All Essays – PlaymoBuell, forward the stories! – Used BUELL

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PlaymoBuell, forward the stories !

All Essays - PlaymoBuell, forward the stories! - Used BUELL

Presented as an American supermoto, the XB12 STT takes many elements from its sisters Ss and Ulysses: the lethal weapon for the city and beyond is hidden behind the new Buell and its look of a big toy ? Test !

Unveiled at the end of last year at the Milan Motor Show (read), the new Buell Lightning Super TT (XB12STT) was announced as "a new urban motorcycle with sporty performance".

Equipped with the famous V-Twin "Thunderstorm"1203 cc, the latest production from the East Troy factories also receives the frame / swingarm assembly from the XB12Ss, its wheels, brakes and belt drive.

To perfect its appearance, the STT inherits the frame and fork protectors, the hand guards and the headlight grille of the Ulysses as well as the same Pirelli Scorpion Sync tires, preferred to the Diablo Corsa that the rest of the "Lightning" band wear. "(read).

In addition to these points in common, the new Buell obviously shares with all its siblings the "technological trilogy"Erik Buell: rigidity of the frame, centralization of masses and reduction of unsprung weight. According to the manufacturer, these three fundamental characteristics guarantee the Super TT"great handling, high acceleration with great fluidity and the famous Buell torque".

Still according to the American big boss, the new XB12 STT would offer "around an assertive design, the torque and power of a motorcycle born from the union of the urban environment and the circuit".

Site has therefore decided to check this statement for you: test !

A family resemblance

From an aesthetic point of view, the new Buell has a face similar to that of the Ulysses, especially seen from the front: its high perched fender, its light grille and its fork and frame protections therefore have a small air of dejà vu, but still stand out as much from the rest of the current production, especially Japanese.

Likewise its engine block – recognizable among a thousand thanks to its two twisted exhausts – and its voluminous frame and oscillating arm – since they respectively accommodate 16.7 liters of gasoline and 2.4 liters of oil – prevent the STT to deny belonging to the Lightning family !

At the rear, however, the long flat saddle and the "cross" typed number plates greatly differentiate the XB12 STT from its sisters. The white color "Artic White"even leaves its owner the possibility of freeing his imagination…

Left as is, the fairing elements exude purity and draw a Buell line that is already its own. Fans of "personal decor" will also be able to let go, as shown by the "more urban you die" examples offered by Buell.

When it comes time to get on the XB12 Super TT, belonging to the Buell clan becomes obvious. First of all the dashboard is the same as on the whole XB12 series. Perfectly readable in this beautiful version on a white background, it still lacks a fuel gauge.

But in a few days, the fold is quickly taken: every 200 km approximately the orange light comes on and we can then put 13 liters back into the tank, which brings the average consumption to 6.5 liters per 100 km. Thanks to the 16.7 liters of frame capacity, the maximum range of the STT is therefore around 250 km, depending on the type of driving..

Unlike the clutch lever, the brake control is adjustable and if the rider chooses the smaller gap, the lever can touch the grip. But very reckless will be the one who will repeat this while driving !

The Buell keys

The Thunderstorm wakes up as casually as ever: pressing the switch asks to be slightly prolonged, as if a boost from the electric starter was necessary to shake the two large pistons. !

The sharp rotations of the right grip translate into serene and torquey revs from the "made in US" twin-cylinder, whose air supply has been increased in order to improve low-rev response. They give a glimpse of a driving character faithful to the tradition of the other side of the Atlantic: bikers love the "potato-potATO POTATO" !

Even before starting the first, the STT tickles the senses. And for novices in terms of big Americans, the Super TT offers an original baptism: at the controls of what looks like a supermotard, the vibrations of the big V-Twin are all the more palpable. !

Also following the American tradition, Erik Buell does not forget to promulgate his usual warnings to his clients: "since the frame acts as a tank, it is not recommended to drill, weld, cut, grind, sand or polish it as this could ignite or weaken it and then break it, which could result in death or serious injury". Damned !

