I must have a Firebolt

[falconati]

i loved the firebolt. everything but the belt drive and the looks. it was ugly. very very ugly. to me the fire bolt was like an ugly girl. you want to ride it but not be seen on it. well thats just how it was for me though.

i wanted it to be my first bike. i was going to buy one brand new because i wanted my first to be new. that way i could only blame the dealers,the company and myself if something went wrong. i wouldn't have to worry about others and their squid riding messing it up.

i wound up going with a 2010  hyosung gt250. i hear so much bad about hyosung yet the only problems i have had with this is how ugly it is. soon i plan put diffrent forks on it. the forks are crap.

so much lol included here

[Rogue]

I have logged roughly 600 demo miles on Buells which doesn't make me an expert but I think I get how they handle. As much as I enjoy their unique turning characteristics I never considered them a real backroad threat. My 01 VFR turns in pretty quick with high end sport rubber such as 2cts or power ones and quick turn in is a huge advantage on the street. I always felt the Buell turned in more like a track bike which I never cared for on the street when hustling through the turns.
KEB

KEB, demo miles is hardly something that will allow you to experience the Firebolt's true personality.  I think this is true of most bikes especially not Honda's!  Many bikes will reveal many of their good, desirable traits until many miles later.  Some of them even need the right tires before they function their best.  The Firebolt and other XB's are one of those bikes that normally indear themselves to their owners many miles later.  That's probably not a good thing because first impressions are so important--you either love them or hate them the first time out!  

I had an '01 VFR too and I know that bike reacts and handles differently depending on what tires you put on them and how much you tune their suspension.  The 5th Generation VFR's come very softly tuned and their Dunlop D205 rubber give it a slightly lazy steering.  However, you can only adjust their suspension a small degree before they become harsh and bouncy.  Having said that, careful tinkering with the suspension will actually reveal a more sporting side to the VFR.  And like you said, spooning on sportier rubber adds another dimension of sportiness and quick turn in to the bike.

The Firebolt is like that in many ways.  Depending on the year, suspension adjustment, and tire, the Firebolt will behave differently in the handling department.  In fact, the difference in handling behavior based on the suspension tuning and tire choice is quite noticeable.  The good part is, Buell has already done the homework for you, and so has many moto-magazines.  Simply reading the owner's manual will reveal the correct (or close to correct) suspension adjustment for a variety of riders.  Unlike the VFR, the Firebolt has a fully adjustable suspension that allows you to tune the F & R.  And unlike the VFR and many other sportbikes, Buell tells you the ideal suspension setting based on your weight.  Switching to the correct tire will also change the Firebolt's handling noticeably.  Once you have the suspension tuned for you and the right tires (Diablo Rossos and BT016's work great), the Firebolt's handling is wonderful.  It has just the right amount of turn in response (not too twitchy or overly light), yet holds a smooth line no matter the road surface.  Even under braking it holds its line at big lean angles.  Because of its short wheelbase, it can easily negotiate tight turns with ease.  I believe a Firebolt can make a U-turn inside the same circle that a VFR can.  In other words, it can easily out turn a VFR.  Out on a back country road when you are really turning and burning, you will be huffing and puffing it on the VFR and running out of ground clearance.  Meanwhile, the Firebolt driver is working half as hard as you.  The harder you ride in the twisties, the bigger the advantage in handling the Firebolt has over either the 5th or 6th Generation VFR.  

In any case I think I'm preaching to the choir here.  I hope you get make your Firebolt dream a reality.  It truely is a very satisfying motorcycle to own and ride.  

[ninegear]

God I love belt drive. What dont you like about it?

chains are more durable. though they require much more atention and maitainance. though if a chain broke in the middle of a trip it probobly would be more of a pain to fix.

[Kootenanny]

chains are more durable.

Sez who?  A chain may have an advantage in ultimate tensile strength, but it is not "more durable" than a belt--in fact, just the opposite.  A belt won't wear and stretch over time, the way a chain does (this is why the Buell XBs don't have any mechanism for adjusting the belt --it never changes length, so the drive can be designed to accommodate a set belt length).  Belt pulleys don't wear the way chain sprockets do, so you can put a new belt on used pulleys.  Durablity aside, the belt drive is lighter, quieter, and more positive than a chain.  What's not to like?

[Brad1445]

I like the no drive train lash.  Yes I broke a belt, and never a chain, but the trade off is worth it to me. I wish every bike was as smooth and responsive as a belt.

My Busa has the WORST chain lash of any bike I have ever ridden.

[Rogue]

chains are more durable. though they require much more atention and maitainance. though if a chain broke in the middle of a trip it probobly would be more of a pain to fix.

