2008 Buell Ulysses XB12XT Launch

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2008 Buell Ulysses XB12XT Launch

SPEEDtv.com's Neale Bayly heads out to the idyllic mountain town of Idyllwild, in the San Bernardino National Forest in California for the launch of the new Buell XB12XT.

Neale Bayly | Posted December 21, 2008 Charlotte, N.C.

The snow sprinkled mountains were beautiful, but the piles on the edge of the road are a bit unnerving for motorcycle riders. (Photos by Kevin Wing)

The smell of wood smoke in the crisp, clean air was the perfect fragrance to compliment the azure blue canopy above. Interrupted only by the snow sprinkled mountains in the distance, and the occasional wispy, white cloud, vibrant green pine trees framed the peaceful scene appearing as if they were radiating the suns warmth and color. On the sides of the road, the snow piled up was the stuff you want to see in post cards, not shovel off your driveway. And, strolling in the idyllic mountain town of Idyllwild, in the San Bernardino National Forest in California, I felt the sense of discovery and adventure visiting a new part of the world brings. A sense of discovery that just doesn’t seem possible unless it comes after an extended period of time in the saddle of a motorcycle.

Of course, all this ethereal stuff is nice. Don’t get me wrong. I’m as flowery as the next when it comes to spinning a lead, but the real reason everything in the world looked so fine was pure, unfettered adrenaline. Coursing through my blood stream as my heart worked overtime and my breathing fought to return to normal, it was the Volvo driver’s fault. Enjoying a spirited ride on the sinuous asphalt snake that curls its way up to Idyllwild with my group, suddenly passed by the sporty saloon burning rubber in the turns seemed somehow linked to the new 2008 Buell XB12XT’s throttle. Immediately opening wider and longer, the guy in the cage was soon getting more than he bargained for as the first Buell passed him. Watching him use both lanes and making some decidedly sketchy moves to try and keep up with the bike ahead, I elected to stay behind and reveled in the Buell’s rock solid handling and precision cornering. Requiring little more than a breath on the wide bars to initiate the turn, once in the corner the bike felt as it were following a rail line it stays so committed to its chosen line. Also affording me the ability to change my lines at will mid-corner, the level of comfort I felt just kept growing. Propelled forward at a rate of knots that was easily enough to pass our four-wheeled friend by the newest rendition of the Thunderstone engine had I wanted, it was one of the most exhilarating rides I have taken in a long time.

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