Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/127713
des or long legs. Once deployed, the Buell heels way over to the left. And while the stand foot is unusually big, it feels like the bike will roll forward if the parking sur face isn't comp letely flat. Buell insists the design locks the stand into place, but I had . some problems anyway. Many people have been misinformed about the new Buell. It seems "the word" is that this motorcycle costs about $14,500, way more than the actual list of $11,900. Possibly, they were recalling the RR1ooo, which in the '80s sold for around $16,000. Also for prospective buyers, there is more good news. Unlike normal Harley cruisers w hich tak e one to thr ee years to come available. The 52 is available right now . This last reason is especially significant, as comments from a nu mber of interested pa rties at the Interna tional Mo torcycle ! Show in Baltimore indicate the p revalence of the "long wait" myth . But even if all the Buell's outstand ing I traits ad d up to make it a unique piece, it I isn't perfect. A list of irritants: "The gear ratios, wide for a sportbike, create an unnerving "engine braking" situation when downshifting on the tightest roads. Things can get a mite lingly until you learn the box. Even then you mus t be I careful. "Although the mirrors dear eventually, they vibrate mania cally under 3000 rpm ; . then again at 65-70 (unfortunately, righ t around average cruising speed) . Still, the view to the rear is pretty good. "Centersta nds may be unusua l o n sportbikes; but that's no consolation when ha ving to rem ov e the rea r wheel. Best bring a "spare in a can." " The Harris-type filler is trick, but the lockable cap itself tends to fight the key. Then, once it's turned and out, where can you put the thing while filling up ? Standard hinged caps are much better. . "With as sophisticated a fork as the WP unit is, why no adjustable preload? "The trellis frame is cool. But white? A traditionalist in these matters, I say, paint 'em black! "The ignition switch operates with a . round, "lock-box" type key. It can be hard to work. "My demo, with about 19,000 miles, had a leaky fork seal, and oil spots got onto the inboard heade r heat shield. Probably came from a breather hose. True, some of these are small potatoes. All the more reason dealers should spend the time to correct them. Yet you can't be too hard on the new Thunderbolt. When compared to its predecessor, the new Buell is, in all ways, superior. Much less ex pensive, far mo re comfortable and tourable, more reliable, faster and handles be tter than any Harley this side of a you& Every year, the greatest motorcycle champions of all time are invited to race in the "Battle of the Legends." And you can ridethe samebikethey do- the R1100AS-off the showroom floor today. Of course, may never get to be as good as they are. But you sure will have fun trying. Call 800-345-4BMW '. FORTIE WORlD AIEAD: vmoco. But what, finally, is the message of the Buell 52 Thunderbolt? Perhaps it is that power and handling can be attained in many ways. The Buell comes by the former with cubic inches and torque; the latter, by intelligent, we ight-conscious engineering principles. This adds up to a vigorous - and above all - fun bike. Any kind of riding you throw at it touring, pure sports, commuting, grocery-ge tling - the Buell will handle it all wi thout sputter or complaint. Th at makes it a winner. Ten years afte r the first Buell mad e waves, the hopes of its creator are being realized in the 52 Th underbolt. Eric Buell's hard, lonely climb looks ready to payoff. a While Cycle News believes theforegoingtest reliable, it is the opinion of the reviewers only and should not be relied upon in determining the performance or safety of the vehiclets). The reader should make his or her own investigation. 25