To Buell or not to Buell?

[Buell to the Future]

Ok, I’m totally new to Buells, but not bikes. I have had several sport bikes in the past, but I have not owned a bike in two years. This weekend I started looking for a new bike and came across a good deal on a used 2006 XB12R with 500 miles. I always loved the styling and engineering involved in these motorcycles. What I’m looking for is some feedback on the pros and cons of these motorcycles. The main point I’m worried about is reliability. I do not want to work on it every weekend, I don’t mind turning a wrench just not all the time. Also could anyone give me some problems to look for when looking at one of these firebolts.

[zaxrex]

What kind of sport bikes have you owned in the past? What (in your opinion) were the pros of the sport bikes you've owned in the past?

The reason I ask is that to most previous sportbike owners, the 7000 RPM rev limit is a major con. I rode my buddy's r1 all last summer when he was out of the country, but I wasn't a huge fan of taking the motor to its 13,000 RPM redline. It depends on what YOU like.

The handling of the XB chassis is top-notch, but a bit twitchy.

The 1203 motor is air cooled and puts out a TON of heat, especially on the right side with the headers. Prepare for pools of sweat from your nether-regions.

The 600cc supersports will put the hurting on the XB12 in a drag race, but really... who cares? I can clunk around town all day long in 3rd gear with the massive amount of torque the 1203cc motor affords me. That's USABLE power in my mind.

I've only owned my bike for a few months, but I think the OHV hydraulic-lifter motor is fairly maintenance free.

Again, it all depends on what YOU like.

[MAGIC]

03 xb9s with over 10K mls here. The only three issues over 8 years I had were leaking clutch cable inlet to primary, leaking right fork seal and leaking oil pressure indicator switch.
Other than that had to replace tires, brake pads and just oil changes. That's it.

[mar67655]

have an 03 xb12r with 55k miles

[Doc13]

As a guy who a few months ago came off a couple gsxr's one 600 and one 1000cc over the last 5 or so years, it's different. I had to relearn to ride because I'm used to the high revving inline four. Having said that it's tons of fun. And it's the first bike I've owned I enjoy working on when I have to. The looks are there, and so are parts if you look for them.

Pro's -
Per the individual, but it's lots of fun, straight line or not. If you're willing to advance your skills of riding, you won't be disappointed because at the very least it's a learning experience.

Con's -
If you're the guy that wants "the fastest bike" or you want to outrun everything else out there. It's not for you because that's not what it's about. I owned a GSXR 1000 and I've had the 180 mph fun and it was also a great bike for the twisties because you had to be as near perfect as possible. So I don't knock the import guys, but damn the XB12R is like a nice couch when your used to being a gym rat. It makes you fall in love with doing things the easy way.

[Buell to the Future]

I have owned a multitude of Suzuki’s, including a GSXR. I hated having a bike that everyone else in the world seemed to have. I don’t care if my bike is the fastest or can rev to the moon. I’m not interested in a bike to drag race, but I want one that will corner (I live 150 mi from the Tail of the Dragon) and will commute on the weekdays. Basically I want a motorcycle I can put 20,000 miles on in two years. I guess I’m basically using you guys to verify my purchase of one of these bikes.

[Drkside79]

I love my XB9SX The S's have a more motocross feel to them than the R's The 9 engine is great as well its actually 984cc so 1203 isn't that much bigger anyway. The only time you will feel a true power difference between the two is when riding 2up. The 9 revs higher than the 12 and i believe sits about an inch hiher at least the SX does.

Either way they are fun bikes that handle well. No one will understand why you bought it. Which is fine who wants to sit in front of a mall revving an inline 4 when you can roar on an XB. Oh the 1125s are really nice as well. A bit goofy looking but nice. MUCH FASTER than the XB's and slightly more high tech

[Buell to the Future]

One more Question, I’m 6 foot 4 inches, and I hear the Buell cockpit is really uncomfortable for tall people.

[canucklovingbrit]

One more Question, I’m 6 foot 4 inches, and I hear the Buell cockpit is really uncomfortable for tall people.

I'm 6'2" and 175 lbs. I find my 12R fits me like a glove. Love the riding position. But it's all a matter of personal preference.

[boston]

The XB's are push rods not OHC. Just thought I would throw that in.

[BuddhaBuell]

One more Question, I’m 6 foot 4 inches, and I hear the Buell cockpit is really uncomfortable for tall people.

I am 6'2" @ 205#
'06 XB9SX

we've had a Bueller on the forum who is 6'7" riding a 12R

[smirk]

if need be you can get 2" drop pegs


http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/5248_20100415173935_L.jpg

[freak2180]

I'm 6'2 & 250lbs and I'm fine on my 12R.

[skyroket]

6'2" 230 lbs

Not a bad fit. My only complaint is the flexibility required to put your foot on top of the shifter.

http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/10049_20110529072532_L.jpg

[brightbuell]

i AM 6'3 AND i LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE MY FIRE BOLT. sO YOU CAN TELL WHO EVER TOLD YOU THAT SO SUCK IT!!!!!! iTS NOT TRUE. fIT'S ME LIKE A GLOVE.

[Loki]

Wow we are all tall here arent we?
Im 6'3" 149lbs and it feels good. BUT you will cramp up 120miles in which is ok cause youll need to fill up anyways. If you ride a few tanks in one day expect your knees to kill you later in the night from the vibration.

Maintenance? You have to do little if you take care of her and right her like you should (dont be afraid to romp on her) and you may be like me and start to LOVE doing maintenance on your buell once you realize how easy it is compared to a full fairing bike.

[zaxrex]

5'7" and 175lbs.

Guess I'm the yin to your alls yang :p

[user_deleted]

i'm 57 years old, 6ft tall and 190 lbs. i've owned probably 500 assorted cycles, scooters, mopeds and other assorted 2-wheeled conveyances since i was 12. that would include all types of rice rockets as well. my riding skills are probably slightly above average for a guy my age, that's about it. i ride a total of approx. 15,000 miles per year. having said all that, i own 2 buells being a 2004 firebolt and 2007 city cross...both XB9r models. i love both of them as they have character, charisma, a degree of rarity, great looks, great v-twin sound, air-cooled simplicity, pretty darn comfortable and very light in weight. i haven't had a problem with either one of the bikes and they seem to be stone reliable. they do get bastardly hot in the summer especially on header side so be prepared for that. and IMHO, they won't take the pounding that a modern jap rice rocket will but then again, they're not intended to either. i think they're wonderful bikes that can still be bought for very reasonable prices if you're willing to search hard enough and travel for one.

[brightbuell]

Im 6/3 and my girl is 6 foot.

http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/5051_20110406154846_L.jpg

http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/5051_20100202140457_L.jpg

[ahfunaki]

6'1" 260lbs here, and I fit my XB9R fine. I have been thinking about getting some 1" drop pegs though since I took a 3 hour trip recently on the bike and it could have been a bit more comfortable, lol...

Oh and looking at these pics, the S models look so much smaller to me than the R models. It's crazy how big of a difference the longer front and rear fairings make. I think the taller people look too big for them, not that they are though lol