Hate to say it....

[upthemaiden]

But the more I look at this thing, the more I feel like I'd be willing to trade in my XB for the funds/project space to build one.

I've always loved streetfighters, and especially the slingshot GSXRs. I actually had plans on building one out of a newer GSXR 750 right up until Buell went under and I decided now would be the time to own one. I've seen a ton of bikes like this only with more polished/chrome parts, and plenty of serious mods. The thing I love about this one is that it's really simple, I've looked through his build and there really wasn't much done that you can't do in your garage with some basic tools and materials(even the clear clutch cover was just a drill, dremel/file, and some sandpaper), and it still looks super clean, unlike some of the other ones that just look too busy. I think my tail would be a little less aggressive, I'd use a real seat, some skinnier bars, and normal grips, and probably a candy apple green paint job because I've owned way too many things in my life that all ended up painted black. I think something like that would have all the character that a Buell does, the only thing I would really be missing is exhaust note, as well as the extra 50lbs that the gsxr comes with, but I'd be gained 25hp while I was at it. I'd start with a 750, but if I really needed more power it's pretty easy to swap for the 1100 motor anyway.

I know I could keep my XB and get the gsxr, but there would be a bit of overlap in how I used the two of them, and I'd also like to own a second bike that didn't have quite as much the character as either, just something that's strictly business like a newer gsxr or a supermoto for when I really wanted to go out and abuse a bike. I know this is a buell forum, and the general consensus is gonna be 'don't sell the xb!', but I've been checking this bike out a lot lately and wanted to share it. Plus it's a long term plan, I'm not looking to pick up a 2nd bike until next fall anyway, so there's not gonna be any impulse craigslist 'feelers' anytime soon.

 

[xxspudxx]

I dig the look, always have. One day I would like to build one.

But would I get rid of my XB for it, hell to the no.

Good luck in whatever you decide though. [up]

 

[upthemaiden]

The options would be 1) pick up a newer gsxr750 next fall, take some time riding both bikes, and decide what I might want to do in the future as far as getting a long term project bike, or 2) pick up an old gsxr next fall, work on building it up over winter as a short term project and hopefully have it ready for spring, take some time riding them both and see where that takes me.

I feel like a really fast(straight line/top end) bike is just something I should have once, at least for a little while, and once I get it out of my system I can move on. I'll still want something that moves, but a bike that goes 180 and will lift the front wheel on acceleration up to 80+mph, is the kind of thing that I'm not really concerned with for the longrun. That's the only reason I feel like I should pick that one up first. The XB9 and a supermoto would be a fun pair, but I really don't feel the need to have 2 bikes that are bad on the highway. I'm not on it a lot, but it would be nice to have a bike that cruised comfortable at 70-80mph, and even a 15-20 year old gsxr would feel a lot better at those speeds than my xbs does. Not looking to goof around on the highway, but it would be nice to ride to visit my sister 4 hours away on it once in a while without spending the entire time thinking "I can't wait until this is over!".

 

[turbines]

What prison is that in the background

 

[upthemaiden]

Not sure, the guy who made that bike is from germany, if you couldn't tell by the handlebars/grips/signal combo. I think he's in the US now, but that picture could still be from anywhere.

 

[Maser7c]

I dont know, the bike is a little too crazy for me and I would never give up my Buell.

 

[bttrfngrz]

welcome to street fightering. i'm building a gsxr 600 right now.

 

[twoguns]

mate... try this then instead.

tis a mates here is Aus.

a previous colour... this bike has had a lot of variations.

 

[upthemaiden]

I've yet to see a modified Buell that I really like. The downside to Erik making such gorgeous bikes, is there's not really too much to mess with, aside from little things. I would consider a new headlight, but even at that point I think I'd just use a round light and an X1 flyscreen. The tail is one of my favorite parts of the XB so I definitely wouldn't want to change that. Some things aren't meant to be messed with.

Bttrfngrz: I'd love to see what you've got so far. It's by no means a streetfighter, but this is my wife's 91' GS500. The tail swap needs cleaned up a bit, and it'll get a new paint job before spring so I can sell it, but I definitely have a habit of pulling things apart. I did most of it a long time ago so it was kinda half-assed, but I'd definitely be willing to put in the extra effort on a better bike. If we lived in Europe that probably would've been a gsxr400, and I wouldn't even have to contemplate what I should do, because I would have already turned it into a mini city-sized slingshot fighter.

 

[upthemaiden]

I think I'll probably try to come up with something a little closer to this bike, only green, with a normal swingarm, exhaust more like the black bike, and not sure what to do about a headlight yet...

I really like the first tail, but I think this one is a little easier to swallow.

 

[brightbuell]

Here you go! Never underestimate a Buell!!!

 

[xxspudxx]

That is sick!

 

[xtremelow]

That bike right there is one of the two that make me want to buy a Tuber, that bike is awesome!

 

[bttrfngrz]

well i dont have any pictures yet and it's a winter project, so it may be a while before i get any actual mods done. right now its R&D and sourcing a sub frame. and post wreck part sourcing.


it wont have any sick headlights or possibly a gauge cluster it's going to be raced, and i like how cafe racers look, i may do something along those lines..

 

[upthemaiden]

That tuber does look great. I think an old M2 would definitely be a good bike to do some work to. I'd be happy with an S1 just how it was, but there's definitely some potential with some of the other older bikes.

 

[upthemaiden]

and there are some random ones that I thought looked pretty good...

I hate the tails that come on the X1s, but it looks like it could be an easy fix with something like this...

and not a fighter, but still looks great for a modified tuber...

 

[CBi]

I like the concept of street fighters. But that whole jacked-up tail thing....i just DON'T get it.

Maybe in 30 years when I'm an old man, that look will be "old school" and there will be dudes building custom bikes with that look...

Whatever, I'll be riding a geezer-glide anyway. [cool]

 

[2fargon]

I like the concept of street fighters. But that whole jacked-up tail thing....i just DON'T get it.

Maybe in 30 years when I'm an old man, that look will be "old school" and there will be dudes building custom bikes with that look...

This is EXACTLY what I was about to say. I think the jacked up tail just looks silly. I don't understand why everyone wants to make their bike look just like every other bike that happens to be popular at the time. But, that's what's great about it. I don't have to like your bike or anyone elses. We're all allowed to like whatever we want to! That being said, that red-framed tuber is gorgeous!

 

[upthemaiden]

I don't understand why everyone wants to make their bike look just like every other bike that happens to be popular at the time.

That being said, that red-framed tuber is gorgeous!

Those sentences stuck out to me. You don't understand putting a common tail on a bike, but you like an old tuber with a Ducati tail on it. Sounds like the same situation, just different styles in taste.

There are some things about streetfighters I understand people not liking. I don't care for most of the handlebar setups with drag bars that are 3 feet wide, angled up with with the polished metal grips and big bar end turn signals, not to mention the giant CNC'd triple clamps. I'm pretty picky about tails myself, I hate most tails on newer superbikes. RSV has a good tail, but the R6 tail is too flat, gsxr tail is too long(06-09, haven't stared at the new tail enough yet to get an opinion). I like short steep tails, but there's not many fighters around here so I think I'd keep mine a little more low key so it doesn't stick out like a sore thumb... well at least not too bad. Especially since this is the color I'll probably go with, loved it ever since Triumph used it on their speed triple/four.

 

[upthemaiden]

By the way, that tail is one I can understand people not liking...