| Author | Message | ||
     Impulse_101 |
…Or my first test ride on a XB12R The 12R I tried had the race kit, which made big difference to me as far as the engine performance, or at least the way the engine feels. I didn’t push the bike at all, I was more concerned with how it handled and how it felt. It accelerated nicely and the front wheel seemed to be able to come off the pavement anyplace in the powerband. I was impressed at how nicely the engine would pull from 1000RPM all the way to the rev limiter. It was smoother than the standard 12 to me. This was much more the engine that I expected when trying the twelve. I have ridden both the 9S and the 12S but the Firebolt felt completely different to me. The riding position is extreme to say the least. I would need to switch the pegs and tweak the ergonomics a little bit because my elbows were touching my knees. I made a joke to my wife this week after being caught in the rain on my S3T, I told her that “I hugged the bike like an old girlfriend” while riding in order to keep my chest dry. Well, the riding position on the Firebolt gave me a similar feeling, but instead of hugging we were… well let’s leave it at that. The Lightning made me very nervous when I was riding it. It always felt like the front wheel was going to buckle underneath me and flip me off the bike. The Firebolt didn’t do that. The wheel felt like it was in front of me instead of underneath me. I was surprised at how “gyroscopic” the bike was. It wanted to be upright. The center of gravity was low, yet I had to put a lot into the lean to get the bike to turn as sharply as I wanted it to. I took my first couple of corners wide because of this. I’m sure that with time and practice I could get the feel of it, but as for this test ride it was kind of scary. Just make sure that you break before the turn because if you wait too long, you’re either going into oncoming traffic or doing a triple summersault into the ditch. The chassis has no give at all. It’s as solid a bike as I’ve ever been on. It’s a totally different feel than my tuber which is comfortably sloppy. Once again, it would take some getting used to, but I think I could do it with practice. Everything else on the 12R is as I expected. Good brakes, stiff clutch, solid shifting… I missed a couple of shifts between 1st and 2nd because my legs were pushed up so high that my foot was already in the same position as when I’m holding the shifter up on my S3T and I had to remember that I had to use only my foot because my leg couldn’t lift any more. I’d love to have one of these, provided that the ergonomics could be modified a bit. It would make an awesome daily commuter and weekend screamer. I don’t think that I’d ride more than 150-200 miles at a time in that position though. My six foot 245 pound frame just wouldn’t take the compression for longer than that since I donated a lot of the cartilage in my back and knees to the Army, I’m not sure that I’d be able to walk after much more than that. I want one, but not to replace my S3T. Instead I think that my S3T would be great for my wife because of it's forgiving nature. While the Firebolt would be great for anything other than long trips and a hell of a lot of fun for daily stuff. JT | ||
| Daves |
You coming up today! Dave | ||
| Impulse_101 |
Dave, I was going to call you in a few. I'll be stuck at work all day and then I gotta pull the brakes on my van so I'll have to come up next week. Maybe thursday. I'm off that day. Don't sell that manual!!!!!! JT | ||
| Daves |
I've got it in my office for you. Let me know for sure what day you're coming up so I don't take that day off! Dave 920-757-1651 | ||
| Impulse_101 |
Dude, What's your day off. I don't expect you to come to work to sell me a manual. JT | ||
| Daves |
I don't really have a set day off. I just want to make sure I don't take off the day you are coming. Dave | ||
| Sshbsn |
Impulse_101 You're right, the XB12R is an awesome bike! You may even find yourself taking longer trips than you expected once you are more accustomed to the riding position. My first week I wondered if I would have to switch pegs, but after the first couple of knee-breaking trips, I started averaging around 350 miles a ride on my 12R. Definitely get one, but maybe give it two or three weeks before you make changes, just to see if it gets more comfortable. Just a thought, anyway... | ||
| Impulse_101 |
Finances alone will make me ride it stock for a while but thank you for the tip. I figure that I will get a 12R as soon as I pay off my present bike, which will be next year. I plan on having one sportbike and one sport tourer in the garage for the rest of my life. It's a long term plan. I was glad that the Firebolt was a bike that was more to my liking than the Lightning. I'm just not a fan of the 12S. I want to buy another Buell, but I was worried that Buell was no longer making a bike for me and that is more important than just brand loyalty. Now I know that Buell does make a bike that fits into my plan and I enjoyed riding it. JT | ||
| Daves |
I'll make you a sweet deal on one right now. Ride to the edge! Dave | ||
| Impulse_101 |
Dave, are you trying to get me divorced? JT | ||
| Yeahcmon |
What's a sweet deal. Wait...Buell's lowering the 12 prices by 2 grand in 3 months right, seen it before with the 9's, only can expect the same with the 12's. Wait it out cause there gonna drop the price soon. | ||
| 420at145mph |
heh dave could sell icecubes to eskimos how much for the race ecm+shipping ill send ya a money order tommorow | ||
| M1combat |
That "gyroscopic" thing... Metzeler Sportec M1's. Solves it entirely. I loved the bike with the stock tires but now it's perfect. | ||
| Xb9er |
Ditto on that M1combat. Just mounted the Sportec M1 rear on mine and rode it for awhile. Will mount the front as soon as I get some time (yard work was put off too long). I only wish I had changed to Metzeler's sooner. | ||
| Daves |
420 The race ecm is 209.95 Less the Badweb discount 188.96 figure about 7.00 shipping Send to, H-D/Buell of Appleton 5322 Clairemont Dr Appleton WI 54913 ATTN Dave, the Buell guy Impulse, Not trying to cause trouble  | ||
| Impulse_101 |
You don't have to, I can accomplish that all by myself.  JT |
