| Author | Message | ||
     Jim_M |
OK, we had a new HD "superstore" grand opening this week end in East Hartford CT featuring demo rides, so I hopped on the Bandit and rode on down. I signed up for a Lightning demo ride (the only Buell in the fleet...OK, there was a Blast, but no one was taking it out). My thoughts on the XB9S... First, I sat on the bike, and I could not believe how small it was. The seat held my tush perfectly, with no wriggle room, and it was a natural reach to the handlebars. I turned on the bike and watched the needles to their thing across the gauges (I got a kick out of that...simple minds and all). Then I turned it over. Hmmm, so this is part of the HD mystique. The lead rider took off, so I clunked it into gear...yes, clunked it. It seemd very notchy, but I assume that it smoothes out with the miles adding onto it. Riding around in 1st was no big deal (don't forget I was in a fleet, so I could not open it up in 1st), but then cam the shift to 2nd. Now, it may be due to my not being familiar with the bike, but every, and I mean every shift to 2nd felt like the bike wanted to take off and pretend to be a unicycle. Hee hee. So we were riding around the streets, and I decided to test out the handling. Every turn we made, I went deep into the turn before leaning into it. Wow. I felt more confidence with 3 minutes of saddle time on the Lightning than on any bike I've ridden in the past 7 years...bar none. I understand the whole "carved from billet" feeling people claim when riding it, as well as how you can feel exactly what the road is transmitting through the bars. The XB is definitely my next bike (the wife has been informed). And the sound. I told my buddy (who forgot his insurance card so he copuldn't take any rides) that the Buell came with that low bass rumble that we needed to get D&D slip ons to recreate, only more so. And that is from the stock can. I can only imagine what the D&D sounds like on this bike. But, I need to get on the Firebolt to decide between the two. I walked into the dealership to ask about a brochure, and let the guy know that I had wanted to test a Firebolt as well, but there was none in the fleet today, and he told me to come back later during the week to take out a Firebolt. So I'll follow up on that once I get a chance to take it out. I don't know how the tube frame models rode, but the XB9S was absolutely incredible. Wow. Erik has a new rider once everything else falls together for me. | ||
| Court |
Jim: And you, my friend, have only seen the tip of the "Buell-berg". Did you get the brochure, if not drop me a note and I'll send you one. Court | ||
| Jim_M |
I did get the brochure...much nicer that previous ones (reminds me of the BMW ones from a few years ago). I'll report back once I get a few miles on the Firebolt. | ||
| Jima4media |
Jim, Wait until you try on a XB12S with twice the torque. I just rode one on Saturday, and I will be giving my ride report shortly. It is over on SacBORG right now. It doesn't pretend to be a unicycle, it IS a unicycle. Roll-on wheelies in the first three gears. It is as light as a feather, and as powerful as an ox. You can buy one today from High Country Harley/Buell in the ad flashing above. Jim | ||
| Jim_M |
I think that is a ticket to lose your license ;^D I think I would be safer with a stock lightning...thought the Force pipe does sound very nice... | ||
| Kahuna |
I have both, a tuber X1 and the XB9S. and I have to say, after getting a chance (due to weather) to ride both this past weekend I have this to say. The X1 is definitely more fun! I cant believe I'm actually saying that, but its true. I was sure that the 9S would be the bike! I found it to be a lot more refined, while the X1 is just raw, fun and hooligan like. I will for sure enjoy both, the 9S for track and long rides, and the X1 for short fun runs. I'll have to get me an S1, and this way I'll have the full lightning series! I'm actually considering a low miles snap 97 S1. Who knows! K | ||
| Blake |
You'll also need an S1W.  | ||
| Kahuna |
my friends and family already think i'm obsessed! of course they wouldn't understand, even if i did explain! they cant understand why i'd need 3 bikes, let alone 3 buells! thats if they know what buell is. i'm definitely doing my share of public education on buells here in toronto! | ||
| Buelliedan |
