| Author | Message | ||
     Safd |
Hello, I am a new member and want to get thoughts on theses two bikes. I will be using it to primarily commute to work, about 20 minute ride each way, on highway. How bad is the Buell on highway? Also my commute will get longer in three years to 70 minutes one way. The BMW has some good features(center stand, abs, heated grips, .9% finance...), but it does not move me the way the Buell does. I fear the BMW is the more practical choice. I will buy one or the other this weekend. I am sure they are both good bikes, but I am torn. thanks ben | ||
| Ted  |
I think you've already decided on the beemer if you're wondering how BAD the buell is... | ||
| Blaster_s  |
Kind of like asking, "Should I get the Volvo S60 sedan or the Subaru WRX STi." Both have four doors and get you where you need to go but it's the way the machines make you feel. In my opinion, the City X conveys an attitude of individualism. Even thought the Bimmer is nice, it's like you stated practical but is a BMW. The Buell has the performance that will certainly entertain you but it is also a very exclusive motorcycle compared to the status quo. Obviously, you're askin' the wrong people though. You're on the Badweb wanting to know if you should buy a BMW? Buy the City X and enjoy...  | ||
| Aldaytona  |
Safd, Great name by the way, any relation? Either way, if you ride both bikes (and yes I have) you'll buy the Buell. If you can't, read Cycle World Dec.2004 CityX XB9SX you'll buy the Buell. If those don't work, check your pulse to see if you're still alive.  Just kidding. This many of us can't be wrong  Not kidding! | ||
| Scooterroid  |
I always get a kick outa BMW riders here in Florida. 98 degrees and 100% humidity and they got on all their crap: Tour jackets, gauntlets, riding pants, tour boots and full coverage helmets. Just weird. I bet you've seen 'em down on the corner Al, eh. Steve-0 | ||
| Aldaytona |
Forgot to mention, both bikes will get you there, but the Buell will get you off!  | ||
| Bigj |
I owned an R1150R for two years(it got totaled). It was a nice all around bike. I feel it would probably be a better commuter than the City. However, I feel there are much better bikes than both of those for commuting, particularly at the distances you are looking at. BMW's in general are fairly reliable, but certainly aren't up to Japanese levels. The new Kawasaki Z750 would probably be worth looking at.  | ||
| Dago  |
I'm a Buell rider in Dallas (it gets hot here too). I wear my full face helmet, armored jacket, gloves, jeans, and leather shoes or boots no matter what time of year it is. So I guess I should have gotten a BMW? Personally, I think the guys riding around in t-shirts with no helmet are complete morons who don't value what they have between their ears. I don't care what type of bike they're on. But to offer some feedback on the topic of this post... I too have ridden the 1150R. My neighbor has one. It's WAY more comfortable. But it doesn't convey the same passion at all. See Blaster_S' comments above for my sentiments as well. | ||
| Hogs |
Hey Scooterroid, That might seem Werid But protection is protection I wear my old 25 year HEavy leather coat with supports whenever I`m out 100 degs. or not Guess years ago when I was young and foolish wd. ride with a t-shirt today I`m still young at HEart perhaps but not foolish anymore when it comes to riding gear...Too many cages out there gets worse ever year.. :-) Cheers | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
In addition to my XB I ride a Kawasaki Concours. Excellent, affordable, fast, and has a long legacy of reliability and support. I have heard of some turning 200K miles. Check out www.concours.org Good luck and happy hunting. | ||
| Blaster_s |
Buell City X (by Guy Allen, November 2004) You may have heard the term crossover vehicle. It's popular in the car world at the moment, and is used to describe something that straddles a couple of recognized categories, such as 4WD and family wagon. That's pretty much what the Buell City X (or XB9SX) is, though in this case it falls somewhere between big naked and supermotard classes - which, when you think about it, is a pretty good place to end up. What is it? The plot is essentially a variation on Buell's innovative (or quirky - take you pick) rolling chassis, which carries fuel in the massive alloy beam frame, engine oil in the similarly beefy swingarm, and boasts