| Author | Message | ||
     Dbird29 |
Had a chance to trade my '03 XB9S with Drfuyutsuki's S1 Lightning on Saturday. The ride was a 3 mile canyon we had to ourselves for an hour of picture taking and mild mayhem. The canyon was 35 MPH but most curves were 70+. We traded rides for a couple of passes and I was amazed with the different steering response between the Buells. The S1 had a more deliberate, firm steering response compared to my XB. It felt like it was working with more gyroscopic forces. The handling was great just so different. I had not ridden any Buells other than mine. Is that typical of all tubers or do they have a great variation between models? Thanks to Josh for letting me try his bike on some curves. DBird | ||
| Jmartz |
Dbird: I replaced my PM wheels with Mrchesini magnesium ones. From 36 lbs. combined weight I went down to 16. You would not believe the difference. Tube frame Buells were origially fitted with either Marchesini Aluminum or Performance Machne spun aluminum. The PMs were heavier. Later models came with Castalloy, slightly heavier than marcesinis but still lighter than the PMs. XB wheels are lighter than those in any other pervious Buell model. | ||
| Doughnut |
My S2 WANTS to lean. I found that the XBs need to be told. | ||
| Crashm1 |
I own and love (well aside from the exhaust issues I keep having) an X1 and have test ridden a couple XB12's. The XB's feel stiffer and less flexy than my bike thy are also slightly more resistant to initial turn in although that may be because i didn't fiddle with any of the suspension settings. If I was going racing I would want the XB cause stiff is good. | ||
| M1combat |
The XB platform NEEDS a different pair of tires (unless I'm just riding it wrong, which is entirely possible) as an OEM set. Every bad trait I've ever heard of in an XB has been solved by a different set of tires. Even D208's... The rear Dunlop is very flat compared to other 180's. It's more like a 190. | ||
| Dbird29 |
I do have the Pirelli Syncs on the XB. Mucho better than the Dunlops, less stand up in a corner if I use a little front brake. I guess my question was kind of wondering if the different Buell models all handled differently. | ||
| Doughnut |
Have Dunlops 207 on my S2. Hoping to get Pirelli when I need to change. | ||
| M1combat |
I was mostly referring to CrashM1's post about the XB being more resistant to turn in. | ||
| Blake |
The XBs respond so much more quickly to steering inputs it ain't even funny. I about hurt myself the first time I rode an XB at speed and yanked the bars to test the steering response. My feet were literally thrown off the pegs the reaction was so quick and pronounced compared to what I was used to on my Cyclone, and my '97 Cyclone is no slouch when it comes to handling. | ||
| Metalstorm |
I have very little experience with various Buells. The only other Buell I've ridden is Bigblock's M2 & man does that thing handle! As good or maybe better than the XBs. He does have banke rear sets and has revalved his suspenion though which made a huge, enormous difference. | ||
| Rocketman |
Handling feedback is much improved on the tubers if you junk the rubber foot pegs for billet ones. Rocket | ||
| Blake |
Gosh, I haven't ridden with the rubber pegs for years. You are dead right on though. I never did like those squishy rubber cruiser-boat pegs on the Buell. Metalstorm, Don't confuse slower steering response with not handling well. My Cyclone handles superbly with its rearsets and raised front end; it just won't turn as quickly/crisply as an XB. Sounds like you are talking more about stability and ride of the bike. | ||
| Ceejay |
Of all the test rides that I took, three so far, on the XB's I felt that handling was close but much stiffer and less forgiving, once you make a decision on an XB you must go with it, while my M2 still has a bit of lag time, I had more power, but the XB's felt more responsive, wheelbase and fuel injection I assume, alas I like the looks of tubers over XB's, prefer carbs over FI, and my bike seems less refined/cultured which suits me just fine. | ||
| Bomber |
