Why you bought your buell?????
- Thread starter BuellDr
- Start date
Help Support Buellxb Forum:
I wanted a bike which;
- fitted my size
- brings driving emotion
- makes noise (secondary safety feature ;-)
- sticks out from the rest
- gives reason for talks
- has fanatic owner group, not just interrested in the latest model or compete for the highest amount of HP
- which is just different from the rest
- has a great history
- made by a loyal group of workers, not some giant industry product
And last but not least;
I bike which does not scare off my South American girlfriends. Did you ever notice that allmost all off them have a burn mark on the inner leg. Jejeje.
So I bought a black XB12Scg.
- fitted my size
- brings driving emotion
- makes noise (secondary safety feature ;-)
- sticks out from the rest
- gives reason for talks
- has fanatic owner group, not just interrested in the latest model or compete for the highest amount of HP
- which is just different from the rest
- has a great history
- made by a loyal group of workers, not some giant industry product
And last but not least;
I bike which does not scare off my South American girlfriends. Did you ever notice that allmost all off them have a burn mark on the inner leg. Jejeje.
So I bought a black XB12Scg.
I wanted an XB9SX for many years. I wanted it over the XB12SS because I thought it was easier to ride. At least that's how it felt in a demo ride. When I heard HD was closing Buell, it was now or never. I got a 2010 XB9SX.
I wish I could say it brings me tons of joy and lots of fun when I ride it, but I find it's a frustrating bike to ride. It's so "flickable" that it's not so easy to ride. Trying to ride a white line on the road is like trying to balance on a gymnastic balance beam. It's not easy to do. Every little tiny input on the handlebars is picked up in the steering. I'm constantly fiddling with the suspension to get it just right. It's too bumpy, or too plush but wallowing in the turns, or too squirley and unstable, or the front wheel feels like it's starting to head-shake, or just doesn't feel quite right but I don't know what to change. I think the rake is too steep on this bike.
I want it to be stable and easy to ride and confidence-inspiring, like a Ducati or Honda. I'll probably sell it and get one of those if I can't figure it out. I got it pretty close to a good ride with the original tires, but it wasn't right after I got new tires. Tiny changes in the damping settings really affect how this bike handles. I can feel a difference in 1/16 of a turn.
Despite my complaints, I ride it a lot. I've got 14,000 miles on it in the first 11 months. In the last 1000 miles, I swear the motor has gotten smoother down under 2500 RPMs and quicker reving and faster accelerating throughout the entire rev range. I might spend the money on some expensive suspension upgrades to make it ride like I want it to, or not if I get a good deal on a Ducati or Honda.
I wish I could say it brings me tons of joy and lots of fun when I ride it, but I find it's a frustrating bike to ride. It's so "flickable" that it's not so easy to ride. Trying to ride a white line on the road is like trying to balance on a gymnastic balance beam. It's not easy to do. Every little tiny input on the handlebars is picked up in the steering. I'm constantly fiddling with the suspension to get it just right. It's too bumpy, or too plush but wallowing in the turns, or too squirley and unstable, or the front wheel feels like it's starting to head-shake, or just doesn't feel quite right but I don't know what to change. I think the rake is too steep on this bike.
I want it to be stable and easy to ride and confidence-inspiring, like a Ducati or Honda. I'll probably sell it and get one of those if I can't figure it out. I got it pretty close to a good ride with the original tires, but it wasn't right after I got new tires. Tiny changes in the damping settings really affect how this bike handles. I can feel a difference in 1/16 of a turn.
Despite my complaints, I ride it a lot. I've got 14,000 miles on it in the first 11 months. In the last 1000 miles, I swear the motor has gotten smoother down under 2500 RPMs and quicker reving and faster accelerating throughout the entire rev range. I might spend the money on some expensive suspension upgrades to make it ride like I want it to, or not if I get a good deal on a Ducati or Honda.
In no particular order;
* inexpensive
* American
* simple, and very low maint.
* no gear drive wizzzzz noise coming out of it.
* doesn't look like anything else in the universe
* long suspension travel (STT)
* long frames available for us tall fellers
* cheap parts
* I can do every single bit of work it requires
* very confidence inspiring - easy clutch for beginners
* belt drive
* decent fuel capacity
* no valve adjustments!
* no chrome
* excellent lowspeed characteristics
* suspension is adjustable and the adjustments actually DO something
* While you're asleep at night Buell Motorcycles fight crime in town, and return in the wee hours.
There's a bit more to it but this list hits the high points. It's an excellent do-it-all bike that is still fixable after the Zombie-apocolypse makes parts hard to come by.
I kinda wish there was a kick start on it as well.
