Is this XB12R the bike for me?

[Blackdog]

I started riding in 1967. Had a Honda 305 Scrambler, BSA 441 Victor, Yamaha 650, Ducati 750 Desmo. BMW R900RS, Harley Sportser and many others. When Evil Kinevil made his infamous Snake river jump in the '70's, I was there on my Desmo Ducati. Been to Sturgis, I traveled the US from coast to coast 3 times on a BMW. I stopped riding 20 years ago and just recently started thinging about doing it again.

I looked at a 2004 XB12R with a race kit yesterday. It has 7,000 adult miles and he want's $5,000. I need a low, fairly small bike and this meets those requirements. The seating position is a little too aggressive. The "R" in XB12R means race and the "S" version may use a more relaxed position. Could the "R" be converted to the "S" by swapping out the bars and pegs?

I'm only considering Harley's, Buell's, BMW's and maybe a Ducati. The seat must be low like the XB12R and I need a fairly comfortable seating position. Is the XB12B workable or should I keep looking?

 

[His_and_Her_Buells]

The S is a way more upright position. Of course a conversion from R to S "can" be done. Swap out the top triple clamp and pegs. The only real difficult part would be relocating the ignition switch because the triple clamp of the S doesn't have the mount for it. On the other hand I would suggest looking at the 12S or Scg to give you the more upright position you seek w/o any changes.

 

[Blackdog]

I'm getting this bike from a high school principal (I'm a math teacher). Like I say, I've been out of bikes for a long time. When he told me he wanted 5K I was thinking that's got to be a good deal. I think he paid 11K for it than another $1,000 for the race kit. I ended up getting it for $4,750, will pick it up Sunday.

I don't think I can get hurt money wise on the bike. It's getting me back on 2 wheels and if I can't live with it I'll get an "S" or maybe a dual sport (Ulissies ?)

What is the top speed of a XB12R with the race kit?

 

[His_and_Her_Buells]

Glad to see that you're getting it. Welcome to family. Top speed 135mph, I think that's what I read. I have a set of S pegs (1" lower) if you want to trade.

 

[mrdozer2you]

Congrats and welcome [up] Have you had a chance to ride it yet as is? Sometimes its hard to judge what you like about a bike or would change from sitting on it. Theres also a link on how to lower the Firebolts on here. BuellPartsGuy has already posted all the necessary parts for doing this. This may be a less expensive option rather than changing to a Lightning setup. ( Also the Uly sits much higher than both the R and S models )

 

[dans03firebolt]

Just so you know the top speed of these bikes is about 140mph. Just a hair under that but still. Plenty fast enough for anyone. You will definitely enjoy the bike. They are so much fun.

 

[zoedogg1]

Congrats, Thats a great price. I got mine last Feb and paid 5700. I havent at all be unhappy with my purchase.

 

[LeFox]

welcome & have fun with the bike.

for a more relaxed position, there are indeed some kits available to change to a handlebar.

 

[stuarto49]

Blackdog:

I also started riding about 1967 with a 305 Super Hawk, then went to UK and bought a Dunstall Norton 750 - very extreme. Since then several Moto Guzzis, about 5 BMWs, a few Triumphs. In Dec I took del of a NEW Can Am Spyder (2 front wheels, V-twin, very cool) and that made my Triumph Sprint redundant as far as long-distance riding. (I do Iron Butt 1000 mile rides for fun). So a few weeks ago I sold the Triumph and replaced it with an 05 Buell XB12R Firebolt. Wow, its just what I needed! Really enjoying it.

Good luck with your new machine!

Stuart in Pittsburgh

 

[switzomatic]

You're going to love this bike! Just picked up my first XB12R a few weeks ago and don't regret it. Had just about every inline and twin sportbike out there over the years. This thing handles like a dream. Welcome to the list. You will get a ton of useful info from the folks on here!!!!!

 

[Blackdog]

I got the Buell today. I dusted off my open face Bell "Super Magnum" helmet that I bought in 1976 and put on my old Air Force leather flying jacket.

Keep in mind I haven't ridden in over 22 years. My last bike had 50 HP, the Buell has 107 HP.

I put on about 10 miles riding around the country roads. What an experience! The riding position is going to take some getting used to. My hands were sore from the clutch and having a death grip on the bars was tiring also. My neck wasn't used to that position either. I'm sure in time I'll get used to it.

Note from Ron's wife: due to huge number of poor drivers (people who do not completely stop at stop signs; people who go through stop signs; people who are talking on cell phones), I am not in favor of Ron's newest mechanical adventure. Now I know why he was in a hurry to sell an old Toyota truck he just got a few weeks ago, fixed up and got rid of.

 

[LeFox]

looks good...i'm sure you'll have lots of fun with your new toy

 

[mrdozer2you]

Enjoy yourself, I see you have the "Buell grin" in your picture.
Oh, you can also get yourself some new adjustable clutch and brake levers. You could also get a hydraulic clutch kit to soften the pull. That should help with the hand fatigue [up]

 

[Blackdog]

The plan is to see if I can deal with the riding position. If I can't, I'll see about putting the "S" bars and pegs on it or just trade it in for an "S". I certainty don't want to butcher this bike so I'll need to do a little research if I modify it.

One more thing, I wish it were red.

 

[His_and_Her_Buells]

Cool bike, you have that Buell perma-grin. I think you can get the position you want w/o butchering. S pegs and a handle bar swap will do it and they are both reversible. As far as the red goes watch ebay for the plastics. It can be done for $300 or less. Or, you can find someone with who wants to trade for your black.

 

[midlifecrisis]

LeFox just posted this link on another thread (taller handlebars for the xb12r) as far as the bars go
conversion@twinmotorcycles
I'm not as old as you but I've gotten used to the riding position on the Firebolt. I recently installed the lightning pegs on it and it's made a world of difference as far as comfort is concerned. Enjoy and welcome back.

 

[LeFox]

LeFox just posted this link on another thread (taller handlebars for the xb12r) as far as the bars go
conversion@twinmotorcycles

need to get the link in there to, midlife, not just the name

here's the link to the thread: click

 

[switzomatic]

I have a red 04 if you are looking to swap plastics.

 

[captain13ron]

i just put ulysses rearset's on my stt. it cost $500,00 and one hour of time. this lowered footpeg's about 3 inch's. very comphy! then you could slap a set of ape hanger's on there to top it off! LOL be cool, ride buell!

 

[Xb12r08]

FYI I hit 145mph yesterday on my xb12r. Still had plenty of power. Got a little sketched out and backed off.