BUELL had plenty to live up to with its sleek new Firebolt, but the Kent Messenger’s gave this thoroughbred steed a definite thumbs up.

With Ducati’s recently-launched 1098 superbike all the pundits have rightly given a green light to this Italian thoroughbred – me included. But there is a marque that is quietly and distinctively going about chipping away at that pedestal and wanting that crown… Buell.

This small-by-comparison American manufacturer has been diligently refining its large muscle bikes and their latest offering, the XB12R Firebolt loaned by The Foundry, at Canterbury, shows just how far they have come.

Granted it doesn’t have the blood-red paintwork, forward-leaning racer riding position and the heritage of Ducati but the ultra-short wheelbase – 1320mm (52in) – the same as a modern-day 250 MotoGP racer and its steep 21deg steering head angle give it the ability to turn at the slightest whiff of a corner and coupled to the "breathed-on" Harley Davidson 1203cc v-twin and reworked gearbox, it really is a package to consider – and it’s several thousands pounds cheaper.

Not an awful lot has changed from the model I tested last year; there’s revised mirrors that reminded me of the drooping front feelers of an ant, improved lighting at the front and an aggressive Manga-looking bikini fairing. Otherwise the motor is the same as last year; as is the gearbox and cycle parts – so why have I road-tested more-or-less the same machine?

The answer is simple – I just had the opportunity and wanted to see if second time round the bike was as good as I thought it was a year ago – I wasn’t disappointed.

The massive air-cooled V-twin motor is at the heart of the XB12R. It has huge amounts of torque and handling that is sublime, The footrests are some 15in (38cms) from the deck and shod with Pirellis all round, the Firebolt took absolutely everything in its stride from ultra-twisty back roads to fast sweeping A roads and both the clutch and 5-speed gearbox performed faultlessly.

In a "Bike" magazine test the Buell out-performed every single model including the most exotic Latin machinery on roadholding and clearance and was voted number one handling bike.

Given that the bike is capable of serious speeds and that occasionally this had to be tempered, the massive 6-pot front 375mm single-sided brake is without doubt one of the best on the market shaving speed off at an alarming but controllable rate.

The 43mm Showa front inverted forks coupled with a Showa single rear unit inspire confidence when attempting to get round the tightest of bends making the "train on rails" statement a boring cliché.

While the motor only produces some 100 bhp, the power-to-weight ratio makes the Buell one of the best handling bikes you can buy.

It weighs in at 179kgs (dry), has the deep-growling exhaust slung low under the motor, fuel and oil cleverly concealed in the frame, but produces some 81ft lbs of torque and to the unfamiliar – it’s arm-wrenching.

The riding position is not a-la usual sports bike. You sit on the bike rather than tucked down into it, and psychologically it shouldn’t be possible to achieve some of the feats that the Firebolt begs the rider to do!

There is an option of a smaller (in height) saddle which reduces the seat to 281/2ins (72.5mm); this in my opinion would be far better.

Components reveal quality, craftsmanship and engineering par-excellence.

I’m frequently asked what is the best bike I’ve ridden?

I normally reply ‘Horses for courses’ but in this case the Buell XB12R Firebolt crosses the finishing line ahead of the rest of the field – and that includes the beautiful red Italian thoroughbreds – although I’ll reserve final judgement until I can get my hands on one of the latest Bologna offerings!

FACTFILE

Buell XB12R Firebolt

TECH SPEC: 1203cc air-cooled V-twin; 5-speed helical cut gearbox; 100bhp

TORQUE: 81ft lbs

FUEL CAPACITY: 3.22 gall (14.5 litres)

PRICE: £7,745

DEALER: The Foundry, Broad Oak Road, Canterbury, CT2 7QG. Tel: 01227 378430; Fax: 01227 454726. Web: www.robinsonsfoundry.co.uk; email: sales@robinsonsfoundry.co.uk.