Buells are terrible first bikes.

[Cooter]

Sure, Buells are cheap and loud so they can attract a certain type now:upset:, but isn't a Buell a perfect starter bike?

Blast's were literally born for the job, so thats that. XB's come in so many varieties theres one for the shorties, the commuters, and the adventurers. 1125's were for the racers, but they should know better by then Of course, typical used/abused motorcycle issues aside... why not a stock Buell?

They're light and low, crash well (cheaply), lots of torque to learn clutching, and enough power to grow into.

Yes, I'm forgiving a 13-20 year old fuel pump thats been pumping varnish for years, or a decade old Wal-mart battery that won't sit all winter and fire right up, but I find its usually the previous owner, learning to be a mechanic, that creates the for sale ad in the first place. Personally the ancient H-D architecture is a big reason they just keep running. A powertrain without a maintenance schedule, so no maintenance ignored! Cooling system flush? Valve adjust? Worn sprockets? Nope.

What do you guys think? Is Cooter wrong again? I've had enough motorcycles in my life to qualify as a problem, and my apocalyptic 'keeper' is a XB-Ss:angel:

If you can't afford something with a warranty, $4k gets a pretty nice XB. What would you suggest for a new rider to begin motorcycling?

I showed poor Bubbles the way and she turned out just 'fine':love_heart:

 

[njloco]

Well, your always wrong except this time. Buells are great first, second, third and so on bikes, dependable if you take reasonable care of them, handle very well, fast enough to get one out of trouble or into it, relatively easy to learn to work on yourself if one wants too.
If I could only own one bike it would more than likely be a Buell.

 

[34nineteen]

I showed poor Bubbles the way and she turned out just 'fine':love_heart:

and now she shows you the fastest way around the track!

 

[Cooter]

Not lying ^^^^^

 

[c3powil]

Not everyone wants to be a mechanic. Some just want to ride. I agree that an XB can be a good beginner bike, especially a blast, for some portion of the population. Others will will much better served by the Honda Rebels and Ninja 400s out there.

My main issue with an XB as the "perfect" starter bike is the torque! I've seen a few people trying to learn to ride on little 250cc bikes goose the throttle, whoosh, this bike is gone and lands in a bush, thankfully. Can't imagine what might happen if that took place on an XB.

 

[34nineteen]

Not everyone wants to be a mechanic. Some just want to ride.

I often heckle people about this, but its very true... and there is nothing wrong with it.

 

[34nineteen]

Not lying ^^^^^

Bubbles is a badass. I have dreams of being on the same track as her.

 

[njloco]

I've seen people go whoosh on scooters into the bushes, I've seen people go whoosh into the bushes on bicycles too.

 

[cvc]

I took 16 years off from riding motorcycles when I had my daughter. I was half crazy and the other half stupid and fearless. I knew I was going to get myself hurt and not be able to provide as I should.
When she was a junior in high school and going full time to college classes I got a Blast to get used to traffic and just riding again. An Xb would have been a bit much for a first or even a returning rider they aren’t the fastest bike out there but the instant torque is enough to get in trouble with.
Blast = best moped ever Still a great city street commuter and fun on the twisty stuff too.
Don’t get me wrong I like that I can have several the Xt and SS are the favorites but I still love the tiny little Blast its like riding a BMX bike compared to the XB’s

 

[Cooter]

Not everyone wants to be a mechanic. Some just want to ride.

Agreed and nothing wrong with that! But my question is exactly that. Why the perception that you need to be a mechanic to own a Buell?

Typical older bike issues notwithstanding, is there any Buell-specific reason people feel that way?

 

[njloco]

I think they might be having a problem with judging the time in takes to do any specific job on a Buell when they have to convert it to the amount of beers consumed as this does take time to understand.

 

[Cooter]

It's also exponential!

The X-timeline vs. the Y-beer line. I wish I could to graphics, I'd hang that sign in the garage:very_drunk:

 

[c3powil]

Agreed and nothing wrong with that! But my question is exactly that. Why the perception that you need to be a mechanic to own a Buell?

Typical older bike issues notwithstanding, is there any Buell-specific reason people feel that way?

I'm not saying that Buells are any harder to work on than other bikes, but they have common service needs that aren't exactly newbie friendly such as the fuel pump, intake gaskets, and motor mounts. Admittedly, yes these are mostly age related woes, but a relatively new Honda Rebel 500 isn't likely to have these issues, and even an old Rebel 250 or 450 from the 80's will be an easy bike to sort out and keep running.

For those who don't wish to be a mechanic, it's not easy to find a shop that is willing to work on a Buell. Point in case, the XB9SX I bought recently. The PO told me the impetus for selling it came from the fact that he was unable to find a shop that was willing to install the jet coated headers for him out of five local v-twin specialists and one local Harley dealer.

 

[34nineteen]

For those who don't wish to be a mechanic, it's not easy to find a shop that is willing to work on a Buell. Point in case, the XB9SX I bought recently. The PO told me the impetus for selling it came from the fact that he was unable to find a shop that was willing to install the jet coated headers for him out of five local v-twin specialists and one local Harley dealer.

This ^^^^^^^

 

[Cooter]

they have common service needs that aren't exactly newbie friendly such as the fuel pump, intake gaskets, and motor mounts.

