New Member: Getting back on two wheels

Buellxb Forum

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Thanks for all the info y'all, I'm really appreciative at how supportive the community has been so far. Yes, I am done with the "stoplight" rally, I'm just looking for something more fun than the 4 runner for commuting and to take the occasional day trip to the mountains for some twisty road fun :D.

I have my license, helmet and leathers, now it's just time to find a bike! I've seen a few on the FS boards I like but they're pretty far away...

I have found one prospect that is pretty close, an 03 xb9s with 7k on the clock. $4500 seems a bit steep for the model year. If he would take 3k I might bite.
 
yeah you can come across a 12S for like 3K-3.5K either the 9 or the 12 would be good for what you are looking to do but I would take a 12 if given the choice. They don't have "refined" motors but they pretty rugged and cheap to keep running.. sensors and all that come out of Fords and Chevys.. if they are pushing 35,000 miles, you are probably going to be looking at some work on the brakes and suspension so factor that in also. (seals, fluids, rotor mounts, things like that) But its all pretty low-cost stuff compared to say, Honda.

I hit 38,000 on my 9SX and the rear shock seals went out, rotor mounts were pretty worn and I had to change my brake fluid... I got the feeling my front shocks need service by now too.. XBs are great streetbikes, once you got one set up for you they feel great to ride. If youre coming off a Japanese bike, don't try to make a XB bend to your riding style though.. they don't act like a Japanese motorcycle, you are going to have to bend your riding style to adapt to this bike depending on how you are riding right now. They are not "wrong" but they are "different" in the way that they behave and feel. Once you make the transition, its well worth it. After a few months on one youll see what I mean.

.. and they are very sensitive to suspension settings.. if its set for the wrong rider weight it can feel like a real turd. When its tuned right for your weight they feel fantastic as hell..
 
Great info Gloom, much appreciated! The cheap and infrequent maintenance was a deciding factor in choosing the Buell. As far as reliability goes, is there a big difference between the model years? I understand that typically, the first year of any vehicle has bugs that need working out and the following models are less troublesome.

Would you recommend against buying a 2003/2004?
 
first year bikes had some problems with belts breaking but most likely anything you find for sale right now has been upgraded to the newer belt. I would worry more about miles than I would the model year.. although the later years carried a bit more fuel and you could to a TPS reset on them just with the throttle itself.. 03-07 you need the ECMspy cable .. either way, to be sure you want to do a TPS reset every few months just to keep it running crisp.


here is the procedure.. its real easy once you do it a few times and get used to the software.. the software is a free download and you can actually make that cable yourself for a few bucks if you know how.

08 and above came out with a updated motor, better oil pump and a couple more horses If memory serves but they are all about the same


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i33__Qkvhn4
 
I got an extra xb12r with about 9xxx miles. I am waiting on the title. It is a rebuilt title but super nice bike. I will be going to ashville next wed. And i would take 3500. If you see my pictures it is the one with the red frame.
 
6953_20130921102807_L.jpg
 
I'm going to look at a 03 XB9S early next week, bone stock with 7300 miles. He is looking to get 4500 out of it, and I think it's worth 3000, 3500 tops. Also, I heard these had issues with the kickstand, is that something that could be easily fixed?
 
yeah I had my 03 kickstand fixed for like 15 bucks by a local shop.. they just drilled it out and put a stronger bolt through it.. no problem.... yeah 3.5K tops, depending what hes got on it.

you can get a later year kickstand off of ebay pretty cheap sometimes.. it just bolts on .
 
I found a 08 SCG 12 with 13k on the clock with the race kit. It looks really clean and the guy wants 5200 for it.

An 04 xb12s also was just posted on craigslist. http://charlotte.craigslist.org/mcy/4377837982.html
Would the modified tail drive any of y'all away from purchasing?

However, I have decided to take the MSF course before purchasing since it's been 7 years since I rode consistently. I really don't want a test ride to be my first time back on a bike. If anybody has any leads in the southeast, I'm all ears! Hopefully the 08 dosent sell!
 
I would probably go with the scg and try to talk him down by a Grand...

the other one looks clean too, I just don't like that point on the end of the tail and a used stock unit can get expensive.. if he is using frame spacers to get that up swept look you can always pull the spacers and sell them off.. that would take that tail back to the stock angle.. you could then maybe grind that point off the tail if you didn't like it.

yeah I went back and looked more closely.. hes running frame spacers, quick to convert back to stock angle.
5K I still think is a bit high for that bike though.. maybe 4K-4.5K I have seen pretty nice 12S's for about 3.5K
 
Local economy dictates price to huge degree. If you want a good deal here in Cental Pa., forget it....you'll be traveling to get one. ONCE in a while, you'll luck out and find a guy who either (A); doesn't KNOW he can get good money, or (B); just wants out and/or needs the cash quick. I see this through many different areas with bikes, cars, etc. I went to New York to get mine.....I seriously thought there HAD to be something wrong with it, it was so cheap. He said he had it on CL for weeks and no bites at all. Strange... [confused]
 
I'm reading through the post, and seeing the price you guys pay in America makes me question why so much here is Australia. I got my '08 12Ss for $11,300AUD, 17,000kms Makes me really jealous...

Anyway... I can't speak more highly go the 12Ss. I'm glad I got the 12 over the 9.

Good luck.
 
I'm going to look at the SCG on Friday. The MSF class is on the 31st so if everything checks out, I'm gonna see if he will take a deposit. I'm gonna try and talk him down to 4k.
 
I have decided to take the MSF course before purchasing since it's been 7 years since I rode consistently.
Click to expand...
^THIS^ will be the wisest part of your purchase, regardless of which bike you end up getting! :D
 
Gloom, if you run by any XBS bikes in your area, let me know. My pops lives in FL and for 100 bucks and fly down there. Nothing better than a road trip to get acquainted with a new friend!
 
http://orlando.craigslist.org/mcy/4323760236.html

see if that bike is still for sale.. I almost bought it a few weeks back but the sale on my 12R fell through.. that is a ******* nice bike. Last I talked to the guy he had some guy coming by to see it but that was a few weeks back. Race ECM and factory Race exhaust, he is the only owner and he took good care of it.. comes with all the bags and everything.
Only thing that bike needs is a tail-chop..
He said he was a regular on "badweatherbikers" forum.. he knows what hes got and his price is firm.. I don't blame him either.
 

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