The Best thing about XB's

[Gloomshadow]

Ive been thinking about this for a while. Because the XB had so much of a street focus, and they weren't "blazing fast" from day one.. have you noticed that they have aged really well compared to a super sport? Ive got a 04 and a 07 XB.. they are still as good on the street today as they were the day they rolled off the line.. and they turn heads even better than they did.

I remember back in the day when I was riding bikes from the BIg 4, I remember thinking that if a bike was 4 years old then it was "finished, too slow, outdated, time to get another one".. that doesn't seem to be happening to the XB's. Kinda like the "street focus" strategy of he XB ended up winning out over time against the competition.
Ill park one of mine outside Starbucks after a good ride and sometimes Ill get 2-3 people walk up to it and just start looking her over :"OH this is a Buell... look at that thing!.. these are badass bikes"... None of my NInjas ever did that...and no way could they do that when they were 9 years old... makes you feel like you really "got something". I aint sellin' em..

 

[88b]

Blazing fast is a myth unless your on straight roads, it's about getting from point A to point B and if your on twisty back roads not much is going to get you there faster than a Buell. My Uly is almost four years old now I can't believe it's still stock even the exhaust, my Harley has about 30% of the original cost invested in changes perhaps Buell got it right first time. It still puts a smile on my face every time I ride it.

 

[MustangGuy]

I do have new carbon fiber body panels on my Firebolt but looking at it I can't believe it's 10 years old. Buells have always had a unique look - especially XB's. they never look dated to me.

 

[SilveradoTX]

I bought my bike April of 2011 and have ridden almost every day since then. I've commuted on it for two years, traveled and had fun on the weekends. Most of it is solo but sometimes it's two-up. For a bike that's almost 7 years old its running strong.
And it gets plenty of looks and compliments, in traffic and when parked.
I've had many of the "I've never actually seen a Buell in person" or "This thing looks/sounds cool" or even the "What is it?"
I don't remember any of my buddies having someone stop in traffic and ask or say something about their CBNinGixxerAtiRR.

 

[08herobolt]

It's true that few bikes will retain that "classic" look. I love my Arctic White and Hero Blue 12R. In terms of looks and style, it's right up next to my Duc 748. Truly timeless. Oh, and the performance is still great.

 

[s0dhi]

A buddy and I are both new riders. He has a new Ninja 300 and I have an 2009 XB9SX. Whenever we stop somewhere, without fail, someone will approach to talk about the Buell. My buddy just ends up standing around like a third wheel.

 

[Gloomshadow]

I bet a Bell XB gets attention on par with a Ducati .. maybe even more. Ive never owned a Ducati so Im not sure,just a guess..

 

[88b]

I did make the mistake of buying a new 916, rode it 40 miles home next morning it won't start, phoned the dealer it probably needs new plugs. I probably need my money back then, mechanic turns up in less than an hour with new plugs and a a spare set. Then the clutch hydraulics and various electrical problems, then I got my money back and bought a Suzuki. Hopefully new Ducati's are better.

 

[Cooter]

I'm not sure if the Ducatis are better now or not, but they sure are more expensive!

BTW. Why does my buddies Monster have a choke lever when its fuel injected!?! Seriously.

Is there an un-pimp smiley?...hee hee.

 

[user_deleted]

Buell XB's are an acquired taste and not for everyone but they become addictive once the taste is acquired. and what's not to like?
arguably the finest exhaust note in all of motorcycling
strong recent resale value and climbing
exclusivity
quite comfortable
reliable and rugged
extremely well engineered meaning routine maintenance and replacement of perishables is a cinch
endless supply of parts availability
top quality components
if you fancy yourself as a "Ricky Racer" type, buy a Jap rice-rocket. if you fancy yourself as a pirate or outlaw biker or ice-cream stand afficionado, buy a Softail.

 

[thumpin1203]

@ OP (gloomshadow).. VERY well put! I agree 100%..

 

[mxracer190]

Agree with Gloom. My friend has a brand new Panigale 1198, and whenever we stop somewhere, people walk right past his bike and swarm my cherry bomb xb

 

[Gloomshadow]

have you guys noticed that resale value has gone up?? I guess the word got out about the XB, its like it built itself a Legend. NOT as a racer but just a badass street-rod and back road beast. When you think about it the Buelli Harley relationship was kinda like the Shelby- Ford relationship... could the XB be the motorcycle version of the "Shelby Mustang'?

 

[NSEGE]

I have an '05 XB9SX and I'm not sure there's another Buell of any flavor in town. It's by far the easiest "city" bike I've ever ridden, and fast enough to scare my 66-year-old body.

I've always wanted a Ducati just so I could learn to cuss in Italian.... premo cussin' language if you ask me.

 

[jamason_2000]

I do believe that in my experience here in Hawaii, even the locals (who ride them ningixxerrrs) look at the buells with a profound look of astonishment when the starter switch is pressed and the demon is released.

 

[evolDiesel]

I'm a rookie Ferris Bueller [just been over a month] and have caught paparazi taking pictures of my bike several times already. The looks and comments would make me think I'm riding a $40,000 EBR not a $4,500 2008 XB12r.

Buell XB's are an acquired taste and not for everyone but they become addictive once the taste is acquired.

I completely agree with this. I didn't know what to think at first. Then I got used to it. Now I love it and I miss it if I go a few days without riding it. It's totally addicting .

 

[evolDiesel]

It dumped here for a few days but got to ride her in to work today... man, I love the XB12R. It feels like an extension of my physical being during cornering. Now I want to stock my garage with at least 2 more Buells. I guess I better work on that promotion

 

[djs2k2]

I just need to know where I can pick up my free EBR! or maybe they will let me trade up from my xb12r?

 

[Enemy Zero]

I still love the look of the lightning models as much as I did the day I saw them on the floor of my local HD dealer in 2003. Its just such a cool design look and I can't believe I didn't buy one sooner. I was instantly in love with the look of the 2003 Yellow S model I saw but just didn't give it a chance because of the Harley motor. Now I just feel stupid because its so much better in every way than I ever thought it would have been.

I even think I love it because, as a friend of mine says, its an anomaly. Like a flightless bird. Every time I fire it up, I'm amazed that it runs and when I ride it, I become more amazed that it runs so well. As you put it in the original post, its a taste that I've acquired and I am most definitely addicted. I get tons of attention and compliments everywhere I go. I wasn't looking for them when I got my bike but its nice to see other people out there appreciate the bike from afar as much as I did all those years.

 

[djs2k2]

The best thing about XB's is that I have one. The only thing that could make it better is to have two. Or a EBR