careful when comparing a tuber to an XB series -- many tubers could use bearing and isolator R&R by this time (if it hasn't been done) -- I was surprised at how much my M2's handling had deteriorated over 35K miles -- new swingarm/steering head bearings and isolators all round brought it back to spec, and it's back to it's old silly self -- great handling, greater fun the footpeg statement is 100% accurate, btw -- stock pegs were a great way to save on unit cost, but a better example of marginal parts-bin sourcing, IMO the 100 or so miles I've put on various XB series (5 - 20 mikes at a time) tells me there is a difference -- the XB is a bit more refined -- all things being equal, I'm thinkin a rider will be marginally quicker on the right roads on an XB -- to my mind, you could feel the family resemblance, though, in spite of all the physical differences -- the designers had the same aim-point, they just got closer to the bull on the XB (which makes perfect sense) | ||
| 2000m2 |
I test rode an XB12R and found that I had to use a lot more countersteer than I was used to on my M2. Fun ride once I got used to it though...If they would give me more for my trade, I would have considered buying one. | ||
| Rocketman |
My most recent impressions tell me the S1W under steers in slow speed corners compared to my 916. It's not a point I'd argue merely something one gets use to between different rides. For me the worse thing about the S1 Lightnings handling is the rear suspension. It got worse after they robbed us of the WP shock but even that was over sprung. The S1's have always suffered from a lack of rebound compression on the rear and I've remained sceptical as to why EB changed the format of the rear suspension on the XB's after placing years of emphasis on the under slung shock and mass centralization etc etc and the pull rather than compress action. Seems an awful lot of breath to waste over the years if you're going to junk the idea on your later models if it's supposed to have worked as good as we were once lead to believe. Personally I don't think I've ever ridden an S1 that's had rear suspension anywhere near as compliant as a sorted Japanese sports bike. Having never ridden an XB I can only imagine the rear suspension works far better than it ever did on the tube frame Buells. Rocket | ||
| Tucsonxb9s |
I recently had the pleasure of riding Bartimus' 98 S1W. I told him it was a lot like comparing an older Mustang to the new one. There is a definite family resemblance, but the two are still their own beast. The S1 shook, rattled, but pulled like a mofo when I twisted the wick! My XB is much more subdued, but I'm sure I'd be quicker through the twisties on it. I sure wouldn't mind having both in the garage though! | ||
| Metalstorm |
"Sounds like you are talking more about stability and ride of the bike" You may be right. Sometimes I don't even know what I'm talking about!  But I swear the M2 turned quicker than the 9R I test rode that same day. Though I'll admit the suspension settings were way off on the R making it a bear with a sore head to turn. | ||
| Road_thing |
Rocket--Can I interpret your post above to mean that your S1 is back on the road? Pictures, man, we need pictures! rt | ||
| Whodom |
Are you guys really serious about changing from rubber to metal footpegs making that big of a difference in the feel of the bike? | ||
| M1combat |
"But I swear the M2 turned quicker than the 9R I test rode that same day. " PLEASE ride an XB without Dunlop D207's. HUGE difference. | ||
| Bomber |
who -- yes I can tell a great deal more of what the scoot's doing throught the shop made aluminum pegs I'm runnin that through the stockers, which were a little vague -- early rubber pegs looked like they were sourced from a big twin touring rig, with no feel at all | ||
| Road_thing |
Who-- yes again. The rubber-ducky pegs do a great job of cushioning, but they don't transmit any road feel. rt | ||
| Tpoppa |
M1 is right about the 207's. When I switched to Z6's (yes, Sport Touring tires) my XB felt like a different bike. Noticably quicker turn in with plenty if high speed stability. Overall it's a great handling bike. | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