Kahuna, Click on my profile and show it to your friends if they really want to see what obsession looks like!! | ||
| Elvis |
Nice collection Buelliedan! You need a fuel framer to round things out. | ||
| Glitch |
Last fall my 97 Bandit was stolen. I had put 30,000 mile on it did all the holeshot.com go fast goodies and really loved the bike. 3 days later the bike was found nearly dead. Since then I started looking for a new bike thought about the SVs, SuperHawk, TLS, mainly because I have ridden Japanese bikes for over 20 years. Then I read an article on the new Buell. Rode an R...wow...then an S...I was in lust(love naked bikes). Now I've fixed the Bandit and have bought a new XB9S. I rode the Bandit last Saturday and could not believe how heavy it now felt. For me there is no comparison. The XB is just a natural for me. Even during break-in(almost done now)I have more fun and enjoy the ride much more. With the Bandit it took me 30 minutes to get from Lawrenceville to Atlanta(30 mile ride to work) now with the XB it takes me 45 minutes to an hour(40 mile ride to work) Same destination it's just now I'm looking for the longest route to work... The Bandit is now being sold to a friend of mine that's wanted it for a long time, the XB has made two people very happy... | ||
| Kahuna |
Buelliedan, I'm not worthy!! | ||
| Buelliedan |
Elvis, I need a Battletwin not an XB!! | ||
| Blake |
Glitch, Thanks for sharing. | ||
| Court |
Glitch: You are living smack dab in the epicenter of XBville, USA when it comes to roads! My riding partner has a Bandit that he did all that holeshot stuff, Dale whoever and added thousands in performance parts to. It's gorgeous and now just sits as he rides his new Hayabusa to work each day. I can't wait to dangle an XB in front of him. Keep us posted on this ownership experience. I love hearing these kind of things! Ride safe, lean much and smile more, Court | ||
| Jim_M |
Glitch, Almost the same position I am in, though my Bandit is still in my garage (yeah, I didn't ride to work today )...but I'm now looking for something smaller and, for lack of a better word, funner. The short ride on the XB9S sold me on Buell (if I wasn't aleady sold, but I may be looking for a used lightning now (I'll keep the Bandit as a sport tourer for trips with the wife). For somereason, she doesn't like the idea of a brand new bike (though I am working on it with her) but I do like the hands on aspect of the pre 99 Buells (or even an M2). As far as getting to ride a Firebolt, the dealer ended up not having a demo bike in stock, so he rolled out the spankin' new one from the showroom floor for me to ride. Only, it was dead (solenoid firing is a sad sound from a bike). So, no test ride yet. But I am definitely sold on Erik's wonderous machines (even if they need some TLC ;^D) | ||
| Glitch |
Break-in is finished! So what did I do? I got on it hard and going into 2nd and 3rd the front wheel acts like a magnet to the road...only the road and tire are both positively charged! Wow this is one fun bike! I wasn't even trying to wheelie. As I was out riding I saw an XB9R coming down the road. The guy does a U-turn and we stop at a side street and talk for a minute. Turns out he lives less than 2 miles from me. He grew up here and knows all the back roads (insert big grin here). I grew up in Western North Carolina and can't wait to take my XB to those roads! My brother-in-law has an S3 and lives about an hour from Deals Gap, I feel a road trip coming on. Jim, I can't say anything about the other Buells, although I did take my B-i-L's S3 out for a spin, but as for a comparison between the Bandit and the Buell...Bandit=long and heavy...XB=light and tight! "(even if they need some TLC ;^D)" I was always working on the Bandit. And, after I give it up, Suzuki just now is owning up to the fact that Bandit pistons are a bad design and burn oil like crazy...not that they are going to do anything... The one thing I don't get though. And I almost didn't get an XB because of all this talk about the power not being enough. I have not found this to be an issue for me. Then again I'm not a racer, aggressive rider perhaps, but still not an issue for me. Plenty fast... I'll stop rambling now... Oh, and by the way, thanks for making me feel so welcome. | ||
| Kcfirebolt |
