Buells, alright/stay away/run away

[Dogbone]

Had an 06 XB12SS. Loved riding it, but my ballz got the best of me and I traded it for a 05 GSXR1000. The outright acceleration of the Gix is always a rush, but overall the Gix was BORING to ride compared to the Buell.

After a number of other bikes, I'm back to, you guessed it, a Buell. I now own a 00' M2 Cyclone. I opted for a Tuber over an XB because the Tuber (as was mentioned) uses the HD 1200 engine with uprated cams, heads, etc (main point being the cases match the Harley motor). The XB uses unique cases along with the goodies mentioned on the Tubers. I was concerned that long term part sourcing may be more of a problem for the XB than the Tuber.

Test rode an 1125R with a D&D. That bike was fast. Fast in a GSXR750 with more torque kind of way! No idea about the long term reliability though. I'm sure, being a Rotax built motor, it will be durable, but it definitely requires more maintenance than either the Tuber or XB.

To their benefit, the XB and Tuber use hydraulic lifters = no valve adjustments. Single carb/throttlebody = no syncing. Belt drive (Tubers are adjustable, XB and Rotax are constant tension) = no lubing, no possibility of broken chain through the case. The XB and Tuber also have separate gear boxes from the crank case = no need to run expensive motorcycle specific oil; high end automotive oil for 1/2 the price or less is perfectly acceptable as it won't touch your clutch. Fuel mileage is also terrific compared to other sport bikes (my M2 gets mid 40s during commuting and around 40 when I whip it, the XBs are even higher at about 50 when commuting!)

Overall, I think the XB and Tubers remind me of older Corvettes compared to newer sport cars. They can be made to rip down the 1/4 miles but likely will always fall behind for terminal speed. They handle well up to 8/10ths but need much work to be comparable to a SS bike on the track. If that is what you want from a bike, you won't be happier.

If you're hoping to get something different that will keep up most of the SS bikes out there, I'd recommend grabbing a Rotax Buell, a Tuono or a Speed Triple.

[eboos]

I loved my M2. I raced it for a few years, as well as control riding for Boston Moto, and the only mechanical problems I had were vibration related. With that said, vibration will be a problem if you are constantly flogging it. The bike wasn't the best track bike out there as it was heavy and under-braked. It did have crazy torque and was insane off the line (I led many first laps). The tube framed Buells had very stable handling, but lacked cornering clearence in stock form. It would be a great street bike with casual to moderate trackday use.

[Garandman]

Attachment 30490
Buells are not as bad as most think. Very fun bikes. This was back in the day when Chipper used to actually lead rides!

They made pink ones? I did not know this!

[Chippertheripper]

Yeah. That's mine in the foreground. With the tank bag and whit jacket draped over it. The rainbow sticker is on the other side.

[NeverlosT]

I rode a buddies once and it must have been set up like crap because it was a mess handling-wise. but for all the good riders that are chiming in here that love them, I would trust their opinion a lot more.

How much does a buell go for? You can get an old monster or an tuono for 5-6K and they are sick.

[Chippertheripper]

See the links in this thread of the ones listed.
The value plummeted for a month when hd shut Buell down, but it's still a motorcycle. I'd expect an 1125 to sell comparably to a tuono, maybe a bit less, and an xb/tuber to go around the same as a monster...for a given year/condition.

[nhbubba]

HD was practically giving them away after the announcement. I wished to hell I had the money to buy a new machine at that time. Seemed like the deal of the century.

[Chippertheripper]

Yeah, it was the individual dealers themselves doing that. I wish I had the money...

[whynot]

Great bikes. Kinda wish I still had mine ...

[mace]

I have owned a couple - a 2003 xb9s - and currently a 2004 xb12s.

Love em.

[typeone]

mmm, now i'm doing the same, reminiscing The Muell...

[Chippertheripper]

You're the gas mask guy?!
I never knew...

Since we're reminiscing:

[typeone]

the only mechanical problems I had were vibration related.

same here, front isolator (went through two in ~16K) and chaffed wires. simple stuff to watch for, the bikes are cake to work on and maintain.

the biggest issue was dealing with HD, just an odd scene for me but i knew a ton of great parts guys (mail order).

i would buy another in a heartbeat. miss that DRUMMER THUMP

- - - Updated - - -

You're the gas mask guy?!
I never knew...

that is i used to do the PDGMoto faceplates too, side biz

[Chippertheripper]

The gauge backgrounds? No shit.

[FireboltEric_MA]

I actually really liked mine, it was GREAT street ride. I been tempted to get another and play nice with it. Well try anyways.. I like anything with a motor so I am not brand loyal anyways..

[oldepicker]

I have one for sale... an '03 XB9R. It's set up for the street, but I raced it 3 weekends last year, and it has full Penske suspension front and rear done by PK. The forks, shock and new belt have about 50 miles on them. It has a brand new battery and is available with an extra set of bodywork (track), spare belt, ECM Spy software and cable, an extra EBR pre flashed race ECM, and even spare wheels.

I love it, even enjoyed racing it. I crashed lightly in the bowl and my crew chief (my daughter) wouldn't let me race it again. She never liked it, and didn't want me to get it in the first place (she loved my GSXR 750 a lot and wouldn't let me sell that last year when I wanted to race only the Buell).

It also has a brand new shifter and linkage (that was the damage from the crash last July), fresh oil and primary oil changes. It's a nice bike and comes with a Jardine Carbon Fiber pipe, and the stocker. The only other damage is to the fairing mount. One of the "wings" snapped off, but I installed bar end mirrors so it's not an issue.

I'm asking $3200 for the bike alone, any additional parts, etc. are negotiable. It shows 40,000 miles, but the guy before me had 85mph stunt gearing on it for 5 years, so it probably has about 33,000 or so miles in actuality. As far as trackability, I found no problem with it, but I changed the fork tube height(pushed them down flush to the triple clamps... about a 10mm change). PM if interested... photos available. I'll be posting an ad for it in a day or 2 in NESR for sale section... THANKS!!!

[typeone]

The gauge backgrounds? No shit.

yup. sold those things all over the freekin' world. fun project.

[whynot]

I had some aftermarket bits from http://americansportbike.com/
... good products, looks like he's added a lot more since 2 years ago.

[Garandman]

Yeah. That's mine in the foreground. With the tank bag and whit jacket draped over it. The rainbow sticker is on the other side.

You are so old school!

The rainbow sticker is out.

[Damnut]

yup. sold those things all over the freekin' world. fun project.

Yup they ARE awesome. Still have my PMG faceplate on my Firebolt.

I've owned my Buell since 05 and couldn't be happier with my bike. I'm a little over 30K on it now and it still runs great. I do not baby my bike either. Buy one and be happy.

[FireboltEric_MA]

Yup they ARE awesome. Still have my PMG faceplate on my Firebolt.

I've owned my Buell since 05 and couldn't be happier with my bike. I'm a little over 30K on it now and it still runs great. I do not baby my bike either. Buy one and be happy.

Ummm....It is a Buell BLAST, You have to beat the shit out of it to even make it move...

[Damnut]

Ummm....It is a Buell BLAST, You have to beat the shit out of it to even make it move...

You couldn't use all the power of a Buell Blast on your best day.


I sold the wife's bike last year.