New owner of an-almost-new 2005 XB12s

[sprk_sprd]

Hi all,

A couple weeks ago I picked up a 2005 Buell XB12s with only 850 miles(!). Of all the bikes I had researched, I never thought I'd go for a Buell. I used to hate, hate the Buells of the mid-90s when I first started riding. I just couldn't understand the styling or their use of HD engines.

Lo and behold, I now have one and couldn't be happier. The thing shakes like a tractor. It shifts like a big truck. It grunts and snorts and is anything but refined. And that's exactly what my Suzuki SV650 doesn't provide. In researching different bikes, I came to the realization that I had lost sight of what motorcycles meant to me. I grew too focused on maintenance costs, MPG, insurance costs. Don't get me wrong, all those things do matter (and fortunately, the Buell XB12s gets good marks in all those categories). But this bike reminded me why I love motorcycling. It isn't a whisper-quiet and perfectly balanced engine. It isn't a comfortably-sheltered and faired ride. But for now, this beast is what I needed.

I've already read several threads in this forum, and it's refreshing to see how helpful so many people here are towards others. Thank you to Dave who posted the youtube video of how to change the oil. I know, it's a simple procedure, and I've changed the oil of several cars and different bikes. But it's always reassuring when someone else shows how it's done. So, thank you, Dave!

I plan to keep the XB12s internals stock. But here's what I've done so far:
-Buell frame pucks
-Tech Spec Gripster pads (frame and "tank" )
-Knight Industries axle sliders (gold)
-changed the oil (twice!) with Rotella T 20w50 synthetic
-I will probably install a new battery soon just for good measure

The bike is in mint condition, except for a little bit of rust on the stock muffler. So I may look to upgrade that, but I'm still researching different pipes. Finally, I'm now reading about the kickstand upgrade. I'm a bit leery of modifying it on my own for fear of reducing the structural integrity. So I may try to find the upgrade kit - if that even still exists out there.

Other than that, I'm just looking forward to learning more about the bike and finding out if there are ever any Buell meets or "maintenance days" in my area (Maryland, near University of MD).

 

[mar67655]

PICs ?

 

[anrkizm95]

welcome to buellxb.post some pics

 

[Macbuell]

Pics or your entire post is made up because you wanted to try to impress some strangers on the internet.

We also require a price paid for the bike with only 850 miles on it.

 

[redrider]

Dude that is so freakin cool I would love to here the story of why the first owner only put on 100 miles a year on it. Just a thought,before doing any performance mods put some miles on it. anyway CONGRATS[up]and what did you pay for it.

 

[MAGIC]

The thing shakes like a tractor

With out the pics we think you got this:

 

[beaterbaja]

^^^ haha! Welcome man!

 

[vinsxb12scg]

the kickstand upgrade kit exists , and you should do it now before your bike falls down, and its easier to do it now, then when the screw will be cutted in two and cant get it out! there are several kickstand heights check before ordering

 

[xtreme]

Congrats on the new bike.

 

[50dro]

Welcome to the forum! There's lots of great people on here and some great sponsors (see right margin...I'm one of 'em )

Let me know if you want to update your front pulley cover. Have a look at my site if interested. Shipping is free and forum members get a discount when using the "buellxb" discount code at checkout.

5-0dro
www.5-0dro.com

 

[winnetka]

Congratulations. Do a lot of hard accelerations to fully break the motor in. You'll find it gets faster by doing it. It was meant to be ridden hard.

Yea, I want to see a pic. I can't get Magic's tractor out of my head. Haha.

 

[Baal]

Three things:

1) Welcome to the zoo! (This thread may be the last time most of us are nice to you [j/k]).

2) Rotella T Synthetic 20W-50??? You sure about that viscosity???

3)

 

[vtech007]

A sincere WELCOME to the forum!

Wow, not even broken in yet? I do wonder what the story is....


