It initially felt very strange and totally different – every time I blipped the throttle the horizontal rear suspension compressed. Weird. Vibrated like you wouldn’t believe; more marital aid than motorbike. I was astounded and more than a little dismayed when the drive-belt broke. Looked the business but didn’t put out. Hardly Ableson engine shook more than young Elvis having a cocaine-fuelled epileptic fit. French tractor drivers dismissed the engine as being a little too agricultural. Too bad it gave up early on which makes this one to file under Oddities with potential.
•Buell X1 Price £7,495
•1203cc Air-cooled V-twin
•Dry weight 200kg Insurance group 15
•Claimed power 95bhp @ 6,200rpm
•Issue tested: July 2001
•Contact: Buell 0870 8501903