3Pooches version 3.5

https://www.twinmotorcycles.nl/webs...2456&title=Buell-XB-chain-race-conversion-kit

I should be an engineer.

 

There’s more buell stuff in Europe than the USA

 

Because they knew an amazing thing when it wasn't sold to them by bearded idiots that thought their technologically out of date motorcycle was the only shit in town.

 

Today was my first day actually riding the buell. It has some beauty in its simplicity but as it sits currently ( possibly running rich) it is no where close to euro twins on power. It handles well…. But not as planted as I expected, slightly squirrely on trail braking. I haven’t ridden in 3 years so it could be all me needing to learn and knock the rust off.

 

It's about right. They're not a euro sport bike by any stretch.

 

Look what Mark done...

 

That’s a grocery getter in his neck of the woods

 

It is bringing the milk....

 

I know the Dragon has gotten way too popular and overcrowded with looky-loos and trucks, but I'd like to do it at least once just to experience it. I've heard the Cherohala Skyway is just as good but not as well known and way less crowded.

It's bone stock other than a slip on muffler to make it sound like a Harley and not a sewing machine. Someday I'd like to upturn the exhaust a little since it drags when I lean it over and there's a dip in the middle of the turn. That and upgrade the rear shocks, but I don't ride enough these days to justify the cost. The exhaust I could conceivably do myself now that I weld.

 

For sure. Do it once. Pick an off-season time. I think you'd like the Cherry Cola more. I did. Unfortunately, I ran across an actual ad for the Cherry Cola on a motorcycle website. So it may not be as much of a secret anymore. All that said, if you get down there, stay in West Knoxville or Fontana Village. One less rural than the other. I also recommend taking the Blue Ridge Parkway from beginning to end.

 

I wish mine sounded like a sewing machine. Instead it gets really loud as it’s throttled and the rpm’s climb but nothing else really happens. The throttle is more of a volume dial than power control on mine.

 

It's a torque dial, sir. Controls the front tire height.

 

That is a sweet rig

I need to bring my bike down there so we can ride together. 250 through the mountain looks like a good place to start.

Chris, does your Buell have the XR1200 engine? It's the same one I had in my Sportster. It was pretty peppy on my bike, if it's sluggish you're probably right in that it's not tuned quite right.

 

Yeah, that's no fun if the power isn't there. Like I said above, the 1200 was a peppy engine, but then again, it was my first bike and I never rode crotch rockets, so my reference point is much different than yours.

 

He won't like it unless it's bumping 200hp. My Buell was a 1998 with the 1200cc Sportster engine. I liked it. All the problems aside. It certainly wasn't fast, but it had a ton of grunt. Then again, I like my bikes in the sport-touring realm. With a little more emphasis on touring.

 

It doesn’t lift very easily. I hope a good fueling map corrects this issue.

Yea it’s the 1200 which feels about the same as ducatis 696 engine.

 

Let’s do it!

 

That's odd. Probably apples to oranges, but mine would lift just popping the clutch a little. I could get the front tire up a little just by getting off a light quickly. Not that I condone such behavior.

 

That’s really what I expected out of a large twin. I’m sure I can loft it by clutching up, but it should be able to power wheelie. I’m also nervous about clutching because I have this fear I’m going to snap the belt. It seems to have a little grunt between 2500-3500 rpm’s but after that it looses power and just makes noise.

 

You can't compare the bike to a Ducati twin, or even a bike like an SV1000. It's not the same. That motor came out of a cruiser with little change. It's torque and little horsepower. A new map might help. It's probably much too lean like most bikes from the factory. But I don't think it's going to be the sky opening up and unicorns falling from heaven.

I highly doubt you'll snap the belt. They're made with a Kevlar weave in them. I've only ever seen one drive belt take a dump and that was on a highly modified 1200 after the owner had been doing burnouts all day. And the belt didn't snap. The teeth were sheered off.

More serious time. I was happy when you told me you bought it because motorcycles are awesome. I worried you wouldn't like it because it doesn't quite fit your riding style. You would've been happier with one of the later model Buells in the 1125 range with the Rotax.

Buell made a race kit for it. I doubt it's still in production. I also doubt it's worth the money/hp. Google searching indicates it's tough to get that motor over 100hp.