Likewise, on the swingarm, the manufacturer recalls that "motorcycles are different from other vehicles. They behave, maneuver, behave and brake differently. Improper or inexperienced use can result in loss of control, death or serious injury."… So here we are warned !

Duet prohibited

The saddle culminates at 798 mm – a good 2 centimeters less than the Ulysses all the same! -, it will certainly handicap bikers with small legs. Clever, the manufacturer however offers them a version XB12 Scg "short legs" (read).

The soft and comfortable seat of the saddle contrasts with its spartan appearance and only passengers will regret the impossibility of enjoying it … Indeed, the Super TT does not have the original rear footrest and a drawing expressly indicates that the duo is forbidden … Another way for Buell to encourage the companions thus driven out to adopt an XB12 Scg ?

The driving position is excellent: the high handlebars and very close to the pilot give the impression of directly overhanging the axis of the front wheel! As for the footrests, they are placed slightly in height and vertical to the pelvis..

While those of the Ulysses could be slippery, the footrests of the STT offer good grip and allow more secure support. Their long lugs stay a reasonable distance from the asphalt, unless the rider rolls really hard … or gets caught by the side stand. !

Hello mom bobo…

The side stand is indeed not free of all suspicion in the incident that occurred during our test … Certainly, in its defense, the stop during which the hitch occurred occurred on a road on a gentle slope and no gear was engaged to bring the motorcycle to a complete stop…

But it is good to know that once deployed, the side stand has an unfortunate tendency to return to the perpendicular to the motorcycle, and not to stay forward to ensure the kickstand. Therefore, it requires to be locked in the lowered and advanced position "fully" by the left foot..

Twice during our test, the STT was thus surprised to pivot dangerously on its crutch … And the third time was the "right one" !

Unaware of this propensity to fall, what was the surprise of Alex – comrade of trip, photographer Moto-Net in his hours and official support of on-board camera – when he saw the Buell spread out on his left flank! A fall at a standstill which all the same allowed to highlight some specificities of this American.

First of all, thanks to its arrangement, the selector, even broken, allows you to reach your home without too much difficulty. On the other hand, the handguard does not act as a lever protector and unclips at the first big contact. !

Another "discovery" for the most distracted: the screws of the STT are of the American type and therefore require to have a minimum of tools of the same nationality to work correctly on the bike … Finally, the protection of the frame has been properly fulfilled its role and presented only a few scratches … Phew !

The anti-motorcycle-work-sleep !

But apart from this mishap, the rest of the essay was fortunately much more enjoyable and more predictable. !

Despite the stated desire to match his new Lightning with an image of pure "Streetfigtheuse", Erik Buell must admit that his latest born sins by its insufficient turning radius and would require a much quieter fan to make it a pleasant motorcycle to drive in city.

But the American manufacturer has a good reason for refusing to improve the turning radius of its Lightning: it would involve an increase in the wheelbase – in order to move the large fork sleeves away from the imposing frame – and would change the behavior of his motorcycles … Unthinkable !

Obviously, its torquey engine always works wonders during the 400 m standing start! The relatively long first gear also avoids having to play excessively with the box, which is also too dry to allow you to calmly consider daily trips in town..

Even if by dint of practice, the synchronization of the engine speeds and the clutch limits the efforts of the left ankle, the selection too hard will get the better of the bikers who ride all week long. Without going so far as to buy a scooter, the "commuters" will find motorcycles much more pleasant at this level..

At low speed, the mirrors heckled by the vibrations of the engine will not persuade city-dwellers more, although this inconvenience lessens as the speed increases..

Another negative point of the XB12 STT concerns the long legs … If they can easily put both heels on the ground, pilots with large shanks must indeed support themselves using their thighs and their arms during frequent braking to prevent their ball joints from resting too much on the protuberances of the frame. This inconvenience does not reveal bruising on the knees, but can slightly sore over time..

