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Looking to Replace my Z1000 that I Just Sold with a Buell and have some Questions.

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MplsMurr

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Jul 18, 2017
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Hello everyone,

Thank you in advance for taking the time to read this and hopefully respond :)

I just sold my 2003 Z1000 and am looking to replace it. I am having a hard time choosing between a (2006-2010) Street Triple, (2013) Street Triple (standard vs R), (2005-2009) Speed Triple, another (2008) Z1000, and finally a Buell XB12S/R.

So I am looking for a light, great handling, torquey, great sounding, fun, great suspension, hooligan bike. I want to ride around the city, go on some fun and twisty roads, and take it on long rides. I am fairly familiar with bikes in general. I turned my 1973 TX650 into a custom build and feel as though I am familiar with maintaining a bike. I loved the torque on my Z1000 and everything it had to offer, but it was time to move on.

I am mainly intrigued with the (first one in the links below) XB12S and XB12STT. Besides the usual things when buying a bike, what should I look for, ask about, and inspect before making a purchase? Tomorrow, I am looking at (the first link) a 2004 XB12S. I don't know what is a reasonable price to pay for these bikes, but I always figure a bike is only worth what someone is willing to pay. Oh, and if it matters I am 5'10" with a muscular build at 195 lbs.

Also, I would greatly appreciate any input, feedback, experiences, opinions, and comparisons between the bikes listed (triples, Z1000, and Buells).

Here are the links:

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/mcy/d/buell-xbs/6165259117.html (Viewing tomorrow)

https://www.cycletrader.com/dealers...07-Buell-Lightning-Super-TT-XB12STT-122438154

https://duluth.craigslist.org/mcy/d/buell-xbs/6219116466.html

https://lacrosse.craigslist.org/mcy/d/harley-davidson-buell/6219283292.html

https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/mcy/d/buell-xb-stt-lightning-mint/6216061926.html

https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/mcd/d/buell-lightning-xbs/6208216108.html

https://appleton.craigslist.org/mcy/d/buell-xbr/6218128146.html

https://greenbay.craigslist.org/mcy/d/buell-lighting-xbsst/6195883125.html

https://siouxcity.craigslist.org/mcy/d/buell-firebolt-xbr/6156339359.html

Thank you!
 
Thanks! Is it a fair price? Nada as it listed between $2,180-$2,870 and KBB at $3,830. What would be a reasonable price for a XB12S or XB12STT, assuming good condition and clean with varying years. Are there years I should avoid? Besides the usual things when buying a bike, what should I look for, ask about, and inspect before making a purchase? Tomorrow, I am looking at (the first link) a 2004 XB12S.
 
That one in Milwaukee might be on original tires still. If you look at it, check the date codes to see. Anything older than five years is junk, so plan to budget for tires on almost any older low mileage bike like that.

From the riding you described, I'd steer away from a firebolt. The riding position isn't Ducati bad, but it's not super comfortable for long rides. Stick to the lightning or street triple. I like the one in st Luis park the best out of the list, and think the price seems reasonable. Good luck looking at it tomorrow!

I'm guessing you're from the cities? Me too!
 
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FattySS, thank for the input! I am meeting the guy at the Sams Club parking lot in St. Louis (3745 Louisiana Ave) at 10AM. Feel free to drop by and help me take a look at the bike.

Thanks, Silver.

Maybe I am underestimating the value of these bikes, but I feel like a I cannot bring myself to spend more than $3,500 on a 10-15 year old Buell. For $4000? I could get a 2013 Triple for an extra grand.
 
Wish I could give you some advise, as I did own a speedy, but it was only for three days. A total idiot took it and me out so I never got a chance to really ride it or open it up. I can say I really like my buell SS, even though I haven't been able to really ride it either since the accident.

They're both great bikes but since you wrench your own bikes, I would go with the buell, if for nothing else but the overall cost factor's for original purchase and the general maintenance down the road.

Good luck.
 
Wish I could, I'm tied to my desk all day.

If it's super clean, up to $4k seems reasonable. Anything over that would have to be really special for me to bite.
 