motorcycling's only production rim-mounted disc brake on the front. So what's different about this one? Quite a lot. For a start the company has done some work on the tuning of the 984cc XB9 powerplant, to good effect. Then there's the radically revised suspension rates, plus a styling package that boasts some translucent panels and some motard cues such as hand guards. The whole visual effect is techno meets urban warrior. The resident 18-year-old, Ms A, says she'd own one in a minute, and we agree. In fact, I'll risk sticking my neck out by saying the looks alone make this one potentially collectible. By now the engine shouldn't require a lot of introduction. It started life as a Sportster V-twin, which means 45 degree cylinder angle, two valves per cylinder, and pushrods. Buell's tuning efforts make it a fairly high-stepping version though. It's air cooled, with fan assistance for the rear cylinder. The manufacturer claims 92 horses. What's it like? I'll confess to having a soft spot for Buells. Why? Well, they're mostly a hoot to ride. The combination of lumpy V-twin power delivery, and ultra quick steering makes them a joy to flick around on your favourite sports road and even, particularly in this case, around town. What's significant about this model is the combination of things that Buell has improved. For a start, suspension is now spot on. The XB12s I rode some time back were a little harsh in this department, and some of the older generation models needed a fair bit of fine tuning to get right. This one is just about perfect. The initial response is relatively soft, and firms as you get further into the travel. It has its limitations - big bumps will overwhelm the available travel - but the package maintains its composure and gets on with the job. Top marks. Down in the engine room, things are equally well sorted. This is the best injected Buell I've ridden to date, and really can't be faulted on the carburetion front. If I owned one and was considering swapping the muffler for something a little more free-flowing, I'd be taking care to ensure the carburetion wasn't ruined. A Powercommander and a capable workshop with a dyno would soon fix that. Gearshifting is light and accurate, while the clutch offers good feel. As we've already hinted, steering is very quick, and pin sharp. It's also stable at top speed. Braking from the single rim disc up front, with six-piston caliper, is very strong with loads of feel. It's one of the nicest front brakes out there. The only potential Achilles heel is the fuel capacity, which Buell doesn't reveal in its online spec panels. What I can tell you is the reserve light comes on around 10.5 litres (about 150-160km), and previous XB models claim 14 litres which is a bit light-on. Pricing ($16k) is in the ballpark and this is one test bike I was genuinely sorry to take back. | ||
| Reepicheep  |
I do a 30 mile commute (one way) on my CityX, and love it, could not be happier. Tiny, tight, light feeling, and fantastic fun factor. I have not ridden the BMW, so can't compare directly. While the CityX is "naked", I am consistently amazed at the amount of wind protection it gives me, especially once the frame slider stick on's are attached. Based on what I have read here and know from first hand experience, I would expect both the BMW and the XB's to have about the same level of reliability / cost of ownership. 70 miles one way would be fine on the 9sx, so long as you don't have a lot of extra stuff to carry (no more then a backpack). It looks like the Beemer is signifcantly more expensive, and based on my few excursions into BMW dealers, upkeep on the thing will be brutally expensive as well. I don't think they had a single item besides key fobs in the BMW shops I have been in that retailed for less then $75. I would worry that the BMW is overly practical for a $10,000 bike, and that they may have "refined the life out of it", such that it is underly "intriuging". If "practical" is your goal, a VStrom 1000 or VFR or ZR1000 or FZ1 would probably give you a lot more bike for less money. For $15,000, the BMW 1150 GS looks *very* cool, but for that much you could have the 9sx for the street, and a KLR-650 for everything else, and have a "loan a buddy bike" as well.. The Buell would be more along the lines of a speed triple, quirky, but in a good way. Designed to be as much fun on the road as possible, as opposed to being designed for the best