| Author | Message | ||
     Nickcaro |
Hello everyone, this is my first post here. I'm very interested in picking up a new XB9sx I like the way it looks, I like what I have read about it, I like how different it is and above all I just like the way it feels when I sit on it. The only negative bit of information that I have come across is folks saying that the engine is underpowered... I'm ok with that. I have a close friend who is also looking to purchase a new bike in the next coming months and we have been exchanging information that we come across on the models we like. I live in Brooklyn and will mostly use the bike to randomly ride to work in Manhattan along with weekend trips to CT, LI, NJ, VT... etc. My friend lives in CT and will ride there with an occasional trip north. anyway, long story short. I'm interested in hearing from current Buell owners. * What do you feel would be the Buell's advantage on the two other bikes? * What are some of the highlights that you share with prospective new comers? | ||
| Cityxslicker |
I would get demos on the ones that you are considering. If you are making the payments on your bike, it is your decision to pick which one fits best in your garage. That being said, I gave up my Ninja 600R ,and my KLR250 to get my CityX. No regrets, it does everything I ask it to do for both of my niche riding styles. Riding the bendy and dirty every change I get. I live 10 miles from work, sometimes it takes me an hour and a half to get home on the long way around.  Pic in profile | ||
| Kootenay |
I own an XB9R--not an SX, but the same engine, and I find it plenty powerful. I demo'd an SV650 and an SV1000S prior to buying the Buell--the SV650 is a fun bike, and the SV1000 is more powerful, but the Buell is more fun than either of them IMO. Keep in mind a motorcycle is a whole collection of parts, not just an engine--the chassis is as important, if not moreso, than the powerplant. A good friend and riding buddy owns a 900 Monster, which I've also ridden. He cannot keep up to me (but that really has nothing to do with the bike). When guys say the engine is underpowered, they have a point--relative to many other motorcycles, the Buell engine does not create the same horsepower. But, like they say, you can't ride a spec sheet. I've ridden more powerful bikes, and so far I've always come back to my Buell with renewed appreciation for what it will do. It definitely feels powerful, possibly because the low-end torque makes power immediately off the line. Horsepower numbers don't always tell the whole story (take for instance my diesel pickup--it's rated as having less horsepower than the gas-engined truck I had previously, but the diesel will power up steep hills with a load on in 5th gear, no sweat--the same hills, the same load, and my gasser was struggling in 3rd gear, floored...). | ||
| 12r |
There are quite a few SV650S/1000S's here in England. While they may not warrant a second glance, performance-wise they are pretty good. The 650s are popular in production racing and will stay with an XB9 no problem. The SV1000 launches very hard from the lights. | ||
| Disturbed |
The seating position is much more comfortable on the XB9S than the SV650. I'm still getting to know my XB9S but I can tell you, I have no regrets! I was looking at the bikes you mentioned as well as the Ninja 650R. The seating position(and looks) of the Ninja are much better than the SV650, no where near as good as the Buell though. When the Buell fires up.......well, that is just priceless. For comparable money, the XB9SX is far superior in every way to the SV650 and Ninja 650R. I can't really speak on the Duc. If you have the opportunity, test ride all 4 bikes. I'd bet you buy the Buell. | ||
| Dhalen32 |
Nick: I owned one of the first generation SV650s. I believe it was superior to the current generation. I had the unfaired model with a more relaxed riding position. The Suzuki was a great bike but I prefer owning and riding my CityX. I believe it handles and stops better and doesn't seem to be quite the "commodity" the Suzuki is. On the plus side for the Buell you have no cooling system to maintain; well sorted fuel injection; no chain to clean, lube and adjust; no valve adjustments; inexpensive parts; tough, easily changed, inexpensive bodywork to change the look of your bike and a rabid support group as exemplified by this board. If you find the right dealer you will also find a tremendous amount of support from them. On the negative side the CityX requires premium fuel, could be considered underpowered for it's displacement, can't use a magentic tankbag and is frequently sold and serviced by a disinterested H-D dealer. As the former owner of several Alfa Romeos in my youth I would not purchase a Ducati until I owned so many bikes that it would not matter if it was not in running order. All three bikes are actually great choices but I prefer my Buell at the moment. Good luck with your search for a new ride. Dave P.S. I still prefer the Buell but you might want to also take a look at Kawasaki's new 650R before you buy a SV650 | ||
| Kdan |
I have an XB9S and the Gurlfriend has a 2000 SV650. The Buell is way more fun and handles better and doesn't require an extra $1000 worth of suspension work to make it handle, like the SV did. The SV is way more reliable. But bland. | ||
| Slaughter |