Thanks, guys! Just got back from checking the bike out here is what I found and thought:

2004 Buell XB12S with about 20,000 miles (first link above)

It's was pretty clean for an '04 and what I have read about Buells. Anyway, the clutch pull was relatively tough to pull in (felt harder than my '73 TX650) and lever was pretty loose (I could shake it quite a bit) with the engine off, he sent and "upgraded" the exhaust from Randy Hawkins (I think no "Hawk" logo on stock muffler), there are light scratches on frame where pucks should go and a small dent on exhaust header, horn does not work, shifting was not smooth but rather clunky in all gears, slow speeds and from stop to go in first gear (less than 20mph) felt like starting in second or third gear (like it was lugging), no leaks (that I could find) but the oil filter had a good amount of black residue of some sort, shakes a lot at idle but negligible at speeds, the kickstand was not easy to put down as in I could not reach (not height wise) it felt like it was hidden under the shift lever peg (might have to bend the "extension" straight and out instead of currently up, shift lever seemed high and hard to reach with my toes and shifted hard like I had to slam it into gear (all gears), rear brake would not light the taillight up until fully pressed but front brake turned it on right away, had wear and tear seemed okay for its age, belt seemed okay from my knowledge (no scratches/tears and was "moist/lubed" but I would want it changed to be safe (he said its a lifetime belt though), had about 20K miles with only oil change (AMSOIL Synthetic V-Twin Motorcycle Oil SAE 20W-50 in engine and transmission), new tires and clutch cable, and has the Lightning Low Seat (also has stock parts).

Rode like a reliable bike and sounded like sex on wheels with a lot of torque and good suspension and handling. He set it for his weight of 160-170, I am 180-195.

Please let me know what you think about this bike. Thank you all!
 
Clunky shifting and major vibration are normal for XBs. The shift lever does take some effort to operate compared to smoother Japanese transmissions. Change out the primary oil with amsoil, it will shift noticeably smoother. My rear brake lever doesn't activate the light until it's pressed hard either, I assumed mine was wonky. I never use the back brake anyway, so it doesn't bother me. Your observation about the kickstand being hard to find is spot on as well. You'll get used to finding it. For the clutch lever, the factory service manual spells out how to adjust the cable tension, and there should be (if I remember correctly) 1/8" of play in the lever before it starts pulling on the cable. There's no cable adjuster at the lever, but there is one in front of the front cylinder. If there's more than 1/8" of lever play, you can adjust it yourself.

With that one, changing out all of the fluids would be wise just to be safe. Engine oil and filter is easy. Primary oil (this is what lubes the transmission and clutch) is not shared with the engine. Changing that will help the shifting feel. Inspect/adjust the primary chain tension and adjust the clutch cable while you're at it. Flush the brake fluid and change the spark plugs and you're done. Should take an afternoon of time and maybe $100 in quality fluids and filter/gaskets. See below for oil change filter/gasket kit.

Overall, it sounds like a pretty typical Buell. If this is the first one you've seen in person, I think you'll find most of the quirks you mentioned on any Buell you look at. They certainly have a lot of 'character'.

http://motoenthusiasts.bigcartel.com/product/primary-engine-oil-change-kit
 
I have a 05 xb12scg I'm looking to sell. I have too many buell's right now and can't ride them all. I'm also located in central MN.
Matt
 
Fatty SS, so are you saying that everything I listed from my experience on the short test ride should (hopefully) just be the "nature of the beast?" The guy said he changed used AMSOIL Synthetic V-Twin Motorcycle Oil SAE 20W-50 in engine and transmission. It was still clunky, like I had to lift my toes hard to push it into gear compared to the butter smooth Z1000. The kickstand, is this a common issue or just me not being "used to it" quite yet.

Usually, with bikes I know how they're supposed to run and what is supposed to feel what way. This XB, I am not sure. I asked around on other forums and such and have received the "it's the nature of the beast" and "nah, sounds worn/abused" and that I should look at other XB bikes.

Silly questions: What is it like riding at night since only one headlight turns on at a time? Great, normal, okay, bad, really bad compared to most bikes (with both low/hi on at the same time)? Can I wash it like a normal bike where I can get everything wet and soapy and all? Do I have to worry about the electronics or (mainly) the belt getting wet? Should I replace the belt? He said he hasn't replace it yet and that it should be a "lifetime belt that doesn't need to be changed."

