Whats a good Buell for a new rider?

[Hack]

Im completely new to motorcycles but am in love with Buell's style so i want to get one, easy as that. Some people say dont get something with too much power for you first bike, what do you guys think? Should i really need to worry about too much power? Whats a good starter buell for me.

And Yea yea yea i know how forums work, there are some of you that are going to get pissed and tell me "Thats what the search bar is for" but i tried, alright. so if someone can link me to a discussion on this then that would be great. if there arent any discussions on this, which i doubt, then lets start this sh!t right now! thanks.

 

[ronmetzler]

Have you ever rode before at all? Dirt Bikes, Four Wheelers, Manual in a car?

Or will this be literally your first "ride"?

 

[2004xb12s]

The safe bet bike is the blast. It is a good starter bike for anyone but if you have some experience with dirtbikes or similar vehicles you may outgrow it too quickly.

 

[Hack]

Ive had Manual Cars for the past 6 years. ive riden a dirt bike a couple times. but other then that, im pretty new to it all. im pretty positite i can pick it up quickly from the dirt bike rides ive had i i just wasnt sure if power really is that big of a deal as some people say.

 

[buelljek]

hey Hack welcome!
the Buells, are pretty easy to ride bikes. 1125's are a lot more wild, while the xb's are like old street rods.

I have an xb12r and let my bro in law ride it, he had 125 dirt bike for years, he hopped right on it and didnt miss a beat. XB's are not fast bikes with power bands, they are straight through power from about 2500rpms to redline. More like a 350 chevy than a tuned rice runner. Hope that helps?

Some on here will tell you to start with something smaller or a blast (which "IMO", are ugly and way too slow) the 9's have 700 more rpms, but 214 less cc's than the 12's which have more low end grunt thus highlighting its most unique attribute (its not top speed)

 

[2004xb12s]

wasnt sure if power really is that big of a deal as some people say.

It can be. There is a large difference between a blast and an xb12. For you I would say no bigger than an xb9 only because you haven't had much experience on dirtbikes and hand related clutches. I started on an xb12 but i had been riding dirtbikes for over 10 years and i frequently ride 450's which are pretty quick bikes. From what you have told me I believe that a 9 would be a good place to start

 

[skizzy]

I would take the msf course, its really helpful.

 

[Hack]

Thanks for the info, guys.[up]
I think ill look into an XB9. Now excuse my Newbness but can someone explain the R SX X for me? or link to a page that does?

 

[Hack]

I would take the msf course, its really helpful.

If that's the same thing as a weekend basic motorcycle training course then yea im signed up to take that this month.

 

[bobaganoosh]

i would go with whatever is cheapest. it being your first bike if you happen to drop it its no big deal. i dont think it matters too much if its a 9 or 12, from what i have read from people who own both theres really not much difference.

 

[anrkizm95]

any of the xb line or tubers

 

[grayzone]

The Blast is a GREAT starter

 

[09Buell]

I took a safety course never rode before, and bought a 2009 xb12r brand new and now have over 5k on it, really easy bike to learn and ride imo.

 

[Hack]

I took a safety course never rode before, and bought a 2009 xb12r brand new and now have over 5k on it, really easy bike to learn and ride imo.

THATS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT![up]

 

[konarider94]

take the course and decide after that. if you feel comfortable with the control by the end of the course you wont have an issue with getting a XB9 or 12. If you can be smooth on the controls thats all it takes. If you struggle through the whole weekend then i would suggest something smaller.

 

[Paniller]

I'm an uncoordinated goon that never touched anything 2 wheels but a bicycle. I say go for the XB12. I started with an SV650, then upgraded a year later. Vtwins are smooth predictable power across the band, perfect for beginners and pros alike.

The XB also has a low center of gravity, so it's like a bicycle. Other bikes are top heavy, and likely to get tipped by a beginner during a low speed parking lot maneuver.

 

[upthemaiden]

Just buy something that won't break your heart if/when you drop it. That's what first bikes are for. It's not even that a beginner can't grasp the concept of letting the clutch out slowly when you're pulling away from a redlight, but that first time you need to pull a sharp u-turn on a tight busy street and are trying to balance a bike with the handlebars at full lock while using the clutch to modulate the speed to keep the bike at the right lean angle, you'll want something that's a bit forgiving.

 

[Arkitek]

Definitely take the MSF course. Its definitely worth the time and money. They teach you the basics and help build your confidence when on a bike IMO.

 

[upthemaiden]

and you're right, the search function on this site sucks. I always use google, just put "site:buellxb.com" as one of the keywords.

 

[Hack]

I always use google, just put "site:buellxb.com" as one of the keywords.

Good to know, thanks.