Finally, and unfortunately this is the lot of all current motorcycles: the space granted to the lock and the rain combination is minimal…

A real Roadfighteuse

And yet, the Buell does not lack qualities. Some could even have offered it the status of a good city car – such as the use of a belt without maintenance or almost -, but it is resolutely on the road that the STT shows its true values. !

The agility and control of the front axle are logically one of the good points of the new Buell XB12 STT, since it uses the magic formula of its sisters: short wheelbase, closed caster angle and wide handlebars. Only the ground clearance and the suspension travel values ​​vary, the STT being exactly between those of the Ss and the Ulysses.

In a stroll as in a sustained trip – bordering on illegality sometimes! -, the suspensions also offer an excellent compromise without having to touch the factory setting.

Manu Siaux, at the head of the French Rally Championship on the handlebars of an STT, tells us that "simply change the oil at the rear while for the front, it is probably necessary to change the stacking of the valves because it lacks relaxation"(read).

Modifications which will however not be of great interest if you do not plan to register alongside him for the 2007 Dark Dog Moto Tour! Because despite numerous front wheel load shedding when exiting curves, sharp changes of angles and other sudden actions on its handlebars, the Buell never started a semblance of handlebars during our test..

At high speed, the XB12STT has never been faulted. It obviously does not offer the same heading as a Superbike in frankly negotiated curves, and it is better in this situation to measure its movements on the handlebars which can result in a few oscillations of trajectories..

Braking is also to be complimented since the single front disc offers power and above all foolproof progressiveness. However, be careful with the first braking on the angle because the animal tends to recover. Best brakeman on the MotoGP field, Alex Barros would also probably criticize him for a lack of bite, but on open roads the efficiency of the exclusive Buell system is very satisfactory !

The rear brake left us a little more perplexed … While that of the Ulysses was ineffective, that of the STT is biting and powerful at will, so much so that it is difficult not to drift from it. rear in case of emergency braking.

However, the equipment of the two machines is more or less the same! Last year, a recent pad change and too rapid bleeding of the rear brake of the Ulysses may have caused a drop in efficiency. Or maybe "the quality of the pads from one game to another plays", notes Jean-Charles Geneste, manager of Buell in France … Mystery.

A real engine !

But all these good skills would be in vain if they were not relayed by an engine, a real one … But the Thunderstorm offers the STT a strong character that perfects its arsenal capabilities on small roads. !

As long as it stays above 2000 rpm, the STT’s engine resumes without flinching and adapts very well to a quiet rhythm. On the contrary, at the beginning of a stretch, the twin accepts to go up to 6600 revolutions, where are at the same time the 100 theoretical horses and the breaker !

But what a treat to type in the "fat" of the Twin, between 3000 and 5000 rpm, where the serious and resounding sound of the pot placed under the engine noticeably increases the sensation of catapulting, while giving its user the impression of to spare the mechanics.

Stalled in second in the irregular rows of the Chevreuse valley, the STT makes it possible to conduct a roughly efficient but above all enjoyable driving. The followers of small roads will therefore sign the order form with their eyes closed. !

On more rolling courses, the new Buell spares its driver up to 110-120 km / h, beyond which he notices that the nose screen only protects his chest and the beginning of his shoulders. It is then time to put the helmet down and switch to 5th gear, which hits 100 km / h from 3000 rpm..

In the end, if the STT fully meets purely sporting expectations, its urban skills remain too light to tax it as real "Streetfigther". Because if in the United States urban rhymes with stunt, this is not yet the case in France, where the practicality of a motorcycle is still the key word in terms of city travel..

Available in white – it’s up to you to make it unique! -, the XB12 STT costs € 11,295. And so that a passenger can "share your banana" (read), it will take 500 € for the passenger kit.

Which brings the price of this Super TT to that of an Ss or a Cg: logical, since this kit includes a saddle, footrest supports and Ss footrests (and supposes the abandonment of number plates).

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