Buell Mileage questions

[wr5757]

Hello, Im new to the forum and hopefully soon to be an owner of a buell xb9s. The bike I am looking at is an 2006 lightning with 20,000mi.

Are there any concerns with mileage for the bike?
Is 20,000 considered high?

Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated.

Look forward to buell ownership and being a part of the forum!

Thanks!

 

[icepop77]

It's all about the kind of miles, how hard it was ridden, and how well it was maintained. Really, 20,000 miles isn't that much if treat it right and don't ride like your at Leguna Seca EVERY time you're on it (which is hard, it's really fun to just go crazy on it).

20,000 highway miles is nothing, but 20,000 stop and go miles in high heat might be a problem. Regular oil changes and the like mitigate harsh use effects.

Anyway, if the price was right I would consider a 20,000 XB. Even if I had to do a rebuild at some point, the price offset might make it worth while if it were being sold cheap enough.

 

[wr5757]

The price is $3500

 

[ct1200]

My '09 has 22k on it.
No issues as yet.

 

[vance580]

I'd try to get it down a little. I bought mine in Aug with 9000 and it was an 06 sx for only 3200. He had it listed for 3500 and we agreed on 3200. If he has records of maintanence and it runs good and everything is clean I'm sure you can get it down a few hundred at least. Depends on if it has mods too. Mine only had a race filter so it was bone stock. If it has some desirable mods 3500 isnt bad. Mines at 19k now and I've only rebuilt the forks from a seal leak and replaced a leaking oil cooler so the miles shouldnt throw you off. Just means they loved it and probably cared for it more.

 

[icepop77]

What he said ^^^. If you figure that a top end rebuild will cost you about $700+ parts from a place like NRHS, you want to factor that into talking the price down. Of course there's going to be wear and tare on other stuff like brakes, wheel bearings, sensors, etc. But you can address just about all of those without having to do a major teardown. Any engine or tranny rebuild is $$$ and time/labor intensive, so consider that when you negotiate.

If you can get it for $3000 then why not. Keep some cash on hand for the few gotchas that will pop up (stuff that the previous owner was willing to just live with that you won't be).

These engines are pretty solid though. If you take care of them they'll last quite a while. I knew of a couple guys in my days as a Sportster owner who had over 100k on their Sportster, and their engines are built nearly as well as our XB. Change the oil, use good oil/filter, make sure your cooling systems are working right, etc and you'll make that engine last as long as you don't bounce off the rev limiter every time you twist the throttle.

 

[ChuckieE]

My ridding buddy has 22k on his 09 12ss and that thing looks and runs like a champ still. Good luck on purchase just remember their is a 20k service needed.