| | | | Road Test : 2007 Buell XB12STT Lightning Super TT-American XL supermoto |  Written: 15/03/2007 : 11:26. Read 9394 times (23/day). | | The integrality of this filed article is for Premium Members. | Buell keeps refining its range of exciting motorcycles and the Super TT is the most exciting of them all so far. Tweak the suspension a bit, add a mixture of adventure and streetfighter styling and you have the Buell Super TT.
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No one makes a 1203cc motorcycle look as compact as Buell. Every mass and fluid needed to create a naked street fighting motorcycle is squeezed into every little space and corner available to the engineers. The result is a package that is still as innovative as ever. The Super TT is an iron fist where the chassis widens around the fuel tank dummy like knuckles widens your hand. The XB12STT is Buell’s addition to the growing trend of super sized supermoto styled streetfighters. TT in the name reflects on the old TT races in America, the Ascot TT etc. In Buell’s mind the supermoto is just as much a niche created in America as in Europe.
The 1203cc Thunderstorm motor is at the centre of the attention. Even though any Buell looks like you could wrap both your hands around it and lift it with ease that air-cooled V-twin looks smaller than it is. At a compact 45 degree angle it takes less space than a 90 degree L twin but vibrates a whole lot more. Standing still on idle the physically small motorcycle almost jumps up and down if you rev it a bit. It’s because it’s eager to ride you see, but certainly adds to the character.
First gear is tall, too tall for my liking and the power band kicks in with a slight delay when clutching it up on one wheel in second gear. The air-cooled engine definitely carries punch and a good portion of torque for a meaty midrange. But the Super TT does not feel like the hooligan it could be. With such a short wheelbase (1372mm) the Buell STT should be trying to wring itself into knots at every touch of the throttle. But it doesn’t and it is because it handles so damn well. Launching it from first gear at the lights is like launching a tamed beast. The STT is more of a sports bike in the handling and power delivery departments. The acceleration is not as smooth as on an air-cooled L-twin, but much is disguised by exquisite handling. Better handling than most 90 degree L-twins I have ever ridden!
So really what I am doing here is complaining that the STT does not feel wild enough to ride. But that is because it is so composed, deceivingly composed and the STT will do wh ...
The integrality of this filed article is for Premium Members.
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