Wanting to buy Crotch Rocket

RE: Wanting to buy Crotch Rocket

Was, You're a good man. Great advise to a young'n. Myself, 40 something who has ridden most of 'em. Yamaha turbo's, V-max's, Ninja's, Katana's, Fat Boys, Soft Tails, even custom's.

If I could do it over, I would borrow a friend's crotch rocket, get the thrill of speed out of my system quick and then settle down on a nice Harley and enjoy the finer points of life. If only I had been 23 years old ridin a nice Harley or similar ride instead of a crotch rocket, I'd still be ride'n and smile'n.

Joe, Was and my advise is only from guys who have been there and done that. I respect the need for speed. I couldn't deny it to myself and I don't expect you to either. BUT, if somebody had set me straight from the beginning, I certainly would have been oblige'n and ride'n a Harley.

'93 MonsterMark Project Car
Bryan
 
RE: Wanting to buy Crotch Rocket

If you are looking for relatively 'cheap' Harleys, they are out there. My buddy picked up a mid '80s FLHT at a police auction (Idaho State Police?) and rode it back to Portland. Saved about 3k compared to the private market. Sure, it's almost 20 years old and painted white... but it's still a Harley! :)
 
RE: Wanting to buy Crotch Rocket


My first bike was a KZ900, a very fast bike in the 70's. I know it would hit 115 in third gear, I tried it once and never again. It had 5 gears and I have no idea of it's top speed in 5th. Then I had a GL 1000, the first of the Honda gold wings and I have no Idea how fast it would go. I now own a 1998 1200 Sportster and a 2003 Dyna Low Rider. Both will go faster than I care to. Believe me the Fun Factor is much better on the Harleys. I understand if your friends are all in the sport bike thing then you may want to be in the group, but a Harley is forever. They don't have to be moving to turn heads, only running. They are an excellent buy, I know they are expensive to buy but I can keep it 10 years and not loose as much money if I sell it as you would loose on nearly any other bike in a year. I've been offered withen 500 dollars of the price I paid for my 1200 and it's 5 years old. Good Buy. I've only had to replace 1 Broken part on the 1200 in 5 years and 18000 miles. They don't even leak like the old one's did. 5 years and not one drip on the floor. I wouldn't have anything else.

Wayne
 
RE: Wanting to buy Crotch Rocket

Now i don't know when you drove the buell, but it is a pretty good bike. Not the best, but great for starter. I know for a fact my kz750 can blow a firebolt out of the water along with a long list of others. I have done alot of work to it. Infact I just completely redid the entire bike new cam chain, cams, carbs and list goes on. Anyway you are off on the hp rating for the firebolt is 92hp not 78. Yeah they had some trouble like most harley made bikes, but they came out with a better engine. It use to have the sporters 1200 now it has a 984cc engine. I have driven the firebolt and must say it is a good bike. Don't know how you went through the brakes like that. I had now problem with the brakes at all. Here is a little bit of a review on the firebolt:
Prior to the XB9R, Harley's "Engineered on a cocktail napkin" theme rang through the buell line from top to bottom - although there were revisions and re-engineered parts, the Buells were succeptible to problems just like the hogs. I happy to say, he XB9R has changed that!
Despite the fact that the engine is designed of of a sportster 1200 platform, gone are the sporty jugs and upper end, replaced by the more progressive top end resulting in more HP at the rear wheel. THe stroke has been substantially reduced to 3 1/8 inches (compared to over 3 3/4 from the oringal sporty 12's) The result is a high reveing much more responsive engine - redline is bumped up to 7500 RPM, however be assured, the torquiness of the engine can be felt all the way from a low 3 grand all the way through the 7500 redline - Nice job guys! The bike does maintain that great twin feel, unlike the majority of the japanese 4's, you need not downshift once you're doing over 60 - Even in 5th gear, and roll on at 60 will get you up to over a buck 20 in no time at all - no shifting! If you do want to down shift, the new aforementioned shift mechanism is a great aid, and the tranny chicks right into gear with nearly no effort (again, unlike the classic, clunky harley-esque monstrosities fitted to earlier buells)The handling of this bike are what truly makes it special.
 