Lastly, how much would you offer the guy? Oh, and you link does not work.
 
If you're really feeling worried about it...you might try one of the other ones out to see if it feels/acts the same way. I agree with BuellyBagger...I'd take a look at the STT. I have an '09 Ss. The transmission is very smooth. It can be clunky getting into 1st, but not that much more than other bikes I've had in the past (granted, I haven't had many bikes since the '80s, so my expectations may be different). The kickstand is a bit of a challenge to get to, but I've gotten used to that...you get the muscle memory built up for those kinds of things. I will say that my bike runs WAY better now that I replaced the exhaust header, put on a Drummer SS exhaust, and got the matching ECM. So, some of the slow speed issues you describe could be from a mismatched exhaust/ECM along with the dented header possibly having a hairline crack. Given some of the other issues you describe, it doesn't sound to me like the PO took the best care of the bike. So, I'd plan on having to put some time/money into it to get it running in perfect health. Just my 2 cents. I could be totally wrong, of course...been known to happen on occasion. :)
 
Belt moist lubed ? I haven't heard of this before, but I'm pretty new to buell also.
You said he replaced the clutch cable, sound to me like it was not adjusted correctly.
Slow off the line, like it was lugging, shouldn't be, but just the opposite.
The Buell Ulysses I bought, you could have eaten off of, no soot around the oil filter or anyplace else on the bike.
My other buell SS was all dusty from being stored in a wood shop, once I cleaned it up, there was a new bike under all that dust, with just 617 original miles on it. That being said, the two TT's sound like the best deals to me, just my two cents.

Good luck.
 
Sorry about the link, I didn't check it. It's just a kit with a couple gaskets and an oil filter, no biggie. If you can get out to ride another one, it would be good to have a second reference point. The transmissions in our bikes really are clunky compared to modern Japanese bikes. My wife has an 07 Suzuki SV and the two feel night and day different in the shifter. There's nothing wrong with the kickstand, it's just not where you're expecting to find it. If you buy a Buell, you'll get used to finding it. Buell are very different from their Japanese counterparts in a lot of ways. Sometimes that shows up in the form of unique looks or interesting ride qualities. Sometimes it shows up in dumb ways like hard to find kickstands or clunky shifting. Buells have a lot of 'character', which realistically is imperfection. I won't try to talk you into buying one, they aren't everyone's cup of tea. Some days I regret not buying a Japanese bike myself. I will say basically everything you described from your test drive sounds pretty normal to me.

As far as lugging off the line, it could have been cold. These bikes are famous for running rough and stumbling a bit before they reach operating temp. How long was the test ride? If it was still doing it after 5 minutes or so, it could need a tune. If the owner never tuned it for the exhaust, it's probably running really lean. If you can find another local one to ride, it would be wise to do so before making any decisions. The trouble with your list in the first post is that you've got a 600 mike round trip drive to look at many of them. Do yourself a favor and find one or two others in the cities to test ride, even if you know you won't want to buy that particular one. It will give you a bigger sample set of what's 'normal' for these weird and quirky bikes.
 
Oh, and Cooter is spot on. Wash it, dry it, ride it. Don't stress about the belt, inspect it every now and then for cracks and just ride the thing. I wash mine with a garden hose and dry it with a leaf blower. Never had any problems. I've done a dozen or so track days on it in the rain. These things are pretty stout.
 
Several others have mentioned it - go test ride some more!! I just picked up an 08 Uly XT but spent a little over a month exhausting every possible option - all in I rode 5 different XB's before finally making my decision. They are a beast, and it takes some getting used to, but once you get comfortable they sure are a lot of fun.

You mentioned it seemed slow/chuggy starting out in first? Read up on the breather re-route mod, it supposedly makes a big difference not pouring all that dirty air back into your intake at low RPM. I have the hardware sitting at home right now and intend to do it as soon as I find some time.

Oh and good to see another potential MN bueller here! If you like the look of that red Uly, you're welcome to take mine for a test ride if I can find some time in my schedule to meet up. Just shoot me a PM, I'm in West Bloomington.
 

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