spec sheets or objective performance measurements. The thing was literally engineered to be as much fun as possible. You can probably see things like this in the engine configuration. The Buell *still* has a 45 degree Vtwin, even though it's a lousy design for max power and minimal vibration. The 180 degree positioning of the Beemer allows better power, better cooling, and less vibration. But... you can't get that very cool narrow little package that 45 degree twin will get you, and a 180 degree twin does not sounds... well... as "cool". I expect the "yeah, it performs better, but does it sound cool?" question would get you laughed out of Munich were to bring it up there. The opposite would apply in Milwaukee (well, East Troy). *Fail* to ask that question and your career at the factory would likely be a short one. I don't doubt the Beemer is a great bike, but I think you are asking the right question. I think they are both great bikes, and you would not go wrong with either, so get the one that excites you. But take all this as a "Buell Advocate" piece, as I own and love my CityX. Both are great bikes, and I would not fault a person for buying either. | ||
| Scooterroid |
Sorry, wasn't aware it got 100 degrees in Nova Scotia, eh. Steve-O | ||
| Safd |
Thanks for all the replies. Upkeep on the BMW does have me thinking($275 every 6000miles/oil changes every three) At those intervals its almost Ducati expensive at $600 every 12K. I would imagine the Buell is cheaper to maintain, especially if I do most of it. I thought about the FZ1, a lot of bang for your buck, but I like the idea of either shaft drive or belt. Also I can't deny that it would be cool to have an American built bike thanks | ||
| Aldaytona |
If you've been looking at this site for a while and I suspect you have, you've probably figured out a lot of us are as tight as a frog's arse. Low maintenance cost is just a bonus of XB ownership. Actually we're just frugal. | ||
| Dasbuell  |
OK... I just ask I don't get any hate mail from the badwebbers. I own a BMW R1100R (1995) and an XB9S (2003). I love both bikes... but I ride my XB more. You have to ask your self this question... will I be carrying more than what is in my pockets or will fit in a tank bag. The XBs are a hoot... doing well in the city and on the hwy. My big complaint is... if you want to ride two up... the passenger will be cramped if the weight is over about 150 and/or the height is over 5" 4'. I took my rear pegs off... Sharon said there wa no way to ride on the XB... (Sharon is not far in size from the above). With a tail bag and a tank bag... there is not enough room to commute to work, for me. I am federal LE... and carry two cell phones, a pager, two PDAs, Digital voice recorder, individual trauma kit, digital camera, BUNCH of keys, and my duty weapon and ammunition & misc small items. There is NO WAY to pack all that on the XB. I refuse to do the backpack thing... should you go down... landing on a backpack full of stuff could compound any injuries. (I had a bicycle crash years ago with a backpack full of stuff... and landing on it was the cause of most of my injuries!) My R1100R has hard bags and a top bag... and that stuff does not use 20% of the storage on the BMW. Both haul •••... the BMW can cruise at 100+ all day long... both handle VERY well in the twisties... The XB is lighter and more flickable... the BMW is heavier and more planted in heavy cross winds. Seriously look at what you have to transport now... and what will be needed when the commute changes. Pick the best bike for what you need... you will not be disappointed in which ever you select. THEN... plot, save and plan to buy the other bike... Ya gotta have more than two bikes... (I have five so far!) My maintenance costs between the two are not that far apart. If you get ABS brakes... that adds to scheduled maint costs a little... BUT I LOVE ABS on a bike!! I always wear a jacket and gloves... no matter how hot it gets... always dress for "fall"! Check out some of the bike v deer accidents posted on this board... proper gear has done wonders for two badwebbers v deer crashes! You picked two good bikes to select from... good luck... let us know what you do... and if you BMW... really save up and get a used XB asap... it is a face full of smiles!!! | ||
| Blaster_s |
Gotta love hydraulic lifters and belt drives... | ||
| Glitch  |
