Buell ???'s

[SRTie4k]

You might enjoy a Z1000. It's got the same stance, similar short wheelbase and similar looks as the Buell naked's, and its got plenty of power to keep up coming out of corners.

The only thing it really needs coming from stock form is new suspension; the front is really squishy, the rear is WAY too stiff.

[Chippertheripper]

<<<loves his xb. Very intuitive, very capable for rippin' twisties.

[CMG241]

late but I'll chime in. Recently sold my X1 after having it for 4 years, here is what its not:

1. a reliable race/track bike - they do not like revving 7k all day, will break motor mounts and exhaust flange studs
2. a comfortable long rage cruiser (not even medium range) seat is a torchure device
3. made for passengers - just ask my other half
4. made for the hi-way - you'll miss your fairing/wind screen
5. quiet (with race kit) it will get louder every week when the insulation falls apart in the can

what is it?

1. fun around town - a lot.
2. a pavement shredder for the first 50 feet (ask my friend with gsxr 1K)
3. attention getter - it is different
4. reliable if treated sanely
5. a surprisingly nimble 1200cc bike

so I say buy one, just don't ride it a lot!

[McBiggity]

I love Buells, ridden a few. They have soul. And not a nother gixxah on the road.
I have a 955i speed triple now and am seriously contemplating trading in for a new 1125CR

[FireboltEric_MA]

The Buells are excellent STREET BIKES...... Not so good on a track.

They are very easy to work on and parts are very cheap compared to the Jap Bikes...

I ran Nitrous on mine for a while, and it did fine for them "small" bursts..... Then I made the mistake of bringing it to the track, Wring it's neck for 1 day and the bottom end let go on me... (Typical Harley)... Not my first HD to let go there.... Crank bearings let go, piston hits valve, valve hits rods, rods collapse lifters...you get the point..... I almost made it a track bike, glad I did not. They just can't handle the high RPM's that the track requires for them to be fast.. I only had 18k on mine when it went BOOM!

Selling them can be fun....No one wants them and you get to loose your shirt when you do find a buyer... If you get one, don't pay alot, cause you will own it forever.... Buell guys are few and far.... so there is not a high demand on them.... lots try to trade them since they cant sell them...

I did have a blast on mine and the torque is a hoot around town and twisties.... I would own another no problem.... But I would get one to own and not sell or trade....

[ff36buell]

Or... just wait for a used rotax one.... mine has none of the high rpm problems and has no problem keeping up

[duganc1717]

Firebolt, good info. The Buell looks exactly like what I should not take in trade, thanks.

[Mustang]

The shorter wheelbase may make it seem a little unstable at high speeds (over 100mph), unless you sort out the suspension just right.

Not terrible from 100-110, but a bit unsettled from 110-126. Takes too long to get there anyway.

with the open airbox, Drummer exhaust, and Race ECM it actually ran quite cool compared to stock.

I also have an open airbox and race kit, and mine's relatively cool. The only time I've ever had "problems" with heat was commuting in Atlanta traffic in the middle of the summer. Right leg would get a bit hot, and holding my knees against the tank would be hot as well. I just lane split to alleviate the problem.

It shook like a rubber mounted Harley, the handlebars vibrated at speed like a Harley and it sounded like a Harley. It was manueverable but not "flickable" The best handling Harley I have ever been on but I was VERY happy to get back on my 900ss.

The vibes are still there, but it smooths out at speed. Mine is very flickable - with all the weight down low, it's a blast on the track (except on the straights).

The Buells are excellent STREET BIKES...... Not so good on a track.

They are very easy to work on and parts are very cheap compared to the Jap Bikes...

+1 on both accounts. They're actually fun track bikes, but are not competitive on the straights, and will require add'l maintenance if you're gonna race them.


All in all, I absolutely love my 03 XB9S. I do miss the wind protection when flying down the highway, or when it's cold out; and I do wish I had more top end sometimes, and sometimes that I didn't have to shift at 6k, and sometimes miss being able to use my magnetic tank bag. But otherwise, it's a killer bike. You don't see them everywhere, I get tons of questions/compliments, and it's just fun to ride. Here's a lot more commentary...

[whynot]

You could check out the XB thread and the Buell Racing thread at www.badweatherbikers.com

[Evil_Weasel]

owning a tube frame buell is akin to owning an old brit bike. there is always something leaking slightly, or that needs to be tightend. if you are lucky enough to have one with first gen fuel infection than you can look foward to adding sensors to your list of things that often need attention.

the more you beat on it the more things, and more often things, break. but if you don't enjoy wrenching you probably wouldn't have bought the bike anyway.

the are a freaking blast on the track when they are running right. ride one on DOTs in the rain for excellent results. the torque curve is pretty much a straight line, making any and all rear slides easily controlled. fairly nimble for it's size. stock brakes suck for balls out racing but are more than fine for road use and genneral track day fun. just don't try to out brake that CBR 600 in turn 3 and you'll be fine.

tubers aren't bad...just misunderstood. again, if you pretend it's a manx norton (and 1957) when it spits, backfires and coast to a stop... you'll feel alitttle better about tightening your spark plug wire ends by clapping them between two roadside rocks.

proof they can get down and boogie when forced...

[ff36buell]

My XB loved being beat.... never gave me a problem up until the infiniti sport-ute ended her life...

[Pittenger5]

Buells are the miata of motorcycles. People try to claim they're really a good performing vehicle, but they're really just for women and homosexuals.

[Evil_Weasel]

My XB loved being beat.... never gave me a problem up until the infiniti sport-ute ended her life...

i've heard the new XBs are alot better. but i have limited excperiance with them... (just afew demo rides)

[duganc1717]

[ff36buell]

Thanks Pitt.... how are the women treatin ya lately?

[Pittenger5]

Thanks Pitt.... how are the women treatin ya lately?

Well ... you ride a Buell. So the women are treating me with snide messages about how women are treating me.



Booyah.

[ff36buell]

haha, nice pitt nice....

[schleppy]

Buells are the miata of motorcycles. People try to claim they're really a good performing vehicle, but they're really just for women and homosexuals.

Apparently you've never driven a well-setup Miata on a track

[duganc1717]

Like this one?

[schleppy]

^ bingo!