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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.
Last edited by Dogbone; 07-11-12 at 04:47 PM.
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.
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.
Cliff's Cycles KTM
NETRA enduro B-vet
Close your eyes, look deep in your soul, step outside yourself and let your mind go.
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.
Don't Fake the funk on a nasty dunk.
NEW STREET/TRACK: 2007.5 Aprilia Tuono
STREET/TRACK: '08 CBR600RR (SOLD)
'07 VFR800 (SOLD)
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.
Cliff's Cycles KTM
NETRA enduro B-vet
Close your eyes, look deep in your soul, step outside yourself and let your mind go.
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.
Yeah, it was the individual dealers themselves doing that. I wish I had the money...
Cliff's Cycles KTM
NETRA enduro B-vet
Close your eyes, look deep in your soul, step outside yourself and let your mind go.
Great bikes. Kinda wish I still had mine ...
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And don't believe everything you think.
mmm, now i'm doing the same, reminiscing The Muell...
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Beta 200RR
You're the gas mask guy?!
I never knew...
Since we're reminiscing:
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Cliff's Cycles KTM
NETRA enduro B-vet
Close your eyes, look deep in your soul, step outside yourself and let your mind go.
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 - - -
that is iused to do the PDGMoto faceplates too, side biz
Beta 200RR
The gauge backgrounds? No shit.
Cliff's Cycles KTM
NETRA enduro B-vet
Close your eyes, look deep in your soul, step outside yourself and let your mind go.
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!!!
I had some aftermarket bits from http://americansportbike.com/
... good products, looks like he's added a lot more since 2 years ago.
And don't believe everything you think.
04 XB12R
02 CBRF4i
BearsDen.com