it was waaaaay cool  Theme song: "She thinks my tractor's sexy" (Message edited by fast1075 on April 23, 2009) | ||
| Xbdude |
Well, here's the deal. I had a 2006 XB with the factory chip and exhaust and absolutely loved it. Changed the airbox to the American Sportbike setup, and it really enhanced the performance. But, I took a ride on a friend's Ducati 1098 and that did it for me. I would have loved to get an 1125R, but one look at the pods was enough to stop me. Bought a new 1098 with the full Termi, and don't get me wrong, the bike is awesome. But, I really miss riding my XB! The Duc pulls like a freight train from about 4 grand to 10.5 grand, and will do those incredible power wheelies. The dry clutch really hooks up and sounds like marbles inside a beer can-- great sound for any gearhead. But I do miss the XB. Thinking of adding City X to my little collection! | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Even though there are newer bikes coming along from BMC, I will ALWAYS have an XB in the garage. Except for now. When I have nothing. I'm going to go throw up now.  | ||
| Rpm4x4 |
Buell Motor Company has recently announced the availability of a rice harvesting attachment...part number 1125r. Now that belongs on a shirt! | ||
| Kootenay |
"i actually demo'd the 848, and couldn't wait to get back on my Buell. there were things i liked about that bike (the transmission, for example), but i could never ride it the way i ride mine." I rode a 749 at a demo a few years ago, as well as a Sport 1000, ST4, and MS620. I liked all of them, but was quite happy to ride off on my Buell. I found even the ST4 less comfortable than my Firebolt...the Ducatis I liked the most were the Sport 1000 (felt most like my Buell) and MS 620 (what a giggle--if I had to commute through city traffic every day, that might be my bike of choice). I've never ridden a 916, but that's one beautiful bike, and I'd love to try one out. At the demo, though, I did get a bit of razzing...Buells certainly are not held in high esteem by the Ducatisti...}} | ||
| Js_buell |
I rode a 1098 and a HM last summer at a demo day and yes the 1098 motor is something but I didn't really like the riding position, the HM on the other end was super the similar position to my Scg and it's a wheely machine. This summer I'll try to demo the new streetfighter I like ducs but wouldn't want to pay the maintenance on these things. I'm very happy with my xb and I think this one is here to stay, I might have other bikes but the xb is staying. | ||
| Ekass13 |
How about fixing the bike after a crash??? What would cost a Bueller $2000, would cost a Ducer $6500. at least.... | ||
| Xbdude |
Yeah, I think you're pretty close on that estimate. My XB rolled off the stand and crunched a few things, but with the frame pucks and sliders, the damage was minimal. I'd hate to drop my Duc. As far as maintenance, Ducati started this new 7,500 mile interval in 2007. I change the oil at 3K, same with the Rotax in my Spyder.  | ||
| Smitty |
The 916 is a great bike. Here is a video about it.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6K2CUdqURg I have a Monster with the 916 motor in it. It is a fun ride just different. Small tank limiting range. It is fun to turn the loud handle. I'm here looking up the uly for a longer ride bike touring. Keep the tires down Tim | ||
| Pkforbes87 |
I guess I've got different tastes than most people. I think 2/3 of the ducati models are hideous. The 848, 1098, and Streetfighter, however, leave me breathless.   | ||
| Jraice |
+1 Pkforbes87 Those 848/1098's are SEXY! I do like the older ducati look (916) but it does have that dated headlight look, still a GORGEOUS motorcycle. The 848/1098 is easily the best looking front end of any faired bike. I do have to disagree about the new naked, I'd take a Triumph Street/Speed Triple look wise over that any day of the week. Love the big dual headlights with the very fitting cowl. Oh and am I the only person who doesnt like the looks of the Desmocedici? I will admit its better looking in person (somebody had one at the local bike vista in the hills last month) with a very sexy tail/exhaust, its a work of art in the CF dept. and the mechanicals are obviously amazing but I cant get over the front fairing. Reminds me of some sort of bloated shark, where as the 848/1098 is just sharp and sexy. I guess its the MotoGP styling but its not for me. Wouldnt mind that V4 sound though! | ||
| Js_buell |
Jraice have you seen the streetfighter in person? it is really nice I mean my jaw dropped when I saw it at the DC bike show. | ||
| Jraice |
I have not so I probably shouldnt say my opinion until I do... It just seems like a very busy bike, some of the older monsters with clip ons I see around town are drop dead gorgeous, I love the frame which the street fighter does have but it just has so much going on. Ill definetly try and find one to check out in person though. | ||
| Ramm |
I love the Streetfighters, it is actually my desktop background. Too bad they start at 16,000+ I'll stick with my $8k bike  |
