Hey everyone I am new to the forum. I don't have a buell but I will be getting a bike this winter and the two bikes I'm split between are a sporster and an xb9r. The problem is everyone tells Me bad things about buell and I just wanted to get an honest opinion because obviously they've never had one.
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well, if youre looking for an UN-biased opinion, I'm afraid youve come to the wrong place 
. But 'honest opinion' - you can get that here from at least a few of us. How about share with us some of the 'bad' things youve been told and we can address them one by one.
welcome to the forum!
. But 'honest opinion' - you can get that here from at least a few of us. How about share with us some of the 'bad' things youve been told and we can address them one by one.welcome to the forum!
I have a 03 9r, and overall it's a great bike! It's not the fastest sport bike by any means, but it is fast enough! I haven't gotten bored with the power annive owned sit for three years. I bought it with 17k on the odometer, and today have 36k on it. I've never had to open up the engine or anything crazy. I have had to replace oil lines, and a voltage regulator over the past three years, but those have been the only things I have done to it beside mods I wanted to do. Everybody will tell you buells are really fun bikes here, but they truly are, IMO a sporty is slow, and won't handle at all compared to a Buell.
To be honest buell's are okay biggest down side is the rpm range with the Harley v-twin. Going into a turn slow down. Down shift. Accelerate through the turn and I have to shift before I want to. And it's not the best turning bike out there, it's good but there ate better at speed handling bikes. Buells are the best for slower speeds.
That's just my experience. Some one else will say something different. The big thing is you're looking at two completely different bikes. I take it you're not looking to go out racing are you?
That's just my experience. Some one else will say something different. The big thing is you're looking at two completely different bikes. I take it you're not looking to go out racing are you?
Sportsters can be fun with alot of modifications. Buells are a blast just stock. They are very unique and you get asked about them every where you go. Everyone has a sportster.
My intentions at some point is to build a sportster cafe racer using a Buell power plant and suspension!
My intentions at some point is to build a sportster cafe racer using a Buell power plant and suspension!
Well I'm 20 and I'm not the biggest guy in the world 5' 11" 155lbs not that I would think that would matter. But some bad things ive heard are that they are unreliable and people are always wrenching on them and stuff. I like the fact that buells are built to handle and I know they are not the fastest thing in the world. Ive ridden a friends cbr600 rr and I didn't really like how it handled it just felt weird so I thought a buell would be a better choice and I'm willing to sacrifice power for handling because I'm not going to race or anything like that. I just want to ride and push that thing through corners.
Mark XB12r
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I hope your kidding... If not i think you need your bike tuned up. not only the motor but everything. you must have something loose or bent. mine has been stable from day one.
on the open two lanes of the the mojave desert, to the central texas back roads, wide open sweepers at 130 bouncing off the rev limiter was the only way to keep up with my jap riding bros. they would walk away from me between straights, but i would catch-em in the corners...
Just my experience...
but for the op, you have to decide if the overheating, lack of top speed, and all the attention you get at stops is your bag or not... not to mention parts take a bit of searching for but there not impossible to find... good luck
Your height and weight can be a determining factor. At 5'11 an 155 you will fit the bike fine. Taller and/or bigger guys can feel cramped on Buells or Sporty's because they are more compact. My XB12Scg felt really small compared to my Streetglide but I got used to it rather quickly.
I think the whole "unreliable" and needing to wrench on them all the time belief stems back to the connection with Harley. The AMF Harley years long ago really put out some crappy product but when they switched to the Evo engine and went on to the Twin Cam the reliability increased dramatically. I have owned a few modern Harleys and nothing has ever gone wrong with them.
The maintenance is a bit more involved. You are talking about a belt driven air cooled motorcycle that will need regular adjustments every 5000 miles to the primary, etc. The Golwings and Japanese sport bikes typically don't need as much as far as maintenance issues so I think that is where the improper belief they are unreliable and need continual wrenching, ie repairs, to stay on the road comes from.
