To get a Buell or not?

[ksquare]

Hi all - a new member here and I'm in a bit of a quandary. I'm not a Buell owner but I have always liked them. I have my eye on a 2007 Lightning CITYX XB9SX. I took it for a short test drive on the dealers school lot. Not a lot of room but I got it to 3rd gear & did figure 8's. Wow the torque is awesome right off idle. My current rides are a 1971 Honda SL350 and a 1975 Honda CB400F. Both are in like new condition. The 400 is the biggest bike I've ever owned or been on. It feels fine but I suspected I've been missing something. The test drive proved me correct. I'm on the edge of going for the Buell but it is such a big jump from my Hondas. It's kinda like going from a toy to the real thing. Although I haven't taken the XB9 out on the road, I can't imagine it not having enough power for my needs (i.e. I don't think a 1200 is necessary for me). Is the CITYX a good all around choice for getting around town? I don't have much interest in going long distances. Maybe to work - 16 miles. It seems to fit me ok, I'm 5'10". Any words of wisdom to a Buell newbie? Here is a pic of the XB9 and a pic of my Hondas...

 

[Silverrider]

Welcome, One of my first bikes back in the day was a 69 Cl 350, New paid like $720. Both ur bikes look very nice, As far as the Buell Buy it you will love it and never ride the hondas again , LOL The SX is a CA bike, painted primary case, and a loud pipe.

 

[Chicknstripn]

I’ve owned my 2007 Buellxb12r for almost 12yrs. I ride it everywhere. The cityX has a much more relaxed riding position then the R so you should have no problems with commuting. I’m 5’10” and the only time I found my bike remotely uncomfortable was on a ride to upstate NY. 12hrs in the saddle was a little uncomfortable but I’d do it again if I had the chance.
My advice would be to visit www.buellmods.com and download a service manual. Start learning as much as you can about the bike. Get the dealer to give you some sort of warranty or maintenance deal. I’ve seen people purchase a clean Buell only to discover, after a few real world miles on the road, that the rockerbox gasket leaks, head bearings need replacing, and the front brake rotor is warped. Get the dealer to let you take that thing out on the road so you can give it a good shake down, then use a flashlight(one on your cellphone should work) and an inspection mirror to inspect every nook and cranny on the bike. It’s also a good idea to drop a magnetic grabber into the swingarm to make sure there are NO metal shavings in the oil. If the magnet comes out of that oil tank with an Afro Id walk away from the bike no matter how good the deal is.
If any issues to arise after purchase that the dealer won’t cover have the confidence to work on the bike yourself. They’re fairly simple machines. With the service manual and the knowledge on this site you should have no issues keeping the bike healthy.
Good luck and let us know how it goes.

 

[user_deleted]

very nice collection including one of the most iconic and desirable small-bore multis ever built.....the CB400F. well done.
the CityX as pictured is a nice stocker with exception of the exhaust and is a fairly rare "Kick-Ash" transluscent model. CityX designations get a bit confusing as brochures and some dealer computer info refers to it as CityX....some SX...and some KX. all the same bike BUT KX refers to the 4th and 5th VIN digits which designate CityX model only. see attached pic to break down the VIN of this bike and verify it is what you hope it is. i see it also appears to be calif. model/CA emissions package.
all CityX's were 984cc models and very popular sellers. have some nice OEM features like hand guards...cross-braced handlebar....X protector atop airbox cover....special badging and decals....color keyed cheese-grate inlay....headlight bucket grill.... L&R frame protectors....a few more items. a 2007 Kick-Ash in nice original condition with respectable mileage and unmodified typically here on the east coast sells in the $3200-$4000 range.
if it's fairly priced....nice condition....NOT beaten or abused....CLEAN TITLE with no crash or salvage codes on same....and you or someone locally capable of service/repair/maintaining it then strongly consider buying. XB's do NOT like or take well to excessive heat...period. tell-tale signs of exposure to same are non-working or noisy fan....top end oil leaks...heavy oil build-up on airbox base-plate along with oil-coated air filter....discolored header down to the collector area. if you're set on a V-twin and this XB9 doesn't work out or can't pass close scrutiny then consider an older V-strom or Sportster. both plentiful, bomb-proof, and nice choices.
decode the VIN here:

 

[njloco]

Sorry to go against the grain but, for a 16 mile trek to work, keep what you got. You say your not interested in long rides, the Buells in my opinion, are not that great for putting around town. They like to be rode hard and put away still sweating, meaning blown out from carbon build up due to, putting around town ! I wouldn't hesitate to take my Ulysses across the country and several people here have done it more than once.

Don't take this the wrong way but, it sounds like you want a bigger bike in the garage to be able to say, I have a bigger bike !

O.k. go ahead and jump on me.

 

[Outlaw]

I think the Buell is perfect for the commute.

 

[Silverrider]

The cityX bike is perfect for the city IMO ,Thus its called a cityX. I had a 09 Blue one, great for a 2 hr blast also. .

