Pros and cons also...

[chuckanut]

What are the pros and cons of the Buell Xb12Ss? Also why Buell vs. X brand?

 

[GatorBuell]

Your in the wrong place for cons. I have the 12Ss and have to say the first 1000 miles I was not sure I made the right choice in a bike. The V-twin was rough and the bike felt different in every way than the Jap bikes I have owned.
After 5k miles I will never own another bike...............
Pro's
Low maintenance cost, No valves to adjust, no chain to replace (50k on the belt) and no adjustment on said belt. No radiator fluid to flush or replace. Fuel injected, air cooled. The handling is awesome and the Torque is absolute fun. Its like being in a built hot rod and stomping the gas, your body gets planted in the seat from the G forces. Same with the Buell, twist the grip and hold on. The torque is very flat across the rpm range meaning that from the crack of the throttle to red line its pulling about the same. The saying is the Buell pulls like a freight train and that no exaggeration. The seating is upright and comfortable more of a sport touring feel with an natural balance when at speed (no pressure on the wrist or lower back). As for the Ss, I'm 5'10" and wanted the extra leg room and seat room for the wife so I got the Long. I plan on doing some touring at some point so I wanted the most room I could get. Your also getting into a small group of enthusiast that have made a nice little community and are willing to help you out when ever or were ever you need. You don't have the same bike everyone else has. Its unique and stands out of the crowd. 50 to 60 MPG depending on our riding style and your upkeep on the bike. Of course adding a race ECM Pipe ect. will lower that some.

Con's
The heat from the motor gets bothersome at times during the summer in traffic. The after market support is limited to a few suppliers and options for stuff are slim. You cant just run up to the local sportbike shop to get a set of mirrors or break pads you have to order them on line. The good thing is the online Buell shops are very good and most own Buells so your buying from fellow riders. Your paying for as much as a Jap liter bike and not getting the same top end performance and speed. The Buell lives in the corners and back roads where it shines.

I can't really compare the Buell to my other bikes,FZR 750, R-6, Drz400SM, because its comparing apples to oranges but the Buell is much funner to ride and a lot more comfortable on long trips.
I guess comparing Buell to Brand X is hard because everyone has different taste and comfort levels. After 36 years I know what I like and the Lightning Long is the bike for me.

 

[Sanji]

pros: unlimited, amazing model to buy

cons: heat from the motor in traffic and not having a 6th gear


and why to buy a buell......why not

 

[chuckanut]

Keep em commin guys. I'm 99% sure I'll buy one. Just the looks alone got me sold, and I havn't even riddin one yet. What do they sound like? I'm sure not like a Jap bike.[confused]

 

[LeFox]

i'll give you the advice i give everyone.

go for a testride...you either love it or hate it.
if you love it, you're sold for life

 

[bitter rod]

good advice. I just test drove an 1125R the other day. Almost caught a case because I was just gonna ride it home.

 

[Sanji]

for the sound id say go to youtube and find the bike you wana see what it sounds like with the stock stuff. But you can make them sound pretty bad ass. I mean it is a "Harley"

 

[mrdozer2you]

I mean it is a "Harley"

Built by "Harley". But definitely NOT a Harley

 

[hehimself]

Dear All, I am looking for a 2000-2005 second hand bike that combine both extreme look and performance, so far I narrowed down my choices between the Yamaha Vmax, and the Buell Lightning 1200cc, both look mean, and apparently both have high power (Vmax more power, Buell better street performance on corners etc.) what advice can u give me and if Buell Lightning is the choice which sub-lightning is better.
Thanx

 

[FIDOSOL]

Hey, test ride both bikes, figure out which one feels right for you, oh and which model is better depends, are you going to be doing tour styled riding? Are you tall, are you short..that sorta stuff...Careful with the throttle on the Buell, it begs to humble you..

 

[XBTractor]

I had a V-Max. Have a Lightning 12s now.

V-Max...
Is noticeably quicker in a straight line and faster top end.
Is more top-heavy and heavier in general.
Tube chassis not as stiff as the xb.
Riding position is more relaxed like the old ujm.
Has a wonderful engine that sounds like a full race small-block Chevy and runs like one too.

XB12s...
Corners much easier and quicker. No comparison.
Lighter, easier to flick around.
Much more front end traction and braking. Better handling in every way.
More aggressive riding position. Pegs are higher. More weight on the front end.
Great engine in it's own way. Boatloads of low-speed torque. Relaxing V-twin sound.

I like both bikes a lot for different reasons. Like FIDOSOL said, try them both if you can. If I was more sport oriented, I'd look at the 1125r too.

 

[hehimself]

Thanx a lot guys , defiitely will give them a test ride

 

[sledge21]

Yes heat is an issue but not an issue that can't be improved. Special OPS heat shield, either wrapping or ceramic coating the header and a proper ecm remap or race ecm make a major difference. My radiated heat from my header is down over 100 degrees from stock after coating the header.

 

[samcol]

I bought an xb12s and have rode a friends vmax. The only thing I liked better about the vmax was the raw drag power.

My buell was faster in corners, wheelied better, handled better overall, and got more looks than the vmax.

The vmax is a sleeper though. It looks like a cruiser but it can hang with sportbikes if they are set up correctly.