Buell XB12R - Ready, aim, Firebolt!
Thanks to the new, liquid-cooled 1125R, air-cooled XBS are now cheaper than ever
WRITER: Aaron Frank
PHOTOGRAPHER: Jim Moy
Many fans of air-cooled Buells (and there are plenty) assumed the arrival of the new, liquid-cooled 1125R (see "Up To Speed") meant the end of the XB platform. Actually, the new model's arrival spells good news for anyone in the market for an old-school, air-cooled Buell, as the MSRP of the 2008 Firebolt XB12R has been reduced by $500 to $9995-just cutting it for this "10 4 $10K" storyline.
Other than pricing, the '08 XB12R is essentially unchanged with the 1203cc, 92-bhp V-twin still bolted into Buell's unique, fuel-bearing twin-spar aluminum frame. Budget priced or not, the parts are premium all the way with a fully adjustable Showa shock controlling movement of the aluminum swingarm (that doubles as an engine oil reservoir) and a similarly adjustable, 43mm Showa inverted fork keeping the front wheel in check. Mounted to that front wheel is Buell's own ZTL perimeter brake (said to save 7 lbs. over a conventional setup), and driving the rear wheel is a maintenance-free belt to eliminate driveline lash and provide instant forward acceleration. Buell delivers a lot of innovative (and functional) technology for 10 large.
The Harley-Davidson-derived air/oil/fan-cooled V-twin has plenty to offer enthusiasts, namely stone-axe simplicity, impressive torque (peaking at just over 70 lb.-ft.) and loads of muscular American character. It also has some less endearing traits: At-idle vibration borders on excessive, shaking the bike and everything attached to it (including you) like the front row of a Shakira concert. It's a rolling rotisserie, too, made worse when the air-raid siren/cooling fan kicks in and pulls the heat away from the motor, and all over you.
Fortunately, this all disappears once you get underway. Engine vibration becomes a non-issue (as does ambient heat) and you're left alone to revel in a torquey, tractable, endlessly satisfying backroad bike. With the spec sheet showing just 52 inches between axles, you might expect the Firebolt to be a bit over-eager in the turns-it's not. A fairly solid bar push is required to initiate a turn, after which the Firebolt responds with unexpectedly stable mid-corner manners and none of the stand-up tendencies that we noted from earlier versions of this chassis-the sticky Pirelli Diablo tires prove an agreeable pick. The Showa suspenders are plenty stiff for spirited strafing, and the ZTL brake, although one-sided, delivers predictable, fade-free stopping power, even after repeated hard stops.
The Firebolt XB12R might not be the best choice for chasing supersports around the racetrack or commuting around town, but it proves practically perfect for chasing apexes on your favorite backroad and does it all with lots more attitude and rowdy presence than anything else out there-especially for under 10 grand.
Price: $9995
Engine type: a/o-c 45-degree V-twin
Valve train: OHV, 4v
Displacement: 1203cc
Transmission: 5-speed
Measured horsepower: 92.2 bhp @ 6750 rpm
Measured torque: 71.9 lb.-ft. @ 5750 rpm
Frame: Aluminum twin-spar with aluminum swingarm
Front suspension: Showa 43mm inverted fork with adjustable spring preload, compression and rebound damping
Rear suspension: Single Showa shock with adjustable spring preload, compression and rebound damping
Front brake: Single ZTL-type six-piston caliper, 375mm disc
Rear brake: Single one-piston caliper, 240mm disc
Front tire: 120/70-ZR17 Pirelli Diablo T
Rear tire: 180/55-ZR17 Pirelli Diablo T
Seat height: 30.5 in.
Wheelbase: 52.0 in.
Fuel capacity: 3.8 gal.
Claimed dry weight: 395 lbs.Contact: www.buell.com