RE: Wanting to buy Crotch Rocket

Hi Ron: The Indian rep looks great.
Hey why are you down on Harleys? They are warm and fuzzy!!

Sleeper: Pony should have your first bike for his "first"
2 out of 4 cyls will keep anyone in check.

BTW Re: i had to stop and turn the fuel back on. In that time, about 6 or 7 cars passed me, and i was about a mile from home. I got it started, got back out on the road, and promptly passed all of the cars, got safely back into my lane, and slowed down to turn into my driveway. And, i didn't give it WOT and i didn't rev it out. It was a 45 zone, the bike had no speedometer. I was probably going 100-120. When i hit the brake, the whole bike started shaking. Damn warped front brake. Then when i slowed down and pulled in my driveway, i kept swerving back and forth, because of the damn steering dampener. That bike was very uncomfortable. My feet were way to close to my rear, all my weight was over the front wheel, so if i lost traction on that front wheel that's all she wrote, and the brakes were warped. But when you roll on the throttle, all is forgiven.

Hmmm? Im sure glad you still had the training wheels on it :) Fuz
 
RE: Wanting to buy Crotch Rocket

I drove the Buell last year, and it is certainly possible the brakes were an unusual problem. And I am absolutely correct with my HP numbers. It is 78HP at the wheel. I have 3 magazines in front of me, plus an online review with dyno sheet. The most HP from this engine was 78.2 RWHP. All the others were 76ish.
http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mccompare/mcphotos/02xb900dyno.html

Maybe you didn't drive the Buell in a spirited fashion, or even lean it over in the corners. The Buell feels "weird". I thought it didn't handle. The engine is a nice thundering, torquey twin, but really, that's all this bike has going for it. By the way, the "new" 984cc Buell engine is SMALLER than the 1200cc engine it replaces. Here are some quotes from my magazines and sources:

My sense and sensibilities tell me the Buell is, despite our hard work, still an ill-handling machine.

As I can only say this: the more I ride the XB9R, the more it confuses me. It's the fastest slow bike I've ever ridden. It's the best-handling, ill-handling bike I've ever ridden.

One of the most curious things about the Firebolt is it's resistance to changing direction; despite the short wheelbase and steep geometry, the Firebolt required firm and steady handlebar pressure to maintain a cornering line or it would pop up again, and it also tended to stand up on the brakes.

The reduced capacity of the engine has effectively neutered the engine, stripping its performance portfolio of a majority of its redeeming qualities of low to midrange torque, making it a bad heir to the legacy set before it by the previous generation Buell engines. Although the motor smooths out at 3000 rpm, it doesn't make decent power until 4500 rpm, and then runs out of breath around 6500 rpm, making the trip to the 7500 rpm redline largely wasted time.

Shifting through the gears on our test unit was a dreaded task, rather than an enjoyable one. Heavy clutch pull, and exceedingly stiff action at the shift lever makes selecting the next gear a test of your determination.

In the end, the engineering of the chassis, frame, and brakes point the bike in a sporting direction, then the motor and transmission spoil the party. With all the financial and engineering clout that a company like Harley can apply, I don't understand why Erik is burdened with a 1950s (despite the updates) era engine that does not keep pace with modern middleweight machinery past the 1/8 mile mark. His chassis deserves better.


Since I don't know you, I cannot comment on what you have and have not ridden. But for you to say a Buell is a "good" motorcycle, I must imagine you haven't riden a truly good motorcycle, such as ANY Japanese middleweight, or ANY Japanese open classer. The Buell is merely "adequate". And for the $$$$$ they ask for it, it should be much, much better. And again, for the $$$$$ they ask for it, there are far, far better performing and priced bikes than a Buell...especially for a newbie.
 
