Buell XB9S Lightning Bike Review-MotorPoint


Buell XB9S Lightning
Buell XB9S Lightning.
By Mike Emery
Photos By Tom
It’s a wonderful thing. The to pass between two countries, the courtesy of each, as if you were a of both. Me? – I get to wave the Stars and and sip my tea in between Monty Python on BBC America.
So what about the It has the lungs of the proverbial Iron and the legs of a thoroughbred sportbike. Can it with the unwashed (only and hang in the canyons with the
Let’s go find out.
winter in Florida, which perfect biking weather for fabulous months of the year. and due to the scarcity of this model I’m from the lush and luxuriously 2WF garage, 3000 miles to California to go taste the flavor of Buell’s latest creation.
I’m just like you, I a stereotypical image of American I secretly smiled to myself as I the bike up from the Buell fleet and loaded it straight the back of my rented pick-up…
up there than down
Short enough for ya?
But after that was the last I saw of the Fudget pick-up. Upon swinging my leg the Buell it became immediately – Dual citizenship? Forgeddaboutit.
This is a … sport it’s as comfortable and practical as it is and stuntable. It’s not a Harley, my it’s a Buell.
The looks are streetfighter, …, aggressive and of any unnecessary implements like plastique. The seat locks you a comfortable elbow out style mimics, flat tracking or my own supermotard.
Pasta Strainer or Grater?
Pressing the go button one to all sorts of rattles and vibes could shock the unwary. bike has a unique feel as well as a unique look. The V-Twin is wedged into a frame using a Uniplaner isolation system (a what?) The is phenomenally short in length on err, stubby.
It looked a Pitbull and when underway and has the of that same dog looking for a to pee on.
Looks comfortable and was
With a 52-inch wheelbase and a 21-degree this thing is agile, away it’s immediately that you can turn on the proverbial and turn right now. traffic is a minor hindrance you can turn this quick and from light to light. up front is a set of three-way adjustable complimenting the three-way adjustabubble unit.
Check your oil sir?
The are a tad lower than a typical (I’m told) they right to me regardless. Weight, up, is the wrong side of 400lbs, but due to its low of gravity, didn’t feel it. on the subject of gas, it’s no that it’s in the frame and the oil is in the
Technilogical marvel or Mr Buell off? You decide.
The Clocks visible and in the right place, two meters aided trip and it had a useful low fuel light to
I took this bike me to a tire intro at Buttonwillow. I expected to be jumping straight off of bike onto the first Supersport or similar as quickly as my would carry me. I didn’t – The was so much fun and with an attitude totally amazed me.
I could run around quite a few other sport only bikes and most of the day chasing after a of 998′s with (d)illusions of
The chassis was very composed; I had to off the feeler pegs after a lap or because I was catching both here and there, and here On its ear, it felt extremely and fun to thrash around.
Due to its relatively low rev ceiling, 8000rpm of the usual race rep 14K, I hands with the rev limiter than a couple of times. But into short-shift mode my was uninhibited in every way. The was reasonably slick and I only my way once or twice, The XB reminded a bit a fussy Italian bike, if you the shift firmly – forward is unrestrained.
I must admit I expected the bike to be puking its out after the thrashing I gave it. It it gave me that “is that the you got” look. No groans, lights or anything – How embarrassing.
All the parts are in the right place, if it took me a couple of minutes to the ignition key. Fit and finish was than reasonable, with a foo-far being the edge of the gas tank, which was a little Brakes were good and top
As mentioned, nothing leaked, or fell off – go figure?
The front brake takes a approach to the norm with its perimeter style rotor. I had to my riding style accordingly.
for the nearest corner brake, and turn. Got it? Don’t be trying trail braking stuff this bike…
Trail for cissies so get off those brakes and it in, if you try to trail brake, the bike turn in and you won’t. I had to learn quick once I hit the canyons, mid braking shenanigans would this bike standing up and in directions uncharted. This was a irritation and just reminded me of the way to set up a corner anyway.
On the track I noticed this at all.
I the bike at Orange County Davidson and had a chance to further any preconceived opinions of the Harley too. I turned up to Dyno the and ended leaving it for them to onto the dyno the very day. I didn’t attend I should have and I ended up the bike up when the service was good luck said one wag (it was a
No fear, Orange County Davidson went out of their way to get bike back to me, clean and
Top shop too with proper pricing, a big thanks to Richard and all in the service department – I really was the kind of demanding customer and dealt with me superbly. mileage may vary, but this was a great American Iron experience.
Would I buy this
Where do I sign Buckaroo? the sort of neat and quirky for this particular quirky and not so Brit. This is not your disposable sportbike.
It’s a that has a character and an attitude is lacking in some of the latest of the … division.
Hey, it has a race kit available and the fact it’s ‘mericun made out the patriotism on one side of my dual loyalty.

God save the king of pudgy, fun, …
MikeE
2003 Buell
Engine: Air cooled, Four 45 degree V-Twin
Displacement: 984 cc
— Stroke: 3.5 x 3.125 88.9 x 79.38 mm
Power: HP @ 7200 rpm / Torque 58.6 @ 5500 rpm
Gearbox: 5 speed mesh
Carburetion: 45 mm downdraft fuel injection
Ignition: CDI
Frame: Aluminum with Uniplanar powertrain isolation system
Front Showa inverted fork adjustable compression damping, damping and spring preload
suspension: Showa shock with adjustable compression rebound damping and spring
Front Brakes: ZTL type 375 mm stainless steel floating 6 piston caliper
Rear 240 mm stainless steel rotor, piston floating caliper
6 spoke cast, 3.5-17; Silver finish
Front Dunlop D207 FY 120/70
Rear Tire: Dunlop D 207 U ZR17
Wheelbase: 52 inches
and Trail 21 degree / 3.3 in./83 mm
Dry weight 385 lb/ 175 kg
Fuel Capacity: 3.7 liters

Interesting articles
Share this article:
Other articles of the category "Buell":
-
Top 10 Motorcyles Make A Man Say WOW Tech Specs, R...
-
2009 Buell Ulysses XB12XT — Review performan...
-
RSRacecraft To Race EBR 1190RS In 2013 AMA Pro Sup...
-
Anthem by Erik Buell and the Thunderbolts Thunder ...
-
Buell’s bolt of lightning — Buell Xb12...
-
2007 Buell Lightning CityX XB9SX — Transluce...
-
Buell Blast —
-
2008 Buell Firebolt XB12R motorcycle review @ Top ...