| Author |
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Slaughter
| | Posted on Friday, August 15, 2008 - 10:12 pm: | 
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Two questions:
1 - Does it matter?
2 - Why does it matter? |
Igneroid
| | Posted on Friday, August 15, 2008 - 10:30 pm: |
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I tell my wife, "Its not the size of the weapon, its the fury of the attack.".....If she owned a bike, it prolly be a GSXR....sigh... |
Tmc
| | Posted on Friday, August 15, 2008 - 10:38 pm: |
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I out rode a guy on a ZX6 that told me he rides every day. So when we hit the curves I severely upset him to the point he almost threw his bike on the ground when we stopped |
Josh_
| | Posted on Friday, August 15, 2008 - 10:59 pm: |
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Doesn't sound like the kind of attitude I'd be looking to ride with. |
Merlyn
| | Posted on Friday, August 15, 2008 - 11:47 pm: |
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IMO, the reality of the "What bike handles best" debate is that it's by and large a moot point- GSXR, R6, Firebolt, Uly, Ducs.... they will ALL handle better than we can ride them, unless Mladin or Rossi or Stoner is involved in the conversation.
The last thing I hear *every* time I let go of the brakes and lean Elvira into the turn I am *convinced* I've over-cooked for sure this time is the bike whispering "SISSY!"
I doubt more than a very VERY few of us are pushing these bikes to the *bikes* absolute limit- and I KNOW none of us are on the street (if you are, I ain't riding with you, that's for damn sure). That being the case, the discussion is really about which bike's handling characteristics fit each rider's personal style best. For me, that's the Firebolt.
Merlyn |
Scott_in_nh
| | Posted on Saturday, August 16, 2008 - 10:11 am: |
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My S3 doesn't say anything until I come out of this one very, very fast turn.
No matter how fast I go it asks the same question every time;
Is that all you got?
My answer is always the same too;
You are going to get us arrested! |
Blake
| | Posted on Saturday, August 16, 2008 - 01:02 pm: |
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Scott (Spatten)
"Yeah, those GSXRs are terrible handling bikes. XBs smoke'em any day, anywhere."
Who made any such statement?  This seems to be a common recurring theme. I don't understand why some folks misinterpret positive statements about a Buell versus another sport bike as being such wide sweeping exaggerations.
A few things are certain concerning the very real and verifiable advantages that the Buell XBikes enjoy in cornering performance versus other sport bikes.
First, the XBikes' compact chassis geometry gives them much quicker turn-in and overall quicker handling versus the typical repli-racer.
Second, when leaned over negotiating a rough/bumpy surface, the benefits of Buell's significantly reduced front unsprung mass will absolutely allow it to outperform the typical repli-racer in front end grip. You could clearly see this at Road America in the 180o+ carousel turn. A number of Buell racers were able to drive right around their non-Buell competitors in that turn. Front tire grip matters. With all else being relatively equal, significantly less unsprung mass on the front wheel assembly allows significantly improved front end grip on uneven/bumpy/rough surfaces.
(Message edited by Blake on August 16, 2008) |
Rpm4x4
| | Posted on Sunday, August 17, 2008 - 04:54 pm: |
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Oh BTW, go have a look at their back tires
then compare them to yours.
We have already had this discussion. I have shaved the chicken strips clean on my new michelin pilot power 2ct (200miles)while they have at least an inch of tire left untouched after a summer of riding.
Its not that I really care but it just got me to wondering. |
Ft_bstrd
| | Posted on Sunday, August 17, 2008 - 05:13 pm: |
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I guess the million dollar question is whether there is ANY real advantage to all the work that is done by Erik and the designers over more "traditional" chassis designs.
Given the exact same engine characteristics and the exact same rider capabilities and dimensions, is there any advantage to the shorter wheelbase, chassis geometry, unsprung weight, and mass centralization?
If there is, then the question is answered.
If there isn't, then why bother with Buell?
Seems a lot of work and effort for no appreciable benefit. Erik and crew should just reverse engineer something from Japan and be done with it. |
Jettdawg
| | Posted on Sunday, August 17, 2008 - 05:46 pm: |
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"Seems a lot of work and effort for no appreciable benefit. Erik and crew should just reverse engineer something from Japan and be done with it."
I disagree... and am very glad they didn't take the easy route and do that.
" is there any advantage to the shorter wheelbase, chassis geometry, unsprung weight, and mass centralization?"
I say YES! |
Firebolt32
| | Posted on Sunday, August 17, 2008 - 05:53 pm: |
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If there isn't, then why bother with Buell?
