I feel like a traitor

[raven]

As some of you know my Lightning was totaled at the end of August.At the time I didn't know what to replace it with or if I would. I came across a good deal on a 2010 with 2800 miles on it,unfortunatly it is not a Buell, but it's fat ugly cousin,HD's other bastard step child a XR1200 with a Vance and Hines exhaust.I know it will not compare to a Buell in handling and power, but I am looking at this as a lond term project bike.and my go fast days are long behind me. Over the last three years Buell XB has place to go for help or just to talk.I didn't post a lot,but looked in most days just to see what was going on.Even though I only met a few of you, it was like talking to old friends and even if I don't have a Buell any more "still a Bueller at heart" Raven

[rah7777777]

I stopped reading once I read. "HD"


Yes... You are a traitor. Now leave.


:-)

[Loki]

Go fast days? I dont think the XB's were ever really for people in their "go fast days" but more of "go faster then that guy around this corner" type of days. I know I didnt get a buell to "go fast."

You would totally be a traitor for a xr1200 instead of another buell. That bike was such a poor attempt at getting back some lost buell sales.

[s0dhi]

Must be a really smokin' deal...

Are you sure you don't want another Buell? There has to be a good deal out there on an XB somewhere.

[go cytocis]

I knew (RIP) a racer who rode in the XR series. He said that inspite of, or actually because of, having sloppy handling and being under-powered, the XR was a very fun bike to ride.

[bbletterin]

I finely rode an XR the other day, fast enough, but lacks torque and fun a Buell has for sure. This one had power commander and a pipe. He also had Progressive suspension . Fun... but I'd take my Uly any day!

[Matteson]

I was told the same buy a guy that races a an xr. Said it's a challenge.

[raven]

Part of what drew me to the XR are the same reasons that I bought a Buell in the first place. there are not a lot of them around, no chain,no valve adjusting,lots of torque and lots of things change.I had the Buell for five years ,in forty five years of riding I have never owned a bike that long. If they still made them, I would have bought an other one.The HD dealership I go to was Buell friendly and great to deal with, and will continue to be so even though I didn't buy the XR there.Go cytocis the XR races are some of the best I seen this year, always close.Sorry to hear about your friend.If it is the young lad I am thinking it is,I have been told he was well liked by everone.

[djs2k2]

Traitor! [mad]

[Fatty SS]

You're not straying as far as you might think... The XR uses a lot of Buell stuff in the engine. Ever notice that it's the only sporty with a side mounted oil cooler? It's more or less a Buell motor. The reason it feels low in power compared to a Buell is because it's carrying an extra hundred pounds or so. Unfortunately for the xr, it's also lacking Buell's superb chassis.

Have fun! You could do a lot worse than an XR...

[go cytocis]

Go cytocis the XR races are some of the best I seen this year, always close.Sorry to hear about your friend.If it is the young lad I am thinking it is,I have been told he was well liked by everone.
JR MacRae (http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/calgaryherald/obituary.aspx?n=john-ross-macrae&pid=166679822&fhid=6135#sthash.4AqbwuuM.dpbs) was actually qualifying for the last Canadian XR Cup race of the year when he fatally crashed. He was certainly wise & skilled beyond his years and a VERY personable young gentleman. He said it was the combination of struggling to keep the XR on the track, and the need to keep it at WOT the whole way round, that made it so exciting to ride.

I have been contemplating finding a used Sportster & a crashed XB, putting the Buell motor in the Sporty, then topping-off with a Ryca (http://www.rycamotors.com/bikes/sportster_cafe_racer/kit/) kit...

[raven]

Thank Fatty I knew someone would get it.The XR is 150 heavier and has already been nicknamed "The Lump" Go cytocis that is the young man I was thinking of.I was told he was riding his 600 at the time of his crash, but that does not matter sorry that you lost a friend.As for the Sporty go for it a friend of mine has thought of doing the same.good luck . Raven

[ReconLdr]

Call me old and nostalgic but I like the way the XR1200 looks... I can't say how they run but I'd consider buying one for the right price.

[Dave A]

I looked at an xr1200 at the same HD dealership I bought my Ss. The salesman who sold me my Buell said to stick with it and that what I had would run circles around anything he had. He didn't know I was looking for something to replace my Bonnie, not my Buell. I like the xr's, not bad stats. You could do worse.

[Blastonia]

XR....LOL....the only XR I would buy is an XR 1000 with the Branch heads.....that was a fast bike. Dont make em anymore unfortunately.

[cb750]

I like the way the XR looks, but compared to my XB it just wasn't as fun. If I was going to buy another Harley, it would be a fat bob.

[Banshee77]

Well hey, looks like we get to ride together again next season.:)[up]

[s0dhi]

Well hey, looks like we get to ride together again next season.

And in the end that's all that really matters. [up]

[raven]

That would be great Banshee,looking forward to it,s0dhi maybe see you up on Hockly next year. I will be the fat old guy on the fat orange XR. Every one ride safe and lets get in as much riding as we can before the "mod season" begins aka "WINTER" Raven

[chevy42083]

For awhile, I was afraid of the "discontinued" aspect of the Buells, so I considered others...
The XR demanded too much money... though I liked them
Thought about sporty, lifting rear, solo seat, rear-sets... etc etc.

I was afraid of getting a deal on a bike, dumping another $2k into it, only to realize i didn't build a buell like I thought I had.

In the end... the weight killed the thought. I don't care how light it "feels" straddling it, it's not gonna change direction/speed <as well> with all that extra fat. Eventually... when I want a crusier... i'll build a sporty one.

[thumpin1203]

I sat on one at a dealer the other day.. kinda cool, I must say. The salesman fired it up and I couldn't believe my ears.. the thing was very QUIET mechanically! wtf? ..why do buell xb's sound like an effing three ring circus, lol

[go cytocis]

wtf? ..why do buell xb's sound like an effing three ring circus
The XBs have wilder cams, higher compression, and more aggressive fuel mapping. All of these likely contribute to the extra mechanical noise from our motors...Rather than a "three ring circus" however, I think it sounds more like a percussion section! :D