So I put about 35 miles on it today. I wanted to ride it around more but I always just want to get home after I have class and chill with the gf a bit.
Almost got hit by an idiot in a car that was coming into a left turn lane. I was turning right onto the street he was coming down and I went to the interior lane of the two northbound lanes. He starts turning into the turn lane and almost comes all the way into my lane as I'm just straightening the bike out. I had to swerve a bit but nothing too bad. Lots of choice words were flowing out of my helmet though.
Anyways onto the ride. It's definitely different! First, I thought I was just going to hop on this thing and it was going to be "SIMILAR" to riding my 600RR. I knew it was going to be a different ride but I figured I would be totally comfortable on it like I am I throw my leg over my Honda. YEAH...not so much! This thing is a 100% completely different kind of freak.
I LOVE IT THOUGH! I like the contrast between the two A LOT! I love riding my 600RR but riding the Buell is a completely different feeling. I get off my Honda and I feel great. I feel like I had a good ride and the bike felt good and I am completely happy. It goes real fast and has a great sound too, but I sit down on or get off the Buell and I feel like I just want to break the law and start some ****!
The biggest difference in the feelings I get between the two is that the Buell feels much more primitive. The shifter feels more primitive, there is no heat gauge, all analog gauges, the width of the seat between your legs...things like that. The Honda feels much more refined and sophisticated and the Buell feels more raw and unsophisticated. Like it doesn't care what you think about it. It's just a bad ass and if you want to ride it deal with it.
It feels a little heavier than Honda. I don't know if it actually is or if it is just because the center of gravity is different on them so I'm not used to holding onto the Buell like I am the Honda. Mainly when I was backing it into my garage holding onto it from the side. It also feels a bit heavier than the 9R I test rode which I'm sure it is a little. It even feels like a completely different bike from the 9R I thought...
Regardless, I LOVE THIS BIKE and I am completely happy with my purchase. To close, I'll say I got plenty of looks! When I was putting it back in the garage when I got home a guy in the apartment complex next to me (sits right in front of my garage) was in his dark living room, got up from his TV show and stood leaning against his window sill ,until I walked into my apartment, just staring. LULZ I chuckled pretty good!
