I could not agree with you more about the XB series machines! In fact the XB9r was named the best cornering bike of all time by Fast Bikes. To the RX's defense, the XB's are 3 whole inches shorter in wheelbase with a 180 rear and 3 degrees steeper rake. Not to mention one typically arrives at the end of straight carrying considerably more steam on the RX as you hit the braking zone with about 40 extra pounds of motorcycle to flick about. The fact that it is in the ball park is astounding. Whenever I hop off the RX on to the 1199 the Pani always feels like a truck despite being a bit lighter. Even my beloved RSV4 is like riding a bucking bull compared to the RX.
I agree with both of you. My XB was a beast in the mountains and on the streets. I used to stick to the back tire of a friends R1 in the mountains and it drove him nuts. But I have two plans for mine when running on the streets to help. One, is dropping the triples. Second, is bumping up to a shorter sprocket without adding chain length. This will basically shorten the wheelbase. This should help it's street manners and keep me from having to change chains when going back to a track setup. I'll report back once I've finished testing with results.
Last edited by darkducati; 07-21-2016 at 06:37 AM. Reason: Big ass thumbs on a cell phone
Ha...my RX is relegated to the garage for a while...so I'm back on my XB12 till I can get a new regulator for the RX...
I forgot how nice the XB head lights are. Mine have HID bulbs in them...really nice, but the handling is great.
Mike
Last edited by Mike; 07-20-2016 at 01:12 PM.
Good luck with that lower gearing on the short chain... I tried the 44 with stock chain and the bike became a unicycle at any reasonable application of throttle from 1st thru 4th. I'm no Geoff May, so I'm not comfortable with wheelies while still leaned a good bit over. The bike didn't seem to mind, but none the less I went back to stock.
Good luck with that lower gearing on the short chain... I tried the 44 with stock chain and the bike became a unicycle at any reasonable application of throttle from 1st thru 4th. I'm no Geoff May, so I'm not comfortable with wheelies while still leaned a good bit over. The bike didn't seem to mind, but none the less I went back to stock.
Bike should not wheelie that easy, I am running the 44t sprocket with 118 link chain, suspension is set up properly and the only way I carry the front end on the track is hammering it like hell in 1st-2nd gear. Have a suspension pro who knows the Buell/EBR chassis set up your suspension, and it will make a world of difference.
The 118 chain buys you about 1/2" more wheel base over a 116 with a 44, which to me settled the bike down, but for COTA and TWS it makes sense to stay stock. On a short track I'll go back to the 44.