I raced BOTH the SV650 and Buell XB. IF you are ever going to do some "spirited" riding, the SV is going to leave you frustrated. In order to bring it up to the level of the XB in handling, you must put another front end and rear shock on her. I first put the gsxr rear and cartridge emulators in the forks. Next season I tossed the whole front end and put a gsxr 750 front end. I had almost $3000 in suspension mods before I got it right. If handling is not a concern (flat, straight roads) - the SV is not a bad little beast. There is a HUGE population of folks out there doing mods to them so there's tons of info. The Ducati Monster doesn't lend itself to many engine mods and the maintenance is a little higher. If you're looking at something in this power class, you might look at the Kawi 650 Ninja. They're starting to make their appearance on race tracks in the lightweight twins classes and are doing really well - however (as in the SV) - the stock suspension is worthless. The motor is not a V-Twin, it's a parallel twin. There MIGHT be a weight advantage over the SV... dunno for certain. The seating position is more tolerable for city driving than one of the Japanese I-4 squid snuffers. ME? I sold the SV and race/ride the XB. I made that decision before ANY sponsorship or contingency money was involved. (Message edited by slaughter on January 30, 2007) | ||
| Lovematt |
I used to own an SV1000S which was very very torquey...but it did not handle nearly as good as my XB9R. I have also ridden each generation of the SV650s and the power was impressive but again the handling was nowhere near as good as the Buell. As to the Duc...I have been lucky enough to have friends with many of their models. The sound of their motors invokes similar feelings as the Buell and for the larger motors the performance is better than the Buell. They handle better than the SVs I have ridden. If I had more play money...I would love to have a Ducati just for the experience but I don't know that I would put the miles on it that I do with other bikes. A buddy of mine just got the Kawi 650R for a first bike...the sound of that bike is interesting being an inline 2...somewhat mellow but it can pull good if it has to. But again...the handling just wasn't there and the seating position was kind of upright for me. The handlebars were a good 4-5 inches above the seat. The thing about the Buell is the combination of the components work very well together. Adding the Race ECM and Drummer really woke up my XB9R and she pulls pretty good. I like the challenge of using what is there to its full potential. Plus there is enough there to get into trouble if you try hard enough. Sometimes just sitting on a wide variety of bikes and then studying those you like the feel of can help you look at a bike and determine if you might like riding it. The power characteristics can kind of be gained from the spec sheets. (Message edited by lovematt on January 30, 2007) | ||
| Cereal |
I've got a 9 and found that it has plenty of power for street riding. If you really want more power but like the CityX, you could always get the 12S and put the CityX seat on it. | ||
| Thepup |
Disturbed,I wouldn't call a the price of the SV or Ninja comparable price wise with the Buell XB,$2000 is a big difference. | ||
| Thespive |
I have an XB9SX and it is the most fun machine I have EVER piloted. It may not have the most powerful engine, but that is not why I bought it. I bought it because it is a very balanced bike and the power delivery is smooth and linear. The 9 really matches the CityX mission quite well. --Sean | ||
| Mkenn |
I love my City-X and also feel it is one of the most fun bikes that I ever owned! I feel it has plenty of power for what I need it for. My previous bike was a ZRX-1200 and before that a 600 Ninja. I really have no complaints with it, handles great, looks and sounds great. One of my co-workers has an SV650...I feel the same as someone said before, It is a bit bland. If you are looking for a City-X, one of our sponsors (Liberty H-D)has an '06 on eBay right now for like $6499. They are in our sponsor section. Anthony C. is a great guy to deal with. | ||
| Cixyx_pilot |
Sold my Ninja 600R. Bought a new 06 City X, No regrets  | ||
| Fl_a1a |
You can tell how great the buell is by this forum. No other brand has such a following like buell because they fall critically short in some area. Also, many of use have ridden the other brands and we are still here at Bad Web. For the most part you can't go to a Ninja forum and find owners that have a Duc and Buell in their stable stating that they really like their Ninja over the other brands. You will be assimulated once you test ride. | ||
| Moondust |
I've just this minute ( this week ) picked up a brand spanking new 07 model xb9sx in kick ash - its the dream bike for me. I had a ducati monster 750 2001 model for about aa couple of months before I test rode the city x - I thought I would get one later on down the line but no sirr-eee no! after that test ride - I was already cutting a deal with my duc as part ex . The handling is awesome & inspires amazing confidence in turns . My only concern is the seat height - its a tad tall so Im getting the xg seat so my feet are flat footed! Go get an XB its a riot! the duc felt limited on the steering & the maintanence costs are huge down the line. | ||
| Teddagreek |
