Disillusioned with the XB *venting-warning long*

[PwrHse]

Nothing wrong with honesty . I ride a 09 xb12scg . usually in the 3000-4000 rpm range , never seeing top end , and the bike is perfect for my style riding . Mine has more miles and also does not burn oil . You just need to choice what is more important - a high rever motor or a mid - range bike .

 

[CBi]

I've personally never felt like I "ran out of revs" with the XB engine. I absolutely love the ballsy low end torque. The powerband matches my car just about to a tee, so it feels very natural to me.

I've never owned an inline 4 bike, but I've ridden a few and I've never cared for them. I could see how someone with a jap inline 4 background would be totally put off by the XB engine. Totally different power delivery.

In the world of cars, my wife had an Acura RSX type S, which was very "sportbike" like in terms of power delivery...no torque, revved to the moon, all the power up top. It was an absolutely miserable car to commute with, constantly having to downshift to get the engine "on the pipe". I grew to despise that car, and the wifey did too. She replaced it with a 2009 VW GTI. Very Buell-like power.....all torque, down low. I take the keys from her every time we go somewhere.

Everyone has their own style. Personally, I have totally lost interest in high-revving engines, both motorcycle and car. I want TORQUE...I love the low-end grunt. It's realistic power that is used on the street, where I am, 99.9% of the time. Riding a race-rep on the street is a miserable experience for me, both in riding position and power delivery.

I think the XB engine is a functioning work of art. It's roots travel all the way back to the '50s, and it's been refined to perfection by Erik and his engineers. Yes it has pushrods, and only two valves per cylinder. The beauty of the engine lies in its simplicity and tractable power delivery.

If comparing displacement/hp numbers or bench racing with the guys at the local cruise night is a priority, a Buell XB might not be the right bike.

Maybe I'm speaking for myself here, but I don't think most of us Buellers are the type to get offended or put off by someone who doesn't like or "get" Buells. They are a niche bike, and they're certainly not for everyone.

If you are unhappy with your XB, no need to apologize, just move on! No hard feelings, its just not the bike for you.

Keep the rubber side down -

[up]

 

[anrkizm95]

engine better suited for a farm implement.

[up][up]

couldnt agree more with everything you said.i bounce off the rev limiter almost every gear.ive had muscle cars with higher limits
i still love this bike though.

 

[mowgoli84]

Everyone has their opinions. Reading your post made me think about wether I have any of the same feelings and I really don't. I don't get the chugging that everyone talks about, and have never done a breather mod, its pretty smooth at low speeds.

The only problem I have frequently is being bored waiting for my friends at the other end of our twisty road runs

try an 1125

 

[Dave A]

Buells are cool!

 

[upthemaiden]

You think some of those issues are bad on an xb12, try it on my xb9! I love my bike, have a great time riding it, but I hate the fact that I have a 1000cc sportbike with a 52in wheelbase and the front wheel barely even likes coming off the ground until I force it. I rode my friends Yamaha wr450f over the weekend and was just giggling inside my helmet when I twisted that throttle. Everyone wants something different out of a bike and it's motor. When I bought my xb I thought I'd keep it forever, but I'm ready to try something new. I might end up coming back to try an xb12 or an s1, but I'd also be perfectly willing to try out a stripped down r1 or zx10. I know the xb12 is supposed to be geared for more low end torque, but seriously it's only geared to 140mph. Buy any 1000cc I4 and gear it down to 140mph and try to tell me it doesn't have enough bottom end pull for you. [up]

I do love cruising around on my xb though.

 

[Thaloc]

I agree with alot, if there is any let down with the XB its the engine. I like the 1125 motor but not a fan of the Chassis. If it could be possible to cram an 1125 into the XB, that would be a bike I could never replace.

 

[anrkizm95]

If it could be possible to cram an 1125 into the XB, that would be a bike I could never replace.

that would be damn close to perfect

 

[zaxrex]

I agree with alot, if there is any let down with the XB its the engine. I like the 1125 motor but not a fan of the Chassis. If it could be possible to cram an 1125 into the XB, that would be a bike I could never replace.

True. But in many ways the motor is my favorite part of the XB. It's hard to explain... I know it's like riding a steam train compared to the bullet train in modern sportbikes, but for a lot of reasons I enjoy riding the steam train more. There's something about the rumbling, fumbling, air cooled v-twin that puts a sh*t-eating grin on my face every time I ride. I will not disagree that the Rotax engine is a better motor in every way, but I still think the old HD motor has more character, even despite its low redline, poor response, and shakey ride.

Someone once said that well-engineered cars make profit. Quirky cars make enthusiasts. I'd like to think the same applies to bikes...

 

[Thaloc]

I love my bike, have a great time riding it, but I hate the fact that I have a 1000cc sportbike with a 52in wheelbase and the front wheel barely even likes coming off the ground until I force it.

Soooo much truth. If a bike with close to 90 ft lbs of torque has problems with a power wheeliem WITH a 52" wheelbase, something is just...... off


I love lofting the front end, but my old I4 600 would power wheelie through the first three gears without breaking a sweat.

But, I agree with everyone, these bike have character all their own, and I ALWAYS get a shit eating grin on my face when I swing a leg over.

 

[Alfatango1]

From what I've read Erik was forced by HD to use this motor. He always wanted a liquid cooled twin in there. he finally got it with the Rotax in the 1125.