Get the dinette set, it's more practicle by far. I ride 30 miles rain or shine one way to work and play in the mountains on the weekend. A little over 18 months with my XB9S and a little shy of 30,000 miles so far. So I think I can honestly say the BMW is more practicle. I can also say I'm not a very practicle, but, that's not why I ride. | ||
| Blaster_s |
Well said Glitch. Also, I have to say that even if someone is thinking of buying a motorcycle they are already out of the realm of practicality. By definition, a two-wheeled motor w/ a seat is not practical, it is an emotional need. Motorcycles feed the senses and make you feel alive. This is why I ride a Buell... (Message edited by blaster_s on December 03, 2004) | ||
| Court |
Whoa....before you decide....RIDE. I own a BMW and I like it. Now wait a minute, sure I am the "Buell Guy" but I have a huge respect for what BMW has done. Under David Robb the range has become more focused, albeit a bit more artsy in design, quality is impeccable and they seem to cater to the thinking rider. Why, you ask, do I even own (having at one time had 6 Buells) a BMW. The answer is simple, practical and dull....MY WIFE. Wait?...perhaps I should rephrase that. Anyway, the BMW was purchased for a vertically challenged 5' pre-spousal unit with limited on road experience. The lowered F650 worked great and the bags are second to none. It moves her fine. What the BMW does not move is my soul. It's a well built, low antiseptic motorcycle. I'm going back, rereading your thread and noting that you are going to spend a bit of each day on whatever it is you purchase. You, my friend, stand at the edge of greatness, waiting to take the bold step into the world of Buell. The Buell, for reasons we all take stabs at, but all confess to being unable to describe, is without peer in terms of it's ability to move ones heart and soul. Perhaps it knowing that the folks building them play guitar to relax at lunch. In fact, let me go so far as to say you are at a crossroads with regard to the rest of your life. Although you will spend but a fraction of your day on your chosen purchase, it will doubtless be the time that, more than any other in the course of a day, shapes your demeanor. The BMW will get you to work. The Buell will get you to work clicking your heels, feeling like you rode a motorcycle to work, not just "got" there. Buells, we are witnesses, effect your life, they have changed mine. Before long you'll start meeting Buell people and what started as a great experience will become a grand experience. Put a picture of both of the candidate bikes in front of you. Think of them as a mirror you are staring into. In which picture do you see...well YOU? Are you "good reliable transportation" or "you only live once, make the most of it" excitement?". I gots ta know? For what it's worth, even in my advancing years, I may be about to begin commuting on a Buell City Crosser. I shouldn't say this before Santa peeks under the tree but I also suspect the days before the BMW gets replaced by a XB9SL are numbered. Get those pictures out....look in the mirror....and if you need a test ride for goodness sake let me know before you ruin the rest of your life!  Court (yes, I have an opinion) | ||
| Safd |
Thanks for the input Court! that was very well put, and might have just put over the edge ben | ||
| Glitch |
Court my friend, you say how I feel so often. I love The Buell will get you to work clicking your heels, feeling like you rode a motorcycle to work, not just "got" there. it's just how I feel every morning. When I'm in a car, I often wish I was riding, while riding I never wish I was in a car, the XB only magnifies that. Before long you'll start meeting Buell people and what started as a great experience will become a grand experience. Too true, and you can't know how true until you meet a bunch of Buellers thinking you may only have a Buell in common, then you find that like minds find Buell, and you all go to the Church of our Holy Mother of Blessed Acceleration... | ||
| Bigeasy |
Very nice post court! As glitch said that is exactly how I feel. Safd I dont think I can follow that post, but I hope you go with the cityx! | ||
| Svmotoman |