50% less maintenance cost on every 2007 Ducati We are proud to announce that all 2007 Ducati models require less frequent service, fewer parts and less labor during each service and, as a result, greatly reduced scheduled maintenance costs – by as much as 50%. Reducing the cost of service when you visit your Ducati dealer for maintenance is one way to measure the new quality of Ducati. It also contributes immensely to making the Ducati ownership experience as satisfying as the Ducati riding experience. Research and development is the number one investment at the Ducati factory. This investment in performance and quality includes our factory processes, machinery and the people who build each Ducati. By ‘engineering-in’ quality through design, materials and testing, every Ducati owner will enjoy significant and quantifiable improvements in every Ducati motorcycle. To a rider, the best measure of quality is by the riding experience. You can feel a new smoothness to the legendary Ducati L-Twin, a more progressive nature to the powerful brakes and more confident road holding in every turn. Reliability and quality – one ride is all the proof you will need. 50% less – 100% Ducati – standard equipment in every 2007 model. | ||
| Dtx |
I have an XB9SX too. I think the motor has plenty power and sounds great with a good exhaust on it. Wouldn't want it to be any less powerful though. Its just right for the street. I ride with lots of other types of bikes and I hang with or can pass most of them. The only times they truly leave me in the dust is on long straight aways...but when we are riding the twisties of NE Oklahoma and NW Arkansas, that is like less than 1% of the time. | ||
| Ejiii |
I love my XB9SX. I have a FAST intake, race ECM and a Drummer. It pulls plenty strong! I have buddies with 999r's, MV's, trick KTMs and Moto Guzzis. The Buell will hang with any of them at any time in the twisties and you can get all the tickets you want on the straight sections. The Buell is lower maintenance than any of them, that excites me because I came off a KTM Supermoto bike that required constant attention. I vote for the Buell, you will love it! | ||
| Nickcaro |
Thank you everyone for your input. Its great to see such a response in just 24 hours. I'm going to definitely stick around and continue reading all of your posts until the time comes to drop the hammer. Is anyone here in the NYC area? | ||
| Dtx |
Nick, If you wanna see a picture of an XB9SX in action, click on my profile.  | ||
| Kootenay |
My only concern is the seat height - its a tad tall so Im getting the xg seat so my feet are flat footed! Flat footing is for   | ||
| Mikexlr650 |
nick, you have plenty of buellers in the nyc area on this board plus a very active group about an hour north of the gw bridge. we have about ten of us from the area going on a trip to the dragon this spring meeting up with about 50 other buellers. we also have bi-weekly rides as well as planning several trackdays this year. you may find the best part of owning one of these bikes is the people it will come with(they don't advertise this part). very low squid poser content. i have spent a fair bit of time on both the 620 and the zuk. while both are very good bikes they are not in the same class as the buell. spec sheets can be very misleading as to the true "depth" of a machine. | ||
| Swordsman |
Interesting feedback. When I started shopping for bikes, I was totally unbiased... and still am to an extent, possibly because of my lack of riding experience on other brands. Can't judge a book if you've never read it, right? Anyway, when I first started looking at Buells, my father-in-law talked to several of his H-D contacts. We were both surprised to find out that a substantial number of new Buell riders were Ducati converts. I think that says a lot, considering Duc's reputation. ~SM | ||
| Jumpinjewels |
I sold my SV650 in order to buy my xb12scg (after riding my hubby's xb12r). The SV650 was a blast but after riding my Buell, there's no contest. I'm not quite flat footed even with the lower seat, but as you all say out there, who cares. Also hear the duc is incredibly pricey to fix, get parts (if you can) etc. | ||
| Molly_hatchet |
when i went looking i could of bought anything i wanted....ive owned or riden alomst everything out there....the buell just seemed to fit me best and this is the only bike ive ever bought without riding...no endorsment ya know... im glad i did....i had an R-1 for a little while...il tell ya what thats some damn scary bike there...no wonder so many people die ridin the big superbikes...ive been riding since i was 12 and i still dont know how someone can harness the power some of these new bikes make....the only bike i havent ridden is the zuk sv's ...one of these days id like to ride one of those....for me the duc was a little uncomfortable good power but just not for me...my 9 seems just about right...said the littlest bear | ||
| Tleighbell |
there is a comparison on Motorcycle online between the 04 SV, Monster 800 and XB9 S. The Buell won. Having owned the SV and XB9, I agree with all the above comments. I couldn't say for sure if the Buell was faster than the Suzuki or not but the motor felt better, more torquey. And the Buell handles better. The SV is a great bike for the price, but it has limitations dictated by the price. The Buell is just a better quality piece, and if you appreciate that sort of thing, you'll enjoy the Buell more. The SV is a really good bike but the Buell is something very special. |
