Regret?

[jimmydean]

I know it might sound stupid, but I wanted to ask.

I have had my bike 5 days now and I love it. So much so that I am considering buying a 2nd to ride when I part this one out this winter for a chopper project (the reason I bought it).

I ask because a comment was made on the R1 board talking about heat from the under seat exhaust. The R1 gives off a little heat on the cheek, but nothing compared to my thighs on the Buell.

Someone asked me if I liked it because everyone they've ever talked to regretted buying one. Granted "everyone" might be one random guy this person talked to, but it did make me think.

This bike is vastly different than what most "sport bikes" are like as far as power delivery, ride, feel, and just about everything else other than the seat position. I don't know that I would replace my R1 with it, but it certainly is an awesome bike to ride and gets 10x the attention my R1 gets (and my R1 is very different than any other, too).

 

[Buell_Cru]

Post pics of both the R1 and your new addition or should I say addiction.

 

[ADAMLEE]

100x the attention for me!

It's what you want that makes the difference. Sure I would like to do 180 on two whells but I would rather ride a Buell! I guess it's preference, don't think the Buell will make everyone happy. It's brought me years of fun and more to come.

<-----Proud supporter of Buell!

 

[jimmydean]

My 04 R1 (the list of mods are VERY long, it's quite different).

My 04 XB12R (Stock minus the stainless "race" can)

I really wanted a Lightning, but couldn't find a 1200 for what I was willing to pay. I prefer the naked look (obviously).

Here is a picture the day I bought my R1 for reference.

 

[RyBuell]

I get more attention now than i ever did on my Honda or Monster. Screw what other people say thet're just angry that everyone else has the same bike. I've never had a problem finding the Buell in a parking lot.

 

[ADAMLEE]

Nice R1.....seems like you like to stand out. must be why you bought te Buell.

 

[Buell_Cru]

Great job on the R1. Are you going to show it at any shows. I'm sure it would win something. Very sick man...[up]

 

[oxygen151]

That R1 is awesome. Great job!

 

[jimmydean]

Thanks. My R1 will be on display at Laguna Seca at the Red Bull Grand Prix as part of the Yamaha Custom Bike show.

It's not that I require attention (I've got a lot of R1 purists that hate it) but I knew what I wanted and it wasn't available at a dealer.

My initial plan was to replace my Gen1 FZ1 with a Gen2 FZ1. But the Gen2 was so much slower than my heavily modified Gen1 that it would have cost way too much to build. So I used the R1 and worked backwards.

That being said, the Buell is a lot more fun to ride than I initially thought. I bought it to build my chopper because the "typical" v-twin is a pig. I liked the idea of the Redneck Engineering Mutant, but I want something that turns. So I have made some changes to the rake, ride height, seat height, and backbone to allow for more control and cumfort.

My chopper will stay as close to the Buell performance roots as possible while having an old school flair. I am currently looking at doing all carbon fiber to replace the typical tins (tank, fenders, covers, etc).

So while the R1 is a blend of Hooligan/Supersport, the Buell will be Hooligan/Chopper. I guess I'm just a hooligan at heart.

 

[xtremelow]

I love my Buell but I say hack up the tail on your R1 to make it even more of a street fighter and build the chopper.


In all seriousness who has the time for 3 bikes? I was going to build a Mutant and decided against it but really wish I would have. Having a Mutant and R1 Street Fighter will give you all the looks, fun, and cruisability you will need.

 

[tenzi]

if R1 is not get you enough attention, try the R6 of German! S1KRR

 

[horseplay]

Sweet R1
Buells are not for everyone. I have to admit I did regret it a few times...like when my friends RC51 blew by me like I was stopped while I was redline...BUT..those times are few and far between and its only slight enjoyment and maximum risk doing triple digits.
I dont regret the bike at all now that Ive been able to ride some more twisty roads with it. Theres NO effort to ride fast through the corners. It BEGS to be ridden hard when the corners get tight. I just feel much more confident while hitting the twisty roads and that to me is maximum enjoyment.

Doesnt hurt that the bike gets a lot of attention. My TLR is the only other bike Ive had that has received as much.

 

[jimmydean]

I will be hacking the tail on the R1 at some point, but it's a lot of fiberglass work I'm not up to doing just yet and I won't pay someone to do it for me.

I've done everything on the R1 except the suspension (Ohlins installed and dialed by GP Suspensions), the ceramic coating on the exhaust (Finishline proprietary color), and building the fuel map (dyno tuned at Beaverton Yamaha). I wish I would have found the powdercoat on the XB wheels before I shot the R1 wheels. It was the color I was trying to get, but it's not nearly as nice. I have it now and will re-shoot them at some point.

I could see owning 3 bikes, though. If you count my YZ, I own 3 now I guess the Firebolt would be the perfect 3rd for a carver where the R1 is my "tourer" right now. It just happens to do 0-60 in 2.7 seconds.

 

[jsg]

Nice bikes!My only regret is not buying the Buell earlier, I love it it's nice in the twisties and I don't have the same bike as everybody.

 

[horseplay]

I think a modified Z1000 tail on that would look niiiice.

 

[Grrr]

No regrets. I just don't go over 140mph, and I can live with that( pun intended).

It's a great feeling when I roll up with 10 other 1000cc Jap bikes that also look like bikes from a MotoGP paddok. Then all bystanders have got to come over to my bike and tell me how cool it is. It dosen't matter what has be modded on the jap bikes, "been there, done that"

Well, GOTTA ROLL ![up]

 

[timo]

I don't regret buying a buell, I regret buying the buell that I bought, if that makes sense... I Love the bike, but should have bought a new one, or at least checked out the one I bought a little better before buying- It was "riden hard and put away wet" several time over. Oh well, I still love it.