| Author | Message | ||
     Aydenxb9 |
Yesterday, buddy Carlos and I went for a morning ride on our bikes(mine: 03 XB9SL with the usual mods and his: 98 M2, stock) looking for the usual, a good time. We started out by running by one of the local Metric Multiplexes, Britt Motorsports looking to see some stunt bike exhibition by the 'Wheelie Boyz' who the dealership had hired in for a bike fest at the local drag strip. We were a day late for the free show, and paying money to hang with drunk squids didn't seem appealing, we struck out for parts un-rode. Our next destination was Jacksonville N.C. via 4 different counties, hitting every back road with turns we could think of, and one long straight lonely road to stretch 'em out for good measure. Also, and really the point of this story, just north of J'ville is Backroads Triumph, a small enthusiast shop run by true motorcycle people helmed by Mike, AKA:MadMotoMike, or The Flying Monkey, the worlds tallest motorcycle roadracer at 6'9". Also, with it being Saturday, it's free pizza day there! We roll in with all eyes upon us, but especially one person, RJ, another Saturday regular and one of the BRATs(Back Roads Adventure Team). RJ and Rick, the sales manager are on top of me before I can even get my helmet off, RJ going over every inch of my 9. Rick on the other hand was trying to head off a defection of sorts I think. Anyway, I answer the usual questions and we talk for a few then the whole group rambles inside for pizza and camaraderie. We talked bikes, racing, life, with much of it coming back around to questions and opinions about "those Buells". RJ and I start to talk again as I'm bouncing back and forth between a Thruxton, a Bonneville, and a Daytona 955, just admiring them and dreaming about which one would be a good stable mate for my Buell, while Carlos pondered his sudden attraction to a pair of Moto Guzzis when RJ asked to sit on my bike. "Sure, go right ahead. Wanna ride it?" I said. He replies, "Uh I usually don't accept those kinds of offers but, yeah, I really would." Now RJ, is in his late fourties, has owned scores of motorcycles, from Harleys to Hondas, with four in his garage right now, a GL 1800, an R1, and a pair of KTMs. An admitted motorcycle addict, he's got the credentials. So, I point out the few little things that are kind of Buell eccentric, and send him on his way down Pony Farm Road. And he stays gone for over a half an hour. I'm beginning to become a little concerned, but I'm trying not to show it instead just entertain myself talking to a regular who just rolled in on a Royal Enfield. As we're talking about the finer points of thumper modification here comes RJ and you can see a HUGE smile under his helmet. He parks the bike and just sits there for a minute. HE GOT IT! He comes off the bike and tears his helmet off and the first words out of his mouth were, "I Didn't want to stop riding this thing! This bike is SO much fun!" HE got it! We had another 30 minute conversation on the finer points of the Buell experience. He gushed about the handling, the usable power, the comfort, the way that the bike communicates with the rider. He said it was the most "fun" bike he'd ridden. The man rides an R1. He said that he had to have one, as in he's going to buy one next week. Must be nice, huh? He got it. I think some here on this board have lost "it". It's become so much of "Oh this number isn't impressive enough", or "Oh the dealers sucks", or "Oh if Buells were more like this" or on and on and on. My Buell puts a smile on my face every time I ride it. No other vehicle I have ever owned, 2 or 4 wheeled has ever done that. It satisfies every time. This sounds crazy, but this machine, has changed my life. It was a Buell that brought me back into motorcycling, it was a Buell that has created new friendships for me, it was a Buell that repaired a severely broken friendship with one of my oldest and dearest friends and gave him the bug to fall in love with motorcycling himself and now he too, is a Buell rider. A Buell taught my wife to ride and motorcycling has enhanced our marriage. And a Buell is leading me to change careers as I'm considering two offers with dealerships to return to the life professionally. So a Buell is rescuing me from a dead end job that was probably going to cut my life short if I continued. That's what a Buell has done for me. I hope own many motorcycles from here on, but one constant will be that there will be a Buell in my garage as long as there are Buells. So I say to all of you, go ride your motorcycles and enjoy them for what they are and understand that you have the privilege of enjoying the most unique experience in motorcycling and as a man said to me yesterday, the funnest! | ||
| Bluey |
You aint whistling dixie!!!  | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
Dave, thank you. Ferris | ||
| Lovematt |
I can't say my Buell is the only vehicle to give me exhilaration every time I drive or ride 'r because I have a '68 El Camino that is way cool to me. However I will say out of all the 2 wheel vehicles...I do agree no other compares based on what I have had so far. | ||
| M1combat |
I got it too  . Great post. | ||
| Bob_thompson |
