| Author | Message | ||
     Slick17 |
Hi. I have been reading on here and reading up on the Buell family of bikes. I am about to buy my first bike and was kind of set on the GSX-R line up but this past summer I have been riding my cousins 06 XB12R and love it. I have grown up around bikes, dirt bikes, but mostly Harleys and love the sound. So my question is the XB12R a good first bike? He is only selling it to me for what he owes on it, which is $6500. He only has 4300 miles on it. He is the only owner. He bought it and had the race package put on. The ECM, Exhaust, and Black rims. I have read and found that you all are really knowledgeable about these bikes. Thanks ahead for your input. | ||
| Srwitt |
How much have you ridden it? Have you really ridden it hard? If you've already ridden it, and feel comfortable on it, and feel you can respect the power the thing does have, why not. (Message edited by SRWitt on October 10, 2008) | ||
| Froggy |
This question has been asked before. Personally I wouldn't do it as a first bike, but everyone is different. You need to be careful, the power can bite you in the ass if you do something stupid. | ||
| Slick17 |
I've ridin it hard. I know that the power is there and that the damn front brake bites lol. I think I'm a little set on this over the GSX-R line up. I've put about 450 miles on it for him.I feel comfortable on it just wish I could plant both feet but I'm used to that. I'm only 5'7. But other than that I love it. Is that a good deal on this year with the race package on it? | ||
| Ferocity02 |
My XB12Scg was my first street bike. I've ridden dirt bikes and ATV's for years. I picked it up really quickly and it's been a good bike. I'm looking to step up to a ZX10R or R1. | ||
| Ezblast |
Think Busa you guys - we need to clean up the gene pool. EZ | ||
| Froggy |
KBB and NADA put the 06 XB12R at a little over $7k, so it sounds good to me if you can afford it. Don't forget to get a full seat of riding gear! | ||
| Mnbueller |
I bought an '05 lightning for my first bike. And it was my first bike, never ridden before. I highly recomend Buell's as first bikes, R or S. They comfortable, cool, easy to maintain, and fun to ride. Plus a Buell will be much cheaper to insure than a gsx, parts will be cheaper, and you won't blend in with every other sport bike on the road. $6500 sounds like a good deal to me. | ||
| Mr2shim |
Buy it, screw what everyone else says. If you end up wrecking and dying. Well, at least you had fun.  How can you not plant both feet? I'm 5'7 and I can..... Torso longer than legs?  But yea, if you've been riding your cousins bike and are comfortable with it then buy away. | ||
| Frinzo |
I say go for it. I started out on a XL1200N, then got the buell for the twisties. Just this past weekend i really put it to the test and glad i got it. Just like every1 says, just respect the bikes power and u will be fine. | ||
| Macbuell |
It's a better first bike than any GSXR, that's for sure, simple because the power is so much more user friendly than any GSXR. | ||
| Paint_shaker |
The mainstream school of thought is to start on a small, easy to handle low HP bike. Me, I am not a mainstream kinda guy. MY first street bike was a Harley Davidson Springer Softail. I should mention I had years of dirt bike and bicycle stunt ridding prior. The bottom line is, if you feel comfortable enough with the bike buy it, if not get something else. If you respect the bike and it's capabilities you will have no problems. If you don't, it'll bite you! | ||
| Swordsman |
What Paint said +100. My first bike is my current: XB12Ss. Had it for nearly 3 years now. Bigger first bikes are a better investment so long as you don't act like an idiot. ~SM | ||
| Slick17 |
Thanks guys for all your input. I think I will go with it. I was always one to go bigger than small. If I didn't I always ended up spending more money upgrading later. I think it's a good deal and I will prolly go for it. Thanks again. | ||
| Jonzin |
My 2007 CG was my 1st street bike and it has been a very positive experience.....I waited until I knew I was mature enough (verified by my wife  ) to handle getting a motorcycle. It would not have been a good idea when I was younger and invincible  I would recommend taking a MSF course and then practice the same drills on your bike no matter how rudimentary they feel. | ||
| Andymnelson |
My first bike was a 1995 Yamaha YZF600, brand new....I drove it off the showroom floor. I had literally ridden once in my entire life before that, and of course fell in love. I wish I had either been smarter, or bought a smaller and/or crappier bike for my first bike. You will lay it down. I did 3 times- 2 of them no big deal but did scratch my shiny new bike, the third did some damage. Be smart, respect the power, ride easy and get to know her for a season before thrashing on her. If you don't respect the bike, it WILL TEACH you respect! Oh, and I also wish that I had taken the MSF safety course right away. I ended up taking it with my gf just this summer- and it was great! (taught me all the things that I learned the hard way lol :-p) Take the course- you will find it very useful, and on top of that you will get like 10-12 hours of seat time. | ||
| Pkforbes87 |
Plus a Buell will be much cheaper to insure than a gsx" Only with certain companies. Some companies (the one I use now and will be cancelling ASAP) don't care about HP numbers, they only figure premiums by the rider's age and engine cc's. I am paying $1100/year for full coverage w/ $500 deductible. Progressive quoted me $326/year for the same coverages with a $250 deductible. With my current company I would be paying the $1100/year up until the day I turn 25 when it magically drops to $247/year. Just shop around and you can find decent rates.. and a 12R should be just fine for a first bike. | ||
| Shadyplace20 |
