Back on a Buell

[Rogue]

Brake lever is tweaked so it looks like it was dropped on its right side.

XB handling is tricky because it is very sensitive to two things:  tire choice and suspension adjustment.

Get those two wrong and the bike will tell you in no uncertain terms.  Unlike many Japanese bikes that have a fairly wide handling envelope, the XB has a narrow one.  Buell does provide every owner's manual with the correct suspension set up for almost any given rider weight.  The suspension is adjustable for preload, rebound/compression damping.  Follow those settings by the book and the bike will handle wonderfully.  Get the correct tires and the bike's handling will be sweet.   It wasn't until 2007 when Buell cut Dunlop's Kung Fu grip on H-D and switched to Pirellis that the XB's finally got the right tires.  The Dunlops were just wrong on the XB and didn't work.  The bike's chassis has way more performance than its engine.  If you get the settings correct and the tires agree with the bike, it is one of the best handling bikes out there.  Perhaps now it has been surpassed by the current supersport bikes.  But in its time it was a great ride.

[Kootenanny]

I've like the simplicity and sporty geometry (shortest wheelbase out there?) of the Firebolts, but when I once rode one at a moto show I found the low redline a limit in the fun factor. The handling wasn't too confidence inspiring, but everyone says that's a tire pressure thing. True?

A Firebolt is not a high-revving bike, and you can't ride it like one.  If top-end rush is your thing, a Buell isn't your bike...but carving through a tight set of twisties just rolling the throttle on and off, carrying your momentum through the corners and riding the wave of torque is more satisfying IMO.  Keep off the brakes, let the bike carry some corner speed.  Handling...well, some folks hate it ("an anvil on roller skates" is how one reviewer put it), but others love it ("Bike" magazine in the UK rated it the best cornering bike ever built, in 2005).  Personally, I love it...as the "Bike" journos put it, on the Buell you feel like you're actually controlling the bike, not just along for the ride...

[Tyrroneous]

A Firebolt is not a high-revving bike, and you can't ride it like one.  If top-end rush is your thing, a air cooled Buell isn't your bike...

Made a slight addition to your statement.  The Helicon powered buells certainly have a nice top end on them.  

[Rincewind]

After 5 New Buells I was hooked.  Skipping the 2008 Frankenbuell I missed by belt driven high torque carefree twin.

The Firebolt I bought back in 2004 I racked up 23k in 12 months.  Sold it to a guy that owned a Custom Car shop, he painted it and used it for promotional purposes.  I now own it again six years after selling it.  He only put 3000 miles on it.  He coated the headers and a few other extras.  Th bike looks less orange in person than in the pics.

I miss the cool company that made these great bikes

A Firebolt on Fire - makes sense I suppose.  Nice re-acquisition.  

[desert_rider]

So, what color are you going to paint it?

[Kootenanny]

Made a slight addition to your statement.  The Helicon powered buells certainly have a nice top end on them.  

Yeah, I was referring to the Thunderstorm powered Buells--ya know, the "good" ones

[bomber]

Yeah, I was referring to the Thunderstorm powered Buells--ya know, the "good" ones

Nuthin like a well sorted Tuber

[2DFlyer]

The Dunlops were just wrong on the XB and didn't work.

Yeah.  I didn't know if at the time but it was those damned tires that had me put the check book back in my pocket and leave the sales guy standing at the altar in '04.  I rode the the thing before buying it and absolutely HATED it.  I've since giggled my ass off on well sorted ones but that was a bummer day.

Yeah, I was referring to the Thunderstorm powered Buells--ya know, the "good" ones

Lovin' the XB because of the motor, not in spite of it  

[Brad1445]

Lovin' the XB because of the motor, not in spite of it  

+1  

But watercooled can be cool if they don't stall, drain your battery or squirt clutch fluid at you.