XB12R, XL1200R, VTR1000 mini review

XB12R: I was expecting this to be good and it most certainly was. Riding
position a little perched after my Sportster but after only a couple of
miles it felt conformable and natural. Quick rather than fast and the
handling is gorgeous. Only real criticism is that it could do with
revving another 1,500 RPM or so as I kept hitting the limiter exiting
bends. The short wheelbase combined with the lovely torque curve also
means that front tyre wear is likely to be minimal. Surprisingly smooth.

XL1200R: I was not looking forward to this after the Buell, but I was
pleasantly surprised. Stage1-ed 1200 felt about as strong as my motor
and the rubber mounts made it easier to use the power whilst retaining
fillings. I'm not sure what they have done to the suspension & chassis
but it definitely feels far more taught than the old version. Brakes
better to. Happy to be hustled along as well as cruise.

VTR1000: swapped bikes with the chap I went to the dealership with on
the way home. So smooth it could almost be a four. Felt rather long
(especially compared to the Buell) but that might be because it's so
narrow. Engine revs on in the way the Buell should have done, but rest
of the package meant there was no real need to exploit it - felt like it
wanted to be driven through bends rather than spanked (IYSWIM). Lifting
the front was so smooth and controlled it could have been slow motion.

Of the 3 the Buell was by far the most exciting and fun to ride fast,
the Harley the most surprisingly competent and the VTR the one I would
probably want as a long term companion, especially if I wanted to get
somewhere rather than just ride about.

Oh and my own Harley was the only one that felt like it was actively
working to preserve my license.

 

Which one made you feel homosexual, and have you told your wife yet?

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, Ginge

And if you have, is she in need of comforting?

 

Subtlety is wasted on UKRM.

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, Ginge

Says Mr "Are there any naked photos of you on the internet".

 

In it's own way, that's subtle.

 

Talking of which, will the Sportster be in attendance next weekend?[1]

Or will you duties preclude such frivolity?

There's something I need to get out of my system.

[1] Assuming that you will be.

--
| ___ Salad Dodger
|/ \
_/_____\_ GL1500SEV/CBR1100XXX/KH500A8/TS250C
|_\_____/_| ..63043../..15107.../..3157./.19406
(>|_|_|<) TPPFATUICG#7 DIAABTCOD#9 YTC#4 PM#5
|__|_|__| BOTAFOT #70 BOTAFOF #09 two#11 WG*
\ |^| / IbW#0 & KotIbW# BotTOS#6 GP#4
\|^|/ ANORAK#17
'^'

 

I'm afraid not. I'm away camping next weekend so wont make it to either
BOSM or the team UKRM outing.

Even if it was there you are not going to have sex with it.

 

In *your* own way, that's subtle.

 

Fair point, though the ease with which the Buell lived in the ban zone
as opposed to the points zone was quite conspicuous. The VTR could go
fast and was very competent doing so, but only the Buell demanded that
it be ridden like a production tuned 250LC at all times.

 

I thought the Buell should make sense.

The Harley lump can make a wonderful noise, and based on my (very
limited) experience of riding one it's interesting in it's way.

I'd quite like to see what the Buell's like but based on Petel's posts
there's no way I'd be able to live with one.

Anyway... I've got Garage space now. Only two bikes in there; the 9r
and the k100.

 

If I interpret your "make sense" correctly then yes it does.

I'd suggest that the new XB9/XB12 range are very different beasts to the
earlier generation that Petel suffers.

Well, I just called up Oxford HD and they were happy to let me out for
1/2 hour in exchange for a copy of my licence and my assurance that I
would pay the first £500 if I binned it (which I think was supposed to
slow me down).

I'm sure Riders of Bristol would do similar, though I'm not sure how far
you would have to get from the dealership before you could find fun
roads to play on. Oxford HD has the advantage of being in the middle of
nowhere, so the roads are wiggly the moment you get out of the village.

 

From Riders of Bristol, you just head out of Bristol towards Keynsham.
Then branch off left at the first roundabout, four or so miles of dual
carriageway, then after a few roundabouts a slow bit onto the A420, up
Tog hill to the junction with the A46, either straight on to Chippenham
on the A420 which is OK and has a lovely sequence of uphill bends
(marred by a crap surface) or, left on to the A46 towards Cheltenham
although you probably need to go to Stroud and back for a decent run on
this road.

I reckon an hour to an hour and a half would get you a very good route
(that's an hour to an hour and a half test ride).

But... I don't trust myself in front of salesmen. I know my weaknesses
and try to avoid playing to them. That's why I never take test rides. I
wouldn't put it past myself banging a bike on a credit card in the heat
of the moment; I can't afford to behave like this.

 

Gyp says...

You mean with left hand covering the clutch just in case it seizes?

or...

Whilst wearing a football scarf, so if/when it blows up you can tie
yours and 2 mate's scarves together to make a handy tow-rope?

I stopped wearing a football scarf when I sold the last of my RDs, I
still can't get out of the habit of covering the clutch lever when
giving it beans though.

--
Lozzo : The anti-Timo
YZF1000R, GPZ500S, CB250RS x3
BOTAFOT#57/70a, BOTAFOF#57, MIB#22, TCP#7,
ANORAK#9, DIAABTCOD#14, UKRMT5BB, IBW#013, MIRTTH#15a/16,
BotToS#8, GP#2, SBS#10, SH#3, DFV#14, BONY#9.
Url for ukrm newbies : http://www.ukrm.net/faq/ukrmscbt.html
http://www.glfuk.com/ for MJK Leathers in the UK.
Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.

 

I know what you mean. The fact that the dealership had an offer which
meant that they would take my 7 year old Sportster plus £1,495 for a
brand spanking new XB9R made it quite difficult to leave.

 

Jeepers. That would have hooked me.

 

I deliberately didn't ride the 9R. By not riding it I knew that it was
too far down on power compared with the 12. If I'd ridden it I might
have found it was OK and I might have been hooked.

It was likely to only be available in white (they had 1 blue and about 8
white ones on the floor)

There's also the issue of the 9 having the narrower drive belt that's
prone to snapping, the 9 apparently has a flat spot in the rev range
that needs money spending to cure (about £400 at a guess) whereas the 12
is fine out of the box etc etc. I suspect fitting the belt & sprockets
from the 12 is possible but it means 12 gearing and probably about £400.
So that £1500 soon became £2,300

The 12 was going to be about £3,200-3,300 which to my mind is better
than spending £2,300 on the 9R. And I can't afford £3,200.

Though a 9R for bike plus £1,495 is tempting...

If I'd not just spent about £500 on the Sportster it would be more
tempting.

 

And how much a month for how long after?

 

You mean to replace the bits that fall off and put on the tart-chrome?

 

spouted the following in

Ever ridden a Buell?