For me..Because it's American made and different. I feel better on a Buell than the few jap bikes I've rode. I get a kick out of people trying to find my exhaust too. |
Ft_bstrd
| | Posted on Sunday, August 17, 2008 - 06:01 pm: |
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Not saying that I think there is no difference. Just posing some additional food for thought in the evaluation of Buell handling vs. whatever. |
Dynasport
| | Posted on Sunday, August 17, 2008 - 06:11 pm: |
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I don't know enough about sport bike riding to contribute to this thread regarding a Buell's handling versus other sport bikes. I just find it very interesting that so many magazines are so critical of Buell handling. Is it because it is different, or because it is inferior? My guess is that it is because it is different. Of course being different doesn't make it superior either. |
Eboos
| | Posted on Sunday, August 17, 2008 - 06:35 pm: |
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I find that Sport Rider and Motorcyclist are both very critical of Buell for no aparent reason. Motorcyclist just did a compairison between the 1125R and the RSV1000 in which the 1125R won, but if you look online in the off the record remarks, the testers still took every chance available to bash Buell.
I love my M2. I find it a very stable bike at high speed and while leaned fully in the corners. I felt that the 52" XBs were a little wiggley at speed in the straights, but I didn't play with the suspension at all. The 1125R is a whole nother matter. This was the easiest bike I have ever been able to ride fast on. It has the high speed stability and the cornering stability that I like mixed with the quick steering that the XBs have. This bike was also very forgiving of mistakes (which I make a lot of). I haven't ridded any of the bikes on the SS/X frame any faster then messing around in parking lots, so I can not comment on them. |
Jettdawg
| | Posted on Sunday, August 17, 2008 - 08:25 pm: |
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Ft_bstrd, didn't take it that way and wasn't commenting on your personal opinion, just giving MY opinion  |
Ft_bstrd
| | Posted on Sunday, August 17, 2008 - 08:33 pm: |
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S'all good. 
I think we are in agreement! |
Pkforbes87
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 20, 2008 - 11:07 am: |
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I went for a "spirited ride" with 2 MSF instructors recently.. one on a GSXR1000 one on a CBR1000RR. Both politely voiced their opinions that my bike (X1) was interesting, attractive, unique, outdated, and underpowered.
I didn't say much, I don't like to get in that never-ending argument with jap bike riders. I'd rather let the machine do the talking.
To make a long story short, we went on our ride, about 300 miles total up and down the Loess Hills Byway in Western Iowa - with a Buell leading the pack all day. At the end of the day both MSF instructors told me "you sure can throw that bike around". I climbed on a motorcycle for the first time less than 2 years ago, so I know their compliment was mistakenly aimed at me instead of the bike.
These bikes are amazing! They are so easy to ride, forgiving of mistakes, and FUN! It was such an awesome feeling to see 2 very experienced riders change their pre-conceived notions after actually seeing the motorcycle perform in it's element.
Just thought I'd share.. |
Rkc00
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 20, 2008 - 11:51 am: |
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Here is one of our own that pushes the limits of his Buell.
Mike
Long Island, NY
06 XB12X Black of course |
Sanchez
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 20, 2008 - 03:46 pm: |
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I ride an 06 GSX-R 750 on the track. I've only ridden a demo firebolt at March Badness, so I've never pushed one very hard, but I can see what Hammer's saying about being able to eat a sandwich while cornering. My impression of the firebolt was that it required more effort to push it over, but that it stayed where I pointed it without further input. It was as if the Buell had more gyroscopic force holding it in place.
The GSX-R feels very twitchy and unstable by comparison, but I can't say for sure that's a bad thing. It responds to the slightest input. It seems like the GSX-R is more difficult to ride but would turn in and transition more quickly in the right hands.
The Buell definitely inspires confidence, and it's probably easier to ride fast than the GSX-R. One of these days I'll get a firebolt or an 1125R out on the track for comparison. |
New12r
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 20, 2008 - 04:43 pm: |
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From riding both a gixxer and firebolt and numerous ones of each.
The Buell is much easier to ride fast mid corner. |
Rkc00
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 20, 2008 - 04:55 pm: |
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Here is another one of our own that pushes the limits of his Buell.
Mike
Long Island, NY
06 XB12X Black of course |
Hexangler
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 20, 2008 - 05:42 pm: |
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The Buell definitely inspires confidence...
I went for the first test ride a year before I bought my Firebolt. I thought to myself ...(I can ride this).
Somehow that experience lingered in my mind, until I went to HD/Buell for my second test ride the next year.
At that point I KNEW I could ride the Firebolt (and bought mine soon after.)
+1 for the test ride program at Buell. (Our dealers let us take a bike out alone.)
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