Hey Glitch, Welcome to the party. Congrats on the new bike. Where in WNC are you from? I moved to Kansas City 4 years ago after living in the Cashiers, Sylva, Cullowhee area for 10 years. Great roads. Wish I was living there now that I have the Firebolt. Also, a guy from KC named Dave Tripp ("Tripper" on the Bad Web) just moved himself and his S1 to hotlanta earlier this year. You two should hook up. He haunts this board quite a bit and he is a lot of fun to ride with. Best regards, Charles | ||
| Jim_M |
Glitch, "Jim, I can't say anything about the other Buells, although I did take my B-i-L's S3 out for a spin, but as for a comparison between the Bandit and the Buell...Bandit=long and heavy...XB=light and tight!" amen brother. I found that out on Sunday after my test ride on the Lightning. The Bandit is now a barge with a crappy suspension ;^D "I was always working on the Bandit. And, after I give it up, Suzuki just now is owning up to the fact that Bandit pistons are a bad design and burn oil like crazy...not that they are going to do anything... " On a 97? I only heard about the problem affecting the 2nd gen Bandits. Mine has had no issues at all, other than a loose starter clutch bolt. | ||
| Glitch |
"On a 97? I only heard about the problem affecting the 2nd gen Bandits." Well all I know is that with the bike being looked over by me, a mechanic, and Suzuki, no one could explain why I lost oil all the time. I could always tell I needed oil when the thing would quit shifting. Any time (even after an oil change) when I'd go to the mountains, about half way through the day (sooner if riding aggressivly) I'd have to add oil. OOoopps...by "I was always working on the Bandit" I meant I was always tinkering, be it aftermarket goodies or something another Bandito had told me would add performance...didn't mean to be misleading. It was a great fun bike, but, the XB just out does it in so many ways. I might have kept it, but, knowing myself, it would just gather dust. It deserves, as all bikes do, to be ridden, and have a good home. | ||
| Jim_M |
"Well all I know is that with the bike being looked over by me, a mechanic, and Suzuki, no one could explain why I lost oil all the time. " It was most likely the piston clusterf*** that Suzuki is only now starting to acknowledge publicly... Kinda makes the Buell recalls (warts and all) look like the right thing to do, even wiht the parts issues. | ||
| Maninblueny |
Okay I am jealous...all the chatter here...400 miles into breaking in my xb9SL..and loving every minute of it...the hour of above 3grand cruising is approaching fast. Any Buellians in the NY/NJ/CT area as I need to be christened into inner circle. | ||
| Glitch |
I've always admired Buell for their recalls. Just means they are willing to own up to their short comings. I've been riding for a long time and have only heard through "grapevines" that "if you own this or that model you need to look out for the other thing, it's known to go wrong." Mainblueny: Don't be jealous, you're there, just go ride!  | ||
| Ray_Maines |
I've only got a minute or two on a B12 and don't really know too much about them but..... Oh my God, What a motor! Indeed, it is long and heavy, but point me at a freeway on-ramp and look the f**k out. I suppose a Habatchi or GSX-R1000 would be even faster but the Bandit DOES NOT lack for power. | ||
| Buellish |
Glitch, Go to Storm Fronts,and look for "Metro Atlanta Brag Ride" Mike | ||
| Maninblueny |
Glitch...thanks for the words of encouragement...the sun is shining here all weekend so needless to say I will be ridin... So far I agree with the handling "carved from billet" feel as mentioned above. Spend the day dodging Yellow cabs here in NYC...besides being able to feel exactly where the front wheel is on the cracked streets, the bike is easy to change directions at a moments notice, I consider it a nice saftey feature. I feel it is unfair to keep the poor XB caged in the city all week so I am treating it to some nice Catskill sweepers tomorrow. | ||
| Court |
You'll have a FABULOUS time......  From our last trip to the Catskills. | ||
| Glitch |
"Where in WNC are you from?" Sorry I didn't reply. I'm from a little place called North Cove.  | ||
| Maninblueny |
What a ride...motor is broken in and I have to say...as much as we talk about performance upgrades et.al, I have to say this motor pulls like a train. Glitch I live in New York City, but am from Monroe, NY... | ||
| Davegess |
Glitch you are right next door to my brother. He has a pottery studio and store over in Penland. |