I wouldn't call any of those repairs "common". We, here at BuellXB.com are a repository for 'HELP!!! I just bought this cheap, not running, need fixed for free', so it's common to read here, but I'd argue not in the world of running Buells. How many actually NEED a motor mount? 'bUt WhAt If NEED one and Can'T gEt OnE in thE year 2055?!!?!' I'm never buying a Buell! The spare belt I want just-in-case wasn't on Amazon Prime free delivery tomorrow!!! AAAAaaaahhhhhhh! Ok, you have a point:upset:

I also agree with your point that is a 15-20 year old any-type of M/C issue, and I'm sure the 1980's Rebel 500 forum is full of 'My carb is dirty! screw Honda!" Seen the Blast forum? LOLOL.

he was unable to find a shop that was willing to install the jet coated headers for him out of five local v-twin specialists and one local Harley dealer.

Damn sad. 15 minute job.
I totally get that too though. The lack of a dealer network is why MV Agusta will never take off in the USA (KTM purchase?... we'll see), nor will the batches of cheap decent Chinese brands coming (CF Moto, CSC). People WANT to be unique, ride or drive something special, but I have talked many a rich friend out of buying that classic car to be 'Cool', because they'll hate the reality of ownership, and knowing how people are... it sure won't be their fault

Maybe I'm just old skool enough to appreciate being a capable person. It OK to have the option, but I can't see my first choice as: depending on a charged cell phone, cell service, credit card, tow truck, or inevitably a unqualified grease monkey charging too much to just youtube how to do it for me anyway.

The lack of decent technicians is SHOCKING, especially in the motorcycle world. This most definitely includes the dealership parts swapping monkeys.

Wow this got me on a rant.
TL;DR
Get off Cooters lawn.

 

[njloco]

Nobody touches my bike's ! Except maybe for the Djinn who occasionally comes out of his bottle to appear here on this very Web site to perform miracles. Some of you must know who I am referring to and for those who don't know you must learn in order to say his name three times for him to appear !

 

[Outlaw]

My neighbor took his Honda to the local Honda shop for a new tire. They wouldn't work on it as it was over 15 years old.

 

[Cooter]

Not even A TIRE? Oh man that makes me sad.

Took Bubbles 4-Runner (130K miles) to the dealer for a weird hot mis-fire issue and the first thing they said is buy a new one. 130k on a Toyota. I said "Would YOU buy another 55 thousand dollar truck if it only lasted 130K miles?" They don't like me there, either.

 

[c3powil]

I wouldn't call any of those repairs "common". We, here at BuellXB.com are a repository for 'HELP!!! I just bought this cheap, not running, need fixed for free', so it's common to read here, but I'd argue not in the world of running Buells. How many actually NEED a motor mount? 'bUt WhAt If NEED one and Can'T gEt OnE in thE year 2055?!!?!' I'm never buying a Buell! The spare belt I want just-in-case wasn't on Amazon Prime free delivery tomorrow!!! AAAAaaaahhhhhhh! Ok, you have a point:upset:

I also agree with your point that is a 15-20 year old any-type of M/C issue, and I'm sure the 1980's Rebel 500 forum is full of 'My carb is dirty! screw Honda!" Seen the Blast forum? LOLOL.



Damn sad. 15 minute job.
I totally get that too though. The lack of a dealer network is why MV Agusta will never take off in the USA (KTM purchase?... we'll see), nor will the batches of cheap decent Chinese brands coming (CF Moto, CSC). People WANT to be unique, ride or drive something special, but I have talked many a rich friend out of buying that classic car to be 'Cool', because they'll hate the reality of ownership, and knowing how people are... it sure won't be their fault

Maybe I'm just old skool enough to appreciate being a capable person. It OK to have the option, but I can't see my first choice as: depending on a charged cell phone, cell service, credit card, tow truck, or inevitably a unqualified grease monkey charging too much to just youtube how to do it for me anyway.

The lack of decent technicians is SHOCKING, especially in the motorcycle world. This most definitely includes the dealership parts swapping monkeys.

Wow this got me on a rant.
TL;DR
Get off Cooters lawn.

Fair enough. I also value getting my hands dirty and learning a thing or two. I'm not the best by any means, but I've successfully avoided having my bike worked on by professionals for the most part of my riding days. But I've tried talking to lots of motorcyclists about specifics of their machines before, and some of the answers baffle me. I learned pretty quickly that a lot of riders with sweet bikes don't really care about stats, specs, maintenance, or upgrades. And I've come to terms with that. It's valid to just want to ride, but it still irks me in the same way that friends of mine who have no idea how to change the oil on their car irks me. Not sure why, but it does.

 

[34nineteen]

But I've tried talking to lots of motorcyclists about specifics of their machines before, and some of the answers baffle me.

YES!

I learned pretty quickly that a lot of riders with sweet bikes don't really care about stats, specs, maintenance, or upgrades.

I agree with this. The impass comes when someone picks up a 20+ year old bike (like a Buell), doesnt have a clue how a screwdriver works, and then is blasting the bike for being unreliable, money pit, etc.

It's valid to just want to ride, but it still irks me in the same way that friends of mine who have no idea how to change the oil on their car irks me. Not sure why, but it does.

YES! I often get irked when driving on the freeway and see someone off to the side with a flat tire and their only means to fix it is to pull out their cell phone.
Or when its "that guy" with the clapped out El Camino. He irks me too. Especially when he makes me lurk on his girlfriends Instagram account to find pics of a great time at a trackday at Willow Springs.