| Author | Message | ||
     Angeldeville |
Hey guys I'm new to Buells but not to biking and wrenching, and I'm wondering what the pro's and cons of buying a used 2003 as opposed to a 2006-7. The used bike I'm looking at is definitely out of warranty due to engine mods and other bits and pieces. but it will save me a couple thousand off the initial purchase price. and it already has a few mods I may have done anyway. have there been any worthy upgrades or changes made to the XB since 2003, that I must have? either bike will probably be a long term addition to my family, I tend to hold on to things.. any thoughts or opinions would be appreciated. Thanks, Angel Here is the 2003 I'm going to look at http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v369/angelpena/JA6a2IBf3rM7XtKzdC9j2A0Xm6as.jp g | ||
| Norrie |
The biggest change would be the upgraded belt and pulleys although you can buy the complete set for $400. The early bikes had a weak belt drive on them and are known to snap although I have done 9000 miles on my bike with no problems. Just make sure it has been properly serviced at the correct intervals. If you can afford a new bike I would buy a new one as there's nothing like owning a brand new bike and you know it's covered under warranty for a couple of years but if moneys tight buy used. Norrie. | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
The main problem with the 2003's was the drive belt. These were upgraded, but there still seem to be more than a normal amount of failures. The two most common fixes are to upgrade the belt and pulleys to the 2006 specification. These parts are available from at least two of our sponsors, Daves, of Appleton HD, who is a great source for all Buell parts, and American Sport Bike, a leading supplier of aftermarket items, and other sponsors. Many are the harder riding brothers have converted to chain. The entire mater of chain conversion is covered in exhaustive detail in the knowledge vault. One of the brothers, Saintly, has a chain conversion that he says is cheaper than a new belt. Other popular mods are better tires, - Dunlop Qualifier, Pirelli Diablo, and Michelin Pilot Powers, the Buell race kit, the Drummer or Special Ops mufflers. If you just go the the sponsors section of this web site, and the knowledge vault, you will really find everything you need to know. It's nice to have a new bike, ( of the 25 or so bikes I have owned, I can think of three off hand that were bought new). Used 2003 Buells are often an excellent buy, in my opinion, especially for the rider who can do his own wrenching because parts are easily available and inexpensive, and the bike is simple and easy to work on. (Message edited by gentleman_jon on October 13, 2006) | ||
| Gearhead998 |
It looks like the bike you are looking at already has had a chain conversion. So, ride on. | ||
| Redponcho |
I purchased my 03 XB9s eight months ago. This is possibly the most fun I have ever had on a bike. Someday I would love to purchase a new one but the funds just arent there now. The chain conversion is a huge plus. If it is a good deal I say buy it and enjoy! | ||
| Angeldeville |
Cool guys, thanks for the info, it does have the chain conversion, and it even has a race engine and a stock engine, as long as it hasn't been completely thrashed, I think I'm leaning towards it. | ||
| Midknyte |
I have an '03 and have nuthin but good to say about it, even the stock 03 belt... But, make sure that you've got the '04 or later mirrors on it - longer stalks, better visibility. Being an 03, check also to see that there is an "R" stamped onto the foot of the kickstand and that the wheel bearings are orange, not black. If so, will cost nothing to get fixed - they were recall / service upgrades. But I doubt that these will be an issue - that bike has seen obvious attention. | ||
| Vanvideo |
I have an 03 arctic white 9R now at 11,000 miles and love it. It's not been without problems, though. The front braided oil lines burst open, although this seems to have been a common problem and was solved with a spacer between the lines. Then my clutch safety switch went out(??). Mine was bought used with the race kit, aftermarket muffler, '04 mirrors, Lightning footpegs(they're a bit lower and more comfortable) and frame pucks already installed. I changed the air cover to the transparent blue from the CX and it looks great. Yes, a used 9R is worth it. | ||
| Deuceman |
The only other change I would suggest is color change. When I bought my 03 9R, it had the blue bodywork, and it was super slow. I roughed it up and painted it flat black, and man that thing rips now! Seriously, I have heard all of the belt and other issues, and I have had none of them. Maybe I just got a really good bike. I think a used Buell is a lot less scary than other used bikes, so if it's a good deal, you should jump on it. | ||
| Moonrunrs |
I bought my '03 bolt used and made a great decision. I got it cheap. Also, the 2003s had two recalls -- the wheel bearings and the kickstand. Make sure you take it to the dealer and see if this work has been done. They can look up the VIN. I have 11K miles on it on the original belt. I bought an upgraded 2003 belt but havent' had to put it on yet. | ||
| Bloose |
I just traded my '03 9R in and it was a great bike. I wanted a 12 since they came out (there were only 9's when I bought mine) but I waited until this year to get one. With the exception of a bad battery when it was new my bike was completely trouble free. It had a little over 10K miles on it and never a problem. I never had any problem with the belt. I didn't baby it but I wasn't exceptionally hard on it either. The bike did see 2 track days and performed flawlessly. It was a great bike and I would recommend one to anyone. To be honest I am a big fan of the belt drive, because there is zero maintenance. Other than quick gear changes I wouldn't even want the chain setup myself. Then again if I went through a few belts I might feel differently. The one thing I really love about the Buell's is the low maintenance so there is little I would do to mess with that aspect. HTH, B | ||
| Slaughter |
03 has the 41mm fork tubes - I think 05 is when they went to 43mm. Less flexing under hard braking. The old belt was a pisser. I've gone chain (it's a racebike now) | ||
| Midknyte |
The front braided oil lines burst open, although this seems to have been a common problem and was solved with a spacer between the lines yeah, them suckers will rub themselves apart. mitigated mine with some heavy rubber fuel line...  zip tied it since the pic to keep in place | ||
| Sik_s |
"(Midknyte) yeah, them suckers will rub themselves apart. mitigated mine with some heavy rubber fuel line... " Where is your hose clamp? That setup is retarded. If you want to have problems continue on with that setup. | ||
| Midknyte |
not a permanent solution. you and the horse you rode in on I suppose is the correct response... | ||
| Bikoman |
use an aircraft offset, ziptie around both, then a ziptie fully tight in the middle. John | ||
| Bake |
Better show us what an aircraft offset is Bikoman. | ||
| Bikoman |
An arrangement like this....  With the center one fully tigtened, it then separates both lines the width of the ziptie. John |
