| Author | Message | ||
     Ikeman |
...might as well go all the way. After 4.5 years of Buell ownership (and 20 years of lusting after them before that) I'm moving on. The '06 Uly was a fun and utilitarian mount. But mine had most of the bugs reported here and elsewhere - the final one being an oil pump drive gear that fragged itself and completely trashed the motor. On the upside, the motor was going to be replaced by Buell even though it was out of warranty at the time. I took that opportunity to trade it for an '08 Firebolt. That bike has been problem free other than a broken front muffler strap. Love the bike and the handling but it's just not comfortable for the riding I do. Most of my riding these days is commuting to work. This entails a mix of slab, surface streets and stop-and-go traffic. Years ago I had no problem riding a GSXR 750 in this kind of environment. But my 40+ year old body doesn't enjoy the racer crouch these days. Even with some mods to make the Firebolt more of a sport touring bike it just isn't cutting it. Between the heat of the air-cooled motor and constantly slipping the clutch, the trip just isn't fun anymore. So, with all that said I traded the 'Bolt last weekend for an Aprilia Mana GT. I put about 100 miles on the dealer's demo bike and was sold. I picked it up last Saturday and put 1000 miles on it over the course of 4 days this past week. For those of you that don't know anything about it, do a search on the Aprilia Mana 850 GT. Yeah, it's an automatic but it definitely ain't a scooter. | ||
| Whatever |
Sporty lookin ride... have fun with it... | ||
| Niceguyeddy |
 ...and life goes on. Enjoy the new steed. | ||
| Blk_uly |
yeah it looks like fun. I hope you enjoy it. I cant imagine reaching for a clutch thats not there. But then the manual mode gives you 7 set ratios. Whats that like? (Message edited by blk_uly on August 21, 2010) | ||
| Ikeman |
I don't plan on leaving the site. I don't post much but enjoy the folks here. Call me a serial lurker  We're a 1 street-bike household (got a couple dirt bikes and a 4-wheeler too) and the Firebolt just wasn't the right tool for the job. Guess I bought it pining for the days of my youth. | ||
| Niceguyeddy |
How could you not love the dirt bikes?! Enjoy the new ride, don't forget to get dirty! | ||
| Ikeman |
It's pretty easy to adapt to. I catch myself reaching for the clutch when coming to a stop and trying to stomp it into 1st gear when moving out from a stop. The paddle shifters are pretty cool. You just keep the throttle open and hit the button. The shift is instantaneous. I took a little trip this past week (800 miles or so) and pretty much kept it in Touring mode (mid-power auto mode). 55mpg for the trip with max speeds around 90mph. The bike just fits me - seat height, handle bars, windscreen, etc (I'm 5'8" w/30" inseam). I could see me keeping this one for a long time. | ||
| Blk_uly |
cool!  | ||
| Cyclonedon |
Ikeman, I felt the same way about Buell motorcycles until they released the Ulysses. I even went as far as to tell my dealer that I was going to trade my M2 Cyclone in and he asked me to wait until I test rode a Ulysses, they hadn't even been announced yet but he knew they were going to be introduced at the Denver dealer's show. As much as I like the looks of both the Firebolt and the 1125R's, I just can't bend over and cramp my legs up under me to ride one as distance at all. Enjoy your new Aprilia Mana GT. | ||
| Pwnzor |
Looks pretty nice to me!  | ||
| Aptbldr |
+1, Firebolt's a very comfortable bike ergonomically, but virtually unacceptable as suburban-urban commuter mechanically, IMO. Best wishes | ||
| Kyrocket |
I feel ya'. My darkside move should be acquired sometime this week. I'm picking up an '06 Vulcan 2000. Couldn't pass it up with 13K and $4300. I'm keeping the X1 as well so it's not a complete move, just been wanting a cruiser for some time now and this should fill that ticket. That is a sweet looking bike also. | ||
| Wbrisett |
With two Buells and one BMW in my stable, I guess we all have a darkside, if we let ourselves slip over to it. Wayne | ||
| Whisperstealth |
Looked the bike up. Sounds / looks like a nice ride. I wouldn't mine taking one out for a spin. Looks comfortable, and has a little more wind / elements protection than the Uly. Would miss the low end grunt of the Uly, god I do love that, want more! Anyway, congrat's! Enjoy your bike, have fun, and check in from time to time. | ||
| Swordsman |
I remember when the Aprilia Mana 850 GT was first posted up here. Cool bike, IMHO. I'd rock one. ~SM | ||
| Spiderman |
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| Gunut75 |
With 56 or so horsepower, I dont know. I love the looks though. | ||
| Ikeman |
The mid-50's hp at the rear wheel is a little deceptive. With the CVT in any of the automatic modes it's always in the right 'gear', the motor spools up to the optimum rpm and the transmission works around that engine speed. You can't judge your speed by the engine rpm - it doesn't have a tach and the engine revs up and pretty much stays there. It's not gonna run with any sport bikes acceleration-wise but it'll leave all but the fastest cars at the light. I honestly didn't think I'd like the CVT transmission but it's a no-brainer in traffic. Like I said, this bike just fits me ergonomically and the type of riding I do most of the time. I've always liked the riding position and handling of the BMW R1200RT and the Mana is very similar. I think the Mana handles a bit better (a little less weight) and for about half the price of the BMW I've got no complaints so far. And the storage is awesome. I can stuff my full-face helmet (and whatever will fit inside it) in the storage compartment where the gas tank would normally be. My jacket, pants, rain gear, tools, air compressor, etc. all fit in the side cases with room to spare. Excellent commuter mount. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
If I were leaving buell... and it might be necessary to facilitate a full and complete identity change (long story) It would be the Ducati Mini Hyper The Aprilia Dorsoduro, the WR250x, the Cross Roads 250 or the FXBike in a SuMo trim...... time will tell, the next year will be the crucible. Doesnt help that the new remaining ones are less than what I owe on my used one. Thanks for the new paradign Harley. |
