Buell Folks- give me the lowdown

**McBiggity** · 10-19-07, 10:29 AM

The good, the bad, the ugly.
-
the 2008 XB9 CityCross has caught my attention

**OreoGaborio** · 10-19-07, 10:39 AM

having only ridden an XB12... i probably wouldn't go for the 9. Buell dealerships allow test-rides though, so go take one for a whirl.

I may not know much, but I know somethin

**bump909** · 10-19-07, 10:42 AM

i've heard the 9 is more fun to ride than the 12.. don't listen to Pete.

**highsider** · 10-19-07, 10:43 AM

I've heard they have Harley motors, which makes them unreliable, overpriced, and generally shitty. I think they're on the right track with that 1125.

**McBiggity** · 10-19-07, 10:47 AM

i teach the rider's edge course at the dealership here in aubrun. I've test rode the xb9 and it was pretty damn fun.

**The Crashing Tomato** · 10-19-07, 10:49 AM

1125 R you may not need it but it is R.R. and tons of fun comfortable and with that helicon sp? engine Whoohoo

**The Crashing Tomato** · 10-19-07, 10:50 AM

Originally Posted by McBiggity

i teach the rider's edge course at the dealership here in aubrun. I've test rode the xb9 and it was pretty damn fun.

what is Rider's Edge course?

**bump909** · 10-19-07, 10:53 AM

OT, but testesurtomato.. what the fuck is that in your avatar?

**Crash Dummy Denno** · 10-19-07, 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by bump909

OT, but testesurtomato.. what the fuck is that in your avatar?

+1 ive been wondering all day

**McBiggity** · 10-19-07, 10:57 AM

it's just the MSF course with additional material added with regards to Harley Davidson-

the 1125 is nice, but I need something a bit more comfortable. I like the upright seating position of the XB9

**The Crashing Tomato** · 10-19-07, 10:58 AM

my inner self, exposed

**The Crashing Tomato** · 10-19-07, 10:59 AM

Originally Posted by McBiggity

it's just the MSF course with additional material added with regards to Harley Davidson-

the 1125 is nice, but I need something a bit more comfortable. I like the upright seating position of the XB9

O and Ohhhh

**typeone** · 10-19-07, 11:14 AM

XB9 = higher redline, revs more, smoother engine
XB12 = lower redline, more lumpy at low speed but the torque off idle is addictive

anything from '04 and up is a pretty damn solid bike, HD association or not. maintenace is cake, parts are priced really fairly and Auburn is Buell friendly. my friend has a 9 that i've ridden... i wouldn't part with my 12.

the good... they are really fun, quirky STREET bikes. you'll get asked about it everywhere you go but everyone on the internet will say its a piece of shit. they get great gas milage. lots of hop-up parts available. simple intake and exhaust tweaks can completely change the power output. belt drive rules, dont care what anyone else says, maintenance free = SWEET. i'm still on my stock 05 belt, no sign of wear. great mix of upright/dirty bike/hooligan ergos yet VERY fun in the twisties. sounds like a hot rod. high-end components included stock. fit and finish is top notch.

the bad... they're are sold and serviced at the Hardley Ableson House of Chrome. its a small company but they do listen to their customers. there have been growing pains which of course will cause small issues to crop up. for example, 2003 XBs had wheel bearing and belt issues but were corrected with redesign parts. all history now. the motor shakes, i like it, some dont. the bikes are tiny, i like that, some dont. suspension setup is key as is tire pressure, the bike handles TOTALLY different if either are off. they don't make 1000HP and you wont win any straight-line drag races.

the ugly... ive dealt with a loose crank nut which created a knock, tightened to new spec, no issues thousands of miles later. i've had a wire rub through from the shock reservoir, caught in time and repaired free of charge. i've broken 3 exhaust straps (you should only use them once, i use them multiple times), i had to tune to rid my 12 of ping in hot summer/traffic situations, get air on the motor, youre good. ive had two front isolators wear out (wear item anyway), i check my header bolts often.. . hmm, other little things here and there but usually caused by me from tweaking it all the time.