I spent a day chasing Bartimus on his then brand new 9SX and basically, since he isn't posting his thoughts I can paraphrase his comparison. He liked the Sx for straight out corner carving handling. The Pirelli Scorps did what he asked and were more then willing to take more. His complaints all centered around the size of the bike. He often refered to the 9SX as being a minibike in feel compared to his S1 or S2's. He was also disapointed in the power delivery of the 9 engine. Prefering the more pronounced and more power of th eS1 in comparison. What he really wants is the power of his S1 and the handling of the 9SX rolled into the same machine. I have ridden his S1 as well as Brian, however it was just after riding my 12, so the power difference wasn't as much, but it was still there and noticable. Rocket, I believe the choice of going to the "standard" shock placement with the XB's came from the packaging of the bike. When you compare an XB side by side with a Tuber the first thing anyone says about the XB is that it looks so tiny. Also with the size of the XB's exhaust canister, it would be very difficult to position the shock slung under the engine as well. I have ridden XB's on stock 208's then turned around and jumped on my own XB with the Conti's and even as tore up as the conti's were at the time, they still turned easier then the 208's. The 208 has a more round profile front, but that rear is just way to flat a profile and I truly beleive it affects the handling alot. Even a 208GP has a more curved profile then the 208's that come stock, but then again that is a DOT Race tire  | ||
| Imonabuss |
Once the tire debate is sorted out to each rider's taste, there is no comparison between the XBs and the tube frame bikes. If you ride hard, the XBs are in a whole other league. No one races tube frame bikes any more for a reason; the XBs definitely handle better when ridden hard. However, if you are just out for a fun ride, the tube bikes are nice. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Aaron or Pammy can give the 9SX more then enough power, and probably for less then $5000 extra or so out the door. Not a dirt cheap overall package, but it's the vehicle of his dreams for about half of what I paid for my last minivan  | ||
| Rocketman |
Thingy - YES the S1W lives again. I was about to purchase a new digi camera since I got this iBook because I couldn't suss a way to get the pic's from my existing digi into the Apple groove. then recently I got a new cell phone with a REAL camera in it. Sony Ericsson 750i, but I've not managed to get the compression sorted down to BadWeB size so no pic's yet. It will happen. I finished the Buell at 8.15pm last Wednesday which is 11 days short of 3 years down time. I'm pleased to say that EVERYTHING is working just perfect and I'm stoked that everything went back in perfect position without me needing to adjust and readjust etc etc. To get it right first time is a really nice feeling. I'll tell you something else too. For a pretty simple and minimalist bike there's a lot more going on than you think. Not complicated - more complex I guess - and talk about time consuming. Mind you I've been over it with a fine tooth comb left no stone unturned and sat there meticulously sorting through every detail adhering to the best rule in the world - ATTENTION TO DETAIL. All that's left now are a hand full of cosmetic changes I need to make then the pic's will follow. First riding impression? What a big bike!!!!!!! Second riding impression? This sucker pulls well! Third riding impression?  Conclusion: like putting on a pair of comfortable old slippers. Ones with flames on of course! Rocket | ||
| M1combat |
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| Bomber |
Yo, Harvey -- you're very likely right, and I could prolly go faster, sometimes, on an XB seris sled, but I'm still lovin my my tuber to death -- more bike than I am a rider, no doubt and, for the record, "just a fun ride" can sometimes cause some very odd patterns to appear on the seat of the trusty MaDeuece! | ||
| Road_thing |
Good on ya, Rocket! Can't wait to see the pix--if it's been improved over what I've seen here before, it oughta be a knockout! rt | ||
| Matty |
Hey now! Whatya mean no one still races tube frames???  And all 3 of the XB's were behind me, so neener neener! =) | ||
| Rick_a |
I love tube frame bikes. Stock VS. stock XB all the way. I've rode an XB9R. Highly modified I prefer the S1 by far. The XB feels like a solid piece of billet. It does require a little more counter steering effort and feels totally planted totally leaned over. My S1 is a totally different animal but I just prefer it's qualities. It's just more intuitive and more forgiving. | ||
| Rocketman |
I put up a couple of tiny pic's on the S1 thread for your perusal gents \ ladies. More to follow. Rocket |
