2008 Buell Firebolt Review

With headlights set in sockets and a slanted front end with curved windscreen, the 2008 Buell Firebolt looks like a sinister cartoon character; in other words, it has a look only a mother could love. Reviewers call the Firebolt XB12R’s looks ""quirky."" The Firebolt XB12R comes in black with cherry red trim or white with blue trim, which gives it an eerie look, especially since the wheels are in the accent color. But there’s more to this odd-looking motorcycle than meets the eye. For one thing, it’s a sports bike that provides high performance whether the rider is racing around a track or down the highway. The Firebolt is high performance, make no mistake about that. It’s won numerous amateur and professional road-racing championships in the U.S. and around the world. Britain’s Bike magazine named it the ""Best Cornering Motorcycle of All Time.""

The Firebolt’s name fits in well with other Buell motorcycles, namely the Blast and the Lightning, giving that hint of excitement to riders. This sportfighter is agile and responds well to the rider’s handling. The Firebolt has a 1203cc, V-Twin motor that is a good balance of horsepower and torque. The engine reaches peak performance with 103 hp at 6800 rpm. Peak torque is 84 lb-ft at 6000 rpm. This bike has clip-on handlebars for better control and comes with pillion seating for the passenger. Underseat storage is available, with storage bags being an optional accessory. The Firebolt can carry a rider, passenger, and luggage weighing more than 450 pounds; the motorcycle itself weighs 395 pounds.