I too was having a similar dilemma with the BMW 1150R and a Triumph Sprint ST. Then I took a vacation in Asheville, NC this fall and put 1200 miles on a rented Buell XB9S. I did not expect to like the bike, I was not really interested in liking the bike, I only rented the bike because it was the only sport oriented bike for 1000 miles that I could rent. Now, I cannot get the bike out of my mind. It was so stable and so pleasurable to ride in so many situations, 1 up, 2 up, in town, highway, even sweeping the Tail of the Dragon (314 turns in 11 miles :-)). Yes quirky, shifting was tough, fan ran all the time, but I didn't care. I have just sold my Suzuki SV650 and will be buying a CityX as soon at the check clears. Period. | ||
| Hogs |
Well perhaps that was a little white lie...100 degs. Hahah but in the ninties...day here day there..point is ride with the gear Period. | ||
| Bigbird  |
I might be equipped to offer an opinion on the subject. I'm on my 4th BMW and my 2nd Buell. In order of purchase, my BMW's were: '00 R1100RT, '01 F650 GS, '72 R60/5 (restoration project), '04 R1150GS. I still own all but the '00 RT. As for Buell, last year I put 16,000 miles on a '03 Xb9s, and currently have a '04 XB12R. The GS has the exact same powertrain, horsepower, and gearing as the 1150R, but in a more rugged package. I put 20,000 miles on it over the last year. I've done 800 mile days on it 2-up, I've ridden off road in the mountains of Virginia, I've humiliated sport bikes with it at the dragon while grinding the footpegs - with a passenger on the back and full luggage/camping gear, and I've seen (and ridden)a 300 + mile stretch of rocks, gravel, mud, and rain with no civilization or services and a gas can strapped to the back, all so I could see the northern lights and watch the sun set over James Bay at 11:00 at night. It is a fantastic motorcycle, and MUCH more versatile than a Buell (sorry folks, but its true). Although the 1150R is not off-road oriented like the GS, it retains the same rugged powertrain, albeit with less suspension. I've owned 41 motorcycles, and ridden more than I could possibly count because I work in the biz. I can tell you without question that the best bike I've ever spent time on was my '00 1100RT, and I really wish I'd never sold it. If you are really considering a BMW for commuting, and if your use of the bike will include 2-up riding, trips, inclement weather, and you need something that can carry lots of stuff I'd recommend an RT first, or a GS second, even if you have to buy a slightly used one to keep the price in line. They really are that good. Even though the R1150 R is a good bike, it lacks the weather protection and versatility of the RT or GS, so I wouldn't be as quick to recommend it. Although not as cheap to keep on the road as a Buell, they are very affordable if you do your own maintenance. You do NOT need to change the oil every 3k. It is due every 6k along with a valve adjustment (a 20 minute procedure) and throttle body sync. The most involved maintenance is the 24,000 mile service, which took me about 4 hours to perform on a Sunday afternoon and cost about $100.00 in parts. No big deal. The BMW oilhead boxer platform is known for running 250,000 + miles without engine trouble if cared for properly. The weak spots are final drive assemblies (about $1000.00 to replace) and clutch/input shaft splines (again, about a grand to repair). If you were going to put 200,000 miles on the bike you could expect to perform each job once on average. Some people have had multiple rear end failures, some have had none. It just depends. There is absolutely no freakin' comparison when it comes to comfort. I've done a 600 mile day on the '03 Lightning I used to have and I was a train wreck at the end of the day. Conversely I did 1083 miles in 18.5 hrs with a passenger on the RT and didn't feel half as bad. So why do I own a Buell? The answer is simple. The Buell is a completely different ride. The sound, the feel, the INCREDIBLE handling, these are all things that are near & dear to me. I've never experienced handling as good as the XB anywhere else. Although I am a distance riding junkie I still like to put on leathers and tear up the twisties. The Buell works for me in that environment better than anything else I've tried. An added plus is that the XB has got to be the cheapest bike to maintain. I've never seen anything else that was so easy to work on and cheap to buy parts for. Not even my Suzuki V-Strom with the incredible reliability of the SV-650 based engine can compare to the Buell's ease of service. I know many here have one bike, and they have chosen the Buell. I can respect that. Its a damn fun bike to own. Fortunately I