I wrote this review up for another forum I frequent. You guys understand the love I feel for this bike, most people don't. I tried to explain it in this review.
To anyone who cares I'd like to drop a brief review of my Buell here after 1.5 years or so of ownership. Mine's on the left.
I just got back from another nice ride today. I fucking. Love. This. Bike. I still drool over it while I walk up to it in a parking lot, I still giggle like a little girl carving canyons with it, I still get that feeling in my gut (you know the feeling) every time I hammer onto the throttle, even short shifting. I've since put some nice ebay adjustable levers on it, a upgraded front brake rotor, and Jardine exhaust/uni air filter/race map flashed on the ECU. It should make around 95whp at 7500 RPMS/85ftlbs at 6000rpms.
Now this bike isn't for everyone. Actually, I say DON'T get one unless you not only can stand, but actually LIKE the idea of the following things.
1) It's a Harley motor. Not only that, but its a "built" Harley motor. Lopeier cams, higher compression, the works. It hisses, clicks, spits, and sputters. Think a hot rod, or muscle car. It's got good throttle response off idle due to the EFI (if tuned right), it idles high around 1100rpms, its air cooled and gets HOT in traffic, WHEN it gets hot it retards timing via the ECU, thus gets slower. Cold nights it runs ridiculously good, wheelying in the first few gears. During a hot day it can barely ride out a 1st gear wheelie.
2) Parts are going to be somewhat rare and thus somewhat expensive. Don't think MV agusta expensive though, think Ducati expensive. The motor requires no valve adjusts whatsoever, you change the oil and go. It's belt drive and belts last 12k miles. There is PLENTY of aftermarket available. Sportster jugs/heads fit, but many companies make buell specific parts with bigger cooling fins. Lots of jugs, big bore kits (think 1450cc stroker), head work, etc mods available. Most anything for a Harley Evo motor will work. So most of the motor parts are guaranteed available for years to come. H-D is required by law to supply Buell parts until 2017 (7 year rule), after that hopefully aftermarket will pick up the slack. There's actually tons of parts available now, so if you're like me and want to keep this bike forever stock up while you can.
3)This ---- vibrates. Seriously. loc-tite everything, get used to not using your mirrors for more than a vague outline of what's behind you, I always turn my head to actually check before switching lanes and never trust my mirrors. It will vibrate bolts loose, exhausts apart, and your ass to sleep. Once rpms rise to about 3k, its smooth as most bikes, but when your loping around its a beast(again, think hod rod/muscle car).
4) You're the outcast. Boo-hoo, I know. But it's true. "sport bike" guys look down on you for not purchasing a "real bike", cruiser guys (most of them) don't think your cool enough to be associated with (who cares really), and ducati/exotic guys will talk trash on build quality. The good thing here is you have quite a rare bike and there are also just as many people who absolutely drool over it, think its a 20k dollar bike, etc. It goes both ways. My point here is make sure you buy the bike for YOU, not to impress others.
5) Best handling bike I've ever ridden. Now I havn't ridden all that many bikes, but I have ridden these: 2007 ducati 620 dark, 2006 r6, hd-sportster, ninja ex500, 07gsxr1000. Now I'm not going to say it outright out handles all of these, because I don't know. I havn't pushed the limits of any of these bikes to their maximum, they were all ridden on the street. I will say that the short wheelbase and low center of gravity, along with light weight (sub 400lbs) inspires confidence. I love the way it falls into corners, and I've drug pegs on it a few times and never felt like I was going to lose it. It rails through bumps mid turn perfectly, assuming you properly adjust the suspension to your weight, riding style.
6) THE SOUND. If you like the sound of a good v-twin this bike is for you. It has an intoxicating exhaust note that makes my balls tingle. I love the raw deep growl it produces screaming at 7krpms. GET AN EXHAUST. the stock one sounds like a sewing machine due to lots of valve noise and no exhaust note.
Now this comes with a few drawbacks. First because of the short wheelbase its not considered the most stable at speed. However the bike will only do 140(gearing limited) so it never becomes an issue. Secondly it takes getting used to, as due to its short wheelbase it doesn't feel like a "standard" Japanese sport bike - it's not worse, its different. Ride it and see if you like it.
Now I think that covers most everything, I'm sure there's a few other things I could go over like riding position, etc. But they make a few different models of XB to accommodate that. I like my clipon bars, but I've ridden my brothers lightning and its fantastic as well. Now you might think I'm just some Buell fanboi, and maybe I am. I love this bike that much, and I certainly had my doubts going into ownership(Bought a absolutely abused/lemon bike for cheap as a project and rebuilt it) I will own it forever, and hope to acquire a few other bikes along the way. Next on the list is a clean RC51. Then maybe an 1125R, or a SM like a KTM or a DRZ400.
