yossarian
07-30-2006, 10:06 PM
It was lead and chase, over about 16 miles of surface streets and scenic twisty mountain roads (nothing too crazy though.)They were very strict about sticking with the speed limit and obeying all traffic rules, a definite depature from my previous demo at the Long Beach MC show back in Decemeber, and a welcome change as I didn't feel pressured to do anything stupid to keep up with the group. I stayed there from start to finish, and throughout the day I was able to ride three bikes. My left foot is now well done.
1)Buell XB12S. It fit a bit better than the XB12Ss I had previously road, but it was a bit on the small side I felt, and I'm only 5'9". Gobs and Gobs of torque, some riders were actually complaining about it?! I think Erik could save some weight on this thing by stripping the gearset down to two speeds, freeway and around town. It doesn't care if you start it in third apparently (I didn't try, I never had a problem keeping it in control in first.) It shakes a lot too.
2)Harley Sportster 883. I really wanted to like it, I really did. The insurance would be so cheap, and it would make a great commuter, except I would have to change so much stuff around to get it to not be painful for me to ride. The bars made my arms tired, the seat hurt my lower back, and the pegs cramped up my legs. I thought that it was very nicely put together though, and had a few features I didn't expect in that price range (self canceling turn signals,... but no tach?) The engine was also much much smoother than that of the 12er Buell... which segways me nicely tooo.....
3)Buell XB9SX CityX. If the Ss was just too big, and the S was just to small, the SX is just right. I was worried, since previous test fits revealed that with its thicker seat I can't flat foot it, but with its low cg and good balance I didn't have a problem floating on the balls of my feet. My upper body position on it is exactly like it is on my Vespa, with my legs in an obviously more agressive, but also more supportive position. And the engine was just so so so so so much smoother than the 12!! I had more fun snicking through the gears, and blipping the throttle, than just the leaving it in 3rd and hauling ass that the 12 allowed. It's still quite torquey though. I would liken the 12 to an old big block muscle car, and the 9 to a corvette. My insurance agent should like it a bit better too.
I reccomend anyone go to one of the Buell demos if they come out your way. For this particular one they also had bbq and a beatles cover band, and everything was free. Not a bad way to spend a lazy Sunday eh? Unfortunately, one didn't follow me home, this time...
1)Buell XB12S. It fit a bit better than the XB12Ss I had previously road, but it was a bit on the small side I felt, and I'm only 5'9". Gobs and Gobs of torque, some riders were actually complaining about it?! I think Erik could save some weight on this thing by stripping the gearset down to two speeds, freeway and around town. It doesn't care if you start it in third apparently (I didn't try, I never had a problem keeping it in control in first.) It shakes a lot too.
2)Harley Sportster 883. I really wanted to like it, I really did. The insurance would be so cheap, and it would make a great commuter, except I would have to change so much stuff around to get it to not be painful for me to ride. The bars made my arms tired, the seat hurt my lower back, and the pegs cramped up my legs. I thought that it was very nicely put together though, and had a few features I didn't expect in that price range (self canceling turn signals,... but no tach?) The engine was also much much smoother than that of the 12er Buell... which segways me nicely tooo.....
3)Buell XB9SX CityX. If the Ss was just too big, and the S was just to small, the SX is just right. I was worried, since previous test fits revealed that with its thicker seat I can't flat foot it, but with its low cg and good balance I didn't have a problem floating on the balls of my feet. My upper body position on it is exactly like it is on my Vespa, with my legs in an obviously more agressive, but also more supportive position. And the engine was just so so so so so much smoother than the 12!! I had more fun snicking through the gears, and blipping the throttle, than just the leaving it in 3rd and hauling ass that the 12 allowed. It's still quite torquey though. I would liken the 12 to an old big block muscle car, and the 9 to a corvette. My insurance agent should like it a bit better too.
I reccomend anyone go to one of the Buell demos if they come out your way. For this particular one they also had bbq and a beatles cover band, and everything was free. Not a bad way to spend a lazy Sunday eh? Unfortunately, one didn't follow me home, this time...