* inexpensive
* American
* simple, and very low maint.
* no gear drive wizzzzz noise coming out of it.
* doesn't look like anything else in the universe
* long suspension travel (STT)
* long frames available for us tall fellers
* cheap parts
* I can do every single bit of work it requires
* very confidence inspiring - easy clutch for beginners
* belt drive
* decent fuel capacity
* no valve adjustments!
* no chrome
* excellent lowspeed characteristics
* suspension is adjustable and the adjustments actually DO something
* While you're asleep at night Buell Motorcycles fight crime in town, and return in the wee hours.
There's a bit more to it but this list hits the high points. It's an excellent do-it-all bike that is still fixable after the Zombie-apocolypse makes parts hard to come by.
I kinda wish there was a kick start on it as well.
Cronce1125R
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 11, 2010
- Messages
- 237
youre a good man vanson [up]
To own a piece of American history. Since they don't make them anymore and I always wanted one, couldn't pass up the price. Also, just a bike lover in general. I also have a GSXR750. It's a great bike and the handling is good. Never riden one until I bought my 12scg. Great bike!
bodhisattva65
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 31, 2010
- Messages
- 71
it was $10,000 cheaper than the BMW GS1200 that i was looking at, for basically the same bike. fact is less maintence than the GS. that buys alot of tires, oil changes and riding equipment.
Vash The Stampede
Member
- Joined
- Nov 13, 2012
- Messages
- 13
My wife (gf at the time) put a fire under me to start getting a few things that I wanted for myself. Started looking around, doing research and found a few ideas of what to get. On an off chance I checked out the Buell (there was an HD near my old college) at my local store. I wanted it bad. When I saw it was ahead of the curve in all the places I wanted I had to have one. Put my name on the list and in January of 2010 my HD called me saying that another store had one in stock. Went over there and got my XB9SX for 4,999 MSRP. I couldn't beat that with even the price on a dirt bike at 400cc. It is the pinnacle of street-fighter rides for me.
dannenvance
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 6, 2012
- Messages
- 209
I bought mine (last year) IN SPITE OF the fact that it was an H-D owned company. In general don't like Harleys. Not the overweight, sloppy look, the usually totally obnoxious sound, the way they handle, the total lack of overall performance. To me a Harley has about as much appeal as a tweed upholstered sleeper-sofa on wheels.
Buell on the other hand was/is the creation of a very talented guy with vision, and his company exists to make great sportbike motorcycles, not to make a product that you can then sell millions of dollars worth of ridiculous merchandise to the flock. I have yet to see a Buell toothbrush-holder or fluffy slippers and hope I never do.
I bought my Buell (Lightning) because of the following:
-Looks like a true American hot rod paired with fantastic modern technology.
-Great performance. More than enough for me anyway since I'll never take it on the track.
-Comfortable (as opposed to the race-replicas).
-Reliable.
-American made.
-It's different than 95% of other bikes out there. Usually people see it and have to ask what it is.
-It took me a while to adapt to the V-Twin sound but now I totally love it (still don't like most Harleys) way more than the I-4's.
Buell on the other hand was/is the creation of a very talented guy with vision, and his company exists to make great sportbike motorcycles, not to make a product that you can then sell millions of dollars worth of ridiculous merchandise to the flock. I have yet to see a Buell toothbrush-holder or fluffy slippers and hope I never do.
I bought my Buell (Lightning) because of the following:
-Looks like a true American hot rod paired with fantastic modern technology.
-Great performance. More than enough for me anyway since I'll never take it on the track.
-Comfortable (as opposed to the race-replicas).
-Reliable.
-American made.
-It's different than 95% of other bikes out there. Usually people see it and have to ask what it is.
-It took me a while to adapt to the V-Twin sound but now I totally love it (still don't like most Harleys) way more than the I-4's.
SilveradoTX
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 19, 2011
- Messages
- 566
I was back and forth between the XB12S and a Street Triple. Both bikes fit like a glove.
The fact that Buell was American and had the rumble that I wanted were the major selling points... even knowing that Buell no longer existed as a company, I still went ahead and got it.
In my opinion, Buell is the muscle car of sport/street bikes.
The fact that Buell was American and had the rumble that I wanted were the major selling points... even knowing that Buell no longer existed as a company, I still went ahead and got it.
In my opinion, Buell is the muscle car of sport/street bikes.