He didn't even want the 1125 from what I've read, he wanted the 1190 from the get go but was forced to produce the 1125 before the full development of the 1190 was done.

 

[BuellRiderX]

I honestly had more fun on this

Than I currently do on this

Ya, the gixxer is ****in' fast .. and smoother .. and prettier (to most, not me) .. but I miss that Blast like crazy!
Like a lot of the guys already said, get the bike you'll be happy on. If anybody judges you for it, ignore 'em. They be trollin'

 

[Blue xb12]

"...but I'm becoming a bit disillusioned with it"

Blasphemy!!

 

[captain chaos]

Part of my problem may just be location, location , location. I live in In., the land the the perfect road grid. LOTS of straight, boring roads around here. A bike that lacks top end but excells in the corners seldom get's to "strut it's stuff" in these parts. A drag strip is 1000x easier to find than a road course around here.

When I do play on some of the few curvy roads around here the Buell certainly shines. The lazy motor takes a little of the "excitement" out of it but I know for a fact that I'm running a quicker pace than I ever did on the old gixxer. The bike just makes it feel easy.
When I rode the dragon on my roadtrip the Buell was ABSOLUTELY in it's element there. I told myself I was going to take it easy but I ended up leaving my brother in the dust on his R1. It certainly wasn't my "mad skillz" that let me lose him. I was hardly running a "race pace" either. I carried decent speed through the corners but I didn't crack it open in the straighter parts. I'm not sure I ever exceeded 60; ran 2nd gear through the whole thing. I lost him entirely in the tight corners. The Buell was solid, planted and felt like it could run 2x the pace I could. Pretty much all the way through Tennessee, and N.Carolina I was in love with the Buell. The Interstate between Alabama and home was a different story (normally I avoid Interstates but we were short on time).

I'm not saying that I don't like the Buell, that is FAR from the truth, it's just that the "romance period" is over and I'm seeing it's flaws clearly (all bikes have flaws). I just have to decide if there really that big of a deal or not. Most of the time, there not. The Buell is a very good commuter, an excellent curvy road machine, and a decent road tripper (save for the stock seat). I struggle with the thought of selling it. I know I would regret it. What I need is about 5-10 different bikes to suit whatever mood I'm in that day. My wife doesn't necessarily agree though.

 

[zaxrex]

Captain, have you considered a 2005+ Triumph Speed Triple? It's the bike I would have bought, but the Buell came in $thousands cheaper... For the money, I just couldn't justify the purchase. The I3 has nearly as much torque, revs like a sportbike should, yet still has a lot of the character the v-twins bring to the table.

 

[icepop77]

If I had this much to complain about, I'd sell the bike and move on. Maybe look at a an 1125r or some other make of bike that captures your attention. Ducati makes some great V-Twin (or L-Twin as they like the call them) bikes. There a couple of V-Twin sport bikes out there that might meet your desires, but it's obvious the XB12r isn't. Don't torture yourself with it, sell it and move on.

 

[ArmyMP09]

Mb look at a 848. I had a awesome time on the demo I rode. Only problem Is a high and cramped riding position. But the Ltwin was awesome so much power, so smooth. Nothing like a buell. Even though I perfer my firebolt to it honestly.

 

[Trill]

I felt the same way and sold my xb.. no regrets

 

[captain chaos]

I very seriously looked at the Triumph Speed Triple and think they are one of the sexiest bikes ever made but finding a used one in these parts is quite difficult. Buells are actually easier to find.

I've never heard anything positive about the riding position on a Ducati. Since I ride 6000-10,000mi/yr comfort is WAY up on my priority list. Couple that with the crazy price premium a used Ducati carries around here and they got ruled out pretty early in my search.

I'm sure my long winded rant seems more critcal than it really is. I don't hate the bike and I don't hate the engine. It simply has a few characteristics that I don't love.

I've actually toyed with the idea of buying an XB9 and doing a 1050 conversion. Then I have the power of a 12 (or more) with a few more revs to work with. 9's are plentiful around here and don't carry the price of a 12. I could probably sell mine and get enough to buy a 9 and have almost enough left to do the 1050.
The 1125 sure does look appealing too though......

 

[icepop77]

I've never heard anything positive about the riding position on a Ducati. Since I ride 6000-10,000mi/yr comfort is WAY up on my priority list. Couple that with the crazy price premium a used Ducati carries around here and they got ruled out pretty early in my search.

A buddy of mine has a Monster 796. He loves it. Not sure if the streetfighter type bike is what you're looking for, but you kinda can't go wrong with a Monster. Very smooth revving and shifting bike. Maintenance interval is what it is, but the bike is silky smooth to ride and has good grunt. I'd get the 1100, but that's just me.

The new Speed Triple would be my next choice, the older Triples lacked some fit and finish. The new S3s are crazy fast with a great chassis and gear. There's always Aprilia too, although they can be hard to find factory mechanic support for.

The 1125 sure does look appealing too though......

My point is this: one of your major complaints was the RPM limit on the XB. Going to an XB9 will kinda address that, but not entirely. If that's a major issue to you, go find an 1125r or cr. You get all the "Buell" character with the powerplant that everyone was hoping for. They're fast, smooth, rev plenty high, liquid cooled, and can pull away from an XB on the top end pretty easily (also referred to as "crazy mode"). There are other bikes out there with very similar characteristics, you just need to find the one that does what you want it to do.