If you look at a Buell and love everything about it, WTF are you waiting for, BUY ONE!
To anyone who cares I'd like to drop a brief review of my Buell here after 1.5 years or so of ownership. Mine's on the left.
I just got back from another nice ride today. I fucking. Love. This. Bike. I still drool over it while I walk up to it in a parking lot, I still giggle like a little girl carving canyons with it, I still get that feeling in my gut (you know the feeling) every time I hammer onto the throttle, even short shifting. I've since put some nice ebay adjustable levers on it, a upgraded front brake rotor, and Jardine exhaust/uni air filter/race map flashed on the ECU. It should make around 95whp at 7500 RPMS/85ftlbs at 6000rpms.
Now this bike isn't for everyone. Actually, I say DON'T get one unless you not only can stand, but actually LIKE the idea of the following things.
1) It's a Harley motor. Not only that, but its a "built" Harley motor. Lopeier cams, higher compression, the works. It hisses, clicks, spits, and sputters. Think a hot rod, or muscle car. It's got good throttle response off idle due to the EFI (if tuned right), it idles high around 1100rpms, its air cooled and gets HOT in traffic, WHEN it gets hot it retards timing via the ECU, thus gets slower. Cold nights it runs ridiculously good, wheelying in the first few gears. During a hot day it can barely ride out a 1st gear wheelie.
2) Parts are going to be somewhat rare and thus somewhat expensive. Don't think MV agusta expensive though, think Ducati expensive. The motor requires no valve adjusts whatsoever, you change the oil and go. It's belt drive and belts last 12k miles. There is PLENTY of aftermarket available. Sportster jugs/heads fit, but many companies make buell specific parts with bigger cooling fins. Lots of jugs, big bore kits (think 1450cc stroker), head work, etc mods available. Most anything for a Harley Evo motor will work. So most of the motor parts are guaranteed available for years to come. H-D is required by law to supply Buell parts until 2017 (7 year rule), after that hopefully aftermarket will pick up the slack. There's actually tons of parts available now, so if you're like me and want to keep this bike forever stock up while you can.
3)This ---- vibrates. Seriously. loc-tite everything, get used to not using your mirrors for more than a vague outline of what's behind you, I always turn my head to actually check before switching lanes and never trust my mirrors. It will vibrate bolts loose, exhausts apart, and your ass to sleep. Once rpms rise to about 3k, its smooth as most bikes, but when your loping around its a beast(again, think hod rod/muscle car).
4) You're the outcast. Boo-hoo, I know. But it's true. "sport bike" guys look down on you for not purchasing a "real bike", cruiser guys (most of them) don't think your cool enough to be associated with (who cares really), and ducati/exotic guys will talk trash on build quality. The good thing here is you have quite a rare bike and there are also just as many people who absolutely drool over it, think its a 20k dollar bike, etc. It goes both ways. My point here is make sure you buy the bike for YOU, not to impress others.
5) Best handling bike I've ever ridden. Now I havn't ridden all that many bikes, but I have ridden these: 2007 ducati 620 dark, 2006 r6, hd-sportster, ninja ex500, 07gsxr1000. Now I'm not going to say it outright out handles all of these, because I don't know. I havn't pushed the limits of any of these bikes to their maximum, they were all ridden on the street. I will say that the short wheelbase and low center of gravity, along with light weight (sub 400lbs) inspires confidence. I love the way it falls into corners, and I've drug pegs on it a few times and never felt like I was going to lose it. It rails through bumps mid turn perfectly, assuming you properly adjust the suspension to your weight, riding style.
6) THE SOUND. If you like the sound of a good v-twin this bike is for you. It has an intoxicating exhaust note that makes my balls tingle. I love the raw deep growl it produces screaming at 7krpms. GET AN EXHAUST. the stock one sounds like a sewing machine due to lots of valve noise and no exhaust note.
Now this comes with a few drawbacks. First because of the short wheelbase its not considered the most stable at speed. However the bike will only do 140(gearing limited) so it never becomes an issue. Secondly it takes getting used to, as due to its short wheelbase it doesn't feel like a "standard" Japanese sport bike - it's not worse, its different. Ride it and see if you like it.
Now I think that covers most everything, I'm sure there's a few other things I could go over like riding position, etc. But they make a few different models of XB to accommodate that. I like my clipon bars, but I've ridden my brothers lightning and its fantastic as well. Now you might think I'm just some Buell fanboi, and maybe I am. I love this bike that much, and I certainly had my doubts going into ownership(Bought a absolutely abused/lemon bike for cheap as a project and rebuilt it) I will own it forever, and hope to acquire a few other bikes along the way. Next on the list is a clean RC51. Then maybe an 1125R, or a SM like a KTM or a DRZ400.
If you look at a Buell and love everything about it, WTF are you waiting for, BUY ONE!
