Question :- Are ALL models of buell built with the same steering head angle?

I only ask because I took a test drive on a older model S1 yesterday & the steering was so nervous that even though the engine was great the steering was so quick / nervous it was plain scary.
There was no apparent damage to the frame to the naked eye so hence the question.

Cheers

Bert

Have a look in the catalogues in Buell Chat.

Could be an over inflated tyre... My S1 doesn't strike me as scary...

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08 Specialized Langster

Short answer is 'no' The X1 has considerably nimbler handling and that can't be described a nervous either. Like Pash says, make sure the chassis (incl tyres) is set up correctly for your weight and how you like to ride. Take a note of your settings (and write them down ) and have a play until you feel comfortable. Before this, do the obvious checks of wheel/ steering head/swinging arm bearings etc. When was your fork oil last changed?

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If your dreams don't scare you, they are not big enough.

He might be told to go forth if he insists on all of that before taking a test ride, Adam! But having the tyre pressures correct should be within the scope of the vendor...
My immediate reaction was, 'What are you comparing it with, Bert?'
If you'd just hopped off a cruiser with a head angle of 29 or so degrees, I guess the S1 could appear scary (albeit in a good way ) but if you're used to sports bikes (with say less than 24 degrees of head angle) then maybe there is a problem with this particular S1. Try another one out...

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'98 M2 Razorback, it's a keeper.

I am comparing it with every other bike I have ridden.
Most recently Aprillia RSV Millie , Daytonia 995i & moto guzzi V12 sport a bit of a range agreed but all have a reasonable set of road manners.

I figure that with the short wheel base & steep steering angle 1 thing heightens the other feeling of "twitchiness" quite a way beyond what I felt was reasonable.

Tyres were worn a bit on the front, wider bars would have helped but the bars were standard as far as I could tell.
if the tyres were low on pressure they would have felt "resistive" rather then twitchy & non responsive & these bars were very responsive.

OK, point taken, you're not a chopper boy, so it's probably fair to say it's the bike and not you! But it doesn't sound typical of type, so I'd say again, 'Go try another'...

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'98 M2 Razorback, it's a keeper.

Mine steers a lot quicker than my Honda, so does my Firebolt, but it is for the better...

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08 Specialized Langster