For the kickstand mod, I bought only the pin from HD, and plan to drill out the stock kickstand hole to 1/2" dia. myself. My bike is really leaning over on the kickstand and I need to take care of this like NOW.

Again, welcome. Oh...Did we say post some pics?

 

[sprk_sprd]

LOL @ Magic's tractor pic. Just for the record, my tractor comparison was a compliment. It's visceral, it's raw, it's not something I've experienced before in a motorcycle. I love it!

I paid $5500. I spent weeks searching Craigslist (via SearchTempest for increased geographic area) ads, Cycletrader ads, Oodle (never even heard of that before) ads, and eBay. The one thing I found is that used Buells are 1) hard to find and 2) vary GREATLY in price. Since I already had a bike (07 SV650) I wasn't so desperate, and I was specific as to which Buell I wanted (a post 2003 XB12s). Narrowing that down made finding one in good shape, that hadn't been crazily modded, and hadn't been rashed even more difficult. So, even though I found a good listing on this site for one in New Orleans, for example, I would have had to include the cost to fly there and back.

Long story short, I found this one near me in Maryland and bought it. The seller simply had several bikes and barely rode any of them. Must be nice. [cool]

I'll take pictures later today! It's currently on a rear stand since I don't trust the sidestand. lol

Thanks again for all the welcomes!

 

[sprk_sprd]

2) Rotella T Synthetic 20W-50??? You sure about that viscosity???

Baal,

I double checked, it's actually 5W40 (Rotella T synthetic) that I used. I found the recommendations here .

I realize oil threads take up a good chunk of the internet and will never end. I'll leave it at that. But I hope that 5W40 is a good choice for the current Mid-Atlantic region weather.

 

[oh9bolt]

Where are you located?

 

[user_deleted]

sounds like a great find and thanks for keeping the buell name alive and well. a few thoughts with such low mileage and these are things i've found have worked well on my buells: as suggested, go to local H-D dealer and buy the updated kickstand pin/bolt. it is easy evening project requiring a few basic hand tools and 1/2 inch drill bit, drill press optional but recommended. the stock 2005 sidestand bolt is what can break. shell rotella T 5-40 would be fine for mid-atlantic type winters where you might ride it in under 60 degree temps. but above that, i'd go back to 20-50. lots of posts and threads on here regarding preferences for 20-50 synthetic oils. my personal fav is castrol act-evo or mobil 1 motorcycle 20-50. i would NOT use rotella T in the trans/primary. it's additive package not compatible with the sportster/buell wet clutch fiber plates. if you have rotella in there now, i'd drain it out. expect it to use a "bit" of oil during break-in. i bought a 2007 lightning cityX9 in january with 525 miles on it and it consumed a pint in 500 miles for the first 1000 miles then pretty much stabilized and stopped comsumption. these are wonderful motorcyles and pretty much bombproof if ridden sensibly and maintained to a "T".

 

[user_deleted]

I paid $5500. I spent weeks searching Craigslist (via SearchTempest for increased geographic area) ads, Cycletrader ads, Oodle (never even heard of that before) ads, and eBay. The one thing I found is that used Buells are 1) hard to find and 2) vary GREATLY in price. Since I already had a bike (07 SV650) I wasn't so desperate, and I was specific as to which Buell I wanted (a post 2003 XB12s). Narrowing that down made finding one in good shape, that hadn't been crazily modded, and hadn't been rashed even more difficult. So, even though I found a good listing on this site for one in New Orleans, for example, I would have had to include the cost to fly there and back.

Long story short, I found this one near me in Maryland and bought it. The seller simply had several bikes and barely rode any of them. Must be nice.

AND THAT is the way to track down and purchase a good one.[up]

 

[sprk_sprd]

As promised...pics!

 

[sprk_sprd]

Where are you located?

Oh9bolt,

I'm near College Park, MD (a couple miles south of the University of Maryland. Are you, or anyone else here, in that area?