Although I was only away from bikes a short time, about six years, my M2 brought all the good things about sport bike riding back in one ride and that continues everytime I go out on it. Thanks for a fine article. Bob | ||
| Tripper |
Yep. I got it too. It took a test ride for me to get it also. Is that redundant? Nice bit if writing, thank you. | ||
| Impulse_101 |
Still got it too! | ||
| Court |
>>>This sounds crazy, but this machine, has changed my life. Not mine....I am above all that. Look, it's a motorcycle, ya ride it and go on. They are all about the same. I am aware of Buells but I'm not sure they've had any effect on my life. Court P.S. - send me this guys name phone number and I'll make certain we get the deal closed. | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
shoot i got it so bad i have dreams about riding (i hate being with out my bike) i cant wait to get home to the good ol us so i can just go riding (among other things) i feel a feeling like no other when im on my bike all problems and things that bother me just blow off of me with the wind i love IT!!! | ||
| Captainkirk |
 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(oh yeah!) | ||
| Tork |
I bought a XB9R last year only to clip a Sicilian that crossed my lane after only 4 payments on the new bike. The bike was just getting smoothed out and I was becoming "one" with it. After almost a year of healing and rehab for a broken arm, leg and lung issues, I'm ready to get back on. I could have chosen a ricer, but Goddamn, I love the look and the handling of the Buell. There's lots of rice bikes here in Sicily where I'm stationed, but the rush from speed alone no longer appeals to me. I have absolutely nothing against Asian speedbikes. I love riding and enjoy the company of anyone who cares to share a day on the road, regardless of what's between their wheels. Enjoy your Buell for what it is, and when your bike is parked amongst the sea of speed clones, enjoy it for what it isn't. Torqueus Maximus! | ||
| Aesquire |
On a bike, at night, the universe constricts to a madman hugging the head of a comet rushing tail first through halls of blackness. Tense eyes seek deer in deliberate enhancement of peripheral vision. Vegetation flashes by, momentarily given color, and exiting in dim red, the tail lights giving the illusion of red shift, a swift cerebral rush. Back in the Newtonian universe, speed is balanced with paranoia, the empty road calling for acceleration, unending. Caution sets the boundaries of your comfort zone. Full moon was rising tonight, as I finished a 130+ mile run through the finger lakes, all but the last 15 on twisty back roads. My Cyclone has got to be close to the perfect machine for possible near misses on large brown animals. Paranoia peaks as I turn the last corners, this is a Deer run area. I made it to within 400 yards of my house, then Bambi ran out, with plenty of room & time to brake, honk & laugh. Bike is still cooling, pinging in the garage. things to do in elevator: Announce in a demonic voice: "I must find a more suitable host body." | ||
| Charlieboy6649 |
Excellent writing Dave. I was 14 when I saw the RS. "Got it right then". Had a love affair with Buell ever since. Took me till 28 to get one. Learned to ride a motorcycle on my 9. Taught my wife to ride on it too. Now for better or worse, we've both "got it" BAD. Tork, Your last statement was priceless... | ||
| Lemonchili_x1 |
I was having a bad week at work last week, really busy, pretty stressed... but I try to make fridays my ride to work day instead of taking the car if my work schedule allows. Rode the bike on friday, got to work feeling a lot more relaxed and actually had a grin on my face for the first time in a few days... I love all sorts of bikes (and cars too), but the Buells have the biggest "grin factor" Great writing Aydenxb9  | ||
| Henrik |
Dave - Thank You. Very nice writing. Henrik (yeah, I got it too) | ||
| Davegess |
Great story! I've had it a long time. | ||
| Deerhunter17 |
I am amazed at how you guys seem to sum up my personal feelings toward this bike. I too have it. From the moment I twisted that throttle and let out on the clutch. Its pure fun. F U N fun! | ||
| Newfie_buell |
I got it as well, Not to mention the almost 12 people here on the island from all over the place. That is what its all about!!!! | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
does one of those people include Alex? | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
Newf, just now read your e-mail re: Alex, thanks for the update. Ferris | ||
| Buelliedan |
I hate Buells!!! Why would anyone buy ONE!!! | ||
| Newfie_buell |
Damm Buells, Can't get parts for them !!!! I had about 5 of them in my garage last night!!!!! | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
u hate buells yet you own five im confussed | ||
| Buelliedan |
Why would anyone buy one?? | ||
| Bomber |
fire -- it's humor! | ||
| Davefl |
Firebolt, take a look at his profile. You will understand. | ||
| Firemanjim |
Can you say,SARCASM!!!!! Kinda like the ad--bet ya can't eat just one. I only have 2 right now,feel the pull for more---- | ||
| Davefl |
I'm with you on that FMJ. I have wanted an S2 for a while now but the S3 and the M2 will have to pull me through for a while. | ||
| Blackbelt |
Sarcasim is the tool of the Devil... hehehehe Wanna sell your soul.. hehehe  |