RE: Wanting to buy Crotch Rocket

Was Fuz,

I'm not down on Harleys. I owned a custom 1997 Wide Glide. Although I do think Harley's are over-priced for what you get, and ALL Buells suck-ass. As I stated before, there is nothing like riding a twin on the street. Twins rule for the street. Whether Japanese or American, a twin is the way to go..simply for it's broad and smooth torque pull.

And what bothered me when I owned my Harley was all the "It's American made, so it's great!!". Well they use Japanese paint booths, Japanese suspension components, Japanese carbs (on some)...and whenever I bought an overpriced chrome add-on, it said "Made in Mexico" on it..and it was a Genuine Harley Accessory to boot!! But overall my Harley served me well, and was great fun to ride around on. Although I think most delearships are more concerned with selling T-shirts and belt buckles than making sure you are 100% satisfied. But no..Harleys are OK. Just overpriced is all.
 
RE: Wanting to buy Crotch Rocket

Ron: Bless your warped heart, I think you would trash
anything "American". However, from reading all of your posts
from your "day one" Im convinced you have a vast knowlege
of the things that are dear to me. We will leave the politics
out :). Lets go with Harleys,Horses, Hunting, Firearms, fast
cars and women just for kicks. You have got to be the most
informed, experienced, and talented indivudal I have ever had
the luck to meet. (on the board of course). Your wisdom
leaves nothing to be desired.

However:"I have 3 magazines in front of me". (last post of yours)

Now I have no magazines, but I have a " Harley " in front
of me, and my Harley just doesnt agree with you.

I say again, Just enjoy whatever tickles your re-tisticles, :)

Its Harleys, Horses, Beautiful Wyoming, and the Elk in my freezer.
Im not hard to please. Best, Fuz

BTW: Has anyone noticed that Im in a better mood lately? I am
really enjoying the onset of spring in Wyoming. The large, large,
state with a total of 492 thousand total people.
Pease Ron. No flame wars this summer. To much beauty here :)
 
RE: Wanting to buy Crotch Rocket

Was Fuz,

As I have said..I have a healthy respect for Harleys. My stock purchases with them have done me well!! I also make some great $$$$ making customized Harley parts. So I was able to make some $$$$ from Harleys, they certainly can't be that bad!! Take a look here to see what I made. Most every custom part, wheel, etc.. is of my design and manufacture. http://www.nycustomcycle.com
 
RE: Wanting to buy Crotch Rocket




Overpriced? Ron did you capitalize on the
profit of custom parts? I surely would have, had I the
resourses to build custom parts.
btw, what ever happened to "Bates" custom parts? They were
about the only company producing anything for "choppers"
back in the H.A, days. We used Bates, or buyilt our own.
The main thing I miss with my custom lowrider is being able
to pull a wheelstand through the gears. (also a jockey shift)
I couldnt pull the website up, said " cant find website"
Let me know when its up, would like to see your stuff. :)
Fuz
 
RE: Wanting to buy Crotch Rocket

Was,

The website is not working..dunno why. Maybe out of business 'cause too overpriced?? :) LOL

A few of my creations are in the Custom Chrome and Chrome Specialties catalogs. I did some parts for Sammy Hagars supercharged show bike. Was fun. Perhaps someday I'll ride out your way. You can take a spin on my Twin, and I'll take one on yours. Cheers...~R
 
RE: Wanting to buy Crotch Rocket

I have infact rode many Japanese bikes. My 82 kz750, a yamaha fzr1100, many honda shadows and list goes on. I am going by Buell's website with the HP rating. check it out www.buell.com. The firebolt may not be as fast or handle as good as some Japanese bike, but that don't make it a bad bike. Like I said to me it would be a good starter bike. Yeah the engine is smaller now I never said it was bigger, just that it was new and also improved. The shifter in the bike I rode was great. No problems at all. I do like my kz better then the Buell it is faster and better handling, but not for a beginner. No way I would let a new rider on my bike.
 
RE: Wanting to buy Crotch Rocket

No way I would let a new rider on my bike.
John Conklin
97 Mark Viii

Nor would I :) Fuz
 
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