Your best Buell riding advice please.............

[ny_driver]

As some of you are aware I am buying an XB12R for my first road bike.

Motorcycle riding experience:
I've owned a couple dirt bikes and have ridden a couple big Harleys briefly, and once rode an older Kawasaki 600 ricer 500 miles.

Never ridden a belt drive besides sleds. Someone told me don't downshift early, to use my brakes.

Anyways I just want to absorb as much advice and information as I can about riding these beasts over the next several weeks while I am paying it off so hopefully I won't crash.

Thanks for reading! - Dave

[snrusnak]

I've never heard that, I downshift just like normal without issue.

The best thing to know about a motorcycle IMO is to ride "smooth". Don't jerk the throttle, brake, or clutch, always make smooth transitions. People get in to trouble by riding "jerky"...

[buellybill44]

Just ride like any other bike and be cautious of all the other idiots in cages, thats really what you need to worry about.. The bike will not let you down!

[Kid1620]

Find a video called Twist of the Wrist volume 2 watch it and practice it. Then you'll be good

[netty2424]

Engine braking is very common, but I think they might mean don't down shift WAY to early to prevent your rear wheel from sliding.

I grew up on dirt bikes as well. That puts yu ahead of the game. Just take it easy and don't push it until you're familiar with the bike. You don't have to go balls out first ride. Just take it easy for awhile. No shame in learning. Everyone who's on a bike now learned at some point in time.

[WALLSXB]

Engine braking is very common, but I think they might mean don't down shift WAY to early to prevent your rear wheel from sliding.

I engine brake all the time but I think this is what they meant also.

You don't have to go balls out first ride

That's REALLY hard not to do! :D

[netty2424]

I engine brake all the time but I think this is what they meant also.

I believe you are correct! I did this on my first ride. Riding on the highway, I decided I was going to u-turn(small town highway with turnarounds) and I came in a little hot. Started down shifting and the rear wheel locked up. I just rode the slide until, eventually hit the brakes until I came to a stop.

So yes you have to be careful engine braking until your familiar with the gears/speed.

That's REALLY hard not to do!

I know!!:D

[03Firebolt9R]

I think the best advice I could give is to pay attention to everything. It doesn't matter if you ride slow or fast, as long as you are able to keep up with everything in your surroundings you will be fine. The technique will come.

[GAXB9R]

More throttle...that's all the advice I have for now.

[Loki]

I think who ever told you that was implying on the fact the xb's dont have a slipper clutch like most sport bikes so you cant throw the gears down as you would on those.