Why Buy a Buell Firebolt XB12R?

[Chicknstripn]

Why not and xb12r?
Because one day you might look at it and wish it was an xb12s. Or something similar. Something more archaic and less "plastic".
I think the S models are easier to customize.
Much easier to change tail sections and headlights on the XBS models than it is on the XBR models.

I guess this only matters if you're not wired quite right and can't keep things stock.

 

[Lusiphur]

Why not and xb12r?
Because one day you might look at it and wish it was an xb12s. Or something similar. Something more archaic and less "plastic".
I think the S models are easier to customize.
Much easier to change tail sections and headlights on the XBS models than it is on the XBR models.

I guess this only matters if you're not wired quite right and can't keep things stock.

Putting an S Tail on an R gets you the best of both worlds.

 

[oh9bolt]

Best combo^^^

Except for I refer to it as a Firing

 

[oh9bolt]

Fantastic, been on there a few years.

 

[oh9bolt]

Nope they are on there for the long haul.

 

[vicenzajay]

Love my Techspecs....no issues with them moving around, and they make a world of difference for gripping the bike effectively.

 

[WillRotten]

I love mine. Kinda of stumbled upon it and then waited for the price to become fair. Mine's an '04 and the previous owner took very good care of it. I haven't done a thing besides swap the rear master cylinder thanks to a forum member selling me one incredibly cheap. This place is great and everyone is very helpful. The plus is people do notice your bike is different. The down side is they then want to talk to you and if you're not in the mood to be social your screwed. I've had a lot of fun with mine. I keep trying to talk myself into selling it cause I have too many bikes, but I always talk myself out of it.

 

[BambamXB12r]

No such thing as too many bikes.

 

[Fatty SS]

I'm on my second season with HammerGrips and they're holding to the heat just fine. Been doing tons of track days and a handful of all day street rides in 90+ degree heat.

http://www.buellxb.com/forum/showth...irbox-Grip-Option-for-XB-HammerGrips-are-here!

 

[TPEHAK]

If I would have a second chance to buy a motorcycle again I would not buy Buell XB because it has a bunch of issues I should spent time on to fix it instead of riding it. Maybe I would buy a new EBR because it could be more reliable, but I don't know.

 

[Chicknstripn]

So you bought your bike brand new and it had issues?
Or you bought a used bike and it had issues?
I know the first senerio is not the case and the second senerio is not the bikes fault. It all depends on how that bike was treated and maintained before it became yours.

 

[TPEHAK]

I bought used low mileage motorcycle in good condition, I replaces the oil and performed all necessary adjustments and checks, it had no issues for first 5000 miles, then the issues started to come. I believe replacing battery each year, replacing starter, replacing clutch components, replacing engine gaskets, replacing two engine front isolators first 15000 miles, fixing rubbed electrical wires and throttle cables because of poor cable management, replacing leaking breather hoses etc are not the parts of standard maintenance for first 10000-15000 miles, but it happened. Standard maintenance each 5000 miles is not a big deal if you have all necessary tools for this, but the motorcycle needs much more.

So I do not recommend to buy Buell XB except you are ready to spend money and time to fix it. Owning a bunch of special tools and equipment is a must if you are going to own a Buell. And not all the issues with the Buell are easy to fix.

Also I do not recommend to take Buell for long trip, it just can die in the middle of the road because of hundred reasons. Buell XB has definitely a bunch of things need to be improved and I believe EBR is more reliable motorcycle because of all this previous experience, I hope.

 

[oh9bolt]

Sounds like you should sell it

 

[Chicknstripn]

That really sucks.
My bike was virtually trouble free up to 20k.
Then I had a rocket box leak.
I let that go for a little too long so then about 5k after that fix the cooling fan went out.
But I was real lucky. Those repairs were taken care of via warranty. Bike was covered for 3yrs or 36k whichever came first.
Then about a year after all that mess my crank went out.
The crank repair, complete engine tear down, was the only thing I needed any special tools for. I hadn't had any clutch issues so never needed those tool.

Anyway, sorry your bike has put a bad Buell taste in your mouth.
They are finicky things.

However, I will say, some members have had over 50k trouble free. And I will admit, the things I've gone through with my bike have all been self inflicted.
I don't baby my bike at all!

 

[Chicknstripn]

Sounds like you should sell it

That was my initial thought when I read the first post about going back and not buying it in the first place.

I would never sell mine!

 

[oh9bolt]

Same^^

 

[Theycallmecrash]

10 Buells forsale $100,000 any takers?

 

[ToneTheMoan]

I would but the dog just died, my house fell down and i just contracted galloping knob rot but as soon as i am back on my feet i would like them! ha ha ha sorry if you are being serious though! :black_eyed:

 

[Dellinger]

Even after mine self destructed after only owning it a few months. After the pricy time consuming rebuild that probably never would of happened if the PO took care of it. I will not ever sell this bike. I may end up getting an insurance payout or giving it to one of my kids but never sell.

After my rebuild the engine has 10K on it. I fixed a base gasket that started leaking surly on and I F'ed up a upper o-ring on the rocker box on the fix but that was on me so ended up doing it twice. I had to replace the clutch and stator which I should have done when I did the rebuild which is on me. Don't cut corners is try to save money on any bike.

10K trouble free miles...

 

[capebay23]

Bought my XB12R to supplement my FZ-09 commuter. Thought I would just use it on a weekend ride or two. Now I find myself wanting to ride it more and more. It just pulls me. Weird.