 

[optomist]

ksquare,

Problem is once you get the CityX you will be not limiting yourself to your commute but getting out into the world and putting some miles on--particularly if you have any mountain or windy coastal roads around. If you have issues the forum guys will help you to sort out things out. True, they might beat you up a little but all in good form.

Opto

 

[rchuff]

Buy it, ride it, enjoy it, that's all I can say.

 

[TPEHAK]

You can buy, ride and enjoy any motorcycle. There is nothing exceptional about 2007 Lightning CITYX XB9SX.

 

[ksquare]

Thanks for all the comments. I think I'll have to arrange for another test ride and do a little more research. Thanks Chicknstripn for the advice. And thanks lunaticfringe. I live in the Phoenix AZ area and heat is always an issue. And njloco, I don't just want to say I have a bigger bike. Not eve sure who I'd say that to My 75 CB400F is the newest & biggest bike I've ever owned. I kinda want to experience modern bike technology/handling/performance. I considered Ducatti, Triumph, Honda, MV Agu$ta, etc. For some reason I keep coming back to Buell. I've never been a Harley fan although I recently learned a little about the XR1200 & thought it is a little bit cool. Not as cool as a Buell.

 

[TPEHAK]

I considered Ducatti, Triumph, Honda, MV Agu$ta, etc. For some reason I keep coming back to Buell.

I would consider only Honda from your list.

 

[Silverrider]

https://www.cycletrader.com/listing...-#-72-of-350-in-the-world-for-2018-5002428888
2018 Mv Agusta Dragster 800 RC

Great looking bike for sure.

 

[34nineteen]

Thanks for all the comments. I think I'll have to arrange for another test ride and do a little more research. Thanks Chicknstripn for the advice. And thanks lunaticfringe. I live in the Phoenix AZ area and heat is always an issue. And njloco, I don't just want to say I have a bigger bike. Not eve sure who I'd say that to My 75 CB400F is the newest & biggest bike I've ever owned. I kinda want to experience modern bike technology/handling/performance. I considered Ducatti, Triumph, Honda, MV Agu$ta, etc. For some reason I keep coming back to Buell. I've never been a Harley fan although I recently learned a little about the XR1200 & thought it is a little bit cool. Not as cool as a Buell.

There is (or was) a XR1200 for sale at HD of Scottsdale. I've owned a few Buells and the XR definitely rings my bell. Plus, our own elder statesman, owns one so thats instant cred for it being a cool bike.

In Phoenix, great deal Buells tend to come and go. Right now, it looks pretty lean, but there is a pretty good deal in Tucson for an XB that likely needs a fuel pump.

Have you considered a Suzuki SV650 or a Ducati Monster? I've owned a few SV650's and they were always fun, well mannered bikes.

 

[34nineteen]

Actually, this one is a pretty good deal. Its a drive, but I'd consider it to be worth it.

https://yuma.craigslist.org/mcy/d/2006-buell-xb12ss/6667814789.html

 

[TPEHAK]

Or if you don't like ugly looking Buell models this Buell model looks good and goes with nice extras.

https://www.buellxb.com/forum/showthread.php?54578-FS-05-xb12SCG-with-240-conversion-5500

 

[TPEHAK]

Maybe that Harley does not look too ugly, but it looks boring. If you like boring motorcycles buy a Honda, at least Honda is reliable.

 

[yellowcarbon]

I love my Buell XB-12S for city riding and am also in Phoenix. Yes, heat is an issue, but that is the game here in the desert. It is a great bike for the riding around town. I use synthetic oil to do what I can to help with the heat.

I did add the 'Soft Clutch' mod to lower the clutch pull on my bike as it is pretty heavy when in stop & go traffic. It does lower the feel of the pull, but the effort is significantly lowered.

Buells are pretty easy to work on, especially with the factory manual. Since you have older bike, you know about having to do minor repairs to keep your bike in good shape. There is nothing horrible on the Buell to keep after, but you get an occasional part that needs replacement. But no valve checks or intense maintenance overall. My bike is a 2004 and other than crash damage from the previous owner, I've replaced the rear brake switch ($15 or so), rebuilt the fuel pump ($80 or so) and replaced a head light bracket ($12 or so). I do think I broke the headlight lower bracket when I removed my headlight, so that isn't fair to the bike. Other than that, gas and oil.

 

[ksquare]

Well it looks like I won't be getting a Buell anytime soon. The dealer (Harley) wants $5,000 plus tax etc which brings the total to $6000. They weren't willing to negotiate. It's an 07 XB9SX with 8000 miles and a Jardine. It seems to be in really nice condition but everything seems to tell me that it should go for $3500-$4000. Am I wrong? Is it a smokin deal that I should pounce on? Are KBB and NADA good for price estimates?

 

[BambamXB12r]

If you look on Craigslist, take your time to find the right bike, and are willing to drive a state in any direction to to get it you can get a smoking deal. The Harley dealership is charging way too much for the bike. Please ignore TPEHAK.