| Author | Message | ||
     Tor |
So I'm hopefully buying an 04 XB9S soon and have a few questions. I have read many posts on here, etc. and found a lot of very useful information. I was wondering what the 2up riding was like on these bikes? Nothing long, just cruises around town with the lady(she's pretty small at 5'2" 115 and has rode on the back of a couple 600 super sports and been fine). Also the reliability comes into question. Have asked many people about this bike and all have said be ready for reliability issues, etc. I know all bikes have their problems and don't expect this one to be any different. Another question would be about valve adjustments on these? How often and how hard is it to do? Will I have to pay the dealer to do it, or will I be able to at home? Another bump in my process is that I live in Montana and it is winter and I won't be able to test ride a Buell before I buy this bike. I have always liked different bikes from the crowd and have decided I'm just not a superbike kind of guy. I am in love with the looks and true unique spirit of Buells. So if you guys have any input on my questions, or why/why not I should really consider buying this bike then please feel free to give me some advice! Thanks in advance. | ||
| Bishopjb1124 |
2 up on an xb9s can be done but not for long or she will hate you, reliability issues were mainly with some of the earlier tubers the xb series is very reliable with just routine maintenance, as for the valve adjustments that is only on the 1125r so don't worry about that with the xb9. Now why I think you should buy a buell, holy shnikeys man you live in Montana there has to be some great twisties up there to ride in. | ||
| Bcool83 |
I've ridden for an hour or two several times with my girl on the back of my 03XB9S with no complaints (except that there's nothing for her to hold on to behind her "just in case"). | ||
| Herobluebuell |
I've ridden 200 miles with a girl on the back. She didn't complain for the first like 150 miles. This was with a select seat by the way. | ||
| Corporatemonkey |
If she has ridden on the back of any modern 600 she will find an XBS like a comfy couch. As for reliability, any modern (2003 or newer) will out live just about any sportbike on the market. There is a famous article put out by a UK bike magazine (not a buell friendly publication), where they attempted to kill a buell engine. After some 30,000k (i think) they tore down the motor and was shocked to find it was in pristine condition. Their comment was the buell engine was SO overbuilt for the job. | ||
| Slaughter |
My only comment on reliability would be to keep the motor away from the rev limit. That can be pretty hard on the bottom end (the MOTORCYCLE bottom end, that is) Warming up the engine before blasting out on the road is always a good idea - | ||
| Panhead_dan |
I had an '03 XB9S for several years. The valves are self adjusting and require no maint at all. It is the easiest bike to maintain I've ever owned. Mine had zero issues. It never failed me ever. The wife rode on the back some but was not used to the ergos and actually had a panic attack while riding over a bridge. Go figure. | ||
| Andymnelson |
"If she has ridden on the back of any modern 600 she will find an XBS like a comfy couch. " Right on. My girl used to ride on the back of my Yamaha YZF600 and my Triumph TT600. Now I have an XB9S and she has a Buell Blast, but when she rides with me she always comments on how much better it is than the sport bikes were. One reason is that the passenger isn't up so high as they are on most sport bikes- when they sit up higher they are forced to lean forward more and that can become uncomfortable with too much weight on the wrists. Also, the seat to peg distance is longer than most sport bikes, making the ride easier on her knees. | ||
| Redbuelljunkie |
making the ride easier on her knees That gave me an evil grin... | ||
| Cityxslicker |
The bikes are pretty durable, even off the pavement.  dont know about passengers, First thing I did was take off those pegs. | ||
| Srwitt |
My g/f rides on the back of my 12R often. Its usually one weekend to myself for riding, the next weekend is two up. Her not being used to riding on bikes, sportbikes specifically doesn't start squirming (from being uncomfortable not from the vibs as talked about in the storys section)until at least 150-200 miles. Even then at 150-200 mark we have been off the bike at least once for fuel so in reality its probably closer to 250 miles before she gets really uncomfortable. I on the otherhand (mind you the R is a different riding position) when wearing jeans, 300 is about my limit do to bunching/chafing. In full leather I went 300 no sweat. The bike as compact as it is, is a hell of a lot more comfortable than my 91 Suzuki Bandit 400 that had clip-ons. The Buell physically is not bigger than the 400. Where you at in Montana? I'm over near Couer D Alene Idaho, and have ridden into Montana a couple of times. Thompson Pass is one hell of a ride, almost zero traffic, good road surface, I railed the whole pass last summer cruising speed of a bout 90 and only passed one car. (Message edited by SRWitt on January 15, 2009) | ||
| Tor |
Well I am from the small town of Glasgow originally, but live in and go to school in Missoula, MT. This will be my final semester in school and I'm ready to be done ha. Yes we do have some great twisties... Early season can suck though, because of all the gravel, etc. on the roads left from the winter. The first bike I owned on my own(not rode) was an 01 Yami R6 and then I rode an 03 Triumph tt600 for 3 years until August of this year when I sold that bike. I'm really sold on the XB series bikes and hopefully will be a regular on these forums with a Buell of my own within the next month. There are 2 that I have my eye on right now, an 04 lighting and an 05 Firebolt... Both 9's. I'm thinking the Lightning is what I'm gonna go for because it seems to be in better shape and the seller is straight forward and knows quite a bit about bikes, compared to the other who doesn't even know what a Jardine pipe is as I pointed it out on his bike from pics lol. Anyways, just thought I would reply to my own post and let you guys know what I am thinking. Thanks again! |