Saw an ad that they were liquidating all buell at 50%off at the harley dealer. I thought what is a buell?.
looked it up and just fell for the xb12x. but I got suckered by a quick talking sale guy with only 38% off but it was the only 2010 plain x model they had . but I still think it was a deal. If it weren't for the crude mapping it would have been 110% perfect.
looked it up and just fell for the xb12x. but I got suckered by a quick talking sale guy with only 38% off but it was the only 2010 plain x model they had . but I still think it was a deal. If it weren't for the crude mapping it would have been 110% perfect.
captain13ron
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2007
- Messages
- 131
heres a good story,,,,,,,,,,,
I used to purchase a new bike every year...until 2007, always finding something I didn't like about what I bought. then I seen an ad in cycle world magazine, QUOTE; "test drive a uly and get a free man bag" FREE TEST DRIVE, ....I'm in! so I got to the dealership s fast as I could, being I previously owned some sportsters, I assumed it would be "shaky and slow" I drove it, that bike was smooth as silk, pulled the front wheel up with ease. five days later I bought a STT. lately I have been thinking about buying a street-bob, but every time I hop on my Buell I am comepletely satisfied with the Buell. no compromises, fits like a glove, rides like a beast! I get a rush everythime!
best bike ever!!!!!!! 19K miles..
only mods are the headlight mod, D & D pipe, lowered slightly, 1" bar risers, and a Corbin set (thats a must have)
only repairs, stator, battery, fan, ECM tune.....and many sets of rear tires.
I used to purchase a new bike every year...until 2007, always finding something I didn't like about what I bought. then I seen an ad in cycle world magazine, QUOTE; "test drive a uly and get a free man bag" FREE TEST DRIVE, ....I'm in! so I got to the dealership s fast as I could, being I previously owned some sportsters, I assumed it would be "shaky and slow" I drove it, that bike was smooth as silk, pulled the front wheel up with ease. five days later I bought a STT. lately I have been thinking about buying a street-bob, but every time I hop on my Buell I am comepletely satisfied with the Buell. no compromises, fits like a glove, rides like a beast! I get a rush everythime!
best bike ever!!!!!!! 19K miles..
only mods are the headlight mod, D & D pipe, lowered slightly, 1" bar risers, and a Corbin set (thats a must have)
only repairs, stator, battery, fan, ECM tune.....and many sets of rear tires.
Enemy Zero
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2013
- Messages
- 1,157
I liked the old S1 white lightnings but when the XB line came out, I instantly fell in love with the look of the XBS model. I could just never get myself to justify the price of them when they were brand new. I've never been a harley guy so the motor wasn't really a draw for me but I LOVED the hooligan look of the bike. My father bought an 1125CR in 2009 and I fell in love with that bike. It reminded me so much of my 2001 Aprilia that I had owned with a more comfortable seating position. The handling and the power were amazing. He sold that bike not long after due to the insurance being too high. I missed that bike a lot and looked around for one. None in my price range and wasn't getting any bites on selling my Kawasaki Versys so I'd have the cash to buy one.
So fast forward a bit. Last year a friend of mine starts getting interested in Buells and asks me about one he saw on craigslist. I say it looks great and to call the guy. Guy shows up at our work and I'm instantly in love with it. Friend buys it and rides it for about 4k miles. I lust after it the whole time. One day he says he want's something faster like a ZX6 or R6 and posts his bike on craigslist. I cry a little on the inside. No one bites so I say, I'll trade my Versys in on his behalf toward a new bike for him. He finds an R6 that he wants, I trade my bike in toward it and he signs over his Buell to me in the parking lot. I couldn't pass up the deal. No money out of pocket and I finally have a bike I've wanted for a long time not to mention one I've lusted over since first sight and I've been loving it ever since. Still have the bug for an 1125 here and there but I love the look and feel of this XB9SX so much I just want to ride it all the time.
Sorry for the long post.
So fast forward a bit. Last year a friend of mine starts getting interested in Buells and asks me about one he saw on craigslist. I say it looks great and to call the guy. Guy shows up at our work and I'm instantly in love with it. Friend buys it and rides it for about 4k miles. I lust after it the whole time. One day he says he want's something faster like a ZX6 or R6 and posts his bike on craigslist. I cry a little on the inside. No one bites so I say, I'll trade my Versys in on his behalf toward a new bike for him. He finds an R6 that he wants, I trade my bike in toward it and he signs over his Buell to me in the parking lot. I couldn't pass up the deal. No money out of pocket and I finally have a bike I've wanted for a long time not to mention one I've lusted over since first sight and I've been loving it ever since. Still have the bug for an 1125 here and there but I love the look and feel of this XB9SX so much I just want to ride it all the time.
Sorry for the long post.
thrstrmech
Well-known member
something that NOT every Tom, Dick, and Harry powered by rice and covered in plastic has...
looks, American made, v-twin, and naked
looks, American made, v-twin, and naked
