| Author | Message | ||
     Zanon |
Hi guys: I'm totally psyched to finally pull the trigger on a Buell. I'm planning to test ride a City X this weekend, and if the fit is almost OK, I'll buy it on faith that the skyline seat will make the seat-to-peg a little roomier. If this is a bad idea, now is the time! Uly's fit me great, but (and I know I'll make no friends on this board) I just don't need a liter engine, and that includes I4 600s acting like liter engines! Anyway, do you have recommendations for the best Buell dealers in the Bay Area? I live south of San Francisco, and would rather not ride into the city, but Fremont (across the bridge) is fine. Also, any idea on how much City X actually go for, out the door? | ||
| Jraice |
I got my bike from Fremont for $200 over MSRP. MSRP is a good number to try and get close to OTD. Fremont is the best no questions asked. Livermore was okay but I got no vibe when I went there that they were really into the buells. Teddy from BARF (works there) is an awesome guy and absolutely loves buells. They have a good number of them on the floor and really know a ton about them. Chris is also a great guy to work with. If you work with either of them tell them Jordan the young (17) kid who bought the red XB12Ss from them sent you  . Only other buell dealer I went to that seemed nice was a funky one down in SoCal that had a good number of them but Fremont is leaps and bounds the best way to go. Not only do they actually like the buell line (heard they are working on sponsoring some buell racers which is a great sign) but they have one of the best rated service dept. around, just ask for a tour of it, very organized and clean. May I ask what other bikes you have ridden? The XB9 is a sweet bike and with some mods can easily keep up with an XB12 (and with a good rider, can keep up with anything in the twisties). I honestly would love one just for the short wheelbase but I am very happy with the longer travel suspension, less wheelie prone wheelbase and larger fuel capacity of my XB12Ss. Just saying though if financially the 12's arent a problem, and if you like the Uly I wouldnt give up on it right away. Its a bit more power yes but its really not that much. Not like the difference between a 600cc and 1000cc I4. And it only goes as fast as you make it, if you keep the rev's low I am sure it feels just like the 9 . Just saying, if you like the uly get an uly, would definetly be a better touring platform I would imagine but still, the City X is a sweet ride I am sure so if thats the way to go, talk to Fremont. I believe when I last was in (when I bought my bike) they had a very new looking used XB9SX but no 9's on the floor. | ||
| 2008xb12scg |
I got mine at Devil mountian in Pittsburg. Last time I was in there they had some really good deals on the Buells. I dealt with A sales gal named Daisy very knowedgable and no nonsense. And she tought me how to ride in the parking lot. I sent a few friends in there and they were happy with the deals they got. Here's the DM number 925-427-2760 I must call to much if I remember the number...Good luck! | ||
| Zanon |
Hi guys: Thanks for the comments. I started on a cb250, tried my wife's blast (what she learned on), and now ride a cb750. Almost all of my riding is short weekend trips in the hills. I'd love to tour, but not in the immediate cards : ( My goal is to become an *old* rider. That means gaining skills, enjoying myself, and not getting hurt (too badly). I've no desire to ride anything like a i4600 or i41000. I enjoy the freedom and joy that motorcycling through beautiful country gives me, and want something characterful and easy to ride. Not interested in speed (may be weird for this board, no?) I like my cb750, except it lacks character, and seat-to-peg is a tad tight. Also, it isn't the nimblest of bikes, and some of the tight, technical rides I go on can get tricky. CityX has character and nimbleness in spades, and if the skyline seats can give me acceptable leg room, I'm all set. | ||
| Blackm2 |
+1 on Jraice's comment Zanon. The SS might be something to look into if you haven't sat on one. Also called the Lightning Long. Doesn't get you cramped up if you are on the taller side. My wifes Scg is great, but there is no way I could ride that for too long, and I'm 5'10. | ||
| 2008xb12scg |
I heard good things about Fremont HD to. | ||
| Zanon |
*Doh*. Thwarted by rain this weekend : ( Will try again next week. (ps. know I should not be having these thoughts, but any ideas on 2010 models?) | ||
| Jraice |
Come on go buy your bike in the rain! Just makes it more adventurous! I was just at my dealer for the first time since purchasing my bike and all the guys were commenting on how I left in the rain and came back in the rain. I dont know what todays forecast is but yesterday's "rain" was actually totally dry, and most of the freeways were as well. | ||
| Eicas |
I agree about not needing a 1200, and I have one! I bought the long for the added fuel capacity, but now wish that I had bought a 9 for a number of reasons. Don't get me wrong, the 12 is great and I like it, but I would have enjoyed the character of the 9 more. Important thing, get the bike that you like the most as it is. Small things like seats and bars are easy to change. | ||
| Skinstains |
The nine is a litre bike (984cc's). Eicas is right (imo), you can change seats, pegs, and bars to suit your wants and needs. You will be modifying the bike anyway (we all do, it can't be avoided). I would go for the City X as the nine is an easier bike to ride. not due to engine size but rather the delivery of the power. I have two nines and three twelves and definately prefer the nines. As for that CB 750...What year is it ? and why don't you Cafe' it ? That is a great bike. | ||
| Zanon |
Jraice: I'd buy it in the rain, but they don't let you test drive it if the ground is even slightly wet. And I want to test drive first. I understand their position, I'm just cursing the gods. Eicas: thanks! Skinstains: CB750 is a great bike. It's a low mileage '01 I think--the previous owner must have lived near the ocean as it has a lot of tarnish, especially on the exhausts, but apart from that it's fine. Super reliable, roomy, smooth, light clutch, great tranny etc. But I get to ride so rarely these days I want to make every minute maximum fun, and I'd like to try a characterful V-twin in the best handling chassis out there. |
