In the Middle Ages, the alchemist’s goal was to turn a base metal into gold. If
there is a modern day equivalent of a base metal in the motorcycle world, it
is quite possibly the Harley-Davidson powerplant. Designed for appearance over
performance, the big V-twins from Milwaukee surely excel at their jobs as
successfully as a Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14 powerplant. But then, there are the
alchemists. The men who strive to defy physics. Erik Buell is one such
practitioner—he has taken on the challenge of powering a viable sport bike
with a tall, heavy motor originally designed for cruising.  This takes some inventive thinking, and, by necessity, Buell American
Motorcycles is as much of a marketing concept as it is a motorcycle company.
Buell positions its performance oriented motorcycles with some of the same
visceral imagination shown by its parent company and motor builder,
Harley-Davidson. Extreme meteor-ologically inspired monikers such as
Thunderstorm, Firebolt and Lightning dominate the Buell catalog, along with
unambiguous hues such as Kick Ash, Hero Blue, Villain Black and Cherry Bomb.
Buell builds a different kind of sport bike and the company sells it in an
equally distinctive manner. (Click image to enlarge) Positioned as the “American Streetfighter” arm of the Buell program, the
Lightning line ranges from the hooliganesque CityX to the relatively urbane Long
XB12Ss; a streetfighter that plays by the Marquess of Queensberry rules. (Click image to enlarge)
Compared to the standard Lightning XB12S, the Long employs an extended swingarm
that lengthens the wheelbase by two inches and at the same time, the rake and
trail are suitably increased to further relax the handling. Additionally, the
rider is given supplementary room thanks to a taller, wider seat. A stretched
tail section means the passenger also benefits from the Long’s expansion. Still
a streetfighter, the Long is now presentable in civilized society.
 In a world populated with 200 hp hyperbikes, the air-cooled,
two-valves-per-cylinder Thunderstorm 1203cc 45-degree V-twin may seem
under-powered, as it barely nudges the dynamometer’s horsepower reading into
triple figures. The Lightning Long’s power comes on low—the sweet spot ranges
from 4,000 to 7,000 rpm—with peak torque attained when the rev counter hits
6,000 rpm, so short-shifting is the preferred motor management tactic. This is a
powerplant you direct with your right wrist, not manipulate with the clutch and
shift levers. There is emphatically sufficient acceleration to satisfy riders
who are not addicted to neck snapping throttle response. Part of the motor’s
adequacy is due to weight-saving efforts that puts the Lightning Long’s dry
weight on par with the Ducati Monster S4R. (Click image to enlarge)
 RIDING
STYLE
Helmet: Icon Hooligan Chrome Mainframe
Jacket: Icon Merc
Leather Hero
Gloves: Icon Pursuit
Pants: Icon Anthem
Boots:
Icon Field
Armor Chukka. Photograph by Riles and Nelson. (Click image to enlarge)
Buell’s attention to the centralization of mass is visually apparent. The
largest weight contributor on the XB12Ss is the motor, which sits at the center
of the bike, nestled inside the aluminum twin-spar frame that doubles as a
4.4-gallon fuel tank. The entire exhaust system exists between the tires. At the
Long’s extremities, weight savings techniques are abundant the aluminum
swingarm, belt drive and the front wheel with its unique single-disc Zero
Torsional Load braking system.Reducing weight and optimizing its placement has great benefits on the XB12Ss’
handling, as do the Showa suspension components. Despite its status as a
long-stroke V-twin with an extended wheelbase, the Lightning Long refuses to
disappoint in tight quarters. While we cannot describe the handling as
flickable, the Long will not affix itself to a prescribed path against the
pilot’s wishes. The riding position, though roomy, is nevertheless oriented
toward sport riding; body english is effective and the superb new Pirelli Diablo
T tires enhance line correction capabilities. Having said that, the Long is most
at home when choosing the correct line through a turn and then adhering to it.
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