help with a decision

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jmillheiser · Sat Mar 11, 2006 10:35 am

Most Japanese bikes dont need a valve adjustment every 5000. Its more like every 15000

paul246 · #12 Unread post by **paul246** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 1:07 pm

rhost wrote:I would get the Buell for the same reasons that I bought a 9s. It has hydralic lifters so you dont need to adjust the valves every 5000 mi, .

First, the solid lifters on the Honda 919 (and the V-Rod for that matter) are the "shim-under-bucket" type. Adjustment interval is 16,000 miles, not 5,000.

Second, hydraulic lifters are a non-performance compromise. They use them so non-performance oriented people can ride and forget about them. Hydraulic lifters will not ever deliver the precise valve clearance and timing that solid lifters will.

That was the notable difference between the old Ford Windsor 351 as opposed to the Cleveland 351. The Cleveland had solid lifters and was a performance engine, cars powered by the hydraulic liftered Windsor were the family grocery getters.

Again, the 1520 Honda Goldwing had hydraulic lifters, the 1520 Valkyrie had solid lifters (which an idiot like myself can adjust in less than an hour).

jmillheiser · Sat Mar 11, 2006 1:15 pm

My CX500 has solid lifters. Adjusting them is quick and easy. takes me about 15 minutes to adjust the liters and cam chain on it

earwig · #14 Unread post by **earwig** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 1:42 pm

I just bought an XB12S and love it! The V-twin rules and the bike is very unique.

jstark47 · #15 Unread post by **jstark47** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 2:06 pm

Sorry to hear about your trouble with the Speedmaster. My Bonneville has been absolutely bullet-proof.

jmillheiser · Sat Mar 11, 2006 4:14 pm

Im not partial to any particular type of engine. Only exception is singles and 2 strokes, I cant stand either of those.

my current bike is a short stroke v-twin, I like its powerband and the fact it doesn't vibrate much for a twin. I would definately not be opposed to another short stroke v-twin bike like an SV, duc or superhawk.

I have yet to try a 4 cylinder bike but would like to. Seems like they would be pretty smooth and have lots of power. Also would love to try a triumph on for size, I really like the looks of the speed triple and the sound of the 3 cylinder engine.

Every time I see a Harley v-twin shaking like mad it makes me glad I dont own one.

BRUMBEAR · Sun Mar 12, 2006 11:37 am

Thanks guys I am going to teast ride the tuono I found a guy willing to let me demo it so he says, They also have speedtriples there so I will do a comparison I just really love the Idea of the buell I know all the bashing the harley engine gets but lets face facts there are probably 15 harley engines out there for every 1 or 2 others so yaeh there are some horror stories but I can't ride 100 + anymore and I don't even wanna try I just want something flickable and bullet proof and sporty engines are as basic as they come