Noob to Buell, long post!

[JBuell9R31]

Hello to all. First off, nice site! Thanks to all who take a look at my first post. A little info on me.

I am not new to riding, but I am just getting back into it after a 6 year break. When I was old enough to ride on the street I bought a Kawi 250R. From there a Katana 600, then a Kawi ZX6R. Finally ended up on a Gixxer 750 at the age of 24. I sold the bike in '04 when I relocated. Well, I met my wife, starting working a real job, and recently moved back to my stomping grounds. Back when I rode I was a very fit 195lbs. Now, after being married and sedentary(my own fault) I weigh 295lbs. I have no desire to set my hair on fire anymore, and I love the Buell styling and handling.(I was lucky enough to sell bikes at a big MC dealer here in town before I moved and fortunately got to ride about every type of bike out there, including Buell's) Since I am getting back into riding, I have been browsing the local classifieds and came across a nice-looking Buell XB9R with 26K on the clock. I am going to look at it tomorrow and hopefully make a deal. Essentially I am looking for input from the, ah-hem, larger set, crowd. At least I am hoping there are some of you out there. I am going to lose weight as I don't want to always look like an elephant riding a sardine can, but want to make sure the bike can handle me in the meantime. I am 5'11". I do carry my weight pretty well(meaning that I don't look like a upside down pear!) but am still a big guy. I would like to thank you in advance for any advice/suggestions you can give me. I have been and always will be a sportbike rider and cruisers are just not an option for me. I do love V-twins, though. Keep the bottom side down!

 

[AudiXB12R]

Hey welcome to the forum! Glad to hear you are getting back into riding, the more the merrier! To be honest, I dont think your weight would be an issue. Not on a buell anyway

I mean, the bike can easily take the weight of a driver and passenger and not be bogged down or anything...though if you wanted to out that possibility, you could always bump up to the XB12 instead of the XB9. For a little more comfort, you could upgrade to some dropped foot pegs, so you arent in such a 2 point position. Aside from that, not sure what kind of advice to give. Im 6'1" 160lbs, so I cant say from first hand experience, but I think you would be just fine.

 

[JBuell9R31]

Thanks for the reply AudiXB. I have read a few reviews from magazine articles from '09 and they all complained about how high the foot pegs are, so lowering the height will definately be first on the agenda[up]. Other than that and maybe a better seat, it seems to be the perfect bike for me.(I have been doing alot of research these last couple of weeks) Keep the bottom side down!

 

[browland]

You should be good these bike have plenty of torque weight will not be a problem. Glad to hear you have been bitten my the bug.[up] good luck in the purchase. The only thing that might be on the down side is it will look small. I am right at 5'10 175lbs and my girlfriend says when I sit on it it looks more like a pocket bike than a sport bike... but shes a hater

 

[JBuell9R31]

Yeah, making the bike look like a Schwinn is a bit of a concern for me(hence me losing weight to not look like a elephant riding a sardine can!) What was always funny to me was when guys I would ride with would make fun of my can-o-tuna, then get left behind by it when the twisties started. As I told them, anyone can ride fast in a straight line, just be careful when it zig-zags! I have a feeling I will hear a little razzing about my weight when I start riding again. I bet when my fat a** leaves them behind when the road starts to kink they won't have much to say, though.[up]

 

[delta one]

I have a 03 XB9SL and at I jumped up to 250 last summer after dislocating my patella (again). this season I had to re adjust my suspension but my bike sure does kick.

stepping into gears hard I pick the front tire up a few inches shifting into 2nd and 3rd without even trying to get it up. I bet I could get 12 inches if I were to try at it.
I have clubman bars on my bike so its a bit harder than stock to pick the nose up, controls are in about the same position as an R

the bike does look kinda small under me. at 5'9" and 250 I too am a big guy, and the SL is a low model (later called the Cg) so that doesn't help any.

 

[spor_xb12r]

Hey JBuell,

Welcome to the forum. I do not have an xb9 i have an xb12 but I am 5'10 252 lbs this morning and my buell has absolutely no issue with me.

I cant speak for the xb9 in terms of power but everything else should be fine.

 

[delta one]

don't worry about handling either. I can brake the law on tight entrance and exit ramps without trying you and I just need to lean the bike a bit farther is all. [up] or hang off of it a bit, at our weight we don't need to hang off that far to get good effect.
pick a set of tires that you like and can trust; and you will be all set to carve corners with the rest of us.

 

[Stevenc150]

Since you were used to the 600s & 750 - the XB9 or 12 is going to be an absolute blast, especially with all the torque on tap. Like all have said, it shouldn't have a problem with get-up-and-go as far as your size is concerned, as far as how you look riding it - piss on 'em if they don't like it. Either way your guaranteed to have as much if not more fun than them, especially carving corners. Anyway, good luck with your purchase, ride safe, and welcome to the Forum. [up]

 

[JBuell9R31]

Thanks for all the help guys. I am glad the ergos seem to fit the big and tall crowd. I am going to look at the bike this afternoon. Hopefully I'll be riding this evening!