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Thursday, 18 September 2003 |
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2003 Buell XB9S Lightning.
Patriotism By Mike Emery ~ Photos By Tom Riles
It's a wonderful thing. The ability to pass between two countries, enjoying the courtesy of each, as if you were a native of both. Me? - Well I get to wave the Stars and Stripes and sip my tea in between Monty Python repeats on BBC America.
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So what about the Buell? It has the lungs of the proverbial Iron Horse and the legs of a thoroughbred sportbike. Can it mingle with the unwashed (only joking) and hang in the canyons with the uncomfortable?
Let's go find out. |
| It's winter in Florida, which means perfect biking weather for three fabulous months of the year. Unfortunately, and due to the scarcity of this model I'm forced from the lush and luxuriously equipped 2WF garage, 3000 miles west to California to go taste the flavor of Erik Buell's latest creation.
Now, I'm just like you, I have a stereotypical image of American iron, I secretly smiled to myself as I picked the bike up from the Buell press fleet and loaded it straight onto the back of my rented pick-up…
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Better up there than down here?
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Short enough for ya?
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But after unloading, that was the last I saw of the Fudget rental pick-up. Upon swinging my leg over the Buell it became immediately apparent - Dual citizenship? Trailer Queen?
Forgeddaboutit. This is a naked sport bike it's as comfortable and practical as it is sporting and stuntable. It's not a Harley, my two-wheel-freaks, it's a Buell. |
| The looks are totally streetfighter, naked, aggressive and stripped of any unnecessary implements like excessive plastique. The seat locks you into a comfortable elbow out style that mimics, flat tracking or my own much-favored supermotard. |  |
Pasta Strainer or Cheese Grater?
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