ask away if you have more.. .

oh, and i think they're GORGEOUS bikes

**CMG241** · 10-19-07, 11:58 AM

mine is an old school tuber -

I'm the king of the first 200 ft from a dead stop - pulls like a bitch - great around town / bar hopper, handles better than you'd think - predictable power range with no peak - get wind blown big time on hi-way regardless of body position -seat is a torture device on long rides and gets to about 400 degrees on hot summer days......wouldn't sell it though.

by the way I love Typeone's bike

**typeone** · 10-19-07, 12:04 PM

CMG makes a great point i forgot... above 85MPH or so you are hanging on for dear life! hahaa. i love not having any mirrors or fairing in my way though, feels like you're floating.

**CMG241** · 10-19-07, 12:07 PM

Originally Posted by typeone

CMG makes a great point i forgot... above 85MPH or so you are hanging on for dear life! hahaa. i love not having any mirrors or fairing in my way though, feels like you're floating.

Oh yes, floating...anything over 110mph you are actually floating off the seats!! What sucks is that I'm tacking about 4K at 80mph (red line is only 7K) and its a bitch to re gear. Do love getting about 47mpg out of it.

**typeone** · 10-19-07, 12:13 PM

Originally Posted by CMG41

Oh yes, floating...anything over 110mph you are actually floating off the seats!! What sucks is that I'm tacking about 4K at 80mph (red line is only 7K) and its a bitch to re gear. Do love getting about 47mpg out of it.

hahaa, yeah, i grab the left fork sometimes to get lower and stabilize... old skool style.

gas milage does rule, i nabbed 50MPG a few weeks ago, usually get consistent ~48MPG. and i run the fueling PHAT

**ff36buell** · 10-19-07, 12:23 PM

Gawd I miss my XB.... Echoing everything thats been said... I LOVED the torque, so did Pete (with my headlight pointing into orbit) and if that guy didn't take mine out I probably wouldn't be picking up my 1125R next month

**978chris** · 10-19-07, 12:29 PM

Originally Posted by Smooth R6

+1 ive been wondering all day

hahaha me too

**CMG241** · 10-19-07, 01:14 PM

Originally Posted by typeone

hahaa, yeah, i grab the left fork sometimes to get lower and stabilize... old skool style.

gas milage does rule, i nabbed 50MPG a few weeks ago, usually get consistent ~48MPG. and i run the fueling PHAT

hey since you have dirt bike bars and not clip ons you can try my usual hiway riding position - leaned over w/ left elbow on tank, my left hand on the throttle like a fist. It drops your cross section so less windage and its real easy after after you get used to it. My bars vibrate like a bitch and this way I can share the numbing effect to both hands.

**Hoss** · 10-19-07, 01:28 PM

Guy at work has an 06 cityX he bought end of the season last year. He loves the thing. He's got about 15000 miles on it and has had no major problems.

Check out badweatherbikers.com or something like that for info on the specific model/year.

**typeone** · 10-19-07, 01:52 PM

+1 to BadWeatherBikers.com.. . it's THE web resource. great community and info there.

**Evil_Weasel** · 10-19-07, 02:02 PM

i can't really add anything that typeone and cmg haven't already said. you already test rode it so you know you like it. the xbs are as bullet proof as any jap bike (unlike the old tube framed bikes). i can't think of any reason why not to buy a buell if that's what you want, and lets face it you do.

**McBiggity** · 10-19-07, 02:22 PM

i do want it.
I'll be back there tonight for class. I'll drool a little more and talk to the sales guy (who also just started racing) He pitted with us once, Eric.

**The Crashing Tomato** · 10-19-07, 02:37 PM

N.F.W.

I musta missed the post .... score the 1125 R. Did you get to test ride it?

CONGRATS Nick

Originally Posted by ff36buell

Gawd I miss my XB.... Echoing everything thats been said... I LOVED the torque, so did Pete (with my headlight pointing into orbit) and if that guy didn't take mine out I probably wouldn't be picking up my 1125R next month

Buell Folks- give me the lowdown

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