Chains are more durable if you ride in the dirt.  Chains will crush most "soft" rocks and dirt and keep on ticking, belts won't.  Having said that, the Buell belts last 100k miles while most bike chains will last 25k mile if properly maintained.  Ignore it and it may last 15k miles if you're lucky.  

[kebrider]

KEB, demo miles is hardly something that will allow you to experience the Firebolt's true personality.  I think this is true of most bikes especially not Honda's!  Many bikes will reveal many of their good, desirable traits until many miles later.  Some of them even need the right tires before they function their best.  The Firebolt and other XB's are one of those bikes that normally indear themselves to their owners many miles later.  That's probably not a good thing because first impressions are so important--you either love them or hate them the first time out!  

I had an '01 VFR too and I know that bike reacts and handles differently depending on what tires you put on them and how much you tune their suspension.  The 5th Generation VFR's come very softly tuned and their Dunlop D205 rubber give it a slightly lazy steering.  However, you can only adjust their suspension a small degree before they become harsh and bouncy.  Having said that, careful tinkering with the suspension will actually reveal a more sporting side to the VFR.  And like you said, spooning on sportier rubber adds another dimension of sportiness and quick turn in to the bike.

The Firebolt is like that in many ways.  Depending on the year, suspension adjustment, and tire, the Firebolt will behave differently in the handling department.  In fact, the difference in handling behavior based on the suspension tuning and tire choice is quite noticeable.  The good part is, Buell has already done the homework for you, and so has many moto-magazines.  Simply reading the owner's manual will reveal the correct (or close to correct) suspension adjustment for a variety of riders.  Unlike the VFR, the Firebolt has a fully adjustable suspension that allows you to tune the F & R.  And unlike the VFR and many other sportbikes, Buell tells you the ideal suspension setting based on your weight.  Switching to the correct tire will also change the Firebolt's handling noticeably.  Once you have the suspension tuned for you and the right tires (Diablo Rossos and BT016's work great), the Firebolt's handling is wonderful.  It has just the right amount of turn in response (not too twitchy or overly light), yet holds a smooth line no matter the road surface.  Even under braking it holds its line at big lean angles.  Because of its short wheelbase, it can easily negotiate tight turns with ease.  I believe a Firebolt can make a U-turn inside the same circle that a VFR can.  In other words, it can easily out turn a VFR.  Out on a back country road when you are really turning and burning, you will be huffing and puffing it on the VFR and running out of ground clearance.  Meanwhile, the Firebolt driver is working half as hard as you.  The harder you ride in the twisties, the bigger the advantage in handling the Firebolt has over either the 5th or 6th Generation VFR.  

In any case I think I'm preaching to the choir here.  I hope you get make your Firebolt dream a reality.  It truely is a very satisfying motorcycle to own and ride.  

When, not if, I get the Firebolt I plan using it as a casual sportbike. I really push the limits of the VFR with lots of full throttle, top speed sweepers and I don't see the Firebolt as something that could take that kind of abuse for 100K like the Honda can. I may be wrong but I don't see the Buell as a package that would hold up to continous full throttle, redline shifting. I see the Buell as a more relaxed but still quick-enough-to-have-fun, backroad funbike. Durable enough if ridden more reasonably.

As for tuning a VFR suspension I just drop the forks a couple of mm and crank everything to max on the 01 and it handles well enough for my 220 lbs. The bike is heavy and you feel it push in 140 MPH sweepers but I am so in tune with the thing I never work hard to hang with the sportbikes. There are some sportbike riders that I ride with that punk the VFR but only a couple and only in the 120+ stuff where the extra weight and lower power really stifle the VFR. When I ride their Gixxer 1K's I realize what a pig the VFR is but I can't wait to get back on my bike. Something about the VFR's combination of V4 growl, light steering and comfort that keeps me entertained as no other bike can.

I never get tired hustling the VFR, even on the track, as I have a really low effort riding style. I hang off a lot  because the VFR has craptacular ground clearance but I don't have a death grip on the bars and the relaxed seat to peg and bar allows me to stay comfy all the time, even in a crouch. I never come in early during a track session and when we do the underground track thing (Unoccupied subdivisions mostly) I stay out as long as anyone. Testimony to the sporting comfort of a VFR.

My Buell demo rides were a little more than just your average demo ride so I really do have a feel for what they can do. That is why I am so hooked on them. I ride everything and I get lots of seat time on many different bikes, last year I did some quality time on a Tri-color 1098 and did extended rides on everything from Gixxer 1Ks to Street Triples to Tuonos and I still want the Buell to share space with my two VFRs.