I think the whole "unreliable" and needing to wrench on them all the time belief stems back to the connection with Harley. The AMF Harley years long ago really put out some crappy product but when they switched to the Evo engine and went on to the Twin Cam the reliability increased dramatically. I have owned a few modern Harleys and nothing has ever gone wrong with them.
The maintenance is a bit more involved. You are talking about a belt driven air cooled motorcycle that will need regular adjustments every 5000 miles to the primary, etc. The Golwings and Japanese sport bikes typically don't need as much as far as maintenance issues so I think that is where the improper belief they are unreliable and need continual wrenching, ie repairs, to stay on the road comes from.
Mark XB12r
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overheating can become an issue in city stop and go traffic, but its not like it happens in 5 minutes, it takes a few minutes but you always need to be prepared for it. mine has shut off on me thee separate times in three different situations. It happens. How much of the eng being covered compared to the sporty makes it a bit different. but a well running bike will resist heat build up better
Ok, here's my opinion. I've been riding motorcycles of all types for about 32 years. I've had just about every make and model of street bike including a custom Triumph bobber, Triumph cafe racer, Ducatis, CBRs, R6, etc, etc. I've had two Buells; an XB12S and my current XB12R. Of all of them, the Buells are at the top of my list of favorites which is why I have my current and second one.
Buells aren't fast... bla, bla, bla. Sure, they may not be the fastest when compared to other sport bikes, but they are quite fast for the street. They're made for the street and all of that torque is ridiculously fun! Torque gets you from 0 - 100 quickly. That's where the fun is on the street. HP is fun too, but you really don't need to go 160 on the street. That's just plain stupid.
Buells are the closest thing to a muscle car you can get for a motorcycle. However, unlike old muscle cars, they handle fantastically. You have to get the suspension set up properly though. They respond to every little adjustment and those adjustments can be the difference between a crappy handling bike and an awesome handling bike.
They grab attention too if you're into that sort of thing. Everywhere you go, you most likely will be the only Buell and most folks don't even know what the heck it is. People double take when they hear a Harley and see a little sport bike.
As for the reliability, my Buells were the most reliable. Some of the bad opinions came from the older tube frame Buells that did have some quality control issues. The XBs are super reliable and easy to maintain. Very minimal maintenance too which is great. I spend more time riding that working on it unless it's for customizing or tinkering.
Buells aren't fast... bla, bla, bla. Sure, they may not be the fastest when compared to other sport bikes, but they are quite fast for the street. They're made for the street and all of that torque is ridiculously fun! Torque gets you from 0 - 100 quickly. That's where the fun is on the street. HP is fun too, but you really don't need to go 160 on the street. That's just plain stupid.
Buells are the closest thing to a muscle car you can get for a motorcycle. However, unlike old muscle cars, they handle fantastically. You have to get the suspension set up properly though. They respond to every little adjustment and those adjustments can be the difference between a crappy handling bike and an awesome handling bike.
They grab attention too if you're into that sort of thing. Everywhere you go, you most likely will be the only Buell and most folks don't even know what the heck it is. People double take when they hear a Harley and see a little sport bike.
As for the reliability, my Buells were the most reliable. Some of the bad opinions came from the older tube frame Buells that did have some quality control issues. The XBs are super reliable and easy to maintain. Very minimal maintenance too which is great. I spend more time riding that working on it unless it's for customizing or tinkering.
Mark XB12r
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well then i obviously misunderstood the unstable part, or maybe you weren't clear, but as far as riding the way you describe, i still think your bike is lacking something. Don't take it personal... This bike has flaws but not where you are describing them
Mark XB12r
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1005 zn I got a ticket that says first clocked at 130... that was exiting a corner smoking my buddy on his zx10; Entering San Saba, Tx on E. Chapel Rd. Im not saying it was smart, or im a bad ass or anything, im saying the bike is more than capable. The H-D push rod motor is the only week point for competing with other bikes. If you find a road with a higher speed limit than 135; find a different bike, but im sure you will be pleased with an XB.