+1 what Andy and Jonzin said. Take the MSF class. My 12R is my first bike after taking the MSF class. In my class we had a guy drop a 250 Suzuki so even that much power needs respect. Find an open parking lot and Practice, practice, practice. I was looking for a 9R but couldn't find what I wanted so I got the 12R. It would have been a bad idea for me to own this bike when I was 20, but married with children at 40 there's more brain power and caution. I love my 'Bolt! | ||
| Slick17 |
I guess I should of said that I have had my class m for about 2 years now just haven't bought a bike yet. I toke the MSF course inorder to get my class M. I agree that everyone should take it. It's also fun for a weekend. | ||
| Reepicheep |
At worst it's only half way a wrong choice. The two reasons not to get it would be "too much bike for a new rider to handle" and "too big a depreciation if you decide you are not a rider after a couple seasons". You are buying used, so you won't take as big a depreciation if you want a different bike or don't ride like you thought you would. And if you have dirt experience, you are ahead of a lot of new street riders. Go test ride a 9sx though. In a lot of ways it's like a big fun dirt bike set up really well for the street. | ||
| Jake_blues |
12 is a lot for a beginner but with that msf course under your belt you should be fine! I took it on my sportster 1200c at the local air guard base and I was the youngest rider there but also had the most experience and many of the people were on gixxer 750s and even a ninja zx14! Its all about respect! I've only had one wreck and it was on a 97 fatboy doing about 10mph(before that course) so even not doing something stupid you still gotta watch yourself...12r is a extremely easy bike to ride so have fun with it! | ||
| Maryj |
my 12r was my first bike. Loved it. The respect thing goes for every bike even little 250's....I think people get more hurt on them because all they think about is the tiny displacement and act like a jackass. I think the 12r is a gentle giant, it has smooth power delivery, but it'll get up and go when you're ready. Just be respectful and hopefully all will go as well as it can. | ||
| Froggy |
Not true, bought a 04 Suzuki GS500, wrecked it, partly fixed it, and sold it for what I paid for it. I was only out gas, insurance, and new forks  | ||
| Vanvideo |
This question gets asked a lot, and my answer is always the same: No, any XB is bad for a first bike. They all have powerful torque, and that's what's going to get you in trouble; that instant, hard acceleration. Maybe not so bad launching from a stoplight, but coming out of a corner - look out. Many bike accidents involve corners, and that's where experience counts. I sold my 9R, moved to an RC51 and now ride a ZX-10R. Honestly, I find the Ninja easiest to ride. And I wouldn't recommend any of these bikes to beginners. Since you like twins and Suzukis, have you considered an SV650? It's a great beginner's bike, but also more than enough for veteran riders. Since you have some riding experience, you may not truly qualify as a beginner. If you get the 12R, practice the corners. That skill separates the newbies from the veterans. I'm also 5'-7", and I had to tippie-toe on the 9R. But the RC51 was the worst - that beast is heavy! | ||
| Guell |
I say get whatever you feel comfortable on. Test ride some other bikes also. No one on the internet will be able to tell you if you are ready to ride that bike or not. My first street bike was my cyclone. I had dirt bike experience and lots of mt bike experience prior though. | ||
| Xbniner |
I didn't have as much riding experience as you do, but I bought a 9r with the race kit as my first bike about 2 months ago and i love it. The power took a little getting used to, and I still haven't really pushed the bike, but I can learn at my own pace without outgrowing the bike. From what I've heard the 12 isn't much crazier than the 9, so you should be fine. | ||
| Happy1 |
i've rode a HD sport 883 around.....i liked the power just not my style. my first bike i owned was a 96 yamaha xj600 good around town but i hated it on the freeway, as of now no bike but waiting for my xb12 to be delivered.....i still consider myself a beginner don't want to become complacent. thats when trouble starts.....take the course if you haven't already. | ||
| Rainman |
My first bike was a souped 1200 Sporty, my second a 1100 Gold Wing and my third a 03 Blast. Just call me devo--- Seriously, if you're a calm, easy-going personality and can control your right hand well and drive rationally, you can pull off a big bike for the first one. I recommend the Blast to begin, but if you've got a good deal and you are willing to control yourself, do it. You don't need to use all 100 horsies at a time. | ||
| Stinky_finger |
Hi Slick17, XB12R is not a good first bike. It has a lot of power and can get you in a lot of trouble fast. The GSX-R line of bike are great too, but even less friendly to a new rider since it is basically a high performance track bike. A ninja 250 or Buell blast are great bikes for beginners. Despite what your friends will say, it will take you a couple of years before you outgrow it and reach it's limits. I started out on a Ninja 250. I rode it for three years and sold it for $200 less than I paid for it new. I went through several bikes before buying my Buell and I can't image a new rider buying one. ( I actually have been thinking of buying one of the newly redesigned ninja 250s for use as a dedicated track wh0re  ) Lastly, you should also check insurance prices, that will dictate which bike you buy. (Message edited by stinky_finger on October 13, 2008) | ||
| Yardsale |
XB12R is not a good first bike oh psh! i never even sat on a motorcycle before buying my 08 12R right off the showroom floor and riding it home. i honestly really think it has less to do with the bike and more to do with the person on it. yes the 12R has more power than your typical 'starter' bike but so what, when your spending that kind of money, buy the bike you want! |