The only thing that could replace a Firebolt is the XR1200R Sportster which I rode about 7 times last year at Daytona. Freaking loved it. Needs a 17" front wheel (Whomever comprimised the design to the 18" is a complete tool) and an optional cafe kit to really replace the Buell but I rode it enough to know I could enjoy many miles on the thing.

Back to the 18 wheel thing. Its as if HD just wants to F@#K up anything sportbike-like. A manufacturer has got to realize that sportbike riders are the most tire-aware group of consumers on the planet. I mean come on, all a motorcycle is is a tool I use to wear out a set of tires every 2500 miles or so (I know it's time to change the oil whe the tires are shagged). If I were challenged to a race and I could choose any bike I would see what tire was on the bike before I chose it. Way more important than horsepower or even weight (within reason of course). Not having to slow down is the game. If you only have to accelerate once who gives a crap if your bike is 2 seconds slower in the 1/4 mile? So Harley puts an 18 wheel on the XR and cuts the tire choices down to shite.

Maybe HD didn't want the XR to compete head-to-head with the sportbikes out there but I think they missed the boat. At my age (I was born the year the Sportster engine was introduced) I could care less about top speed in a sportbike. I consider things like range, comfort, and handling as the key criteria when choosing a ride. I need a certain level of engine performance and the XR had enough. I could forgive the crappy range for the rest of the package but I have a real problem with the 18" front wheel for some reason. Might have cost HD a sale frankly because I was that taken with the bike but concerned for tire availability and choice.

Rant over.

For now.

KEB

[Rogue]

H-D most certainly does NOT want the XR1200 to compete against any sportbike.  You know why?  Because any sportbike, including its cousin the Firebolt and Lightning would kill the XR1200.  The XR is a classic case of H-D wanting to sell a bike on nostalgia, styling, and image.  They gave it some performance, as you said, just enough, but that's it.  The XR1200 would have been great 15 years ago but not now.  Not when most naked bikes are a couple of generations better than that!  

[kebrider]

I acknowledge the fact that the HD will never compete performance-wise with practically any standard or sportbike but if performance for performance sake was the sole criteria for purchase then we would all be riding the same bike. I say that HD missed the ease-of-ownership mark with the bike that is much more important to me than any performance numbers. Hell, I could, and have, passed sport bikes on a cruiser on a twisty road. Make the damn thing fun and fun to own and you will sell a motorcycle. Bad features kill a sale for me quicker than its 1/4 mile time. The 1200R is a fun bike that would be even more fun if I could choose any tire I wanted for it.

Maybe I'm holdin on a little tight but I really think tire choice is extremely important.

YMMV

KEB

[Rogue]

I think I understand where you are coming from.

I just have a hard time accepting the performance of the XR1200.  Having seen the XR1200 close up, I can easily notice a few things on it that will make life a bit irritating...at least for me.

18" front wheel-- WTF where they thinking?
100 mile range--hello Sportster--they did this to make that peanut tank look cool--another H-D trademark of compromising for the sake of looks.
Also, where and how do you put bags on that thing?  
Does the clutch cable have to loop so big and far down below?  Looks like it can catch on something!  
Finally, 75 rwhp?  C'mon!  


What's sad for me is how this is the MOST sporting H-D there is.  WHAT?    Yeah.  If this is the best Harley can offer as a go-fast bike, there is a problem with that.  That's because looking at other makes, it's clear there is more to be had using similar hardware.  Bikes like the Buell Lightning, Triumph Thruxton, BMW R1200R, Ducati SS1000, Motto Guzzi Breva, these all have similar hardware and occupy a similar segment of the market yet they all totally kill the XR1200 in performance.  You gotta wonder why!

[kevin_stevens]

Chains are more durable if you ride in the dirt.  Chains will crush most "soft" rocks and dirt and keep on ticking, belts won't.  Having said that, the Buell belts last 100k miles while most bike chains will last 25k mile if properly maintained.  Ignore it and it may last 15k miles if you're lucky.  

My Buell belt lasted 3K miles.  

KeS

[Kootenanny]

My Buell belt lasted 3K miles.  

KeS

Hmmm...over 20K miles on mine (35k km), still going strong.  And mine is the very earliest Gates belt (the one everyone complained about).   And I live on a gravel road.  Hmmm...

It's beyond it's "due date," but I'm afraid to change it!

[Rogue]

My Buell belt lasted 3K miles.  

KeS

Yes....but something else made the belt fail.  Once a belt is frayed or damaged, it must be replaced immediately.  I guess it should last 100k miles under normal use.