As for reliability thats subjective. mine has never caused me to much hassle. the worst was a belt that left me stranded 100 miles from the house. and the next biggest was a regulator. Lots of tiny problems, easily overcome by regular maintenance.
As for reliability thats subjective. mine has never caused me to much hassle. the worst was a belt that left me stranded 100 miles from the house. and the next biggest was a regulator. Lots of tiny problems, easily overcome by regular maintenance.
His bike is fine I've rode it and felt the same way as my xb12r did. They are good bikes but my Daytona is better in every aspect except slow speed turning and comfort. He will be happy with either bike they are all fun but for you to say you are exiting turns at 130 i call bs unless its a turn that doesn't turn. The bikes fall on their faces at 120 and there is not enough acceleration to give the rear enough grip to possibly be leaned over enough to take a turn at 130.
Like i said buells are good street bikes but there is always a better bike out there. Also your 0-100 statement is also false. Its true about the 4 bangers but the triumph 3s and the ducs will out accelerate the buell 0-100.
Who's comment about 0 - 100? If you're refering to me, I never said it will excelerate faster than another bike, I simply said that torque is where the fun is at for street bikes. It's what gets you from 0 - 100 quickly. So, my statement is not false in the context I used it in.
As for the handling, you guys must not have your bikes setup properly. Spend some time and dial in the suspension. These bikes will lean over and carry speeds well over 100 mph through corners. Maybe you need to try better or different tires.
No doubt, there are way more powerful bikes out there, but for the low price, low maintenance requirements, low maintenance costs, exclusivity, sound, great handling, and great looks, it's hard to find a better all around bike for the street and occasional track day.
Yep, loved my Ducati, but hated the cost of repairs, cost of maintenance, frequency of maintenance, and quality control issues. Talk about reliability... The paint was soft, some of the welds looked sloppy, one cylinder liked to drink oil, had to change the rockers because they were flaking, and God help you if a timing belt snapped...
I purchased a complete set of bodywork plastics for mine for the cost of a fender and a rear cowl on the Ducati.
Anyway, these are all opinions. To the OP, make your own choice. You need to try some bikes out and pick the one that grabs your soul. The XBs have tons of soul and character. Trust me, they grab attention too especially when you pull away from a stop light doing power wheelies in at least the first two gears (using that fun torque again).
Couple of pictures of two of my previous bikes (variety is a good thing. Each bike has its positives and its negatives, but they're all fun):
As for the handling, you guys must not have your bikes setup properly. Spend some time and dial in the suspension. These bikes will lean over and carry speeds well over 100 mph through corners. Maybe you need to try better or different tires.
No doubt, there are way more powerful bikes out there, but for the low price, low maintenance requirements, low maintenance costs, exclusivity, sound, great handling, and great looks, it's hard to find a better all around bike for the street and occasional track day.
Yep, loved my Ducati, but hated the cost of repairs, cost of maintenance, frequency of maintenance, and quality control issues. Talk about reliability... The paint was soft, some of the welds looked sloppy, one cylinder liked to drink oil, had to change the rockers because they were flaking, and God help you if a timing belt snapped...
I purchased a complete set of bodywork plastics for mine for the cost of a fender and a rear cowl on the Ducati.
Anyway, these are all opinions. To the OP, make your own choice. You need to try some bikes out and pick the one that grabs your soul. The XBs have tons of soul and character. Trust me, they grab attention too especially when you pull away from a stop light doing power wheelies in at least the first two gears (using that fun torque again).
Couple of pictures of two of my previous bikes (variety is a good thing. Each bike has its positives and its negatives, but they're all fun):
My suspension is set the way I like it. I tried it on the setting for my weight an it felt numb and lazy. I've take turn were I come out of the turn at around 100-110 mph but taking a complete turn leaned over at 130mph on these bike would be almost impossible for Valentino Rossi or Troy Baylis. Here's the big question to mark. When you took those turn at 130 were you tucked up or positioned up?
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