EuropaChris
Active member
- Joined
- Jan 21, 2009
- Messages
- 41
After sitting and staring at my (new to me) '06 XB12Ss for the last month, I finally had the opportunity to get out Saturday in the 50 degree weather we had and ride. I haven't stopped grinning since!! 
OMG! What a MONSTER! Ok, so my references may be a bit skewed - the last bike I spent any real time on was an '84 Kawi 305 CSR I bought 5 or 6 years ago, rode a few times, and sold - ick....and prior to that, an '80 Yamaha XS850 that I sold 20 years ago. I did take a buddies V-Rod for a quick spin last summer, and it was nice, but it handled like a school bus.
My first impressions - insane torque! - wow, this is fun! It took me a little while to get used to the immediate throttle response and copious torque available just off idle. Then, once I got going, it took me a while to get used to the freakish stopping power of the front brake! In contrast, the rear brake feels rather wooden and a bit weak. I had to check if I really had my boot on the right thing. I've read that Buell rear brakes are like this.
Bundled up in my RF-1000 helmet w/chin blocker, throat gaiter, Fieldsheer Aqua Sport gloves and Stinger textile jacket, and longjohns, I was very comfortable for the hour I was out. The riding position works well with the little flyscreen (much better than I expected) to balance out the weight on the wrists.
I had the suspension dialed to stock settings for my weight (170#) with an extra 1/4 to 1/2 turn out on the compression damping. The roads around here are horribly frost heaved and choppy from the winter, but even still, I was amazed at the comfort level, even though my a$$ was bouncing off the seat a few times!
It was a humbling experience. The capabilities of the bike are so far ahead of my rusty skills that it's not funny. A quick twist of the throttle and I would look down at the speedo and see 90 - without downshifting from 5th. Wow. I guess I'll have some big chicken stripes for a while!
Chris
OMG! What a MONSTER! Ok, so my references may be a bit skewed - the last bike I spent any real time on was an '84 Kawi 305 CSR I bought 5 or 6 years ago, rode a few times, and sold - ick....and prior to that, an '80 Yamaha XS850 that I sold 20 years ago. I did take a buddies V-Rod for a quick spin last summer, and it was nice, but it handled like a school bus.
My first impressions - insane torque! - wow, this is fun! It took me a little while to get used to the immediate throttle response and copious torque available just off idle. Then, once I got going, it took me a while to get used to the freakish stopping power of the front brake! In contrast, the rear brake feels rather wooden and a bit weak. I had to check if I really had my boot on the right thing. I've read that Buell rear brakes are like this.
Bundled up in my RF-1000 helmet w/chin blocker, throat gaiter, Fieldsheer Aqua Sport gloves and Stinger textile jacket, and longjohns, I was very comfortable for the hour I was out. The riding position works well with the little flyscreen (much better than I expected) to balance out the weight on the wrists.
I had the suspension dialed to stock settings for my weight (170#) with an extra 1/4 to 1/2 turn out on the compression damping. The roads around here are horribly frost heaved and choppy from the winter, but even still, I was amazed at the comfort level, even though my a$$ was bouncing off the seat a few times!
It was a humbling experience. The capabilities of the bike are so far ahead of my rusty skills that it's not funny. A quick twist of the throttle and I would look down at the speedo and see 90 - without downshifting from 5th. Wow. I guess I'll have some big chicken stripes for a while!
Chris