can own multiple bikes, but due to the fact that I ride 30,000 miles a year if I had to choose only one, sorry folks, it would be a BMW R1100/1150RT. Great weather protection, comfortable as can be, great handling, reasonable performance, a nearly 500 LB. payload capacity and the room/luggage to carry it, decent gas mileage (mid 40's), the most incredible brakes in the business (yes, better than the XB brakes), ABS included, and built like a brick $hit house. I've seen Rt's that rode away under their own power after cutting a deer in half due to the Telelever front suspension. What other single bike can you buy that is capable of a track day, 2-up long distance touring, has enough carrying capacity to go grocery shopping with, and can adjust to your height, weight, wind demands, and heating requirements? With the windshield at the high position I could talk to a passenger at 100 mph with helmets on, or I could push a button, lower the shield, and get all of the wind blast I wanted. Truly versatile. As much as some here might not like to admit it, I've found that Buell riders and BMW riders are not so different from each other. Both possess a strong sense of brand identity and loyalty, both tend to make repeat purchases of their respective favorite brand, both seek out riders of the same brand and have rallies all over the place, and the list of riders I personally know who have both a Buell and a BMW in the garage right now is actually quite long. BMW riders cover MILES. They are typically the type of rider who will ride 600 miles in a day for a good plate of ribs or to buy a lottery ticket with a big jackpot from another state, 1000 + miles in less than a day just because, or cover 4000-5000 miles in a week's vacation on two wheels with their SO on the back snapping pics so they don't have to pull over. I am guilty of all of those things. The RT served me well in every aspect. The GS served me almost as well, but lacks the superior weather protection and wind management of the RT. The trade off is the GS is off-road capable, which is also nice to have. I love my Buell. I loved my RT. I really like the GS, but it is currently for sale. It got replaced by the V-Strom which isn't as rugged, but will serve my off-road requirements. You have to decide how you are going to spend most of your riding time, and make a choice from there. Don't let anyone tell you the BMW has no character or soul. It has plenty, although not as much as the XB. But its a hell of a lot more versatile and useable. Honda makes the only bike I've ever ridden that was completely bland (VT1100 Shadow), and even some of their bikes (such as the RC51) can still be a lot of fun. As for the Beemer riders wearing their gear in 100 degree heat, its called "ATTGATT". It stands for "all of the gear, all of the time." Once you've been down a couple of times and seen what the asphalt does to a pair of jeans you will be more likely to adopt this philosophy. It applies whether I am on one of the BMW's, the Buell, the Suzuki, Moto-Guzzi, or anything else. I wear an Aerostich Darien outfit with an Arai helmet most of the time, and now have an AGVSPORT 1-piece leather suit that I intend to take to the track with the Firebolt next year. Riding is only fun if you live to go ride again. Picking out a motorcycle today is a tough choice because there are so many great choices out there - good luck with your decision. | ||
| Safd |
Thanks for all the responses. I just got back from putting some money down on the cityx! I'll finish up the paper work tommorrow and take it home. It might not be the most versatile choice but I think I can make it work. Not to sound too stupid, but it just 'spoke' to me more than the BMW. Bigbird- I can't see myself doing any big miles but if I do I think I can do it old school style, maybe somebody makes saddle bags to fit it. I also have some aerostich clothes, do you have any of their bags? Will they fit the XB? Thanks again guys, I've been lurking here for awhile and have gotten lots of good info. ben | ||
| Blaster_s |
Congratulations!!!!!!!!!  | ||
| Barkandbite  |
Safd -- I commute 100 miles round trip every day on my XB9R -- I need to haul a lot so I purchased the Ventura bag setup. I believe they have one for the Lightning package, also. You'll get the best of both worlds. If you need more info, let me know. Chris | ||
| Svo1023 |
excellent choice there ben... congrats.....and enjoy!!! mike |
